Mere minutes ago he had stepped off the Sky Ferry, he was just starting his Junior year at the Academy and Evren had already received the news that he'd been waiting for. He had spent the past month at his family’s estate, obsessing over his prospective partners that might choose him for their Junior year, only to have his hopes crushed by a pretty, young Magister with a charming smile, right there at the Ferry Terminal.
The Junior pairing was crucial. Many support pairs that form in the second year at the Academy continue all throughout the Casters’ careers. He had spent long hours, thinking and praying over the four girls he’d partnered with through his freshman year:
Lyra had been intelligent and highly capable. She had been his partner half the school year, as long as all three others combined, but then dropped him for a boy with a higher Caster rank.
Celia had been easy-going, and they’d worked together smoothly, never once arguing. They hadn’t had a lot of success as a pair, but he thought they could grow stronger together, if she’d given it more time.
Nessa had teased Evren constantly but always defended him when others criticized him. She was like a kinder version of his sisters, a dynamic that warmed his heart. He’d hoped that she would want to see him again.
Aria, his most recent partner, was an angel. She was always so cheerful and encouraging, making Evren feel capable. But when the year came to a close, she’d given him a hug and wished him good luck. He felt that she wouldn’t request him as a partner again.
Evren sighed. All chances of meeting any of them again came crashing down, when the young Magister with the auburn curls and bright green eyes recognized him by name.
“Welcome back, Junior Evren. You have not been requested by any of the girls in your class, so you were automatically entered in the trial pool. Your trial partner resides in…”
She paused, consulting a page of names and numbers.
“Room E305. Please proceed along the third grand stairway to level E with all your personal effects. You will likely find your new partner’s already there waiting for you.”
“Thank you,” Evren replied, and then opened his mouth, confusedly. But before he could get clarification, asking if he’d heard right, she had already moved on to help the next Junior.
Room E305.
That had been his room for the first half of his Freshman year. How could it be that he was assigned there once again? Didn't Lyra and her new partner still live there? If not, then which girl from his class had moved in to take her place?
He hadn’t met all the girls in his class last year. There’d been 128 freshmen and 68 of them had been girls. He could recognize almost all of them on sight, but had only spoken to or paired with a few dozen of them.
As he walked along the wide, smooth path that encircled the loose, gravelly ground that surrounded the Nexus, he examined all the flowers that were in full bloom, and wondered idly how many students from his freshman class would be returning. He knew a fair number had been cut from the roster. A great many students, both boys and girls, hadn’t been able to demonstrate the skills that were necessary to complete their Freshman year, and some of them hadn’t even demonstrated the 10 basic spells.
Evren had been able to cast all 10 spells at the age of ten.
Now, as he reached the head of the third stairway, he paused by a small altar to the Twelve Gods that stood by the side of the path, out of the way of traffic but still convenient for students to stop by just before they enter the Nexus. He bowed and murmured a quick prayer of thanks.
Thank you Sky Father for granting clear skies for my return trip to the Academy.
Thank you Great Scholar for the gift of knowledge you’ve granted me. May it someday blossom into wisdom.
Thank you Sun Prince for granting me the opportunity to meet a new partner. Please open my mind to better understand her needs.
He paused, then guiltily added a single extra prayer. One that weighed on him.
Dear Oath Mother. My heart is ready to commit. Please send me a girl whose spells and style match well with mine. I no longer care about becoming her boyfriend, or as the boys say, becoming her fuck-partner. No, I don't need that. I just want a girl, any girl, who appreciates my effort and hard work.
A feeling of relief came over him, as he gave shape to the great need that was growing in him. He stood again, feeling lighter than before, and left a morsel of food as an offering to all the Gods, but with the Oath Mother at the forefront of his mind. It was the last of his mother’s home cooked pastries that she’d sent him off with that morning. Bowing once more, he turned and started the long descent into the Nexus, retracing his steps from the year before to the room where he had started his time at the Academy.
Room E305.
* * * * * * * * *
The four grand stairways were the only way for students to enter the Nexus. Wide enough for ten people to descend side-by-side, Evren joined a crowd of wide-eyed first year students who were receiving their orientation tour of the campus.
An overly enthusiastic Senior Caster was launching into his scripted lines, gesturing his arm dramatically as he took the first few steps downward.
“We are now entering the Nexus itself, the real ‘Heart of the Academy.’ The place where Support Casters live, study, and most importantly, eat for their entire student career here. All Casting courses are held in the Nexus, while General Studies are held elsewhere. Everyone please gather close to the top step, but do not enter yet.”
There was a scattered murmuring as the new students shuffled forward. Evren took the opportunity to look the crowd over. There were a lot more girls than boys taking the tour, meaning the recent trend of girls outnumbering boy Casters was likely continuing. They looked so young and inexperienced. Was he ever this excited to look down those tiresome stairs?
“This is the third of four grand stairwells, and the only one that extends all the way to Level J, the lowest level. You freshmen should get used to navigating the stairs, as they’re the only way you are permitted to enter and exit the Nexus Complex for the entire first year you're here."
He took a few steps downward, holding his hands wide as he pretended to be losing his balance. This Senior was really engaging the audience, and Evren found himself listening along as if he were part of the tour.
“Notice the steep grade of the stairs gives you the sensation of falling forward. It is not recommended that you hurry or try to skip steps, as you may end up falling down all four hundred steps right to the Crystal Field on Level J. Even if you do survive such a fall, such an error would be grounds for expulsion from the Caster class.”
He turned back with a twinkle in his eye and a secretive smile on his face.
“Now, this is Level A, and we’ll be heading all the way down to Level J. From there you will be assigned to your dorm room and you’ll also find out who the trial partner is. Remember, that’s the person you'll be spending the next few weeks getting to know and learning to rely on. For now, I want everyone in the group to join hands with the person next to them, which will stop anyone from slipping on their very first descent. Being a good support partner means looking out for the safety and needs of someone other than yourself. Go on, join hands everyone.”
Evren had unwittingly become part of the group, and before he could excuse himself, he felt a small, delicate hand slide into his. He looked down to see a slender girl with curly brown hair and big eyes. Her cheeks dimpled as she looked up at him, giving her a doll-like appearance.
“Uh, I’m not part of the tour…” he started to say, but stopped as the girl laughed.
“I know you’re not a freshman, Evren. Don’t you recognize me? Lisa!... Mabel’s friend.”
Evren’s mouth moved as he made the connection. He did recognize her, though there was a world of difference between the scrawny little cry-baby that he used to carry on his back, and the young woman in front of him. She had grown up!
“Mabel is scheduled for the late Ferry. She’ll arrive in an hour or so, but I caught the early Ferry. She told me not to talk to you, if I saw you here, but…” she grinned and locked her fingers with his, “She’s not here right now. Could you keep me from falling while we walk down the steps?”
Evren didn’t know what to say. He was in a rush to meet his new partner, but he liked the feeling of Lisa’s tiny arm pressed against his. It was warm and friendly, so he just accepted it and joined her in walking forward.
“Okay, I’ll hold your hand. But, are you sure you wouldn’t prefer a piggyback?” he asked, smiling down at her.
Her laughter was like music, and as she tittered, she pulled his arm tight, inadvertently grazing her body against his. The lovely swell of her chest, through the thin material of her shirt, was like a jolt to his senses. This innocent girl was acting totally defenseless around him. The boys in her class would likely eat her up. Should he warn her about how naughty Caster boys could be?
Evren followed her lead, stepping over the mouth and paused as the freshmen all gaped at the spectacular view. The morning haze could be seen floating down the far side, like a cloud settling in a valley.
“The part of the Nexus that is visible before you is a perfectly square hole that is 630 feet across at surface level, which is the exact distance you need to be able to cast a spell, if you wish to earn the rank of Master Caster. While the stairwells all descend at an imposing 45 degree grade, the walls, walkways, and bridgeways all descend at a 54 degree angle, with many vertical surfaces along the way, making it nearly impossible to move about without using the stairs.”
He paused forty steps down and lowered his voice, still projecting loud enough for the students in the back, but making it sound like he was imparting Caster secrets few others knew about.
“We are now passing from Zone A3 to Zone B3. Do you see those walkways on either side and the passageways that are carved straight into the bedrock? These tunnels are where the true Nexus, which spreads far wider and deeper beneath the earth, begins. Beyond the visible structure lies a sprawling labyrinth containing thousands of rooms and facilities, connected by hundreds of miles of corridors, tunnels, subterranean stairways, and passages.”
The Senior took a deep breath and launched into a list.
“Dormitories, classrooms, training halls, libraries, dining halls, cafés, shops, and countless other facilities can all be found within. If you wish to explore the Nexus on your own, make sure you bring a map—and bringing a partner is a necessity rather than a courtesy. Every year, a few Freshmen strike out on their own and manage to get lost. Most eventually find their way back. Some, however, wander down into the lower Halls and are never seen again.”
Lisa shuddered and gripped Evren’s hand tightly. “I hope I don’t get lost in the Nexus,” she exclaimed, innocently. “Can you show me around after the tour, Evren? I’d really appreciate it.”
Evren smiled back and patted her shoulder reassuringly. “Maybe you should look around with your trial partner. It’s a good idea to spend time getting to know each other on your very first day. I can show you around another day.”
Lisa awwed about his gentle refusal, and the two of them listened and talked for a few more minutes. By the time they reached Zone E3, Evren felt himself growing enamored with this sweet and energetic girl who treated him so much better than his sister ever had.
“This is my level, Lisa. I’m in E305. You're doing great on the steps. I’m sure you can make it to the bottom without me. Good luck, I hope you get the perfect trial partner.”
“Oh, you're going?” she demanded, sulking a little. “Thanks for bringing me this far. I hope my trial partner is at least half as nice as you.”
Then she threw her arms around his bulk, she couldn’t even join her arms around his waist. Evren froze and waited for her to break the contact. She waved energetically then carefully continued downward with the group. He was still in shock at the woman little Lisa had become.
Maybe, if things go badly with this Junior girl, he could ask Lisa if she would choose him as her partner. It's not unheard of for a Junior to pair with a Freshman, though it would slow all his growth until she caught up with him.
Now, as Evren navigated the Nexus walkways, he paused to smell some red roses, thinking about how his luck had begun to change. Maybe this year WAS going to be a success!
Room E305 was a corner nook, in a group of eight rooms. It felt like he was returning home after a long absence. The neighborhood had stayed the same, but there were subtle changes. A boy and girl that he vaguely recognized were reuniting nearby, as he approached.
“Frans! It was so quiet without you here,” she was saying excitedly. “How's your family and your dog?”
“Fine as always, Pricella,” the boy countered jovially, matching her energy, “Never mind my family, tell me all about what’s happened at the Academy since I left! I missed you this summer!”
Evren grunted to himself. It’s said that second year partners start to talk and sound like each other. These two were ridiculously good with each other. One of his Magisters joked that by their third year, good partners start completing each other's sentences.
He sighed to himself, then checked the cluster of archways for the number listed above each doorway. Here it was, Room E305.
The stonework in the old archway was newly polished, and the rose bushes out front looked freshly trimmed. Whoever his new ‘trial partner’ was, she liked to keep a clean entryway. Was she obsessively orderly, or was she just trying to keep up good appearances in front of her neighbors?
Evren took a deep breath, hefted the sack full of clothes, scrolls, and underwear, and entered the darkened passageway.
The double room was significantly bigger than some other rooms he’d occupied, and there were two of everything making it easier to share. The room’s layout and furniture was exactly as he’d left it six months before. There were two beds, two desks, and two wardrobes for clothes and belongings to be kept. The room was split by a line down the middle, which divided the space into two separate living areas. That line was new.
The room smelled lovely, like lavender and thyme. The right side of the room looked well-lived in. A series of paintings hung on the wall. Girls uniforms were laid out neatly on the bed, both for general studies and the traditional tan toga that was used for all Casting practice. And there, sitting at the desk, was his new partner.
His trial partner.
She was facing away from him, deep at work, writing away like an author with a burst of inspiration. Adding to what looked like an already lengthy document. From here, he could see only her long, lustrous brown hair and the stately way she sat and wrote, but when he saw her profile, his breath caught in his throat. It couldn't be?
Oh no, this wasn’t just his trial partner. It was his original partner. His ex-partner from six months ago.
It was Lyra.