Warmth

The sun hung lower in the sky, casting warm, golden hues across the academy grounds as the afternoon crept toward evening. The rhythmic chime of the class bell echoed through the halls, signaling the end of the day's lessons. Students poured out of their classrooms, chatting, laughing, or groaning about the day's events. Among them, Arakh walked with quiet confidence, weaving through the crowd as he made his way to a quieter section of the academy.

He paused briefly outside a large, polished oak door. Its surface was carved with intricate patterns of vines and blossoms, symbols of elegance and restraint. Above the door, a modest brass plaque read: Instructor Lorelai's Office.

Arakh knocked twice.

"Come in," a familiar voice called out, firm yet inviting.

He pushed the door open and stepped inside. The air was cool, faintly scented with lavender and a hint of parchment. The office was spacious yet cozy, an interesting blend of warmth and authority. Bookshelves lined the walls, brimming with tomes of varying sizes and ages. Some had titles embossed in gold, while others were worn and faded, evidence of years of use. Scrolls were neatly tucked into compartments, and on a side table sat a delicate porcelain tea set, steam still rising from the spout of the teapot.

The centerpiece of the room was an imposing mahogany desk, its surface immaculate save for a few open books, a quill resting in its inkpot, and a small, softly glowing orb that seemed to hum faintly with energy. Behind the desk sat Lorelai, her posture straight, exuding both grace and authority. Sunlight spilled through the tall, arched windows behind her, casting long shadows across the room. The light caught her hair, giving it a fiery halo as she looked up at him.

"Close it," she instructed, gesturing to the chair opposite her desk.

Arakh did as he was told, the door clicking shut softly. His footsteps were light as he crossed the room, his eyes scanning the details of her office—the brass clock ticking softly on the far wall, the faint rustling of papers as a breeze from the open window stirred them.

He reached the chair, a high-backed seat upholstered in dark green leather, and sank into it without hesitation. The cool leather met his skin as he leaned back slightly, his expression neutral but attentive.

Lorelai leaned forward slightly, her piercing eyes fixed on him. The flicker of a smirk played on her lips, though it was hard to tell if it was one of amusement or something else entirely.

"Comfortable?" she asked, her tone unreadable but edged with a faint challenge.

Arakh met her gaze with his own steady one. "I've sat on worse," he replied simply, his voice calm.

Lorelai leaned back. "Arakh, I have to warn you: This academy is not what you might have dreamt about ten years ago."

"You mean cocky students from the city folks bullying the weak?" asked Arakh with a smile, he tapped the desk, "Lorelai, I've felt that ever since in Kairan in Master Braun days."

"Hmm?" Lorelai raised her brows.

"I have been bullied, my family being bullied, shunned, challenges in making friends, I've already experienced it before enrolling here," Arakh showed a wry smile.

"Perhaps I missed that side of the history." Lorelai paused for a moment, assessing Arakh, before nodding. "Then this should be easy to tell you."

"Is it about the war?" Arakh furrowed his brows and his eyes sharpened.

Lorelai raised her brows, "You knew?"

"Not really," Arakh shook his head. I only know that it's probably about to happen. But if you ask me who the main actors are, I have no idea."

"Hmm, is that so," Lorelai smirked with her hands crossed. "However the thing that I want to talk with you about is not about war, it's about the Elabra Academy, and how long you've been staying here. You never got the orientation, right?"

"Oh, now that you mention it," Arakh nodded. "It would have been better if you did it yesterday though."

Lorelai smiled, "The past is the past, you can't change the past," she leaned back and raised her feet on top of the desk. "Anyway, I need to explain how this academy works."

Arakh blinked a few times as he traced the stockings of her leg before slowly nodding, "R-right, I missed the orientation."

"First of all, the only way for you to graduate from here is to reach the Adept Resonator Rank," said Lorelai.

"Intermediate? Right after Novice rank?" asked Arakh.

"Yes Arakh, right after Novice Resonator rank," said Lorelai. "That's why you will never see a student here with more than two stripes."

"I see," Arakh rubbed his chin, "So I'm not going to be in this place for a long time then?"

Lorelai shrugged, "That's up to you, you can stay a beginner all your life."

"Oh no, I wouldn't like that," Arakh chuckled. "So how do I get to Adept Resonator rank?"

"There will be a trial, once a year, if you pass the trial, you will graduate," said Lorelai before putting her feet down. "But a Beginner Resonator is not allowed to take such a test because it could kill them or worse, critically injure them."

Arakh gulped, And she passed that trial, and perhaps even more.

"That is still at a later road for you, right now, about the basics," said Lorelai. "The Kingdom of Pasrih will cover your cost as long as you are here, but the teachers also have the power to kick you out."

"Kick me out," Arakh remembered the way Pakha vomited blood. "D-Does every teacher has that power?"

"Yes, but they can't singlehandedly make that decision," Lorelai reassured. "Though, be warned, you are already on their bad side."

"W-What? What did I even do?" asked Arakh.

"You just beat a city boy with influence, and made him rest on the bed for several days at the least," said Lorelai.

"But that's! So you mean I just have to accept his beating?!" Arakh rose from his seat, his hands opened in protest.

"Sit down, Arakh," said Lorelai. "Calm down, you did the right thing, at least in Master Braun's book."

Arakh raised his eyebrows and widened his eyes in slight shock. Master Braun, that powerhouse of a teacher, sat down with his hands pressing his knees. "Where is he?"

"He is now a man of great influence in the Kingdom of Pasrih," said Lorelai, "For now, that's all I could say."

"Ooo... ok," Arakh nervously nodded. She must be hiding something, perhaps because of the war? She looks a bit restless there.

"Back to the topic, this school has a merit-based system that you must do if you want better weapons, items, or anything else," said Lorelai.

"Merit-based?" Arakh raised one brow with his arms crossed.

"It's much like how the guilds do it," said Lorelai, "Boards, quest parchments, you completed it, you gain merit a.k.a Pasrih Coins."

"I see," Arakh pondered. I guess this is what I will mostly spend my time with. Making dough!

Lorelai sighed after she looked at how gleaming his eyes were with Pasrih Coin. "It's not a lot, Arakh, you can't get rich from the board, and also, unlike the trials, you may take on the quest of the Novice Rank, though, it will be tough."

"Tough? Maybe, but my early days were tough as well, this time, however, what I earn, I get to keep!" Arakh laughed heartily.

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Lorelai asked.

"Haha—" Arakh paused, his expression shifting in mere moments. He forced a smile as he looked at Lorelai, "I never get the chance to save anything, Lorelai, every Copper Pasrih that I got, it's either asked by my mother or father and what power do I have to say no to them, I'm just a kid. And if I tell my grandmother, then the whole Kairan will hear my shouting house."

He wiped his tears, "It... it's weird, I usually never get the chance to say this to anyone, not even Reikh, and Hayam. But perhaps, because neither of them are here, I...—

He didn't manage to see before he was embraced. His eyes widened in tears as his blanketed by the warmth.

"I never knew," Lorelai pulled him further into the embrace. You were always the strong kid, Arakh, I never knew that the situation was that dire. My parents told me to stay away from you because the kids from those kinds of households bring bad luck but... I never actually got the chance to know you ten years ago, I never knew that was how you felt, were I in your boots, perhaps... I will cry the same.

Arakh's fingers gripped the fabric of her cloak, trembling as he struggled to speak between gasps. "I… I just wanted to keep something for myself, just once. Even just a Copper Pasrih… but it was never mine."

Lorelai's throat tightened as his words struck her. She gently stroked his hair, her touch firm yet comforting. "You've carried a heavy burden, Arakh. One that no child should have to bear. No one should be forced to live like that, giving and giving without ever being allowed to keep anything for themselves."

She pulled back slightly, just enough to look at him. His tear-streaked face and reddened eyes looked far younger than his years. She cupped his face in her hands, her voice steady and unwavering. "You have every right to want something of your own, to hold onto your dreams, your joys, your hard work. That's not selfish, Arakh—it's human. And it's yours to fight for now."

His lips quivered as he tried to respond, but all that came out was another choked sob. Lorelai smiled softly, her own eyes glistening. "You don't have to carry this alone anymore. Whatever storm comes, you'll find your strength. And if you ever feel like you're drowning again, you know where to find me."

Arakh wiped his face roughly, trying to regain some composure. "Lorelai… I don't know why you're being so kind to me. You could've just kept me at a distance, like everyone else."

She chuckled lightly, brushing a stray lock of hair from his face. "Because you're my student, Arakh."