Chapter 7-4: Shining Stars

"The Academy will be conducting a set of training exercises in the next several months. The first will take place in two days." Her commanding voice echoed across the courtyard. Ren felt his entire body become tense. Was this what Prince Aon was talking about?

"You will be allowed outside." She let the words sink in for a moment. "You will be leaving the gates in three teams. Each team will leave the city through a different gate. You will walk by the barrier until you reach the next gate."

"This will take place at the same time as the Battlemage's annual culling." Warthorn's bellowing voice sounded. "You are not to engage in combat – you will be under the protection of the military."

Ren felt as if his heart was about to burst out of his chest. He was finally getting the chance to see the outside world Yu talked so much about.

"Now – prepare." Battlemage Auria said. "Your task is to walk outside with your mana unmasked. Let it touch the world around you, but do not let it become diluted. You've learned enough about wildmagic, this is not a feat you can not accomplish." She stared at each and every one of them, then nodded contently. "Dismissed."

The instructors were the first to leave the courtyard. The Ashthorn sisters left next. They seemed just as excited as everyone else.

"That was… unexpected." Lena mumbled. She glanced to the barrier. "I'd have never thought they'd let us leave the barrier so soon." Mirielle nodded. She seemed more worried than excited.

"Let us go back to the dorms." Princess Iris calmly said. "We will need to prepare for the first exercise."

"Indeed." Aiden said with a nod. "Besides, we wouldn't want to miss our curfew." He glanced at the sky. "Let's go."

The group followed Princess Iris and Aiden back to the dorms. Lena and Mirielle were immediately absorbed into a deep conversation about plants they could find outside. Ren silently followed them. Containing his excitement was proving somewhat troublesome. He was finally going to see the stars Yu had told him so much about. He was finally going to feel the wind. Real, non magical wind.

They bid each other a good night and scattered to their rooms. Ren went to his own room with a feint smile on his lips. He could barely wait. Two days. Just two days were left.

To his surprise, Aiden also seemed excited as he knocked on Ren's door soon after. He had a rather thick book in his hands. "I borrowed this from Mirielle. It's a book about the outside."

Ren raised his eyebrows. "I thought you didn't want to leave the barrier at all."

Aiden chuckled. "I changed my mind."

* * *

"Are you sure?" She asked Mirielle. The young girl nodded. "Of course. I'm completely fine with going with Aiden and Lena."

"Thank you." Princess Iris softly said as her lips formed a smile, albeit only for a moment. "I will inform the principal tomorrow." She glanced out the window, towards the small forest. "I will also notify my brother of your request. Hang tight until then."

"Thank you," Mirielle said softly. "It means so much to me."

Princess Iris smiled, then glanced at the sky. "It's getting late. Let's sleep."

* * *

There were no ordinary classes the next day. Ren didn't have to endure another one-sided battle with Battlemage Warthorn. Instead, Battlemage Auria informed them of their task – making sure their mana wouldn't get diluted.

They were given special robes to wear and their route was drilled into their heads – the battlemages would accept no misstep. One mistake could very well spell their doom.

They spent the next day resting. They could only leave the barrier at night and doing that while tired was a horrible idea for obvious reasons. It was that evening their adventure would begin.

Ren was the first to step onto the weathered stones of the northern courtyard as the sun began to set. His heart beating quickly, he approached the barrier and took deep breaths. He had to remain calm, he couldn't let his mana run wild.

Sensing ice-cold mana touch his back, he flinched. "Your highness," he said as he turned around and stepped back to avoid her mana. He motioned to bow, but she stopped him.

"I told you, there is no need for that. Now," She glanced towards the woods. "Before the others come, there are a few things you should know. You will be teamed up with me – you don't need to worry about Lena or Mirielle learning about your mana."

Ren flinched. "How-?" He started to ask, but the princess interrupted him. "Principal Auria accepted my request. You will only release your mana once the soldiers escorting us leave. And you will make sure your mana is masked as we re-enter the city through the western gate."

She lowered her voice as soon as Ren sensed other people's mana approaching. How had she noticed them? "This is something my brother asked of me, so please work with me here. I do not want to see his efforts to keep you safe be in vain." There was a hint of sadness in her voice as she spoke.

"Thank you." Ren said after a moment's hesitation. "And please relay my thanks to Speaker Aon as well." He let a smile appear on his face. "I'm truly grateful."

"Thank me once we're back inside the barrier." The princess said before glancing at the woods. Lena and Mirielle stepped out moments later, followed by Aiden and the Ashthorn sisters.

"Your highness," Lena said with a bow. Aiden also bowed while the Ashthorn sisters immediately ran up to her. Ren stepped away – he didn't want to get involved with the nobles' affairs too much.

"Are you ok?" Aiden asked after a short moment. "Will your… situation be an issue?" He asked, choosing his words carefully. Ren shook his head. "No, it shouldn't." He replied briefly.

They didn't get the chance to talk any more than that, as Battlemages Auria, Warthorn and Fiora arrived.

"Ren and Princess Iris will follow me." Battlemage Auria declared.

"Aiden Condor, Mirielle Farshow and Lena Nirei, with me!" Battlemage Fiora shouted.

"Ophelia and Persephone Ashthorn, come." Battlemage Warthorn said with a somewhat sour expression. He didn't seem very happy.

"Yes sir!" Everyone replied.

As the groups followed their respective instructors, Battlemage Auria led Princess Iris and Ren to the northern gate.

As the gate entered their view, Ren's heartbeat quickened. Soon after, Battlemage Auria spoke.

"No matter what happens, never let your guard down. Good luck out there."