"Since you're staying in the actual Academy instead of the dorms, there are some ground rules," Dara announced as she led us through corridors that looked like they'd been carved from a single piece of marble. The walls practically glowed, every surface polished to perfection.

  Red trotted alongside us with casual confidence, his nose working overtime. I could feel his curiosity through our bond—hundreds of different people had passed through these corridors, each leaving their own scent behind. He was cataloging everything.

  "The library closes at sundown," Dara continued, her silver eyes scanning each of us. "If you're still in there after close, you will be stuck there until dawn. It gets pretty cold, so don't test it thinking you can just tough it out."

  Malcolm raised his hand as if we were in elementary school. "What happens if there's an emergency?"

  "Then you freeze your ass off until morning and learn not to lose track of time." Dara's smile was sharp enough to cut glass. "Suite doors lock at midnight if they're not already locked. This is for safety since the attack on Sylvarus. Trust me, you don't want to be wandering the halls after midnight."

  "What's wandering around at night?" Cass asked, her hand moving toward where she normally kept her swords.

  "Mostly golems," Dara said with a finality that killed any follow-up questions.

  She stopped at an ornate table that looked like it had been grown rather than carved, its surface flowing in organic curves that hurt to look at directly. Four copper bracelets sat on its surface, each one etched with tiny runes that screamed concepts I didn't recognize.

  "While staying in the tower, these bracelets will allow you to get to most places you have access to." Dara handed one to each of us, and I felt the metal warm against my skin the moment I put it on. "These are not something most people have access to for a good reason. All three of you are not only Apprentices, but your contributions to quelling the monster and Varglid attack on the Academy warrants the allocated resources for easier travel through the tower."

  She paused, fixing each of us with that intimidating stare. "Think before you bring someone with you. These bracelets are keyed to your mana. If you abuse the privilege, I'll know, and you'll be sleeping in the rubble of what used to be your dormitory."

  "Got it," I said, examining the bracelet more closely. The runes were definitely moving, cycling through patterns that felt familiar but remained just beyond my understanding. "No unauthorized joy rides through a spirit realm."

  "Smart." Dara turned and started walking again. "Now let me show you how to get around this place without dying of old age."

  We descended several flights of stairs, the architecture shifting as we went deeper. The pristine alabaster gave way to something older, more organic. The walls curved instead of meeting at sharp angles, and I could swear I felt a heartbeat somewhere beneath my feet.

  "Watch this," Dara said, raising her hand in a complex gesture that made the air around her fingers shimmer.

  The stairs shifted.

  Not metaphorically—they literally moved through space, telescoping and rearranging themselves like some impossible piece of origami. Malcolm, who'd been leaning against the railing, suddenly hung over what looked like a bottomless pit as the staircase reconfigured itself around us.

  "Shit, Dara!" I lunged forward, grabbing Malcolm's arm before he could fall into the void. "You trying to throw someone off?"

  "Damn, I was hoping one of you would fall to demonstrate that you can't actually fall," Dara said with obvious disappointment. "The tower won't let you die from something that stupid. So don't worry about it."

  We all stared at her. Even Red tilted his head in a way that suggested he was questioning her sanity.

  "You were going to let me fall into a pit to prove a point?" Malcolm asked, his voice pitched higher than normal.

  "It's not actually a pit," Dara protested. "It's more like... aggressive transportation to somewhere safe but embarrassing."

  Red snorted what sounded like a doggy laugh, his tail wagging as he looked between us and Dara. She caught his expression and grinned, reaching down to pet him with a familiarity that suggested they'd had these kinds of conversations before.

  "At least someone appreciates proper educational technique," she muttered, scratching behind his ears in exactly the spot that made his leg twitch.

  , Red sent through our bond, the thought tinged with amused affection.

  "I know, buddy," I said aloud, and Dara shot me a questioning look. "Red likes you."

  "Red has excellent judgment," Dara replied without missing a beat.

  We continued down the reformed staircase, which now led to a wide corridor filled with natural light. Students moved through the space in small groups, their conversations creating a pleasant background hum that reminded me of college campuses back on Earth.

  That's when I spotted a familiar face.

  The person was unmistakably Floran—bronze skin and pointed ears marked them as one of Diana's Aldertree relatives—but built like someone who spent their free time doing ab workouts. Short but shredded, they wore the same strapped leather outfit I remembered from our first meeting. They were talking animatedly with two other students, their hands moving as they described something that apparently required elaborate gestures.

  When they caught sight of us, their face lit up with genuine enthusiasm.

  "Ben Crawford!" they called out, jogging over with effortless grace. "Francis Aldertree. Good to see you again!"

  "Yeah," I said, extending my hand for what turned out to be a grip that could have crushed walnuts. "You're one of the Strikers that ambushed Red and me on the boat before the tournament."

  Cass's eyebrows shot up, her expression shifting to something more dangerous. I could practically feel her calculating the best way to introduce Francis to the nearest wall.

  Francis laughed, a hearty sound that carried no malice. "Yeah! Though I was trying to get them to call it off. Now, seeing what you're capable of, I'm glad we did! We only made it to third place in the first two rounds, and you're way ahead. Will be fun to duel you if we're matched up!"

  Their enthusiasm was infectious, even though the thought of fighting someone built like a Greek statue made my ribs ache preemptively.

  "Let me know if you have questions about the Academy," Francis continued. "I've been here for a month now, so I know where most of the good classes are. And the kitchens with the best food." They winked. "Seeker privilege only gets you so far."

  Dara cleared her throat pointedly. "Francis, I hate to interrupt this touching reunion, but I'm giving them the tour."

  "Of course! Sorry, Dara." Francis stepped back with a respectful nod. "See you around, Ben. Looking forward to those duels!"

  As they rejoined their group, I turned to Dara. "Francis is Confirmed too?"

  "Their team is, yes," Dara confirmed. "Which means you'll likely end up dueling at least one of Maris's Seekers in three weeks."

  I watched Francis disappear around a corner, their calm confidence making me wonder if I'd prefer to face them or someone else. Sure, they seemed friendly enough, but that body suggested they could probably punch through walls without breaking a sweat. Then again, so could I, apparently.

  "Could be worse," I muttered.

  "Could be better," Cass added helpfully.

  We continued through the Academy, passing doorways that led to chambers I couldn't even categorize. Through one, I glimpsed what looked like a workshop where someone was forging something that glowed white-hot. Through another, students sat in meditation poses while small tornadoes swirled around them.

  "Ben!" a melodious voice called from behind us.

  I turned to see a woman approaching who looked like she'd stepped out of a gothic fairy tale. Tall and elegant, with long black hair that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it, she moved with a grace that suggested classical dance training. Her dark dress was perfectly tailored, emphasizing her willowy frame, and her pale skin made her green eyes seem to glow.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  "Estelle Graves," she said, extending a hand that felt surprisingly warm. "Dorian's mother. I've heard quite a lot about you."

  I blinked, trying to reconcile this elegant woman with the dramatic ridiculousness of Marco and Dorian. "Marco's your husband?"

  "Unfortunately," she said with a smile that suggested she found the situation more amusing than burdensome. "Though he has his uses. A little bird tells me you might be interested in learning Alchemy?"

  I realized it probably

  a little bird that told her, thinking of Stanley. "Definitely. I've been curious about how mana orbs become coins, and Malcolm tells me Alchemists do it best."

  "Excellent!" Estelle's smile widened, revealing teeth that were perhaps a little too white. "We make mana coins from mana orbs, which can be quite lucrative for someone talented in it. Not to mention the potions and pills. The profit margins are... substantial, for those with the right touch."

  I could practically hear the ka-ching of potential income. I had an auction to save for.

  "I'd love to learn," I said. "When do you hold classes?"

  Estelle laughed, the sound like silver bells with a hint of mischief. "That's... complicated. Let me explain."

  Dara sighed dramatically. "Classes are basically chaos. Most instructors hold classes randomly, and word of mouth or Manascript is the only way students typically find out about them. It's quite common to have a class filled with people, only to have something else pop up with a different instructor that everyone leaves to take part in."

  "It s a competition between instructors," Estelle added with obvious relish. "We each have our specialties, and students vote with their feet. Keeps us all sharp."

  Malcolm shook his head. "That sounds like educational anarchy."

  "It is," Dara confirmed. "Which is why Diana has actually put together a schedule of her own classes she intends to hold to help Ben push toward Adept and make sure your team is positioned to win the tournament."

  That got my attention. "A schedule?"

  "Once a week at most, in Diana's personal office," Dara continued. "Which means not everyone can join. Archon privilege. With one of Maris's Seeker teams in third place, she wants to ensure they don't win the duels."

  The implications hit me like cold water. I had almost forgotten that this was all political.

  "Wonderful," I muttered. "Because things weren't complicated enough already."

  We continued our tour, passing through corridors that seemed to disappear when I wasn't paying attention.

  That's when we passed a classroom where a familiar figure was holding court.

  Felix sat at the center of a circle of attentive students, his hands moving as he showed something that involved manipulating threads of electric energy. The same lightning that had nearly killed Erik during the tournament. His voice carried clearly through the open doorway as he explained the finer points of energy compression.

  When he caught sight of us walking past, his expression shifted. The easy charm I remembered from our first meetings was gone, replaced by something cold and calculating. He met my eyes for a moment, then deliberately gestured for one of his students to close the door.

  The dismissal was unmistakable.

  "Well, that was friendly," Cass said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

  I stared at the closed door, feeling something twist in my chest. Felix had been genuinely helpful when we first met, and he even helped me start my journey as a Runebinder. Now he looked at me like I was a threat to be neutralized.

  "Something's changed," I said to Cass.

  "Yeah, no shit." Her expression was hard. "Bastard's acting like he's angry that he didn't finish the job with Erik."

  The thought made my stomach churn. I'd assumed Felix felt some guilt or remorse about what had happened. Instead, it seemed like he resented the fact that I'd prevented Erik from dying only for him to stay disqualified from the tournament.

  "We'll figure out what's going on with him later," I said, though I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer.

  Dara led us through more corridors until we reached what she called the Adept lounge—a spacious room with comfortable seating areas and large windows that looked out over what appeared to be a garden covered in a night sky. The view was probably some kind of magical illusion, but it was breathtaking nonetheless.

  "This is where your breakfasts will be available, based on your deal with Diana," Dara explained. "Lunch and dinner are more complicated, but—"

  "Breaker!"

  The voice hit me like a physical force, rich with genuine enthusiasm. I turned to see a woman approaching who made Cass look delicate by comparison. She was easily as tall as Cass but built like someone who'd spent their life wrestling bears for fun. Auburn hair was tied back in tight braids, and her tanned skin showed the intricate tattoos that marked her as Gaian. Everything about her screamed 'immovable object.'

  "River Stones," she said, extending a hand that looked like it could crush coconuts. "Great to finally meet you properly!"

  I took her hand, and she promptly pulled me into a hug that made my bones creak. Her aura washed over me in the same moment—a concept so familiar I recognized it immediately. Dauntless

  "Holy shit," I said, the pieces clicking into place. "You're the Guardian leader. I thought you were a guy!"

  River laughed, a sound like boulders tumbling down a mountainside. "The helmet makes it hard to tell, I know. My team's in second place right now, and I'm hoping to test myself against you in the duels."

  "Wait, I thought there were no Guardians in the tournament?" I asked, and River's smile was genuine.

  "I was already here studying at my mentor's direction! Need to learn and train more if I'm going to catch up to Alexander."

  "You're his Apprentice?" I asked suddenly, feeling a pit in my stomach.

  "Yup! And I hear you broke an entire academy building with your shoulder a few hours ago. Promise me you'll do that if we fight? I can't wait!"

  The thought of fighting this mountain of a woman made my bones ache in sympathy. Cass was fast and deadly with her swords, but River looked like she could just hurl boulders at me until one connected. I was going to break my collarbone again; I just knew it.

  "Looking forward to it too," I lied, while Valor whispered warnings about exactly how badly this woman could break me in half.

  "Excellent!" River's grin was fierce and predatory. "I've been working on some new techniques specifically for fighting someone with your... unique abilities. Should be fun!"

  Her definition of 'fun' and mine were clearly very different.

  After what felt like an eternity of small talk about training regimens and combat techniques that made me increasingly certain I didn't want to fight River, Dara finally rescued us by continuing the tour.

  "Last stop," she announced, leading us down a staircase that ended in a set of massive double doors. "The kitchens."

  The doors opened to reveal a space that made every restaurant kitchen I'd ever seen look like a toy. Copper pots the size of bathtubs hung from hooks, while ovens large enough to roast entire cattle lined one wall. The ceiling disappeared into shadows, but I could see more levels above us, with bridges and walkways connecting different cooking areas.

  "This is where you and Katie are free to work as often as you like," Dara said, gesturing broadly at the organized chaos. "Though I'd caution Ben against doing it too often. Diana would be pretty pissed if you didn't place well enough in the duels, regardless of Maris's retracted claim."

  I was already mentally cataloging the equipment and wondering what kinds of dishes I could create with resources like these. The possibilities were endless.

  "Where can I find recipe books?" Katie asked, her eyes wide as she took in the operation’s scope.

  Dara hesitated, her silver eyes narrowing slightly. "Recipe books?"

  "I want to learn to make food from all over Ark," Katie said with the enthusiasm of someone who'd found their calling. "Traditional dishes, regional specialties, anything I can get my hands on."

  Something shifted in Dara's expression—a calculation I couldn't quite read. Finally, she sighed.

  "I'll give you access to a small restricted section of the library," she said reluctantly. "But you didn't hear that from me, and those books are for you only, not Ben."

  Katie's face lit up as if she'd just been offered the keys to a candy store. "Thank you! I promise, Ben can go fuck himself, it’s my turn to teach him a thing or two."

  "Hey!" I protested.

  "Excellent." Dara's expression softened slightly. "Some of those recipes are from cultures that... don't exist anymore. They're irreplaceable."

  Diana had mentioned Arcadian cookbooks. What did that even look like?

  "Gary was right," I said, breaking the somber mood. "You really are greedy."

  The words left my mouth before I could stop them. Dara's expression shifted from mild amusement to something decidedly more dangerous.

  "Excuse me?" Her voice was deceptively calm as the feeling of something giant suddenly loomed over me.

  "I mean—" I started, but Valor was already screaming warnings through my aura.

  Too late.

  I found myself suddenly airborne, launched through the kitchen doors like I'd been fired from a railgun. The world blurred past as I rocketed through corridors, up staircases, and finally burst through what I assumed was the Academy's front entrance.

  I hit the alabaster stairs outside the tower hard, barely catching myself before tumbling the rest of the way down, which was a very long way. My stomach caught up with the rest of me about ten seconds later, and I spent a moment trying to convince my inner ear that the world had stopped spinning.

  Red appeared beside me, having apparently been launched along for the ride. He looked dizzy but unharmed, his tongue lolling out as he panted.

  , he sent through our bond, though I could feel his amusement was tinged with concern.

  "I'm definitely in love, kid. You gotta fix Winchester so I can see her again,

  "Yeah," I groaned, pushing myself to my feet and brushing dust off my clothes. "Remind me not to quote Gary when Dara's in earshot. Tower spirits are so touchy."

  "Come on, Red," I said, starting back up the stairs. "Let's go apologize before she launches us into orbit next time."

  , Red suggested helpfully.

  "Next time, maybe remind me before I open my mouth."

  If this was what passed for a normal day at Sylvarus Academy, the next three weeks were going to be very interesting indeed.

  I'd barely stepped inside when Dara appeared beside me, her silver eyes glinting with what might have been amusement.

  "Learn anything from that little trip?" she asked mildly.

  "Don't insult the dragon," I said immediately.

  Dara froze in place as I kept walking without another comment. Looking back at her, I gestured for her to follow.

  "You coming? It's your tour."

  She blinked at me, and after a moment's hesitation, nodded. "I'm glad you learned something."

  As we rejoined the others, I caught Cass's smirk and Malcolm's carefully neutral expression. They'd definitely enjoyed the show.

  "Everything okay?" Katie asked, concern clear in her voice.

  "Just a friendly reminder about Academy etiquette," I said, shooting Dara a wary look.

  "Apparently," Dara agreed with a smile that was all teeth. Was the dragon comment too much? "Shall we continue?"

  As we followed her deeper into the Academy, I realized what was happening. Dara the tower, after all. Not only was this a tour, but she was making sure we met certain people. Francis's friendly rivalry, River's crushing strength, Felix's unexpected hostility—each one represented an issue we'd have here. A tour of rules and rivals.

  Three weeks to prepare. No pressure at all.