Here we go.

Cover Art: Z-ComiX

Chapter 24

"It was incredible!" Weiss couldn't contain her enthusiasm and hadn't been able to since last night. "I got to walk through hallways with murals painted to show the White's struggles against past enemies of the city, and Venessa – that's the Arcanist who showed me around – told me all about them. Did you know the White founded the Collegium?"

She hadn't, but then she had never really been all that interested either. Ruby hummed.

"It's true," Weiss said. "Apparently, they used to be a sect of Arcanists who would travel the world trying to fix relations between Arcanists and normal people – and they gathered all the wandering magic users into one place, creating the Collegium to teach them and the laws to keep them in check. The other Collegiums were founded to expand that, with Vale being the first!"

"That's interesting." Ruby said it half-heartedly as she worked over a reference book they'd been told to read through two chapters of for class. Weiss had finished that a good hour ago, but then she was more comfortable with reading. It took Ruby time to pour over the pages and string the words together. The words were much more complex than the ones Cinder taught her, and sometimes she thought was reading them right, but the meaning of the word escaped her.

"It is, isn't it? There's so much history there. I feel as though I'm walking in the shadows of giants."

"Is that a good thing?"

"Of course. Who would not be proud to follow the same steps as the first Arcanists?"

"Hmm." Her for one. "Did you learn any spells?"

"No. Vanessa told me that vast tracts of the White Cathedral and its resources would be forbidden to me until I've sworn myself there. I can understand why. The White have the most important jobs in the Collegium, so secrecy is required."

"Most important? That sounds a little arrogant…"

"Oh." Weiss looked conflicted for a second, and then apologetic. "I didn't mean it like that. It's just that the White has a goal it works towards – and that goal is to protect the peace. You can't argue that's not more noble than some of the others, can you? The Black just want to make things to be famous and the Amber want to create spells for the same reason."

Though she wasn't so rude as to say it, Ruby heard the same for the Azure. After all, they just wanted to sate their curiosity, which in Weiss' eyes couldn't be as grand a goal.

"You know, you're not locked into any choice yet," she said. "Why don't you come down to the White Cathedral with me next time? I'm sure they'd be happy to show you around. Maybe I can even show you the murals."

"I'm fine with my choice, Weiss."

"Are you sure? I'm not saying the Azure is a bad choice…"

"Weiss."

"Alright." Weiss sighed, disappointed. "Maybe for your second Arcana?"

"Maybe," Ruby hedged, already knowing it wouldn't be. The words on the page continued to thwart her and she closed the book with a frustrated sound.

"Are you okay?"

"Mm. Just tired of reading. I'm going to get some fresh air."

"I didn't upset you, did I?"

"No." Ruby smiled to show her roommate it wasn't that. "You're just excited about the White. That's fine. I'm the same with the Azure. I just have a headache trying to read through all that and want to clear my head."

"Will you be staying out all night again…?"

The surges had yet to return, though she could feel them building now that she knew what to look for. It was a light itch at the moment, a far cry from the burning need it had been before. It helped that they were casting a few more spells in class, but it was still building. In time, she'd have to go burn it off again, but with Blake helping that should be a safer task. Not now, though. It was just the odd bout of pins and needles for now.

"No. I just want to go for a walk. Back in an hour probably."

Weiss accepted with a nod and sat on her bed, pulling out her own book and reading through it as Ruby pulled on her initiate robe with the hood and slipped out.

/-/

The dorms were still somewhat active, people chatting in the halls or snacking down in the common rooms. Walking past those without a word and dodging Martyn before he saw her, she slipped out into the cool evening air and wandered off toward the river.

The water rushing through it was stronger now. It lapped up the banks and splashed on her boots, rushing down toward the metal grates that would keep anyone who fell in from being swept away. Not that it was strong enough to do that yet. It'll be the flooding season soon. As much as she didn't like admitting it, she was glad to be away from that. I hope Yang will be okay. I'll have to try steal and deliver her some more things before then so she can afford to get back on track.

That Yang might die didn't cross her mind. They'd survived the floods year after year and Junior looked after his own. Even if he didn't, Blake would see Yang safe to keep herself from any vengeance.

Everyone else. You couldn't save everyone. Crisis had a tendency of bringing out the best in people, but even with people working together to comb through the wreckage for survivors, many didn't make it. The water itself wasn't the most dangerous part, though it did claim lives each year. Rotten buildings collapsing after claimed more, weakened from the water, while illness and disease and starvation took a much larger toll. All of that could be avoided with enough money to buy food, medicine or shelter.

Yang would be okay.

I wonder what it's like to see the floods from up here. Ruby sighed. Guess I'll find out.

Grass crunched behind her. "That's a big sigh for such a small person."

The voice was familiar. So was the person. Wearing a cloak with the hood down, Jaune stood in the grass, arms at his sides and a weary smile on his face. He wasn't wearing his armour, but instead a pale grey tunic top over brown hose, a red cloak over it all. Ruby leapt up, lurching over in her hurry to run him down.

"Jaune!"

He caught her with a laugh, arms wrapping around her back as he was forced back a step from the impact. "Hey Ruby," he said weakly. "Good to see you as well."

Pushing back, she looked him up and down. He didn't just sound weak – he looked it. Pale face, lines under his eyes like he hadn't slept well and sunken cheeks. His skin was pallid as well, thin like parchment. Of the wound Weiss mentioned, she couldn't see much remaining other than the way his left hand held onto her with less strength than the right.

"Are you okay?" she asked. "You look like death."

"I feel it. Just got off from work. It's always like this, don't worry. A good meal and a long rest and I'll be right as rain."

She wasn't sure she believed it'd be that easy. Looking up into his eyes, she saw a flatness that didn't suit him. It might have been exhaustion, but he looked like he wasn't all there. Like half his brain was engaged with her and the other half had already fallen asleep. "Should you be out here? Sit down." She tugged him to the grass, and he didn't fight her. "Do you need a drink? Food?"

"…"

"Jaune!"

"Hah?" He flinched, zeroed in on her and chuckled. "Sorry. I phased out there a little. What was it?"

"Food. Drink. Do you need?"

"No, no." He waved his hand. "Don't think I'd be able to keep it down anyway. I just wanted some fresh air, then saw you and wanted to see you. It's been a lonely week back there." He scratched the back of one glove with his other hand. "Not fun."

"In the Sanctum…?"

Jaune flinched and looked around but they were alone and it was late. Even if there were other people coming and going, the steady babbling of the river masked their voices. "Yeah. The Inner Sanctum. I've been there all week."

"What goes on in there?"

"I can't tell you." He smiled. It wasn't his best, but he didn't look his best, so she let it go. "It's nothing dangerous," he assured her. "At least not for me. It's tiring, though. I always come out feeling spent physically and mentally."

"Do you have to look after worse prisoners?"

"Ruby…"

"Is it where the really bad people are kept?"

He poked her nose with one finger. "I can't tell you. Let it be."

Ruby pouted.

"What have you been up to?" he asked.

She was quick to tell him, filling him in on everything from the Arcana fair to the choices they'd made, her sojourn in the Azure Archives and how Weiss was going on and on about the White. He listened intently, genuinely seeming to enjoy her story. By the end of it, he looked more aware. More himself. He laughed and rubbed a hand through his hair, making Ruby feel relieved.

"Sounds like you've picked an interesting Arcana. I have to admit I'm glad you didn't pick the White."

"Do they work with the Sanctum?"

"Not inside it. They're as bothered by what it does as any other Arcanist. Their focus is related to it, however." He smiled crookedly. "Let's just say they're not always the best people to hand around with."

Ruby stilled. "Is Weiss in danger?"

"Hm? Oh no, I didn't mean bad people. Just… dull, I guess." He looked away with a sigh. "All work and duty and responsibility. You've seen it with Lady Schnee already, haven't you? They're all very self-important – and for good reason – but I think I prefer your innocent curiosity. It's more charming."

Blushing, she hit him in the side. It didn't feel like he was flirting, but it was still more than she got from most people. "Are you saying I'm naïve?"

"More that you're fun to hang around. I'd rather listen to a friend talk about some incredible mystery than go on about duty and honour. Tell me you're any different."

Ruby grinned. "I can buy that. Weiss is killing me…" Mimicking her voice, Ruby said, "The White Arcana stands as a shield for the Collegium. They are the best and most awesome, looking after the people while they all live their normal lives."

It wasn't the best impression of Weiss, but it had Jaune laughing.

"Sounds about right!" His own voice became gruffer, imitating someone she'd never met. "We do what we must, not because we wish to but because no one else will. That means sacrifice, young man. Nothing in this world is achieved without it. Neither I nor you are exempt from that."

Ruby didn't laugh. "Who said that?"

"Ah." Jaune appeared to recognise he shouldn't, or couldn't, answer that. "Someone I know. A White Arcanist. My work involves them, or more often reporting to them. I don't do much work outside the Collegium though, so I'm usually spared it. Let's just say I prefer dealing with happier Arcana and leave it at that."

She watched her friend closely, seeing how he wouldn't meet her eyes. He looked tired still, but not the sleepy kind of tired. A restless and nervous energy was visible. His fingers kept twitching as well, and he was constantly rubbing the palm of one hand and then the other, stroking over his thin gloves to scratch an itch that wouldn't go away.

"Are you okay?" she asked again. "Really, I mean. I'm worried…"

"I'm…" Jaune made to say he was fine and then didn't, perhaps seeing her thoughts on her face. "I'm tired," he admitted. "I've been locked away on my own for days. Can we just… sit here? No questions? I… I don't want to be alone right now."

In answer, Ruby shifted over so their hips were touching and laid her hands over her knees, which she brought up to her chest. They watched the river rush by quietly, the people come and go and the activity outside the dorms go silent as night fell and people headed back inside. The air turned cooler, chilling their skin and making her push into him a little harder for warmth. Ruby made to ask if he wanted to go inside when she heard his breathing even out.

He'd fallen asleep.

Sun found them like that fifteen minutes later, Ruby refusing to move as Jaune slept on her shoulder. The faunus smiled and nodded at her, then stooped and picked his friend up, adjusting him over one shoulder. Jaune didn't once wake up, even as the bigger boy whispered a thank you to her and carried him back to the barracks.

Sighing, Ruby returned to her own room, head full of questions.

/-/

"It's Grimm."

Yang liked to think she was getting used to Blake, but that didn't mean she'd stopped jumping out her skin when the Arcanist would pop up behind her and speak like that. "Fuck, Blake," she hissed. "Can't you come in the door like a normal person?"

"You told me to stay hidden from your employer, so no."

Smug bitch. Yang ignored the cocky smile and let the Arcanist sit down. "Grimm, you say?"

"Yes. That's why they're interested in the tunnels. I shadowed an Arcanist until they passed on a message to a guard. It was sealed, but I managed to waylay the guard, steal the message read it and then convince the guard someone mugged him. With how desperate people are this close to your floods, it seemed possible."

It wasn't. An Arcanist like Blake may not fully have understood just how intimidating she and her kind were, and how dangerous it was on a political level to mess with the guards. That said, the Arcanists in the Collegium would be just as in the dark, so while it wouldn't fool anyone down here, it might work on someone up top.

People in the higher tiers thought they were all idiots after all.

"Have Grimm snuck into the city then? That sounds like something I'd have heard about, especially since the tunnels come in down here."

"No." Blake shook her head and drew her hood back, spilling her long black hair down and revealing her ears. How she kept her hair looking so soft, Yang had no idea. Magic, probably. "There haven't been any Grimm yet, but for the Collegium to start paying attention now supports my theory that Grimm numbers are increasing."

"How so?"

"Well they obviously knew about the tunnels for a while, but they've chosen to act now."

There was little arguing with that. The tunnels were a pretty big hole in the defences of the city, but no one cared. Vale didn't have any enemies or a war to fight, and since the tunnels only led in and out of the slums, it wasn't like anyone important was at risk. Some of them were better kept secrets than others, but since the Arcanists had taken all of them over, it looked like their secrecy hadn't been good enough.

"So, they're doing this on the chance of Grimm," she said. "Great. Wonderful."

"It's not as horrible as it sounds. The Grimm did destroy Menagerie. This isn't some imagined threat or an overreaction on their parts."

"Except they don't know Menagerie was wrecked by Grimm."

Blake shrugged one shoulder. "They may have figured it out, or perhaps it's simply a precaution. Either way, they're not going to let any new tunnels be constructed. I can't imagine mining through solid rock is quiet and they're monitoring the walls. Any attempt to dig new ones will draw a reaction."

Yang shivered. "Deadly?"

"I shouldn't think so. The last thing they want is to start a panic. You'd likely be arrested and incarcerated, with the excuse given of damage to the walls. They wouldn't kill you."

"It's as good as, Blake. To be imprisoned here is to die."

Blake's brows drew down. "How so? I was under the impression prisoners were treated fairly and given trial."

Yang cocked her head and waited.

"Don't tell me it's a Dredger thing?" Blake asked with a silent groan. "Let me guess. Dredger prisons for Dredgers, and those regularly have the prisoners beaten to death? Am I right?"

"Close but not quite. It's not that ridiculous." Yang brought both hands up. Opening one, she said, "Prison. A cell you can't escape out of." Then, she opened the other. "Rising water levels due to flooding." Bringing her hands together, she clasped them. "You can figure out what happens."

Blake looked sick. "They don't release the prisoners!?"

"Oh, they try. The guards are crooked – not monsters – but it's everyone for themselves when the storm hits and it's all you can do to survive. Imagine loads of people trying to flee a prison in panic, meanwhile a limited number of guards are trying to let more out. It's not a recipe for calm and orderly, especially not with the water level rising. You'll see it yourself soon enough."

"We're not staying here for it," Blake warned her. "Don't think I'll let you."

Yang scoffed. "I'm no idiot. When the rain comes, I'll gladly let you take me to safety. Until then, there's shit that can be done. Some try and build boats-"

"Does that work!?"

"It can." Not normal boats, and not to sail away on, but rafts could at least offer some protection provided they were kept from smashing into buildings. "And there are some taller buildings that can be safe from it, provided they don't collapse. People will congregate there. Even some merchants that set up aid facilities on the borders."

"And here I was under the impression everyone hated you."

"Hate doesn't mean wanting to see someone killed. You'll see soon enough." Yang sighed and stood.

"Where are you going?" Blake's eyes narrowed. "You're not challenging the Arcanists, Yang. I won't let you."

"Wow. And I didn't realise you were so concerned for my wellbeing. Relax. I'm off to market. This close to floods, people start banding together. You can find a way out if you're lucky. It's easier to afford somewhere dry to stay on another tier if you pool coin and share a room with a couple other families. Others try and eke it out in the outskirts."

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"Sure, but it's less so if there are twenty or thirty of you working together. And they'll only be out there for a week or two. That's how long it takes for the water to drain." Yang tossed her head. "Come along if you like. You might learn a thing or two. See we're not all selfish pricks out for our own hides."

"I never said you were."

"Heh. Sure. And I bet you didn't think it either." Turning away, she tossed on her heavy cloak. "You coming or not? Hard to make sure I don't come down with the crazies and spontaneously attack an Arcanist if you're not there to watch over me…"

With a dramatic sigh, Blake stood. "Alright."

/-/

Lessons went by in a blur for Ruby and most of the other students. So soon after the fair, everyone was too excited about their choices to pay attention. Malneux continued to boast about the Crimson Arcana and how he was already receiving training, something Ruby thought an empty boast, while everyone else mixed again with people wearing similar mantles. The three in class who wore Azure mantles approached her with a half-hearted offer to join them for dinner, but Weiss made a point of not doing so with the other White students – there were a lot of those – so Ruby did the same.

Weiss seemed pleased about that at least. The split in class was fairly dramatic. Crimson, White and Black were the most common choices. Emerald had a few, while Azure and Amber were by far the lowest, Amber having only two students to the Azure's four. Makes sense. Developing spells from nothing is probably a lot harder than learning new ones.

The teachers either knew in advance that focus would be low or were feeling generous. They were let go an hour earlier than usual, though with the threat that there'd be no such liberties allowed after the weekend.

"Won't you let me show you around the White Cathedral?" Weiss asked again. "Just a brief visit. I promise I won't ask again if you agree."

"Weiss, come on." Ruby sighed around her food. "I said I'm not interested in the White."

"But you haven't even met them. The Grant Arcanist was in the White Arcana."

"And Azure," she pointed out. "And Black and Crimson."

"Yes, but he was in the White first."

"Weiss." Ruby sighed again, slumping over her meal. "I know you're excited and all, but I really don't think it's for me. It sounds way too serious." Even without being a Wildmage, she thought she wouldn't have liked it. "I'll consider it for my second," she lied. "I've got to go off tonight."

"Are you going to the Sanctum again?"

Several people within hearing distance gasped and listened in. Ruby shot Weiss an irritated scowl and to her credit, Weiss apologised silently back. "I am," she said, choosing not to mention the venue even if everyone listening in already knew. "There are interesting people there. They have good stories."

"They're criminals."

"So? I'm not trusting them with money or anything."

"I suppose." Weiss rolled her eyes, still unable to understand what she might see in the place. That was fine with her. Aside from having Cinder, the anti-magic field (if that was what it was called) helped alleviate the itching from her surges. It was still at a level too low to worry about, but it was there. Tangible and a constant reminder.

Ruby excused herself once she'd finished eating, taking her chance to leave before people could get curious enough to follow. If they dared. Jogging away from the main school building and the food hall, she ducked between older Arcanists going about their day and made her way to the tall hedges of the Sanctum, nodding once to a guard on the gate who by now recognised and let her in. Arcanists weren't banned from entering, but she wasn't even questioned anymore.

Inside, she reported to the Sanctum Guard on the front desk and accepted her purple cloth, that would mark her as staff and let her avoid questions. Ruby waited for him to write her name down and then spoke, "Um. You're a Sanctum Guard, right?"

The man was at least fifty, maybe even sixty, with white hair and thin skin. He looked up at her with deep blue eyes, flat in a way that made her uncomfortable. When he smiled, it didn't quite look right. Not vicious or creepy, but not all there. Like he was going through the motions. "I am. You want to ask something? It's obvious on your face."

Ruby dithered. "Is it allowed?"

"You won't be punished for asking, but you may ask something I can't answer." The man shrugged. "If so, I'll just tell you. Don't worry. I won't bite."

Hearing that from him made her shiver a little. It wasn't the joke itself – she'd heard that before – but the toneless way he delivered it. "I… I have a friend. He works here sometimes."

"Jaune Arc."

Ruby winced. Well, there went any hope of subtlety. She'd have asked how he knew, but she came here enough times with him for it not to matter, plus they'd probably heard how Jaune had to escort her around.

"Yeah. He's not told me anything, but he was doing some work in the Inner Sanctum…"

"I can't tell you anything about that."

"I know. I know. He told me." Ruby couldn't meet the man's eyes. They were peering down on her. Nervously, she babbled out, "He came out yesterday and he looked awful. Really bad. I'm not asking what happened but… is there something I can do to help make him feel better?"

The Sanctum Guard stopped smiling. "You wish to help him?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

Why? Wasn't that obvious? "Because he's my friend."

"Of course." The man leaned back. He didn't smile. "Pardon my question. It's rare to find Arcanists and our kind so close. I won't argue with it, however. On helping him. Hm. I would suggest that you make him eat plenty of lean, red meat if you can. Fish is also good, as is chicken. Lentils and beans for vegetables. Also make sure he drinks a lot. Water for the most part. He may not feel thirsty, but he should know to drink. If he feels faint, make him sit or lay down. It should wear off within a few days, but he may have dizzy spells."

That was a lot of information. More than she expected. "O-Okay. Anything else?"

"Keep him from doing much with his hands. He shouldn't be training and while Alabaster Winchester knows that and won't let him, that's not to say he won't do so on his own. Some try to wear off their dizziness through exercise."

"And that's a bad idea?"

"Not dangerous, but ill-advised. He could hurt himself or pass out."

That sounded bad. Really bad. The urge to tell Jaune to stop entirely was present, but she knew that wasn't going to be an option. "He won't have to do this again soon, will he? Whatever it is? If he feels that bad, he should get some rest."

There was a flicker of something in the man's blue eyes. It faded quickly but she smile he offered was just a little more real. "He won't. There is a minimum waiting time before this. He won't be called on again for at least twelve weeks, possibly more."

"That's good." She sighed happily. "Thanks for helping me, sir."

"Not a problem. There is one other thing. If you truly wish to be a friend to him. More than telling him to eat, drink and rest easy, there is something he may need more, especially as his studies in the Sanctum progress."

Ruby listened. "What's that?"

"Help him remember."

"Remember…?" Ruby waited for more, but the man wouldn't give it. "Remember what?" she asked.

"Whatever he needs."

He sat back again, apparently done with the conversation. So was she, she supposed, that parting comment aside. Ruby nodded and turned away, wondering why it was he felt so strange. And old. It was weird for a veritable grandpa to be manning the front desk. Before she did climb the stairs, however, she paused and turned back. Weiss' lessons echoed in her head.

"I never asked your name…"

The man paused in scribbling something down. "My name?"

"It's rude of me to not call you anything. Can I ask it? Is that allowed?" The more she asked, the more nervous she felt. Why did I bother? I should have just kept going and talked to Cinder. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want. Forget I asked."

"Nicholas."

The response made her pause in her retreat. "Eh?"

"My name." He chuckled. Again, it was just a sound. "I'm told it's Nicholas."

"You're… told…?"

"That's what I said." He looked back down, writing. "Be on your way now. I have work to do."

/-/

Cinder welcomed her with a hug and had her sit down and regale her of stories from outside the Sanctum. As much as Ruby despaired on having to run over everything again, she knew this was the only news Cinder received of the world outside and did so. She told the other Wildmage about the Azure Archives and what took place there, and of her hopes that the Archives might hold the secrets of the Wildmages.

"It's a possibility," Cinder said. "A good one. While the White has the most reason to hold such knowledge, I doubt they would part with it. It's not in their best interests to have people questioning their decisions."

"Do you know any White Arcanists?" Ruby asked.

"One or two come here. Reluctantly. I've not been questioned by them myself, but I've listened in on others who have. They pay remarkably little attention to who is nearby." Cinder frowned. "I suppose they don't see it as a problem since we will never escape."

Ruby shifted awkwardly.

"My apologies." Cinder chuckled. "I didn't mean to sour the mood. Needless to say, they're not the best avenue for finding the truth. From what you've told me, the Azure might be. It seems unlikely that none of them have ever been curious as to the origins of Wildmages."

"That's what I was thinking. Someone has to have looked into it. Maybe even there's still someone who is!"

"There isn't."

Her face fell. "How do you know?"

"Because I am the only Wildmage here and questioning me is but a short task for them. I have never been questioned by an Azure Arcanist, however, not even out of curiosity."

And since she'd been here for ten years now, that meant no one within that time had bothered. Ruby tried to hide her disappointment. "Well, there might still be people in the past who did. I won't know until I can read their books."

"True. It's not impossible. Sadly, it looks like I won't be able to help you. Magic is almost certainly involved in their tomes, and even should you teach me how to see through it, it probably won't work in the Sanctum." Cinder removed a book from her table. It was, to Ruby's surprise, blank. "You could transcribe details for me, though. Mundane writings."

"Copy their books? That sounds dangerous."

"Being a Wildmage in the Collegium is dangerous, Ruby. This is nothing compared to that."

True. Ruby took the books and hid them under her robes. "The floods are coming soon…"

Cinder paused. "Is your sister safe?"

"Yang knows what to do and Blake will look after her."

"Then what bothers you? And don't say nothing."

She didn't try. Sitting on Cinder's bed, she let out an unhappy sound. "I guess it just feels unfair that I get to escape it all while everyone else doesn't. I know I didn't ask for this and it's not a great thing, but everyone in the slums will be wondering whether they'll still be alive in two or three weeks' time. Meanwhile, I'm eating fine food and learning to read." Ruby shrugged. "Feels like I'm betraying everyone by not doing something to fix it."

"And what could you do?"

"I dunno. Nothing, I guess, but I could try. What's the point of having all this power if I can't help anyone?"

"What's the point, indeed?" Cinder asked. "I never thought of that when I was young and wealthy, but I do find myself pondering on it now. What does the Collegium stand for? Why do they lock us away? Why limit the Arcana? Why?" Her eyes narrowed. "What is the point of it all? The goal at the end?"

Neither of them had an answer.

"What do you think?" she asked Cinder. "I know you said I should make up my own mind, but what's yours?"

Cinder remained silent for a few seconds, considering whether she should speak or not. Last time, she'd said she didn't want to taint Ruby's own perceptions, but she looked chattier now. Maybe she was just lonelier than ever or maybe having only one person in the world who did talk to you, made you want to keep talking back.

In the end, Cinder spoke. "Control. I think it's to control us."

"You mean Wildmages?"

"No. All magic users. You limit the Arcana to limit the Arcanist, ensuring that no matter how much you master your chosen field, you can never be without weakness. Meanwhile, those with talent are locked away in the Collegium like prisoners, inundated with information and rewards to condition them into believing they want to be here, at which point they're slotted into easily controlled groups."

"The Arcana?"

"Yes. Each can oversee their own, moulding and pushing them in certain directions to keep them safe and contained within the walls. By the time you're earn a gemstone and are able to leave, you're one of them in mind and soul. You've been conditioned to think like they do, uphold their values and keep the same charade going."

"You're taught to forget your noble roots and families because they want you to align with them, not your family. Meanwhile, they can hold the promise of freedom and a gemstone over your head until they know you won't be a problem outside. Be too wilful and I imagine you'll never leave. Of course, even if you do, true freedom won't ever be yours. You are recorded in this and every Collegium in Remnant, ensuring that you can never approach civilisation again without being recognised, detained and forced to join the nearest Collegium."

"It's to control you," she said, sneering. "To control all who might use magic, Arcanist or Wildmage, and make sure they're upholding standards the Collegium demands. And if you step out of line, the Red and White will be there to force you back in. Or remove you entirely."

Ruby understood why Cinder had said her opinion might sway her. That it would be so cynical wasn't unexpected given how poorly the Collegium had treated her, but this was awful. She wasn't sure what to make of it. None of it was impossible, but no one here acted like they were under duress. Cinder explained that away, but was everyone so easily manipulated?

"Do you really think it's that bad?"

"Yes. However…" Cinder sighed and closed her eyes. "I see the Collegium from behind a window of bars and anti-magic. Take my opinion with the salt it deserves. I hate the Collegium and everything it stands for."

"Do you hate me…?"

"No." She reached out to cup Ruby's cheek, rubbing a thumb beneath one silver eye. "You may wear their colours, you may learn their lessons and dwell in their halls, but you are a Wildmage, Ruby. Nothing will ever change that. Not you, not me…"

Cinder sneered.

"And certainly not them."

Small movements here. More to happen next chapter, which will involve a short time skip of a few weeks. On other characters like Nora, Pyrrha and such, I'm introducing them slowly. I don't want to be forced to throw them all out at once and mish-mash them together, especially since their circumstances will be drastically different in this story, and thus they'll deserve more an introduction to each like Ren had.

Next Chapter: 19th January

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur