Price of Knowledge
The stone felt warm in Seraphina's hand as she stood in the professor's private study, its intricate carvings glowing faintly. Alaric's words were still ringing in her ears: "When the path is revealed to you, there will be no going back."
She had always been aware that knowledge had its price, but this felt different. The stone's weight seemed to ground her in the moment, almost as if it connected her to something ancient, something beyond the cozy walls of the academy.
Slipping the stone into her pocket, she left the professor's study without a word. The night air was cool as she stepped into the academy's courtyard, with stars twinkling overhead like far-off promises. The moon hung low, throwing long shadows on the cobblestone paths, and she could just make out distant footsteps echoing in the quiet.
Seraphina loved the stillness of nighttime, but tonight, it felt off. The air felt thick with secrets, and the walls of the academy seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for her to make her next move.
She still didn't fully grasp what Alaric meant. The stone was powerful, no doubt about it, but what exactly was it supposed to lead her towards? The Bound Circle was still a puzzle, and now it felt like there were forces tugging her in every direction.
As she made her way back to her room, a nagging feeling crept in—that she was being watched. Each step felt like it was under the microscope, and the creaks of the floorboards sounded amplified in the night. She paused at her door, glancing back over her shoulder. The corridor was empty, but something told her she wasn't alone.
Once inside, she quickly closed the door behind her. The room was dimly lit, with only the glow of the candles she had left burning illuminating the space. She walked to her desk, her mind swirling with questions, and gently placed the stone in front of her. Its warmth vibrated under her fingers as she traced the strange symbols etched into its surface.
She knew she couldn't tackle this alone. Leandro had always been her rock, helping her through the more confusing parts of her journey. But this? This was something even he couldn't help with. The stakes felt way too high, and the danger too real. Plus, she still had no idea who to trust.
Lost in thought, she didn't notice the door creaking open behind her.
"Seraphina."
Her heart raced. She turned to see Lady Vespera, one of the top faculty members of the academy and head of the Mystical Arts department, standing in the doorway. Her long, silver hair gleamed in the candlelight, and her piercing green eyes locked onto Seraphina with an intensity that made her stomach sink.
"Lady Vespera," Seraphina said, taken aback to see her in her room. "What are you doing here?"
Vespera's gaze flickered to the stone on the desk, then back at her. "I could ask you the same thing, child," she replied, her tone soft yet brimming with authority. "The academy's secrets aren't meant to be uncovered by just anyone—especially not by students."
Seraphina stood her ground, feeling the weight of Vespera's gaze. "I'm not just anyone," she countered, trying to sound more confident than she felt. "I've learned things—things that can't just be ignored."
Vespera stepped into the room, moving slowly and deliberately. "You think you understand, but you don't. You're meddling in forces way beyond your control."
Seraphina clenched her fists, the stone in her pocket reminding her of the power she was trying to figure out. "What do you know about the Bound Circle? Why is it so dangerous? Why are people scared of it?"
The silence in the room grew thick as Vespera's expression shifted, becoming more calculating. "You shouldn't have asked that question, Seraphina," she murmured, her voice almost a whisper. "You've opened a door that wasn't meant to be opened."
"I don't care about your warnings, Lady Vespera," Seraphina shot back, her voice steady now. "I need answers. If you know something, you have to tell me."
The older woman studied her for a moment, as if weighing whether to share the truth. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a breath. "The Bound Circle isn't just a ritual. It's a contract—a pact between the royal family and the land itself, tying them to the kingdom's prosperity. But this pact, child, comes with a cost."
Seraphina's heart raced as she took in Vespera's words. "What cost?"
Vespera stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with something that looked like pity. "The power the royal family wields isn't truly theirs. It's borrowed. It comes from the land—the kingdom's essence. Every year, a royal family member must undergo the ritual to renew the pact and keep the land thriving. But it doesn't come without consequences..."