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    73 Results in the "A Blossom of Flames" category


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      Chapter 37 – Across the Table

      Chapter 37 – Across the Table Cover
      by Kleo Erili The next morning, Valentina let her eyes wander over the crowd in search of an empty seat for breakfast – and froze when she spotted Crispin at the other end of the hall. Their eyes met for a moment and Valentina felt a blush rise to her face. Crispin smiled shyly and beckoned her over. Heart pounding, she made her way through the crowd. "Good morning, Val," Crispin said as she sat down. His voice sounded an octave higher than usual and he avoided looking her directly in the eye. "Morning,…
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      Chapter 50 – Under Pressure

      Chapter 50 – Under Pressure Cover
      by Kleo Erili After a hasty breakfast, where Valentina could barely get a bite down, she made her way to the main hall with a pounding heart. The corridors of Bridgewater University were filled with the excited murmur of students moving like a stream towards the venue. When Valentina reached the massive wooden doors of the hall, her breath caught in her throat. Thefamiliar room had been transformed into some sort of arena, kind of like the legendary ritual sites of the great EssenceWeavers of the past. Complex…
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      Chapter 64 – Weaving Fates

      Chapter 64 – Weaving Fates Cover
      by Kleo Erili 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…
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      Chapter 1 – The Burning Tower

      Chapter 1 – The Burning Tower Cover
      by Kleo Erili 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…
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      Chapter 23 – Niceties for Necessities, Part 1

      Chapter 23 – Niceties for Necessities, Part 1 Cover
      by Kleo Erili Valentina awoke with a soft groan, her body cramped under the thin blanket that offered little protection against the first winter cold that crept through the thin walls of her tiny attic room. Her eyes opened reluctantly, still hazy from sleep but immediately filled with the gnawing fear that had accompanied her into slumber. "Good morning, little Weaver,"Vyxara's voice whispered in her head, soft as velvet, but with an undertone that made Valentina shudder. "Are you ready for our big…
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      Chapter 38 – Beneath the Surface

      Chapter 38 – Beneath the Surface Cover
      by Kleo Erili Valentina walked through the narrow aisles of the library, looking for a quiet free place to study. She eventually found a secluded table near the advanced Essence Theory section. With a sigh of relief, she settled down and spread out her notes when she saw through a gap in the shelves that Professor Horne was sitting a few rows away, reading a book in a low murmur. "Why don't you take this opportunity, little Weaver?" purred Vyxara in her head. "Your EssenceListening could be very...…
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      Chapter 51 – Trials of Fire

      Chapter 51 – Trials of Fire Cover
      by Kleo Erili "Next task!" announced Professor Emberfell. "Create a self-sustaining resonance chain from all eight Essence types. Time: ten minutes!" Valentina took a deep breath and prepared herself. The strange Essence patterns danced before her eyes, but by now they felt almost familiar. With practiced movements, she began to weave, creating intricate structures of Leb and Ard, interwoven with flowing streams of Wazzer and Luvt. Suddenly, Vyxara's constant stream of comments in her head stopped. The silence was…
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      Chapter 65 – Echoes of Glory

      Chapter 65 – Echoes of Glory Cover
      by Kleo Erili 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…
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      Chapter 10 – The First Favor

      Chapter 10 – The First Favor Cover
      by Kleo Erili "That was quite amusing," Vyxara commented in her head. "Your professor, the horny goat, seemed quite surprised by your sudden... expertise." "Shut up," Valentina murmured quietly as she tried to find her way through the stream of students all hurrying to their next lectures. "Val! Hey, Val!" A familiar voice made them pause. Innogen made her way through the crowd, closely followed by a breathless-looking Crispin. "Oh, hello, you two," Valentina said, trying to put on a smile. "How was your…
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      Chapter 24 – Niceties for Necessities, Part 2

      Chapter 24 – Niceties for Necessities, Part 2 Cover
      by Kleo Erili As Valentina walked around the counter, she entered a completely different world to the chaotic but reasonably tidy front part of the store. Stacks of books, boxes and crates were everywhere. A thick layer of dust covered every free spot. In one corner stood an old bed with stained sheets, next to it a crooked mirror and a wobbly chair. The whole thing looked like the lair of a miserly hermit who hadn't cared about his own well-being for a long time. Barnaby led Valentina deeper into this private…
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