The morning of departure dawned; the second years scrambled in a hurry, carrying their luggage across to the front gates. Mei Zhi stood by the horse carriages waiting just outside the walls. Brandon knelt by the carriage axle, checking it for the third time. Maya leaned against the carriage beside him, her eyes hovering over the second-year apprentices, then darted toward Ray lying on top of one of the carriages. “He looks so much like David, it’s almost uncanny. Is it the blond hair and green eyes? Are they related?”

  Brandon pressed his foot and stood. “Forget about David, will you? He’s dead; he died long before that brat was even born.”

  “I know he’s not dead; I’ll never forget him. He killed my sister.” Maya clenched her fists, her brows deepening. Brandon let out a deep sigh and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Don’t let your hatred blind you. Even though he’s blond, Ray’s hair is a lot darker than the royal family’s blond hair.”

  Maya clicked her tongue. “I know. That brat prince looks more like David than Ray does.” She crossed her arms. “But he still does look like him.” After a moment of silence, she blinked and turned to Brandon. “Wasn’t Caesar here at the entrance exam? He must have noticed, right?”

  Brandon scratched his temple. “I guess. And if he didn’t say or do anything, that must mean Ray couldn’t be related to the royal family.”

  “Or Ray is just one of his bastard sons. He has many.”

  Brandon shook his head. “That is not possible. Caesar slaughtered all his bastards years ago. The fact that Ray is alive — for fifteen years at that — makes no sense if he truly were a bastard.”

  Mei Zhi stood to the side, her eyes closed, ears listening. The more I hear about this king, the more he reminds me of my uncle. Maybe this David is the king’s brother like my father is the emperor’s? She glanced over at Ray and sighed. So much is happening, and he’s sound asleep.

  The second-year apprentices, wearing maroon uniforms similar to Ray and Mei Zhi’s deep navy blue, gathered around the carriages. Sera and the group stood by the gates. Jon sauntered toward Mei Zhi, his shoulders slumped and held her hand. She smiled and patted his head. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.”

  He’s become awfully clingy since I helped him, but it’s fine; I find it rather cute.

  An instructor with black hair and black eyes, accompanied by Maximus, Iuna, and Brant, walked past the gate. The apprentices greeted him. A soft smile played on his lips as he greeted them back. “Good morning, apprentices. I will be accompanying you to Nyxia,” pointing at Maya and Brandon. “They will guard us on our way, so treat them just like you’d treat any instructor.” He looked over at Mei Zhi. “You may not know who I am since you’re a first-year. My name is Luke, the head instructor of the academy.” He glanced around, his smile wavering, his eyes darting over the eight second-year apprentices and Mei Zhi. “Where’s the boy?”

  Everyone turned towards the carriage Ray was asleep on. Sera face-palmed, Elaira shook her head, Aidan clasped his mouth, containing a laugh. Cassandra and Victor chuckled. Maximus climbed onto the carriage to wake him up. Ray yawned and sat stretching, then froze and jumped down. He straightened and greeted everyone behind a nervous chuckle. Luke’s smile returned as he shook his head. “You must not have slept a wink last night. Don’t worry, nobody will judge you.”

  Ray scratched the back of his head. No, I slept soundly yesterday. “Yes, you’re right. But I’m still sorry.”

  Luke turned to Maximus, Brant and Iuna. “Look after the apprentices.” Turning to the eight second years, Ray and Mei Zhi, he said, “Let us depart.”

  Sera and the group, along with Maximus, Iuna and Brant, waved them off as the three horse carriages galloped into the distance. Four people each sat inside the carriage. Luke, Ray, Mei Zhi and Maya sat in the middle carriage. Brandon sat by the coachman on the first carriage. The other eight second years sat in the first and last carriages, respectively. Mei Zhi stared at Luke, who had his eyes closed and a smile plastered on his face. Why is he smiling? Is he crazy?

  Maya glared at Ray, who sat in front of her. He tried to ignore her by staring out the window. What the hell is her problem? I know she doesn’t like me, but why is she glaring at me?

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  The sound of hooves crushing the dirt on the way filled the silent carriage. The wind followed along; the sun shone brightly high in the sky as the carriages continued across the vast open plains.

  Back at the academy, Elaira exited through the back gate when Jon stopped her. “Wait! Wait for me. I also want to go to Teqa.” She stopped for him and asked, “Listen here, I’m not going to have fun; I have something to do.” He let out heavy breaths, stopping near her. “I know… I know. I overheard you telling Sera that you’re going to a blacksmith.” He pulled out the sword Brandon gave him. “I also want to smelt this and make a curved sword.”

  Elaira looked at hers and then at his. “We have the same sword.”

  “What? How?” Jon asked, grabbing his head. Elaira stared at him for a moment as he fidgeted around mumbling. “Listen here, idiot. Maya and Brandon probably bought them together.” She shook her head and walked away. Jon followed her, still rambling on. “So then, I asked her where she’s from and…”

  They soon arrived in Teqa — the murmurs and footsteps of the crowd, the calls of merchants, and the hammers striking iron filled their heads. Elaira covered her ears, trying to quiet the sound. She ran out, but the noises still lingered inside her head. She turned to Jon to find him calm. “Listen here, what the hell? Can you not hear all these sounds?” He tilted his head, crossing his arms. “I filtered them. Can you not do it?” She gritted her teeth and grabbed his collar. “Listen here, I did not have Vivian teach me some secret.”

  Jon tilted his head. “What secret? She told me nothing. The only thing she told me was to always focus on her voice.” Elaira let go of his collar and crossed her arms. “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  Elaira shook her head, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Only focus on one thing…” The surrounding sounds swirled through toward her; hammers, footsteps, chirping, rambling, coins, punches, chatter. She let out the breath she had been holding, eyes still closed. One by one, the sounds diminished until they were lower than even a whisper. A few moments passed, and she opened her eyes, staring at Jon. “Listen here, I did it.”

  “Did you filter the sounds? It’s really easy if you have trained your senses. I heard you can even do this with sight.”

  The both walked into Teqa once again. This time, no sounds except Jon’s blabber and hammering surrounded her. They looked around, following the sound of hammers. Elaira halted near a blacksmith, a gruff guy with gray hair and beard, with scars on both his arms, forging a sword. “Listen here, mister. Do you know the blacksmith named Malik?”

  The man looked at her, then at Jon and went back to hammering. “Yes, I am Malik.” A smile appeared on her face, and she said, “Maya sent me. The angel?” Malik’s hand clenched around his hammer and he stopped, staring at her. “Maya? So what?”

  Jon and Elaira blinked and took a step back. Malik stood towering over the two. “I want nothing to do with her or her acquaintances.” Elaira unsheathed her sword. Malik let out a quick breath and shook his head. “You’re just like her. If you want to figh—”

  His breath hitched as his gaze landed on the sword, a red glint traced the blade’s edge. With a quick glance around, he snatched it out of her hand, both the sword and the sheath. “Come inside.” Jon blinked and turned to Elaira. “What did you do? How did you do that?” She narrowed her eyes and followed Malik inside. “I was going to attack him.” His steps faltered. “What? Why?”

  “Listen here, it doesn’t matter.”

  Inside Malik’s place, the heat of the forge filled the air. Fire crackled in the furnaces inside; several weapons lay around on racks. Malik handed the swords back to Elaira and sat down. “What do you want me to do with it?” She and Jon glanced at each other more than once before she said, “I wanted to melt this into daggers. Two daggers.”

  Malik crossed his arms and rubbed his chin. “Can you show me how you use the daggers?” Elaira put the sword to the side and unsheathed her daggers. Jon jumped in between them. “Wait, what the hell?! You said you wouldn’t help us. But now you’re doing it, why? Are you indecisive? Has old age gotten to you?” He turned to Elaira. “And you, why are you agreeing so quickly?”

  Elaira and Malik stared at him in silence, the fire crackling around them. Jon’s brows furrowed. “Why are you two looking at me like I did something wrong?” Malik let out a deep sigh. “I am a blacksmith, and every blacksmith’s lifelong wish is to make at least one renowned weapon.” He looked around the forge, his gaze hovering over the weapons lying around. “Only a few get to make one, and I… am not one of them.” Jon and Elaira stared at him as his gaze drifted to the floor.

  She readied her daggers. “Listen here, old man. Pay attention.” She showed him all the moves she could do with them: slash, stab, block. After a while she stopped, puffing, and turned to face him. He tapped his chin, his eyes fixed on her hands. “The reach of your left arm is shorter than your right. You’ll need a longer dagger or a short sword in your left hand.” Glancing at the Skywyrm Sword, he said, “That sword does not have enough material for that.” He paused when he looked at Elaira’s wide-eyed face and tilted his head. “What happened?”

  She rocked her head and took a deep breath. “Listen here, just make two daggers.” Malik paused for a moment before letting out a small sigh. “Here’s a suggestion: I’ll forge for you a dagger from the skywyrm sword, and I’ll mix the remaining material with sky steel and create a short sword for your left hand. What do you say?” She fidgeted and stared at the floor, then back at Malik. “How much will it cost?”

  He smiled and stood. “You can pay me by making a name for yourself using these weapons.”