Darkness still filled the room as I woke up. Since I was exempted from formation and array theory, I took care of the fire in the stove’s oven. Dry heat forced its stinging presence onto my face as I made sure to burn the wood into glowing charcoal embers, perfect fire for a long slow cooking.

  Before heading to classes, I placed the brined pig leg in a pot, covered it and placed it in the hot oven. It would slowly cook in its own juices during class time. I left the warm interior of the tower and reached the alchemy class.

  The previous period was still not over, so I watched the sunlight contoured shadows crawl on the floor until Magnar appeared.

  “Good morning. So, we’re expected today?” He came to a stop next to me and did a few toe tip raises.

  “Yeah! I prepared a bunch of stuff, you won’t regret it, I can guarantee that.”

  “I see you’re in a better state of spirit.” His eyes wandered from me to the door.

  “More like I’m casting the bad stuff out of my attention for now… How did yesterday go?”

  His hand rose along his body and covered his ribs, his breath trembled slightly as he muttered. “Painful.”

  “What happened?” I looked at his hand as if I’d be able to discern the structural damage through the skin. It took a lot to elicit this sort of reaction from Magnar.

  “She increased the speed and size of the ice balls… I tried to avoid it, but they hurled like yaks on the steppes.” Our other classmates arrived in groups, finding various spots in the hallway to wait the ongoing class out.

  “If you keep asking Lyra for training instead of finding any other activities… I bet she’s a bit fed up.” The classroom erupts in a choir of voices mixed with the thump of closing books and the sudden scrape of chair legs.

  “You have no idea of what I’m dealing with…” He shook his head. Our conversation was cut short as the door of the class swung open, allowing a sea of students to pour out.

  A rhythmic thrum of overlapping shouts filled the hallway. It was a class of commoners. They passed quickly, walking away to their next courses. Like the receding tide we occupied the vacated class, Magnar squared his shoulders despite the wince as we took our seats within, waiting for the professor to start.

  As soon as classes ended both Magnar and I left the premises.

  “I’ll go bring Lyra. Expect us in about an hour. She might have to leave early for one of her classes.” He said as we stopped in front of the main entrance.

  “That’s alright. As long as she isn’t chased away by the dishes and company, it doesn’t matter.” I replied dismissively. “See you soon.”

  We parted ways; he headed toward the dorms, while I was on a fast track towards the tower. As soon as I got back, my boots tapped the wooden boards as I rushed to check the roast. The muscle fibers were yielding to the touch, dripping with golden liquid. I got back at the perfect time.

  I took the roast outside and placed it over the forge. Using a grill, I placed the leg over the forge’s newly lit flames, while scooping up the fat from the pot and spreading it over the roast. I kept it over the open flame using the radiant heat to flash-sear the exterior.

  I returned it to the kitchen, placing it in the vicinity of the stove to remain warm, then went down to the basement to bring everything up, ready to be served. The rough, self-made, baked ceramic plates and trays clattered and landed with soft thuds on the table, contrasting with the high-end fabrics.

  If I had wanted, I could have made an automated loom too, but the return on the investment for such a complex assembly was not worth bothering. I went upstairs and changed into clothes carrying the sterile scent of soap.

  All that was currently missing from my table right now, were the guests. The first to arrive was Cassia. She was dressed uncharacteristically in a white dress with golden embroidery. She was accompanied by her maid, the same woman that was attending to her when she arrived in Rovandel.

  “May your years to come be happy!” She excitedly wished me.

  “May yours be too!” I bowed as we were taught during the etiquette classes.

  Cassia’s sharp, unrestrained peals of laughter filled the courtyard. Hearty and genuine, she couldn’t stop.

  “Oh, you’re doing it wrong.” She explained while wiping a tear from her eye.

  “What do you mean? I’m sure I’m following the right motions…”

  “I had the same problem when I was taught myself. You don’t have the right attitude while doing it, you lack grace being stiff in a movement that requires fluid poise. I can’t explain how good it is to see someone else fumble with it as bad as I did.” She straightened her dress and struggled to reimpose her noble fa?ade over her lingering amusement.

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  “Thanks, I guess… For the tip.” I said pursing my lips.

  “Don’t be so sour, it’s a great day!” She patted my shoulder.

  I allowed them in. Cassia’s steps were quiet taps following behind me to her seat. There was one unsolved issue, however. Vex and Hargrave, both adults and neither are great at socialization, yet they came over to the tower every day.

  I was hosting an event, and it would have been impolite not to invite them, yet their seating posed a serious problem. There was however someone that could give me the solution and prevent issues through her standing.

  “Cassia, I have a matter that requires your counsel if you would.”

  Her carefree attitude vanished as she leaned forward while her features froze, painted with seriousness as her eyes locked onto mine. “I’m listening.”

  “I technically invited Hargrave and Vex too. They will attend and eat here; the question is where should I seat them? Considering their role as professors, the atmosphere can grow stiff too easily.”

  “Oh… That’s a good question. Is there anywhere else where you could seat them?”

  “Hargrave would most probably want to stay outside with that trinket I made… Otherwise my study, it’s already cleaned up, it would just feel like I’d be quarantining the professors if I sent them to eat there…”

  “You’re just making a division based on age groups. You don’t have to worry about it.” She tried to dismiss my worries.

  ‘Aren’t I supposed to go sit with them then?’ Quite the conundrum I found myself in. Her incomplete analysis of the issue only made me even more split on the decision. Luckily or unluckily, a heavy knock on the door put an end to my thoughts. I hurriedly moved the two sets of cutlery I prepared for Vex and Hargrave to the study, then answered the door.

  Magnar and who I assumed was Lyra stood in front of the door. Magnar was in his uniform as usual, while Lyra, a girl that barely reached his chest in height, was wearing a green dress with blue accents and a small, discreet tiara.

  Her arm was wrapped around Magnar’s, whose shoulders were tight and upheld as if he was in a defensive stance. Lyra’s demeanor was casual, she was almost anchored to Magnar, her left hand was tightly wrapped around Magnar’s while her right was pinching the hem of her dress.

  “May your years to come be happy!”

  “May yours be too!” I bowed all the same, although I didn’t think my attitude changed enough to make a difference this time. “Come on in.”

  I welcomed them inside, making space for them to pass through. As Magnar’s large figure moved and passed by, their companions, a guard and a servant, entered my field of view.

  The guard stood upright. He was facing slightly upward and looking down at me. He wore light, chainmail armor and a beast scale tunic. Metal shoulder pads and heavy bracers adorned his hands which rested on a sheathed longsword at his hip. He brushed past me, not sparing me a glance.

  He looked as if he was way too proud of his position. The servant held a similar posture, yet his wrinkled face hid a softer smile. He wore a luscious black tailcoat. He was carrying a small red box.

  The servant, a butler by his attire, waited for the guard to pass through and put on a pair of gaiters. He measured me, his gaze moving from my toes to the top of my head. He frowned when his eyes reached my messy short hair, a subtle, passing motion of his eyebrows. We locked eyes.

  “May your years to come be happy!” His voice was low and smooth, like wind rising for a large cave.

  “Thank you, may yours be too. Now, would you please come inside? Letting the warmth of the tower escape to be replaced by the cold of winter would only displease the other guests.” I say hinting at his young lady.

  “If you need assistance with serving during this gathering I can offer my abilities. If it would be possible, could you inform me of where the gift area is?”

  “Thank you for the offer, I’ll make sure to. As for the gift area… There isn’t one… It’s not like I know that many people and I wasn’t expecting gifts to be honest. Is it a custom to have such a space?”

  “I guess a commoner wouldn’t know. Yes, indeed it is a custom, as well as at the end of the meal the host and receiver of the gifts is supposed to open them before everyone else.”

  “That seems bothersome…” I muttered scratching the back of my head. “I suppose I can make such an area now… It’ll just take some looking around…” The butler finally stepped inside.

  I led him in and had him place the gift on a stool in a corner of the living room where the table was set. I barely got to finish the arrangements before a second summons at the door forced me back to the entrance. Hargrave and Vex arrived, neither of them wearing any fancy clothes, only their usual attire.

  As they entered the living room, I once again saw Hargrave, freeze mid step and straighten up. His eyes were locked on the duo of Magnar and Lyra sitting together. Vex, however, just walked in and lazily looked around, without any signs of distress.

  Once the shock was over Hargrave muttered to me. “You did not mention anything about a duke’s daughter attending.”

  “Duke’s daughter?” I looked at Lyra and nodded. “That explains the security…” I pointed lightly at the guard keeping my voice low.

  “You did not know who you invited?” He looked at me wide eyed.

  “I knew her as Magnar’s buddy, not her title. Are titles all you care about?”

  “No! You’re just too careless with them! Titles mean power! Never forget that.” He continued.

  I didn’t get to answer, Lyra’s guard came to us. His thudded heavily on the wooden floor as his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

  “You two. What are you whispering about? Some plan to hurt my lady?”

  “No! I was just surprised to find myself in her presence.” Hargrave answered a tad too fast.

  “Easy there guardsman, I didn’t even know who your lady is before Hargrave inquired about her presence. Not everything is about her safety, you know?”

  “You dare mock me with such lies?” His hand clenched around the pommel of his sword. He was halfway through unsheathing it by the time I managed to hit his hand, empowering myself with aether, driving the sword back in its scabbard with a hollow click.

  “Rorick!” Lyra barked. “Stop this instant! I have no need for you to disrupt this meeting!”

  “But my lady…”

  “No buts! I won’t tolerate another fit of yours! I trust Magni wouldn’t take me into a trap. You’re disrespecting him, our host and me through your actions!” She continued her barrage relentless.

  “Understood…” His hand slowly unclenched and slipped off the pommel. He returned to his initial position right behind Lyra.

  I threw a meaningful look at Magnar. He buried his reddened face in his palms, embarrassed by the affectionate nickname.

  “Since everyone’s here… I say we get things started.”