“That smells poisonous,” muttered Toma as Eliza’s concoction began to spark and waft.
“It will help, trust me,” she said. “Now, I just need to add the potentiator, and…”
She tossed a small handful of powder into the tube. Her mixture fizzed milk-white, and then it exploded in her face.
Lee was immediately on his feet, despite how the movement made his aching head throb with pain. Eliza’s potion erupted from her tube in a manner that was similar to a geyser, rather than a pent-up volcano. Gobs of sticky white alchemical juice streaked her nose, cheeks, and hair. She let out a surprised whimper and began doing her best to wipe herself clean.
“You wouldn’t be subject to such accidents if you stuck to the coursework, Initiate Willis,” said Instructor Escher. She was smiling slightly at the unmistakably lewd nature of Eliza’s predicament, but she had a towel on hand and handed it to her blushing student.
“Eliza,” muttered Toma. “Say something like ‘warn me next time,’ okay? Like in an annoyed voice?”
“Don’t say it,” said Lee. “Toma, keep your perverted fantasies to yourself, please.”
“Oh man, why wasn’t I filming that,” said Toma. “I should have at least snapped a quick pic.”
“You’re so gross,” said Eliza. She’d cleaned her face off but continued to wipe at a few spots, as though she could use the cloth to wipe the embarrassment off along with the stickiness. “I don’t know what went wrong. I had the right ingredients, I’m sure of it.”
“Were you experiencing an unusual emotional state when you cast the catalyst spell?” asked Escher. “Perhaps anger, or disappointment? Maybe, for example, lust?”
Eliza blinked several times in quick succession and sank deeper into her chair, her face matching—and then surpassing—her auburn hair in color.
***
The rest of Escher’s alchemy class passed without incident. She was in the middle of walking them through their usual cleanup of the room when a knock came at the door of the lab. Lead Instructor Mattis smiled to the room as she walked in, taking a place by Escher at the front in her black-and-gold instructor’s robes, hands folded behind her back.
“I came to announce that we have finalized the details of the November Break,” said Mattis. “As initiates, you will be allowed to leave campus this afternoon through the Arcane Way and remain home or elsewhere until Sunday evening.”
One of the initiates raised their hand. Mattis acknowledged the question with a nod.
“Why did it take so long for the vacation to be confirmed?” asked the girl.
“There were some concerns about the state of the Arcane Way’s essence supply,” said Mattis. “Many of your parents, at least those of you who were born into magically aware families, will be aiding in the transfer, arriving at Primhaven to personally escort you home.
“I would take this moment to remind you all that your exams begin on the Monday after you return. This is a vacation, but it’s also one last chance for those of you struggling with your studies to refresh your skills and knowledge.”
Toma raised his hand, and Mattis called on him.
“Wouldn’t it make more sense for us to take the exams, you know, before we leave?” he asked. “Not to second-guess your approach or anything, it’s just a heavy weight to have hanging over our heads. At least for some of us.”
“We’ve done that in previous years,” said Mattis. “Unfortunately, the nature of the exams for initiates creates several practical concerns. As you all know, those of you who fail this exam will undergo the Cropping.
“There’s no harm involved outside of the removed memories, but in the direct aftermath, a person can be left feeling confused or anxious. It’s best if those who must undergo the Cropping are given time to rest afterward, which can be hard to come by during a holiday.”
Lee felt his shoulders tensing up as he considered his own situation and how he’d struggled with the Midterm Trial. He still had time to study, but would it be enough? Tess’s limitations when it came to spells and essence meant that he’d need to plan out almost every spell he intended to cast ahead of time. He would be casting on a budget.
Mattis left the alchemy laboratory, and the students began quietly chatting as they continued putting alchemy supplies away. Eliza slid her chair in closer to Lee’s and gave him a shy smile.
“Do you, um, have any plans?” she asked. “For the break?”
“To be honest, no,” he said. “I don’t really have any family aside from my sister, who is off doing her own thing.”
He didn’t really have anywhere to go back to, either. He’d put most of his possessions into storage before beginning the search for Zoe in earnest, and while he had a gentleman’s agreement with the landlord of his old apartment to rent to him again at the same price if it was still available when he returned, that wasn’t an option he saw himself needing to exercise.
“You could come with me,” said Eliza, with a shrug. “My dad and I are heading to our winter home in Spain. I’m sure he’d love to meet you, and I’d certainly enjoy the company.”
Lee hesitated. He glanced over his shoulder at Tess, who’d been meandering around the room. Judging from her disappointed expression, she’d heard Eliza’s offer.
“It’s a little farther than I think I could manage to follow you,” said Tess, with a sigh. “I don’t mind staying here, though. It wouldn’t be fair for you to miss out because of me, Lee.”
“Is it alright if I think about it?” he asked.
“Yeah, of course!” said Eliza. She kissed him on the cheek and hurried out of the lab as Escher dismissed the rest of the class.
“I’m not going,” whispered Lee, as he looked back toward Tess. “I just wanted to think of a way to let her down easy.”
“Lee, I don’t want you to miss out on life because of me and my boring limitations,” said Tess.
“Miss out? This is our first holiday together, Tess. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
He grinned at her, enjoying the obvious flush that came to her ethereal cheeks. The rest of the students had filed out of class. Lee waited until the room was quiet before making his way up to Escher’s desk and drawing her attention.
“So,” he said. “About that summoning scroll.”
Escher’s small mouth widened into a grin. She nodded to the stairs leading to her private office and Lee followed her down.
“Funny you should ask about that,” she said. “I made a simple diagram based on the notes I’ve taken on your various encounters with each of the monster girls. You should take a look at it before you decide.”
Escher’s “simple diagram” spanned the majority of one of the walls of her office. She’d taken a polaroid photo of each of the monster girls, some of which included a half-naked Lee in frame, and pinned them up with a tack.
Underneath each photo was a five-point diagram with labelled stats: strength, speed, vitality, intelligence, and ability. It reminded Lee of something out of a video game, with each monster girl’s pros and cons being represented by each two-dimensional shape.
Naka’s bulged outward for strength and vitality, but contracted inward for intelligence and ability, with speed somewhere in the middle. Brie, the slime girl, had a veritable spike for her ability state, while the rest hovered at more average levels.
It was enlightening to see each of the monster girls’ utility represented in such a visual way, but it didn’t alter his choice. He let his eyes settle on Widow’s chart, noting her speed and special abilities, and knowing she would be the most useful against the lich, and especially against the zombies.
“Please, not the creepy spider girl,” whispered Tess. “What about Thumper, the snow bunny? She’s cute, cuddly, doesn’t have scary legs or venomous fangs. Please?”
Lee shot her an apologetic look. “Widow has the most to offer me right now. Her webs can entangle most opponents. She can set up strands of silk to alert her to threats. She’s perfect… o
ther than being so creepy.”
“Well, I’m glad that you’re making your decision using your head, instead of, ahem, other, less relevant parts of your body,” said Escher. “I’ll finish the scroll this afternoon and drop it off in your dorm before I leave for November Break.”
“Visiting family?” asked Lee.
Escher shook her head. “There’s a beach in Puerto Rico with my name on it, along with a mojito bar.”
CHAPTER 29
The campus was abuzz with activity and new faces as Lee made his way back to his dorm room. The parents who’d arrived through the Arcane Way stood out like sore thumbs, from the clothing they wore, to their posture and curiosity in regard to Primhaven’s various towers.
Everyone Lee saw looked excited and happy. It was a bit surprising to him, though he recognized that his circumstances with the holiday were different from most people’s. Sadder than most people’s. He hadn’t celebrated Thanksgiving with anyone else since the year Zoe had left.
He’d never missed the holiday, or at least if he had, the longing had been masked by how much he missed Zoe. They’d eaten pizza the last time they’d been together for it. Just pizza, no turkey, no buffet of side dishes, no pumpkin pie. But it had been enough for them, special in its own way, brother and sister, renegades of tradition and lovers of pepperoni.
His dorm room was empty, and the lack of a mess around Toma’s bed told him that his friend had likely already packed and left. Lee sat down in a chair, pulling Tess into his mystic stream and smiling as he watched her watching him.
“Shouldn’t you be packing?” she asked.
“I figured I’d stay here,” said Lee.
Tess frowned. “I’m not sure that’s allowed. It looks like even the kitchen staff and instructors are leaving for the holiday. I even saw Head Wizard Odarin with a suitcase.”
“I’ll see if I can get special permission, then,” said Lee. “The last thing I’d ever do is leave you here alone with that lich on the prowl.”
Tess looked like she was trying not to smile, with her dimples actively betraying her.
“Thank you,” she said.
She walked over and sat down on his lap. Lee gave her a tight hug and breathed in her smell. He’d always found it so curious, usually in a bad way, that he could smell ghosts on top of interacting with him. But Tess’s smell was perfect, feminine bliss, the type of scent that made him understand why pheromones were such a big deal in the animal kingdom.
A knock came at the door. Lee shifted Tess off him and made his way over, opening it and expecting Eliza or possibly Kei. Instead, a tall, handsome man in an expensive tailored suit stood on the other side. He glanced Lee over and frowned, giving a slight shake of his head.
“You’re him,” said the man. “Lee Amaranth.”
“And you’re who?” asked Lee.
“Martin Willis. Eliza’s father. I’ve never heard of your family before, Lee. Tell me, do you come from a lesser-known line of mages, or were you born to mundane parents?”
Martin’s tone of voice told Lee everything he needed to know, and his narrowed, judgmental eyes told him even more.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Mr. Willis,” said Lee, ignoring the question. “I was actually in the middle of something, so if you’ll excuse me.”
Martin used his foot as a makeshift door jamb as Lee attempted to shut him out of his room.
“Grades?” asked Martin. “Are you at the top of your class, or at least within reasonable striking distance? What about your dueling standards? What makes you think it’s okay for you to consort with my daughter?”
“Daddy, please!” Eliza appeared from behind Martin, taking his hand and pulling him back. “I told you to wait until I could introduce you.”
“Yes, I’m aware,” said Martin. “But I prefer to make up my own mind when it comes to my opinion of your… friend.”
“You can’t just ambush him!” said Eliza.
“I assure you that I did not ambush him, sweetheart,” said Martin. “I’ve just been asking him a few questions. Tell me, Lee, what sort of plans do you have for your future?”
Lee smiled at Eliza, refusing to play that particular game. “Hey, I really appreciate the offer, Eliza, but I have some things I need to take care of, so I don’t think I can join you and your family this time around. Thanks, though. Nice meeting you, Martin.”
He still had Tess in his mystic stream, and he gave her hand a tight squeeze as he finally managed to get the door shut. He heard Eliza and her father arguing as they departed and wondered how much worse it would have made the situation had he decided to actually go with them.
“Let’s go see if we can find Kei,” said Lee. “It sounded like he was planning on staying in Primhaven to hunt the lich, and I’m guessing he’d welcome the help.”
Kei wasn’t in the Elemental Tower, but one of the departing mages there pointed Lee toward the library. The Seruna Center was slowly emptying itself of staff and students, and the silent hallways made his footsteps sound momentous with their lonely echoes.
Kei was sitting behind the librarian’s desk, reading a book. He didn’t glance up as Lee made his way over, but seemed to sense his presence, regardless.
“Lee Amaranth,” said Kei. “Are you planning on leaving Primhaven for the weekend?”
“I’d prefer to stay, if I could,” he said. “I think I would need an instructor’s permission.”
“Then you’ll have it.” Kei closed his book. “I sense that the lich will make its move soon, likely during the time the college is empty and unguarded.”
“We’ll be ready for it, then,” said Lee.
“Yes. I am surprised, I must say. You will not be missed from your family’s table? It seems sad that one so young would be willing to spend a relaxing holiday alone, possibly battling a monster.”
Lee chuckled. “I won’t be alone.”
He pulled Tess into an embrace next to him and stared into her eyes.
***
Once Kei had spoken to Mattis about the details of the arrangement, Lee made his way back out onto campus. A long line of students extended outward from the First Tower and the underground Arcane Way; some with their parents, others just with their overnight luggage. Lee spotted Toma in the line with a tiny, older woman who could have only been his mother.
“Lee!” called Toma. “Yo. Over here.”
“Hey,” he said, making his way up to them. “Glad I got a chance to see you before you left. Big plans for the holiday?”
“Nah, my family doesn’t celebrate this holiday,” said Toma. “I’m just using it as an excuse to relax before the exams. Lee, meet my mother, Keiko.”
Toma and his mother spoke in Japanese for a moment, and then Keiko stepped forward, smiling politely and extending her hand.
“Lee-san,” she said, followed by a barrage of sentences in her native language.
“She’s, uh, apologizing for me,” said Toma.
“How thoughtful,” said Lee. “Tell her that I appreciate the sentiment and will continue to endure you as a friend into the near future.”
“You’re cracked, Lee Amaranth,” said Toma. “Take care of yourself this weekend, you hear? Do some studying and whatnot.”
“Same to you,” said Lee. “I’ll see you when you get back.”
CHAPTER 30
There wasn’t much else for Lee to do, so he sat on the steps of Shay Morrigan’s statue, slowly watching the line of students, staff, and faculty disappear through the Arcane Way. Other than himself and Kei, Lead Instructor Mattis was the only other person he had visual verification of remaining behind. He watched her as she did a circuit around campus, flanked by the large white dire wolf.
“What should I do now?” asked Lee.
“What are you asking me for?” said Tess. “My suggestion would be to figure out how to set up a massive, college-wide prank to greet people when they get back.”
“You’re right, what am I asking you for?”
“First of all, no I couldn’t, and second, it’s basically all the same, outside of the fixtures in the bathrooms.”
“That’s what makes it so insidious.”
Primhaven’s empty state left Lee feeling a strange, forlorn sense of freedom. He walked alongside Tess to the dining hall which, as expected, was closed down for the holiday, lights off, chairs flipped upside down on tables. The staff wasn’t there to stop him from making his way into the kitchens, where he found a fridge full of sandwiches wrapped in paper, along with enough chips and various other non-perishable foods to feed them through the weekend.
“It’s not exactly fine dining, but it still looks tasty,” said Lee.
“I don’t mind,” said Tess. “We could always go out to eat in Gillum, anyway.”
“You’re just trying to get me to take you on a date.”
Tess pouted and leaned her head to the side. “Well, you did promise me one, in case you forgot…”
“I know, and you’ll get it. But we have a few other pressing concerns to take care of first.”
He put his mind off food for the moment and headed back to his dorm room. As promised, Instructor Escher had left the completed summoning scroll in an envelope she’d slipped under his door. A hastily scribbled sticky note had been left on the front of it.
Widow will remain summoned for approximately 12 hours. For the love of god, don’t let her eat any of Mattis’s bonded animals — Escher
“You should only summon her if it’s an emergency,” whispered Tess.
“I don’t know,” said Lee. “Twelve hours is probably enough time for me to summon her preemptively, though I’ll have to be careful about judging it.”
“You just want to have scary sex with her,” muttered Tess.
Lee chuckled. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested in seeing more of what she can do with those webs. She was cooperative with Escher the last time she summoned her for research, I wasn’t really needed like I am with the others.”
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