Tears of Dusk

Isyd felt much refreshed after enjoying his time in the Thermae. He had left just at the time when the earlier Pupils had come and spent a little more time alone to gather his thoughts; he felt now better than he ever did those past weeks. He recognized in that the virtue of a night of sleep; it was a pity he hated it.

Despite not owning the required keychain of the Atelier, the doorman let Isyd pass when recognized him. The 7th Hour bell had just rung but the place was already bustling with Pupils rushing to complete their projects before the Evaluations deadline. Isyd headed to the laboratory for the Blysht Commission – another one situated on the first floor since the previous one was still in disarray – and entered without knocking after perceiving Hidrss’s presence inside.

“I saw your note, you wanted to see me?” Isyd said as a greeting.

Hidrss was apparently still tinkering with his idea of a “lift”. On the table sat upright a slab of steel on which Commands had been drawn. With one hand, the Tutor held another disk of metal – as wide as a dining plate – that he positioned near the slab while his other hand was busy drawing Commands in the air. At the same time Isyd entered, Hidrss let the disk go. A few sparks flew and ran alongside the rim of the disk and Isyd could swear he heard a hum different than the usual Song of the Grace. Surprisingly, instead of falling, the disk remained suspended in the air, floating a few inches away from the steel slab, as if an invisible hand was still holding it.

“It wor—” Hidrss exulted.

In a crackling of thunder, the disk bolted across the room faster than any of them could react. It pierced the brick wall as if it was mere paper and left a perfectly circular outline of its shape in the stone. They heard breaking glass and wood as the metal disk finished its course next door.

Isyd raised an eyebrow at Hidrss. The Tutor simply shrugged and let out an embarrassed chuckle.

“There are still a few things I need to iron out…” He passed a hand through his hair that had suddenly stood up. “Anyway… You’re here! I wanted to talk with you about the Blysht, actually! I had a look into your [Outgracing Hex]. Good job! It was interesting use of the Resonance!”

“Tekla is the one who came up with the idea of Resonance, I just found a way to put it into practice. Did you think of any improvement?”

“I can probably rearrange the Balance here and there and smooth things out but it is nothing serious. The [Outgracing Hex] is in many ways better than the first iteration of the [Ingracing]. This means that you have improved in that short time!”

Isyd shrugged the compliment away. “I am still learning… If there’s no improvement what did you want to talk to me about?”

Hidrss headed behind the desk and reached down for a pouch. It clinked with the sounds of metal coins. Alongside it, he brought a stash of papers.

“When I was at the Academy of Holy Honour, I presented the Blysht and what it could do,” Hidrss explained. “It took some time to convince the Artysta, but eventually they grew interested. As it was agreed, you got all the credit for the discovery. However, I took the liberty to sell them the rights to use and study the [Ingracing Hex] – I would have waited for the [Outgracing Hex] if I knew you’d be so fast with it. I also met with a couple of independent Arcanyst on my way back and in the Capital, so I also used this opportunity to share the good word…”

Hidrss made the pouch slide across the table. “You’d be happy to hear that the rights to the [Ingracing Hex] went for a small fortune, Wybrany! I couldn’t take the risk of carrying everything so in passing by the Capital, I opened a bank account at your name to store your money. I have a paper here for you as proof of ownership.”

Isyd unlaced the leather pouch and his jaw dropped. It was filled with Gold coins! At a glance, there must have been at least thirty coins. It was more wealth than Isyd had ever held in his long life.

“This is a fortune!” he exclaimed.

Hidrss’s smirk was mocking. “There’s more where this comes from! You are a rich Pupil, Isyd Wybrany! I’m sure your parents will be so proud of you! And that’s without considering the [Outgracing Hex]. Since you’re the one who developed it, you’ll be credited similarly. However, since it was developed within the Atelier, the Academy will have to take its share. Is that okay with you?”

Isyd nodded mutely, his mind still trying to comprehend the wealth in front of him. He had expected to gain money from the [Ingracing Hex] – that was one of the reasons why he asked for the Intellectual Property – but this was much more than anticipated. He hadn’t expected to see the returns in years from now.

Hidrss seemed to notice Isyd’s shock. He walked around the desk and gave a friendly tap on his shoulders.

“You seem like a sensible young man – older than you look – but still, don’t go dilapidate it. This fortune could be of use in the coming years to study at the Academy. For one thing, you won’t need to worry about a tuition fee for the foreseeable future. Plus, you may need to spend it sooner than you think. After revealing the Blysht to the public, I suspect that its price will increase rapidly but we will still need to get our hands on it to study it further. The Academy of Holy Honour was already discussing and planning the acquisition of salt mines. I want to bring that up to the Doyen at our next meeting…”

There was a knock on the door then Norran Ravasz entered in his wheelchair followed by Julya. The Arcanysta gave Isyd a wide and surprised smile at seeing Isyd. Julya was holding a fresh newspaper and brandished it.

“Have you read what happened last night?” she asked.

“If this is about what happened at the Baron’s manor,” Hidrss said, “I have heard about it but didn’t have time to read the newspaper.

“What happened?” Isyd asked evenly.

“There was a fire; the whole manor has been consumed by the flames! At first, people thought of a [Heating Arcane] dysfunction. My guess was that those thieves had come back. But this is not the case! Apparently, it was the Baroness herself who started the fire! Thankfully, people managed to escape and the fire didn’t spread.”

“The Baroness? She started the fire? Why?” Hidrss said.

“It is uncertain,” Julya said. “The article here reports that she became possessed and ran around the manor, throwing [Fire Spells] and laughing maniacally. She was also rambling about a demon, supposedly. When I went to buy the newspaper, people were saying that she is insane and dangerous. The Peacekeepers caught her and she collapsed unconscious. The last we know is that she’s unresponsive and was sent away. I’m surprised they didn’t ask for the Spital, but I suppose the Baron’s family has contact with their own Apteyk…”

“Well, the woman did appear to be simple of mind,” Norran said. “I’m not entirely surprised that something may have broken up there…”

Isyd could feel Hidrss's pointed look on his neck, but he did his best not to let anything transpire. He certainly hoped that his bath had taken care of the clinging odour of smoke.

“Well, it doesn’t concern us, does it?” Hidrss eventually said with a shrug.

“I suppose it doesn’t,” Julya admitted. “It’s just… those last few days have been quite eventful. Speaking of, there’s also a small article about the Blysht!”

“Yes, I ask Norran to pen something,” Hidrss said. “It’s nothing big, just to present the idea for amateurish Artyst interested.”

“Your name is in there, Isyd, so you’ll be famous soon enough,” Norran said. “I hope you’re ready for it!”

“I don’t really care, to be honest,” Isyd said.

Hidrss rolled his eyes. “Of course, you don’t… Here, take this. I have filled the demand as you asked me. I can’t believe you forced me to be the sponsor of your little Ring…”

The Ravaszs were surprised at that. “A new Ring? You are not joining the Hammer?” Norran said.

“No, and I never planned to. I prefer doing my own thing.”

Isyd grabbed the papers Hidrss and looked over the paper formally requesting for the Ring.

“I should go and submit it then,” Isyd said. “Unless you need me here…”

Hidrss waved his hand impatiently. “Go! You have your Evaluations coming soon anyway. I expect to see you next semester as my Pupil, so you better score high. Not that I don’t see your face often enough around here…”

Isyd smiled and waved them goodbye before heading to the Great Hall. It was quite an impressive building, though Isyd spent little time there. Tall marble columns supported a high, vaulted ceiling where somehow the glass had been shaped to fit the curves of the domes. Two sets of stairs spiralled from the centre of the room to the upper floors where were situated the heart of the Academy. For one thing, it was possible to go to the Library from the Great Hall, but Isyd much preferred the outside entrance through the Fields. It also led to the Tutors’ Houses and eventually to the Doyen’s office at the top of the highest of the Academy’s towers. Some of the classrooms reserved for advanced classes were also that way, as well as the Quarters for the most prestigious Rings. Isyd walked up the stairs and headed to the Consultation Office.

On the first floor, Isyd heard someone hailing him. He turned to see Jadwia and Klara coming from the stairs.

“It’s been a while, Isyd!” Klara exclaimed as they approached.

“Klara, Jadwia, Grace to you,” Isyd said.

“I thought you’d be at the Library or the Atelier by this time,” Klara said. “What are you doing here?”

Isyd pulled the paper from his darkveil and waved vaguely in the direction of the Consultation Office. Klara hunched forward to take a closer look at the fine writings.

“So, it is true then… You are forming a Ring! I can’t believe that after all the time I asked you to join our Ring, you decided to form your own!”

“I remember you suggesting it to me at some point…”

“Only in jest! I didn’t think you do it for real, and certainly not after all those invitations you received. Not only did you form your own Ring, but you also snatched our most promising member!”

Isyd glanced sideways at Jadwia who blushed. “So, you got it arranged?” he asked her.

She nodded and waved at the stairs. “We’d just left the Cerulean Quarters…”

“Aaron was quite disappointed,” Klara felt necessary to point out. “I tried to talk her out of it, but apparently you are more convincing than I suspected, Wybrany.”

Despite her words, Isyd could see that Klara wasn’t really angry with him.

“But jokes aside, why would you go to create a new Ring?” Klara asked. “Do you understand what it entails?”

“No, not really, but I am a quick learner,” Isyd said.

Klara rolled her eyes. She seemed to want to say something more, but then changed her mind and gave him a carnivorous smile and stepped aside.

“Well, if you are sure of your decision… Go forth!”

Isyd picked up on her sarcasm but decided to ignore it. He passed her and didn’t say anything when the girls decided to follow after him. They were chatting idly, mentioning the fire at the Baron’s manor as well as a new Tutor arriving from the Capital and related to the Baron’s family. Isyd entered the Consultation Office with confidence in his step. He had only come here once before, right after his enrolment. From what he’d gathered, the Consultation Office was where the administration was taken care of. Not all of the staff working there were Artysta, though the majority were. The room was surprisingly small and cramped, filled as it were by rows of chairs and desks on which laid scattered papers and ledgers. Isyd had to duck as he entered to avoid a folded note zipping through the air like a bird. Another flew past his shoulder and a woman stood up and snatched it with ease. She unfolded the letter, read what was said then jot down a few words with a pencil in a notebook.

She then smiled at them and approached. “Sorry for that… So, what brought you here, Young Ones?” the secretary said to Klara, the Senior among them.

“Oh, it’s not for me, he’s the one you want!” Klara said, pointing at Isyd.

“The day Graces you. My name is—” he began.

“Isyd Wybrany,” the secretary finished with a nod and a welcoming smile. “I heard about you. How can I help you, Young Isyd?”

“I want to create a new Ring,” he said.

“This late? The semester is coming to a close!” she said, confused.

“I know, but I was told there would be no problem even this late.”

The secretary glanced at Klara as if for confirmation but the young woman simply shrugged. Isyd gave her the submission paper and let her go through it.

“Tutor Hidrss will be your patron? You have the members here as well…well, this is a bit unusual, but everything seems in order… Then, I’ll just need a name for your Ring.”

“The Tears,” Isyd said.

The secretary nodded and wrote it down then reached for the different stamps hanging at her belt and pressed it at the bottom of the page.

“Congratulations, Isyd Wybrany. The Tears are now formed and you are their Ringleader.”

Isyd offered his thanks and goodbye. As they left, Klara leant towards him.

“That’s an interesting name you got there…” she mused. “As for the three members, there’s you and Jadwia, but who is the last one.”

“Kewin Udachur,” Isyd said.

At that, Klara’s cheerful expression fell and she stopped in front of him.

“But… he is… I heard that he was… He won’t be able to pursue his studies… How are you gonna do next semester?”

“We’ll think about what to do then. Kewin is and will be a member of my Ring, no matter what the Academy says.”

Klara looked at Jadwia to see if Isyd was joking, but Jadwia’s expression confirmed that he was serious. She sighed and grinned.

“You truly are a strange fellow, Isyd Wybrany…”

The three of them continued their walk downstairs and toward the Great Hall. There they noticed that a small crowd had gathered.

“Oh! That’s probably the new Tutor for next semester!” Klara exclaimed.

Isyd wasn’t particularly interested but swept by Klara’s lead, they crept closer. Isyd caught a brief glimpse of him and recognized the traditional robe of those who dedicated their lives to the pursuit of the Arts. Something in the man’s posture was familiar to Isyd.

The Artyst suddenly turned his head and their eyes met. Isyd’s heart skipped a beat. The man had a stern face, with long and angular traits and a glare just shy of disdaining. The man looked away, disinterested. He hadn’t recognized Isyd, but Isyd had.

The Great Artyst Kazian of the Winds, one of the Twelve Holy Generals, had arrived at the Academy.

END OF BOOK I