Casimir looked up and admired Clifford’s Rise, a massive tower fashioned from gray stone and large diamond latticed windows. Once he stepped onto the threshold and pulled open the wooden door with iron detailing, he entered a hardwood-floored foyer covered with green owl-pattern wallpaper.

  On his right stood a polished armor next to a dark-stained desk manned by two contrasting upperclassmen. The straight-laced stout man with a rounded jaw and dark blue hair greeted Casimir immediately when he heard him enter. He wore his pressed blue and silver trim, stand-collar school uniform proudly, and gave off the aura of a model student. On the other hand, his taller, greener-haired companion was dressed down in a sweater and corduroys.

  The green-haired student sized Casimir up before whispering to his classmate. “A Mindrattler? I thought they went extinct from screwing their cousins too much.”

  Casimir glared at him, and the upperclassman received a corrective nudge from his partner, despite getting a smirk out of him.

  “Ah, a new face, welcome to Clifford’s Rise, I’m Damian, your dorm viceroy,” said the short upperclassman.

  His companion followed with his own introduction. “And I’m Sasha. You are here to check in.”

  “Yes.”

  “Your name?” The dorm viceroy was already flipping through his roster.

  “Casimir.”

  “Last name?”

  Why do I have to say it? “Mindrattler.”

  “Found it, room 204.” His finger remained firmly in place before Casimir announced his name.

  Such a waste of effort, but he is just following procedure…

  Sasha unlocked the glass cabinet, unhooked two keys from the wooden rack, and tossed them to him. “Here are your room and mailbox keys. You’ll be staying on the second floor. Your roommate has already moved in.”

  “Thanks. I ran into an interesting…deer on my way here. Are there any more hazards I should worry about?”

  Damian maintained his amicable smile, although Casimir picked up a bundle of nervous energy emitting from him. “Ah, so you ran into one of those. Most of the Aetherbeasts who roam around the campus are harmless or can be scared off easily by a novice. The danger comes from the bogs, waterways, and caves, but they are all marked on the trails. If you keep a sound mind and pay attention, you shouldn’t run into trouble.”

  Casimir glanced at Sasha, who grew increasingly frustrated as Damian spoke.

  The moment his companion paused, Sasha interjected, “And there are the professors, but you can’t avoid those.”

  Casimir raised an eyebrow. “Anyone I should watch out for?”

  Damian’s face twisted in annoyance, and he shushed Sasha with another nudge before he could say anything. He then seemed to flinch, possibly from a retaliatory toe stomp from Sasha.

  Unperturbed, Damian jumped in before Sasha could say anything, “The new chancellor replaced many of the old staff, so we are unfamiliar with the new batch of freshmen professors, but if you start your assignments early and make full use of your professors’ office hours and workshops, you should not have any problems. Also, joining clubs is a great way to find friends and build connections for future projects. I wish I knew these things when I was a newcomer.”

  Casimir clenched his jaw. Useless rehearsed dribble. He looked at Sasha. “Anything else?”

  Sasha shrugged. “Don’t be a nuisance to the professors or upperclassmen, or they will make your life a living hell and force you out.”

  “Hmm, sounds like standard advice for most social circles. Thanks, it was nice meeting you.” Casimir bid them goodbye and poked around the foyer.

  There was a small lounge area with matching navy couches and armchairs. A white brick fireplace had a carved roc carrying a bear on the marble mantle. Near a side door, leading to an exit, was a wreck area featuring billiards, air hockey, and pool tables. Casimir headed for the stairs tucked into an archway to the right of the desk, and lingered on the fifth step, when he overheard the conversation continue without him.

  “Sheesh and I thought you were the biggest nark here,” said Sasha. “Inspector Inbred has you beat.”

  “Stop scaring the freshmen!” Damian snapped. “We aren’t like those psychos at R.A.W. I don’t know why I asked you to do this.”

  “No need to get mad at me. He asked and I was only being truthful,” Sasha scoffed. “Wouldn’t want him to end up like that idiot who poisoned himself, and his body dumped in a ditch by some stupid professor.”

  Casimir leaned in closer.

  Damian sighed, “That was just a misguided attempt to curb bad press.”

  “Tsk, I wouldn’t even bother. No way would I find myself in prison for this school. It is too bad, though. Professor Trent was crazy, but he had fun stories. The new alchemy professor just seems unhinged and not in a fun way.”

  Casimir wrinkled his nose. Chancellor Salamander was right to fire everyone.

  Damian sighed again, “Most seasoned Weavers are a little off-kilter. Even my dad says it is an occupational hazard.”

  “Heh, no kidding.”

  What a thrilling career, I get to become a ticking time bomb with other ticking time bombs. Too bad I could not remain the one who disabled the bomb.

  “Hey! Hey, Mindrattler! How long are you going to awkwardly stand there?!” Sasha called out.

  Casimir debated with himself on whether he should make up an excuse, but decided to ascend the stairs to the second floor. I miss it when Weavers could not sense me.

  It was a short trip down the striped green wallpaper hallway to his room. After unlocking the door, he entered a small common area featuring a coffee table and two chairs. In front of him were two locked bedrooms, and to his right was the door leading to a shared bathroom. Casimir peeked inside. His roommate’s toothbrush was next to the sink, and the shower glass was freshly sprinkled with droplets.

  “Halloo, is someone there?” Called out a slippery voice.

  Casimir stepped out of the bathroom and immediately met the eyes of a red-headed, freckled-faced man confidently wearing a long salamander-pattern nightshirt and cap. Odd slick film over his skin gave him a slimy appearance.

  Isn’t it a little early for bed? Casimir smiled politely and offered him a handshake.

  “Hello, you must be– Cornelius? I’m Casimir.”

  His roommate’s red eyes appraised him before he shook his hand. “Ah, Casimir, yes? My uncle told me about you. The man who was bold enough to face Sageman and lived. You must be formidable. ”

  Cornelius’ hand left a thin layer of slime on his glove and Casimir refrained from wiping it on the side of his pants.

  Uck, it feels like I grabbed a slug. “He told you that much?”

  Cornelius widened his eyes with excitement, and he flashed a row of sharp teeth. “Yes! You must tell me about that fight. Was he as imposing as they say he was? How strong was he? Did he use any insane patterns?”

  Casimir took a step back and inched towards the door of his room. “He seemed to favor hand-to-hand combat and stuck to simple patterns.” Although most of them were supercharged. Who would have thought that an Umbra bolt could vaporize through thick stone walls.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  Cornelius rubbed his chin. “Ah, makes sense. Although it is difficult for us to believe, Sageman was thought to be a non-Aetherian at one point. He took up swordsmanship and served alongside non-Aetherians, before he joined the Weaver division and proved everyone wrong in the most terrifying way possible.”

  Casimir maintained his composure by hiding his shock with a thoughtful chin rub. Sageman, a non-Aetherian? No, it can’t be. Sure, it happened to me, but I was supposed to be the first. Unless… Casimir shook his head. “Yes, I heard most of his fame came from his surgical skills. You don’t need Aether for that.”

  Cornelius sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Still, you made your fight with him sound so underwhelming. I’m sure it must have been more exhilarating in person. Would it kill you to embellish your story a little?”

  “Sorry, not my style.”

  “Fine, I should not have expected as much.” Cornelius lowered his eyelids and pouted. “You are a novice, and he is a Master Weaver. It would be considered excessive bullying if he went all out on you. So I guess he roughed you up a bit and said the usual sentimental old man babble after you lost. Uncle does the same thing.”

  A mass murderer and domestic terrorist didn’t want to appear as a bully? You gotta be kidding me. It would have been more dignifying if he took me out in the beginning with a nerve bolt. The blighter was just toying with me. Casimir clenched his fist. “I will be studying under your uncle. Do you know what I might be learning from him?”

  Cornelius huffed. “You will probably be filing paperwork for him and running errands. Then, when he is free, he’ll teach you a fire pattern or two. It is such a bore.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “That is what my summers were like with him. So boring.”

  Casimir’s face fell. Good thing, that mentorship is not my main priority. “Who will you be training under?”

  “I’ll be studying alchemy, so ideally, under the new alchemy professor. A professor Awldriwer, from what I recalled. She is not from a notable Weaver family, but I heard her achievements are impressive. I’m good at brewing tonics. It is my family specialty, so it is common sense to pick.”

  Alchemy... I should look more into that. Could be useful.

  Cornelius yawned. “Well, I’m going back to bed, this dreadfully cold weather gets to me—torpor and all. Also, I think that nurse took too much blood.”

  “What about the nurse–”

  “Maybe I’ll introduce you to my friends later. Good night.” He gave Casimir a tired smile, slinked back into his room, and shut the door.

  Casimir unlocked his sparsely furnished bedroom, housing a small canopy bed with thick curtains to trap in heat. The cold stone wall of his room gave off little warmth, and a chill slipped in from the poorly insulated window that overlooked his desk. Casimir dropped his bag next to the old wooden wardrobe and started to unpack. He hung up a spare coat next to a week’s worth of school uniforms that were stored inside.

  He studied the uniform he would be wearing for the rest of his time here. Dark blue trim instead of silver. Huh, they have a hierarchy, typical. He closed the wardrobe.

  After placing an alarm clock on the nightstand, he studied the handbook left on the desk.

  Usual housekeeping rules, no loud music or guests after ten... I should get going.

  After settling in, Casimir left his dorm and headed back to the main building. The temperature dipped as evening approached, and it began to snow. A few latecomers, lugging their bags, passed Casimir by.

  When he got to the main building’s lobby, Sully rose from his desk. “Perfect, that did not take too long.”

  “I did not have much to unpack.”

  Sully escorted Casimir out of the lobby and down a corridor to the nearest stairwell. They climbed the metal steps up several flights. Casimir turned to his cousin with anticipation. No one else is here, so it should be fine.

  “How are you? After everything that happened?”

  Sully cracked a grin. “I’m fine, but now isn’t the best time for small talk.”

  “Alright.” He isn’t taking any chances.

  “But, I am happy to see you are well despite your ordeal.” Sully’s eyes twinkled.

  I missed you, too, Sully.

  They reached the admissions wing on the top floor. Casimir had to catch his breath from the arduous climb.

  Casimir noticed Sully looked at him, concerned. I’m still out of shape.

  Grey cubicles of paper pushers and discarded dreams dominated this floor. Silence filled the halls instead of the sound of ringing phones and typewriters. He followed Sully down the row of cubicles until they reached the Chancellor’s office and knocked on the door.

  “Come in.”

  Sully opened the door into the Chancellor’s grand office of metal inset furniture, grey hues, and decor of fire-breathing amphibians. The heavy curtains behind the Chancellor’s desk were drawn. Light only came from the lamp on his desk and the crackling fireplace. Staring into the flame with his hands folded behind his back was Chancellor Salamander. Sully nudged Casimir forward and waited by the door.

  Casimir entered further into the room. “Chancellor Salamander, you ask me to come see you.”

  “Yes, please have a seat.” He gestured with his left hand while still facing the fireplace.

  Casimir rolled his eyes. Such a bizarre power play, too dramatic.

  He sat in the steel grey chair across from the Chancellor’s desk and waited for him to finish his moment. Salamander turned around, and Casimir got a good look at his face. He looked like he skipped a night of sleep. I guess even he is affected by torpor.

  “How is everything? Did you meet my nephew?” Salamander asked.

  “Yes, I did.”

  “Good, here is your schedule,” Salamander slid it across the desk.

  Applied Aetherian Patterns and Applications, and Intro to Alchemy on Mondays and Wednesdays. Then I have Intro to Weaver Battle Tactics and Aetherian Theory on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All Friday is marked as work with Salamander.

  Casimir’s gaze left the paper. “So what will I be doing with you on Fridays? Filing paperwork?”

  “Yes, and anything else I see fit.” Chancellor Salamander chuckled. “I’ll teach you while getting free labor from you. Typical of most apprenticeships.”

  “Alright. I guess this is fine.” Casimir did not hide his disappointment.

  “Where is the enthusiasm? Most would plot and scheme to be in your position.”

  “My apologies, I didn’t mean to come across as ungrateful, but the circumstances around this arrangement still weigh heavily on my mind.”

  “The fact that you were forced into this?” asked Sully.

  “Yes, that is part of the reason.” Casimir folded up the schedule and placed it inside his coat pocket.

  Chancellor Salamander sighed, slightly annoyed. “Regardless of the sordid events that lead to your path as a Weaver, you must make the best out of it. We are here to support you.”

  “Thank you.” Casimir paused. “Is there anything else?”

  Chancellor Salamander sniffed. “Yes, one more thing, you need to head down to Nurse Feverfew’s office for a check-up. She will call for you once a week. ”

  Casimir scratched the back of his neck. “Right. I heard from Cornelius, but why is it so frequent?”

  “Wielding Aether puts a strain on the body. This is a necessary precaution, especially due to your unusual circumstances.”

  “Of course.” Another inconvenience.

  After he was dismissed, Casimir exited Salamander’s office with Sully trailing behind.

  “I’ll show you where the nurse’s office is.” Sully shut the door behind them and gave Casimir a smile.

  Casimir groaned. “I hope it is quick.”

  After descending to the first floor, Sully directed Casimir to a room near the lobby. The nurse’s office had ventilation, but the sterile scent of stinging antiseptic lingered in the air.

  “See that wasn’t so bad, was it?” asked a voice as soft and smooth as sable’s fur.

  Casimir saw a young nurse with a smile as pleasant as her voice, placing a bandaid on the arm of a brunette girl with glasses.

  She has the run-of-the-mill features and plain brown hair of a commoner, but that is the norm for younger Weaver families.

  Nurse Feverfew looked up the moment Casimir stepped into her room and smiled. “Have a seat over there. I’ll be with you soon.” She motioned to an empty bed.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  He glanced at a nearby cart that carried a clipboard and a metal tray with a syringe and four samples of the girl’s blood. Then he sat down on the empty hospital bed and watched Nurse Feverfew pat the girl on the shoulder, while the girl bashfully giggled.

  The brunette girl’s face turned red from embarrassment. “I know it is silly, but I’m just not used to it.”

  Nurse Feverfew nodded with a sympathetic look. “I know, I felt the same way during my first check-up as a student here.”

  “Oh wow, really?!”

  “Yes, I’ll tell you more about it next time. I have another student waiting.” She glanced at Casimir. “Now, remember to eat something, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid any strenuous activities.”

  “Ah, yes,” The brunette girl looked at Casimir timidly and slid off the bed. “Goodbye.” She gave him a curtsy and hurried out of the room.

  I guess not all commoners are as casual with nobles here.

  Nurse Feverfew grabbed her clipboard and redirected her full attention to Casimir. “Your name, dear.”

  “Casimir Mindrattler, the Chancellor, sent me. He mentioned something about a weekly checkup.”

  Casimir observed Nurse Feverfew head over to the metal sink and wash her hands.

  “Yes, it is the perfect way for us to check your progress and catch any degenerative Aetherian diseases before they become irreversible.” She shook her hands over the sink before drying them with a clean towel. “Since you are from an established Weaver family, it should not be as much of an issue for you, but it is better to be safe than sorry.” Once Feverfew finished drying her hands, she grabbed a clean needle, alcohol, cottonballs, vials, and a bandaid, and placed them neatly on a metal tray on her cart.

  Casimir furrowed his brow when he got a better look at the contents of the cart she rolled next to him. Eight vials. That is double what the girl had?

  “Is there something a matter?” Feverfew looked at him, concerned.

  “Isn’t eight vials excessive?”

  She patted him on the shoulder. “Mr. Mindrattler, don’t tell me you are afraid of needles.”

  Casimir sat up straight and answered sharply. “No, of course not.” He rolled up his sleeve and presented his right arm to her. Maybe they are asking for more because of what Sageman did to me?

  She giggled softly. “Don’t worry, I’m just kidding.” She sterilized his arm with the alcohol-dipped cotton swab. “I promise you won’t notice a thing.”

  “You don’t need to—” He felt a pinch and turned to see the vial fill up with his blood. Wow, she is efficient.

  Feverfew filled up the vials, and she labeled each of them with his initials and the date. “There, all done. Make sure to eat something, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid any strenuous activities.”

  “Thank you, it was a pleasure meeting you.” Casimir hopped off the bed.

  “Of course, I hope you enjoy your time here as a student as much as I did.”