The days flew by, and Valentina found herself in a strange rhythm with Vyxara. Every morning she woke up with the demon in her head, whose comments on everything and everyone she almost expected by now.


    "Ah, another bright day in Bridgewater," Vyxara remarked sarcastically as Valentina looked out the window and saw the gray sky. "Perfect for a bit of Essence Weaving, don''t you think?"


    Valentina rolled her eyes as she got dressed. "Do you have to do that? Every morning?"


    "I''m just trying to brighten up your life a little," Vyxara replied innocently.


    During the lectures, Vyxara''s presence became more and more noticeable. While Professor Veilford lectured on the intricacies of planar geometry, the demon constantly whispered comments and additions.


    "See how he explains the Vanderlieu spiral? He leaves out the most important part. The real power is in the asymmetrical alignment of the inner rings. He intentionally leaves that out so that students in his expensive special tutorials have an advantage. Pretty enterprising for a scholar."


    Valentina tried to concentrate, but Vyxara''s words were tempting. "Can you explain that to me later?" she whispered softly.


    "Of course, my dear. But as always, everything has its price."


    And so the little deals began. For every piece of knowledge that Vyxara shared, the demon demanded something in return. Sometimes it was a harmless distraction during an exam, sometimes a little prank against an annoying classmate.


    One afternoon, Vyxara helped Valentina solve a particularly tricky homework assignment for Professor Emberfell''s class.


    "You see, if you combine the Leb-Essence here with the Viur-Essence, the effect increases exponentially," Vyxara explained.


    Valentina nodded, impressed. "That''s brilliant. How do you know all this?"


    "Oh, I have my sources," Vyxara replied mysteriously. "But remember, you owe me something for this information."


    The next day, Valentina found herself secretly replacing the ink in Faustus'' pen with a harmless but embarrassing Essence-infused mixture. When his words turned into illegible blobs during the lecture, she couldn''t suppress a grin.


    "You see? A little fun never hurt anyone," commented Vyxara with satisfaction.


    But not all arrangements were so harmless. When Valentina had difficulty mastering a complicated Essence pattern, Vyxara offered to help.


    "I could show you how to do it perfectly," the demon whispered tantalizingly. "All you have to do is… borrow… a small book from the librarian''s back room."


    Valentina hesitated. "That''s stealing," she protested weakly.


    "No," Vyxara contradicted gently. "It''s a quest for knowledge. Isn''t that why you''re here?"


    After a long inner struggle, Valentina gave in. She sneaked into the library at night and ''borrowed'' the book. When she looked inside, she saw that it contained exactly the information she needed to better understand the complicated weaving pattern that Vyxara had offered to help her with.


    Valentina could literally feel herself starting to become more adept at Essence Weaving, developing a whole new understanding of the basics – but also becoming more dependent on Vyxara''s help. She tried to reassure herself by telling herself that she was only doing what was necessary to survive and help her family.


    "You''re making progress, little Weaver," praised Vyxara after Valentina had mastered the complex Essence pattern. "And you have talent. You could outdo them all."


    Valentina smiled proudly, but a nagging feeling of guilt remained. "But is that right?" she asked quietly. "All these tricks and shortcuts?"


    "Right and wrong... ," Vyxara''s voice was soft and thoughtful. "These are concepts that exist only inside your heads. Essence itself knows no such categories. It is there to be shaped – by those who have the talent, intellect and courage to understand and master it."


    These words echoed in Valentina''s mind as she made her way to a study group on a Wednesday evening. She met Crispin and Innogen in the library, both bent over their books.


    "Hey, Val," Innogen greeted her with a tired smile. "How are the preparations for Professor Emberfell''s exam going?"


    Valentina hesitated briefly. "Quite well," she replied vaguely. She could hardly tell them about Vyxara''s help.


    "Oh, come on," Vyxara teased in her head. "A little hint for your friends would be nice, wouldn''t it? In exchange for a small favor, of course..."


    Valentina shook her head slightly to dispel the thought. "Let''s get started," she said instead and sat down with her friends.


    While they studied, Valentina secretly watched her friends. Crispin was visibly struggling with a complex diagram while Innogen leafed through her book in frustration.


    "You could help them so easily," Vyxara whispered. "A little tip here, a subtle Essence manipulation there..."


    Valentina bit her lip. She wanted to help her friends, but not like this.


    After hours of studying, they finally said goodbye. On the way back to her room, Valentina was lost in thought.


    "You think too much, little Weaver," Vyxara said gently. "You have a gift. Why not use it?"


    "You always ask a price. Perhaps your price is too high for me?" Valentina murmured quietly.


    "The prize is what you make of it," Vyxara replied. "Remember why you''re here. For your family, for your future. Do you think there''s a way to achieve all this without paying any price?"


    Valentina sighed deeply. She knew that Vyxara was right in a way. She was here to learn, to get better. And if that meant she sometimes had to stretch the rules a little... well, maybe that was the price of success.


    As she entered her room, her eyes fell on the letter from her family lying on her desk.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ~


    A few days later Valentina meandered through the narrow corridors of the library in search of the secluded table where she had arranged to meet Crispin and Innogen again. The soft rustling of pages and the muffled murmur of other students accompanied her steps.


    "Ah, the venerable halls of knowledge," Vyxara commented sarcastically in her head. "So much information, so little knowledge."


    Valentina, now used to Vyxara''s constant commentary, just rolled her eyes.


    "You know I can sense when you do that?" Vyxara teased her.


    "Maybe I don''t care," Valentina whispered with a slight smile.


    She found her friends in a quiet corner, surrounded by stacks of heavy tomes. Crispin chewed nervously on his quill while Innogen studied a complicated diagram, frowning.


    "Hey, you two," Valentina greeted quietly and sank into a free chair.


    Innogen looked up and smiled with relief. "Val, good that you''re here. Maybe you can help us with this Essence pattern. I just can''t figure it out."


    Valentina bent over the book and studied the intertwined lines. Thanks to Vyxara''s help over the last few days, she immediately recognized the solution.


    "Oh, that''s ridiculously simple," Vyxara snorted. "Tell her to turn the Viur-Essence 45 degrees in the third quadrant. But maybe you should explain it in a more complicated way, otherwise they''ll get suspicious."


    Valentina suppressed a grin and explained to Innogen in roundabout terms how to complete the pattern.


    Crispin''s eyes widened in admiration. "Wow, Val. It seems like you''ve really had a breakthrough lately. How do you do it?"


    A stab of guilt shot through Valentina. "Oh, you know. Lots of practice and all that."


    "Yes, ''and all that''," Vyxara giggled. "Poor boy. He''s so obviously pining over you it''s almost embarrassing. He probably thinks about you every night when he stains his sheets."


    Valentina turned fiery red and looked down quickly as Vyxara''s laughter at her reaction echoed through her head. She refocused on her notes while Crispin and Innogen started a discussion about the finer points of Leb-Essence manipulation.


    "You know," Vyxara mused, "your friend Innogen is really fascinating. So much determination, so much discipline, such social skills and just the right pedigree. I bet with a little... guidance, she could turn this whole kingdom upside down."


    "Leave her alone," Valentina thought grimly.


    "Oh, don''t worry, little Weaver. I''m completely dedicated to you. But a little healthy competition wouldn''t hurt, would it?"


    Valentina shook her head slightly to dispel Vyxara''s words. At that moment, Innogen looked up.


    "Oh, I almost forgot," she said excitedly. "It''s my 20th birthday this weekend. I thought maybe we could have a little party in my room. Just the three of us? Dad''s hoping I''ll have a big party and invite all the students from important families, but this is my day and I want anything but representative duties."


    Crispin''s face brightened. "That sounds great! What do you wish for as a gift?"


    Innogen waved them off. "Oh, you really don''t have to give me anything. Your presence is gift enough."


    "How noble," Vyxara scoffed. "Of course she''s secretly hoping you''ll give her something special, but she''s observant enough to know that you in particular can''t afford it, Valentina."


    Valentina ignored the demon and smiled warmly at Innogen. "Of course we''ll be there. And of course you''ll get something from us. Right, Crispin?"


    Crispin nodded eagerly. "Absolutely! In fact, I already have an idea..."


    As the two engaged in a lively discussion about possible gifts, Valentina felt a knot forming in her stomach. She wanted to give Innogen something special, something worthy of their friendship. But how could she do that with her limited means?


    "Oh, I could help you with that," Vyxara whispered seductively. "A little Essence-woven gift, perhaps? Something she''ll never forget."


    Valentina bit her lip. The idea was tempting, but it was always the same with Vyxara: everything had its price. She shook off the thought for the moment and concentrated on her studies again.


    The hours flew by. The scratching of quills on parchment, the soft rustling of pages being turned and the occasional whisper from her friends formed a soothing rhythm. But Valentina couldn''t shake off the gnawing guilt. Here she sat, surrounded by her best friends, hiding a secret that could change everything between them.


    As evening fell and the Essence lamps in the library began to glow brighter, they finally packed up their things.


    "That was really productive," said Innogen with satisfaction. "We should do this more often."


    Crispin nodded enthusiastically. "By all means! Val, your help was really... well, you certainly helped me a lot."


    Valentina smiled softly. "Thank you. It was a wonderful afternoon."


    They said goodbye to each other and Valentina made her way to her room. The corridors of the university were almost empty now, with only the occasional late student scurrying past. Instead of going to sleep, Valentina lit a small oil lamp and sat down at her worn desk. The flame cast flickering shadows on the walls of her small attic room.


    "Ah, an all-night practice session?" asked Vyxara, her voice full of anticipation. "How ambitious of you, little Weaver."


    Valentina ignored the sarcastic undertone and focused instead on the Essence around her. She could feel the subtle currents flowing through the room, invisible to the naked eye but clearly perceptible to her heightened senses.


    "I have to do something special for Innogen," she murmured softly. "Something that shows how much our friendship means to me."


    "How touching," Vyxara purred. "And I suppose you''d like my help with that?"


    Valentina hesitated. She knew that any help from Vyxara came at a price. But the idea of giving Innogen something truly unique...


    "All right," she finally said. "What do you suggest?"


    She felt Vyxara''s satisfaction like a warm wave in her mind. "Let''s create something really special. Something that binds the Essence in a way your professors never thought possible."


    Under Vyxara''s guidance, Valentina began to weave fine threads of Leb and Lieht essence. Her hands moved through the air in intricate patterns as she directed and shaped the energies.


    "Yes, just like that," praised Vyxara. "Now combine the Leb-Essence with a touch of Z?t. That will give the gift permanence."


    Valentina followed the instructions, marveling at the complexity of the pattern that emerged before her eyes. It was far beyond anything she had learned in her courses so far and she used surprisingly little Distilled Essence for it.


    Hours passed while she worked. The moon wandered across the sky, its light dancing on the shimmering Essence threads. Valentina could feel the sweat running down her back, her concentration stretched to the limit.


    Finally, when the first hint of dawn could be seen on the horizon, it was done. A small, exquisitely shaped flower made of pure essence floated in front of her. Its petals shimmered in soft pastel shades that were constantly changing, like waves in an invisible wind.


    "It''s beautiful," Valentina breathed, overwhelmed by her own creation.


    "Indeed," Vyxara agreed, unusually serious. "You have true talent, little Weaver. Not just anyone could have done that. Not even with my help."


    Valentina stared at the Essence flower, fascinated by its beauty, but also disturbed by the ease with which she had created something so complex.


    "Isn''t that dangerous?" she asked quietly. "Using such advanced techniques without the proper training?"


    "Dangerous?" Vyxara laughed softly. "Everything that is truly powerful harbors danger. There are Essence Weavers living in the very halls of this university who could wipe out an entire village in half an afternoon without breaking a sweat."


    Valentina swallowed hard. She couldn''t deny that it felt reassuring to be so powerful. To mold the Essence to her will, to create things that others thought impossible.


    But there was also a nagging fear. How quickly had she become accustomed to Vyxara''s presence? To the constant insightful comments, the always so incredibly useful advice, the temptations? Was she still herself, or was the demon slowly but surely changing her?


    "You think too much," Vyxara rebuked gently. "Enjoy your triumph. You have created something wonderful."


    Valentina nodded slowly. She carefully reached for the Essence flower and placed it in a small wooden box.


    As she closed the casket, her gaze fell on her reflection in the small, stained mirror on the wall. For a moment, she thought the reflection was smiling at her of its own accord.


    She blinked and the moment was over. But the uneasy feeling remained.


    "What will become of me?" she whispered, more to herself than to Vyxara.


    "Something good and great, little Weaver," the demon replied gently. "Something that will make the world a better place."


    Valentina stared into the mirror for a long time, unsure whether she should fear this future or long for it. The essence flower in the casket pulsed gently.


    Outside, a new day began at Bridgewater University. She had worked the whole night through. With a sigh, she stood up. It was time to get ready for the day.