A New Term Begins
The second semester of the year dawned with the same crisp energy that greeted the start of their Arcanum journey—except now, the students of Class Alpha had tasted blood, pressure, and their first real brush with coordinated combat.
Gone were the wide-eyed nerves of first weeks. In their place: hunger. Determination. Growth.
In the great lecture hall, the fifty students of Class Alpha gathered once more, the seats buzzing with murmurs. Master Valen Thorne stood at the front, arms behind his back, the subtle crackle of lightning in the air hinting at his mood.
"This semester," he began, "you will be tested in a different way."
Silence fell.
"You proved yourselves individually in the midterms. Now, we evaluate your strength as a unit."
With a wave of his hand, golden script formed above the dais.
New Mandatory Subject: Group Combat and Coordination
"You will retain the same five-person teams from the midterm. You will learn how to move as one, fight as one, and think as one. You will spar with other classes, study battlefield dynamics, and improve your teamwork—not just your technique."
A few students exchanged glances. Alaric and his group looked around, silently acknowledging their shared bond from the last exam.
"And that is not all," Valen continued. "Each of you is now allowed to add two new subjects—or drop any you feel no longer suit your path."
Another wave of murmurs.
Alaric leaned toward Selene and Kael. "Any ideas?"
Later that afternoon, students filled out glowing parchment forms in one of the floating side chambers.
Alaric selected his additions quickly:
Spirit Communication
Battlefield Strategy
"I think Nyx and I need to understand each other better," he murmured, tapping the parchment. "And I want to learn how to lead better."
Selene filled hers out next, muttering. "Dropping Archery. Ugh, I was hopeless."
Her updated list:
Elemental Theory and Practical Casting
Spirit Communication
"These will help me coordinate better with Bravak and Enia. And maybe finally tame Bravak's temper," she added with a smirk.
Kael frowned at his form. "I'm dropping Summoning. I just—"
"No," Selene and Alaric said at the same time.
Kael sighed.
"You're closer than you think," Selene added gently. "One more semester."
Grumbling, Kael reluctantly left Summoning on his list and added:
Monster Biology
"I'll settle for understanding them if I can't summon them."
Nearby, Darven scratched the side of his head as he muttered to himself. His current classes already included:
Shield Defense
Spearmanship
Elemental Theory and Practical Casting
Advanced Runes and Spellcraft
Dungeon Navigation
He added:
Battlefield Strategy
"Gotta lead better if I want to wear royal colors someday," he said to no one in particular.
Ilyne, carefully adjusting her glasses, reviewed her own class slate:
Elemental Theory and Practical Casting
Healing Arts
Advanced Runes and Spellcraft
Magical Ethics
Magical Item Crafting
She hesitated a moment, then added:
Summoning and Spirit Bonding
"I want a spirit too…" she mumbled. "A cute one. And if Alaric and Selene can do it, so can I."
That evening, Master Valen gathered them again for one final announcement.
"This semester also marks the return of an Arcanum tradition—the Inter-Dormitory Competition."
Cheers and groans rippled across the room.
"It will begin one month from now. You will compete in teams to bring glory to your dormitory. Expect physical trials, magical duels, strategy tests, and creative problem-solving. Your respective dorms will brief you in the coming weeks."
Ironleaf Hall's common chamber buzzed with excitement. Upperclassmen gathered around the first-years, eager to pass along their experiences.
Dren Halward, their 5th-year dorm leader, stood before the hearth. His scarred face was serious but proud.
"Last year, Skyreach won," he growled. "But Ironleaf placed second. This year—we aim for first."
Cheers erupted.
He raised a hand.
"You've all grown. You've trained. Now you prove yourselves. In a month, we meet again—with the competition lineup. Until then… train like it starts tomorrow."
Later that evening, the core group gathered at their usual corner table.
Alaric, Selene, Kael, Lance, Braen, Darven, Ilyne, Malric, Lira, and Jorin all squeezed in with trays of roasted meat, spiced rice, and sweetroot stew.
"Spirit Communication?" Lira raised an eyebrow. "You're finally going to learn how to talk to Nyx?"
Alaric chuckled. "That's the hope."
Kael poked at his stew. "Monster Biology sounds cool, but I still think spirits hate me."
"Oh, they probably do," Braen said with a grin. "But maybe they just think you're too loud."
Selene snorted.
Malric leaned over, grinning. "Skyreach's taking the trophy again this year, you know."
"Please," Lira chimed in. "We're the reigning champions, remember?"
"Stonegate was third," Darven muttered. "But that was before my time."
"Frostspire placed fourth," Selene added. "But this year? We'll climb."
"Emberwatch was dead last," Jorin said with a mock scowl. "I blame the food."
Everyone burst into laughter.
"You didn't even join last year!" Lira shot back.
"Exactly!" Jorin declared. "And look what happened."
More laughter echoed in the hall. Even Ilyne cracked a rare smile.
Later that night, in the Faculty Hall, Master Halvar Derain stood quietly beside Valen Thorne.
"The veil trembled during the exam," Halvar said, voice low.
Valen's eyes narrowed. "You're sure?"
"I felt a pulse. Brief, but undeniable. One of the students is carrying something... ancient."
Valen glanced at the enchanted window, where the moonlight reflected on Arcanum's tower spires.
"Keep watch. Quietly."
Halvar nodded and disappeared into the corridor.
Somewhere, in a forgotten crypt beneath the capital, ancient stone groaned.
The air shimmered.
And within a hidden shard of magic—sealed and long dormant—a fragment of the Equinox Flame stirred.
Not the whole. Not yet.
But a flicker.
A spark.
A whisper that would soon grow into fire.