Taking a Break

After the whirlwind that was yesterday, I can finally—finally—kick back and relax. The academy's been working overtime to fix up the mess we made. Apparently, the destruction was… extensive. But, hey, at least we confined the chaos to the first-year section. I guess that's what happens when you throw a bunch of overconfident rookies with too much magic and too little restraint into one place.

Luckily for the academy, magic here isn't just for show. Repairs happen faster than a speedrun in an old RPG. But even with all their fancy spells, the head honchos decided to give us a three-day break—probably for everyone's sanity.

Oh, and speaking of rewards: the system threw me a bone after yesterday's ordeal. This time, though, it wasn't something flashy like the Librarian's Tome or a buff to my strength. Nope. This time I got… a map. Like, a literal treasure map. I half-expected it to come with a "Yarr, matey" and a parrot. I have no idea where this thing leads, but it's probably important. So, into the inventory it goes for now.

To be honest, I wasn't sure what to do with this unexpected vacation. You'd think surviving an all-out magic brawl would grant some clarity, but nope—my brain was still doing cartwheels. That was until Fiona walked up to me, eyes dead serious, and said, "Tomorrow, we need to talk."

Oh. Great. Nothing says 'relaxing day off' like someone ominously demanding a conversation.

So, naturally, my mind spiraled into overdrive. Had she figured out that Lucius was acting off? Was she starting to realize that the events unfolding weren't exactly by the book? The possibilities were endless, and none of them seemed particularly fun for me. Still, a talk's better than a duel to the death, so I went with it.

With nothing but time on my hands and nerves in my gut, I decided to head into the city. A little sightseeing sounded like a good way to kill some time, at least until Fiona caught up with me to drop whatever bombshell she had planned. After changing into some fresh clothes, I headed for the door, hoping to sneak out unnoticed.

But nope. Because guess who was already there waiting for me?

Yep. Fiona.

"Come with me," she said, wasting no time. She was already halfway down the hall before I could blink. No greeting, no small talk, just straight-up 'we're doing this.'

Well, alright then. Looks like I'm not getting out of this.

She led me to the academy's backyard, a spot that was way too quiet for my liking. It was the kind of secluded place where serious, maybe dangerous conversations happened. Was this where she exposed my deep, dark secret? Would she duel me here? I hoped not. I left my fighting spirit back in my room.

"So... who are you?" she asked, cutting straight to the chase.

Okay, that threw me. She wasn't supposed to ask that. Nobody was supposed to ask that.

"Uh, me? Lucius Ravenhart?" I stammered, trying to play it cool but probably looking like a deer caught in the headlights.

"No, I mean… you feel different," she pressed.

"Different? How?"

"You seem to know things—things you shouldn't. And your aura… it's not the same."

Oh, crap. Crap.

"Just… be honest with me. Who are you really?" she insisted, her gaze sharp enough to cut glass.

I had to think fast, but my brain had turned into mashed potatoes. "I'm just… trying to survive," I blurted out, hoping it sounded cryptic enough to throw her off.

"Survive?" she echoed, tilting her head like she was trying to solve a puzzle.

"I just want to live a good life, y'know? Nothing fancy," I mumbled, trying to steer this into vague territory.

For a moment, she just stared at me, and I swore I could see the gears turning in her head. Then her eyes widened, and she gasped like she had just uncovered some grand revelation.

"I see… I get it now," she said, covering half her face dramatically. "I'm sorry for pushing you."

"Wait, what?" I blinked, completely lost.

"No need to explain further. I understand," she said in a voice that was far too serious for my comfort. Before I could stop her, she turned and walked away, disappearing into the distance like she was in some tragic romance drama.

"H-Hey! Wait!" I called after her, but she didn't even look back.

Well, that… was weirder than expected. Way weirder. What exactly did she think she understood? I'm still trying to figure out what I was saying, let alone what she took from it. Hopefully, whatever misunderstanding she's cooked up won't make things awkward later.

But hey, it's vacation time! No point in dwelling on this weirdness. Time to hit the city, have some fun, and put this bizarre encounter behind me. Maybe I'll even find some treasure for that map—because after all that, I could really use a win.

After wandering aimlessly through the city of Arcadia for a while, I came across a whimsical little cafe with a glowing sign that read: "Brew & Broom: Coffee so good, it's enchanting!"

I couldn't help but smirk. If this world had magic coffee, then why not indulge? Stepping inside, I was greeted by the scent of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the faint hum of magic, and the place felt like a cozy, enchanted hideaway. Floating lights hovered above each table, casting a warm, welcoming glow, while the furniture seemed to rearrange itself to fit the customers' comfort.

A waitress floated over to me on a broom, wearing a witch's hat (of course). "Welcome! Looking for something special? How about our famous Levitation Latte?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Levitation Latte?"

She winked. "Just a little lift to lighten your mood—literally."

I couldn't resist. A few moments later, the cup arrived, with tiny sparks dancing above it. Taking a sip, I instantly felt a gentle weightlessness, like gravity decided to cut me some slack. My feet lifted off the ground for just a second before pulling me back down. Around me, other customers giggled as they floated up and down from their chairs, making the whole cafe feel like a magical amusement park.

I smiled to myself. Not bad for my first stop.

Leaving the cafe, still feeling lighter than air (thanks, magic caffeine), I wandered further down the cobblestone streets until I stumbled upon an old, crooked building with a wooden sign: "Mystic Pages: Knowledge at Your Fingertips."

Curiosity piqued, I stepped inside. Shelves stacked with ancient tomes and magical scrolls filled the shop, and the air smelled like parchment and old ink. The place was quiet, save for the soft rustle of floating pages.

The shopkeeper, an elderly wizard with half-moon glasses, peered up from behind the counter. "Looking for anything in particular, young mage?"

"Just browsing," I replied, my fingers grazing the spine of a book titled 'Theories of Dimensional Magic'.

I spent some time flipping through a few books, losing myself in the vast collection of spells and lore. Nothing urgent caught my eye, but I couldn't help but feel like I'd just brushed the surface of Arcadia's magical knowledge.

After adding a small spellbook to my bag (for future emergencies), I headed back out into the city, ready for my next adventure.

Just as I was thinking of calling it a day, something shiny caught my eye in a nearby alley—The Iron Flask, a blacksmith's shop tucked away from the busier streets. The sound of hammer on steel rang out from within, and curious, I stepped inside.

The shop was cluttered with swords, shields, and armor, each glowing faintly with magical enchantments. But what really grabbed my attention was something much more... humble.

On a dusty old rack in the corner, surrounded by gleaming, fully intact weapons, was what appeared to be a broken sword. The blade was chipped, rusted, and looked like it had seen better days, but for some reason, my eyes kept drifting back to it.

Against my better judgment, I picked it up.

The moment my fingers brushed the hilt, I felt a strange, almost electric sensation. It wasn't painful—more like a quiet hum, something alive deep within the metal. I hesitated, staring at the dull blade. Why did I feel like there was something more to this?

I turned to the blacksmith, who barely glanced at it. "That old thing? One silver. Not worth much in that state."

One silver? Even for a broken sword, that was dirt cheap. And with the weird sensation still pulsing in my hand, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something hidden about it.

"Deal," I said, handing him the coin.

I tucked the sword away, feeling like I'd just made an odd but potentially interesting purchase. Was it just a broken weapon, or was there more to this relic than met the eye?

After the sword purchase, I decided to make one last stop before calling it a day. At the far end of the market, a vibrant stall caught my attention. Colorful potions bubbled in glass flasks, glowing with otherworldly hues. The sign above it read: "Potions & Elixirs: Drink with Caution!"

An alchemist, complete with a monocle and stained robes, greeted me with a wide smile. "Looking for something to heal, or maybe... something a bit more exciting?"

"Just looking," I said, scanning the rows of potions.

As I browsed the wares, my eyes fell on a peculiar bottle filled with liquid that shimmered like stardust. The label read: Elixir of Luck.

"Guaranteed to increase your fortune for 24 hours," the alchemist chimed in. "Though, it's a bit... unpredictable."

I almost laughed. Could luck really come in a bottle? After the day I'd had, I was tempted to try it.

"Alright, I'll take one."

After handing over a few silver coins, I pocketed the elixir, feeling like I'd gathered a strange collection of items today: a broken sword that hummed with mystery, a spellbook, and now a bottle of liquid luck.

With the sun beginning to set, I decided it was time to head back to the academy. Arcadia had shown me its lighter side, but I couldn't shake the feeling that today's finds—especially the sword—would come back to haunt me in one way or another.

After the eventful day exploring Arcadia, I decided to return to my room to unwind and check on everything I'd gathered. Closing the door behind me, I tossed the map onto the desk, pulled out the crystal pendant from my pocket, and finally, laid the sword on the table. It was still as strange as when I first touched it—a dull, chipped blade that somehow still hummed with a presence I couldn't shake.

I sat down at the desk, fingers tracing the sword's uneven edges. The moment my hand brushed against the hilt, that same eerie sensation surged through me, stronger this time. It was as if the sword... was aware.

I leaned in closer to inspect the runes, faintly etched along the base of the blade. Were they glowing slightly, or was I just imagining things?

Suddenly, the sword jerked.

"What the—"

The blade shot off the table, spinning wildly through the air. It ricocheted off the walls, narrowly missing a bookshelf, then zoomed past my head. Books and papers scattered as it buzzed like an over-caffeinated insect.

"Okay, this is not what I signed up for!"

The sword swerved and crashed into the chandelier above, sending sparks flying. It darted around like it had a mind of its own, as if possessed. I ducked behind the desk, barely dodging its frenzied assault.

"Alright, alright! You win! Calm down, you lunatic blade!"

After what felt like an eternity of dodging a hyperactive sword, it finally clattered to the ground with a dull thud. I cautiously peeked out from behind the desk, watching it lie there, still once more.

I hesitated for a moment, heart pounding, before slowly reaching out and picking it up again. This time, the sword was calm—almost peaceful in my grip.

"What the hell are you?"

But before I could finish that thought, the runes flickered again. My grip tightened as I felt the sword pulse with energy, a surge that traveled up my arm. It was trying to tell me something, but the words were just out of reach.

I stared at the blade in awe, my mind racing. Was this some kind of legendary artifact? A cursed weapon? Or maybe—

Suddenly, a faint voice echoed in my mind, and just as I was about to hear what it was saying, I blurted out, "Wait, did you just—"

But before I could finish, the sword pulsed one more time, and the lights in the room flickered. Everything fell silent, and—