Just as I was about to open the book, Aleksandr slipped back into the room.
“Sorry, guys, we’re closing up the club room. It’s getting late.”
Imara stretched and stood up.
“No problem. I’m getting tired anyway.”
I nodded in agreement.
By that point, Ogun had already left to help his club pack up, and Aleksandr was busy helping the Library Society members clean.
Soon, Simon, Imara, and I were heading back to the dormitories.
The sun was setting, painting the academy in shades of orange and gold.
We walked in comfortable silence.
I guessed all the excitement had finally worn off, and everyone was tired from running around all day.
First, we dropped Imara off at the girls’ dormitory.
“See you tomorrow!” she called before heading inside.
Simon and I continued toward our dormitory building.
He patted me on the back.
“See you later, little prince.”
“Bye, Simon.”
I sent him off with a wave before making my way to my room.
When I pushed open the door, Rowan was already sprawled across his bed, half buried beneath a blanket.
After washing off the grime from the day, I climbed into bed myself.
Sleep came quickly.
Three weeks later…
I sat at the desk in our room, gently rocking in my chair.
Rowan was lying on his bed reading a textbook while I stared at a sheet of paper.
On it were only two words.
Dear Home,
I frowned.
Did that even make sense?
Should I write to Father?
To Xiao?
To my stepmother too?
It felt rude not to include everyone, so “Dear Home” was the best I could come up with.
Still, writing this letter was much harder than I expected.
I’d never really written a letter before.
Another dramatic sigh escaped me.
Rowan looked up from his book.
“Are you still writing that letter, Qiang?”
“Mhm. This is harder than I thought.”
Rowan sat up.
“Just write about what you’ve done over the last three weeks. Trust me, it’ll start flowing once you begin. And it doesn’t have to be perfect. They’re your family.”
I didn’t respond.
Maybe Rowan was right.
If this were a normal family.
But I wasn’t exactly close with—
Ugh.
I shook my head.
I’m just going to write.
So I did.
I wrote about how massive Ash-Fall Academy was.
I wrote about the friends I’d made.
The spells I’d learned.
The Library Society and Gardening Club.
I even wrote about the food.
By the time I finished, I had filled two whole pages.
After letting the ink dry, I folded the letter and slipped it into an envelope.
Honestly, I couldn’t believe three weeks had already passed.
Time really did fly when you were busy.
I glanced at the clock.
11:30. The source of this chapter is g.com.
It was Sunday, and I’d promised Simon and Imara that we’d have lunch together.
I turned toward Rowan.
“I’m heading to the cafeteria. You coming?”
“Nah. I still have homework to finish. It’s due tomorrow.”
“Alright. I’ll see you later.”
He nodded, and I left the room.
Since it was the weekend, I was wearing casual black pants and a white button-up shirt.
As I walked down the hallway, I spotted Simon and Imara talking.
Simon was leaning against a wall with his arms folded and a smirk on his face, while Imara waved her hands dramatically as she spoke.
“I’m telling you, Simon! Right now it’s three to two, but next match is my victory. I won’t lose again.”
“Princess, I’m telling you, Siana doesn’t even know you two are rivals.”
Imara rolled her eyes.
“I don’t even know why I’m talking to you. This is why Qiang is needed.”
I walked up and tapped her shoulder.
“You’re in luck. Your hero is here.”
She turned around dramatically.
“Thank goodness! Do you know how exhausting it is talking to this dufus?”
Simon grinned.
“You both know you love me.”
Imara rolled her eyes.
“Come on, guys. Let’s go. I’m starving.”
And with that, we headed off.
The cafeteria was packed despite it being the weekend.
Simon sighed.
“Did nobody want to cook in their dorms?”
I laughed.
“Well, we’re only provided with the basics. If you want anything fancy like wild deer or fish, you have to buy it with points.”
Soon we collected our food and sat down.
It felt a little strange without Ogun and Aleksandr.
Almost as if the table was missing something.
As if reading my mind, Simon spoke.
“Hmm. Where are Ogun and Aleksandr?”
Imara answered first.
“Ogun finally caught Jasiri after weeks of being avoided. They’re probably talking things out.”
Simon nodded.
“And Aleksandr?”
I swallowed my food before answering.
“Aleksandr and Mandy are in charge of the library today, so he’s probably there.”
Imara raised a brow.
“That’s a lot of work for only two people.”
“Normally Sue helps them, but the fifth years are on a two-week field assignment. She won’t be back until next week.”
They both nodded.
Soon the conversation flowed naturally.
Imara burst into laughter.
“Simon, I still can’t believe you’ve managed to blow up three artifacts already.”
Simon let out a dramatic sigh.
“Creating artifacts is hard, okay? But I’ll finish one soon, and I can’t wait to show you guys.”
Immediately, Imara perked up.
“Ooh! What is it?”
Simon smirked.
“You’ll have to wait, Princess.”
She rolled her eyes, though she was smiling.
After lunch, we stood together in the hallway.
I turned to them.
“I’m heading to the Gardening Club. What about you two?”
Imara smiled.
“I’m going to the Student Council office to find my brothers.”
Simon stretched.
“And I’m heading to send a letter.”
My eyes widened. Get faster updates on g.com.
I knew I forgot something.
“Ah! Simon! I wrote a letter too, but it’s still in my room—”
Before I could finish, he waved me off.
“It’s fine. I’ll stop by your dorm, grab it, and send it along with mine.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks so much.”
“No problem, little prince.”
Soon we all headed our separate ways.
A short while later, I stood in front of the indoor garden.
As soon as I stepped inside, I spotted Linda, a third-year elf, watering a row of plants.
“Hey, Linda. Need any help?”
She shook her head.
“No thanks, Li. But Professor Hart was looking for you. She’s in the back.”
I nodded.
Soon I found Professor Hart carefully watering a bed of Sinder Flowers.
She looked up as if she’d sensed me approaching.
“Ah! Li, you’re here. Perfect.”
“You needed me for something?”
She nodded.
“Yup. We have some new additions to the garden, so we need to make records of them and update some of the older ones.”
She handed me a clipboard nearly fifteen pages thick along with a feather pen.
And so we got to work.
As we walked through the garden, she suddenly spoke.
“You know, Li, I’m seventy years old. I’ve traveled to many kingdoms and met all kinds of people.”
I blinked.
Only seventy?
I’d honestly thought she was older.
She continued.
“But the way nature reacts to you is extraordinary.”
I listened carefully.
“I know your family has druid ancestry, but your connection seems unusually strong.”
She paused beside a patch of flowers.
“Write down Mill Flowers. One hundred and twenty.”
I quickly scribbled it down.
Then she continued walking.
“I’ve spent years studying druid history and collecting old records.”
She glanced back at me.
“And if you’d like, I’d be willing to teach you some of what I’ve learned.”
My eyes widened.
“Really?”
A smile immediately appeared on my face.
“For free?”
Professor Hart laughed.
“Hah. You wish.”
I blinked.
“One point per lesson.”
I laughed.
“Okay. Deal.”
The smile on her face softened.
“Good.”
She continued down the path.
“Then we start tomorrow.”
I quickly followed after her.
“What’s next?”
“Wispy Bushes.”
She counted them
“Twenty.”