Elara became more and more restless. The gentle ticking of the ornate clock on her chamber wall seemed to taunt her with every tick. She had already arranged her quarters to perfection, memorized her class roster, and meticulously prepared detailed lesson plans for the entire first month. All in just one evening. To say she loved doing this would be an understatement; she lived for it.
Now the witching hour approached, and sleep remained as foreign to her as genuine empathy. Unlike the fragile mortals who required rest to function, Kaelith's true form had transcended such mundane needs eons ago. Pretending to sleep was just another tedious performance in her endless charade, a boring necessity when sharing a bed with some hapless lover she'd eventually discard.
"This simply won't do," she murmured, rising from her bed and stretching like a cat. "A new city awaits exploration, and I'm trapped in these chambers playing the dutiful academic." Her lips curved into a wicked smile as an idea took shape. Why maintain this facade when no one was watching? The night belonged to the shadows, and she was nothing if not their master.
Elara closed her eyes, focusing on something. Her golden locks receded, darkening to a rich mahogany as they shortened to frame a strong, angular jawline. Her slender frame broadened, height increasing by several inches as her curves gave way to lean muscle. The midnight blue dress dissolved, reforming into fitted black breeches, a crisp white shirt, and a burgundy waistcoat that accentuated her-no, his-new physique.
When the transformation was completed, a handsome young nobleman stood where Elara had been. His features held the perfect balance of refinement and naughty charm, with high cheekbones, a straight nose, and eyes that shifted from that pretty blue to a beautiful amber. A small silver earring dangled from one ear, catching the moonlight from the window.
"Much better," he announced, his voice a smooth baritone that would make any tavern maid blush. "Elias Vantian, at your service."
Elias approached the mirror, adjusting his cuffs with elegance. The nobleman persona was an old favorite of hers. Wealthy enough to avoid anything bothersome, young enough to excuse minor social transgressions, and handsome enough to open doors that might otherwise remain closed.
With a final appraising glance, he moved to the window. The faculty quarters were on the second floor, an inconsequential height for one of his abilities. He slipped through the opening and descended the stone wall with grace, fingers finding holds in crevices too small for human hands.
The academy grounds were largely deserted at this hour, with only the occasional patrol of guards breaking the stillness. Elias avoided them rather easily, slipping from shadow to shadow until he reached the outer wall. A quick leap carried him to the top, and then he was over, dropping silently into the city beyond.
The Imperial City at night was a magnificent place to be. Magical lamps lined the main thoroughfares, their enchanted light shifting through a spectrum of colors that painted the white stone buildings in ethereal hues. Despite the late hour, the streets weren't empty. Nobles returning from evening entertainments passed in ornate carriages, while vendors tried to squeeze some extra cash from the late-night riffraff.
Elias breathed deeply, savoring the mingled scents of spiced wine, fresh bread, and the underlying current of unwashed bodies no city, however magical, could entirely eliminate. It was glorious. Or, at least, it was compared to the world they just finished up in. Nnghh- Just the thought made his skin crawl.
He strolled down the Avenue of Mages, named for the statues of famous spellcasters that lined its length. Each stone figure held an orb that glowed with the same color as the magical specialty they had mastered in life. Elias paused before a particularly stern-looking wizard whose orb pulsed with the deep purple of necromancy.
"A kindred spirit, perhaps?" he murmured, trailing his fingers along the statue's base. The stone was cool beneath his touch, but he could feel the magical upkeep humming just beneath the surface, preserving the monument from vandalism or decay.
Further along, the avenue opened into a circular plaza dominated by the crystal obelisk he'd observed from above. Up close, it was even more impressive, being a towering spire of transparent crystal that contained what appeared to be a miniature galaxy, stars, and nebulae swirling in slow, hypnotic patterns. Mana pulsed from it in waves, washing over Elias like warm bathwater.
"The Heart of Arcanum," came a voice from his left. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
Elias turned to find an elderly street vendor watching him, her wrinkled face illuminated by the obelisk's glow.
"Indeed," he replied, affecting the cultured accent of the upper classes. "I've only just arrived in the city. What exactly does it do?"
The old woman's eyes crinkled as she smiled. "It's the source of the city's magical defenses, young lord. Established by the first Emperor himself. They say it draws power directly from the stars." She gestured to her cart, which was laden with small crystal trinkets. "Care for a souvenir? These catch the light from the Heart and bring good fortune to those who carry them.
Elias selected a small crystal pendant, overpaying deliberately. The woman's surprised gratitude was a minor amusement, the flicker of joy in her rheumy eyes a tiny appetizer for the greater feasts he planned to consume. Oh, yeah, and the money would turn to dust within the next day or two, seeing as he didn't actually have any on hand.
"Where might a fine gentleman like myself find more spirited entertainment this evening?" he asked, pocketing the trinket.
The vendor's expression grew odd at the way he called himself. "For one of your standing? The Crimson Veil in the Noble Quarter would suit. Though if you're seeking something with more character, The Silver Tankard in the Lower Ward has the best food and drink in the city. Tell Madame Lysara that Elina sent you."
Elias thanked her with a charming smile and a small bow before continuing his exploration. The city revealed itself to him in layers as the gleaming facades of the Noble Quarter gave way to the more modest but still respectable Merchant District, and finally the narrow, winding streets of the Lower Ward, where the magical illumination grew sparser.
No one could find the place he had been suggested to visit, as no directions were given, but Kaelith hardly needed them. They could simply take a brief dip into the lady's mind to figure out the way. Their insight ability required some conditions and had its limitations, but was still very useful for small things such as this. Regardless, the Silver Tankard soon announced itself with loud laughter and the twang of a stringed instrument played with far more enthusiasm than talent. The establishment occupied the ground floor of a three-story building, its windows glowing with warm light that spilled onto the cobblestones outside.
Inside, the tavern was a riot of color and sound. Patrons from all walks of life crowded around scarred wooden tables, drinking from mismatched cups and watching a troupe of performers on a small stage. The air was rich with the smells of spilled ale, roasting meat, and too many bodies in too small a space.
Elias made his way to the bar, where a stout woman with elaborately braided hair was pouring drinks with mechanical efficiency.
"Madame Lysara, I presume?" he asked, leaning against the polished wood.
The woman looked him up and down, her expression unimpressed. "Who's asking?"
"Elias Vantian. Elina suggested I might find entertainment here worthy of my attention."
At the mention of the vendor's name, Lysara's demeanor softened fractionally. "Old Elina's still peddling her trinkets, is she? Well, any friend of hers..." She gestured to the room. "What's your pleasure, Lord Vantian? Drink? Company? The dancers will begin their second set shortly."
"A glass of your finest red to start," Elias replied, sliding a gold coin across the counter. "And perhaps some conversation. I'm new to the Imperial City and eager to learn its secrets."
Lysara pocketed the coin and produced a bottle from beneath the bar, its label faded but still legible. It was a vintage from the southern provinces, where the volcanic soil produced grapes of exceptional quality. She poured a generous measure into a surprisingly delicate crystal glass.
"Secrets, is it?" She chuckled, the sound like stones rolling downhill. "This city has more secrets than there are stars in the sky, young lord. You'll need to be more specific."
Elias sipped the wine, which was indeed excellent. "Let's start with the Imperial Academy."
Lysara raised an eyebrow at the mention of the Academy, her expression shifting to something more guarded. "The Academy, eh? Not exactly my usual clientele." She leaned against the counter, lowering her voice. "What's a fine nobleman like yourself want with that place? Looking to enroll a younger sibling, perhaps?"
Elias swirled the wine in his glass, enjoying the rich bouquet before taking another sip. "Mere curiosity. One hears such fascinating tales."
"Well, I can tell you what everyone knows," Lysara said with a shrug. "The Academy takes students from noble and wealthy merchant families mostly, though they claim to accept anyone with sufficient talent. Once every three years, they hold public trials in the city square, testing commoners who think they've got-"
Their short conversation was interrupted by a commotion near the door. A group of young men in the distinctive blue robes of Academy students had entered, already well into their cups by the looks of them. They were led by a tall, arrogant-looking youth with features that reeked of money.
"Speak of the devils," Lysara muttered. "Academy brats. Third years, by their insignia. The peacock in front is Tarian Vex, son of High Lord Vex. Thinks the world exists for his amusement."
Elias watched with growing interest as the students commandeered a large table, displacing its previous occupants with casual entitlement. Tarian's voice carried across the room as he ordered drinks "worthy of future Imperial Mages" and made loud, disparaging comments about the establishment's decor.
"Trouble?" Elias asked, noting the way Lysara's hands had tightened on the edge of the bar.
"Nothing new," she replied, though the tension in her voice suggested otherwise. "They come down from the hill now and then, slumming it. Usually they just drink, make fools of themselves, and leave."
Elias hid a smile behind his glass, thinking this a great chance to get to know some of Elara's students. Out of the five that walked in, four matched the pictures in Elara's class roster. How exciting!
Elias watched as the rowdy students took over the tavern's atmosphere, their entitled laughter drowning out the pleasant conversations that had filled the establishment moments before. Tarian, the sunshine of the group, threw his arm around a barmaid's waist, pulling her close despite her obvious discomfort. Ohhh, this is gonna be good.
"I think that's enough entertainment for one evening," Elias muttered, placing his half-finished wine on the counter with deliberate care. "These simpletons have just ruined my night."
Lysara gave him a sympathetic nod. "They tend to have that effect. Will you be returning another time, my lord?"
"Perhaps," he replied vaguely, casting one last contemptuous glance at the Academy students before slipping out into the night.
The cool evening air cleared his head as he made his way through the twisting streets, already planning his next move. These young mages would make perfect playthings. Arrogant, privileged, and utterly unprepared for someone like him. Or rather, someone like who he was about to become.