I yawned and pulled back the thick drapes blocking the window in my bedroom. The sun trickled lazily in through the window, warming my bare skin as I stood there in my knickers. My timepiece lay with my clothing in the next room, but reckoning by the sun, I knew it had to be nearing noon.
It was the last day of the century, and celebrations had already commenced. The Guilds were hurling Spells in the air on the city's outskirts while the citizens who waited until the last minute rushed to and fro, stringing up lights and catering for their many businesses.
I let out another yawn, stretching as the last remnants of a long rest faded away. This time after leaving the mountain range had been a flurry of activity, much of it spent in Crook's back room making preparations for my departure. I worked in the cramped warehouse throughout the daylight hours and staked out the back alleys and slums at night.
After tying back the curtains, I proceeded into the common room, dragged my already-packed trunks closer to the door for the Academy's porters to later retrieve, and washed and dressed before heading out into the world. My first order of business was to have a word with Crook before making my way to the courtyard where the graduation ceremony would be held.
As I walked down the halls, I noticed a mood had settled over most of the better-dressed students. A group of three were huddled at the edge of the stairs, talking in hushed tones. Some of their whispered words reached my ears when I passed.
"-anyone even spotted this so-called Ghost?"
"No one that's been willin' to fess up. I reckon-"
The voices faded to nothing as I descended to the first floor, smiling subtly. David was cosily tucked away, safe and sound, in the Deck Box on my left hip. If all went well, I'd be able to speak with him tomorrow... something I desperately wanted to do. I had questions, and hopefully, the ghostly lad had some answers.
I was hedging my bets on being able to complete the final task before at least one of the Descendants. When this night was over, I would have what I needed to ascend without worry. This was the night that would change my future for the better.
The details of how the Descendants had performed this task hadn't been in the reports, at least not that I could recall, but I had some guesses. They definitely hadn't killed civilians... if they had, that information would have spread like wildfire. They would be more likely to capture criminals or use servants as sacrifices.
That didn't leave me with much time, a few minutes at most. I could only hope that nothing went wrong. My musings continued, and before I knew it, I stood at the back entrance to Crook's shop. A few wagons were prepared, three with most of his inventory piled atop them and another full of large wooden barrels. The merchant fiddled with a length of rope, looping it to create a winch before tossing it over the top of his goods.
"Look like you can use a hand there," I grabbed the looped end of the rope and ran it through a metal hook before tossing it back over.
"Oh! Rowan. Much obliged," he pulled the rope taught and secured it somewhere along the bottom of the carriage. "Ungh. That ought to do it. Now, what are you doing here, boy? Shouldn't you be up at the Academy with the other urchins?"
"Shouldn't an old blighter like you be down in the sewers with the rest of the rats?" I retorted. Our relationship may have developed a fair bit over the last few days, but the man was still a sleaze. I came to know that he'd happily fleece a man out of his Essence, but the shadier business he'd been involved in actually had been because of the hand behind him... or rather, the finger.
Crook released a sigh and reached into his pocket, sliding out a small, purple vial so that it was barely visible, "When I said I'd handle it, I meant it. You just play your part in this, so I don't have to worry about some thug slitting my throat while I sleep."
"You're a right good chap, William," I chuckled, patting him on the shoulder. "Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
"I told you not to call me that," Crook grumbled, only causing me to laugh again. Sifting through the boxes in his back room, I'd come across a package labelled William Crook. Apparently, the merchant didn't like it because it was his father's name. I'm sure there was a story behind that, but we never got into it.
"Well, that's enough of that," I dropped my voice and leaned forward on my cane. "Have you gotten in touch with that little birdie of yours?"
"The seed has been delivered," the merchant responded casually. "You have my address. Find me in a few days. The songbird should have tweeted by then."
I smiled and tilted my head in a slight bow, "Much obliged, Sir William."
"If you call me that again, I'll knock you so hard with that cane that you'll need it just to limp to the Second Floor! Now, get on before I change my mind. And you better not break your word."
"I wouldn't dare," I assured the man and turned to leave, glancing at my timepiece as I did so. Less than an hour remained before the ceremony, and graduates were to assemble with their class ahead of time. "I'll be seeing you, Crook."
Well, that was that. My future lay in the hands of a sleazy merchant. For some reason, I wasn't feeling the trepidation I should have. The man genuinely just wanted to get ahead in life, and I'd offered him a deal he couldn't refuse. He would get a plot on the outer edge of my estate in the city of Grandhardt, and I would gain access to his Merchant License and connections, plus receive thirty per cent of all future sales.
After we'd come to an accord, he filled me in on just how many connections he'd been able to make over the years. I was thoroughly impressed and really hadn't expected the lowborn merchant to be so well acquainted. Through a series of both fortunate and unfortunate events, Crook had formed bonds with a few lowly members of the Scot's information network and even weaselled his way in with a group of traders working directly for one of the Society's Hands.
For his first assignment, and to prove that he was telling the truth, I asked him to gather information on the Vladimirs, particularly their progeny Kasimira. I was more than a little disturbed that I'd managed to somehow attract her attention... but something was off about her attitude.
Though she was obviously batshit crazy, the girl in the valley didn't strike me as the one who'd murdered and drained over four dozen miners on one of the upper Floors. That had been big news, and it was the first time the Guilds had actually been given permission to place a core member of one of the Families on their bounty boards.
My cane tapped the ground, and I enjoyed the view while strolling back to the Academy. This would be my last time seeing the First Floor during the day, and I wanted to make sure to remember every detail. When I reached the gate at the top of the hill, I turned and looked over the city. The farmland, the Old Boar Forest, the Howling Hills, and the great mountain are in the distance.
"Everyone, gather up!"
It was from some distance away, but I could hear Cecelia's voice from across the campus. More shouts followed her own, each of the professors from the ten senior classes gathering their pupils. With one last glance at the terrain, I turned and strode casually toward the amplified group of voices.
A small line was already formed in front of each of the professors by the time I arrived, with students still trickling in, some worriedly adjusting their clothes and others grinning excitedly.
While the ten senior classes were gathering, the other groups of students were rushing to the courtyard. Hundreds of chairs had been set up for the occasion, where the top students would be called, and all of the graduating class would receive their rewards and have the Academy Seal permanently stamped on their registration cards.
I joined in at the back of the group and waited for the rest of my peers to arrive. It seemed my prior disturbance was forgotten, and things were back to normal with no one paying me any mind. I much preferred it this way and really should watch myself... but messing with the youngsters was just so damned fun.
A tingling sensation ran up the back of my neck. I tensed and moved my thumb over the sword release while scanning for the source of my distress. My mind eased when I found the culprit.
Nathaniel was watching me from a few groups over. He nodded when we locked eyes, and I returned the gesture before we both turned back to our respective classes.
He was another enigma. I could understand him questioning my origins after our encounter in the Howling Hills, but I couldn't fathom why the young man had stepped in at the cave. It wasn't appropriate in our current situation, but I felt I should thank the lad somehow.
An announcement came from the courtyard, a thundering male voice that echoed across the Academy grounds. This was the headmaster, who I'd only seen twice in my previous life. The first time was when he welcomed all of the new students the year I arrived, and the second was at this very ceremony.
"Today, we celebrate a new end and a new beginning. Not only is today the turn of the century, but the day that your fellow brothers and sisters ascend beyond the realm of mortals..." the man paused for dramatic effect.
"Whether you have chosen to follow the path of Damnation, the way of Liberation, or you are determined to chart your own course, know this; The Academy will always support you. One of our branches is available on every Fifth Floor, and as long as you carry our seal, you will be welcome. Now, let us be witness to the glory of the Academy!"
Miss Warren was the first to move, followed closely by Aurora and Zachary, and then the rest of the class, which trailed behind in no particular order. We filed into the courtyard and took our seats in the first row. Once we were settled, the next group followed, the next, and then the next... this... was... without a doubt... the blandest activity I'd taken part in since my return.
It took nearly half an hour for all two hundred thirty students to file in, take their seats, and for the professors to make their way up to the provisional stage. When everyone was seated, the headmaster said a few words congratulating each of the teachers on a job well done, as not a single student had failed in this entire graduating class.
Which wasn't right.
What the bloody hell was this? When I graduated, only around one hundred ninety of us walked across the stage... yet now not a single person failed the final?
"Today, I have to say goodbye to the young men and women who I've watched grow over the last ten years," she wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and continued, "Whatever path you choose, I hope that it's full of wonder and lacks regrets. May you live a life that's full... and thank you. Thank you for all of the wonderful years you've given me."
She took a moment to gather herself before opening a large book on the podium while two other professors walked to the edge of the stage, where a blanketed table had been set. One held a small box while the other stood calmly to the side.
"Headmaster Bennet has given me the honour of calling out the names for the top ten scores from this year's exams," Cecilia smiled proudly. "This year, we graded our exams differently and decided to delve deeper into the solutions that each student presented. The comprehension exam score will then be added to the practical score to determine your overall rank. The comprehension exam was graded on an eight-hundred-point scale, while the practical was graded on a two-hundred-point scale.
This... was also different. Not overly so, but it was certainly not the same as I remembered. Something was off. Were all of these changes my doing?
"In tenth place, we have..." I listened half-heartedly while pondering the differences. My ears twitched when I heard that Nathaniel had been called up for seventh place, and I clapped along with the rest of the crowd before returning to my brooding. Only one other person from my class had been called, and that was one of Galen's friends who'd reached tenth place.
"And in fourth place, with the only perfect score in our comprehension exam and a practical score of one hundred thirty-two, it is my honour to call on another of my students, Rowan Wilder!"
I stood from my seat and walked calmly toward the stage. Miss Warren beamed down at me from her place behind the podium while I climbed the stairs, my cane tapping lightly on the wooden floor. Nathaniel looked at me from his place on the stage, a small but inquisitive smile playing on his visage.
"Rowan, congratulations!" Cecelia stepped forward and hugged me tightly, her warm breath tickling my cheek as she whispered, "I was so worried about you. Thank you for not letting me down."
She backed away and gestured for me to step to the table to claim my prize. I pulled my registration card out from beneath my collar and passed it to the first of the professors, who used an oddly-shaped black and purple stamp to mark the new seal. When he was done, the other professor stepped forward and handed me a Card, which I tucked firmly into my breast pocket to examine later.
"Thank you, gentleman," I gave each of the men a slight bow before stepping up to Cecelia and taking her hand. "And thank you, Miss Warren, for everything you've done for us over the years."
I bowed and placed my lips upon her hand before taking my place among the other members of the top ten. A low chortle came from somewhere behind me. It seemed the headmaster found my performance amusing... that, or the flustered look on Cecelia's face. Priceless.
"And- Ahem... In third place, we have Arthur White. Please step up, Arthur," Cecelia turned the page and gave it a quick read. "Arthur managed to rank second in the practical exams, coming just behind Nathaniel, who had a perfect score. Additionally, Arthur performed exceptionally well on his comprehension exam, earning a total of nine hundred fifty-nine points!"
The unassuming young man received his rewards and took his place next to mine. In the front row, I saw Aurora gripping tightly to the edge of her seat. The way things were going, I couldn't say for sure that she would come in first place.
"In second place we have... Zachary Gray!" Cecelia cried out, "Zachary also scored near-perfect in the practical exam, earning one hundred ninety-two points, while in the comprehension exam, he gained seven hundred sixty-eight points!"
From my position on the stage, I could see Zachary's eyebrow twitch, but otherwise, he didn't react to the loss. Or that's what I thought. When he took his position next to Arthur, I could see his knuckles turning white from how hard he clenched his fists.
"Next, we have our top scorer of this year's exam. Aurora Price, please step forward!" The man who'd been handing out rewards walked over and placed a shimmering Card in Cecelia's hands.
"Aurora scored near-perfect marks in the comprehension exam, falling short by a mere two points! She scored one hundred sixty-eight points in the practical, putting her ahead of Zachary by only six points!"
Aurora smiled brightly as she stepped onto the stage, her customary indifference gone and a look of pure bliss on her face. I couldn't help but smile, happy for her. Another black-haired woman and a speckled-grey-haired man cheered loudly, and I noted them as Aurora's parents.
Her resemblance to her mom was uncanny. The man, though... I just couldn't see him being Aurora's father. Not that I really understood genetics, but from this distance, I couldn't see any similarity.
"Congratulations, Aurora. You've worked hard throughout the years, and you deserve this. Keep it well," Cecelia handed Aurora the Sacred Card and personally stamped her registration. Aurora stood in her spot next to Zachary, and we all took a bow before returning to our seats.
The hours dragged on as the ceremony continued, the rest of the students getting called in order from highest to lowest and given a chance to select their Blessed Card from the selection on the table. In all, the graduation took approximately four hours, and the sun was beginning to fade by the time we were dismissed.
While the parents who hadn't ascended beyond the First Floor met with their children for a dinner the Academy was hosting, I slipped through the gates unnoticed. Seeing the young men and women with their families brought back a bit of nostalgia and reminded me of something else.
"In all the excitement, I forgot that my birthday was today," I chuckled, looking over my registration card and the newly upgraded seal. "I should go visit mom and pop tomorrow. Eighteen years old... They'd like to know their little boy made it to adulthood safely, right?"
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