That’s one visage I might actually be interested in meeting. Maybe I could get her to teach me more about how attunements actually work.
Professor Meltlake lifted a finger and drew a line across the map from Caelford to Valia. “While we’ve always had robust trade with Caelford, and the cross continental railroad that has made shipping goods far easier than at any previous point in history. For this reason, the railroad is extremely well-maintained — and well-defended. We have military bases at several locations along the rail, including two small bases in the Unclaimed Lands. It is very possible that after your attunement training is completed, you could be assigned to protect one of these key locations.”
“Now, that’s it for the Four Powers...”
Another student stood up. Professor Meltlake raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”
The student folded his arms. “You mentioned five of the Shifting Spires — aren’t there six?”
Professor Meltlake nodded. “Yes. The location of the Spider Spire, however, is a closely-guarded secret. Most of your fellow students will guess that it lies in the Unclaimed Lands, but I’ll say this — that’s not the case. There is a tower in the Unclaimed Lands, but not one of the six.”
Now that got my attention. I knew that the Spider Spire’s location was a secret. I’d even spent some time unsuccessfully trying to figure it when I was younger. I was curious about that, but I was even more interested in this other tower.
Could there be a seventh spire? If so, would it be possible to get different attunements there?
I was just about to stand up to ask a follow-up question...
“And that’s all the time we have for today. Class dismissed!”
Oh, cruel temptation. She wanted us to wonder.
I sighed.
“Mysterious towers” was one more thing I’d need to fit into my research schedule. If this secret tower was connected to the six Shifting Spires, maybe it could help illuminate some additional secrets about how the towers truly worked.
***
Late one night, I heard a knock at my door. This was not all that unusual in itself, but I was still a little bit worried about potential assassins. I brought my sword with me as I approached the door. “Coming!”
I opened the door a few moments later. Jin was standing outside. He was standing with his back straight, wearing an intensely serious expression. “Corin.”
I waved at him. “Oh, hey, Jin. Don’t have any more items ready for you just yet, sorry.”
He shook his head. “I am not here for that.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What can I help you with?”
He raised a gloved hand to his chin. “It has been brought to my attention that there is a formal social event coming up in the winter. It is customary for students to attend with a date.”
I winced. The last time someone had asked me to help them find a date to the ball hadn’t exactly ended well. “You want me to ask someone for you?”
Jin tilted his head downward and laughed nervously. “No, Corin. I want you to come with me to the ball.”
Oh.
Oh!
I blinked. “Uh, I mean, as a friend? Or as a date?”
“As a date, unless you have an objection.”
“I...uh...”
“Breathe, Corin. You can think about it.”
Thinking. Right.
I did some of that breathing thing.
I didn’t know what to say.
Jin had stood out from the first moment I’d seen him. He was strange; he seemed smart. Our interactions always left me grinning. Was I attracted to him?
I mean, he had a pleasing aesthetic. Athletic body and all. I liked the shape of his chin?
But that just meant I liked looking at him. I still didn’t — what if he wanted to... It honestly never occurred to me that this might be an issue. I had no interest in asking anyone out, and the thought of someone taking an interest in me hadn’t crossed my mind.
Now that he’d asked, though... Could I date someone?
My face was reddening.
I closed my eyes for a moment, flexing my hands in the air and taking a deep breath. “Okay. Breathing now. I think I’m interested? I’ve never really done anything like this before. And, uh, just so you know, I’m not that into...touching?”
He nodded. “I’ve noticed. It won’t be a problem. We can dance if you decide you want to. If not, I would be more than happy just to have you there to talk with me.”
I laughed, just a hair too loud to be natural. Dancing. Is that all?
I think I can handle dancing.
Maybe.
Maybe just talking. Talking is fine.
“Okay, let’s go with that, then. It’s a date.”
“I look forward to it.” The slightest smile crossed his lips. “Good night.”
I nodded hastily. “Okay. Great. Good night.”
Jin closed the door.
I stared at it for another few moments before retreating to my bed, heart pounding in my chest.
What have I done?
I don’t know how to date!
In spite of my panic, a spark of excitement had been lit. As the minutes passed and my anxiety faded, I once more found myself grinning after our conversation.
I had a date!
***
Twenty weeks into the semester. It was time for our second major exam, and I didn’t feel anywhere close to ready.
We assembled for a strategy session the day before the test. Fortunately, we were using Marissa’s room this time, on account of it being much larger than mine. She was still in the Tortoise’s Heart, indicating she was getting excellent grades, but the rest of us were still stuck in the normal ones.
Except for Jin, maybe. I wasn’t actually sure if he was still in the room above me — I rarely visited him directly. He’d usually found me.
Even with the extra room, it was pretty cramped with five of us, but I was glad to see everyone.
Especially since I had presents.
I passed out the sigils first, since I had one for everyone. They were a simple enough design — a few runes etched into the back of a copper phoenix, about the same size as our usual existing shield sigils.