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"This message was sent with a child. He was unable to recount or provide further detail before succumbing to his shock.

In efforts to minimize the darkness spreading, the king sent his strongest Mages to form a barrier around the Void.

For fifty years, the barrier slowed the darkness.

But now, the darkness has expanded. Its reaches have taken over most of the south.

" Andishmand looked at every student. “There are rumours that the barrier has failed. The energy or mana that once powered it is dying. What do you think we should do if it were to completely fall?” No one answered, as they contemplated the severity of that possibility.

“If it falls, we lose everything.” It was Taran that broke the silence. “King Amadeus will likely send the remainder of our forces to fortify a hold against the darkness. There would be orders to move everyone north or send people to the other continents.”

“Could we not add our own mana energy into the barrier?”

“When King Gaius ascended the throne, he tried that approach, but with no luck.”

“What if we erect a new barrier? Build a wall or cast a new magic barrier?”

“There were plans to build a physical wall when King Marcus reigned. It was one of the first ideas suggested by his councilmen. Unfortunately, by the time the wall would be finished the south would be fully overtaken. In fact, there are remnants of an attempt at building a wall that goes from the east coast until the outer borders of Fort Smog. A combination of several bad harvest seasons and underfunding led to the discontinuation of the building.”

“What do you think we should do?” Lilith wanted to know what a Mage would do. Would he call for the freedom of the Mages' magic?

“It is possible to put up a new magic barrier, but it would require tremendous power. Or, we could try to stop expansion by finding the source of the darkness.”

“Do you think the source of the darkness is sentient?”

“As I’ve shared with you before, something lurks in the crevasse. Can it be controlled? Reversed? We have not found those answers yet.” Andishmand’s white gaze fell on her.

Andishmand finished up and dismissed his class, and called for Lilith to speak with him after.

“You asked if I could translate your runes. I will speak with Mistress Rhodes and we will meet tomorrow after your classes. I hear you will be attending some training classes with Sir Tornbury. Learning to control your power will ease your anxiety.”

“I think that would be good as well. So far, it seems like the more control I have over my abilities, the more access I gain to my mana. I’m not sure what it will be like now that I’ve gone through my emergence though. It will be good to have Sir Tornbury... and Prince Demetrius’ guidance.”

Andishmand scowled slightly, an expression fleeting across his features. “Be cautious with the prince. Royals can be unstable and they wear many faces.” He headed towards the entrance of his classroom. “Good day to you, Lilith.”

Lilith felt like their conversation ended poorly. It was clear that Andishmand harboured ill thoughts of the royals, since it was their command that bound the Mages' magic. He viewed the royals the same way she viewed Lord Elwin.

In the halls of the castle, she passed a few students.

Their eyes curiously followed her. Whispers of her name were on their lips.

She tried to ignore the stares. Of course she drew attention to herself after what happened at the tournament.

It was unsettling to be at their attention.

She retreated to the shadows. The hair on the back of her neck rose as she felt their constant gaze.

She barely made it to the Restorative Mana classroom before Sir Hawthorne called for attention.

The centre row of planters and tables had been pushed to the edge.

In the middle were rows of chairs. Felicia flagged Lilith down, patting an empty seat beside her.

Sir Hawthorne moved around the crowd, dispersing small blades to each student.

“'Restorative Mana' can mean many things.

We can heal through herbs and tonics, or through one's own ability.

While you survived the tournament, how many of you could have pushed through if you'd had access to healing? What if you’re unable to get to a tonic?

There is a way to divert one's energy and use it to heal minor injuries. I say minor because it is very draining, which is why we lean towards potions and medicinal remedies. Now, take the small blade that I gave you and make a small slice across your hand.”

Lilith lifted the small sharp blade and ran it slowly across her palm.

It stung as small beads of blood escaped the cut.

She peered around the room. Several others followed Sir Hawthorne's instructions.

A few hesitated. Cosmo had turned a pale white.

He looked tense. Sir Hawthorne came to his side.

Cosmo whispered something, which made Sir Hawthorne straighten and cleared his throat.

“Uh, yes I see that would be an issue. You are dismissed from this class. I will follow up with a private lesson.” Cosmo wasted no time and scurried out of the class.

“What was that about?” Felicia leaned over and asked Lilith.

Whilst spying on her classmates in preparation for the tournament, she uncovered Cosmo’s secret. "Do you ever wonder why Cosmo has red eyes?" Lilith whispered. Felicia shrugged her shoulders. "He's a necromancer. Him and Sypher, his mentor with pink hair and red eyes, are together.

Felicia gave her a smile and whispered back, "Like together, together?

" Lilith nodded. Felicia leaned in closer.

"So then why would he have to leave from the blood…

wait, he's a blood necromancer?!" Being a necromancer was quite taboo on its own.

Being a blood necromancer was often considered an unmentionable act against nature.

One could find those willing to communing with the spirits in the underbelly of society.

Back-alleys and underground markets. Blood necromancers defile magic to harness spiritual energy for their own sake.

"I caught them practicing some blood magic ritual. They consume blood to give themselves a boost in mana. I researched it after and found out that the smell of blood can trigger a frenzy if they've just performed their ritual."

"It's also quite sexual," whispered Sir Hawthorne who leaned in close. Both ladies looked at him in shock and he let out at little giggle and walked off. Looking around, no one else overheard their conversation. They looked to each other and grinned.

“Okay class, now that you’ve made your slices, I want you to close your eyes and focus on drawing your energy - your mana- up through your veins. Feel it flowing into the slice,” Sir Hawthorne said, making his way to stand in the front.

Juniper and Nym had immediate success. “Well done. Nymphs have a natural affinity for healing magic. Try making another cut and then have each other heal it.”

Several students gasped as their wounds started to heal. Lilith looked to Felicia, watching her slice slowly turn crusty. The scab fell off to reveal a thin pink line of fresh skin. Felicia looked like she was going to pass out. Lilith looked at her own wound. It was not healing.

Sir Hawthorne leaned down to her. “Are you having some trouble?”

“They gave me suppressants. I think they’re still running their course. I’m sorry, Sir.”

“Oh, no worries.” He scampered off towards his cabinet of medicines. He came back with a small vial. “Take this.”

Tipping the vial back into her mouth, Lilith felt the thick purple substance ooze down her tongue. She gagged at its bitter aftertaste. “What is this?”

Sir Hawthorne chuckled, “Freshly made Gertwood tonic. That wound will heal up as fast as a fiddle.” Sure enough, Lilith felt a warm sensation on her palm. The skin magically glued together. Huh, handy stuff.

During supper, Felicia complained about not feeling well. Her sun- kissed skin was dull and clammy. Lilith suspected she was going into her emergence soon and suggested she pop in to see a healer.

“Have you tried your magic since your emergence?” Taran asked Lilith.

“No. They’ve been pumping suppressants into me. I can’t really feel my mana at this point.”

“That sucks.” Felicia got up to put away her plate, but then passed out. Taran was quick to catch her.

“I’ll take her to the infirmary,” he said as he swiftly moved to carry her. It was a common enough occurrence that onlookers didn’t take particular notice of them.