73 Results in the "A Blossom of Flames" category
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Chapter
Chapter 1 – The Burning Tower
Would she ever get enough of it? Even though she knew she was late again, Valentina stood in awe and admired the view. Although she had been at Bridgewater University for several months now, she still hadn’t lost that sense of wonder. The autumn sun bathed the mighty towers of the university's fortifications in a warm golden light. The massive stone walls, their architecture interwoven with shimmering lines of essence, rose majestically into the sky before her. At the center of the sprawling campus stood…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 16 – Forbidden Patterns
Lunch was drawing to a close, and the dining room of Bridgewater was beginning to empty. Valentina and Innogen sat for a moment longer.Their plates were already empty, but they were reluctant to part ways. "I have to go," Innogen finally said, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "Professor Veilford's tutorial on advanced planar geometry is waiting for me. I'll see you later?" Valentina nodded with a smile. "Of course. Have fun with the triangles," she joked. As Innogen hurried away laughing, her long…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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A week went byand Valentina could feel her influence on Professor Horne growing, how she dominated his thoughts and tormented him with her whispered innuendos. "You've barely scratched the surface, little Weaver," the demon whispered one evening as Valentina pored over her books. "The big test is coming. Now is the time to put all your eggs in one basket." Valentina rubbed her tired eyes. "What do you mean, Vyxara? Professor Horne can hardly think straight now. By this point, I'm sure he's dreaming…
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374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 8 – Eyes in the Darkness
The demon before her had unfurled from nothingness, like a boil that burst into reality, leaving layers of Essence that overlapped and disappeared again. Its body was false, as if it existed in multiple planes, none of which quite harmonized with the other. Grotesque limbs stretched at impossible angles, disappearing and reappearing as if they were in a bizarre dance that seemed to disregard the sheer concept of space. But the worst part was the eyes. A web of eyes began to form in the demonic…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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When Valentina awoke,she opened her eyes slowly and stretched carefully. Her body felt heavy, as if she was carrying an invisible burden on her shoulders. Two days had passed since her encounter with Barnaby, and yet it seemed like an eternity. The initial shame that had enveloped her like a suffocating blanket had given way to a steely resolve. She sat up, her gaze falling on the bottle of Distilled Essence on her desk.Worth the sacrifice. At least, she hoped it was. "Good morning, little Weaver,"…
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374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 53 – The Professor’s Pet
"...and so we see that the resonant patterns of Leb and Viur Essencewith the desired effect are in a complex but predictable relationship," Professor Horne explained, his thin fingers dancing over the shimmering Essence threads in front of him. Valentina sat in the front row, her eyes fixed on thepatterns he visualized for them. She felt a self-satisfied smile steal onto her lips. The lecture was a challenge for most students, but for her it was almost too easy by now. "Boring," Vyxara muttered in…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 35 – Flames of Innocence
Valentina opened the door to Crispin's room and entered hesitantly. The space that opened up before her made her pause for a moment. In contrast to her modest attic room, Crispin's room was spacious and airy – although not as large as Innogen's huge quarters, of course. Large windows let in the last of the evening light, bathing the sturdy wooden furniture in warm tones. "Wow," Valentina gasped involuntarily. "Your room is... beautiful." Crispin blushed slightly and ran his fingers nervously…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 62 – The Essence Thief
"...strange," she heard a voice through the wall. "The door to the main corridor felt different." "What do you mean by that, Professor Veilford?" Valentina's heart skipped a beat. Why hadn't her alarm pattern warned her? What was Professor Veilford doing here now, at this time of night? Veilford was a master of Essence manipulation. If he noticed her changes to the protection patterns... "I'm not sure." Footsteps approached the door to the storeroom. "Let's go and have a look." "Behind the…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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The dining room was already bustling with activity when Valentina walked in through the heavy oak doors. The familiar smell of freshly baked bread and fried bacon filled the air, but something was different this morning. There was an unusual tension in the atmosphere, which Valentina noticed immediately. Instead of the usual babble of voices and laughter, there was a subdued murmur. Students sat together in small groups, their heads close together as they whispered with serious expressions. Valentina…
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374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 44 – Extra Credit
The knock on Professor Horne's office door echoed through the quiet corridor. Valentina took a deep breath, her heart racing. "Come in," came Horne's voice,full of tension and caution. Valentina entered. Professor Horne sat behind his massive desk, his hands restless on the polished surface. "Sit down, Valentina," he said, his eyes wary. She took a seat, her back straight, her hands calmly in her lap. The tension in the room was almost palpable. "You wanted to see me, Professor?" Valentina…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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