The Student Council controlled more than Fred thought.They handled all student disputes, ran academy events, approved the creation of clubs, gave recommendations to the disciplinary board, were responsible for the tournament organization, kept records that students were evaluated for advancements. For most students, they were a group of nameless upperclassmen that appeared on various academy notices. Fred never really thought about them. Not until a council messenger tracked him down at breakfast."Fred Meyer?"Fred looked up from his food. A young woman in one of the academy's silver council sash stood beside his table."Yes?""Student council summons. You're expected in the council chamber after Magical Theory."Kale looked up. "Did he do something?" The girl gave him an odd look. "Nothing that I know of." Kale leaned back in his chair. "Then count me in." The messenger shook her head. "Only Fred Meyer was summoned

As the next match began, the instructor motioned for the next two students to step forward. "Fred Meyer and Kale Draven." Kale stepped forward and Fred entered the arena. The crowd grew louder. Students knew the two combatants were roommates and that they had trained for this day. The instructor raised his hand. "Begin." Kale vanished and Fred took a step back as a jet of water struck the ground where he had been standing. "Water Step!" Kale shouted. Fred drew his sword as his opponent appeared at his side. A stream of water shot from Kale's blade, forcing Fred to block. The force sent him staggering back, but Kale followed up with another strike. "Water Blade!" Kale reinforced his weapon with water and sent a wave of the substance at Fred. Fred blocked the first strike, then the second, and the third. Kale's attacks were faster than before, and each one forced him to move without opening up a weakness. A blast of water shot from Kale's hand, striking the ground in front of Fred and

"The tournament? The attack on Arkarin? The dragon?" Her smile turned grim. "I heard about you facing down the dragon without your Path." "I found a weakness in it." "This is a habit of yours." Fred turned to her. "It is true." "I know." Mira smiled. "That is what interested me." Fred didn't know what to say. Mira continued. "My family mentioned the possibility of transferring to the Royal Academy. They wanted me to study you, get to know you and find out for myself if the two of us could become something more." Kale raised an eyebrow. "Study you?" Mira nodded. "That was how they put it." She looked at Fred. "But I did not agree to it because of their demands. I wanted to come to the Royal Academy." Fred was quite shaken. Mira had known him since he was a child. Their families were close. And she had transferred to the Royal Academy, specifically, because she wanted to see if the two of them could become something more than friends. It was an unexpected turn of

Fred came home for the holiday with one word on his mind. Training. It almost didn't get to happen, either, because Cedric dragged him out to the training yard within an hour of his arrival. The ex-royal swordmaster stood in the middle of the yard, his sword already in hand. "You've spent three months at the Royal Academy," Cedric said. "Show me what you've learned." Fred drew his royal sword. He stepped forward and met Cedric's blade with his own. They sparred, moving in tight loops of steel and shadow, until Cedric's blade deflected a lunge and pressed against Fred's ribs. Fred twisted away from the thrust, turned on Cedric's flank, and drove his point into Cedric's shoulder. Cedric blocked his blade, but his eyes narrowed as he pushed Fred back. The second time, Cedric barely kept pace with the speed of Fred's strikes. The third time, his footwork was steady, deliberate, and far more controlled than it had been on the first round. Cedric backed away at the break.

The Royal Academy was louder than Fred remembered. The students packed the main courtyard as carriages arrived through the gates. Some had returned from distant territories. Others had remained in the capital with their families for the holiday. Fred moved through the entrance with his sword at his side. He had only been back in Arkarin for a few minutes. Kale found him before he reached the dormitory. "You actually came back." Fred looked at him. "Where else would I go?" Kale grinned. "Somewhere I wouldn't have to listen to you train every morning." Fred shook his head. "How was the Draven estate?" "Terrible." "You look fine." "That's because I survived." Kale placed a hand on Fred's shoulder. "More importantly, did you get stronger?" Fred glanced down at his sword. "A little." Kale's eyes immediately narrowed. "That answer means you got much stronger."Before Fred could say anything, another voice sounded from behind them. "Looks like everyone has returned." Mira walked over with h