29

Growing up in a position of comfortable wealth and privilege, Alvis had had opportunities to study things you'd never imagined. Though perhaps some of those opportunities would be available in your future.

Before those last goodbyes, you, Alvis, and Letha traveled together to Archa. There, you were received by Princess Despina, who even back then acted as regent for her ailing father more often than not. She held a grand ceremony to receive the heroes of the land, during which Alvis was immediately adopted by the mages in attendance as one of their own. You weren't sure what Letha's future ambitions were aside from earning your acquittal—which Princess Despina conveyed almost at once—but you did notice she spent an extended time in conversation with Princess Despina after returning the royal crown you'd "miraculously recovered," so the invitation afterward didn't come as too much of a surprise.

And as for you, you had just become…