It had been a few days since Fenrick’s. I was calmer than before, but that didn’t mean my resolve, nor intent had changed.

  I needed that blade, not to kill, but because I needed something I could rely on to help anyone who needed help.

  The long coat I was making was complete and damn did I look good. All black, silver embroidery, long cuffs, draped to my shins. Perfection.

  I had made my rounds to Fenrick’s shop the subsequent nights after. Unfortunately it wasn’t ready yet and the formal was tonight.

  I had hoped to get these abhorrent images out of my mind, thankfully Mariel wanting to be my girlfriend helped with that.

  I didn’t realize at the moment but it was odd for her to suddenly ask it like that. I mean if she had a crush on me that’s one thing but it felt strange how spontaneous it was.

  Nevertheless I was content with things for the time being. The people I surrounded myself with were all supportive of me, whether they had the full picture or not.

  From my close friends who knew everything, to my adopted parents who knew the least about me I was supported by a lot of people.

  Even two Grand Marshal’s liked me. Torian and Cecilia.

  Veran still hated me.

  The other two were far too distant, likely didn’t even know my name.

  They were Rex Kaelthar, top of the food chain and second in command beneath the emperor. And Ingrid Varkane, fifth of the Grand Marshals and protector of the outer walls.

  I certainly hope not to run into Rex. He’s the highest ranking officer, but by no means does that mean he’s ever in an office. He makes examples and demonstrations. That’s it.

  Rex wields a dual-sided battle axe as his relic. It swallows lucen magic to redistribute as morvain magic. Given the intrinsic nature of the dark mithralite it naturally just dispels aspects of morvain magic.

  Thinking about it all made my brain hurt.

  I sat alone eating lunch. I was the first to get to the cafeteria. I often ate alone or with a small group like Jerek and Mariel. Occasionally their other friends joined too.

  I still didn’t have any friends outside of Jerek and Mariel. I didn’t really want any. I mean I saw some of the guys in the hallways or courtyards and greeted them in passing, but besides that I didn’t want any.

  Everyone still saw me as an annoying little shit. I get it, I barely try and get straight A’s, I am well ahead of most people for my age.

  Even with Veran’s annoying stares simmering down I still felt his eyes shooting knives into me all the time.

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  Cecilia was radio silent with me during the last month. She likely paused our deal while I couldn’t go out at night.

  Torian hadn’t directly contacted me at all but every now and then I’d attend a speech of his, maybe some of his legion would talk with me and help me, I even had a one on one session with his second in command.

  From an outsider it looked like special treatment and that I was trying too hard to kiss ass. Couldn’t be further from the truth. I was trying to get as smart and strong as possible to maybe overturn the fate of the empire.

  The current trajectory was going to decline worse and worse and worse. Which seems crazy, but it’s even worse now than it was five years ago.

  There’s cracks of hope shining through the formidable bastion of the Iron Veil, but as a whole? It’s like the empire started as a just republic and slowly just decayed.

  Most likely there’s something rotten in the empire’s past. Even more of an atrocity than meets the eye. And I intend to uncover it, maybe fight it, maybe kill it, maybe purify it. Then when the dust settles I will help rebuild.

  So I can see with my own two eyes the luxury of what life can offer. Unfortunately I fear that may never happen.

  I got slapped on the back with a tower of a man to sit next to me. It was Jerek.

  He put his tray of food down next to mine. “Hey you, whatcha doing eating all alone buddy?”

  My expression went from deep in thought to idiotic smile. “I was waiting for you, of course.”

  He smiled and a couple of his friends sat near him. Followed with Mariel sitting at my left, with her friends near her.

  All centered around me.

  I kept eating and before long people started talking.

  “So, Cade.” I looked up, it was one of Jerek’s guys. “Whatcha training today.”

  Weird question. I mean this wasn’t a noble friend so he didn’t mean anything unique by this, just a weight lifting question.

  I finished chewing. “Cardio.”

  He laughed. “Lame, we’re gonna hit chest today. Ain’t that right Jerek?”

  Jerek looked at him then back to me. “No, I think it’s time we run with Cade. He swings a sword better than anyone here and most of his physical training time is spent in cardio.”

  A different friend took a bite of his lunch. “Yeah,” he started with a mouth full. “I say let’s run. We can work off calories before we drink tonight!”

  Drinking at fifteen was allowed. I just had little to no interest in it. I didn’t like how it dulled my senses.

  “Ew.” Came from a female’s voice near Mariel. “Drinking? We have the Formal tonight. You’re going to be a drunken mess for the event?”

  He nodded. She rolled her eyes.

  Another girl spoke up. “Cade, should we join you guys too in a run? It’d be nice to do something outside of a book with you and Mariel.”

  A nice thought. I suppose I don’t hate it. “Sure. We'll meet outside the east wing after school.” Everyone nodded and agreed and the rest of lunch went smoothly.

  People still asked me questions about magic, swords, etc. I was just glad that people weren’t solely looking at me like I was a freak.

  We wrapped up lunch and everyone let me walk Mariel to her class without a crowd.

  The day was going eerily smooth. Way too smooth.

  Even with a month of being the empire’s “good boy” I still felt Veran’s eyes peering. Sure it wasn’t as bad as it was when I was being a smartass but still, very present and very real.

  After last class we met near the east wing in workout clothes.

  I was first to show up, I figured I’d just stretch while I waited.

  “Hey, Cade!” Mariel hollered from a distance.

  I straightened my posture. “Hey!”

  After she arrived people slowly trickled in.

  We began with a light jog, even though it was almost laughable. The running form of some of the people around me was a joke.

  Arms flailing, stiff legs, tiling forwards or backwards. I mean I get these aren’t incredible athletes, some are just mages not even a weapon wielder. Still, this was the people at the same age as Mariel, Jerek, and I?

  I didn’t want to be a dick, but they didn’t seem as interested in their studies as others.

  Maybe that was actually better?

  Every one thought I had today spiraled into another. I could focus on a task, but to focus on one single thought felt harder than it should be.

  Perhaps it was me being anxious? Or nervous for my date with Mariel tonight? A mix of both? Something else entirely?

  I just spiraled again.

  Whatever, I forced my head to go blank and focused on running. I helped correct the form of those who I could tell were struggling.

  When we were done we rinsed off and went our separate ways. We walked Jerek home, then I walked Mariel home.

  We all got ready for the formal tonight. Something told me I was in for something unforgettable tonight. And I had no idea what that was.

  And if I should fear it or embrace it.