Book 5, chapter 11

The rest of the week flew by in a blur of training, classes, and mountains of homework. Zee was so busy that she didn't have any time to hang out with her friends outside of the ones that were in her classes. She rarely had any time to even spend time with Bastion, who was her roommate.

Thankfully, the academy had one day off a-week. With six days of at-least twelve hours a day, Zee was ready for a break when the weekend arrived. Instead of going out, she invited everyone over to her place.

There was plenty of room for everyone, and it was undoubtedly nicer than anyone else's place.

Zee helped Bastion make food, while the others arrived, most of them bringing drinks or pastries. Everyone was sitting in the dining room, which was draped in festive decorations.

Freshly potted plants with nice smelling flowers and colorful candles gave the dining room a very festive feel. Carrying a tray of some type of birdlike monster, Bastion walked past her.

"Good job on the decorations. You outdid yourself," Bastion said.

Zee cocked her head, confused, as he placed the plate of food on the dining room table. Zee wasn't sure if Bastion had misspoken. She glanced around at all the festive decorations again.

Was he messing with her? Nathan caught her eye and walked over, a tall glass of wine in one hand.

"What's on your mind," Nate asked.

She shook her head, putting the thoughts of decorations from her mind. "It's nothing. How are you enjoying that wine," Zee asked.

He swirled the wine in his glass before taking a sip, and grimacing. "Not going to lie, this rare vintage is lost on me. It's too tart, and sour for me. I don't know how Greg and Malden enjoy this stuff," Nathan said.

Malden, who was sitting in the chair on the far side of the table raised his glass. "It's because we have a refined pallet. It's not your fault you are a farmer," Malden said.

Nate scowled at Malden.

"How many times have I told you, we are not farmers! The Viotti clan is composed of herbalists and alchemists," Nathan corrected with a patient tone. 

Malden didn't look convinced. "You grow and harvest plants right? I am no expert, but that sounds like a farmer to me," Malden said.

Nate scowled. "We harvest rare spiritual herbs. They are extremely difficult to grow and harvest. It is far more complex than tilling a field," Nathan said defensively.

"Sounds like farming to me," Malden replied, taking a contented sip of his wine.

Nathan scowled and turned to Zee for support.

Sitting down, Zee only shrugged at him. "Don't look at me. I always thought we were glorified farmers," Zee said. 

"Traitor," Nathan mutter into his glass. 

That prompted everyone to laugh, all except for Zee. She looked down at her plate, guilt clawing at her. Zee knew it was only meant as a joke, but it was far truer than Nathan knew.

Mellic had helped her accept her betrayal of Ducal. Still, accepting what she had done didn't take away all the guilt. The others didn't seem to notice her shift in mood, but Bastion did, resting a hand on her arm. His warm smile, and comforting touch dispelled her gloomy thoughts.

Giving him a thankful nod, Zee picked up her full glass and stood. 

She tapped on the edge of the glass with her spoon, prompting the chatter in the room to die down. Once everyone was looking at her, she spoke.

"You are probably wondering why I insisted you all come over. It wasn't to brag about my superior housing arrangement to Malden, that's just a bonus." She grinned. "I know you are all busy, but I have an opportunity for everyone who wants it," Zee said, taking a sip of wine.

Malden gestured to the others with a large paw.

"Don't keep us waiting, what kind of opportunity do you have for us," Malden asked. 

Zee shook a finger at him. 

"I'm getting to that." She cleared her throat. "As I was saying, I have an opportunity for you. Emperor Jenelovia al Farsaic is sending some of his descendants in search of a key to the eternal throne. That wouldn't normally be of any concern, but, It just so happens that we were invited," Zee said.

Malden's ears twitch in curiosity. "Why were we invited if this expedition is for the imperials," Malden asked.

Zee grinned. "That is because myself and Nathan are great grandchildren of the emperor," Zee said.

Malden cursed loudly and Allison grinned..

"Pay up boys," Allison demanded with a wide smile.

Malden, Bastion and Greg each tossed Allison a small pouch that clanked with Ether crystals. 

Allison tucked them all away, grinning like an idiot. 

"It's a pleasure doing business," Allison said.

"What was that about," Zee asked. Allison shrugged. "Just a friendly wager. We were all betting on your title of nobility, and I won," Allison said.

Zee sighed. "I should have known you guys would ruin my fun. Anyways…. The emperor has invited me, and by proxy all of you expect Nathan to venture into the storms at the edges of the cosmic river with his expedition," Zee said.

"Isn't that place incredibly dangerous," Nathan asked, not seeming upset in the slightest that he wasn't invited.

Zee nodded. "It's very dangerous, but we still have nearly six months to train beforehand. On the bright side, since it is so dangerous, the emperor is offering a peak quality E grade natural treasure to each person I bring. He will also supply any equipment we might need for the expedition," Zee said. 

The skeptical looks in the room turned to interest at her words. 

All except Allison.

"Zee, I like adventure as much as the next woman, but I'm not suicidal. Our team's composition lacks a vital member. We have Dern and Bastion to distract and draw attention. Malden, Yukna and Greg to wreak havoc at close and long range.

Your role is our Assassin, killing enemy leaders and casters before they know you are there. What we do not have is a healer. I refuse to take our team into a dangerous place without one," Allison said.

The demand did not surprise Zee. In fact, she had been hoping Allison would suggest it.

Zee cleared her throat.

"Most of you already know about Kur Zul. Before I got my new skill, the ghost told me it was a healer. Well, it lied. Kur Zul deals with long range curses. The ghost can still be a valuable member of the team, but that leaves us short of a healer. And since our glorious leader wants a healer, we will have to find one," Zee said.

Malden folded his paws across his wide furry chest. "You say that like it's easy. Other teams have already taken most healers, and the ones left avoid going into combat like the plague," Malden said.

"You are forgetting that we are in the imperial academy. Surely we can find a competent combat healer in six months," Zee said.

Yukna tapped the top of the table thoughtfully, 

"We could put out some posters asking for a combat healer. Who knows, someone might sign up," Yukna suggested.

Malden scoffed.

"Yukna, you are forgetting to take into account our reputation." He pointed to the princess. "Allison nearly burned down an entire wing of district four. Bastion got caught stealing from the restricted section of the imperial libraries and don't forget, Yukna, you have blown up at least three separate classrooms," Malden said.

He then pointed at Zee. "And that discounts the member of our team who routinely causes the most trouble," Malden said.

Everyone nodded in agreement to Malden's statement, with none coming to her defense. Zee couldn't really blame them. Her track record spoke for itself. 

Bastion gave her a consoling pat on the arm, before he spoke.

"I say we do as Yukna suggested, putting up posters, though with an added caveat. We offer up a few sacks of ether crystals as a signing bonus. Everyone likes money, and if that fails, we can always reveal that the emperor is offering a peak E grade natural treasure," Bastion said.

Allison shook her head. "I don't want to hire a mercenary. They are unreliable and may abandon us at an inopportune time. No, we need to find a motivated, and experienced combat healer who is willing to stick with us while we grow through the ranks," Allison said.

Yukna tucked a lock of mousy brown hair behind one ear. "How about we ask around, put up our posters, and reconvene in three weeks," Yukna suggested. 

Everyone nodded in agreement. The remainder of the day the talk was a lot less serious.

They played some card games, drank lots of wine, and ate the delicious food Bastion had prepared. The adage that time flies fast when you are having fun fit well. 

Before she knew it, everyone had left, and they cleaned up. It was time to get some rest, because her classes the next morning waited for no one. Having only one day off a week didn't feel like much. 

Especially as the weeks dragged on. Before she knew it, a month had passed. As if conspiring together all of her classes had their end of the month tests on the same day. 

At least combat class was fun. It was a team brawl, where the sword combat class fought in a team match against the mace combat class.

Zee got more than one painful bruise, but at-least she got a passing grade.

Stupid Malden and that damned hammer. 

The test for Aura manipulation was something new.

Their instructor, Jarun, set out a simple test for everyone. 

The woman stood on the dais and gestured.

"To pass this test, all you need to do is use your aura to transfer water from one urn and fill up the other. You must fill the urn up to the line painted near the rim. And to make it more interesting, you cannot break, or move either Urn from its place on the table. We have covered how to do this in my lectures over the past month. If any of you were not paying attention, that is your loss. 

No use of any skills will be allowed. Any cheating will be an immediate failure of the test. You may use your notes, but getting help from another student is not allowed," Master Jarun said.

Zee glanced around the class, noting the looks of despair and regret on a few faces. Malden on the other hand looked giddy. Noting her attention he grinned, exposing rows of needle like teeth.

Just then, one of her bruises throbbed painfully, the one Malden had given her in combat class. Zee scowled and looked at Nathan, who looked more confident than she felt.

He would probably be fine, Zee was more concerned about herself.

She glanced down at her table, and the two urns on either side. Each urn was coppery in colour, and shaped like a bowl. 

One was full, and the other empty. The test seemed simple on the surface, but Zee had her doubts. 

How in the name of a lizard's scaly ass was she supposed to pick up water with her aura? Her control was not that delicate, it was a weapon, not a delicate instrument.

She pursed her lips. The trouble was moving the water without destroying the Urn. 

Infusing her aura with ebb and flow would annihilate the urn in its ethereal waves and compression wasn't all that useful either.

That would be like using a war mace when she needed a healer's scalpel instead. 

There was a splash nearby, and a student swore. They managed to get some water out, but hadn't managed to move it across the table before it fell. 

Looking for inspiration, she eyed the rest of the class. As expected, some were a lot better off than others.

Malden looked like he was on a noonday stroll. Some of his aura leaked out, and sand swirled in-front of him. Like a rolling snake, the sand dove into the water filled urn. 

The sand completely filled the urn in under ten seconds, and the water disappeared.

The urn didn't even budge as the wet sand lifted from the urn and floated across the table. In only a few seconds, the wet sand then settled into the second urn. With a flick of his paw, the sand disappeared leaving the second urn full to the rim with water. No, that was just unfair.

Zee spotted another student who unleashed a wave of cold, freezing the water. The cube of ice floated out of the urn, drifted across the table and settled into the second urn. 

It was so unfair. That had to be cheating. Both Malden and the other guy had concepts that were perfectly suited to this sort of test.

Her eyes landed on a man who looked immensely troubled. The water in the urn was boiling as his scorching aura passed through it. Well, at least he was having a tough time.

Her eyes flicked back to Nathan just as a small tree soaked up all of the water in his bowl.

It quickly grew across the table, and attached itself to the rim of the other urn. With a splash, water started draining from the tree into the second urn. 

Zee swore inwardly. Yup, this was rigged.

She placed her hands flat on the wooden table and glared at the water in her urn. Maybe she could try a very slight application of compression? 

Narrowing her eyes, she focused. The water in the bowl started vibrating as she let out a trickle of her aura.

Zee envisioned her aura wrapping around the water, and slowly compressing it. The water rippled, squeezing together as one. Letting out a little bit more energy, she tried to lift the water from the bowl. 

The urn exploded, with coppery clay flying everywhere. To add insult to injury, she lost focus on the water, and it splashed everywhere, soaking the front of her pants.

 Nathan gave her an apologetic look, while Maldy burst out laughing. 

Walking over, the instructor glanced around at the mess of water and clay fragments.

"Not a bad try, Viotti. Next time don't use so much energy. Try a slower more sustained flow of energy instead of a burst," Master Jorgun said.

"Can I take the test again," Zee asked hopefully. 

"No, I was referring to next month's test. You have failed this one. That's one mark on your record. I would advise that you work harder, failing two more end of the month tests will get you removed from the class," Master Jorgun said.

Zee glanced down at her drenched suit pants. It looked like she wet herself. She let out a forlorn sigh. Today just wasn't her lucky day.

First she got beat up in combat class by Malden and now she had failed her first test in aura manipulation class. Worst of all, Malden was here to witness and laugh at her shameful display. 

Well, at least she still had her final two courses.

The ritual class with master Garg had a written test, which she passed with the highest mark in the class. 

Zee may have cheated just a little by using the living book, but Yukna, who came in second, didn't need to know that. 

Lastly, was spatial manipulation class.

She took a seat in the back row, nodding to Elvot.

"Why are your pants wet," Elvot asked, curiously.

"I didn't pee myself if that is what you're asking. I spilled water on my pants," Zee replied defensively. 

Elvot smirked."I take it that one of your tests didn't go well," Elvot asked.

"No, I failed my test in aura manipulation class.," Zee said with a wince.

Elvot tugged at his lapel. "That's not a big deal. Just don't fail too many times, and you will be fine," Elvot said.

After a month of classes, his temperament had shifted quite a bit. They were not friends per-say but he was likable enough. 

After a bit of thought, Elvot seemed to come to some sort of decision. 

"Are you and your friends still looking for a combat healer," Elvot asked casually.

Zee raised an eyebrow.

"Why, are you interested," Zee asked.

He shook his head.

"No, but I know someone who might be. He is a friend of mine. He is a nice guy, with a strong work ethic, and some powerful healing skills," Elvot said.

"If he is so impressive, why hasn't any other team taken him on," Zee asked, warily.

Elvot winced.

"About that… He has the misfortune of being labeled a Pill popper. He is peak E grade, but was raised to that rank by ingesting pills and crushed beast fragments. His family's exorbitant wealth will no longer be enough to help him advance," Elvot said.

"I see… Not going to lie to Elvot, we are looking for a skilled and experienced combat healer. Your friends sound like neither of those things," Zee replied.

Elvot sighed.

"At least meet with him and hear him out," Elvot pleaded.

Zee was tempted to say no, but decided meeting the guy couldn't hurt. "Allright, fine. Tell him to meet me in the sword combat training hall after classes are over," Zee said.

"Thanks, I owe you one," Elvot said, pulling out a comm crystal.

The hushed whispers in the classroom died down as Master Anton entered. He walked onto the dais, and started talking immediately. 

"Today's class will be a test. In the top drawer of your desk, each of you have what is called an anchor stone. They are delicate and expensive so please refrain from breaking them," Anton took a spherical object from a pocket of his floral shirt. "The anchor stone has a simple function. Twist the two halves apart like this," he demonstrated action," and then pull them apart.

Put one half of the anchor stone on the desk in-front of you and hold the second. No it does not matter which side you hold, as they are both identical copies of each other." Anton said.

Zee did as instructed, pulling the fist sized orb out of her desk, and separating it into two.

It was light, and smooth, with the inner sides covered in an array of complex etchings.

She put one flat face down on her desk, and held the second. It was circular and perfectly smooth on one side, and flat on the other where it connected with its other half. 

Aside from the etchings, it looked and felt like a smooth rock.

Once everyone was ready, Anton continued.

"Your test today is to open a micro gate. If you have been paying attention, that should be easy. Simply use the anchor stones as a medium, and form a bridge between the one you are holding and its second half. You may use the spiritual plane to form the bridge," Anton said.

Zee looked down at the anchor stone she held in her left hand. Master Anton was right. After a month of lectures and demonstrations, she had the knowledge. Now all she needed to do was apply that knowledge in a practical way.

The two anchor stones were identical, which was important. They would hold a sympathetic link to each other, which would make finding the second one easier.

That was what made being a spatial cultivator so dangerous. Opening a gate wasn't hard. Finding a specific destination was the hard part. 

It was just like her mist form. She could phase through objects, but she had to know where she was going. If she phased into the ground, and forgot which way was up, and which was down, she would run out of energy and then her body would be ripped apart as it tried to reform in solid rock.

Opening portals had a similar danger. What if she opened a gate deep underwater and was cut in half by a torrent of pressurized water. Or, equally terrifying, what is she was crushed deep underground. Or what if she opened a gate in the chromosphere of a star and was turned to ash in a heartbeat.

Zee shuddered. She had to admit, Anton was good at putting fear of miss using gates in every student of his class. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the ominous warnings from her mind and focused.

Zee had a clear image of what she wanted in her mind, and a clear idea of what to do.

Activating Spirit Echo onto the top of her finger, she used that to get a feel of the energy. It was vibrant, and spiritual, with hints of decay present. 

Zee ignored the last aspect, focusing on the spiritual aspects. Streamers of energy leaked out from her aura, forming a thumb sized orb above her hand holding the half sphere.

Gently guiding the energy, she urged it to open a pathway into the spiritual plane.

Surprisingly, the energy immediately responded to her command.

Curiously, the finger width gate opened above the anchor stone. A moment later, the gate opened above the stone in her hand. It swirled and crackled unsteadily. 

Supplying a steady stream of energy, she felt the connection solidify. She smiled, watching the small portal as it stabilized. 

The spiritual gate might be tiny, but she was proud of it nonetheless. It was her first proper gate, and more exciting, nothing had exploded or tried to kill her.

Walking between the students, Anton stopped at the back of the class by her desk.

He gave her work a once over.

"Not terrible Viotto. Your micro gates are stable. You would get full marks if you hadn't almost lost the connection when the gates were forming," Anton said.

He turned to Elvot, who was reclining in his chair, already having formed his own gates.

"Good job Elvot, that was flawless execution," Anton said with an impressed nod.

Zee sighed at the treatment. We'll at least she had passed the test.

Zee was relieved. First she would meet with Elvots friend and then she would have a day off.