73 Results in the "A Blossom of Flames" category
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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…-
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 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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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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In the days following the second round of the competition, Valentina found herself in a whirlwind of congratulations, envious glances and being the topic of some whispered conversations. But amidst the hustle and bustle, she couldn't forget Professor Horne's strange behavior and remembered that she wanted to investigate it further after the second round of the competition. What she had heard in the library and in the lectures, his nervous looks, the stuttering when he called on certain female students –…
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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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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 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 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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Interlude - Crispin's Diary II Dear Diary, Tonight, I sit here with quill in hand, my heart both full and completely broken. I don't know how to describe what happened between Valentina and me. I've dreamed of something, anything, that would bring us closer together for so long. And it happened. It wasn't in the way I thought it would happen. Nothing like those fleeting fantasies that run through my head as I fall asleep. I don't know how I feel about it, it's a jumble of emotions – hope, fear,…
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374.8 K • Ongoing
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