Bart's enthusiasm was palpable, as if he were still lost in the thrill of their unexpected encounter with Lyra and Kael. "How about that?" he exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement. "Our status is on the rise. A member of the House of Steel and House of Word talking to us? In the whole of Orus Guild Academy history, I bet that's never happened before."

  The encounter with two members of the Great Houses still lingered in his mind, leaving Lowell feeling unsettled and on edge. As they walked towards classroom 2-B, where their assigned club was supposed to meet, Lowell's silence was a reflection of his turmoil. Bart, however, seemed oblivious to Lowell's unease, continuing to babble excitedly about the unexpected attention from members of two Great Houses.

  To Lowell, the attention from the Great Houses only served as a painful reminder of his troubled past. He had already been under intense scrutiny from the headmaster, and the last thing he needed was more unwanted attention. All he wanted was to make it through his remaining time at the academy without further complications or drama.

  Lowell followed Bart into the classroom, failing to slow his pace to match Bart's sudden halt. His mind still reeling from their unexpected encounter with Lyra and Kael. Lowell looked up his attention drawn to the reason behind Bart's pause. He followed his gaze to find Rina Cross, standing near the front of the room, her eyes fixed intently on them.

  As Bart and Rina exclaimed "You!" in unison, shock and confusion etched on their faces, Lowell's mind racing with the implications. He had expected Gol to try to intervene, especially after their conversation the other evening, but he hadn't anticipated Rina Cross being involved as well. The headmaster's orders to join a student club had already seemed peculiar, and now that he knew Rina was involved, Lowell felt like he was drowning in uncertainty, with no clear answers in sight.

  Rina's question, "What are you doing here!?" was met with Bart's equally enthusiastic response, and Lowell couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

  Bart's desperation was dramatic and over the top as he clutched at Lowell's uniform collar, nearly stumbling off his crutches. "Lowell," he whined, "why is she here?" Lowell gently disentangled himself and brushed Bart off from his uniform.

  The question on everyone's mind seemed to be why Rina Cross, the guild captain of Cross Company, was present in their assigned club. Lowell's instincts told him that Gol was involved in the developments unfolding, but he wondered if he was being paranoid.

  "I have a better question," Rina said, her voice rising in annoyance as she pointed at Bart. "Why is he here?" The two of them were already bickering like long-standing adversaries, their words tumbling over each other in a cacophony of noise. Lowell's attention wavered, he tuned out the argument, his mind struggling to keep up with the sudden turn of events.

  Lowell made his way around Bart, further into the classroom and dropped his bag onto a desk, Lowell felt a sense of resignation wash over him. He slumped into the seat, trying to gather his thoughts.

  "Look Rina," he began, "I'm not joining your guild."

  Bart's response was immediate: "Neither am I!" His tone was defiant, but Lowell sensed a hint of uncertainty lurking beneath the surface.

  "Fine by me, Master Allston." Rina's retort was laced with sarcasm. "No one wants you in their club anyway." She turned her attention back to Lowell, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

  "You can't just twist arms and bribe people to get what you want." Bart started to accuse Rina of orchestrating this whole situation. "Well, actually I guess you can and a lot of people do, but that's not the point!"

  "I had nothing to do with this!" Rina declared, innocently then turned her attention to Lowell. Yes, she wanted Lowell to join her guild as subcommander, but she didn't have any hand in the course of events as they were unfolding. "Look, Mister Cool-As-a-Cucumber... Mister Too-Good-For-a-Guild, Mister..." she paused, searching for the right phrase before landing on "Lowell." Her gaze was piercing, as if daring him to defy her. "I'm not the one who sauntered in here. I didn't ask you to join my guild."

  "Actually—" Lowell began, but Rina made a shushing sound, cutting him off as she slammed her hand down on the top of the desk nearest to her and pointed at Lowell's face. The silence that followed was oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of Bart's sputtering.

  "I didn't ask you to join my guild today," she said, her tone condescending. "I said give it some time. Why are you even here?"

  Bart took this opportunity to recount their tale of woe, and Lowell watched as Rina listened intently her annoyance growing with every word of Bart's story. Her interest in what brought them to her guild was enough to keep her from interrupting, however, and he sensed that she was determined to uncover the truth.

  As Bart finished his story, Rina placed a finger against her forehead, fighting off a headache. "As I understand it," she said, trying to control her emotions but failing as the sarcasm in her voice was evident, "the headmaster assigned you to my guild as part of your probation."

  She paused, her mannerism changing suddenly as she thought aloud. "Actually, it is a pretty brilliant idea. I wish I had thought of it first." The words hung in the air like a challenge, and Lowell felt his unease grow.

  While Rina pondered the situation, Bart hobbled over to Lowell, his crutches clicking against the floor. "I don't get it," he muttered, unable to hide his disdain. "Why would the headmaster assign us to her club? It's a joke, right?" The words came out full of contempt. "Her guild is nothing, and I mean that literally. There is no one here, no one wants to be part of this club. And now you're telling me we're stuck with her?" Bart's face twisted in disgust. "This is a nightmare, Lowell. A complete disaster."

  Rina's sudden outburst of excitement cut through the tension of the room, startling both Lowell and Bart. She slammed her fist into her open palm, her eyes shining with a mixture of triumph and cunning. Lowell sensed that she had come up with some plan, and he was certain he was not going to like it.

  "If this is part of your punishment from the headmaster, Lowell, then come to the club after classes. I won't ask you to join the guild until you're ready to. Forcing you to join Cross Company doesn't do me any good, I'd rather you join because you want to. I don't know why the headmaster is forcing you to join a student club let alone mine, but as long as that's part of your probation you might as well make the best of it." Rina sat down proud of herself. "So, what do you say? Join me here after classes and do whatever you want. No talk of joining Cross Company. You don't have to draw further ire from the headmaster and I don't have to sit here alone for hours every week."

  Lowell thought on the offer, as long as Rina didn't force the subject of joining her guild the compromise felt measured.

  "Fine. Agreed." Lowell stood and extended his hand to Rina in an offer of accord and goodwill. Rina grasped his hand, excitedly.

  "Also agreed," Bart nodded.

  "Who said anything about you joining. Go find another club." Rina scowled at Bart, her grip tightening on Lowell's hand to the point where he winced. This girl seriously had the grip of a dwarf.

  Bart ignored her, "seriously though, why this club?"

  Lowell shrugged. "Rina," he said forming a question "why are you so interested in forming a student-run guild? They aren't recognized. Most academy students join some other extracurricular activity or start an actual club, not a guild."

  Lowell's question caught Rina off guard, forcing her to pause and consider her response. She took a deep breath before answering with enthusiasm.

  "Why not? Guilds are a great way to build connections and gain experience in the real world," she said, her voice steady, almost too steady, as if rehearsed.

  But beneath the surface, her thoughts twisted into places she rarely let anyone see. And maybe, she admitted silently, they're the only way I'll ever uncover what happened to Dad.

  The thrill of the search wasn't just about the mystery; it was about filling the emptiness he'd left behind when he vanished on that airship test—the same one that stole him from her life. Forming a guild wasn't just ambition; it was her lifeline to a father who never returned, and a chance to prove she was worth finding too.

  As she gazed at Lowell, Rina's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Bart's sarcastic remark from earlier. She felt a surge of frustration, but pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

  "Look, I just think it would be a great opportunity for us, for students, to learn and grow together," she said, trying to keep her tone light. "That's the fundamental reason that the guild academies were formed, isn't it?"

  But as she continued to talk, Rina couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to her desire for starting a guild than what she was letting on. She thought about the sense of belonging she craved, the need to prove herself as a capable leader. And, of course, there was the appeal of potential wealth and prestige that came with leading a successful guild.

  Rina's brother toiled away in the factories and workshops of Essengard to make ends meet for them in their small apartment on the western edge of Oldgate. Their mother had left them for the countryside, to live with distant family that Rina and her brother hardly even knew. The estate was a small one in eastern Rhevaire, but her lodgings there were not free. Half the money made by Stratos in the factories was sent abroad to their absent mother.

  Rina kept these thoughts locked away, hidden behind a mask of enthusiasm and determination. She knew that Lowell and Bart wouldn't understand, at least not yet. But as she looked into their faces, she felt a spark of hope ignite within her. Maybe, just maybe, this would be the start of something special—for all of them, even Bart.

  Watching her, Lowell suspected that there was more that Rina wasn't saying, but he wasn't interested enough to pry. For now, they had resolved the outstanding issue of their mandatory involvement in a student club.

  #

  As it always does, the sun began to set. It cast Orus Guild Academy in a warm golden embrace as the last rays of light disappeared behind the towering buildings in nearby districts. Lowell took a moment to enjoy the warmth. After the encounter with the nightmare the other day, he found himself appreciating little things, like this sunset, more.

  The trio made their way off the campus grounds, their extracurriculars finally coming to an end. While their destinations were ultimately different, the fastest way for any of the three to return home was the trolley line. As they strolled down the street, they were mostly quiet with moments of idle chatter or bickering between Rina and Bart piercing the silence.

  The walk felt longer than usual, each step carrying them deeper into the city's evening bustle. Lowell found himself growing more alert, his senses sharpening as they moved through the familiar yet unpredictable streets of Dahncrest. A habit formed from growing up within the Black Boars.

  Bart's eyes raged as he stopped short, his gaze fixed on the crowd of students gathered near the entrance to Heritage Green, the park that Lowell had cut through the previous day when he first encountered Bart. Lowell followed his companion's line of sight.

  Robbie and Werner, two of the second-year Arclan students that Lowell had fought off the other day, stood at the forefront of the group, surrounded by a few additional rough-looking thugs. However, it was the young man standing in their midst who caught Lowell's attention. A well-dressed individual, Lowell initially didn't recognize him as a student. He appeared older than the others, but upon noticing the heavily modified, tailored Arclan student's uniform with intricate embellishments, Lowell adjusted his assessment of the young man's age. He was likely the same age or perhaps a year older than Lowell.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  "Who's that?" Lowell asked, his voice low and curious.

  Bart's jaw tightened, his usual chatter replaced by an uncharacteristic silence. His eyes remained fixed on the group with a mixture of unease and disdain. It was clear he didn't want to acknowledge their presence.

  As they stood there, the young man in question caught sight of them and called out down the street.

  Bart's eyes flashed with anger as he turned on his crutches and began to hobble toward the street. "Come on, let's go," he muttered, trying to make a break for it in an attempt to cross the street and go around.

  "Bartholomew, where are your manners? Aren't you going to say 'hello' and introduce me to your new friends?" The words were not friendly. They carried the weight of bitter rivalry.

  Bart's face darkened, and Lowell could sense the tension building between him and the Arclan student. It was clear that this young man was someone important, given how Robbie and Werner deferred to him. But why was he causing trouble at the entrance to Heritage Green?

  It was clear to Lowell that Robbie, Werner, and the other Arclan students were subordinate to the one addressing Bart. It was also increasingly likely that the other day when he came across Bart in the park they were not acting independently.

  The Arclan student commander exuded an over abundance of confidence. He stood tall, about a head taller than Werner who was himself large. His aristocratic features were accentuated by the customized academy uniform, which seemed to defy convention by its very existence. The blend of black and silver colors evoked a sense of military precision, rather than the usual student attire. The long, flared coat added an air of elegance and authority, while the gleaming rapier at his side seemed both functional and ornate. Every aspect of his appearance seemed designed to convey discipline, prestige, and a sense of untouchable superiority.

  Without waiting for Bart to respond, Lowell took a step forward, his eyes locked on the young man. "I think we'll pass," Lowell stated coolly, his tone firm but polite. "We're not exactly looking for company this evening."

  The young man's smile faltered, and for a moment, Lowell thought he saw a glimmer of annoyance in his eyes. But it was quickly replaced by a charming grin.

  "Ah, come now, Bartholomew," the young man said, addressing Bart instead of Lowell. "I'm just trying to make an introduction. I don't want you to regret it later."

  Lowell's instincts told him to keep their distance from this individual and his thuggish entourage. He glanced at Bart, who was still seething with anger, but had no where to place it, before he turned back to face the young man.

  "I think we'll take our chances," Lowell said firmly, his eyes never leaving the young man's face. With that, Lowell turned and began walking in the opposite direction, Rina hurried to match pace behind him. Bart trailed after them, seething in frustration and annoyance.

  Bart's stopped abruptly. He spun around, his good leg stiffening in preparation for a defensive stance. With a swift motion, he lifted the other crutch, pointing it accusingly at the group.

  "You're a thug, Klein," Bart spat. "Your family is corrupt and I want nothing to do with you or your kind." Klein Cambridge was above Bart in station, skill, and in every other way possible, but still Bart did his best to emphasize to Klein that it didn't matter. That no matter how much prestige Klein Cambridge had, he and his associates were and always would be nothing better than street thugs. His crutch trembled slightly in his hand, a subtle sign of the tension coursing through his body.

  Klein's smile faltered for an instant, his eyes narrowing as he took in Bart's aggressive stance. But then he regained his composure, letting out a soft, dismissive chuckle.

  Klein let out a disapproving tsk. "Is that any way to talk to your partner?" His tone was calm, but his words cut deep.

  Bart responded with a laughter that was bitter and sarcastic. "Partner? Partner! Hah. You think I'm some kind of fool who would sell out our share of Ironhaven to Cambridge? The Allstons have a long history of serving with the guild, and we're not about to betray that trust."

  Klein's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Ah, but you see, Bart, your family has a bit of a... complicated history with mine."

  Bart's grip tightened on his crutch, his knuckles whitening. Two generations back the Allstons and the Cambridges both accused the other of embezzlement.

  Klein nodded, his smile never wavering. "Yes, that. Although it was never proven, the Cambridge family was forced to leave the board of directors of Ironhaven Blacksmiths' guild. And since then, we've... risen to new heights of wealth and power, haven't we?"

  Bart's eyes flashed. "You think you're so much better than us just because your family has more money and prestige? Newsflash, Klein: it doesn't matter how many credits you have in the bank, or how many villas your family owns, or who your father bribes if you don't have any honor or integrity."

  Angered by the latest accusation levied by an Allston, Klein started forward. Robbie, Werner and the other boys scrambled to keep up. "Ah, but that's where you're wrong, Bart. The Cambridge family has always been about getting ahead, no matter what the cost. And I think we can both agree that your family has... let's say, a less than stellar track record when it comes to business acumen."

  As the gap between the two groups closed, Lowell saw another person he hadn't noticed previously. She wore a first-year Arclan uniform and she had the unmistakable features of an elw. Her face was delicate and elegant, her eyes large and almond-shaped. Her hair was a platinum blonde, almost white, and her ears protruded ever so slightly.

  Not a full elw, Lowell guessed. Likely human on her father or mother's side.

  She hesitated before she followed the group, clutching a knotted wooden staff close to her as she moved quickly to catch up. She seemed out of place with the group, when Lowell noticed that, like Klein, her attire wasn't exactly standard for a first-year student. Lace and other embellishments were sewn into the frills of the skirt and her uniform had other soft touches to it. Her timidity was refreshing compared to Klein's aggression.

  There was something almost ethereal about her presence, as if she were made of glass and might shatter at the slightest touch. Her movements were careful, deliberate, as though she were constantly aware of her own fragility. When she glanced up at Klein, her expression held a mixture of devotion and something else Lowell couldn't quite identify. Fear, perhaps, or resignation.

  "I mean, seriously, Bart, have you seen your father's financial records? It's like he's trying to give away the family fortune."

  Bart clenched his jaw with rage. With Klein and his entourage only a few paces away, Lowell stepped in before Bart could make the situation worse. He stepped in between the two, standing almost directly in Klein's face.

  "Careful boss," Robbie cautioned Klein in a hushed tone. Klein shot him a look that silenced him and any of the others who might have spoken up. Werner, still favoring his injuries gave a nervous look to Robbie.

  "You have a bodyguard now, Master Allston? How wonderful." Klein's attention shifted to Lowell, his eyes narrowing with predatory interest. "What is Bart paying you? I'm sure whatever it is, I can make it worth your while to—"

  "Lowell Brandt. And I'm not his bodyguard, I'm his friend." Did he really just declare his friendship to Bartholomew Allston? What was he doing? "That's a nice sword you've got there, do you know how to use it or is it just ornamentation?"

  Klein sneered at Lowell. "I don't often deign to speak to inferiors like you, but, yes. I know how to use it. I'm undefeated."

  "We'll have to see about that one of these days." Lowell's smirk was a calculated provocation, and Klein's gaze narrowed in response to the taunt.

  Klein took a step back, distancing himself from Lowell, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his rapier. "I don't like your tone, Brandt. You'd do well to remember your place."

  Klein was sizing Lowell up. Klein was a about a head taller than Lowell, so the young man was looking down on him, both figuratively and literally. "Lowell. Lowell. Ah yes. Lowell Brandt." He directed his attention to Robbie and the others as if giving a lecture. "Little Lonely Lowell Brandt. Unloved and unwanted. Orphaned by lunatic parents who burned a village and killed themselves. Abandoned by your adopted family and dumped in Dahncrest like trash—"

  Lowell's reaction was immediate, his fist flying out to connect with Klein's jaw in a swift, brutal motion that sent the boy stumbling backward.

  "Don't ever—" It took him a split second to master control over himself. "Never talk about my family like that," Lowell growled, his eyes blazing with fury.

  Klein surged forward, ready to retaliate, but Anna appeared out of nowhere, her small hands grasping for Klein's arm, holding him back with a gentle but firm strength. "Anna! Move!" Klein ordered her, but she refused to comply.

  "Not now, brother." Anna's voice was gentle but firm, and she looked to Lowell. "I apologize for my brother's words." Her tone carried a weight of sorrow, as if she were apologizing not just for Klein's cruelty, but for something deeper, more personal. Her eyes, when they met Lowell's, held a depth of understanding that seemed far beyond her years.

  In an instant, the timid-looking girl, the sister of Klein Cambridge, had managed to calm the rapidly escalating situation. Lowell's gaze was still fixed on Klein, his chest heaving with rage. Tension crackled between the two boys as they faced off against each other, their aggression almost tangible.

  Then, the adrenaline sapped from Lowell as well, he let his guard down. Confused.

  Anna's intervention had been swift and decisive, yet Lowell couldn't shake the feeling that her actions had cost her something. She stood between them like a delicate barrier, her presence both protective and vulnerable. When Klein finally pulled away from her restraining hand, Anna seemed to shrink slightly, as if the effort of standing up to him had drained her of what little strength she possessed.

  Klein rubbed his jaw, a vicious smile twisting his lips. "This isn't over, Brandt."

  "Name a time and place, Klein."

  "The duelist finals, then." Klein announced with a steely resolve, giving a sharp tug to his jacket to straighten it, his eyes blazing with determination. The air around him still suffocated by tension, every one of his movements deliberate and charged with purpose.

  "I'll see you there."

  But Bart's response was one of incredulity. "Whoa-whoa, wait a minute," he exclaimed, grasping Lowell's arm and pulling him back so that he could see around him. His tone was skeptical. "The duelist finals? In the Acadethalon?"

  Robbie, never one to miss an opportunity to mock his enemies, sneered at Bart's naivety. "'In the Acadethalon?'" he mimicked. "Of course in the Acadethalon." He paused, his cruelty outweighing his wit. "Oh, right. Orus Loser Academy doesn't participate. Too tired of losing, I guess."

  Bart's face flushed with indignation as Robbie's words cut deep. Klein saw the opportunity to twist the knife a little deeper. "If you're too scared, then maybe you should stick to your... little club and leave the big leagues to those of us who are actually qualified." It was as much a condemnation of Lowell as it was directed at Bart.

  Klein pushed off his sister's hand away from his arm and haughtily walked back in the direction of Heritage Green. Anna stumbled slightly as he pulled away, her balance precarious for a moment before she righted herself. She cast one last glance at Lowell, her expression unreadable, before following her brother with the careful, measured steps of someone who had learned to navigate a world where every movement carried consequences.

  "We'll see you there." Lowell called after him, flatly and defiantly accepting Klein's challenge.

  The light had faded to a twilight by now, and the warm orange glow was being replaced by the cool blue-white of the aether-filled lamps that hung from the eaves of the buildings and that were suspended from posts across the city. Silence hung over the small group, the only sound being the distant hum of the trolley lines and the soft chatter of pedestrians.

  Klein and his cronies were finally out of earshot, Bart's voice burst forth in shocked protest. "What have you done!?" he cried out, his words echoing off the buildings as he stared after Lowell with a mixture of fear and disbelief.

  Lowell was taken aback by Bart's reaction, his confusion evident on his face. "Huh?" He hadn't meant to provoke such an intense response from Bart, but Klein's parting words had seemed so... final.

  Rina's voice cut through the exasperated silence between the boys, finally speaking up after watching the whole confrontation unfold before her, "Geez, you really don't know anything do you?" Lowell shook his head, his expression sheepish. He'd never even heard the term Acadethalon before.

  "The Acadethalon isn't just a series of sporting events," Rina began her explanation. "Guild academies compete for prestige. All eyes are on the participants and recruiters from some of the most powerful guilds are in attendance. For a lot of students, the Acadethalon is an audition for life after they graduate. It's a chance to make an impression. It's a big deal in Dahncrest." She paused, as if expecting Lowell to grasp the significance of what she was saying.

  Lowell stared at her, a confused look on his face, as if he still didn't quite get what she was trying to say. Rina's annoyance grew as she threw him an exasperated glance and continued.

  "What I'm saying is, you don't just sign-up and say 'I'm competing!' No matter how good you are," she snapped, her frustration clear. "You need a sponsor, which usually means the guild academy puts together teams for these events." She sighed heavily, as if the very act of explaining was draining her.

  "Orus Guild Academy hasn't competed in the Acadethalon for something like five years," Rina continued. "There's no way they are competing this year. And on top of it, you need provisional recognition as a student club or guild." Her words hung in the air, tinged with disappointment.

  Lowell looked at Bart and Rina, his expression still puzzled. "It's a good thing we're in a guild then," he said, as if that solved everything.

  Bart blinked, clearly confused by Lowell's statement. Rina's mouth dropped open in surprise, her eyes wide with excitement.

  "Really?" she asked, as if daring Lowell to deny it.

  But before she could say anything else, Bart spoke up. "Don't you need three members to be an officially recognized school club or guild?" he asked, his brow furrowed in concentration.

  Lowell looked at him, a smirk spreading across his face. Rina's enthusiasm fell off a cliff as she realized the truth. Before she could say anything, she begrudgingly agreed. "Fine, Bart can join too."