The courtyard felt unusually quiet as the evening shadows lengthened, casting long stretches across the stone. Eryx stood there for a moment, the weight of the sword in his hand grounding him. His practice had been more focused today, more purposeful, but the weight of the new challenges ahead was never far from his mind.
The academy was beginning to settle into a strange rhythm, and though it wasn't yet apparent, Eryx could sense that things were changing. He had already heard rumors of upcoming trials, of students advancing in ranks, but there was something else in the air—a tension that stretched between the students like a finely drawn thread.
Liora appeared at the edge of the courtyard, her presence a quiet contrast to the loud clamor of the other students. She walked slowly toward him, her expression as unreadable as always, but there was something in her eyes today—something darker.
"You're practicing again?" she asked, a slight note of concern in her voice.
Eryx nodded, sheathing his sword with a practiced motion. "I need to stay sharp," he replied, his gaze flicking toward the horizon. "There's too much at stake."
Liora didn't speak for a moment, her eyes following his. There was a long silence between them before she spoke again, her tone soft but pointed.
"You've been quiet lately," she said. "What's going on, Eryx?"
Eryx paused, his fingers brushing the hilt of his sword, though his thoughts were far from the weapon. "Nothing," he said finally, though the word felt too simple. There was so much more beneath the surface, but he wasn't sure how to explain it to her—how to explain the growing pressure, the feeling that something was shifting within the Academy.
Liora studied him for a moment longer, then seemed to accept his answer. But there was a flicker of concern in her eyes that didn't fade. "If you ever need someone to talk to…"
He turned to her, offering a small, reassuring smile. "I'll keep that in mind."
The silence stretched again, but it was a comfortable one, one that spoke of understanding, even if unspoken. Eryx could feel the weight of Liora's words. She saw through the surface, something few people ever did. But he wasn't ready to let anyone in—not yet.
At that moment, the sound of hurried footsteps interrupted their quiet exchange. A tall figure appeared in the doorway of the courtyard—a student Eryx recognized as one of the older students, though not someone he had interacted with much. His posture was confident, his strides purposeful.
Eryx watched as the student approached, his eyes scanning the courtyard before locking onto them.
"Liora," the student greeted, his voice smooth, almost too practiced. "I was wondering where you'd run off to."
Liora's expression hardened slightly, but she remained calm. "I'm not running anywhere, Vance," she replied, her voice cool.
Vance smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Of course you aren't," he said, his tone laced with an edge Eryx didn't quite understand. He shifted his gaze to Eryx, appraising him with a look that seemed almost calculating.
"And you must be the new kid," Vance continued, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "I've heard about you."
Eryx felt a flicker of unease, but he kept his posture neutral. "That's me," he said, his tone nonchalant.
Vance's smile widened, though there was no warmth in it. "You'll learn quickly," he said cryptically. "The Academy has a way of shaping its students. But be careful—you'll find that not everyone is as friendly as Liora here."
Eryx didn't respond, instead choosing to study Vance with a measured gaze. There was something about him—something faintly condescending in the way he carried himself, as if he viewed everyone else as beneath him. But for now, Eryx decided to keep his thoughts to himself.
Vance didn't linger much longer. After a few more parting words to Liora, he turned and walked away, his steps as deliberate as ever.
Liora didn't seem to react to his departure, but Eryx could sense the tension in her shoulders. She didn't seem to like him, but there was more to it than that. Eryx wasn't sure what it was, but he would have to keep his distance from Vance, at least for now.
Once he was gone, Eryx let out a quiet breath. "That was… strange," he said.
Liora shrugged, though her eyes were distant. "Vance isn't as important as he thinks he is. But he's been around longer than most, so he has a lot of influence."
Eryx glanced at her, his curiosity piqued. "Influence? In what way?"
She hesitated before answering, her voice quieter. "In ways that matter, Eryx. You'll see soon enough. The Academy isn't just a place for learning. It's about connections, power… And sometimes, survival."
There was a weight to her words that Eryx couldn't ignore. He had come here to learn magic, to hone his abilities. But it was becoming clear that the Academy was more than just a school. It was a place where power, influence, and alliances meant everything.
For a moment, the courtyard felt smaller, the walls closing in as Eryx began to understand that his journey here would be far more complicated than he had initially imagined.