73 Results in the "A Blossom of Flames" category
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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…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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The main hall of Bridgewater University was filled with a palpable tension. Hundreds of students and other onlookers crowded into the university's main room, their faces a reflection of nervousness, hope, barely suppressed excitement,or just plain curiosity. The tall windows let in the morning sunlight, which refracted in the half-faded remnants of the shimmering Essence patterns that still hung in the air from the previous day's exam. Valentina stood at the edge of the crowd, her heart pounding so…
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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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Chapter
Chapter 58 – … and Foxes
On Friday evening, Valentina stood in front of her small mirror and stared at her reflection. The dark circles under her eyes seemed to have deepened even more and her skin looked pale in the flickering light of her little lamp. With a touch of Distilled Essence, she began to refresh her face, to give herself a little more color. "So," Vyxara spoke up, "are you finally ready for some well-deserved distraction?" Valentina sighed deeply. "I can't believe I'm really doing this." "Oh, come on," Vyxara…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 9 – A Dangerous Bargain
The dining room hummed with life as Valentina entered with Innogen. The smell of bread and hot porridge filled the air. Students crowded around the long tables and benches, their conversations mingling into a constant background noise. Valentina mechanically took her breakfast, her mind still foggy with fatigue and the events of the night. She followed Innogen to an empty seat, nodding absently to the greetings of her fellow students. "Fascinating," Vyxara murmured in her head. "So many young minds,…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 18 – Confessions
As she walked down the corridor, on her way to her next class, she suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind her. She turned and saw Crispin coming towards her, his face a mixture of nervousness and determination. "Valentina," he called, slightly out of breath. "Can I have a word with you?" Valentina stopped and turned to Crispin. The slight young man stood before her, his cheeks flushed, his hands clutching nervously at the straps of his worn leather bag. The dim light from the Essence lamps in the…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 31 – The Burning Quill
Dusk had fallen over Bridgewater as Valentina, Innogen and Crispin made their way to The Burning Quill. The streets of the old town were a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and crooked half-timbered houses, their upper floors leaning over the path as if they were reaching out to each other across the street. The smell of roasting meat and alcohol hung in the air, mixed with the smoky aroma of burning logs. Lanterns flickered on the street corners, casting dancing shadows on the cobblestones. "It's not…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 45 – The Red Sash
As Valentina slowly awoke from her slumber, she could already smell a cool whiff of incense – the unmistakable scent of the Martyrium celebrations. "Ah, the smell of religious hypocrisy in the morning," Vyxara whispered in Valentina's head, the demon's voice full of mockery and amusement. "Nothing like a hot stew of guilt and self-sacrifice for breakfast, is there, little Weaver?" Valentina sighed softly and sat up, taking her worn wooden amulet of the Burning Tower from her drawer. "It's more than…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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Chapter
Chapter 59 – Deceit
Valentina sat in her usual corner of the library with a crumpled piece of parchment in front of her, going over her plan with Vyxara for the hundredth time. "Let's go over everything again, little Weaver," Vyxara whispered in her head. "The messenger..." "Hobkin's friend will break the news to Faustus tomorrow evening," Valentina murmured so quietly that no one could hear her. "He is to tell him that Madame Rosalie of the 'Red Swan' has changed her mind and wants to apologize to him." "And why…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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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…-
374.8 K • Ongoing
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