8. Kaia
The morning chimes echoing through Arcanum's halls feel more like a death knell than a wake-up call. I groan, pulling my pillow over my head as my shadows flicker restlessly around the edges of my bed. Mouse, sprawled across my feet, lets out a small chirp that somehow manages to sound judgmental.
"I know, I know. First day. Have to get up." I sit up, watching my shadows twist anxiously around my ankles. "Any chance you guys could behave today?"
A tendril of shadow flicks a textbook off the desk in response.
"Right. Stupid question."
I drag myself out of bed, the cool stone floor sending a shiver up my spine. The uniform hanging in my closet seems to mock me with its crisp lines and perfect creases. I pull it on, grimacing at the stiff fabric but at least happy with the color choice. Black is definitely my color.
As I fasten the last button, my shadows dart around the room, tugging at loose threads and ruffling papers. "Seriously, guys?" I mutter, trying to smooth my uniform back down. "We talked about this. Best behavior, remember?"
A tendril of shadow curls around my wrist, almost apologetic. I sigh, grabbing my bag and heading for the door. "Come on, Mouse. Let's go face the music."
With the chaos of everything yesterday, I’m not surprised that the stairway down to the common room takes my breath away. It really is stunning in its textures and the movement of light and shadow make it feel alive.
I finally reach the common room, my stomach growling because I definitely missed dinner. But more pressing than food is figuring out where I'm supposed to go. I spot Torric hunched over a piece of paper at the table, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Hey," I say, approaching cautiously. "Is that your schedule?"
Torric grunts, not looking up. He jerks his head towards the counter, where I see a stack of similar papers.
I roll my eyes. "You know, a simple 'yes' would have sufficed. Or maybe even pointing? I hear that's all the rage in polite conversation these days."
He finally looks up, his golden eyes narrowing. "I answered your question."
"Yeah, with all the charm of a grumpy troll," I snap, stomping over to grab my own schedule. I try to play it off with the joke, but the frustration bubbling under the surface has other plans. My shadows flare before I can stop them, darkening the space around us. Torric’s brow seems to furrow in confusion.
Great. First day, and I'm already living up to my reputation as the weird girl. I take a deep breath, trying to rein in my temper and my powers. "Look, we're stuck here together. The least we could do is try to be civil."
Torric's expression softens slightly. "You're right. I'm... not great with mornings. Or people. Or mornings with people."
The change in his expression catches me off guard. I wasn’t expecting him to back down, but I’ll take the win and despite myself, I feel a smile tugging at my lips. "Well, that makes two of us. Truce?"
He nods, the ghost of a smile on his face. "Truce."
I glance down at my own schedule, groaning. "Now, any idea where Rune Methodology is?"
“Yeah, you can follow me,” Torric says, gathering his things. He hesitates for a moment before adding, “Just... try not to let your shadow cat eat anyone on the way.”
Mister grump has jokes this morning. Great. My shadows twist around my legs as we walk, flicking curiously at the edges of the corridor like they’re mapping the way.
◆◆◆
The Sorcery Wing's classroom is a circular chamber filled with workstations, each bearing an array of crystals, runes, and what looks suspiciously like scorch marks. I slip into an empty seat near the back, trying to ignore the way conversations halt as I pass. My shadows, agitated by my nerves, keep tugging at the hem of my robes.
"Is this seat taken?"
I look up to find a girl with lavender hair and an eclectic collection of crystals dangling from her ears grinning down at me. Without waiting for an answer, she plops down beside me, her various bangles creating a symphony of chimes.
"I'm Seren. And you're the new shadow mage everyone's talking about." Her smile grows wider. "Nice to meet someone else who doesn't fit the mold around here."
Before I can respond, Professor Idorath sweeps into the room, his pristine white robes a stark contrast to the chaos of his workspace. "Today, we begin with basic rune activation. Remember—precision is everything. One wrong stroke and—" He pauses for dramatic effect. "Well, let's just say the last student who made that mistake still hasn't regrown their eyebrows."
Seren leans over to whisper, "He's exaggerating. It was just one eyebrow."
Despite myself, I feel a smile tugging at my lips.
The task seems simple enough: inscribe a basic illumination rune and channel enough magic through it to create light. I stare at my parchment, trying to steady my hand as my shadows swirl around my fingers, making the simple lines wobble.
"Careful with the angle," Seren murmurs, her own rune glowing with a soft purple light. "Too sharp and it'll—"
My rune sparks violently, sending my inkwell flying. It would have splattered across three different students if my shadows hadn't instinctively caught it—only to drop it directly onto my own notes instead.
"Well," Seren says brightly, watching ink drip onto the floor, "at least you have good reflexes?"
"Miss Draven." Professor Idorath's voice cuts through the snickers. "Perhaps you'd care to explain how you managed to turn a simple illumination rune into what appears to be an ink fountain?"
My face burns. "I just—the angle was wrong, and then—"
"And then chaos ensued?" His eyebrow arches. "Shocking."
More laughter ripples through the class. My shadows twist tighter, and I can feel them plotting revenge. Please don't, I think desperately. Not now.
But it's too late. The shadows dart out, invisible to everyone else, and suddenly every inkwell in the room tips over simultaneously. Screams and curses fill the air as students scramble to save their notes.
"How did you—" Professor Idorath splutters, his own robes now sporting several ink stains.
"Not just one eyebrow this time," Seren whispers, barely containing her laughter as she helps me gather my things. "Come on, let's get out of here before he remembers he can give detention."
In the hallway, I wait for the judgment, the fear, the inevitable distancing that always comes when my magic acts up. Instead, Seren links our arms together, still grinning.
"That," she declares, "was the most entertaining first class I've ever had. Usually we just blow things up or turn something the wrong color. But you?" She gestures at the chaos we've left behind. "You have style."
"I have no control is what I have," I mutter, but I can't help smiling back.
"Control's overrated. Trust me, half the stuff I enchant ends up singing opera or developing a personality." Seren pulls out her schedule. "Please tell me you have combat training next. I want to see what other havoc you can cause."
For the first time since arriving at Arcanum, I feel something loosen in my chest. My shadows settle slightly, curling around my feet like content cats.
I laugh. "Let's go. Probably shouldn't keep the chaos waiting."