Kleo Erili
Stories
3
Chapters
279
Words
645.6 K
Comments
210
Reading
2 d, 5 h
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Valentina stood outside an elegant townhouse in one of Bridgewater's better neighborhoods. The Violet Delights was very different from the usual brothels in the city – there were no glaring lanterns, no drunken men standing around outside the door or lurking in the shadows. Instead, the three-story building made of solid brick exuded a refined, discreet elegance. Well-craftedEssence patterns shimmered in the high windows, carefully woven defensive patterns that Valentina looked at with professional…-
425.2 K • Ongoing
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Icy sleet drove the students into the buildings, where they huddled around fireplaces and stoves, freezing. "Appropriate weather for these gloomy times," Vyxara murmured in Valentina's mind. Valentina pulled her coat tighter around her as she hurried through the cold corridors. Everywhere, students huddled in small groups, seeking warmth in the community. Their muffled conversations echoed off the stone walls. "Did you hear that?" a student whispered to her friend. "Twenty people died of the fever…
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425.2 K • Ongoing
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On the seventh day after Eastwald's arrival, Valentina found a parchment note on the outside of her door. With cool precision, the formal handwriting informed her that she was to report to the questioning room atnoon. No explanation, no polite phrases – just a direct instruction, sealed with the stylized flame symbol of the Illumination. "Ah, the time has finally come," Vyxara whispered. "It was bound to happen sooner or later." Valentina stared at the parchment, her heartbeat quickening. Despite…
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425.2 K • Ongoing
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News of the room searches quickly spread through the university like wildfire. Valentina heard the first rumors at lunch – students whispering about Emberwardens ransacking rooms, slashing mattresses, confiscating books and destroying personal belongings. "They took all of Oleanne's correspondence with her betrothed," a third-year student hissed, over her soup plate. "Private letters! Imagine what a scandal it could be if they read them." Valentina exchanged a worried glance with Innogen. "Are they…
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425.2 K • Ongoing
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By midday, one of the auditoriums on the first floor, normally a place of lively debate about Essence Theory, had been transformed into what everyone assumed to be basically a torture chamber. The Emberwardens had pushed the benches and tables against the walls and turned the room into a makeshift interrogation room. Heavy curtains had been drawn in front of the high windows, allowing only a few strips of light to penetrate. The smell of incense and a bitter herb that was supposed to ward off demonic…
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425.2 K • Ongoing
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They were in the middle of breakfast when a sudden commotion at the entrance interrupted them. The conversations in the dining room fell silent as heads turned towards the door. The normal breakfast chatter died away and was replaced by an unnatural silence. The large door opened with deliberate slowness, the old hinges groaning in protest. Six figures stepped through – four Emberwardens in their characteristic burgundy robes and armor, moving with military precision and flanking a tall, gaunt man.…
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425.2 K • Ongoing
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The rest of the lesson passed quickly as the class practiced various healing patterns under Whitehall's keen observation. At the end of the lesson, as the students were packing up their materials, Whitehall held Valentina back. "Just a moment, Valentina." Valentina stayed in her seat while the other students left the room. Aviegave her one last envious look before disappearing through the door. "Your contributions today were very valuable," Whitehall said when they were alone. "Master Wilford…
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425.2 K • Ongoing
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The second day of the new semester began with a flood of students streaming into the main hall for course registration. Valentina made her way through the crowd, a list of the courses she wanted to attend this year firmly in hand. She had chosen to focus on medical applications of Essence Weaving, inspired by her time at Greystone Hospital. "All those looks," Vyxara murmured, amused. "You'd think you were an exotic creature from the Scorched Lands or the Far West and not just a student in a new…
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425.2 K • Ongoing
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When Valentina entered the library the next morning, she immediately sensed that something had happened again. The already very subdued atmosphere was now full of nervous tension. Students whispered in the corners, but fell silent abruptly when someone walked past. "Did you hear that?" A first-year student leaned across the table to his friends. "They arrested another two last night. Essence Weavers from the city." "If he keeps this up, all the Essence Weavers will leave the city," another muttered…
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425.2 K • Ongoing
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