The Valmere estate stood atop a hill overlooking Arathis, its towering spires and crystalline walls glinting like ice under the morning sun. It was a fortress of elegance and power, every detail crafted to reflect the family's status as one of the most influential in Veyrith. Yet within its opulent halls, Elira Valmere felt anything but at ease.
She sat across from her mother in the grand sitting room, the air thick with the faint scent of lavender incense and unspoken expectations. Lady Serena Valmere—renowned Seeker, pioneer of Quartz Core technology, and current Dean of the Magic School of Knowledge—was not a woman accustomed to idleness. Her sharp gaze never wavered as she studied her daughter, her hands folded neatly in her lap.
"So," Serena began, her voice smooth but commanding, "you say something unusual occurred during your journey home last night?"
Elira hesitated, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. She had recounted the story twice already—once upon arriving home late that foggy evening, and again this morning over breakfast—but recounting it now felt different. This wasn't just an account of an incident; it was an opportunity. An opening for her to prove herself worthy of her mother's attention, if only briefly.
"Yes," she said finally, meeting Serena's eyes. "I was ambushed by thugs near the outskirts of the city. They surrounded my wagon, demanding I step out." She paused, recalling the fear that had gripped her then—the cold sweat, the racing heartbeat. "But before they could do anything… something happened."
"Something?" Serena prompted, raising an eyebrow. "Be specific, Elira. Vagueness has no place in our world."
Elira swallowed hard, choosing her words carefully. "It was as though… something scared them away. The fog thickened, and there were shadows moving unnaturally—shapes that shouldn't have been there. And sounds… whispers, growls. Whatever it was, it terrified them enough to flee."
Serena leaned back slightly, her expression unreadable. For a moment, silence filled the room, broken only by the faint ticking of a gilded clock on the mantle. Then, she spoke.
"Interesting," she said softly, almost to herself. "Very interesting indeed."
Elira frowned, unsure how to interpret her mother's reaction. "What do you mean? Do you think it was some kind of magical defense mechanism tied to the wagon's enchantments?"
"No," Serena replied firmly. "The wagon's safeguards are designed to repel physical threats, not conjure illusions or manipulate fear. No, this… this was something else entirely. Something far more intriguing."
Her tone shifted, becoming sharper, more animated. "Tell me, Elira—did you sense any residual energy? Any lingering traces of magic after the event?"
Elira shook her head. "Nothing. Just… unease. Like whatever caused it had vanished completely."
Serena tapped her fingers against the armrest, deep in thought. After a long pause, she turned to her daughter once more, her gaze piercing. "This changes things," she declared. "If what you described is true—and I have no reason to doubt you—then we may be dealing with someone extraordinary. Someone who possesses knowledge beyond conventional Seeking."
Elira blinked, startled. "You think it's another Seeker? One of your students, perhaps?"
"I don't know yet," Serena admitted, her voice tinged with both frustration and excitement. "But I intend to find out. Which brings me to my next point." She rose gracefully from her seat, pacing toward the window. "As you know, representatives from various academies will soon visit the lower districts to evaluate promising candidates. Among them will be several mid-tier Seekers specializing in magical disciplines—a rare breed, even by today's standards."
Elira straightened, sensing where this conversation was headed. "You want me to accompany you."
"Precisely," Serena confirmed, turning to face her. "I need you to observe these candidates closely, particularly those demonstrating unique abilities. Your insights will be invaluable in determining who deserves a place in my school."
"But Mother…" Elira hesitated, her voice faltering slightly. "Why can't I focus on other areas instead? Artificing, perhaps? Or even crafting tools for practical use? Magic isn't exactly my strength."
Serena's expression softened ever so slightly, though her tone remained firm. "Elira, you are my daughter. You carry the legacy of this family—not just as a title, but as a responsibility. Magic is the cornerstone of our influence, the foundation upon which everything else rests. If you wish to truly make a mark, you must excel in the very discipline that defines us."
Elira looked down, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her dress. She wanted to argue—to explain that she didn't feel drawn to magic the way others did, that she struggled to pull threads related to spells or enchantments—but she knew it would be futile. Her mother saw potential where Elira saw only inadequacy, and nothing short of failure would convince her otherwise.
"Very well," Elira murmured, forcing a small smile. "I'll do my best."
Serena nodded approvingly, though her gaze lingered on her daughter for a moment longer than necessary. "Good. Now, prepare yourself. We leave at dawn tomorrow."
Later that evening, Elira retreated to her private chambers, staring out at the sprawling city below. The lights of Arathis twinkled like stars scattered across the horizon, a reminder of the countless lives unfolding beneath her family's watchful eye. Yet despite the beauty of the view, her thoughts remained clouded.
A gentle knock at the door pulled her from her reverie. When she opened it, she found her younger brother, Caelum, standing there with a mischievous grin. At twelve years old, he was the polar opposite of their mother—impulsive, curious, and utterly uninterested in the rigid traditions of the Valmere name.
"What is it, Caelum?" Elira asked, unable to suppress a smile at his antics.
"I heard about the spooky thing that scared off those thugs," he said, slipping past her into the room. "Sounds exciting! Did you see it? Was it a monster? A ghost? Some secret weapon?"
Elira sighed, closing the door behind him. "No, I didn't see anything. That's the problem—it was all shadows and whispers. Nothing tangible."
Caelum plopped onto her bed, bouncing slightly. "Maybe it was a rogue Seeker. You know, someone experimenting with forbidden knowledge. Wouldn't that be cool?"
"Cool?" Elira echoed, raising an eyebrow. "More like dangerous. Forbidden knowledge isn't something to play around with."
"Oh, come on," Caelum teased, rolling his eyes. "You sound like Mother now. Lighten up! Besides, whoever it was saved you, right? So maybe they're not so bad."
Elira frowned, considering his words. There was truth to them, however naive. Whoever—or whatever—had intervened that night had spared her life without asking for anything in return. But the mystery surrounding the event left her uneasy. Who wielded such power, and why?
Before she could dwell further, Caelum interrupted her thoughts. "Anyway, promise me you'll tell me everything when you get back from the evaluation trip. I want all the juicy details!"
Despite herself, Elira laughed, ruffling his hair affectionately. "Fine, but only if you promise not to cause trouble while I'm gone."
"Deal!" Caelum grinned, hopping off the bed. "See you later, sis!"
After he left, Elira returned to the window, her mind drifting back to the shadowy figure—or force—that had saved her. Whoever they were, they had unknowingly set something in motion. And whether they intended to or not, they would soon find themselves entangled in the intricate web of the Valmere legacy.