73 Results in the "A Blossom of Flames" category
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Chapter
Chapter 63 – Loom of Destiny
The morning of the competition, a beautiful spring morning, crept through Valentina's small window. She was already awake, staring at the ceiling and trying to get her pounding heartbeat under control. "You're nervous, little Weaver," Vyxara's voice in her head sounded half sympathetic half amused. "Scared to death would be more appropriate," Valentina mumbled. She sat up and rubbed her tired eyes. The night had been short – too many thoughts, too many worries, too many last repetitions of complex…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 64 – Weaving Fates
The next pattern hovered between them, more labyrinthine still than the previous ones. Valentina noticed Faustus' hand twitch to a bulging, misshapen pouch on his belt – probably where he had hidden the Eye of Deceit. "Here it comes," warned Vyxara. "Let's see how he likes our little surprise." Faustus' eyes narrowed in concentration. His fingers moved in precise patterns, obviously activating the artifact. But instead of the expected distortion... nothing. "What...?" he mumbled in confusion and…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 65 – Echoes of Glory
When Valentina woke up the next morning, she blinked in the bright light and tried to block out the throbbing aftermath of yesterday's banquet. "Good morning, little Weaver," Vyxara purred in her head. "How does the triumph feel today?" "As if I've drunk too much of Duke Cosimo's expensive wine," Valentina mumbled and sat up carefully. Her head was pounding. Perhaps she really had drunk a little too much of the wine, despite Innogen's warnings. The red velvet dress Innogen had lent her hung…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Professor Horne's message was short and formal, written in his characteristically shaky handwriting: "I expect you in my office this evening at the eighth hour. The matter cannot be delayed." "He'll want to... adjust his demands," Vyxara said thoughtfully. "Your new status changes the rules of the game." "Maybe he just wants to congratulate me," Valentina mumbled without conviction. "Oh, sweet naivety," purred the demon. "You know exactly what he wants." The corridors of the university were…
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374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 39 – Into the Arena
In her small attic room, Valentina awoke from a fitful sleep. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest as she realized what day it was and that the second round of the Greystone competition was coming up. She sat up and rubbed her tired eyes. The smell of fresh bread came through the cracks in her window – the kitchen had already started preparing breakfast. Normally this smell would have made her stomach growl, but today she only felt a nervous knot in her stomach. "Good morning, little Weaver,"…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 67 – Independent Mind
When Valentina woke up on the first morning of the exam week, still half asleep, her first instinct was to feel in her mind for Vyxara's familiar presence, for the demonic force that had so often paved the way for her in recent months. "Ah, you're awake, little Weaver," Vyxara purred in her head. "Ready for the first test?" "Yes," Valentina said quietly, sitting up in her narrow bed and getting ready to discuss what she was about to tell Vyxara. "But I've decided to try it on my own. Without your…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 4 – A Gift of Warmth
In her small attic room, Valentina woke slowly from a restless sleep in the early morning. She blinked at the faint light streaming through the tiny window and suppressed a shiver. The night’s air had brought with it the chill of approaching winter, and the thin blanket offered little protection against the coldreaching through the cracks in the old walls. With a soft sigh, Valentina swung her legs out of bed and put her bare feet on the cold wooden floor. She winced, longing for the warmth of her…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 68 – Healing Hands
In her small attic room, Valentina sat at her table and stared into a medicine book, reading the same paragraph for what must have been the third time. She let go of the book and began to rub her eyes hard. The exhaustion of the day lay heavy on her limbs, and for the first time in hours she allowed herself to think of the doubts she had been pushing back all day. "You're brooding," Vyxara noted. "That's never a good sign." "Tomorrow is the last exam," Valentina murmured. "Essence-Enhanced…-
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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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…
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374.8 K • Ongoing
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