Tears of Dusk

Isyd had remained seated a while after Jadwia then Boshena and Tatyana left the Library. He was lost in thoughts and his gaze was unfocused. Naeht materialized from the air and sat down where Jadwia had stood. Against the background of the window, her lack of opacity made her difficult to discern if not for the brief iridescent reflections when she moved. Her long hair seemed ruffled by an invisible gust of wind and her eyes sparkled mischievously.

“You’ve been frowning for the past two hours,” Naeht said. “What’s going on?”

“I’m thinking back on the conversation about the assignments. It still doesn’t make sense to me. Why would there be such assignments if not to be shared with all the Pupils? What’s the point if only a fraction of Pupils are guaranteed to continue their study for free?”

“Why does that bother you? It’s not like you have anything to be worried about…”

“It’s because I don’t need to worry about the Evaluations that I can afford the time to think on this. Plus, it’s not like I’m entirely detached from this; I’m also thinking about Jadwia.”

The girl was truly anxious, more than Isyd had thought she would be. He wanted to help her but he wasn’t sure where to begin. He had never been a teacher before and the way he’d learned the Arts had been too hectic for him to simply repeat it to the letter. The best he’d found to do was propose to pay her tuition. He’d meant it but it doesn’t seem like she would accept his offer any time soon.

Isyd got up from his seat and headed out of the Library.

“Where are we going?” Naeht asked, flying next to him.

“I have some questions and I know just the person that can provide me with answers,” Isyd said.

Some Pupils threw weird glances in his direction, hearing him speaking to himself out loud. Isyd didn’t pay them any mind. His attention was focused on the Song of the Grace and the specific tune he’d recognized. Following it led him to the floor below of the Library.

It took him only a few seconds to find Klara Utro. She sat alone near a [Heating Arcane], eyes closed and silently mouthing words from her notes. Isyd dragged the chair next to her. First surprised, a large smile appeared on the young woman’s face when she recognized him.

“Isyd! Grace to you!” she said. “How are you doing?”

“Grace Klara. I am not bothering, I hope.”

“Not at all! I’m just studying like everyone else. Maybe it’s time for me to take a break, so you’ve arrived at the perfect time! What can I do for you?”

“Should I be surprised to see you here studying for the Evaluations?”

Klara first tilted her head one way, confused, before understanding a second later. Her smile stiffened on her face.

“You are talking about the assignments for the end of the semester…” she guessed. Isyd nodded. “Well, I never was a fan of the system to be franc. It’s true I could do the assignment with everyone else and receive the maximum grades, but what’s the point in that? I didn’t come to the Academy simply to have ‘good grades’ but to learn. I don’t feel like I’m learning much with the assignments. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still hand it in, but I also want to take the Evaluations.”

Isyd was impressed by her dedication. He was aware that most Pupils would not have thought twice like she did. This however only confused him further as to the purpose of those assignments.

“I guess that’s what you meant by ‘perks’ of the Paramount Rings…” Isyd said.

Klara’s smile was satisfied. “Having regrets already?”

“Not really.”

“Well, I can tell you that Aaron, our Ringleader, was very sad to hear you have formed your own Ring. Know that it is still possible for the Tears to join the Cerulean Feathers as an auxiliary...”

That woman truly never gives up… This got a smirk out of Isyd.

“As an auxiliary, we’ll get access to the assignments?” he asked.

“Yes, most likely. Aaron is ultimately the one who decides that. He’ll probably ask you stuff in return.”

“So, it is true then that only the Paramount Rings got the assignments?”

“Yes. It is unfair, but that’s just how it is. At least this semester all of them got it. It was not always the case. Two years ago, things got ugly because only half of them got access to it. I hadn’t joined the Cerulean Feathers by then and I was only a 1st Year, but it was difficult to escape it.”

“Why don’t the Rings simply share?” Isyd asked. “Is it forbidden? Is it because there’s a limited of those assignments?”

“None of that! I guess… Well, I don’t really know why but I assume it’s because it is part of the power the Paramount Rings have. Hell, they don’t even share with all their members, so it isn’t surprising they don’t share it with other Rings. All the Rings, but most specifically the Paramount Ones are always opposed to each other in terms of grades, influence, resources… The assignments are just another mean in this competition, another bargaining chip and a pressure tool to be wielded by the Ringleader. Some use it to gain loyalty, others sell the assignments to the highest bidder…”

Isyd mused on that for a second before speaking again. “So, it is possible to buy the assignments from the Paramount Rings?”

“Oh, yeah for sure! Come, I’ll show you where!”

To Isyd’s surprise, Klara gathered her stuff and guided him out of the Library without a look back. She appeared excited to have an excuse to escape her studies. They didn’t go far. A couple of flights of stairs later they’ve arrived at the Common Room on this side of the Academy. Compared to the one situated near the women’s quarters and reserved for them, this Common Room was open to all. It was the unofficial focal point of the Academy for the Pupils where announcements were displayed and events were organised.

Klara nudged Isyd and pointed at the back of a young man seated nonchalantly across the room, his feet on the tables and his chair reclined. He wore the Academic uniform but he was distinct by his height and by his reddish hair.

“This is Jozaf Gadan, 10th Year and 5th Opening,” Klara said. “He’s a real busybody but he prefers the term ‘information broker’. If you want to know anything happening in the Academy, he’s your man. He affirms impartiality amidst the Paramount Rings and says that he’s Ringless.”

“I see… So, which one does he belong to?”

Klara smirked. “The Faded Jade most likely! It’s like an open secret, but nobody minds it because he’s really useful and good at his job.”

They reached the man at the same time as he pocketed some coins handed by a 2nd Year Pupil. He turned to them and his eyes immediately went wide and sparkled. Jozaf Gadan had a lanky figure on which the uniform seemed too big. His green eyes and his wide, white smile stood out in a visage dotted with freckles.

“The pretty Klara Utro and the famous Isyd Wybrany!” Jozaf exclaimed. “Now, here are people I wasn’t expecting! What can I do for you two on this fine day?”

Klara was about to answer but Isyd spoke first. “The assignments for the end of the semester, how much for them?”

Jozaf’s smile seemed to grow even wider and he wiggled his eyebrows. “Well, you won’t believe this, but unfortunately I was strictly forbidden to sell it to you, Isyd Wybrany, or to your newly formed Ring! I’m very sorry for that! Those are direct orders.”

“Whom orders?” Isyd said.

“Now, that’s a secret! Just know that they come from above.”

Isyd exchanged a glance with Klara who did not appear particularly pleased.

“How much anyway?” she asked.

“13 Golds the copy.”

“That’s the price of a whole tuition!” Klara scoffed. “At this price, it’s better to study for the Evaluations!”

Jozaf gave a falsely apologetic shrug as if the matter was entirely out of his control. He didn’t however lose his toothy grin. The man was utterly unashamed.

Isyd was however not willing to let the matter drop as easily. He had now an idea of what kind of person he was dealing with. He fished from inside his pocket 1 Gold coin and made it slide across the table. Jozaf’s eyes glinted with interest but Isyd put a finger on it before he could grab it.

“Why are you not allowed to sell it to me?” he asked.

“Again, I’m just following orders from above,” Jozaf said. “I can’t reveal—”

“I didn’t ask who ordered you,” Isyd cut him, “but what are the reasons they gave you. If you don’t know, give it a guess. I’m sure you have an idea…”

Isyd could almost see the calculations happening in Jozaf’s mind; his eyes moving back and forth between Isyd and the pinned Gold coin and his mind weighing whether or not it was worth betraying his source.

“It’s because it would make the task too easy for you if you could simply buy them!” the man finally let out. “Many people have an eye on you, Wybrany. I’m sure many Pupils would gladly give the assignments for free and even more in exchange for something from you – your loyalty mostly! Things will get even more interesting next Academic semester and you, Isyd Wybrany, is the wildcard everyone has their eyes on. If you’re that interested in who gave me the instructions, I can put you in contact if necessary…”

Isyd stepped back and released the Gold coin. Jozaf swiftly pocketed it with an appreciative bow of the head.

“Do the Tutors know of this?” Isyd asked.

“Thinking of ratting me out?” Jozaf said.

“No, I’m simply curious.”

Jozaf shrugged. “I guess that’s an expected question for someone new around here – you’re only a 1st Year after all. Of course, the Tutors know! We’re not meeting in a dark alleyway of the Outside, are we? I’m not hiding and it is because I do not need to. Why should the Tutors care what we do? What matters is the end results! How many Pupils fail their Evaluations and how many Pupils pass. They don’t need to know what we do to get there, because in both cases the Academy still pockets the tuition! It’s the same for them.”

Isyd narrowed his eyes. What the young man said made sense with everything he’d seen but it didn’t sit well with him. Something wasn’t right about this whole business, but there was little he could do. He turned to Klara.

“I’m done here,” he said.

She nodded sombrely, attuned to his sour mood. They began to leave, but Jozaf hailed him.

“I am curious to see what you will do next semester when everything comes to a head, Isyd Wybrany! Which sides will you take? Anyway, you know where to find me if you need anything more. I can’t sell you the assignments, but I have some information on possible Evaluation questions…”

Isyd waved a dismissal without turning back.