Erica and Airenne stood at the edge of the stone pavement, staring across the open field at the colossal statue that dominated the landscape. The figure was a woman, carved from smooth gray stone that matched the academy's buildings, her form towering at least thirty feet high. She balanced a massive vase on one shoulder, tilted just enough for a steady stream of water to pour out endlessly. The water cascaded down like a living river, disappearing into a deep, dark pit right beside her feet. No road or path led to the statue or the pit—they sat isolated in the grass, as if the academy had been built around them, leaving them untouched and mysterious. The sound of the flowing water was a constant, soothing rush, but it carried an unnatural quality.
Airenne broke the silence, her voice filled with awe. "Erica, here is the second wonder of the academy. This right here... is from the Ignara Bloodline. Though this isn't her statue, her power is in the vase. Ask me what power."
Erica felt a growing frustration at Airenne's childish excitement, but she played along, her curiosity winning out. "What power?"
Airenne shouted like an excited kid, her pink eyes lighting up. "The water concept of endlessness! She got it from studying the sea—how it never runs dry—and created endless water. Before she died, she gave the power to do this. Ask me what!"
Erica groaned inwardly but kept her face neutral, forcing herself to stay calm. "What?"
"To keep supplying the water system of the academy! Yes, all the water here comes from her. Isn't it just mind-blowing?"
Erica's mind raced in a different direction. The idea of endless resources sparked something practical in her—a way out of poverty, perhaps. She leaned in, her voice eager. "Please tell me there's an elemental concept of gold."
Airenne paused, thinking for a moment, then grinned as she caught on to Erica's implication. "Only someone from the Ignara Bloodline should know that. So, since you aren't one yet... I won't tell."
Erica's mouth fell open in surprise, ready to argue, but Airenne grabbed her arm and dragged her away, laughing. "Come on, next stop!"
They moved on to a cluster of buildings set apart from the main academy grounds, enclosed by a fence made of thick, living trees woven together like a natural barrier. Each building was gray and functional, with signs labeling them as either "Office" or "Private Quarters." The area felt quieter, more private, like a small village within the academy.
"Not much to see here," Airenne said, waving a hand dismissively. "These are the quarters and offices for the teachers and Principal Morganne. I advise you not to ever go to her office—she'll... alright, there is actually something for you to see."
Erica frowned, confused by the sudden shift, but followed Airenne's gaze. A woman emerged from one of the buildings marked "Private Quarters." She was in her late thirties, with short brown hair and a simple dress, carrying a stack of books under her arm. She walked alone, her steps measured and isolated, as if an invisible wall separated her from the world.
"She is the only human in this school... well, she *was*," Airenne explained, her voice dropping to a whisper. "She teaches social classes—helping us remember to be grateful to the Realm of Men. She's always seen alone. The quiet hate she gets... living with people who want nothing more than to kill you..."
As Airenne spoke, Erica watched her closely, noting the casual way she described the hatred, as if it was just a fact of life. ("Exactly... they hate us, but why are you acting differently?") Erica thought, her mind turning over the puzzle. Airenne's friendliness felt genuine, but it didn't match what Erica had been warned about.
Airenne finished her explanation and smiled brightly. "Let's go!" She grabbed Erica's arm again and started dragging her forward.
Erica, already tired and annoyed from the constant pulling, followed with growing irritation. She was thinking of ways to slip away or even put Airenne to sleep just for a break when something caught her eye—a small statue by the path. She had noticed them scattered all over the academy: modest figures, no taller than her waist, placed randomly like forgotten markers. This one was a boy, holding an open book in his hands. Erica stopped short, forcing Airenne to halt too. "What are these statues? I've seen them everywhere."
Airenne glanced at it and shrugged. "Oh... that's a question for Miss Morganne. She had them built. The only thing I know is they honor students... but ordinary ones. I wonder why people like them got statues when the top students didn't."
Airenne stared at the statue with clear disgust, her nose wrinkling as if it offended her. Erica felt a spark of resentment ignite inside her. ("Yes... that's all we are. Ordinary, not deserving of anything except what people like you leave for us.")
Airenne turned back to her. "Except for the words on the books all the statues seem to carry..."
Erica's curiosity overrode her anger. "What words?"
Airenne led her closer to the statue. The boy in stone held the book open, words etched clearly on the pages: *Walk down the passageway till you get to a wall.*
Erica and Airenne exchanged unsure glances, then moved to the next statue nearby—another boy, also holding a book. They leaned in to read: *The rest all took the passageway... but there is a shortcut there.*
"Alright, that was unsettling—like 'sleep with one eye open' unsettling," Erica said, her voice steady but her skin prickling with unease.
Airenne laughed it off. "It's just nothing but Morganne trying to mess with us. Come on."
As they continued talking, a man approached them, carrying a white box tied with a ribbon. He was dressed in simple servant attire, his face polite but neutral.
"Miss Airenne," he said, getting their attention. "Your mother told me to give this to you. It's your clothes for the party."
Airenne's eyes lit up, and she jumped with excitement, snatching the box. "Yes! The tour is over—only the library remains, but now we need to prepare for the party!"
She grabbed Erica by the arm once more and dragged her back toward the student hostel, her laughter echoing down the path.
Erica glanced at Airenne, watching her smile and laugh so freely with a human like her. It stirred something deep inside—a flashback to her days on the streets. She saw herself as a child, laughing and smiling with another girl who had seemed like a friend. They had shared scraps of food and stories under the stars, building what felt like a real bond. But one morning, Erica woke to find her meager belongings gone—the girl had stolen everything and vanished. The betrayal had cut deep, teaching her to guard her trust like a weapon.
Her face remained calm.
But her eyes had changed.
Far behind them, the small statues stood silent.
And somewhere within the academy grounds, a passageway waited.
With a wall at the end.