73 Results in the "A Blossom of Flames" category
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Chapter
Chapter 19 – Call of Competition
Valentina took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders before knocking on the heavy oak door of the Decanate. Her heart beat wildly in her chest, and she felt her palms grow damp. "Easy, little Weaver," Vyxara whispered in her head. "You have nothing to fear." "Come in!" a deep, authoritative voice sounded from inside. Valentina opened the door with trembling hands and stepped inside. The Decan's office was an impressive room, clearly displaying the power and influence of its occupant. Tall…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 32 – Between Two Worlds
As the bell of the Burning Quill rang for the last round, Valentina, Innogen and Crispin realized how quickly time had passed. The tavern had emptied noticeably, with only a few stubborn revellers still holding out at their tables. "I think it's time for us to go," Innogen said with a yawn that she tried to hide behind her hand. Valentina nodded in agreement, but at the same time felt a pang of regret. The evening had been so beautiful, so liberating. Part of her didn't want to let go of that feeling…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 46 – Eve of Martyrium
The Burning Tower, not only Bridgewater University's Flametowerbut one of the largest in the kingdom, was filled to capacity. Hundreds of candles and torches bathed the room in a warm, flickering light that was caught in the beautifully woven tapestries. The scent of incense hung heavy in the air, mingling with the soft rustling of robes and the hushed murmur of the assembled students and professors. Valentina, Innogen and Crispin found seats in one of the back rows. From here, they had a good view of the…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 6 – Forbidden Pages
The heavy oak doors of the library closed behind Valentina with a muffled sound that briefly broke the silence of the room. The familiar smell of old leather, parchment and dust enveloped her like a warm blanket. The tall bookshelves stretched seemingly endlessly in all directions, their shadows dancing in the flickering light of the Essence-powered lamps. Valentina took a deep breath and felt an inner calm slowly settle over her again. Here among all the knowledge, she felt safe. She had the feeling that…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Interlude – Crispin’s Diary I
Dear Diary, As night comes, I find myself at my desk again, surrounded by flitting candlelight. In thosemost quiet hours, when everyone else is asleep,my thoughts inevitably stray to her, to Valentina. Oh, Valentina. Just her name makes my heart beat faster. How can one person contain so much beauty, grace and intelligence? She was two rows in front of me in Professor Emberfell's lecture and I barely could suppress the urge to just stare at her all day long. She looked just like the most beautiful…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
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Valentina lay awake in her narrow bed early in the morning, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, while the events of the previous night swirled through her head like autumn leaves in the wind. The visit to the Burning Quill had stirred something inside her. The frank conversations with Innogen and Crispin about love, intimacy and expectations had touched a side of her that she had kept carefully closed off. And then there had been Hobkin, with his seductive smile and sparkling eyes, who had made eyes at her and…
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421.6 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 47 – The Silent Flame
Shortly afterwards, Valentina quietly closed the door of her small attic room behind her and leaned against it, exhausted. Her body felt heavy and her bottom was still tingling from the spanking and the balm. She took a deep breath and slowly lowered herself onto her narrow bed. "Well, little Weaver," Vyxara purred in her head, "that was quite an.... interesting lesson." Valentina snorted softly. "Interesting is hardly the right word for it, Vyxara." She got up again and went to the bowl of water in the…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 60 – Corruption
"STOP!" screamed Vyxara in her head. "The corrupt Essence is leaking through!" Valentina saw it too. Fine black veins began to run through the ambient Essence of the room, like ink in clear water. The sweet, foul smell grew stronger. "What should I do?" she whispered in a panic. "Don't stop!" ordered Vyxara. "You have to control both processes at the same time. Keep manipulating the Eye with your right hand and contain the spread with your left." Valentina's injured arm protested as she tried to weave…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 2 – Lines Unspoken
Valentina was in the middle of taking notes when a small piece of parchment, carried by Luvt Essence, fell in front of her. She was just about to unfold the piece of parchment when Professor Horne's shadow appeared in front of her and took the piece of parchment from her hand. "Looks like you haven't been devoting your creativity exclusively to the study of Essence," Professor Horne said mockingly as he read the piece of parchment. He cleared his throat theatrically, "Valentina, you seem to have a secret…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 34 – Breaking Barriers
Valentina slipped back into the university unnoticed. Once in her room, she pulled the packet out of her bag and looked at it thoughtfully. With trembling hands, she opened it and began to prepare the brew according to Mara's instructions. The scent of herbs filled the small room, a mixture of bitter and sweet notes. Valentina took a deep breath, gathered her courage and drank the brew in one gulp. The taste was surprisingly mild, with a slightly earthy aftertaste. It wasn't necessarily delicious, but she…-
421.6 K • Ongoing
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