The dining room was bathed in warm light, golden reflections danced on the polished wood of the long table. But in contrast to the elegance of the room, the atmosphere between the two was less formal; they were used to each other by now.
Corin poked thoughtfully at his food. So tomorrow was the day. The academy. A new place, new people, new challenges.
"So," Viviana began, setting her cutlery aside.
"A few last bits of information before you stumble into a world tomorrow where you know no one."
Corin raised an eyebrow. "Sounds promising."
She smirked.
"I've mentioned it before, but it's better if no one finds out about your connection to the Virellis."
He nodded. "And if someone asks me?"
"Then... improvise." She winked at him.
"Say you're a talented nobody from some hole hoping to make something of yourself, or stick to the story that someone sent you here privately."
"Doesn't sound that far from the truth."
Viviana took a sip of her wine and leaned back slightly.
"The academy works differently from ordinary schools. There are no fixed classes or rigid schedules. You can choose your courses freely, depending on what you want to learn. Some students are younger than you, some are much older. Skills are what really count."
Corin thought for a moment. "So that means...?"
"If you're stupid, you'll have a hard time."
"Good to know."
She grinned. "Don't worry about it. No one expects you to show up tomorrow and do everything perfectly. Try not to draw all the attention to yourself straight away. And if you do.....be smart about it."
"And what about the accommodation?"
Viviana looked amused. "The campus has its own living quarters for the students. You're free to stay there or come back every day. Most prefer to sleep on site."
He nodded slowly. "I'll see how it goes."
Viviana took an olive between her fingers and regarded him thoughtfully.
"Whatever you decide, I'll be expecting you here on the weekends."
"So I don't forget who I belong to?" He grinned slightly.
Viviana's gaze sharpened for a moment, then she leaned forward a little.
"So you don't forget that I still have a lot planned for you."
A slight tingle ran down his spine, but he didn't let it show.
He put his cutlery aside. "Anything else I should know?"
"Just the obvious." She leaned back and scrutinized him from half-closed eyes.
"The academy isn't just a place to learn. Though it's a neutral place on paper, it's a playing field for the noble houses, for intrigue, for alliances. Keep your eyes open."
He nodded slowly. Viviana let her fingertips glide over the rim of her wine glass.
"And Corin?"
He glanced up.
"Have a little fun with it."
--------------------------------------------
The morning was quiet. Far too quiet. No shouting merchants, no arguing thieves, no distant clink of broken glass. Corin had grown accustomed to the quiet of the estate, but today it felt... heavier.
He checked his luggage again, it was little. A few tailored garments, the mysterious package that still held more questions than answers, and not much else. His eyes fell on the package.
The Valtrors.
He knew he had to look for answers at the academy. Perhaps that was one of the few places he could gather information inconspicuously.
A deep breath. Then he stepped in front of the large standing mirror. He was hardly recognizable.
His face was sharper, more angular, less that of a street urchin. The black eyes, once wild and unsteady, now looked at him with focus. The medium-length, black hair with golden streaks was pulled back, the two-piece, thin ponytail reached down to his hips, held in place by a gold ring.
And then the uniform.
Dark brown trousers, a simple white shirt and a black blazer. Simple. Neat. Elegant. Quite the opposite of what he was used to.
He was ready. A knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Ready for your new life?"
Viviana leaned casually in the doorway, an amused twinkle in her eye. She was in her usual smart attire, a glass of tea in her hand, as if this was nothing special.
"As ready as you can be."
She smirked. "Go on, then."
The carriage that would take him to the academy was luxurious, naturally. Smooth ebony, golden decorations. A vehicle that said more than it should. However it did not have the crest on the site of it.
Corin sat opposite Viviana as the carriage rolled gently over the cobblestones.
"Last words of wisdom?" he asked with a wry smile.
Viviana tilted her head slightly to the side.
"Stay in the background, but don't be invisible. Gather information, but don't be intrusive. Be smart, but..."
She paused for a moment. "Don't forget who you are."
He raised an eyebrow. She just smiled and then casually placed a hand on his thigh.
"And one more thing, Corin."
His body tensed unconsciously, but he held her gaze.
"If anyone gets too close to you..."
Her grip tightened for a moment before she let go of him.
"Let him know you're not just here for fun."
He snorted softly. "I would have either way."
"Good."
The carriage slowed.
"We're here."
Just as Corin was about to turn away, Viviana held him back.
"Wait a moment."
He turned around. She got out of the carriage and motioned for him to stop. Then she went to one of the servants, who handed her a long object wrapped in dark velvet.
With a fluid movement, she pulled the cloth aside, and Corin froze.
A spear. But not just any spear.
The shaft was deep black, almost like obsidian-colored metal, streaked with fine golden veins that snaked upwards in elaborate, spiraling patterns. And then the blade, large, almost as long as a sword, shimmering with a dark sheen, as if the light was being swallowed up by it.
It was larger than Corin himself, but still lay light and balanced in her hand.
Viviana stepped closer and held it out to him.
"A gift."
He hesitated. "For me?"
"Of course." She smiled, but it wasn't her usual playful smile this time. It was something else. More serious.
"The academy won't just be a place of learning for you. It will be a battlefield, albeit a different one than you're used to. I want you to be prepared."
Corin took the spear and immediately felt the power in his hand. It was perfectly balanced, made for him. As if it had just been waiting to finally reach his hands.
His fingers slid over the metal, feeling the fine engravings that almost looked like... claws.
"He doesn't have a name." Viviana's voice was soft. "Not yet."
Corin lifted the spear and let it circle lightly in the air once. The movement was fluid, effortless.
Then his eyes fell on Viviana.
"Thank you."
She took another step back, her arms crossed behind her back. The sparkle in her eyes was back.
"All right then, little crow. At least now you don't look like a defenseless chick."
Corin grimaced. "I hate that name."
"I know."
With a satisfied smile, she turned and climbed back into the carriage.
"And now go. Show them what you can do."
He watched her go, then his gaze drifted back to the spear in his hand. It was time.