Ferdinand 3rd Year Royal Academy

"Lord Ferdinand." Peter's voice was husky likely from stress of this event. There was still a slight shake to his hands as he pushed himself up and tried to make himself more presentable in a kneeling position with his arms crossed in deference. What was going through this fool's head? The loyalty he displayed coming between me and the Giftigfesseln was akin to my name sworn. But was his position as Lady Minerva's scholar really that valuable? Or was this a very elaborate ploy to gain my trust?

"What?" Even to my own ears, my voice sounded detached and cold. Even if this was merely a ploy to gain my trust; and I doubted that, he still deserved some recognition for what he had sacrificed.

"I humbly beg your pardon for my shameless behavior laying hands on you. I should have noticed sooner and taken proper steps to protect you without making a fuss or bringing others into your business. I will accept whatever punishment you see fit."

My gaze dropped to the sores on his wrist. Eight large circular wounds each surrounded by five smaller ones, like a macabre piece of jewelry. "You believe I could punish you better than the Giftigfesseln?" Why hadn't the wounds closed during Heilschmerz's prayer? Lady Minerva had certainly put enough mana into that prayer that these wounds should have at least stopped weeping and oozing.

Peter caught my gaze and moved his sleeve to cover them. "Pardon my appearance, Lord Ferdinand, I shall make myself presentable right away if you will allow me."

I needed information and I didn't want him running off looking for the preparators or anyone else before I got the information I needed and ensured there was no added or missing bits. "You may use what is in the lab. I will have Justus take samples of the beast's venom."

"You are most generous."

I waved him. "I can't very well lose a valuable asset when it seems someone is targeting me or my associates."

Peter smiled. He clearly saw right through me, but he wasn't really in a position to fight it. Though after a moment of thought, it seemed he had no desire to fight it. That decided my next course for me. I reached for anti-eavesdropping tool in my pouch and handed one to him. He took it with a noble smile firmly in place. My first question would determine how I searched for more information going forward.

"Does Gebotordnung hold back Ordoschnell?" The question was vague enough that I could be referring to anything, but if Peter answered vaguely then I would know to move forward with the utmost caution.

An approving smile flashed across the scholar's face. "Ordoschnell flies as she wills."

I tapped to fingers against my temple. Minerva's reaction had been extreme when she had arrived, moving to immediately evict my retainers and leave herself alone with two males. Once again placing herself in a position to have her reputation ruined if the wrong person caught wind of it. Then I felt my ears heat as I remembered how she had held Peter steady. His arm between her legs and one hand in his all the while she worked.

"Lady Minerva said only archducal families are allowed to know how to remove the Giftigfesseln. If it is prohibited for others to know, why is there no contract?"

Peter wore his noble smile like armor. "Simply put, until about five years ago, it was merely a dying fad that only the most desperate or vindictive nobles used on their daughters, at least in Dunkelfelger."

Five years ago, would have been shortly after my baptism. Lady Minerva and Lady Magdalena's as well. Daughters. Minerva's voice echoed in my mind, 'how do you suppose we trained our shall I say 'too strong willed' women into being able to control themselves?' It clicked with such certainty. Who could be considered 'too strong willed' if not Lady Minerva? Had Aub Dunkelfelger thought to place one of those things on his daughter? I thought back to what I knew of the bear of a man. It didn't strike me as his type of choice considering his temperament and general pride he had in his children. I ignored the pang in my chest instead turning over what both Peter and Minerva had said and done. It wasn't the Aub, unlikely his first wife would have been involved either. She wouldn't have had to resort to such means in controlling her daughter. So, who would? An opposing faction?

"What happened five years ago?"

"Some patterns seem to be destined to be repeated in Ventuchte's weave." There was something about the bored way he delivered those words that made me sure he was anything but bored. But if I took his meaning correctly someone had tried to place a Giftigfesseln on Lady Minerva, but one of her retainers likely intervened. It was doubtful that they survived especially if murder had been the goal; as was likely in my case. This would also explain Minerva's rage. I all to easily remembered how she vented her fury at Klassenberg when they had targeted Peter and Heisshitze. Too soft, and clearly instinctive.

"So that explains why the practice has been band, but a contract would be unenforceable if it had spread the various parts of society." It probably also explained why Minerva didn't have an adult attendant as was norm. She likely refused to replace her fallen one. A sentiment that was likely to get her killed.

"My lady has worked hard to do away with such abominations. Those who partook in the incident five years ago are also no more." He cackled, a sound the sent goose flesh down my back and arms. Peter didn't even bother to hide his delight. When he leveled his orange eyes at my gold ones, I realized what he was saying. He was going to do the same to the people who had done this to me, to him. Make them no more. I sucked in a surprised breath.

"Why would you do that?"

"Lord Ferdinand, I don't think you quite understand what a Giftigfesseln actually does, please allow me to be a blunt Anhaltung. They do not just latch on to a person and suck their mana. No, some worthless bit of trash centuries ago tempered their venom and hunger. Now, they react to fluctuations in mana that might be indicators of their imminent removal from their host's body. If their host gets angry? It injects venom directly into the host from it numerous legs, resulting in breath taking pain. Too happy? Venom. Too sad? Venom. Afraid? Venom. Basically, any emotion that can stir one's mana will cause the Giftigfesseln to inflict severe pain. It doesn't matter how well you can control your expressions either. Those things amount to torture and a complete destruction of the person's being. Over time their victims become incapable of feeling anything other than the most extreme pain. That's how the host's mind and body eventually learn to protect themselves. Well, that's if their heart doesn't give out first." Peter's fists clenched so hard at his side that his knuckles had turned white so at odds with the beautiful smile on his face. "That someone has once again to used them to torment another person is reason enough for me to act. Never mind that I am duty bound to see you are protected."

I felt a strange twitch somewhere in the general vicinity of my mana organ. I had fully expected Peter to want nothing more to do with me after this, I had even planned to speak with Lady Minerva about canceling the rest of the debt. But here he was bluntly stating not only did he have every intention of retaliating against my attackers, but intended to continue being my temporary scholar. Was this the loyalty he showed Lady Minerva or perhaps- no.

Peter clicked his tongue. "It will be tight, but I can give your people a (*crash course*) on upper duchy poisons while I am still your scholar. Since at the very least one of them is at bare minimum suppling unfriendly people with harmful contraband." He seemed to be talking to himself for the most part until he noticed my look. Then Peter cleared his throat and bent his head. "That is, if you wish it." Even though his head was tilted down so I couldn't see his eyes, the previous passion had not left his posture. So, whether I wished it or not, he would still probably end up teaching Justus. I considered my options and thought I might as well take advantage of his rage. To be on the safe side I would have Heidimarie double check all the work in the library and in her own family records.

"Lady Minerva did say I could use your expertise." The door burst open and Professor Hirschur came barreling in. Her eyes swept me, then the room, then Peter. Her gaze narrowing on Peter's wrist where his sleeve had slid back to reveal his wounds. Justus and Eckhart looked on behind her guiltily. Heidimarie also came up behind them a little out of breath.

"I heard there was an attack."

I sighed deeply and stopped feeding mana into the tool. "Professor! You should not drop everything anytime something happens. As long as no one is dead or maimed please hold your dignity as professor."

She snorted softly, but there was something akin to relief in face. Her gaze moved towards the anti-ease dropping tools Peter and I carried. Those dark purple eyes sparkled. "I assume you have the materials to make up for the mess you made?" Even without me funneling mana into the magic tool I could tell Peter snorted at the clear hypocrisy of such a statement. You couldn't even tell what of this mess was usual lab mess and what was from the attack. I gestured to the eight small jars that had been gathered up and placed on the table. She went to inspect the contents immediately, dismissing us from her mind almost all together. Peter snickered and made to hand back the tool.

"Is there a reason the wounds do not heal?"

Peter hesitated, instinctively rubbing the affected areas. I could tell he was considering his answer very carefully. He sighed through his nose and replied, "We are not entirely sure. The original iteration killed its hosts over a period of months or years and if removed left no scarring. While a lot of information was…lost in recent years." Implying Minerva destroyed the records along with the people involved. Sadly, she seemed to be rather thorough when it came to objects of her revenge. "Prevailing theory currently is that it is the trade of for making them less lethal. We have narrowed it down to the venom though, something about it prevents Heilschmerz's grace from being granted."

"You should take your jureve."

Peter smiled sadly. "That will not help."

I felt my eyes widen; no amount of noble training could prevent the surprise from showing. Why did something so trivial have the power to leave long lasting marks? How? I knew there was plenty of things that magic couldn't fix, like a lost limb, but this? I clenched my fists in my lap feeling frustration well up inside me. It was only when I realized Peter was staring at me that I relaxed my posture and managed to hold a more neutral expression. My temporary scholar nodded in approval.

"It will scar, and it will heal slowly. Remember that next time and be more mindful, even here." Those bright orange eyes held my golden eyes for a long moment. Then suddenly he smiled making his features soften to seem boyish and almost carefree. "You shouldn't worry about me, Lord Ferdinand. I have been taking all the medical related courses for just such occurrences as this."

I grimaced remembering when I found out he had been taking even the medical classes that were typically only taken by female attendants. When asked, Peter had grinned like he was now and stated with absolutely no shame, 'So I can protect my wife and future children. Can't have them in danger at their most vulnerable.' An astounding admission at the time, even Justus had nearly choked; though for him it was laughter. I sighed and held my hand for the tool back. Peter managed to smother any further laughter, and handed back the tool without any comment.

I watched Peter out of the corner of my eyes as he got to work treating his wounds. He started by making a salve. All of the ingredients he used I was familiar with thanks to compounding my own potions. Everything was ground down into fine powders, carefully measured out, and then mixed. Once he was satisfied, he took a potion from his own belt and used that as the binding agent for all the dry ingredients. A quick transformation of his schtappe and everything was mixed to a creamy paste. Only after he was satisfied with the texture did he smear the greenish salve over the sores. Finally, he wrapped it in a clean strip of undyed fabric that he pulled from his belt pouch. He studied his work and muttered to himself.

"That should keep it moist enough for healing, but so much that it encourages (*bacteria*) growth."

"Ferdinand." Professor Hirschur called to me. I glanced her way and noticed she had the jar with the venom and legs. The blue green fluid swirled with thin lines of red. Blood, Peter's blood, what should have been mine. I shoved that thought down, moved closer, and noticed the legs seemed to be dissolving. At this rate, I calculated, it would be about a week's time before they would be completely gone. How come they were dissolving? Why didn't the Giftigfesseln show any sign of desegregation while it was attached to Peter? Was it also using its host body to prevent its venom from destroying itself? Or was this a reaction to the air?

"Get me forceps, and a clean-." Justus passed me forceps and had a jar ready. I nodded and snatched one of the legs from the liquid. After a tiny waschen was cast I placed the clean leg into the new jar. It a matter of minutes there was a tiny stream of blue green fluid peeking out from the thicker end of the leg. I waschened it again and this time studied it. Much of the internal part had melted but there were traces of a sac around the rough cracked area. Likely the venom was created in the legs. There were also two veins running through the leg. One I suspected was how venom was injected into the host based on its color. While the other, I theorized was how the Giftigfesseln gathered mana.

"We won't be able to use the legs, will we?"

"No." I confirmed. "The organ that makes the venom seems to have been ruptured during the collecting process." I used the forceps and pulled at the two veins. One disintegrated at the slightest pressure while the other slid free relatively easily. It was a thin membrane about as long as my shortest finger and it was sized so that a normal needle would fit through it. Perhaps I could turn this into a container for practically acidic fluids. Too bad there was a limited amount. I quickly harvested the veins from the rest of the legs, cleaning them and then having Justus store them in a separate jar. What was left of the legs was allowed to be corroded by the venom.

Now the question became what to do with the fey stones. I glanced over the seven jars and noticed something peculiar. Each stone was tinted a slightly different color, red, green, gold, yellow, blue, black, white. Did the Giftigfesseln naturally collect the different elements into different parts of its body? With great care I selected the black feystone and funneled mana into to push out any stray elements. I checked each one finding all of them pure of the element they were tinted in. The weakest being life. A board and pen appeared at my elbow. I took them from Justus and began taking notes, and even sketching the Giftigfesseln from memory. It was only after I was about to fill in notes on the life element that I paused.

Seven.

Each stone had same person's mana, Peter's mana. I resisted the urge to glance at my temporary scholar. Before this moment I had been under the impression that omni elemental people tended to be only the royal family and the direct lineage of the upper duchy Aubs. Was Peter a branch family of the Dunkelfelger archducal family? Did it matter? Probably. In this world, mana was everything. Was that why he was so wary of Professor Hirschur? From his brewing and magic tools, it would be fairly easy to glean what elements he had. Likely he was hiding this to prevent more complications with his marriage to Minerva. This led me to my next theory. Was Minerva omni-elemental as well? I wasn't certain why, but I felt a small stirring of hope. This information was valuable. Too valuable.

"Do you need something, my lord?" Justus asked.

"No." I set aside my quill and passed Justus my anti-ease dropping tool. The surface still slightly warm from the previous holder. My attendant scholar took it quickly and imperceptibly. I slid the board closer to him. "Burn this."

Justus nodded and the board promptly disappeared into the folds of my attendant's robes. "Heidimarie has a report."

"Send her over."

Justus nodded again and kept the tool. I watched out of the corner of my eyes as he signaled to Heidimarie to give her report. What I didn't see was him slipping the magic tool into her hands. My female scholar gathered up her research work and moved closer to me while keeping a proper respectful distance. She made it appear that she was working busily on her research.

"My lord."

"Report."

"Right. I followed your orders and assisted Professor Hirschur. Several people came in and out of the lab during your absence. All of them had valid reasons to be here." She sorted through her boards of notes and tilted one so I could read it out of the corner of my eye. It held a list of names, their rank, important family members, school specialty or grade, as well as their faction. Most of the names were of the Veronica faction. "Before one of the professor's meetings an ordonnanz arrived and she tried to send me away. I overheard one of Veronica's scholars informing Professor Hirschur that her choice in students she protected was a direct attack on the archducal family. If she wanted to continue receiving any funding, she needed to cease her rebellion against the heavens."

I felt ice crawl through my veins. Would Veronica really dare threaten a sovereign noble? Fear squirmed in my gut; I was certain the answer was yes. There wasn't much the first lady of Ehrenfest wouldn't dare do to protect her power base.

"Did Hirschur reply?" I needed to figure out how best to keep professor safe. At the bare minimum I would need to start sleeping in my hidden room from now on. Staying in the lab for hours on end would not be practical. I needed to show that Hirschur was not protecting me. Then she would be safer.

"She did not respond as she went back to work. I expect these are the ordonnanzes that she has been receiving of late. The tone was quite aggrieved and threatening."

I imagine so, in order for someone to send such messages the sender would have to be-. I froze. Had one of Veronica's scholars supplied the Giftigfesseln directly to one of the students while sending harassment towards Hirschur. Quickly I put a hand on the desk to steady myself. My mana roiled inside me practically screaming for release.

"My lord?" Heidimarie's voice was edged with panic.

"It's nothing." I grit out.

A male snort came from behind me. Peter. Something clattered to the table beside me. They were two magic tools not unlike the broaches that students wore. But this one had the symbol of Leidenschaft engraved on it.

"With how late it is gotten, Dunkelfelger's training area will be empty. You and your knight can go seek Verführmeer's blessing."

Heidimarie snatched them off the desk and looked like she was going furiously whip out Grammalatur's blade and slice Peter to bloody ribbons with it. I held up a hand to forestall her tirade. I needed to vent my mana and this was the best solution at the moment. It would also prevent me from causing more problems in the lab. Hirschur was still distracted with her research.

"Check them."

Heidimarie did as I asked, checking the tools for trap, or poison, but nothing was found. She even took an extra-long time confirming the circles on the trinket before handing them to Justus who also checked them. Once they were confirmed I gave orders to the rest of my entourage to continue assisting Hirschur. Then I went out. I wasn't really aware of anything other than containing the roiling mana inside me. My feet carried me to my destination without any real thought on my part. Once we arrived, I went straight to the obstacle course. The mana that threatened to boil flesh was fed into the stone at the first gate. I poured as much as I dared without turning it to dust. It was barely enough to even blunt the edge of my erratic mana. Today had just been too much. One thing right after another.

I ran the course. All of the weapons seemed to respond for my need to vent both my mana and fury. Every attack battered at my defenses allowing me to use more and more of my mana. Several times I allowed myself to get caught up in the ice just so I could vent more mana getting free.

I ran the course again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

At this point I wasn't sure how many times I had run the course. Anything to settle the mana. Anything to vent this feeling that was gnawing at my bones like a freezing winter's wind. Please, I just wanted this to-. Whoosh. Whoosh. I reached for the stone to start another round of the course only to be ripped away before my fingers even grazed the surface. I vaguely heard Eckhart call my name, but then his voice and the ground beneath my feet vanished. Something massive had wrapped around my chest, pinning arms to my side. I couldn't even reach my tool pouch. I needed to think! The wind howled in my ear and the light feeling in my stomach told me that we were still rising, and fast. My brain wracked for a solution. I needed-.

"Do you mind!" A familiar voice shouted over the wind. All at once I relaxed, even against my better judgement. Then I realized why I hadn't received a warning from my cloak. This person did not mean harm. They never did. They were just annoyingly vexing in their timing; as usual. The high beast that held me came to a jerking stop, rolling so I faced the vast sky above and my back laid against a giant scaled belly. The vast starry night stretched out endlessly on this clear winter's night. "Why must you poison this scene with your fear and desperation?" Minerva's voice softened now that she didn't need to shout over the wind for me to hear her.

"I am not afraid!" I snapped at her. "And this is wildly inappropriate!"

She snorted. "Liar. You are afraid. You are afraid of your weakness, and what it will cost you and those you care about." Her tone had been bland, but it suddenly turned sharp with censure and frost. "You are afraid of your strength, and how it will affect your brother and father and how it will change their love for you. You are afraid to take what should be yours, and you're afraid to let go." She sighed as if she had suddenly lost all energy. "It is okay. It is okay for you to be afraid, Little Flower."

"No, it's not."

Some of her usual self came back as she grouched, "Such a stubborn child."

"Such a vexing woman." I snapped back

This time she cackled. "Work on your swearing, Little Flower. It leaves much to be desired." Then she sighed again. "Little Flower-."

"Don't call me that."

"I'll take your request under consideration. Where were we? Ah, yes. Little Flower, do you know the purpose of fear is?"

What nonsense was this fool spouting? Fear had no purpose. It was either a weakness to be conquered in one's self or a thing to be exploited in one's enemies. It just was like the sun and the moon. She seemed to take my silences as admission I didn't know.

"Fear is your mind and body telling you, you are in danger. It's as much of a defense as those magic charms you wear. It is also just as necessary for your survival. And right now, it's trying to tell you something, but you can't quite understand it because it's screaming too loudly at you."

"I understand perfectly."

"Oh?" I shouldn't have, but I marveled at how she exceled at saying so much with one word. "Then tell me what it is saying."

Now it was my turn to snort. "I will do no such thing." What fool would give their weakness up just because she asked?

She chuckled. "Fair enough I suppose." Silence fell between us as Minerva's high beast drifted among the sea of star light. That aching in my chest that had been previously driving me out of my mind had started to recede like the tide. Not gone, I doubted it would ever be truly gone, but not choking me with its ferocity either.

"Put me down. My entourage will be coming."

"No." Her voice was faint and distant.

"Lady Minerva!"

She hummed and repeated, "No. You disturbed my peace, now you can suffer the consequences."

I disturbed her peace?! It took all of my noble training and self-control not to shout at her. I couldn't even tap my temples in frustration because of how her high beast had me pinned. I still struggled to at least catch a glimpse of her, but all could really see was her long braid pointed at the ground that was far below us.

"Shamelessly frivolous woman!"

"I'd rather be a shamelessly frivolous woman than a foolish you." She replied simply.

"I'm foolish?" The words wheezed out of my mouth and there was nothing I could do to temper my tone which was filled with equal parts rage, condescension, disbelief, confusion, and hurt. Some part of me hated that this person thought I was a fool and felt the need to say it so plainly to my face. Such things had never bothered me, why now?

"Were you not considering how best to distance yourself from what little support you have?" Her words were sharp and angry as if she was offended by the very notion. "No one is an island, Little Flower. We all need to rely on others. Stop pushing away those who reach out for you. You make it very difficult to p-." She cut of her words with a hiss like she had been burned by them. Silence returned for only a moment. "Do not push away your people. You are too vulnerable for that."

I stared up at the stars. "I don't know what you're talking about." Even to my own ears the denial sounded weak and tired.

Lady Minerva directed her high beast to slowly glide back down to earth. It landed back in the training area on its hind legs; reminding me of when Minerva had Peter carried in. It was then that I saw Eckhart. He was kneeling in the sand golden thorny vines had twined around him holding him firmly in that kneeling position. Even his mouth had been covered over to prevent him from yelling. At a glance some of the thorns had scratched him, but other than that and his pride he was likely unhurt. It still angered me. I sent a wave of mana into the high beast instantly shattering the stone and sending Minerva tumbling to the sand. I heard her land in the sand with a muffled thud, cutting Eckhart free with my schtappe sword before she had landed.

My faithful guard lunged between us his broadsword schtappe drawn and ready to strike. Every muscle in his body was tense, waiting for an attack. It didn't come, neither did the sounds of Minerva rising. I turned back to see she still lay in the sand looking up at the sky.

"I'll let you, you know." Her voice sounded very tired. Finally, she peeled her gaze from the stars and looked at Eckhart. "I'll let you hit me, Little Wolf, but only this once." Unease prickled at my scalp. This did not sound right, yet I could not decern a lie. I studied Minerva as she laid in the sand. She was wearing her school uniform, blue cape, and basic pouch, but no feystone armor; like myself. Her face was red and raw from the wind, even her hands looked red and chapped. But it was her eyes that gave away hints. Her pupils were slightly dilated, and there was a glassy sheen to her gaze. Then I noticed a round object partially sticking out from under her cloak. It was a lacquered jug made from the outer shell of a large fruit. I tapped two fingers against my temples.

"You're drunk."

She snorted. "I am pleasantly buzzed. If I were drunk, you'd have smelled it before I reached you earlier. We have a high tolerance for this kind of thing in Dunkelfelger. Comes with all the ditters. Speaking of which," she felt around beside her for the jug before sitting up just enough to allow her to take a swig from it. When the cork was pulled out the overwhelming smell of spirits drifted towards us. I wrinkled my nose. Was this woman insane?

I could only blink at her. Even Eckhart seemed at a loss for words. His sword point was gradually dropping to the sand. Lady Minevra pulled up her left knee and leaned her elbow against it. Carelessly she waved at the course.

"You should run it again."

"Why?"

"Because you will beat me." She stated those words so plainly that it took me a moment to comprehend them.

"How can you be so sure?"

She shrugged carelessly. "It's obvious."

I couldn't help but turn back to the course. Something stirred in my chest like the fluttering of an ordonnanz. Did I believe her? Could I do it? I took a hesitant toward it and faltered. Why was I trusting a drunk who was sprawled out in the dirt? This was nonsense. I turned back to Lady Minerva only to see she had summoned a new high beast and was using it as a back rest and shield from the cold. She huffed when I turned back to her.

"Not going to? I thought you said you would beat me."

"It's not that simple."

"Sure, it is. You're just afraid."

Arguing with her was like arguing with a child. But before I could say anything Eckhart snapped, "How dare you! You are rude to my lord, debase yourself in public and have the nerve to call him frightened." It seemed her goading had hit a sore spot for my guard. I tried not to wince because I suspected he was playing right into her hands.

"Not sure what one thing has to do with the other, but yes. That is the short of it." And as if to further punctuate this sentiment she took another big gulp of her booze. She didn't even look perturbed by this admission or her actions. She really had no shame. The Dunkelfelger lady sighed capping her drink. "Either your lord is a man of his word and he will beat me or he is not and he can't ever win." She clicked her tongue a smile forming at the edges of her lips. "What does that say that he cannot even beat a shameless drunk? Certainly, that doesn't bode well for Ehrenfest's future." I felt something stir at those words. I could see Eckhart winding up to start shouting some more, maybe even take a swing at her with his blade.

"Enough, Eckhart." Mysteriously I no longer felt the cold. The only thing I now felt was the urgent need to wipe that smile off her face. I walked up to the gate and fed my mana as I had done several times already. Then I ran. Everything seemed to blur, my body moved on virtual instinct. I flowed over the course as if Steiferise was pushing me along. Her words driving me on. When at last I tore past the final gate I glanced at the score board.

Minerva 1st 07:36:05 C:07 F:00

Ferdinand 2nd 07:36:10 C:012 F:00

Heisshitze 3rd 08:27:29 C:34 F:03

Frustration swirled but so did determination. I was so close.

Minerva called from where she was still seated, "Again."

Fire burned through my limbs at her cajoling tone. This was now personal. I went back to the front and fed my mana again. This time my body felt feather light. Without the mana roiling inside me and only my determination to crush my opponent under my heel I ran again. Steiferise blessed my feet while Sehweit seemed to light my way. Every step was sure-footed and quick. With the last flag the darkness parted and I burst past the final gate. I stumbled and rolled to my feet, skidding to a stop. My breath came out in huffs, and my clothes were coated in grime. None of that mattered. All that mattered were results. I looked at the score board, blinking at it once, twice, three times just to be sure. Relief and joy surged as I read the first name over and over. I won. I had beaten her.

Ferdinand 1st 07:36:01 C:013 F:00

Minerva 2nd 07:36:05 C:07 F:00

Heisshitze 3rd 08:27:29 C:34 F:03

I collapsed to my knees drawing in shuddering breaths. Everything hurt, especially my stomach, but winning was worth that small price. I chuckled to myself. Then an icy cold hand ruffled the top of my head.

"Very good, Little Flower."

I swatted her hand away, making a loud smack when my strike landed. The impact surprised me almost as much as the sound. I'd never actually hit her before. She was usually too quick for me to make contact. An apology rose to the tip of my tongue as she shook left hand as if to shake of the sting. But her cheerful smile stopped me.

"It's cold, you should probably go back where it's warm." She laced her fingers together behind her head.

I was about to point out that she was even less geared up for the cold than I, but the words died in my mouth when I saw her left wrist. A pale bracelet of scars was stained against her slender wrist. Eight large circles each surrounded by five smaller ones. The Giftigfesseln. My earlier supposition had been very wrong.

"Hmm?" My expression must have cracked because Minerva was looking at me with concern. "You alright?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"You look like you've seen a (*ghost*)?"

"A what?"

She sighed and clicked her tongue. Her hands came back down to her side and she caught sight of her scar. I watched the realization dawn in her eyes. She slid the sleeve back down. "Ah, that explains it." She unclipped the gourd from her belt and took another swig from it.

"Who-?" Had done it, but I didn't bother to finish the question.

"The dead don't matter, Little Flower. I'm alive, so is the person it was intended for. That is all that matters." She started walking over to where Eckhart was hesitantly waiting. "Come on, no need for you to catch a cold out here. You should swing by early tomorrow before practice. I'll have Lady Magdolina bring you your reward, and that way you won't get swarmed right away." Amusement lurked in her tone, implying I would still be swarmed at a later time.

I merely nodded my agreement.

Minerva sighed and tilted her head back again to look up at the stars. As if she couldn't get enough of looking at them. There was an odd wistfulness to her gaze that made her seem far older. Then it was gone when she looked back at me.

"A query for you Little Flower."

"Stop calling me that."

She waved me off. "Fine, fine. Lord Ferdinand, I have a query for you, if you will indulge me?" She would have sounded like a proper noble if she hadn't tacked on the fine, fine at the beginning of her sentence.

"What is it?"

"What is the difference between a plan and a dream?"

I stared at her. "Are you serious?" She must be drunk.

She shrugged, "I can go out of my way to call you Little Flower when other people might hear."

I scowled at her, wondering if it was Vantole's blessing that gave her the courage to be so bold and forward. Yet I still found myself answering, "A plan is a step-by-step set of instructions to reach a particular goal, a dream is something you want to happen regardless of whether it is feasible or not."

She hummed, a sad smile hanging from her blue lips. "A very by the books answer." Not the answer she was looking for though.

"What is the difference?"

That sad smile transformed to something nostalgic and soft, not something I ever expected to see from her. She cast her gaze back up to the heavens and murmured, "What difference is there? Other than the one you perceive, none." Once again, I could only blink at this strange woman. I opened my mouth to point out that she made no sense when she dropped her gaze and noticed something. "Seems like someone has come to collect you."

I followed her gaze to see Professor Hirschur striding towards us, Peter hot on her heels. Her dark purple eyes looked livid and glowed in the light of a lantern like tool that hung from her belt. She fixed me with a stern look. Minerva chuckled beside me. "I think you might be in trouble, Little Flower."

"Look who's talking." Peter's orange eyes looked like tiny autumn flames that flickered with an intensity I did not envy.

She chuckled. "He's busy."

Now it was my turn to grin evilly. "I'm giving him the day off tomorrow."

"Cheeky brat."

"Shameless drunkard."

Her head tipped back and she crowed out her laughter. "Better, but could still use some work."

"We'll see who's laughing tomorrow." I continued on with Eckhart in my shadow. He kept casting glares back at Lady Minerva. "Leave her." I told him.

"My lord?"

"She'll get hers eventually." Then approached Hirschur who had stopped at the edge of the training field looking very irked. Peter stood patiently beside her. Once I was in the light of the little lantern tool, warmth permeated through me. It instantly reminded me that I had not grabbed my feystone armor before leaving. I looked at the two scholars who both carried a charm similar to the Leidenschaft one I now had strung around my neck. To Peter I said, "You may have the day off tomorrow, if there is something pressing you need to take care now, you may." Those orange eyes glittered in delight.

"As it stands there is something pressing, my lord. Your generosity is greatly appreciated." He crossed his arms in differential respect to me, then walked past me to where his lady was still waiting. I noticed some of the irritation in Hirschur's eyes lessened as mirth crept into those purple eyes.

"You on the other hand, Lord Ferdinand, are going to be very busy tomorrow. I hope you don't regret giving that young man time off."

"Yes professor, I will be moving my things out of-."

"No, you will be completing the brews you left unfinished tonight, as well as gathering new materials." She shoved a board into my hands. "You left before we finished this brew and now it's been ruined and needs to be started again."

I could only blink at the list I had been given. After a moment I heaved a sigh and started tapping two fingers to my temples. "Professor it would be unwise-."

"What would be unwise is trust the snooping of someone so obvious that they can't even wait until I send a reply. I am a sovereign noble, who I decide to take on as an apprentice is my business. And I will continue to take on apprentices who are up to my standards and as I see fit regardless of their family or origin. Now let's go. I am tired of wasting mana that could be used for research."

I sighed softly and grumbled, "At least observe some social niceties."

Note from the author: Happy New Year! Hope you all are enjoying the story so far. I look forward to continuing in the new year.