Without Bell to guide me, I’d be hopelessly lost on my own property.
Well, it’s more Kierra’s property than mine and it’s really more the Grand Hall’s than hers, but we live here so meh. The Hall has an entire area of the island dedicated to the housing of its preferred members of...
2021-08-09 16:10:24 +0000 UTC View Post“Welcome back, Lou.”
At the end of a long day, Geneva waits in the doorway with her usual smirk. It’s a sight I’m accustomed to as she makes a point of greeting when whenever I return but this time, I pause, drawn into contemplation. Despite the complications surrounding the annoyin...
2021-08-06 13:44:02 +0000 UTC View Post“Yeah. Got to admit, I didn’t expect such a heavy conversation coming here.” My nerves are fried. If I had the option, I’d just go home and call it a day but my schedule is not my own. I am beyond ready for my initiate year to be over.
“I’d like to think we’ve made progress th...
2021-08-06 13:40:44 +0000 UTC View Post“You seem to be deep in thought.”
I open my eyes to see Miss Talia standing over me, my refilled teacup in her hand. “Thanks,” I mumble, handing it to Bell. “This is a mess.”
“You can simply stay out of it.”
“No, no. There’s no point leaving it to chance when...
2021-08-04 18:26:28 +0000 UTC View PostSo, as promised I deliver side stories! My patrons, your votes decide what you see. Side stories will be posted on Wednesdays (replacing the one chapter) but will always be announced in advance. Expect 2000-5000 words (really depends).
*Starting from the earliest arcs and moving forwa...
2021-08-02 15:13:00 +0000 UTC View PostSeated with a cup of tea in my hand, I settle into the amazingly comfortable chair a quiet servant boy brought for me as Talia dives into her explanation. “I suppose the first thing is to ask how much you know of the royal family?”
“Um. They are rich and powerful and it’s best to st...
2021-08-02 15:03:49 +0000 UTC View PostThe lesson seems to end faster than usual. Kierra even sends me off with a kiss, getting me a few glares from the other initiates. I glare right back at them. They’re either Kierra’s admirers or idiots who are seeing me clean and relaxed from not doing anything and forgetting the pain I go th...
2021-08-02 15:02:22 +0000 UTC View Post“Ah. Alana, Lou. This way.”
The moment we arrive, Kierra beckons us away from the gathering group of initiates to a part of the field where a plush chair is seated before a square carved into the dirt. The square is divided into small squares, four by four, with each one numbered. What ...
2021-07-30 17:14:56 +0000 UTC View Post“Good morning, Lou, Geo,” Mano with his usual short bow, palms pressed together. Can’t manage much else, seated on the grass. “I see you have another tagalong.”
I grip Bell tighter, the imp’s tail swinging back and forth. After yesterday, eh-hm, things have been…different. I c...
2021-07-30 17:10:12 +0000 UTC View Post“Mm. There’s an idea.” Dammit, now Kierra’s giving me a similar look combined with one of her vicious smiles. I don’t like where this is heading but the slowly accumulating dread isn’t enough to make me break away as Kierra moves off me and waves Bell forward.
The imp stalks for...
2021-07-28 17:56:26 +0000 UTC View PostI pace in front of my bed, no doubt looking every bit as stressed as I feel. It can’t be helped. The encounter with the prince and Bell’s subsequent revelation has been weighing on my mind for the whole day. Once Kierra arrived, I convened a meeting of the family to figure out how to deal wit...
2021-07-26 15:56:25 +0000 UTC View PostThe royal eyes me and I feel my skin crawl, heart pounding in my chest. My eyes dart to the sides, looking for an escape route but the crowd is already closing in, anticipating a good show. If the saints have any mercy, a stray spell will break down the wall behind me. I even give it a beseeching...
2021-07-26 15:54:58 +0000 UTC View PostWe of course stick out in our sweaty linens amongst the nobles and their finery. I see some of you remember me. This is a little ridiculous, the way they cringe away like simply being near me is dangerous to their health. The future leaders of this country are a little pathetic.
Alana ignor...
2021-07-23 20:40:47 +0000 UTC View Post“I…hate…you…Lou!”
“Ahaha! Save your breath, my friend!” I call back, swinging forward so that the fire heating my stomach is now on my back, feeling an even stronger burn in my abdomen.
After the first round on the obstacle course, the other initiates are allowed to rest...
2021-07-23 20:36:07 +0000 UTC View PostMy group has come a long way. I remember plenty of the initiates being unprepared that first day, fidgeting as they tried to concentrate on their mana pools, and generally failing. Now, each of us are practiced in meditation, seated in neat rows, still as statues in the lotus position.
The ...
2021-07-21 16:35:10 +0000 UTC View PostI freeze. Normally, having someone like the dorm mother calling on me would make me giddy but…she gives me a bad feeling. The closest thing I can equate it to is someone going about their merry way when they spot a snake basking on a rock by the road. A beautiful snake with glittering scales th...
2021-07-19 14:29:09 +0000 UTC View PostI’m awake early the next morning, bright-eyed and ready to work. An abnormal situation to be sure. I wouldn’t normally be up so early, let alone after a night of drinking suspicious concoctions posing as liquor. However, these aren’t normal circumstances.
Now that I’ve gotten some p...
2021-07-19 14:28:07 +0000 UTC View PostAn hour later, the two of us have relocated to one of the tables as I can’t trust Alana not to slip off a stool. Heh. Lightweight talked big but four mugs were enough to put her down. I’m on my seventh and I feel perfectly fine.
“Lou.” Geneva grabs my wrist. “You’re about to dri...
2021-07-16 14:45:25 +0000 UTC View Post“Whatever you do, don’t drink the Devil Brine.”
I grin as I deliver the warning to Alana, getting the expected glare. It’s been half a year since I’ve come to the Grand Hall. Spring has passed and summer lingers halfway through our initiate year. A benchmark I think is worth celeb...
2021-07-16 14:44:40 +0000 UTC View PostAlright, here's the glossary. It will be added to as the series continues. Let me know if I miss anything! (except minor characters, they are doomed to be forgotten)
· The Enchanted Forest- the strip of land connecting the human continent and the elven cont...
2021-07-16 14:38:42 +0000 UTC View PostThe day of my duel arrives.
I don’t know how one is supposed to be in the hours preceding a battle that will very much decide my future going forward but the mood of the house is rather cheerful. Kierra and I are having breakfast on our balcony, having taken to eating outside after her su...
2021-07-15 19:32:20 +0000 UTC View PostThe next day, I am back at the Bronze Dorm. Ah, I missed these basic stools, bare wooden floors, and rowdy people. Those nobles exude their pretentiousness into the air. Makes it hard to breathe for us folk who can live without large sticks rammed up our backsides. I’m looking forward to puttin...
2021-07-15 19:31:32 +0000 UTC View Post“Pete!”
For the past two weeks I have been hounding the poor man. I have to give him credit. He has been nothing but patient.
For the first three days, he tolerated me sitting at his table. For the next five, he tried to avoid me but with a little assistance from Bell, there’s n...
2021-07-15 19:30:49 +0000 UTC View PostThe next day, I’m bright and early to Mana Work along with Geneva, Bell trailing behind us with her head on a swivel. With an active threat to my life confirmed, it’s best to have her close at hand. And really, there’s no point worrying about her drawing attention now that it’s out about ...
2021-07-15 19:30:13 +0000 UTC View Post“You must tell us about the elves!” Oh, it’s the admirer. “Are they all as beautiful as your wife? And do they have such strange coloring? When I first saw the new instructor, I thought she was plagued by some terrible illness.”
“Wouldn’t know, haven’t been around others,”...
2021-07-15 19:29:24 +0000 UTC View PostMy succubi weren’t intent on letting me get away anytime soon but the ‘fun’ is interrupted by Kierra coming in and reminding me about my mission. After a short break to turn my brain back on, I shoo them out of the bedroom to get dressed.
Seeing as we’ll be mingling with high societ...
2021-07-15 19:28:47 +0000 UTC View PostWe waste a bit of time on the main floor to show off for Maxine until an employee comes with a smooth wooden box. I don’t bother to check the contents, not caring if the party’s host likes the gift or not. I have a goal to complete and after that, who cares.
By the time we’re finished...
2021-07-15 19:27:49 +0000 UTC View PostAs always, the Guiness Company building is spectacular. Though the gleaming gold and white insignia of a bird in flight draws the eye, it hardly stands out amongst the many magical advertisements. There is noticeably more security here as well, four knights in gold armor standing by the door.
... 2021-07-15 19:27:03 +0000 UTC View PostSurprisingly, the library isn’t beside the Center Hall, the core of the Grand Hall where all magic classes are held and research is conducted. I thought it was strange until Kierra and I arrive in front of it.
This place wouldn’t fit next to it. When I think of libraries, well, I’ve n...
2021-07-15 19:25:50 +0000 UTC View Post“It hurts…everything hurts…”
I groan out my complaints as I lean heavily onto Alana. Stupid. This is what I get for thinking it’s a good idea to try and poke fun at Kierra. Her payback and her desire to meld me led to an especially brutal day. Alana is practically dragging me to t...
2021-07-15 19:25:13 +0000 UTC View Post