73 Results in the "A Blossom of Flames" category
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Valentina stood in front of the small tarnished mirror in her room, the strands of her hair still lying disorderly over her shoulders. Distant laughter drifted up to her from the lower floors, where some students were having a good time. But tonight there was only one place she wanted to be– Innogen's room, where they would celebrate Innogen's birthday together with Crispin. With a deep breath, Valentina pulled the comb through her hair and tried to organize the thoughts buzzing in her head and her…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 27 – The First Round
Valentina blinked, still dazed from sleep, as the realization hit her: Today was the day. The first round of the Greystone Competition was coming up. She sat up with a soft groan, her body protesting against the abrupt movement. The last few weeks of intensive preparation had left their mark. Dark circles appeared under her eyes, betraying thecountless nights she had spent awake, reading, and learning. "Good morning, little Weaver," Vyxara whispered in her head, the demon's voice velvety and…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 40 – Rising Above
Valentina stood in front of judges and audience, taking a deep breath. Her heart pounded in her chest, but her hands remained steady as she began to weave her Essence pattern in the air. "Honored judges," she began, her voice soft but firm. "Today I am presenting you with a project that is not only of academic interest, but could improve the lives of many people." With a fluid movement, she created a complex web of Leb and WazzerEssence in front of her. The pattern created a swirling vortex,…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 55 – Unraveled
The next morning, Valentina woke up with a queasy feeling in her stomach. The encounter with Innogen the night before was weighing heavily on her mind. As she got ready for the day, she couldn't stop thinking about it. "You worry too much, little Weaver," muttered Vyxara. "She didn't see anything. You met in a corridor at night, that's all." "I hope you're right," Valentina whispered as she plaited her hair into a neat braid. In the dining room at breakfast, Valentina immediately felt Innogen's…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Valentina woke up long before sunrise. The pale light of dawn was only just creeping through her small window, but sleep was no longer an option. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she eagerly awaited the inevitable announcement of the exam results. "Awake already?" Vyxara's amused voice echoed through her head. "You're almost as excited as before the Greystone Competition." "But it's a very different kind of excitement," Valentina murmured as she got out of bed. The wooden floor felt cool under…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 14 – Entangled Desires
The next few daysflew by, a whirlwind of lectures, exercises and clandestine Essence practices. Valentina found herself in a strange balance with Vyxara, the demon's constant presence in her mind becoming almost normal. In Professor Veilford's lecture on advanced planar geometry, Valentina surprised everyone, including herself, with a brilliant solution to a complex Essence pattern. "Impressive,Valentina," Veilford praised, his bushy eyebrows raised in surprise. "I must confess, I've never seen such…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 28 – The Turning Point
"Spit it out peasant girl," Faustus Boarfend snarled. He broke away from the group and stood in front of Valentina, his face contorted into a condescending expression. "How exactly are you cheating?" Valentina felt her stomach tighten. She had hoped to avoid this confrontation. "I've worked hard, Faustus," she said calmly, trying to keep her voice neutral. Faustus laughed humorlessly. "Worked hard? And under which professor's body did you work so hard? Horne? Veilford? No one makes such progress in…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 41 – Competitive Minds
"Faustus," she said, her voice icy. "I think we need to talk." He turned to her, one eyebrow raised dismissively. "Oh? What about, Valentina? Are you going to congratulate me on my brilliant presentation?" "You know exactly what I'm talking about," she hissed. "My Essence pattern. Someone tampered with it. And I hardly think it was a coincidence." Faustus' smile widened, but his eyes remained cold. "My goodness, Valentina. Are we being a little paranoid? Maybe your project just wasn't as stable as…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Valentina lay awake, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. She watched the dust particles dance in the light. "Good morning, little Weaver," Vyxara whispered in her head. "What are you thinking about?" Valentina sighed softly. "As if you didn't know," she mumbled. "About my fight with Innogen. The last meeting with Professor Horne. Oh, everything, really." "Ah, your... oral lesson with our good professor," the demon chuckled. "Was it that bad?" Valentina closed her eyes and remembered the events, the…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 7 – What Lies Beyond
Dusk was falling over Bridgewater University as Valentina descended the steps of the main building. The day had been a mixture of lectures, secretly studying the forbidden book, gathering needed materials for the summoning, and growing tension. She needed a moment of calm to organize her thoughts. Her feet carried her back to the university gardens almost as if of their own accord. Here and there, students scurried past, engrossed in quiet conversations or books. A black cat was prowling through the…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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