News of Edril’s Elixir spread the moment the A?rank students vanished from the auditorium. Adam felt it in the air as he moved through the academy—whispers trailing behind hurried footsteps, voices dropping the moment instructors passed. Fantasies ran rampant, barely restrained by common sense.

  The deans had made their stance clear: only unaffiliated students of rank A and above would receive Varidan’s backing in the search. Yet Adam doubted that distinction would matter. Varidan’s authority ended at its borders, and desperation had a way of ignoring rules.

  He returned to his dormitory before word of his promotion could circulate. The room was quiet when he sat on the edge of his bed, the sealed file resting heavily in his hands.

  Vicar again.

  How deep does his network run?

  Adam exhaled through his nose and shook the thought away. Speculation wouldn’t help him now. He tore open the seal. A sharp acrylic stench filled the air as a purple note slid free. His eyes moved steadily across the contents, his expression hardening line by line.

  When he finished, the paper ignited without warning, curling into ash before it ever touched the floor.

  Adam leaned back, staring at the ceiling.

  So soon… I didn’t expect to return there already. Still, it beats rotting here.

  The dean hadn’t exaggerated. News of the flower had traveled far—and fast. Too fast. If Adam was going to leave again, there were loose ends to tie first.

  Edril’s Elixir had no precedent in Outworld. Not among its relics, not among its recorded anomalies. That alone made it dangerous.

  With a quiet sigh, Adam rose, changed into clean clothes, and left the dormitory once more. By the time he reached the Registration Hall, his half mask was already in place.

  “New student or active student?” the familiar, flowery voice chimed.

  “Active student.”

  “Purpose of visit?”

  “Re?registering my Blessing.”

  “Records Department. Second floor.”

  The portal opened, and Adam stepped through without hesitation.

  The office on the other side was unchanged.

  Arianna’s brows lifted the moment she saw him. “What are you doing here?”

  Only hours had passed since their last encounter. She leaned back in her chair, eyes narrowing as she assessed him. “Since you’re already here, have a seat.”

  Adam’s smile went unseen beneath the mask. “I appreciate it, but I won’t be staying long. I passed the reappraisal. I’m here to re?register my Blessing.”

  She straightened, disbelief flickering across her face. Her head tilted slightly.

  “You’re serious?”

  “I’m here to re?register my—”

  “You understand there are consequences for lying to me,” she interrupted. “And for wasting my time.”

  Adam sighed softly and took the seat. “You’re free to verify it. I’ll wait.”

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  Arianna huffed and pressed her palm to the desk. The surface rippled like disturbed water. A file emerged moments later. She flipped through it quickly—then slower. Her gaze lifted to Adam. Back to the file.

  Her surprise was impossible to miss.

  When she finally set the file down, it dissolved back into the desk.

  “Can we proceed?” Adam asked calmly.

  She studied him for a long moment. “How did you do it?” she asked at last. “When did you receive another Blessing?”

  Adam met her stare. “Is that required for registration?”

  A pause. Then she shook her head. “No. Apologies. Curiosity got the better of me.”

  He inclined his head once.

  She summoned the file again. “You’re an illusionist.”

  Adam nodded.

  “Your Domain is related?”

  Another nod.

  “Anything else you’d like to disclose?”

  “I’m still adapting. If more manifests, I’ll report it.”

  Arianna closed the folder. “You’ll need to meet your assigned instructor to formalize your transfer to the A class. Orientation is mandatory—rank A is governed by different rules.”

  She hesitated, then added, “You’re also eligible to choose between group or solo missions. Off the record—I advise against going alone. Rank?A dungeons are brutal, even with numbers.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” Adam said.

  She studied him, then sighed. Her fingers tapped the desk, and a portal bloomed open behind him. “You’re finished here. Return if anything else surfaces.”

  Adam rose. “Thank you.”

  He stepped through the portal without looking back.

  Arianna remained seated long after the portal sealed shut. The office felt quieter than before, too quiet.

  She reached into a drawer and withdrew a transmission crystal. It pulsed to life the moment she set it on the desk, static whispering faintly before a voice broke through.

  “Ari, why are you calling me through our private line?” Arlette’s laughter crackled through the crystal. “Did your master run off again?”

  “Please shut up,” Arianna said, though the corner of her mouth lifted. “How’s your shoulder?”

  “Better. I can move it without wanting to scream now. Give me three or four days and I’ll be back at the academy.” A pause. “Missing me already?”

  Arianna rolled her eyes, but her smile lingered.

  “Hold on,” Arlette added. “What’s going on? You never call during work hours.”

  “You’re right,” Arianna replied lightly. “But today’s special. I wanted to be the first to congratulate you.”

  Her fingers traced the edge of the crystal.

  A beat of silence.

  “…What?” Arlette scoffed. “Did you start drinking again? I told you not to—”

  “I quit years ago,” Arianna cut in. “And I’m not starting again.”

  “Then what are you talking about?” Arlette exhaled sharply. “I haven’t done anything since that mission—and we both know how badly that went.” Her voice rose, irritation bleeding through. “That damned mannequin user ruined everything. We would’ve succeeded if not for him.”

  Arianna’s smile faded.

  Years without a single failure—ended by someone who hadn’t even been on their radar.

  “…Ari?” Arlette’s voice softened. “You still there?”

  “I am.” Arianna straightened. “Let’s not talk about that mission. We’re alive. That’s what matters.”

  Another pause. “Then what did you mean earlier?”

  Arianna tapped the crystal once. “Among your students—who has the best chance of ranking up?”

  “None,” Arlette answered instantly. “They’re all trash. Why?”

  Arianna laughed quietly. “One of them was promoted to A?rank. You’ll be getting a recommendation from the deans. Maybe promotion.”

  The crystal erupted with laughter. Arlette wheezed between claps.

  “Ari—! That’s cruel. I almost believed you. Since when did you start joking like this? Your master’s rubbing off on you.”

  “I’m not joking.”

  Silence swallowed the static.

  Arianna leaned back, amusement flickering through her chest. She could picture Arlette’s expression perfectly.

  “You know no one likes a dragged?out joke.”

  “It’s not a—never mind.” Arianna waved a hand. “You’ll see the report soon enough.”

  “…Who is it?”

  “I’m not spoiling it.” Arianna smiled. “We’ll talk later.”

  “Wait—Ari, tell me—”

  She cut the transmission. The crystal dimmed.

  An E?rank student jumping straight to A?rank. One step below the deans’ threshold.

  Arianna reached into her desk again and removed a framed portrait. A young girl lay sprawled in tall grass, sunlight caught in her hair, a sunflower dress spread around her like petals.

  Her thumb brushed the glass.

  “Are you doing well, Elliana?” she murmured.

  The office didn’t answer.

  “Mom and Dad barely speak anymore. Isaac still hasn’t come home.” Her breath wavered. “Pipa died two weeks ago. She held on longer than any greyhound should have.”

  Her lips trembled into a thin smile. “Maybe she was waiting for you.”

  A drop splashed against the glass.

  Arianna didn’t wipe it away.

  “I don’t care how much you’ve changed,” she whispered. “I won’t abandon you.”

  Another tear followed.

  Before she could breathe through it, a portal flared open behind her.

  “Sorry for the delay,” Amittai said. “The meeting ended early—”

  He stopped.

  His gaze flicked to her face. “…are you crying?”