The monorail station greeted Rosie in a professional manner, barring her way with a row of turnstiles witch demanded a ticket. After purchasing a ticket at a nearby kiosk window, Rosie found herself stuck in a long line of passengers and immediately missed the train, despite a swift dash at the last moment. The doors slammed shut and she huffed in frustration before realizing that she had no idea where she was even going. Which way she needed to go? How were lines organized here? How many monorails Elysium even had?

  The next train arrived about ten minutes later, which Rosie spent carefully examining the lines map. The University station was on the other side of the city, as she had expected. Fortunately, it turned out that all lines were connected in a dozen places, and she could theoretically get anywhere from anywhere. She hoped that her innate hunter’s instincts, which had helped her in the forest, would also help her not to get lost in the city. The rumbling train of six suspended carriages slammed into the station with a screeching, grinding noise that made Rosa’s teeth ache slightly. The train sounded as if it was falling apart. The locals, however, kept their expressions impassive, while closing their ranks around the carriage doors. The girl hurriedly squeezed through the crowd.

  The benches in the car were occupied, but Rosie willingly settled herself by the corner window, openly staring at the views of the city. The city floated past, the wheels rumbling somewhere above the ceiling of the cart. For a while the cart ran on the level with the upper highway, then the road swerved deeper into the city, and the monorail was surrounded by buildings. From the height of the track Rosie could make out the old-fashioned, classic for Elysium, reddish domes of the old buildings standing at the ground level. Here and there, extensive construction sites were visible. The lower buildings were covered in scaffolding, like a square steel web, dozens of cranes stretched their necks upward. She could barely make out the workers. There the new upper tier of the city was slowly expanding.

  Elysium was all concrete and steel, here the stories were true. Greenery was very rare, in small rectangles of parks, rarely peeking out among the suspended roads and city towers. Everything around here seemed to be made of flying straight lines and geometric patterns and ornaments, as if slightly smoothed by time. But all the buildings were no older than the industrial revolution, thirty years at most?

  The city seemed at once a monument of man-made art and something natural, as if it had grown by itself. Despite her impressions, Rosie still frowned – even Haiven, as modest as it was, was a rather cramped place. Elysium should be even worse, right? People, however, did not look overly depressed. During stops, the girl saw plenty of townspeople sitting down in open-air cafes and scurrying around shops. Several couples dancing in front of what Rosie assumed was a record store pleasantly surprised her. Rosie loved dancing.

  The carriages emerged from the labyrinth for a few seconds and Rosie couldn't help but gasp. The monorail passed over a river which was splitting the haven in half, but that wasn't what impressed her. Above the center of Elysium, a two-tiered island of towers, hung a mighty airship. She often enjoyed gazing at the wonders of modern engineering in pictures. There were cars, and sea vessels, and, of course, airships, military and civilian. It was a huge passenger liner, slowly mooring to the high tower of the aircraft port in the center of the haven. The lines of portholes were barely visible, the sheets of gravitational argentum covering the upper part of the hull sparkled in the sun, probably heated to capacity. The round shape and wide wings of the tail made the machine look like a huge fish hanging in the air. A sky whale, perhaps? The train dove back into shadows of the buildings, and Rosie let out a disappointed "Awww".

  She soon had to change lines. Almost skipping over the right station, even though she was standing right next to the map, Rosie hurriedly jumped out, quickly dodging the harshly snapped door of the carriage. The transfer station was a real labyrinth of passages and bridges covered with a ligature web of steel supports and pillars. After making one circle and returned to the platform from which she had just left, Rosie was glad that all the running around the forest in the past would be serve her in the heart of civilization as well.

  The new line was running further still from the dense city blocks, sliding at roofs level. The streets below seemed no less lively than the upper tiers in the downtown. Finally, hoarse crackling announced the arrival at the station Rosie needed. The girl rushed out like a whirlwind, almost knocking someone off their feet. Thunderously rolling down the stairs onto the sidewalk along the road, she looked around.

  “Hmh...”

  The massive building of Elysium University was nowhere to be seen. The enthusiasm waned a bit. Rosie thoughtfully rummage inside her bag and pulled out a brochure.

  “Aaaah... I need to walk a bit.”

  She set off in the direction, which was, as Rosa was totally sure, the right one, easily mixing with the flow of pedestrians. Music was playing on a radio from an open window somewhere, almost sounding over the humming of cars. A boy burst out of the door of a candy store, laughing, as he carried away a large ice cream, an elderly demma with a stern expression followed after him.

  “Strike at the factories! The Elysian Herald, now only! Another strike!”

  On the corner, another boy, an animata with fluffy gray ears – dog ears maybe? – in more plain, less-than-tidy clothes, was shaking newspapers in both hands.

  “Morning edition! Malja is passing a new law on merchant ships!.. Thanks, dem!”

  The man took the newspaper out of his hand in a businesslike manner and put a couple of coins in it. A few streets later, when Rosa was already sure that she was lost, her attention was drawn to a golden gleam somewhere between the houses.

  “Oooh, there it is!”

  The huntress beamed.

  “I knew I wasn't actually lost!”

  Almost on the very outskirts of the city, definitely close to ????the perimeter wall, lay the territory of the University’s new buildings. Near unexpectedly large for the overcrowded haven’s square stood a massive complex. The facade of the central building rose up for a dozen floors, reminiscent of a medieval castle, which judging by appearance, consisted of several citadels. First was wide and decorated with gold ornaments. On top of it stood a majestic tower with many vertical ribs. Each one shone gold – bronze, actually – while the indentations were chestnut-red stone. The cornices were also shining, decorated with slanting wings of a triangular design. The roof was a glittery pyramid with smooth edges, covered in a golden pattern of steel scales.

  The central hall – Rosie knew that was it – was hugged by two wings slightly curved inward, in the same strict modern style. They were a little lower, six floors, with a flat roof, but the corners of the building were crowned with huge golden wings shining in the sun.

  “Ooooh...”

  Rosie tried to stare at the building, while spontaneously trying to mind where she was going. A wide hexagonal staircase led to the massive double doors. The doors were open, and many people were crowding the stairs. The area in front of the university was densely packed with cars, with the exception of a wide driveway right at the entrance. Rosie only now realized that square was basically a parking lot marked with white lines. Cars grumbled around all the time, pulling into empty spaces and driving away along the wide driveway.

  She was already rushing towards the main entrance when something little to the side caught her attention. Looking around sharply, girl froze. Then she was squatting, hiding behind one of the cars.

  “Aham...” Rosie drawled predatorily. “So here you are! Today is my lucky day apparently.”

  Running from car to car, ignoring the surprised glances of several passers-by, Rosie quickly crept to the edge of the parking lot, where, suspecting nothing, target was chatting carefree with her friends.

  “Oh, well, you know how it is... I always wanted to be a hunter. Like our mum.”

  The tall girl leaned casually on a rugged-looking motorcycle, angular and having seen better days. A short suede jacket and pants slightly masked toughness of her figure. She laughed awkwardly, running fingers through her hair. The golden flow of curls would be luxurious if they weren't impressively tousled. Awkwardly combing them with fingers didn’t help.

  Two young guys in traveling clothes, taller one and shorter one, made doubting grunting noses, causing the girl to frown. Another girl, a short, fragile blonde in a light coat, looked at her friend.

  “You didn’t say anything about this,” she spoke. “About the Academy, I mean. I thought you wanted to stay with your father. I mean, he's a weapons master at our academy, you already had good prospects...”

  “Liz, what are you...” tall girl hesitated. “You... you don’t think I want to stay in the Haiven forever, do you? I mean, it such a backwater...”

  “You didn’t complain before,” one of the guys, taller one, intervened.

  The girl sniffed dismissively.

  “Don’t try to play patriot while you’re standing in the middle of Elysium planning to enroll in Shadowlore Academy!”

  “Gibiska, I thought... That is, you said,” blonde spoke again, “that you... would stay at home.”

  “I can’t fuss over dad and Rosa for the rest of my life now, can I?”

  Gibiska grinned pointedly and put her hand on her hip. The guys' faces changed. They were now staring somewhere behind her.

  “And it’s not like I burned bridges or anything like that,” she said, without noticing expressions of her companions. “I'll get my license and come back, maybe just in time for Rosie to finally...”

  “Gibiska!”

  “Ghaahaah!”

  The girl froze, clenching her hands, as if she was trying to strangle someone. Rosie stood right behind her with a flesh eating grin.

  “No! This cannot be! It cannot be!!!”

  She turned around sharply, throwing a wave of golden hair up.

  “You stayed at home! You can't be here, you're cannot be here, you are not here!”

  Rosie stretched defiantly and spoke a little to the side:

  “I’m almost sure that I’m here, but since you soooo insistent...”

  Gebbi let out an angry noise. In response, Rosie turned to her as a matter of fact:

  “No, no, I'm definitely here.”

  “How?!” her sister hissed. “I told dad to lock you in your room!”

  “Next time, make sure the window is locked too,” Rosie said all businesslike. “Come off it, you didn’t think that yours pleas and scolding would actually work, Gibiska?”

  The sister rushed towards the little brat, planning to tear her to shreds, Rosie dodged with a laugher, jumping back a couple of steps.

  “You ran away from home!” Gebbi growled. “Do you even understand how dad will...”

  “Oh, I understand perfectly,” Rosie replied. “That’s why I didn’t try any stations on Haiven, and went on foot to the far out fort!”

  Gibiska let out a groan full of agony.

  “What? They would have found you on any train!”

  “Exactly! And so I took a bus to the pass, and walked from there.”

  The group let out a shocked gasp.

  “Did you walk across the Spine?” said the shorter guy. “Rubin, don’t talk nonsense, you would’ve been eaten alive!”

  The crimson haired girl frowned.

  “Oh, look, what a great expert on wilderness.”

  “That’s impossible,” Liz intervened. “How did you get to Elysium faster than us? I mean, even Gebbi…”

  She fell silent awkwardly, glancing at her friend. Gibiska didn’t answer, glaring at her sister.

  “You. Crossed. Over. The mountains.” Her voice was ice-cold. “And now the truth, Rosie!”

  Rosie suddenly made an angry snort.

  “This is the truth, Gibiska. And you know that. I am a Hunter!”

  The group of Haiven students let out a tired sigh.

  “This again...”

  “But still, she’s here...”

  “But it’s so dangerous...”

  Gibiska interrupted the exchange of opinions with a sharp wave of her hand, then closed her eyes in anguish.

  “Okay! Okay. You are here. There's nothing we can do about it...”

  Rosie smiled triumphantly, but was instantly wary when her sister reached out to her hand:

  “Right, we still have time, I will manage to put you on the train and return-Ouch!..”

  Gebbi pulled back her bruised hand in shock. Rosie stood up, bending slightly like a stubborn cat.

  “Are you serious with this?! Do you think I'll just let you send me home by parcel post? Fuck no!”

  “Hey, watch your mouth, young demma!”

  “Piss off, sheep!”

  “Come here, or I really will stuff you in the box!”

  Gibiska rushed towards her sister, planning to pack her in, but Rosie quickly jumped back and took a stance. A fighting stance.

  “Oh what now, you gonna fight me?” Gebbi said bemused.

  She subtlety changed her body posture, suddenly radiating a threat, and raised her hands, exposing the wide silver bracelets on her wrists.

  “What, don’t think I can put you on your ass, sis?” answered Rosa angrily. “Did you think I would sit and wait while you trained at the best academy in the world? I want to be a Hunter!”

  Gebbi made an exasperated sigh and lowered her hands slightly.

  “Rosie... How many times have we talked about this,” she said warily. “You... You are!..”

  Rosa raised an eyebrow.

  “You’re still little!” the sister finished sternly. “You can’t enter the guild!”

  “I’m fifteen years old, Gebbi,” Rosa said ominously. “And in case you’re not aware, that means I’m already an adult.”

  “That’s when you eighteen years old!”

  “For the employment and the trading rights! I can already serve in the militia!”

  “But not as a hunter!”

  “As a hunter too!”

  Group of students from Haiven silently watched the sisters bickering. Words were on the streets that such things was happening to these two more and more often, but they were witnessing it live for the first time.

  “Can’t you just wait for a couple of years?! Rosie!”

  Rosa made an angry snarling nose, drawing air into her chest.

  “What if I maybe tired of waiting for someone all the time! Waiting for everything!”

  Gibiska was taken aback by the pressure. Rosa took a short breath and stepped back.

  “I didn’t think I’d run into you right away,” Rosie said with a pitiful note. “I wanted to join the academy and then find you when it was too late. So…”

  She hesitated then turned away.

  “...don't follow me.”

  The younger sister walked away, and Gibiska instinctively reach out after her.

  “Rosie, wait...”

  The girl quickened her pace and almost ran among the cars, heading towards the university’s entrance. Gebbi absentmindedly ran her hand through her hair, ruffling it even more.

  Only on the lower steps Rosie slowed down. Part of her wanted sister to follow. Maybe even for them to toss each other around a little bit... That wouldn't be the first time. But she was partly glad that Gibiska didn't chase after her. After all, she couldn’t rely on others. Right? Even if she really wanted to. She had to become a Huntress herself – no one except her, apparently, believes in such a possibility!

  A wave of irritation returned some of Rosie's hard-earned independence. So she busily shook herself and looked around to...

  “Waagh!”

  “Ow!”

  What she wanted to see, Rosie instantly forgot. Quick reflexes allowed her to straighten up from the kick in the legs and automatically grab the thin wrist that was desperately thrown up in the air. There was a crashing sound. They froze – Rosa and a slender girl in a light bluish coat. Silver eyes on an elegant pale face widened with fright.

  The wide, long case slid down on stairs, with thoughtful crunching noise.

  “Ah! Let go!”

  The stranger fiercely broke free from Rosie's grip and hastily bent over the luggage. A thick tail of snow-white hair splashed onto her shoulder, and she swiped it away irritably.

  “You’re an absolute dolt! Do you have any idea how much it costs?!”

  Rosie experienced the unpleasant feeling of déjà vu.

  “Maybe I can cover it,” Rosie muttered grimly, stepping back. “And there’s no need for gratitude by the way, I merely helped you not to fall flat.”

  Forgetting the case the snow-white girl straightened up like a spring and hung over Rosie, taking advantage of the fact that she was a head taller.

  “Helped?! If it weren't for you, little fool, I wouldn't even dropped it! What shadow toss you to stand in the way like a light pole, waving your arms around?”

  “I don’t...” Rosie was for a moment taken aback by the onslaught. “I didn’t wave arms around, I simply...”

  “Oh, you are ‘simple’? Well, of course, this explains everything if you are a simpleton without a drop of intelligence!”

  Rosa finally came to her senses.

  “Hey, simmer down you! Isn’t it... Yeah, it was you who crashed into me! You hit me on in the leg with this...”

  She aimed to kick the case, but the stranger let out an angry cry and fiercely stomped her thin heeled foot. People around them were throwing puzzled sideway glances at the growing scandal.

  “Don't you dare! Stupid girl! I'll have your skin if you lay but a finger on it!”

  Indignation sharpened her slightly noticeable accent, the girl sharpened the ‘s’ a bit and muffled the ‘r’. And although Rosie wasn’t actually intend to kick her luggage, now she wanted to kick the case properly – and its owner for good matter.

  “Oh yeah? So what are you going to do, call the police?” Rosie asked sarcastically. “Are you going to complain that your junk is too heavy? It's your fault!”

  The girl's graceful face became warped with magnificent resentment.

  “Mhee?! How do you... How dare you?! Do you even know who I am?!”

  “I do know! Spoiled scrawny prissy princess!”

  It seemed that the indignation could not possibly reach the limit. Rosie watched with pleasure as the stranger's entire appearance was filled with icy contempt. Then her face suddenly softened, but somehow in a threatening way.

  “Oh, I understand.” The tone became frosty like the winter wind. “You’re just some kind of child. How stupid of me to argue with a juvenile like you...”

  A noticeable neutral zone formed around the scandal, where no one dared to approach.

  “Child?” Rosa said mockingly. “Just look who’s talking!”

  Maybe the girl was taller, Rosie was used to it, but her pale face looked very young. Yeah, maybe she was two or three years older, but Rosie was ready to bet her focus that this white haired brat was no older than eighteen. The declaration did not shake the unbearable smugness on the pale mug.

  “Where are your parents, girl? I wish...”

  “My parents,” Rosie said sternly, “are very far from here. And you'll go farther still if you keep this up, young demma!”

  The grip on the handle of the case turned white.

  “Why you... little pest...” the prissy princess hissed. “I’ll going to…”

  “What?”

  “My single word,” she was now clearly making a treat, “and you will find yourself outside of the city walls!”

  Rosie expected anything, but not on this level. She looked at the white-feathered harpy skeptically.

  “What? Who do you think you are, Queen of Elysium?”

  “I am Lilum Diamas,” the girl said with unexpected grace, “and my father...”

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “...doesn’t hold a spec of power in Elysium.”

  The velvety voice made both of them jump nervously. They turned to the dark-haired girl who silently appeared next to them. The people passing by were still kept their distance.

  “Not the kind you’re used to in Azgart,” the stranger calmly added.

  She was long-haired, tall and slender, dressed in a gently-purple dress without a waist, with a loose short skirt that would have been positively scandalous if her legs had not been covered by skintight, shiny tights.

  “What?” The princess, apparently of Azgart, gasped bewildered. “Where did you come... Who even are you?”

  “Therefore, you shouldn’t try to seriously threaten people here,” the girl continued calmly, not taking her dark eyes off the rude girl. “Simply will embarrass yourself.”

  “I don’t...” prissy princess breathed out, tightening grip on the case in a nervous gesture, “I don’t know who you think you are, but I’m not!..”

  She paused. Then spat briefly:

  “I don’t have to listen to nonsensical rubbish from commoners like you!”

  And with that, she swiftly ran up to the doors, fiercely sweeping aside several to slow to get away visitors.

  “Prissy...”

  Rosie fallowed her with a menacing gaze, and noticed that the stranger was dragging her case with noticeable effort. It looked a little heavy for her thin white hands.

  “I knew it, it’s her own fault,” Rosie muttered. “She pushed me in the leg first, because this thing is too heavy for her! Brat...”

  She looked at the other girl. Her face did not express anything specific, only her almond-shaped amber eyes looked mindfully.

  “You... don’t believe me, do you?” Rosie grumbled.

  “Why wouldn’t I?” the stranger answered evenly.

  And with no segue, she went to the doors of the university, where the white-headed brat had just disappeared. Rosie noticed that the stranger was wearing a luxurious hair band, which was holding a chic wave of shiny black hair.

  Half-light behind the doors parted, and Rosie met the interior of the central hall of Elysium University. The inside of the building looked no less majestic than the outside. Panels with stylized bas-reliefs covered the walls, and stained glass windows cast colorful lights on the intricate mosaics on the floor.

  Rosie looked around. Visitors, mostly young people who perfectly fit the description of students, hurried around her from one corridor to another, mostly crossing the hall on the way between the wings of the building. On opposite side of the entrance, a two-flight staircase ascended to the second floor.

  The wall above the stairs was covered by a steel bas-relief map of the known world. The semicircle of Shard, thinner at the edges, was embracing Sea of ??Fallen Stars, beyond which lay Scattering, the archipelago of the Tian Empire. With a glance, Rosie noted that the map was covered in dots and lines. All known havens were marked with large and small hexagonal stars, large forts with circles, and the lines more symbolized rather than actually depicted routes of interhaven communication.

  With a loud “ding” doors opened in one of the wide columns, which Rosie mistook for decorative panels, so much they were covered with rays. Five people came out from there. It was an elevator, and judging by the columns, there were two of them in the central building of the University.

  Looking carefully around for sights of Gibiska's presence, Rosie hurriedly crossed the hall. Her goal was found just to the right of the doors, a wide counter with “Reception” written on it.

  “Hello!”

  Joyful greetings raised up the face of an unremarkable middle-aged woman in a formal office suit. She looked at Rosie doubtfully.

  “I want to be a Hunter!”

  The girl beamed a happiest smile at the secretary. Woman’s face didn’t change.

  “I assume you have a plan for how to do it?”

  “Certainly!” Rosa said readily. “I just wanted to know your reaction.”

  “In the future, try not to waste other people’s time, demma,” the woman declared coldly. “Your papers.”

  She extended her hand, but Rosie shook her head.

  “No, no, I don’t have recommendations from the academy. I... It doesn't matter. I want to join the Free Hunters program.”

  This finally surprised the woman.

  “Is that so,” she said, puzzled. “Demma, if you know about the program, then you should understand that...”

  “I want to pass the trial and join by the right of Free Hunter,” Rosa answered stubbornly. “I know everything!”

  And she produced a brochure. Such leaflets were distributed at Haiven’s academy, in accordance with an exchange program with other havens. There were invitations from different places, from Albia, and even Azgart. But Gibiska, one of the best in her group, to her own grief brought this brochure home, and in it Rosa read that anyone can join the Elysian Academy of Shadowlore. If they turn out to be capable, of course.

  Having received instructions where she needed to go, Rosa cheerfully turned around and...

  “Oh!”

  …almost bump into a dark-haired stranger in a purple dress. The girl raised an eyebrow questioningly.

  “Perhaps it was your fault.”

  “Oh no, not you toooo,” Rosie whined. Then jumped up happily: “Hey, you’re enrolling too, right?”

  “Right.”

  With zero interest in the conversation, the girl silently stepped towards the counter.

  “Tell me please where I can apply for admission in to the Free Hunters program.”

  Rosie suppressed the urge for exited jump. Having received the same instructions, the girl went across the hall towards the building’s map. Rosie followed her with a dumb smile.

  “Hey, I also want to become Freeone,” she said. “How did you find out about the program? Are you local? Do you already have hunting experience? I read that they...”

  “Do you always pester strangers?” The girl glanced sideways at her as they walked.

  “Oh, quite often,” Rosie admitted. “Well, I try not to bother people, I'm just... Very friendly! You could say. Yes.”

  The girl made slight snort and said nothing.

  “Come on... We still have to take the test together,” Rosie goaded her. “You don’t know what the test will be? The brochure mentioned a written exam. Oh man, I hope this is not some overdesigned way of screening out the unworthy, I will never mange some mix bag of geometry and natur-physics...”

  “I don’t know,” the girl stated dispassionately. “I also only read the brochure.”

  At the map of the premises, they raised their heads at the same time and scanned it for the right place.

  “Room thirty-three,” Rosie said. “It's in the north wing. Go right!”

  “Sure.”

  Girl then just walked in the direction.

  “I ran away from home to join the academy here, you know. It will be sooo humiliating if I fail.”

  The lack of contact was only pumping her up. Rosie continued to stare at the girl. Her hair was terribly well-groomed, hugging her head like a silk scarf, and she was clearly curling the tresses framing her face. The wide hoop was decorated with lush black lacing; it seemed even larger than it was.

  “Do you have a focus?” remembered Rosie.

  “Do you always share your personal information with strangers?” girl asked in response. “And yes, obviously.”

  “No, only with those who, I hope, will be together with me in my class,” the young huntress declared. “And my name is Rosa, since you’re so interested. Rosa Rubin!”

  The girl glanced sideways at her again. To her surprise, Rosie noticed hint of a smile appearing on the stranger's face.

  “Tally.”

  “Tally? That’s it?”

  “For now. We'll see if you’ll be together with me in my class.”

  “Aww, you're mean!”

  There were people hurrying along the corridors all the time. Young people stood here and there holding piles of papers and folders, but room thirty-three turned out to be unpopular. In the spacious room stood a table littered with papers. A man in a business suit with subtle curiosity issued the girls forms to fill out and specified what and where to write.

  “Ummm...” Rosie hold the sheet up: “‘In the event of my death’... This is... how to put it...”

  “You said ‘Free Hunters’, right?”

  “Well, yes, but...”

  “Then fill it up, demma.”

  “Do you want your guardian to be invited?” Tally intervened. “If you’re happened to be underage...”

  “I am of age!”

  Rosie irritably waved her passport, which was also requested from her. Tally wordlessly returned to her papers. Rosie, with dour grumbling, did as well. Having finished with the papers and receiving new instructions, the girls returned back to the main hall.

  “‘Find a vice-director’,” Rosie mused. “Well, where should we look for her? Should we ask at the reception?”

  “I suppose,” Tally agreed.

  At the reception they were directed to go to the upper floors. The third floor, to be specific. The elevators were busy and the girls headed up the stairs. But as soon as they approached, their plans were interrupted by a demanding cry from the side.

  “Finally I found you!”

  Rosie turned around with an irritated hiss – sister was rushing towards her, and with look most determined.

  “Go away, Gibiska! I haven't enrolled yet!”

  “And you won’t!” sister said fiercely. “You know what? We gonna fight! Right now, unless you’re immediately...”

  She cut herself off, then pointed her finger at the piece of paper in Rosie's hands.

  “What did you do?”

  Rosie pointed at Tally with deliberation:

  “I found a friend.”

  The dark-haired girl raised an eyebrow skeptically.

  “Don’t you drag me into this.”

  “Awww...” Rosie hang her head.

  “That’s not what I’m talking about. What’s this paper?” Gibiska’s face dawned with the light of understanding. “Oh no... You want to be a Freeone, don't you? This is an application for the Free Hunters program, isn’t it?!”

  Rosie raised an eyebrow skeptically, now looking surprisingly similar to Tally.

  “Took you a long enough to catch on, sis. Of course, this is the only way.”

  “No way!” Gebbi sharply waved her arms crosswise. “Nocando, not on my watch! I won't let you kill yourself so then dad can kill us both!”

  She rushed forward, aiming to snatch the paper, but Rosie jumped back instantly.

  “Hey, get off me, you sheep!”

  “Stop playing around, haven’t you read the brochure? Trials are dangerous for the applicant!”

  With amazing skill they swapped places in a rush of movement.

  “Get away! I know that!”

  More and more faces were turning in their direction. Tally backed away a little, clearly deciding for herself whether to stay and behold the show or just go about her business. Someone suddenly pushed her to the side roughly.

  “You again!”

  A sharp and melodious cry, like the sound of braking crystal, interrupted the sisters' squabble. Lilum Diamas stood between them, radiating indignation.

  “How am I unable to get rid myself of your presence, you little boor?!”

  Rosie made a tired huff, hiding the paper in her bag. Lilum turned to Gibiska.

  “Are you a relative of this brat?” she arrogantly demanded. “A sister probably, you are too young to be a mother...”

  Gibiska, forgetting for a moment about the squabble with her sister, sternly crossed her arms on the chest.

  “And who are you?”

  “I’m Lilum...” She suddenly cut herself off, but still finished: “Diamas, and I hoped that Elysium University is a respectable institution and not some kindergarten for simpletons! This girl!..”

  She sternly flicked her hand at Rosie, who made a sour face, but Gibiska abruptly cut her off:

  “This girl here is my sister. So don't your wave you’re paws at her like a windmill, yeah?”

  Diamas got dumbstruck for a moment.

  “And our conversation doesn’t concern you,” Gebbi continued. “So why don’t you just disappear to whatever you came from, prissy princess.”

  It was few seconds before the white-haired girl got her power of speech back.

  “By the Light...” she breathed, turning pink with anger. “I... definitely see a family resemblance! And what, if I may ask, is this child,” the word dripped with sarcasm, “doing at the University of Sciences? Having a little tour?”

  Gebbi opened the mouth, but Rosie interrupted her:

  “I gonna join the Free Hunters.”

  Princesses expression changed from puzzled to malicious.

  “You? A Hunter? Do you have any idea what it takes, girl?”

  Rosa emphatically looked at Lilum's case. Then at her face.

  “I can imagine much better than you, prissy,” she answered ominously. “And why are you lounging over here? Can it be that you want to be a hunter?”

  “I don’t see how this is concern of yours,” Lilum hissed, “but that’s exactly what I want.”

  “And you think that a spoiled mean girl like you can handle a hunt for the shadows?”

  The case crashed to the floor. Lilum threw out her right hand, and an ice blade grew in her fingers – aimed directly at Rosie. Alarmed shouts rise all around them.

  “Don’t you dare!..”

  She didn't manage to finish. A hand clad in a silver plate armor glove closed on an ice blade.

  “Don’t you even think about,” Gibiska said in low tone, “pointing your fucking icicle at my sister!”

  Fire puffed out from under her fingers, there were an audible crunch, and Lilum recoiled with a short cry, releasing her strange weapon. Pieces of ice fell to the floor under the accompaniment of alarmed murmuring. A broad-shouldered girl with blond braid leaned forward, with clear desire to intervene, but her tall, dark-haired companion held her back.

  “Oooh,” Rosie said with unironic curiosity. “I really didn’t think that you would have a resonance.”

  “Of course, I have a resonance!” Lilum recovered from the physical threat faster than from the insult. “And I hope you’re prepared for the consequences! Both of you prepared for...!”

  “ENOUGH!”

  A wave of pressure swept across the hall from the top of the stairs, pushing people roughly and causing many startled cries. The main force of the blow fell on the trio of scandalists, forcing them to nervously stagger backwards and throw their hands up defensively.

  A woman was slowly descending the stairs. A dark business suit made of an elegant jacket and a tight skirt fit her like a second skin, emphasizing her enviable curves. Her jet-black hair was curled into a tight bun, pinned up in the old-fashioned way with a wide comb, and a white necklace with a black pendant hugged her neck. On her face, as beautiful as that of an antique statue, lay a fierce expression. Piercing green eyes sharply pinned down the offenders.

  In deathly silence the woman came downstairs, emitting such an aura of authority that even those who stood at the other end of the hall felt a need to stand at attention. The trio at the center of the scandal independently of each other had a feeling that this demma could break them in half with a single finger.

  “I hope you have a suitable excuse for such a shameful behavior,” the woman said.

  The tone, however, promised severe punishment in any case, excuses or no excuses.

  “She started it.”

  The sisters simultaneously pointed their fingers out. Gebbi, who pointed at Lilum, quickly caught herself and smacked the finger Rosa pointed at her.

  “How dare you! Your own sister!..”

  Diamas stood up with all the dignity she had left after the scene and said:

  “I suppose you can see what I have to deal with.”

  “Don’t worry, demma,” the woman answered dryly. “I saw your reaction perfectly as well. Using a resonance in a public space? Against a person? You, young demmas, are exactly the reason why resonants are required to register!”

  Gibiska and Lilum opened their mouths...

  “Silence!”

  The order was not negotiable.

  “I hope you understand that such a flagrant violation of discipline even before you deigned to receive a permission to attend this university will not go unpunished.”

  An expression of despair appeared on the faces of all three, then was replaced by stubborn look. All remained silent however. Perhaps this satisfied the fierce demma, because she continued in a more business-like tone.

  “So, I will assume that you all are applicants. Please let me know your choice of faculties so that I can warn your potential curators about your... feats.”

  “Hunters,” Gebbi said gloomily.

  “Hunters,” Lilum answered evenly.

  The woman looked at Rosie.

  “I’m submitting an application to the Free Hunter program,” Rosie rattled off.

  Without looking at her sister, Gibiska let out a low grunt. The woman raised an eyebrow.

  “Free hunter,” she said weightily. “Please forgive me, but you don’t look nearly...”

  Rosa grimly presented her passport.

  “Well then... Your focus?”

  Rosa showed the cross.

  “And do you have hunting experience?”

  “Of course,” Rosa answered defiantly.

  “And you can prove it?”

  The girl was taken aback for a moment. She had an idea of ??what was required from her – just like she had an idea of ??what this professor woman was trying to do. Prove it, prove it...

  “She can say it.” Rosa pointed a finger at Gibiska. “This is my sister, she knows that I had killed the shadows before.”

  Gibiska flashed an angry look at her sister.

  “You know that I don’t want to see you in the program! You might get killed!”

  “I’ll get there one way or another, so just do something useful, Gibiska!” Rosie made puppy eyes at her: “Oh pleeease...”

  Sister, stung right in the heart, wavered and turned away. Then she shook it off:

  “I don’t have to answer, right? I'll refuse.”

  “Traitor!”

  Gibiska ignored her. The unamused woman moved her eye from sister to sister.

  “So it is true, and she has experience?”

  “I don’t want to answer.” Gebbi pouted, looking strikingly similar to Rosie.

  The woman unintentionally let out a tired sigh.

  “In that case, it’s only matter of time...”

  Gebbi raised her hands in shock:

  “Unbelievable! And you just let her?! She's still a child!”

  “I’m sooo tired of thiiis...” Rosie muttered, pointedly waving her passport.

  “If she meets the selection criteria, then no matter how much I would like to, I cannot prohibit her from participating in the trials.”

  “Ye-ass!”

  Rosie made a short victory dance, spinning around herself for a moment. Lilum wrinkled her nose, like from an unpleasant smell.

  “I, however, have the right to be extremely biased in judging your behavior,” the woman finished in the same businesslike tone. “As your curator, young demma.”

  Rosie drooped.

  “Oh. Should I start apologizing?”

  “It's a little late.”

  “I’m sorry…”

  Tally suddenly came to life, taking a step forward:

  “Are you Circe Fidelis? We were told to deliver our applications to you personally.”

  Before the professor could answer, Lilum couldn't hold an angry gasp.

  “And you too?! I guess anyone can be a hunter these days...”

  “Protecting humanity is not the privilege of a select few,” Professor Fidelis said coldly. “You should take notice of this if you desire to get the license, demma Diamas.”

  The white-haired girl was taken aback.

  “How are y... Wait, do you know me?”

  “I accepted your letter of recommendation from the Azgart Academy.”

  “There is the privilege...” Rosa muttered.

  “My letter is not a privilege!” Lilum flared up. “I earned it at the Academy! With honors!”

  Professor Fidelis opened her mouth, but Rosie was faster.

  “Some people become hunters for real. Through trials.”

  “Any fool can pass the trials!”

  “Prove it! You don't have enough guts to become a Free Hunter!”

  Before Lilum could respond, a strange force nearly crushed them both into the ground. Girls dropped to their knees, stunned. There was lively whispering around them, and somewhere sounded muffled laugh.

  “I assure you, demma,” Circe Fidelis said in an icy tone, “that even brilliant success in all trials does not guarantee you a place in our academy! Nor does a letter of recommendation.”

  The latter was addressed to Lilum. She threw a hate-filled look at Rosie and rose to her feet in a rush.

  “I would like to withdraw my letter, demma Fidelis! I want to join the Free Hunter program.”

  A tired expression appeared on the professor's face.

  “There’s no need to act childish, demma Diamas...”

  “I am not acting childish,” the girl answered unexpectedly sternly. “I want to be a Hunter! Letter or not!”

  Gebbi suddenly perked up.

  “Is that possible? I haven’t submitted papers for the screening yet. I mean, I just now came in to the University...”

  “If you possess a letter, I advise you to do everything the traditional way,” Fidelis said irritably.

  “Oh, do you want to be a hunter too, Gab?” Rosie grinned. “I bet you will pass the exam if there is no natur-physics in it.”

  “Yes, Rosie,” Gebbi answered with exaggerated sweetness. “You will also pass the exam if there is no natur-physics in it.”

  The sisters clashed with angry glances. Lilum sneered angrily and turned away. Tally, who had previously been beholding the scene with stunning indifference, turned to professor Fidelis:

  “So what should we do with the papers, demma?”

  Woman hold her head in frustration.

  “I would prefer to burn them...”

  Good-natured laughter sounded close by. Massive figure of a tall man with a cane moved through the ring of visitors still surrounding the scene.

  “Come now, Circe, we’re not going to turn away such enthusiastic applicants, are we?”

  Tapping his cane rhythmically, the University’s Director approached the future huntresses. The tall, broad-shouldered man was smiling pleasantly. His face was open but majestic, like that of a noble ruler from a fairy tale book, adorned with a neat light beard. Gray was clearly visible in his straw-colored hair.

  “No harm done, as I understand it?”

  Professor Fidelis responded with an annoyed expression.

  “Not at all, director,” she remarked. “Just a striking violation of discipline.”

  “And we will deal with it with all possible strictness,” the man assured.

  Catching Rosie's gaze, he smiled politely.

  “Is something wrong, demma?”

  She stared at the man as if he were a painting.

  “You are the Hunter. You’re Gilbert King!”

  He nodded curtly.

  “At your service. So, I understand that you wish to pass the tests and join the Shadowlore Academy of our university?”

  He addressed Lilum and Gebbi in turn:

  “I will agree with the professor, you seriously should use the letter of recommendation from your previous schools.”

  “I can’t leave her alone,” Gibiska stated bluntly. “I will do what she does.”

  “I’m almost got kicked because of you,” Rosa grumbled.

  Gebbi was about to snap back, but King interrupted them by raising his hand with the cane.

  “If your sister wants to take the test, I can’t forbid her, just as I cannot chase you away, demma Rubin.”

  The girls jerked up nervously.

  “You... How come?” Rosa said with stammer.

  “I know your father.”

  “What?!” Gibiska was amazed. “No, he never...” She cut herself off. “Actually, he did say that he worked with you when he was younger...”

  “We... grew apart over time,” King explained. “I will admit I’m still disappointed that he choose to stay permanently in Haiven and refused to accept a professorship at my institution. We could use a master of his caliber, aren’t we, Professor Fidelis?”

  The woman made stubborn snort.

  “This is merely your opinion, director.”

  “I, of course, expected to see you at the Academy,” he continued. “Although not so soon.”

  Rosie huffed in displeasure. King turned to Lilum.

  “Demma Diamas?”

  She had already regained her former arrogance, although compared to King she looked rather unimpressive.

  “I want to join as a Free Hunter.”

  “Are you quite sure?” Rosie couldn’t resist

  Prissy princess immediately flushed red.

  “Will you be silent?! At least I'm not afraid of natur-physics!”

  Now Rosa was blushing too. Professor Fidelis’s lips tinned sternly.

  “Excuse me, Professor...”

  A tall girl appeared from the ring of people. She wore a simple coat, but the brown fabric set off the hot sunset hue of her almost fiery hair, neatly tied into a high ponytail.

  “If it is possible to join as a Free Hunter, then I... That is, I mean...”

  “Oh no,” Circe said with annoyance. “Demma Illios, not you too! Your papers have already been approved, you de-facto already been accepted as student. Please, don't let...”

  King interrupted her with a short laugh and raised his hand in a placating gesture.

  “As I said, I prefer that applicants with recommendations use them specifically. I've spent great many years building collaboration between academies around the world, I would like to see my effort not falling in vain!”

  “Oh yes, of course...”

  Disappointment was clearly visible on the girl’s face, her bright copper eyes flared with frustration for a moment. But she chose to not insist, and agreeably stepped away.

  “In that case, everything is decided,” director summed up, and then turned around: “It is time for all of us to go about our business, there is still a lot of work to be done.”

  The circle of spectators had already thinned out, but now the scene was officially over.

  “Professor.” He nodded to Fidelis, then to the girls: “Demmas. Demma Illios, I believe you can manage on your own from here...”

  Director King walked measuredly up the stairs. The audience quickly dispersed, although many cast interested glances at the group. Rosa thoughtfully followed the director with her eyes when she was attracted by an emphasized “kh-hm”.

  “I believe I have already mentioned that it is I who bear the... responsibility of supervising applicants on the right of a Free Hunter,” Fidelis said evenly, looking sternly at the girls.

  She was greeted by an atmosphere of tense wariness.

  “That’s better,” she stated. “So demmas, let's start from the beginning...”

  The rest of the day for the quartet of Free Hunters was filled with fussing over papers. Under the strict supervision of Circe Fidelis, candidates walked through a dozen of offices, filling out paperwork and writing down instructions concerning their exam. They tried to ignore one another – the sisters still were sulking at each other, Diamas didn’t look at them at all, and Tally was not very sociable to begin with.

  “You’re just in time for the last written aptitude test today,” said the Professor. “Follow...”

  “But I thought...” Rosie interrupted, then quickly caught herself: “No-no, nothing.”

  “Speak up, demma Rubin,” Fidelis prompted her tiredly.

  “I thought that exam would be like...” Rosie said unsurely. “Well, combat. Show our skills and all that.”

  “Oh, didn’t you notice your registration for tomorrow?”

  “No, no, I just...”

  “We cannot accept as students people who is unable to put two words together, aren’t you agree?” professor asked with a hint of mockery.

  “Hmm...” Rosie hang her head.

  Catching the princess's smug gaze, Rosie squinted with menace. Girl quickly looked away. They followed Professor Fidelis down the corridor. Sensing Rosie's piercing gaze, Diamas glanced sideways at her again. Rosie stuck her tongue out.

  “Neeee!”

  Lilum snorted indignantly and turned away with a jerk, causing her hair to splash in a snowy wave. Circe's back silently emitted a wave of warning and the squabble was nipped in the bud.

  They were led into a vast auditorium with an amphitheater of benches and tables. Two dozen people were already sitting there. The girls took the empty seats getting some distance from each other. Lilum defiantly took a seat in the front row, right opposite of lecturer's desk. Gebbi and Rosie settled where they could in the central rows. Tally sat at the very top, behind everyone.

  After talking with the balding elderly professor – he was definitely some kind of academic – Professor Fidelis left them alone with the exam. The man announced the rules – don't make noise, don't cheat, the usual things – and soon everyone received a sheet with the entrance exam of Elysium University.

  The formulas of algebra and natur-physics ominously darkened the paper. Long paragraphs required a demonstration of knowledge of Lantean language and history.

  “Ohhh nooo...” Rosie moaned.

  Her opinion wasn’t shared. Many looked at the sheet with annoyance, as if they were forced to do some hose chores. Even Gebbi. Rosie was glad that she didn't have to sit next to the white-haired boor – she probably was radiating smugness right now.

  “Awww...”

  Next to her was a young man with adorably blond hair. The thin pale face looked painfully concentrated. This brought Rosie confidence.

  One hour swiftly flew by. Natur-physics imbued Rosie with primordial terror, history with little less primordial – many of the questions were concerned with the Shadows, and she answered almost all of them. Perhaps even correctly. The Lantean turned out to be easy. She tried not to think about algebra.

  After handing in the paper, Rosie noticed that Gibiska, who stood up a little earlier, now lingered at the door, looking in her direction. A wave of frustration made Rosie look around searching for her new acquaintance. But Tally seemed to vanish into thin air. She didn't even notice when the dark-haired beauty handed in the papers. Passing by her sister Rosie deliberately turned away with a loud “Hmpf”. Gebbi sighed tiredly, but simply followed suit, making no attempt to talk.

  Professor Fidelis bring to their attention that examination results will only be available tomorrow.

  “So we... should come back tomorrow?” asked Rosie.

  “Usually applicants rent a room for the night,” said professor evenly. “But since all of you, as I can see, came from other havens, and with addition of calling on the right of a Free Hunter, the university is providing you with temporary accommodation. You can stay in our dormitories for today, I will make arrangements.”

  Rosie subtlety took a breath. She had no idea whether she had enough money for a hotel, and... had no idea where to find one, or what to do there.

  “Is this necessary?” Lilum asked. “I’ve already rented a room at the hotel, I just need to call a car...”

  “That’s your right, miss,” Fidelis replied matter-of-factly. “But with the exception of the written exam, you four will take separate trial. I advise you to move your belongings from the hotels to the on-site hostel today. Unless,” she added in a completely even tone, “you don’t expect to pass all the tests successfully.”

  Lilum turned pink in her cheeks, but remained silent.

  After all this, Rosie, left on her own, followed the directions to the Shadowlore Academy’s dormitory. The building was located slightly deeper into university’s grounds. Moving past a couple of tall buildings Rosie walked in front of the dorm. A square box decorated with ribbed walls in the form of triangular petals with bronze insertions. Ten stories tall, the building itself looked like a hotel from a poster. To a degree that it seemed to be built to look good on trendy modern posters about new age technology. The building resembled a huge radio box.

  Rosie pushed open one of the double doors, half expecting to be surrounded by huge wires and vacuum tubes. There were lamps, but they were located under the ceiling in a wide corridor; the walls were covered with panels of glass and plastic. Everything was done in rich shades of natural colors: chestnut, wood and sand.

  At the small window at the entrance, Rosie addressed an elderly animata in a cap:

  “Sorry, I was told to give you this...”

  The flowing and elegant, but quite unreadable signature received from Circe Fidelis animated the man.

  “Oh, you’re one of... Yes, yes, yes, that’s right.”

  Rosie was escorted through the third floor, where they get by softly humming elevator, to a room at the end of the corridor. The man briefly explained where the restrooms were and the bathrooms were – “If demma is in need, oh of course you are, you’re a young girl!” – and explained that she would have to pay for food at the university cafe until she received a student card.

  Rosie just nodded with a clever face put on. Everything that had happened in the morning began to catch on with her, and she felt that strength was running out. After receiving the key and saying “thank you”, the girl entered the room.

  “Oh, yeah...”

  The room was narrow, and not at all spacious, Rosa could spread her arms and almost touch the walls. But the interior was incredibly cozy, created in the same style as the rest of the building. To the right there was a bed, to the left a desk with a table lamp and a wardrobe.

  Rosie dropped off her bag with pleasure and stretched out on the bed, casting aside her timidness. Her legs were slightly heavy from all that walking. She was down for a nap… If this continued onward, who knows if she will have enough strength… no, composure, to become a student of this academy by right of Free Hunter…

  Rosa sat up abruptly in bed and... her stomach made a demanding call, making her instinctively grab her midriff.

  “Oh... Yes, I didn't think to eat anything.”

  She rummaged around in her bag and pulled out a handful of coins.

  “Well, that's enough... for one time.”

  She looked around lost in thought, searching for her things.

  “Oh. My backpack.”

  Grabbing the door handle, Rosa Rubin headed back to the city.

  Of course she would have enough strength. She’s a huntress after all!