A Blossom of Flames

The rest of the lesson passed quickly as the class practiced various healing patterns under Whitehall's keen observation. At the end of the lesson, as the students were packing up their materials, Whitehall held Valentina back.

"Just a moment, Valentina."

Valentina stayed in her seat while the other students left the room. Avie gave her one last envious look before disappearing through the door.

"Your contributions today were very valuable," Whitehall said when they were alone. "Master Wilford wrote to me and spoke very highly of your work. I don't usually know him to be so full of praise."

"That's very kind of him," Valentina replied, surprised and flattered.

"He also mentioned that you have developed an... unusual technique. Something related to the Greystone Cascade?"

"We adapted the Cascade to reduce the spread of disease," she explained. "It was a collaborative project."

Whitehall nodded slowly. "Well, I'd like to hear more about it. We don't have anything like the Cascade, of course, but perhaps the basic concept can be adapted for other uses."

"Of course, Professor. I would be happy to share the knowledge."

"Excellent." Whitehall smiled thinly. "I believe you have the potential for great accomplishments, Valentina. With the right guidance and support..."

"She sees you as a worthwhile investment," Vyxara remarked with amusement. "You collect patrons like other people collect coins."

"I am grateful for your support, Professor," Valentina said sincerely.

"Good, then I'll expect you in my study room tomorrow, after class. Then you can explain the technique to me in more detail."

As Valentina left the auditorium, she felt a strange mixture of pride and caution. Her expertise was recognized, even appreciated – but with this respect came increased attention, increased expectations. But all in all, that was just fine with her. She would gladly fulfill these expectations.

The afternoon brought a Practical Essence Weaving class, which she shared with Innogen. Professor Emberfell had them work in pairs to weave complex Essence patterns that would transform different materials into other states.

"Look at Faustus," Innogen whispered as they prepared their patterns. "He has barely taken his eyes off you since you returned."

Valentina glanced over at Faustus, who was working with his partner on the other side of the room. He was indeed staring in her direction, his expression impenetrable.

"Let him stare," Valentina replied quietly. "He can't hurt me."

"Be careful though," Innogen warned. "He may be on probation, but he's still got connections. And he's not the type to just accept defeat."

"I know." Valentina concentrated on her pattern again. "But I'm not as easily intimidated as I used to be."

As always, their collaboration was near perfect. Innogen had a natural talent for the precise control of Essence, while Valentina had an intuitive understanding of complex interactions. Their patterns intertwined effortlessly, forming a shimmering tapestry of Luvt and Viur that turned the block of wood in front of them to charcoal in no time.

"Well done," Professor Emberfell commented as she walked past. "A perfect balance between the two essences."

As she walked away, the friends grinned at each other. Such small successes were sweet, especially when they were shared.

After class, they strolled through the autumnal garden together as the sun slowly sank. The leaves were already beginning to change color, the first shades of red and gold in a sea of green.

"I can hardly believe it's already been a month," Innogen remarked as they passed a splashing fountain. "It feels like we just got back yesterday."

"I know," Valentina agreed. "Time flies."

They continued on their way, and Innogen told her about the little dramas and intrigues that took place in the various courses. Who was competing with whom, which professor had fallen out of favor, which new love stories were brewing. Valentina listened attentively, enjoying the normality of these conversations, so different from the courtly intrigues in Dusktown and yet at least as complex in their own way.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

When they reached the residential building, they met Edgar, who came out carrying a pile of books.

"Oh, Valentina," he exclaimed, almost dropping his books in his haste to speak to her. "I wanted to ask you something – about the Whitehall's medical course. I'm having trouble with the concept of Essence penetration in bone tissue, could you maybe..."

"Of course," Valentina said kindly. "We can meet in the library tomorrow if you want. I'll be happy to explain it to you."

Edgar's face lit up. "Really? That would be wonderful! Thank you, Valentina."

As he hurried away, Innogen giggled softly. "A new admirer? Or do you have a student of your own now?"

"He just needs help," Valentina defended. "And I can help him."

"You're good at it," Innogen said more seriously. "At helping. You have a talent for explaining things. Maybe you should consider teaching here after you graduate."

Valentina laughed in surprise. "Me? A professor?"

"Why not? You're brilliant, you have practical experience and you're patient with the slow ones."

The thought was surprisingly enticing. A future at Bridgewater, surrounded by books and inquisitive students, researching and teaching in a field she loved. It was a vision she had never considered before. But then she would have to stay here even longer.

"An interesting idea," Vyxara commented thoughtfully. "A position at the university would provide you with stability and access to knowledge. Though it might not quite match your... other potential."

"We'll see," said Valentina lightly. "First I have to finish my studies."

They said goodbye to each other and Valentina climbed the stairs to her attic room. After a month, the small room already felt like home again, the initial confinement long forgotten.

As she opened her window to let in fresh air, she surveyed the courtyard below. Students hurried to late lectures or towards the dining hall, professors strode gracefully across the squares, and the setting sun gilded the turrets and gables of the buildings.

The weeks passed in a pleasant rhythm of lectures, study and friendly gatherings. Autumn colored the trees in brilliant shades of red and gold, the morning air became cooler, and the smell of burning wood and falling leaves filled the air.

Valentina found herself in a position she never expected – as an unofficial mentor to younger students and even some of her year mates. Her hands-on experience from Greystone Hospital made her a valuable resource, especially in the medical courses.

"You're making a name for yourself," Crispin remarked one evening as they all three pored over their books in the library. "I've heard three different first-year students refer to you as 'the brilliant healer'."

Valentina smiled, not entirely unhappy with the thought. "It's just the experience. I was lucky enough to be able to work under Master Wilford."

"It's a bit more than that," Innogen disagreed. "You're clever, you're talented and you're generous with your knowledge."

"You don't need to flatter me like that. As if you two weren't just as talented," Valentina replied. "Crispin, Professor Veilford keeps talking about your valuable help with resonance theory, Crispin has now found out this, Crispin has now found out that, one wonders if Veilford himself is actually doing anything himself. And you, Innogen – I've seen how effortlessly you weave these complex Viur-Luvt combinations."

Crispin blushed slightly at the praise, while Innogen merely waved her hand elegantly. "It's just the experience, I've had tutors much earlier and always had access to enough Distilled Essence," she said with a slight smile.

"It's a bit more than that," Valentina now disagreed with a wink and Innogen laughed because she had fallen into Valentina's trap.

That evening, Valentina returned to her room later than usual. The corridors were quiet, most of the students already in their rooms or asleep. Valentina carefully crept upstairs, avoiding the creaky stairs. Once in her room, she sank onto her narrow bed.

"This Illuminator must arrive any day now," Vyxara murmured thoughtfully in her mind.

"We've prepared well," thought Valentina. "The most dangerous things are hidden. I have nothing to fear as long as I'm careful. At least I hope so."

"Don't be overconfident, little Weaver. The Illumination doesn't seek truth when in doubt – it seeks confirmation of its own beliefs. And a person who is determined to find demons will see them even where there are none – and in this case it wouldn't even be quite 'none', would it?"

Valentina sighed softly. "What do you suggest we do?"

"Nothing more right now. We just have to be careful."

Valentina sighed. She couldn't help it – a feeling of fear quietly rose up inside her.

"You've survived worse," Vyxara said with unusual gentleness. "Think of the night we met – you, a desperate first-year student, ready to risk everything. Oh, how afraid you were back then. Your knees were shaking. You thought your life was over. And look where it got you."

Valentina smiled slightly at the memory. "You're right. We'll get through this somehow."

If the Illuminator came, she would not be lured out of her reserve. She pulled out a thick book and opened it to a chapter on traditional healing methods endorsed by the Church of the Martyr.

Survival meant adaptation. And if there was one skill Valentina of Palewood had perfected, it was the art of adapting.