Vivi became aware of herself again what felt like a long time later.
To say she woke up would have been a stretch. Her eyes opened, and she became aware of the bright lights above her bed, but she certainly didn’t feel awake. She didn’t feel much of anything, other than the hard bed below her, and the aching pains all over her...
2025-08-18 08:17:41 +0000 UTC View Post“Sir, the descent is trembling,” Ornwell said.
“Trembling?” Iszul asked.
The surge forecaster’s pupils were dilated. His feet were frozen in place, arms shaking. Ornwell was an older man who had limped along from zone to zone, refusing the assistance of even a walking stick. Red eyes, rough hair, and a scorchless s...
2025-08-17 20:10:48 +0000 UTC View PostThe rest of Luna’s school day was a total mess of nervousness. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach through every class. Breathing felt heavy, as if she was atop a mountain with thick air. The sensations occasionally calmed, only for her heart to squeeze tight minutes later, a new wave of silent panic flowing through her.
She could barel...
2025-08-17 09:30:10 +0000 UTC View PostThe world was pitch black when Vivi exited her smithy.
A violent tempest of wisps spun around her. Power surged in her veins. Hundreds of void wisps clouded her senses. Her home street of litter and disgust was now merely a mental map of ether. She could feel each crack in the cobblestone, each bit of mold growing within the walls...
2025-08-16 13:26:03 +0000 UTC View PostDisqualified?
Vivi didn’t know how to react. She faced the claim with silence. She had worked so hard for a full week, crafting the best sword of her career—with her honest efforts that placed her in the lead with almost double the points. Only for some nonsense to disqualify her?
“This is not okay!” Luciu...
Luna and Kai reached the world tree. The wind pushed against the doors; Luna had to use her full weight to force the door shut.
Safe, Luna thought through heavy breaths. She still couldn’t feel her fingers, and her body felt frozen to the core, shivering wildly, but the warm air inside the World Tree slowly heated her up.
...
2025-08-15 11:08:52 +0000 UTC View Post“Inside-carving does not exist,” Kenrith said. “This is a fact we all know. That said, Vivian’s Blossom is a rather interesting, peculiar piece of work.”
The beauty expert studied Vivi’s sword intently, observing the veins inside. He used a magnifying glass to look at the runes beneath the wrap of white obsidian. To hi...
2025-08-15 08:40:02 +0000 UTC View PostChilly winter air was already invading our house’s entry hall. Donovan stood tall in a leather jacket. He was fully covered, though the outfit seemed light for the weather. Donovan wasn’t bothered, of course, being one of the best mages in the country. He looked down at us with stoic eyes. “Get dressed, please. Association officials would ...
2025-08-14 19:04:17 +0000 UTC View Post“Lucca, over here!” Senith waved her arms. Testing was just about to start. Her brother looked lost while he looked around the stands, examining his surroundings.
Knowing her brother, Lucas probably wasn’t lost at all. He tended to wander around on purpose, searching for anything that looked interesting, scanning the area for strong...
A void hole. Flickering through our door like a gluttonous monster having devoured my family. I felt sick to my stomach. I wanted to collapse on the ground right then.
I gritted my teeth and immediately ran to the door. I threw my hands on the handle.
Locked.
I reached into my pockets, only to find my keys missing. In my rus...
“From the depths of the Lowmoor district,” the announcer’s voice echoed as Vivi stepped up the stairs, “this year’s extra contestant, whose miraculous rise all the way from low split has earned her the title Slum Smith, please welcome Vivian Runeblessed from the Lost Raindrop smithy!”
Vivi winced internally, hearing he...
2025-08-13 08:56:17 +0000 UTC View PostThe next morning, the sun was just starting to show itself when a knock came to our front door.
Mom was out shopping with Nelly. My sister didn’t want to leave, but mom insisted, probably to let Nelly see the outside world every now and then, and possibly to offer Luna and I some alone time. I appreciated that, though with mom gone, I wa...
2025-08-12 14:57:13 +0000 UTC View Post“This is Mister Pewewson!” Nelly gushed.
My sister’s excitement filled the small bedroom. A bright alchemical glow stick lit the room and all its yellow-ness. The sheets, paintings on the walls, and most of Nelly’s toys had been picked exactly as she liked them. Bright yellow and preferably with a unicorn horn.
Luna had her h...
2025-08-12 14:56:04 +0000 UTC View Post“This is the winner? A little girl?”
That was the first thing Vivi heard when stepping up to top split. Fulrad brought her to a small organizers’ booth for arrangements. Vivi felt like she was at the backstage of a show.
The speaker was a cleanly shaven demon with smooth side-parted hair, wearing a white vest and a swe...
2025-08-12 08:59:55 +0000 UTC View Post“Uhm,” Luna said with her eyes pointing awkwardly at my feet. “Mother is a nice person. There’s no reason to… not live with her?”
“Yeah, she’s definitely not,” I said. “I know your mom uses mind control magic. She’s currently being investigated for her crimes. She’ll be taken away. In the meantime, I’ll take you s...
2025-08-11 17:58:47 +0000 UTC View PostLuna avoided me on the way to school the next morning. She spotted me plowing snow and immediately turned the opposite direction, taking a detour. I didn’t go after her. Forcing a conversation would only make things more difficult.
Going forward, I had two goals. One, to get Luna away from her mother by any means necessary. Two, to get ...
Vivi gave her sword to the organizers and waited for the next phase of the competition. Testing and judging.
Workstations near the stairs were moved to make space. Each sword was lined up in a large gallery near the judges. One sword for each of the sixty one contestants. Vivi’s sword shone amongst the outside-carved blades.
The au...
2025-08-11 08:42:30 +0000 UTC View PostThe void hole wasn’t exactly a light source. It was lit, its purple tendrils clearly fluttering in the darkness of Luna’s yard, but the glow didn’t cast light on its dark surroundings. It was a larger void hole. The type that would stay in place for days, waiting to be activated.
I gritted my teeth, afraid for the worst, but another ...
2025-08-10 11:18:33 +0000 UTC View PostMy words grabbed Luna’s full attention. Her awkwardness was suddenly gone, replaced by an emotion I couldn’t quite identify. She eyed me weirdly and spoke in a whisper. “Liches…?”
“You’re involved with lichcraft, right?” I said, matching her volume. “I’m interested in helping you. I know a thing or two about liches as w...
2025-08-10 11:17:57 +0000 UTC View PostThe ghoul froze in place. The eyes behind the layers of makeup opened wide, faced with Luna’s deadly magic.
“Luna, no!” I said, lifting my hand over her spell.
Luna was the surprised one this time. The concentration of mana calmed down, dissipating harmlessly to the air around us. A less skilled mage could have panicked, releas...
2025-08-10 11:17:19 +0000 UTC View Post“Kaiiii, why won’t you play with meeee!” Nelly complained, pulling at my trousers. She had another one of my textbooks in her hand. I’d already read two chapters about arcane safety and precautions—one of the most boring topics in the whole academy. Somehow, Nelly still wanted more.
I ignored her and looked out of the window. Lun...
2025-08-10 11:12:57 +0000 UTC View Post“Isaac?” I asked. My friends and I were gathered on our usual spot at the dinner table. I didn’t see Luna anywhere. Honestly, I was kind of nervous about the upcoming study date. I’d spent my school day wondering how exactly I’d approach things for the best chance to get involved in the crime.
Still, the conversation with her had...
2025-08-10 11:12:17 +0000 UTC View PostI woke up early the next day with a new plan in mind. I ate breakfast and thanked my mom for a delicious start to the day. Then I headed outside and huddled up in my winter jacket. I sat on the porch and waited.
Snowfall covered the dark morning. I’d be far too early if I left for school now. Some of my neighbors still had their...
2025-08-10 11:11:23 +0000 UTC View PostLich sight activated normally, without any time travel nonsense.
The purple mist covered my vision entirely. I lost my limbs, turning into a ghost-like observer. I could float around in the mist freely as I wished. My field of view was greatly improved, as I no longer had a nose or eyelids blocking my vision.
Slowly, the mist began c...
2025-08-10 11:09:16 +0000 UTC View PostI had two things to do before classes. To confirm the date, and to meet with the headmaster.
For the former, I headed to the place where stupid questions would appear the least suspicious. The library. People in the library were always lost in one way or another, and the librarian, Onivia Goodwind, was one of the kindest old ladies I knew ...
2025-08-10 11:08:37 +0000 UTC View PostThe good news was that four-year-old Nelly woke me up by jumping on my squeaky bed, as if intending to crush me alive.
The bad news was that I’d barely slept for two hours, and I was apparently late for school.
Which was hardly bad news. I gave Nelly the largest hug I dared. I grinned through the grogginess and the headache, waking...
2025-08-10 11:07:30 +0000 UTC View PostMy sister was tiny. Her child-like pout made my heart rise to my throat. Back in reality, Nelly had been almost as tall as me. Four year old Nelly was barely taller than my waist.
“Mooom, Kai is acting weiwd!” Nelly said.
“What is it?” another voice asked from deeper in the house. “Kai, you’re home? Already?” 2025-08-10 11:06:19 +0000 UTC View Post
I smiled and spoke in a light, hopefully polite tone. Despite having been killed by this girl just an hour ago, I spoke to Luna like she was a friend.
She raised her eyebrows, surprised for a moment. She observed me suspiciously, as if I was trying to trap her in some sort of spell. Then her gaze lowered back to her meal, and she continued...
2025-08-10 11:05:06 +0000 UTC View PostThe bell rang a few minutes later. Mrs. Camila paused her lecture mid-sentence, surprised about the passing time. Students began rising from their seats.
I was thinking of my next course of action for surviving this odd situation, when two hands slammed on my desk, making me flinch. It was Joshua, my friend. His shoulder-length dark hair l...
2025-08-10 11:04:01 +0000 UTC View PostLuna’s skeletal finger pressed against my forehead.
Blood pooled underneath my feet, onto my kitchen floor. I could not move. A coating of mana formed on my skin, as if the air around me was solid steel. The Lich Queen’s arcane dagger pierced my chest.
The purple mist enshrouded her skeletal figure. Her eyes were a vibrant red, b...
2025-08-10 10:55:00 +0000 UTC View Post