Common training sessions helped to smooth out the rough edges. The sisters were still in no hurry to seek out the company of the white-haired garthian, but Lilum stopped pointedly avoiding them. She herself would’ve never acknowledged the strange truce based upon theirs common friendship with Arthena, but the advice to simply ignore Rosa's occasional foolishness worked. The red girl still irritated her, but for some reason she began to seem harmless, like a silly cat.

  A couple of weeks later, however, Lily was shocked by some unexpected developments.

  “Move over!”

  Lilum froze in shock, looking at Rosa.

  “What are you... Stop it!”

  “Move over, I say! Or let me squeeze in.”

  “But you always sit further away.”

  She herself always took a seat in the front row. The sisters and even Arthena preferred the back rows. The exception was Bellethor's lectures, during which Rosa inevitably moaned that she couldn't possibly sit in front.

  Now she was clearly intending to shove Lilum further down the bench.

  “And now I’m not. Come on. Or should I sit right on top of you?”

  The girl turned around with her backside, clearly intending to carry out the threat. Lilum quickly shimmied to the side, inelegantly raking her things further along the table.

  Rosa busily settled down next to her and began rummaging through her bag. Lilum opened her mouth. Then she changed her mind, and silently returned to preparation for the lecture.

  Soon Professor Fidelis entered the auditorium. As always, she was neat and radiated order. It seemed to Lilum that her very presence calmed the constant chaos that Rosa Rubin dragged around with her. In her turn Fidelis gave Rosa a short glance with a slight hint of surprise.

  Opening the notes on her desk, Professor addressed the audience. She always had her notes open, but Lily could hardly remember a time when Professor Fidelis had consulted them.

  "Humanity has been fighting the Shadow since time immemorial," Professor began. "Unfortunately, despite the vast knowledge we have gained through practical experience, we still do not know the true nature of these creatures. One could even say that even now we know little more than people in the Age of Darkness, who fought them with basically sticks and rocks."

  Fidelis's voice resounded loudly in the auditorium.

  "Their origin, physical properties of their bodies, how they reproduce – all of this has no scientific answers, only theories that are still require proof. This is often the source of beliefs that the shadows are spirits or demons, or some kind of natural disaster, like hurricanes or earthquakes."

  Professor took a few steps along the podium.

  "But I must admit that I am not happy with the misconceptions among the modern youth. For example, that the shadows are aliens from other worlds, be it other planets, or... mysterious ‘parallel dimensions.’”

  The Professor only glanced sideways at Rosa, but that was enough to make her pout indignantly.

  “However, today we are moving onto more practical areas of shadowlore – the destruction of the shadows. Here we are looking at their physical properties, and specifically two main articles. Who can answer?”

  The Professor looked questioningly at the audience with such an expression that it was clear – for not providing an answer the entire class would be held responsible. Without waiting for Arthena to take action, Lilum raised her hand and stood up after the gesture.

  “The shape of the shadows and their vulnerability to light,” she said in a businesslike tone

  Unfortunately, Fidelis never showed that she was pleased with the answer. The lack of corrections and a slight nod were the ultimate praise.

  “That is why daytime is traditionally considered safe for people,” Professor continued. “Even in the wilderness. All havens, according to historical reference, originate as a military fort or fortified settlement. Some kind of shelter from the shadows in the night time.”

  Professor Fidelis turned to the audience.

  “And although this is somewhat exaggerated,” she said weightily, “one could say that the entire human culture is, in essence, organized around life under the threat of the shadows.”

  After a somewhat lyrical for Fidelis beginning, a real lecture on the shadows and general articles regarding their forms followed. Of course, many students already knew these basics. However, the detailed program of the Shadowlore Academy left no gaps for the attendees. Even the basic lectures differed from the knowledge available to most ordinary people. Even if they were taught something seemingly abstract, like history or geography, it concerned the shadows.

  No one knew if there were other lands beyond the continent known as the Shard. Even more so, no one knew if other humans lived out there. But on the Shard, humanity was besieged by the shadows. Attempts being made since ancient times to classify them. Form, size, their abilities and origin. Their place, role perhaps, even destiny, in this world. But the more answers humans found, the more details they wrote down, the more questions there were.

  Most people simply mechanically took notes from Fidelis' lectures, without thinking too hard about detail or philosophy. Shadows were "The Enemy." An obstacle to the general greater good. Something like an aggressive animal, like a pack of hungry wolves, which in the Middle Ages could cause as much trouble as the shadows. And in general, the shadows were usually divided into three types; the shadowbeast – those that are smaller; the giant – those that are very large; and finally, the legendary – "get back to the Guild, we don’t get paid enough for this."

  Rosa with great concentration wrote everything down in detail. Lilum had never seen her so serious in a lecture. She could only guess how the irresponsible girl behaved in everyday life, and simply assumed that Rubin was exactly the simpleton as she seemed. Rosa's carefree attitude towards her studies convinced the garthian that she was right, as always. But now the girl looked frighteningly determined...

  Lilum suddenly realized that they had just finished a rather boring segment of the general history of shadowlore – chronicles, dates, names of the rulers of the havens and the histories of the many shadow-fighting organizations that preceded the modern triumvirate of hunters-outriders-keepers under the patronage of the interhaven Guild, created by the efforts of diplomats and politicians. Today's lecture was the first that dealt directly with the shadows.

  Apparently Rosa was here solely for the Hunting – how the Guild functioned or how the keepers relate to the havens police was the last thing she cared about. Lilum pursed her lips sourly.

  The library was as always quiet, with a light ambiance of muted voices and rustling paper.

  “We’re finally starting to go over something interesting,” Rosa said, actively flipping the pages.

  “Is that why you popped up in the front row?” Gebbi clarified. “Then what’s all this about?”

  She pointed her finger at a stack of comics devoted to the heroism of hunters and the machinations of the shadows. Mostly “The Indomitable Shadowslayer”. Rosa was actively leafing through one of the magazines.

  “What? These are research.”

  “I guarantee you that Fidelis did not mean stupid picture books. She gave us reading lists.”

  Gebbi tapped the finger on her books. Rosa grimaced.

  “The title alone makes me sleepy. How can one manage to make the shadows boring?”

  “This is a university, Rosie, you won’t get very far with comics.”

  Gebbi tried to take the toys away, but Rosa dodged it with a disgruntled meowing.

  “Gitoff! How did you’re become such a killjoy? Don't you have anything better to do?”

  “I just want you to not get kicked out of the academy, that's all.”

  “Uggh, don't you have any friends you need to go dancing with or something? Shoo.”

  Rosa caught herself. Her sister's face didn't change, but she felt that she had said too much.

  “Sorry,” she drawled, “I didn't...”

  “Don't talk nonsense,” Gebbi waved it off. “I'm not a child. Like you.”

  She exaggeratedly pointed at Rosa. Girl suddenly didn't react to the teasing at all, getting serious.

  “But I know you're bored without friends,” sister said reservedly to Gibiska. “I'm sorry the guys couldn't get in.”

  “It can't be helped,” she drawled. “The boys overestimated their recommendations.”

  “And even Liz...”

  “She failed the exam. I mean, how did that happen?”

  Gebbi humorously shrugged. Awkward silence hanged in the air, the smile slowly faded from her face, and Gebbi looked away. Rosa touched her sister's hand.

  “You didn't...” she broke off. “I'm sorry. It would have been better if...”

  Gebbi wrinkled her nose with annoyance, squeezing Rosie's hand briefly in return.

  “Stop it. I would have had to keep an eye on you anyway, you little sneak, you know that.”

  She reached out demandingly to Rosa's red hair, but the girl adamantly recoiled.

  “I'd prefer you were fussing over someone else,” she grumbled.

  A familiar, uncertain figure was looming off to the side. The sisters, guided by instinctive mutual understanding, dropped the subject and turned around to face the guest.

  “Are you going over the new book too? By the Light, we here writing more than we reading, I'm not sure I can keep up with such a pace.”

  Artorius didn't even pretend his not trying to cut in with them.

  “I heard from a little birdie that things will get better when we finish the basic courses in general science.” Rosa generously moved over a chair for him.

  Arthur had long become a guest in their little club of students who weren't very good at algebra, and natur-physics, and many other things. He settled down at the table and started pulling his things out.

  “How does Han get such good marks?”

  “I suppose he's one of those cool guys who can do anything,” Rosa remarked sourly.

  “I think he's just not as match of lazybones as you too,” Gebbi teased. “Or he's copying from Frank. Frank’s keeping up no worse than Lilum does.”

  At the mention of the prissy white princess, Arthur's eyes lit up dreamily.

  “Lilum... She's so perfect, isn't she?”

  The sisters made ironic faces.

  “You still haven't given up?”

  “She doesn't even remember that you're actually chasing after her,” Rosie teased bitingly. “Loverboy.”

  Arthur blushed, but made a stubborn face.

  “I'm not... Hey, I'm not just going to give up. Women like persistent guys!”

  “Is that advice from your mum?” Gebbi drawled sarcastically.

  “No, why would I, not at all...” He deflated. “Yeah, mum always said... Never mind.”

  He perked up.

  “Hey, is it true that she's looking for a study partner?”

  “Well, sort of,” Rosa said. “But I don't think that... I mean...”

  She shrugged and jerked her head sideways. At the other end of the library hall, a graceful white figure was visible in the gap between the shelves. As luck would have it, Lilum had chosen a light, airy dress that favorably emphasized her fragile form. She was reading something, crossing her legs and propping her head with her hand, presenting an image of academic sophistication. Arthur swallowed audibly.

  “You're not just going to hit on her, are you?” Gibiska asked suspiciously. “What happened to "the right moment"?”

  Arthur had been caching the uncatchable "moment" for a long time now. This time, however, he was full of suicidal determination.

  “You don't mind if she joins, do you? If she needs partners... I'll just...”

  He stood up, looking at the object of his adoration.

  “Wish me luck.”

  “Good luck,” was the synchronous answer.

  Artorius confidently moved out towards the quest. Rosa and Gebbi watched him go. Then exchange glances.

  "You will mind, won't you?" Gebbi clarified.

  Rosa shrugged.

  "I don't know... I mean, if she wasn't such a big-headed stuck up, she'd be alright..."

  “I can't wait to see Diamas's face when she hears that assessment of yours,” Gebbi said sarcastically. “She always does this adorable blushing. Like a boiled shrimp.”

  Rosa made a nasal snort. They returned to the books, Rosa put the comics down with a sigh, and with disgust pulled up a stack of textbooks on shadowlore. Then with interest begun rustling through them, discovering that the chapter on the shadows’ shapes has pictures in it.

  On the other side of the hall, it seemed that something terrible had occurred. Artorius returned, barely moving his legs, and fell into a chair, destroyed. Then he leaned his elbows on the table with the look of a dying man.

  “Well then,” Rosa looked over the top of the book. “What did she say?”

  “Nothing...” Arthur miserably stared in front of him, blankly. “I don't want to talk about it...”

  The sisters exchanged glances. Then they looked at the other end of the hall. Lilum sat in the same pose, only now her aura changed to chillingly threatening.

  “Awww... Good luck next time.” Rosa patted his hand with a mischievous smile: “Loverboy.”

  Artorius made a strangled sound.

  “You didn't even realize she was trying to get friendly with Arthena Illios, did you?” Gebbi mused.

  “Arthena?” the guy stirred. “But... I mean, you think they're friends with Arthena?”

  He perked up again, causing the girls to exchange surprised glances.

  “Do you think she'll introduce us?”

  “Arthena?” Gebbi asked, dumbfounded. “When did you become friends with her?”

  “Oh, she helped me a couple of times, after lectures,” he answered. “With resonance and history. She's cool. I mean, I have two older sisters…”

  The girls exchanged glances again.

  “That explains a lot,” Gebbi nodded.

  Rosa grinned.

  “…but Arthena’s like the best parts of them together…” Arthur paused. “What?”

  “Nothing, nothing,” Rosie waved it off. “It’s just a little weird. When did she manage to descend upon you? I mean, she’s usually busy with blowing off Lilum and Pavrelis and his friends, and a couple of other spoiled brats, I think…”

  “With fending you away,” Gebbi chimed in.

  “Yeah, me too,” Rosie didn’t bat an eye.

  “Is that so,” Arthur spoke slowly. “So she doesn’t get along with Lilum? But maybe she still… Hey!” He perked up. “I’m a total idiot!”

  “Well, since you said so yourself…” Rosa tried to suppress a smile.

  “You seem to know her too!”

  “Oh no.” Rosa grimaced as if she bit a lemon. “Don't even think about it!”

  “Yes, if you're trying to get support for your amorous schemes, don't look at us,” Gebbi snapped. “We already have enough troubles with her.”

  The guy drooped and sadly picked up his textbook. Rosa couldn't resist an expressive "Awww" with a hint of mockery. Gibiska suddenly looked off to the side in surprise.

  “Hello.”

  Rosa also raised her head to confirm with her own eyes the fact that Tally was sitting at their table voluntarily.

  “Do you mind if I join in?”

  She was already laying out the textbooks.

  “Um. Yes, we do mind, this is a table for nobles,” Gebbi said puzzled.

  Tally measured her with a glance, then continued with the things.

  “It's a bit unusual...” Rosa drawled, “you never sit with us.”

  “Nonsense, we sit together all the time.”

  “But you never sit with us voluntarily,” Gebbi corrected. “We catch you by the tail.”

  Tally's eyes flashed at her again. Artie looked at the situation, puzzled.

  “Um... Hi, I'm Artorius... Camellon.”

  “I know,” Tally answered curtly. “You usually sit in the same row with me.”

  “Oh,” he muttered. “Yes. I suppose.”

  Tally immersed herself in reading her textbook, periodically checking it against her notes and making corrections. The sisters exchanged glances, then put their books aside and moved their chairs closer to the guest.

  “Sooooo...” Rosa began.

  “Tallyyy,” Gebbi continued smoothly. “Has something happened?”

  “Of course not.”

  The casual tone was completely natural. Suspicions grew stronger.

  “I see,” Gibiska drawled.

  Rosa smiled openly. The sisters had some idea of ??what was going on, and now they were feverishly thinking of best ways to tease their secretive friend.

  “I... I guess I'll just go, if it’s actually...” Arthur stood up.

  Rosa held him back with a grin.”

  “Sit down, no one cares whether you're here or not.

  Arthur grimaced.

  “Thank you very much.”

  “Oh, come on, you already knew that.” She changed her tone to a sly one: “But Tally...”

  Tally easily withstood a couple of long, expectant glances.

  “You usually prefer to sit by yourself.”

  “Maybe you should try studying?” she pointed.

  “And usually I have to persuade you to sit together or go out somewhere... By the way, are we going to the city on the weekend?”

  “Why not,” Tallia answered evenly. “I don't mind.”

  “Right, she is hiding from someone,” Rosa stated. “Tally that I know would’ve never agreed so easily. Last time we was forced to pull her by the hand,” she told Arthur.

  “Last time I had plans,” Tallia muttered. “I wanted to go get some training in the evening.”

  “You can run and jump any day,” Rosa said. “That store was just opening. We got stuck in the middle of a crowd!”

  “If you had gone without pestering me, you would have made it.”

  “But we won't be able to choose anything good without you. You're so stylish, Tally!”

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  “Flattery won't help you.”

  Gebbi put her nose up in the air.

  “I think we should leave her alone, Rosie. Let her sit here.”

  Rosa looked at her sister, puzzled. She nodded toward the entrance, and when Rosa looked away, she herself broke into a sarcastic smile.

  “That’s right, maybe we should leave her...”

  Tally glanced to the side. A shadow passed over her face. But she didn't even snort in irritation. Haanash approached with a casual walk, as if he had just noticed them, and hadn't been looking around since he entered the library.

  “Hi, guys.”

  The sisters responded with exaggerated casualness. Arthur looked at this puzzled, waving his hand at Han.

  “You're here too?”

  Animata settled down next to Arthur. Tally distinctly ignored him.

  “All these lectures are such a drag,” Han noted. “If only we could just go chase the shadows in the steppe, ‘ey Rosie?”

  “Exactly,” she answered hotly. “Except here we’re chasing the shadows around the forest. Where would they hide in the steppe, isn’t it's like... a field with grass?”

  “In Sura, the shadows rush across the fields like a black cloud,” he said readily. “You get just a little distracted, they fly into the cattle and fields, and trample everything into dust. People too, if you don't manage to get away in time. A hunter has no business there without a vehicle. Or, well, you know, a horse.”

  “Sounds like an organization of outriders.”

  “You really weren't listening,” Tallia muttered. “We went through this literally three days ago.”

  Rosa stretched out helplessly on the table.

  “The history is boring,” she groaned. “Well, unless it's about hunters.”

  “This is history of the hunters,” Tally noted wearily.

  “Are you repeating history?” Han asked casually. “Maybe I’m should...”

  “I think we were doing shadowlore,” Arthur muttered, looking at his notes.

  Tally without transition closed the book and began to gather her things.

  “It seems we are not doing anything anymore,” she noted dryly.

  “Leaving already?” Rosa inquired innocently.

  “But you just came,” Gibiska supported her tone.

  The girl got up and moved away, dropping as she walked:

  “I'm going to my room. It's too noisy inhere.”

  Han watched her with a disappointed look.

  “Oh yes,” Rosa assured, “she is definitely hiding.”

  “From what?” Han turned around.

  The sisters burst into stifled laughter, covering their mouths. Guys looked at each other with surprise.

  “I don't get it,” Arthur complained.

  “Ha-ha, I didn't expect anything else,” Gebbi squeezed out. “Ooh, you two are worth each other.”

  Haanash leaned back tiredly in his chair.

  “They're making fun of you too, huh?” he asked Arty.

  “’Too?’” he grumbled. “I'm surprised they're laughing at you.”

  Han quickly pinched off a piece of Arthur's notebook, ignoring his indignant noises, rolled it into a ball with his fingers, and then threw it at Rosie's forehead.

  “How dare you?!”

  She snatched her notebook. Gebbi quickly threw her hands out:

  “Stop it you idiots, they throw as out of the library!”

  “...and is not a self-sustaining process.”

  Arthena sat down with a sour look.

  “Good!” Bellethor announced. “But the kinetic does not use existing energy. Right? Demma Venur.”

  “N-no...” animata stuttered shyly. “No, that's not true. It is not necessary...”

  “Not bad.”

  The lectures on resonance were rightfully considered to be the most lively on the course. Bellethor paced on the podium back and forth, demandingly pointing finger at the students.

  “And if resonance manipulates flame? Citrin.”

  Gebbi caught herself, but it was too late – Bellethor noticed how she was rummaging through her bag, distracted.

  “What?”

  “What type of resonance can it be, demma?”

  “Umm... Any?”

  “Incorrect. The kinetic can't transform pure energy, that is classified as metamorph. How are you going to use your resonance if you don't know how it works?”

  “I'll just hit harder!”

  Gebbi demonstratively clenched her fist. The students responded with laughter. Professor pointed an accusing finger at the student.

  “Poor! Gonna fail the exam. Grab!”

  Gibiska squeaked in fear, jumping to her feet.

  “What the?!.. Professor! Unacceptable!” Her tone was rather similar to that of Lilum.

  The girl angrily snatched a short chain from under the bench and disgustedly threw it into the corner. The chain crashed to the floor, then quickly slithered away. Rosa smiled maliciously and turned away before Bellethor get to smack her on the top of her head as sometimes happens.

  “Be more aware of your surroundings, demi.” Bellethor shook his finger as he paced. “Hunters my ass...”

  The Professor walked along the podium.

  “Energy manipulation can be related to both kinetics and metamorph. Which type does not require external energy? Diamas.”

  He pointed at Lilum.

  “Manifestation,” she answered solemnly.

  “Good. Why?”

  This caught her off guard. Bellethor clicked his tongue in disappointment.

  “Come on now... So how will such knowledge help you in hunting the shadows in the middle of a winter forest, knee-deep in the blood of your comrades and local foresters?”

  The class froze in shock from this turn of events. Then Arthena raised her hand.

  “Wrong,” Bellethor pointed finger at her, then at Lilum. “Also wrong.”

  He spread his hands.

  “The correct answer is – in no way. Resonance won't save your skins here. It's just a tool, not magic.”

  Bellethor, with the air of a circus ringmaster, twirled around and pointed to the far row.

  “Camellon!”

  Arthur jerked in alarm.

  “Yes!”

  “What type of resonance is it that manipulates the force of attraction of objects?”

  The guy was thinking feverishly.

  “Emmm... Aaaam!..”

  “Poor! Horrible! Why we’re even keeping you here?!”

  “But that’s!.. Hey, this is not fair!”

  Bellethor had already turned away, shaking his finger at the victim.

  “Of course not, that's the point. Relax, fella, I'm not going to throw you out. By the way, my offer is still stands. Who is ready to describe my resonance?”

  Irritation spread over the students. The deal was this – the one who first guesses Bellethor's resonance will automatically pass the exam at the end of the course. The one who guesses incorrectly will write a ten-page essay on a given topic. Rosa barely managed to squeeze out nine and a half, Lilum wrote twice. Arthena answered at friends' goading only with reserved smiles.

  “What, no takers?”

  Rosa raised her hand.

  “Oh, ready for another essay, Rubin?”

  “No! I wanted to say, that this is not fair! Your resonance is magic!”

  Man shook his head.

  “That’s right, but what type is it?”

  “Magical type!”

  “No such type exists, Rubin. Are we going to write an essay?”

  “Nooo...” Rosa hung her head with a plaintive look.

  “It's not too late, we still have a couple of months ahead of us.”

  The students exchanged skeptical glances. Professor continued his lecture:

  “So, your resonance won't save you during the Hunt. Why?”

  He looked around the audience. Gibiska raised her hand.

  “Citrin?!” Bellethor asked in shock.

  “And no need to be so surprised!” she answered indignant. “Resonance drains stamina, and if you're tired, you won't be able to use it.”

  “Almost good.” Bellethor brought his thumb and index finger together. “Just thiiis much is lacking. So far, it’s mediocre.”

  Gebbi snorted in irritation and sat down.

  “Using resonance is related to its manifestation. A person gives up his energy, physical and mental, in order to...” the professor twirled his hand in the air, “change the world around them. Or, at the very least, pour entire glass of soda on someone, demus Marcell!”

  Bellethor accusingly pointed at the gray-haired guy. He raised his hands defensively:

  “That was an accident, professor!”

  “That was my best shoes!” Bellethor exaggeratedly raised his leg, pointing at the victim. “All because someone needed to show off in front of the demmas.”

  Marcell hung his head in feigned shame. Some demmas giggled enthusiastically, letting it be known that the efforts were not in vain. Professor leaned on the table with his hands.

  “We should kick people out for resonancing in the halls... And so, always estimate your strength, especially in the presence of danger. And by the way...

  Professor quickly leafed through the notes lying in front of him.

  “Now is the time to find out how one can get around this aggravating obstacle. Perhaps there is a way to ease the usage of resonance, which exhausts its user? Some kind of... "tool" perhaps? Onyxson.”

  “I did not raise my hand, professor.”

  “I know. Therefore, you can stay seated.”

  Tally stamped her foot sharply, causing Gibiska, who was sitting next to her, to twitch nervously. Onyxson pulled a thin chain from under the table and casually tossed it away.

  “Resonance affects alchemical silver,” Tallia answered evenly. “The mechanism is not fully understood, but it was the scientific approach to transmutation of argent that served as catalyst for the industrial revolution.”

  “Technically, it was a Parson's chamber,” Bellethor corrected. “But still, good. Who knows what this is? Zhao?”

  The tall tiani lowered his hand.

  “A prototype of a lightcrystal chamber that extracts heat.”

  “Good. In the future you will study the history of alchemy and natural sciences. However, you should already know the fundamentals. Why does the lightcrystal explode when it is enveloped in a veil?”

  A wave of confusion spread over the class.

  “Oh? Diamas.”

  Lilum rose with dignity.

  “It doesn't explode. Lightcrystals are neutral to both the veil and the resonance.”

  “I suppose you would know that, demma...” Bellethor drawled in a low voice. “And why is that?”

  This question caught her off guard. Again.

  “Why... but...” Lilum caught herself: “This question has not yet been fully studied, but there is...”

  “No-no-no,” interrupted Bellethor. “No theories, facts only!”

  “But we have no facts,” Lilum muttered irritably. “Crystals are neutral to resonance! That is precisely why they are such a stable source of energy.”

  She sat down without asking, looking offended. The Professor wrinkled his nose.

  “No need to sulk, demma, this is not your personal loss.”

  Lilum sniffed indignantly. Rosa suppressed a smile... and let out a startled yelp, then dove under the table.

  “Rubin! Up!”

  “Yes!”

  She straightened up hastily, clutching the thin chain with two fingers, like an earthworm. The chain lazily wriggled in the air.

  “What is my focus made of?”

  “How should I know?” Rosa stuttered, dumbfounded. “Argent?”

  “No!” The Professor paused. “Well, almost no. Not quite.”

  “So yes or no?!”

  The Professor comically shielded with his hands:

  “Hey, stop pushing me, I'm doing my bestest here!” he moaned. And finished normally: “Argent alloy. All right then, I'll count it as the correct answer.”

  Rosa, obeying the gesture, sat back down, still clutching the chain.

  “Alchemical silver, an ancient method of enhancing the resonant's abilities. It has many uses – all of which you will have to pass an exam on at some point.”

  The class groaned in unison. Argentum physics was notorious exercise in frustration, even on the school level.

  “And it is the key element for extracting energy from the lightcrystal. Why?”

  Lilum raised her hand, but quickly changed her mind, looking suspiciously at the professor. He grinned slyly.

  “Illios?”

  “Extracting energy is a natur-physical process,” she said. “Argentum is used to manipulate the energy of resonants. Very poor, professor.”

  Amidst reserved laughs, Bellethor lowered his head in defeat.

  “Surpassed by my own student.” He raised his face again: “That's right! And manipulation is achieved by?”

  He looked around at the students questioningly. Then he frowned in shock:

  “Rubin?!

  “No need to be so surprised!” Rosa stood up with an indignant expression. “Argent sharply reacts to resonance or veil, so resonants can manipulate it. That's how hunters' foci work. And also different alloys!”

  She triumphantly raised the chain. It lively wiggled its "tail".

  “Very good.” Bellethor pointed at the chain. “Are you planning to let it go?”

  “No. This is my new friend.”

  Rosa sat down, deliberately petting the chain on her palm.

  “This is taking a hostage,” the professor chided her. “Well then, start taking notes...”

  The rest of the lecture was spent in toned down note-taking. The students had to get acquainted with new list of literature. The chain on the table occasionally crawled away from Rosa, planning to get introduced with the contents of Lilum's bag. She was droving it away with irritated hissing.

  The sound of a bell from the speakers outside marked the beginning of lunch.

  “By the way, have you already started training your resonance?” Bellethor asked the audience. “Or is it just after a couple of weeks?”

  The class responded with an indistinct hubbub. Mostly discontented.

  “Professor Teller said that we will start in the next few days,” Lilum answered calmly.

  “I wish it were today,” Rosa butted in. “It’s forbidden to use the resonance during sparring.”

  Fjora, passing by, wrinkled her nose:

  “Boooriiing!”

  “It is important that you didn’t get crippled too early,” Bellethor remarked poisonously. “Keep in mind that depending on how you are examined, I may be present as well. As well as Professor Fidelis. So learn your basics.”

  The chain jumped out of Rosa’s bag, straight onto the professor’s palm. She groaned in annoyance.

  “Behave well, and I'll let you two to play more...

  Later that day, Professor Teller blessed them with a message about training.

  “Let me remind you that our course will end with a little physical exam. I want to know what your resonances are capable of before I start whipping you into shape.”

  After waiting out all the excited whispering, Teller began to give instructions about the lesson. Their course continued with weapons training. With varying success.

  Most of the students already split into groups, after which they considerately engaged in short skirmishes, exchanging blows and lunges. A smaller group, which also included Artorius and the short, bushy-tailed animata Gerda Venur, repeated basic training under the supervision of an instructor for the first hour before they were allowed to pair up.

  The Free Hunters were again sent to Arthena's custody.

  “I have a feeling that simply no one want to bother with us,” Gebbi drawled suspiciously, doing stretching.

  “Maybe we're just so good that we need the special training?” Rosa lit up.

  “Oh, please...”

  Lilum repeated strange dance movements without looking at them. She always did warm-ups this way, growling menacingly at any questions that it’s none of their business – until Arthena intervened one time. Then white-haired girl admitted that it was a special form of gymnastics that helped her with her resonance.

  “Ooh?” Rosa drawled. “Do you think we're not good enough?”

  “Of course. Why would the instructor single you out?”

  “Have you come to your senses and admitting that you're as talentless as the rest of us?”

  Lilum inhaled fiercely, ready to burst into a tirade. Rosa mischievously jumped back.

  “Because you're in our group too!”

  “I'm not!.. Oh, you!..”

  “Stop it, this is proper getting on my nerves now,” Gebbi intervened.

  “I think he really just doesn't want to deal with us,” Tallia said phlegmatically. “This is the basic course.”

  “Then why not move us to the advanced course?” Gebbi asked.

  Onyxson shrugged.

  “A formality?”

  “They're trying to give everyone equal training.” Arthena approached them unnoticed. “I guess we'll just get in the way, wasting time with those who are not at our level.”

  “Aww... Sounds like a special group.” Rosa was pleased.

  “Of alternatively gifted,” muttered Tallia with a note of disappointment.

  Gebbi in passing nudged her playfully with the hip:

  “What, are things finally getting to yah?”

  Tally moved away silently.

  "Are you going to switch pairs?" Arthena asked, casually twirling her spear. "We weren't given any instructions, but I think it would be for the better."

  "It was your idea, Arthy," Rosa said slowly. "I'm stuck with this meanie head."

  Lilum snorted dismissively.

  "Well, I'm stuck with this ignorant, insufferable child."

  "Maybe you should try joining with Gibiska?" Illios suggested reservedly. "And don't spread your squabbles over others, be so kind."

  Lilum blushed, and Rosa responded with her usual "Neee!"

  "I don't think that will change the problem with the 'insufferable child’."

  "We could change tactics and just throw you at the enemy," Gibiska suggested acridly.

  “Or better yet, I'll pack you in ice and launch you!” Lilum was indignant.

  “No resonance,” reminded Arthena. “You're first.”

  “Excellent – my tactics!”

  Gebbi pretended she was trying to grab her partner. Lilum nervously jumped back, dodging the outstretched arms.

  “Nhah!.. Don't even think about it, you nitwit! Don't you touch!..”

  A short skirmish showed results for Lilum's with Gebbi no better than for her with Rosa. Both used fast attacks, and surprisingly their synergy was higher. They skillfully passed over the initiative between each other, keeping the pressure on Arthena. Unfortunately, her long weapon and sharp reaction didn’t allow either of them to achieve results.

  A wave of short jabs forced Lilum to retreat. Gibiska tried to continue the attack, but Arthena unexpectedly responded with a sharp rebuff. The spear turned into a ringing circle, forcing Gebbi to stagger back, and Arthena kicked her in the stomach. Gebbi recoiled with a scream and, flaring up, rushed forward – where she immediately crashed into Lilum, who had jumped to close.

  “Stay away!” Gebbi barked.

  “Oh, you blasted... I'm trying to help!” Lily cried out, offended.

  Arthena deftly dodged Gibiska and suddenly found herself between the partners.

  “I don't need help!”

  Gebbi unleashed a powerful blow on her opponent, stretching herself over the floor and...

  Arthena slipped away from the attack at the last moment. Lily, already stretched it a lunge, with a scream barely managed to pull the sword away from her partner's face. Gibiska gasped and both fell to the floor.

  “You two should watch not just me, but each other as well,” said Illios and added expressively: “Or at least agree on roles for the fight...”

  “Get off me! You oaf!...”

  Lilum savagely smacked Gibiska in the shoulder with her hand, vainly trying to wriggle out from under the fallen colleague. Other one skeptically drew her eyebrows together, then exaggeratedly groaned and went limp, pressing Lily to the floor. There was an incomprehensible cry of anger.

  “I see you've already changed pairs?”

  The coach came closer, examining the girls. Gebbi, with unexpected dexterity, hooked Lily by the arm and jumped up from the floor, simultaneously yanking partner to her feet. She indignantly stepped away.

  “Okay, I did want to remind you. When you will join the hunting groups... I mean, in a real fight, you'll have to...”

  The Professor thoughtfully fell silent. Girls exchanged questioning glances. Teller interrupted himself very strangely, as if he'd cut himself off in mid-sentence.

  “What about groups?” Rosa immediately latched on.

  “Isn't that policy on Guild missions?” Lilum clarified.

  “True, true,” Professor Teller nodded. “It's always better to think about the future. As Freeones, you do planning to join the Guild as licensed hunters, right?”

  “Of course!” Rosa assured hotly.

  “Possibly,” Tally answered reservedly.

  “That's not necessary, is it?” Lilum clarified. “I mean, many organizations hire hunters. To explore the wilderness, to guard forts and colonies...”

  “Of course. But even in that case... No, especially in that case it will always be useful to be flexible and be able to adapt to your colleagues. Okay then, continue...”

  When professor left, the girls conspiratorially huddled in a circle, even Lilum put aside her snobbery for a minute.

  “Suspiciously quickly changed the subject he did,” Gebbi drawled. “Something’s wrong here...”

  “I heard that they are planning some kind of communal exam this year,” Arthena noted. “Don't know what exactly that means...”

  “Maybe they will give us a real mission!” Rosa shone like a crystal lamp.

  “Don't talk nonsense,” Lilum said automatically. “We have only just started training, barely two months.”

  “But we are Free Hunters!”

  “You don't seem to understand what this means,” Tally chimed in. “This is merely a test on suitability for the Academy. On the contrary, your hijinks don’t show you in a good light.”

  “At least someone is speaking to the point,” Lilum said contentedly.

  “You too, Diamas,” Tally said evenly.

  “How dare!..”

  “Ha! Fallen princess!”

  “Shut it, little pest!”

  Lilum raised her clenched fists, Rosie with a satisfied laugh jumped backwards. Lily rushed after her, demanding ears for the twisting.

  “But if they splitting us into groups,” Gibiska said thoughtfully. “Then... why?”

  “Maybe they're using a new training program...”

  Tally gasped in shock as scarlet streaks flared in front of her. Rosa slammed into her sideways, blindly knocking her down more majestically than even Arthena has managed, ever.

  “No resonance!” coach's stern voice rang out.

  “Why would they change the program?” Arthena asked. “It sounds like... they're trying to speed up our training? But why?”

  “I suppose it's only natural that they'd try to give us as much experience as possible,” Lilum intervened, pointedly not looking at Rosa. “I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up in the same group, Arthena, since we're the best on this course...”

  Arthy responded with a surprisingly sinister smile.

  “Perhaps. But I'm afraid you'll have to work with what you've got, Lily.”

  And she pointed at Onyxson, who, with a stone like face, was yanking Rosa up to her feet by the scruff of her neck like a kitten. Lilum responded with a frightened expression.

  “Light forbid!”

  The cafeteria was full with people. Students would gather there in the evening hours to sit together. Although the rules forbade staying for too long, during the evening shifts they were bended a bit.

  “Oooh, look, they put up posters here too.”

  The sisters, with dragged by the arm Tally, stood with trays in their hands in a small line to the counter. Next to them, on the wall, were posters of a new airliner, its strict oval shapes with angular tail fins were pointing skyward in a fan of wide rays.

  “Hah, they named it ‘Sky Whale’,” Rosie poked finger at it. “That's hilarious!”

  “You can't say it doesn't look like one,” said Gebbi.

  “I would like to find some free time before it's send on the route,” Rosa drawled. “I heard you can go see it on a short flight, like a tour.”

  “You want to spend money on such nonsense?” got annoyed Gebbi. “Don't even think about it.”

  “Oh, who’s talking! Bought bunch of magazines about hardware last time! You didn't even make anything.”

  Gibiska turned red.

  “Don't stick your nose where it's not wanted, little sheep,” she muttered, approaching the buffet counter.

  Having filled their plates at the cost of student credit, the sisters reluctantly paid for the sweets in cash. Tally took the sweet bread for free, declining the meat. Soon they sat down at the same table.

  “I wonder where Arthena went?” Rosa looked around. “She mentioned that she flew here on one of the elysian liners. I didn't think to bother her a bit that time.”

  “She had already left the diner,” Tally noted. “When we came in.”

  “What, are you saying that she's avoiding us, like some people?”

  Gebbi reached out to tug at Tally's fluffy cuff. Tally deftly pulled her hand away at the last moment, and Gebbi grabbed at nothing.

  "Hey, Tally, you read the papers," Rosa said. "What did they say about the tour?"

  "I have no idea," Rosa replied indifferently. "I don't read from cover to cover."

  "Aww, but you should have seen something."

  "I skip the advertisements, obviously. But..." Tally paused. "I saw the news about the robberies again. Another warehouse. There was no mention of that criminal," she added, noticing how Rosa perked up.

  "Just more strikes at the factories, I suppose?" Gebbi drawled.

  "Maybe even worse than that," Tally remarked suddenly.

  The girls looked at each other questioningly. She sighed and continued the topic:

  “There are rumors of military intervention in the Sea of ??Stars. Again.”

  “Like in the Age of Colonies?” Gebbi said. “Another war... But... I mean, now that Malja is an independent haven, they have a bunch of trade agreements and all that. It would turn into a nightmare. The shadows will devour everything in sight!”

  “Right, right,” Rosa chimed in. “War always ends with a huge Surge, who in the modern world would risk such losses?”

  “You don't understand how rulers think, Rosie,” Tallia answered unexpectedly heavy. “That's what everyone talks about. ‘Look at our machines, look how easy everything is for our industry.’ Even on Malja... It's because of their new ships, I think. Azgart and Hallis feel that their trade routes are threatened.”

  “You know a lot about this,” Gebbi noted with interest.

  “I just read the papers,” she answered phlegmatically.

  “Pfft!” Rosa waved her hand incredulously. “If the army could get rid of the Shadows Surge, we would all be out of work.”

  “I so love it when she talks like she's already a Hunter.”

  Gebbi ran her fingers through her sister's hair, causing an indignant meow.

  “People are dumber than you think...”

  The unexpectedly sharp tone got the attention of the sisters. Following Tally's gaze, they also run out of good mood.

  A couple of tables away from them, an uncomfortable scene was unfolding. There, Gerda, a diminutive animata with a fluffy tail, was surrounded again. The girl tried to hide the tail all the time, but being a squirrel animata, she could not do so, it was simply too big. Now it let her down again, becoming a target for Preston and his minions. Gerda sat on the chair as if petrified. While the boys were casually discussing something in a low voice, but the intonations were noticeably impudent.

  The people around them reacted differently. Some looked at it with a smirk. Others pointedly ignored it. The sisters grimaced with disgust.

  “Uggh, are you sure I can't give him a wallop?” Rosa drawled.

  “Don't you do it,” Gebbi said with annoyance. “I don't think any of the professors like him, but you never know what his father can do. We're not in school, we can easily got cut off from the Academy if you cause a scandal...”

  “I can't believe that this freak fancies himself an irresistible ladies' man,” Rosie spat. “He's always hitting on every skirt. I saw Lily shut him down once, the mug he made, just like Arty that one time, like he’s got kicked in the balls!”

  “With such a pack of sluts he and his gang surrounded themselves with, it's hard not to get fancies,” Tally answered unexpectedly. The tone was icy.

  “Maybe we should come over?” Gebbi muttered. “We could just take Gerda with us...”

  “He'll keep pestering her,” Rosa said ruefully. “I think...”

  “That's because she's an animata.”

  The sisters glanced at her in surprise – but Tally was already walking away, carrying a tray with her unfinished dinner.

  It seemed that she should head to the counter where dirty dishes were returned. But Tally walked along the row of tables, heading somewhere...

  She stood next to the trio, not looking at them, not looking at Gerda. Her side was turned to Pavrelis, who was lounging leisurely on a chair opposite to the girl, captured by the pincers of his mates.

  “Oh, come on. Animals can't have a resona...”

  Tallia froze there for just a moment. Then her tray suddenly leapt up as if alive, heading in a graceful arc towards the student sitting to the side of her. Vegetable salad, a piece of sticky bread, a glass of tomato juice – everything got perfectly spread out on a snow-white shirt, an expensive gray suit and trousers with a crease. The bread stuck to his face.

  The screams drowned out the ringing crunch of the glass and the plates breaking into pieces. Pavrelis jumped up with a scream as inarticulate as it was obscene. After a second long hesitation, his buddies joined in.

  “Stupid idiot!..”

  “Do you have any idea!..”

  “... costs more than!..”

  “... you'll regret it!..”

  Tally took the storm of screeching and googly eyes with the unyielding of a mountain in the hurricane.

  “What's wrong with you, you idiot?!”

  This was the first thing Pavrelis managed to squeeze out that was even slightly articulate.

  “Oh, how awkward.”

  Tally’s tone was defiantly calm. Boring, even. There was a barely audible murmur around, students exchanging opinions.

  “It was an accident. I'm very sorry.”

  The rich boy's face twisted as if he was being forced to clean a toilet with a toothbrush.

  “Do you think this is funny, you little brat?” he hissed.

  “Of course not. This is very unfortunate.”

  “And what are you planning to do?” started Augustis. “This suit is worth more than your entire life!”

  “Oh? So what?”

  The answer made them flinch. But only for a moment. Pavrelis stepped closer to her.

  “You will pay every coin, you fool. Do you understand me?!”

  Tally, barely a hair shorter than him, answered with a dark grim glare.

  “And why is that? It. Was. An. Accident.”

  The murmurs grew around him, moving away from the stage, as if gathering like folds in fabric.

  “You think I'll let you get away with this?” Pavrelis spat. “This is your las…“

  “She said it was an accident!”

  The trio twitched nervously and turned around. Gibiska loomed over them like a cliffside, openly clenching her fists.

  “Yeah, so why don't you just piss off?” Rosa stepped forward. “She just tripped.”

  “Piss off yourself, shorty!” blurted out Balenciara. “She did it on purpose...”

  “What did you just squawked, you rot?!”

  Gebbi stepped forward, causing the three of them to nervously jump. Even Gerda jerked nervously in her chair.

  “Are you serious, rabble like you?” Augustis blurted out nervously. “Just try and...”

  “You know perfectly well what happened,” Pavrelis interrupted him coldly. “That bitch knocked a whole tray over me, and everyone here saw it perfectly!”

  He looked around. One of the girls who had been watching the stage with pleasure stood up to the side.

  “That's right, I saw everything...”

  “But I, for one, saw her tripped.”

  Han casually waved his tail at the girl, causing her to flinch away in disgust.

  “We saw everything, from over there,” he pointed his finger behind himself.

  “That's right.”

  Pavrelis handedly turned around. Marcell stepped silently behind the trio’s backs. As he passed, he, without looking, put his hand on Gerda's shoulder for a second.

  "Just a misfortune, as I see it," he said amiably.

  "Very unfortunate," Gibiska drawled menacingly.

  "You think you have a chance, mm?" Pavrelis drawled in the same tone.

  "A chance of what?"

  Fjora squeezed through the onlookers, her face filled with undisguised contempt.

  “Are you planning something maybe?” she asked defiantly.

  The trio simultaneously glanced around. Despite all the support, the odds were clearly not in their favor. In addition, several people had just entered the cafeteria – professors from the faculty of natur-physics.

  “You’ll seriously regret this, fur lover…”

  Pavrelis pointed his finger at Tally and dashed off without warning. Two flunkeys hurried after him, followed by several perfectly make-uped demmas.

  “Get screwed, you freak,” Gebbi said in low tone.

  Han approached them, absentmindedly wagging his tail.

  “Well then, that sure was fun,” he said contentedly. “We just can’t get rid of these assholes, can we?”

  “Can say that again,” Rosa muttered. “May the Shadows tear him!”

  “So, ugh... Who’s cleaning up the mess?”

  After some polite bickering, they decided to grab some rags and do it together. Judging by the harsh faces of the cafeteria workers, who were watching the whole scene from behind the counters, this was the only right decision.

  Without agreeing no one was drawing attention to the fact that this was definitely not an accident.

  ...as soon as the trio of hooligans got away, Lily quickly returned to reading of her notes. She radiated attention and concentration. No one would have suspected that she couldn't even see the words. Tallia's strange actions, however, refuse to leave Lilum Diamas be at peace.