“Saints and Saintesses carry with them memories of their world, meaning that each and every one of them have different opinions and ideas that can help shape ours. While most of them end up working with the Astralian church in some capacity, there are those who slip through the cracks and end up in service to kingdoms or as freelance adventurers instead. ”


    - Starspeaker Josephina Lynn, Chuch Archivist, “Saints and Saintess: Beyond Astralis”


    <hr><hr>


    The day to return to the academy came sooner than expected. In the week following the exams, the party managed to get the go-ahead to attend the academy. Though Sophia and Elaria would have to take extra classes to catch up with Sophie and Ary. While Raylani needed remedial language classes just to be caught up to a standard that allowed her better ability to function within surface society. If anything was a cause for celebration, it was that they all made it.


    Though Sophie is still occasionally worried about the Frostwinders and more importantly, Ary’s mental state. Her mind was thankfully focused on the achievements of the other three. They had spent last night making merry with a small feast of their own, with Elaria and Raylani taking the opportunity to entertain the patrons of All Hogs Arms to much fanfare.


    So it was that yesterday night ended with the party being exhausted but excited. The same feelings carried over to this morning as they boarded the ferry to Academy Isle. Raylani seemed a little bit less nervous than before, though the dark elf would occasionally still grow flushed with embarrassment. Whether at her inability to fully comprehend common or for the curious glances constantly being cast in her direction, Sophie did not know.


    “Academy bound, huh.” Sophia murmured, “Now I’ll get to really experience what life as you is like.”


    “More likely, everyone will be questioning where the hell a twin and a sister popped out from. Remember what to say?” Sophie grunted and turned to her siblings.


    “Of course.” Sophia scoffed, “Elaria is a wandering bard, simple enough. I’m the one that got separated at birth and did some shadow cult stuff, which explains my powers. The rest is history that I can make up, at least up until we met in the dwarven mines, yes?”


    “I… yes. Though I really wish I knew what backstory you might give yourself.”


    “Psh, where’s the fun in that?”


    Stars, isn’t she supposed to be my copy? How the hells can she always be so confident.


    “I agree with Sophia. It will be a better tale if one can weave it as they go.” Elaria chimed in.


    “Maybe.” Sophie pouted, “Just remember it so you don’t mix up details.”


    “Sure, sure. Don’t you worry about it.” Sophia chuckled.


    Sophie mockingly scowled before withdrawing her attention. She returned to staring out the window. Ary had, as she always does, fallen asleep on the ferry, the girl taking advantage of Sophie’s shoulder to acquire herself a headrest. Past Ary and perched on the inside of the window itself was Yana, the faerie practically plastering herself on the glass as she gazed out into the wide blue sea.


    “Haven’t you seen enough of the sea since we travelled by boat from Ostia?” Sophie asked.


    Yana barely moved to look behind her, the faerie looking like she would answer with a rhyme or an explanation of things before shrugging and giving a simple response.


    “No.” Yana stated, returning to staring at ships and water.


    Sophie grinned to herself before absently reaching over to toy with Ary’s braid. She felt strangely protected by the people around her, now more comfortable in sharing her worries and distributing her buttons. After all, both Sophia and Elaria knew of the Entity’s plans. Elaria even being explicitly sent to further its goals and to help Sophie along. Sophia remained perhaps, the one mostly unknown variable, Sophie still wondering just what exactly the Shadow Goddess Morea had discussed with her counterpart. But given that Sophia refused to elaborate anymore and that nothing seeed to happen because of it, Sophie resolved to let it be, for now.


    With a sigh and a huff, she closed her eyes and gently pressed her head atop Ary’s. Stars, to be in our own room after this trip… feels unreal, heh.


    <hr><hr>


    “We’ll see you guys later!” Sophia waved for the trio as they departed on a carriage.


    Being new students, the three were met by academy staffers and an orientation guide. With Sophia, Elaria and Raylani being whisked away to experience their ‘introductory’ day before classes began and to sign them up properly for courses.


    That left Sophie, Ary and Yana, standing there alongside two all too familiar faces that silently waited for the carriage to disappear.


    “How’d you guys know we were coming today anyway? Not that I mind, it’s nice to see you both well.” Sophie broke the silence.


    Maylesa and Thalnor shared a glance, the siblings coming up with something before collectively shrugging.


    “Through deduction and extrapolation.” Thalnor stated.


    Seeing Sophie’s blank expression, Maylesa nudged her brother.


    “A little more explaining, brother.” The elf coughed.


    “Ahh, apologies. We heard rumours of an elf with skin of the darkest blue and purple. A potentially new species even.” Thalnor continued.


    “Indeed, we were most curious about this. Though we resigned ourselves to merely awaiting their presence on campus instead.” Maylesa added.


    “Quite so. After all, it would be a violation of etiquette and an embarrassing breach of protocol to simply observe a student before they’re even arrived.”


    “But then…”


    “But then we heard from one of the students connected to our instructors that this ‘dark elf’ was seen in the company of a half elf and a human. Normally, this would not raise much suspicions, for it could very well be part of a cultural delegation or a diplomatic entreaty.”


    “However, from our past experiences with you two, and also based on some of your tales of adventure-”


    "In addition!” Thalnor wagged a finger to remind his sister of something.


    “Ahem. How rude. But yes, in addition, upon hearing that it was a half elf with black hair, of which at the academy we only have one.”


    “Or so we know.”


    “We suspected that whatever this mystery elf was, they were traveling in your company.”


    “Indeed.” Thalnor nodded, “Our assumptions were correct, in a way. Though we didn’t expect there to be two of you.”


    “That’s called a twin, brother. Just like our elder siblings.” Maylesa tutted.


    “Of course. We didn’t expect there to be a twin. Or that there was another human.” Thalnor rolled his eyes.


    “But also, pleasure to see you again.”


    “Indeed, pleasure to welcome friends.”


    The siblings bobbed their heads in unison.


    Overwhelmed by their rapid fire words, Sophie and Ary just shared looks of incredulity before smiling and waving at the siblings. Maylesa and Thalnor seemed pleased by the response and smiled back.


    “Though if you’ll permit me.” Maylesa asked.


    “Yeah?” Sophie cocked her head in surprise, thinking the two were done.


    “Why are you with a fae creature?” She pointed directly at Yana.


    Hearing this, the faerie stiffened up and just looked over, tearing her eyes away from her surroundings to take a better look at the elves.


    “So you can hear the words that I weave, and also my form you can perceive?” Yana piped up.


    The two elves looked almost startled for a moment before regaining their composure.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.“It speaks.”


    “It speaks.”


    They both stated.


    “I’m a she!” Yana fluttered her wings angrily, “And errr… can’t you see?!”


    “Can people not perceive her?” Thalnor asked.


    “Not really? Or well, most people see her as a mote of light, like a low level light spell.” Ary anwsered.


    “Fascinating.”


    “Indeed. And who else can see her?” Maylesa asked.


    “I’m right here! And I can also hear!” Yana growled.


    The two elves then looked expectantly at the faerie. For the first time since they’ve met, Sophie found Yana looking perplexed, unused to the intensity of the siblings scrutiny.


    “Err… most can…see only light, if they are magically…light?” Yana let out a flustered mumble, “And those connected to nature, can see my true…nature?”


    The elves backed off a little, pensive expressions on their faces before they nodded.


    “Interesting. So that means most of our species should be able to see you.”


    “Might explain why so many fairy tales and stories involve the fae.”


    “Huh? Wait! Then…” Yana frowned.


    “Most likely already spotted by others in the city. If you were trying to hide.” Maylesa spoke.


    Yana seemed to be a bit taken aback, leaning back on her perch. The faerie having fallen into silent contemplation.


    “Ahh, of course. Before you mention it.” Thalnor glared at Maylesa, “Pardon the delayed introductions. I am Thalnor and this is Maylesa, both of house Calnodel.”


    Yana still looked a little baffled, but bobbed her head in acknowledgement, “My name is Yana, bound to dearest Aryana.”


    “Fascinating.” The elves turned to the redhead, who just calmly grinned.


    don’t know why, but the fact she considers them to be friends as well just warms my heart. Sophie tried to hide her own smile.


    “Found her in a cave. Long story. Involves dwarves though.” Ary spoke up.


    “Well, well. Fortunately, we failed to plan ahead and intended to simply walk the two of you to the academy on a pleasant stroll. Provided you didn’t already charter a carriage.” Maylesa quipped.


    Sophie blinked back her surprise at the words. They want to spend time with us, am I getting this right?


    Ary looked at her with some measure of amazement as well, though the redhead hid it far better. Regardless, seeing the girl grin, Sophie already knew they’d be taking advantage of this moment as well.


    “Of course! Unlike the first time we got here, we’re quite energetic and awake.” Sophie beamed at the siblings.


    They looked relieved and beckoned for her to lead.


    “Brother was quite eager to hear more of your exploits.” Maylesa whispered.


    “Hey, that goes the same if not more so for you.” Thalnor retorted.


    "Does not!"


    Ary and Sophie giggled at the light bickering while Yana still remained somewhere between pouting and confusion. Friends are great.


    <hr><hr>


    “And you met, on a ship, just like that?” Thalnor exclaimed.


    “Yup. We boarded and just bam, they’re already busy performing and what not.” Sophie mimed playing a flute.


    “Amazing, and her powers…”


    “Just like mine. Though I think it’s probably leagues above mine at the same time.”


    The siblings sucked in a breath, to them, Sophie’s power was already bizarre enough, to think that there was potentially someone even more well versed in the void was intriguing.


    “And the dark elf?”


    “Says she’s a gladiatrix and an entertainer. I believe both claims with relatively high confidence.” Sophie answered.


    “Fascinating, and you mentioned there were more in the deeps? Amongst the dwarves?” Thalnor excitedly asked.


    “Near the dwarves. I only saw a handful of them. But their presence there likely hinted that their settlement shouldn’t be that far away.”


    “Interesting. So there’s an entire civilisation just hidden away from us. From human, elven, and beastkind alike.” He furrowed his brow in contemplation, “But that some elven tribes on the Adonari frontiers might’ve seen them before. Yet, this information was not passed to Harma Eryind. At least, not to us or the general public. Why?” He mumbled to himself.


    “Why indeed.” Maylesa chuckled, “Though my dear brother also forgot another important question.”


    “I have?” Thalnor look startled.


    “How was Saints Day in Ostia?” Maylesa asked the duo.


    Thalnor’s eyes lit up before sheepishly scratching at his head, “Ahh yes, how were the celebrations?”


    Hearing this and seeing the eager look that entered Ary’s eye, Sophie grinned, nudging her partner and gesturing towards her.


    “One of us certainly had the most amount of merriment in our time there. Would they perhaps care to elaborate?”


    Ary shot Sophie a mocking pout, before smiling and nodding. Ary began by describing the fanfare and layout of the town. Of its similarities to Arteria but also of its more outlandish and fantastical designs in its rounded towers. Occasionally Sophie would add a word or two, but her companion was more than capable of recounting their experiences and sights within Ostia and with Alodie.


    In the meantime, Sophie took a good hard look at the landscape around her. The Scholar’s Garden was a forested patch of land that sat between the academy’s Gate of Knowledge entrance and the town of Laurusport. Here, countless species of wildlife thrived under the careful supervision of local rangers and academy students who dedicated themselves to studying animals, arboreal landscapes, or other nature related disciplines. It was also the second most effective area for students to get herbs or practice combat drills and trials outside of the academy’s greenhouse and grounds.


    Currently, it was a snow covered forest, though it was easy enough to note where academy experiments were currently taking place. After all, when most of the forest has a gentle blanket of snow over it, those that are maintained by magic to retain its greenery and melt the snow are just that much more visible. The sight did, however, cause Sophie some concern. She still recalled how earlier, the elves had easily seen through Yana’s disguise and the fae’s words about those with higher mana affinities being able to see through her as well. Coupled with beastfolk or at least those more connected with nature, that makes for a lot of people.


    The siblings had also added that the fae are creatures many covet due to their inherent being tied directly to the world at large. Meaning that in theory, they were sources of powerful magic that could augment a mage’s capabilities to unexpected heights. While most would not care much of that, the siblings did warn her that the experimental nature of the academy’s mages guild branch would likely poke a lot closer than anyone was comfortable with. Just another worry on top of all the other things we have to worry about, great.


    Looking over at Yana, who had given up trying to hide and perched herself atop Ary’s head. Sophie could tell that the fae was deep in thought about something as well. Though, at the same time, she felt a small bit of relief seeing how Yana would still occasionally take moments to simply soak in this new world that she was exploring. That brought up another question within Sophie’s mind, one that had always been at the periphery but was now set to make their lives that much more complicated. I wonder what will Yana do at the academy? It’s not like she’ll find studying or classes that interesting, hells, she looked bored as heck when Ary and I tired to research stuff. At least she liked learning how to read. But what do we let her do? Do we just have her as a free ranger fae? Flying about until classes are over? But with what the siblings tell us, that might just cause more of a hassle if mages catch sight of her, alone.


    “Oh yes! We do have some interesting news that the two of you will appreciate!” Maylesa piped up.


    That piqued Sophie’s interest and she dragged her mind once more out of the quagmire that it often found itself entangled in.


    “Ohh a surprise!” Ary squeaked.


    “Indeed! Remember our little project?” Maylesa came to a halt, the group now standing just outside the academy gates, in full view of the gate guardians.


    “The battery?” Ary tilted her head.


    “Mmhmm, we’ve managed to refine it a bit more. So if you two don’t mind, want to come with us to the workshop?”


    Ary looked to Sophie for confirmation, and she nodded.


    “Of course!”


    “Excellent! Though I must admit, it is… a little messier than you remembered.” Maylesa.


    <hr><hr>


    It felt almost nostalgic for her to return to the academy, though she was more amused by how pretty everything looked when covered with a thin layer of snow. While the grass isn''t green or all the trees quite so present, the buildings were now the star of the show. Each building had its own charm and style, though it would sometimes get lost amidst the greenery and general pleasant atmosphere of the campus. Now, however, Sophie could see all the different coloured roofes, all standing proud and defiant against the snow. The old Myndri fortress towers too, seemed to sparkle in a way they didn’t when the campus was still in the throes of summer and fall.


    Perhaps the most strange of all was her arrival into Runegarde hall now felt a little too familiar to the dwarven halls within the deeps. While her first time here had been entering an alien and strange looking area. The grandiose archways within and far more symmetrical and square shaped everything else now seemed far more fitting. Though of course, much of it was modified to also take into account human, elven and beastfolk frames, she could tell that everything was built according to dwarven specification.


    Entering into the familiar little nook granted to the elves, they stepped into a chaotic little space filled with all manner of half completely gadgets. But sitting at the center of the main table was the all too recognizable mana battery box.


    "Remember the previous deficiencies?” Maylesa spoke up.


    “The limited conversion rate between mana and your regeneration rate.” Thalnor added.


    “Well, we’ve ironed out the prototype a bit more. Should have increased the effective ratio of the mechanism comparable to a battery that can support a magefire torch for six hours.”


    “Err, well in your case it would be equivalent to a half body recovery.”


    “At least the internal half anyway.”


    The siblings nodded approvingly.


    “What is this mana conversion? That you seem to find immersion.” Yana asked.


    Her sudden interruption startled everyone, the siblings casting glances at each other before answering.


    “Well, Sophie uses mana to heal. This battery serves as a portable source of mana. Especially considering how she doesn’t manifest any mana of her own.” Maylesa answered.


    Yana seemed to stare at the battery for a moment. Then her little eyes glanced up between Sophie and Ary.


    “But she’s tapped the beyond, locked into a bond.” Yana growled.


    “Eh?”


    “With dear little Aryana, she drains from her mana.”


    “Wait what? But that was a one time thing?” Maylesa tilted her head in curiosity.


    “This bond is permanent, one that pierces the firmament.” Yana stated, her voice dropping.


    The siblings turned to the duo, taking note of their somewhat more downcast expressions.


    “Draining mana and energy from live beings?" Thalnor asked.


    Yana nodded.


    "So you two mind explaining what that’s about?”