The light from the jinsei lantern above the table flashed off my ring every time I raised my hand to take another bite of pizza. There was something about the ring that demanded my attention, though I couldn’t figure out what. Finally, when my belly was full and the pain in my core had subsided, an idea hit me.
The scrivenings on the ring had strengthened my aura. If that was possible, then maybe it was also possible to strengthen my core with another item. Of course, pursuing that idea meant talking to the only professor with expertise in that field.
Who was also the professor who hated me the most.
Ishigara.
The Stitch
HAHEN AND NIDDHOGG did not agree with my plan.
“You know she hates you for what happened to Grayson, right?” Niddhogg grumbled from where he hovered above my left shoulder. He’d been agitated about my decision since we’d discussed it the night before.
“She could lead you into grave danger,” Hahen said from my right shoulder. “And any help she offers will come with a very steep price.”
“We’ve been at this for weeks,” I sighed. “And we’re no closer to finding a solution to my problem now than we were when we started. I don’t think there’s an alchemical answer. I need to try something else, and scrivening is the one thing we haven’t considered. Ishigara can help us there.”
“She’s dangerous,” Hahen insisted. “She was one of Grayson’s closest allies. If you’ll remember, he wanted you dead.”
That was all very true. But it didn’t change anything.
My team had barely scraped by in the last challenge. The next one would push us even harder. The only way for us to beat the dragons and survive was if I used all my abilities. And if I did that, I’d unravel my core and knock myself right out of the competition.
Needless to say, that wasn’t a viable option.
The reward we’d gotten from the first challenge gave me hope, though. The ring’s scrivenings had augmented my aura with armored aspects. I clung to the hope that Ishigara could help me find something similar for my core.
“I have to do this, guys,” I said. “I appreciate your input, but there’s no other option here. I have to work with Professor Ishigara.”
“As you will,” Hahen said with a sigh. “I will continue my research with Niddhogg’s help. Perhaps we will find something of use before that woman tricks you into a death trap.”
My companions bowed to me, and I returned the show of respect. Their advice was truly valuable. I just couldn’t follow it this time.
Ishigara was clearly surprised to see me when I pushed through the scriptorium’s door fifteen minutes before class was scheduled to start. She leaned back in her chair, pushed her glasses up onto her head, and gestured for me to approach.
“Mr. Warin,” she said with a forced smile. Our last meeting had almost ended in blows. Neither of us wanted a repeat of that incident. “What brings you into class so early today?”
“I need your help to find a way around my problem,” I said. “There has to be something we can do to repair my core, at least temporarily.”
Ishigara considered me for a moment. Her long, pointed nails were coated in a glossy lacquer the color of fresh blood. She tapped the tips of those painted talons together in a rhythmic clicking that reminded me of centipede legs scuttling across glass.
“Aaron the Accursed didn’t scare you off the idea of scrivening your core?” Her lips formed a smile at the question, but it never reached her eyes. Those remained fixed and cold, like a wolf watching its prey.
“There has to be some way to make this work,” I said. “These challenges won’t get any easier. The harder I get pushed, the more likely I am to fully delaminate. I’m willing to try anything at this point.”
“Maybe there is something we can do,” Ishigara said. “You’ll still be weaker than normal, but it’s better than nothing.”
“I’ll try it. Just tell me what I have to do.” I didn’t care how dangerous or risky Ishigara’s solution was. I needed this and was willing to risk anything for it.
“Very well. Have a seat while I refresh my memory of this discipline.” Ishigara turned away from me and plucked a book from the shelves beside her desk. “I’ll go over it in class with the others. Maybe everyone will learn something today.”
“Thank you, honored Professor.” I gave Ishigara a deep, heartfelt bow. “I am grateful for your assistance.”
I was halfway to my usual seat when Ishigara’s voice broke the quiet of the nearly empty room.
“I’m not doing this only for you,” she said quietly. “We all need you to compete in the challenges. We cannot let the dragons win the Empyrean Gauntlet.”
By the time I’d reached my seat, Ishigara had her nose buried in a thick tome on her desk. Her long, pointed fingernails traced lines of densely packed text.
“Early to class?” Hagar feigned shock when she arrived. “What a good student.”
“You’re hardly ever here,” I muttered. “Maybe I’m early every day.”
“We both know that’s not true,” Hagar smirked. “On the days when I don’t have something more important to do, I always get to class early. And you’re never here.”
“Times change,” I said.
“For the better, I hope.” Hagar grinned.
Small groups of our classmates filtered into the scriptorium and took their seats. A few of them gave Hagar and me approving looks or shot us a thumbs-up. It was nice to know that people appreciated what we were doing in the competition, even if we hadn’t won the first challenge. It was almost as good as being the School champion.
I really missed that cottage, even with everything that had happened out there. Our team could have used a private space to
