Anna looked up from her drawing at the teens sitting at the table with her. She'd gone over basic circles with them a few times before they had started, and now each of them was attempting to create one of their own. She glanced down at her drawing. It was a complex circle that incorporated symbols from dozens of different magical systems.

I can't wait to see the look on Vivian's face when she sees this.

She waved her hand over the document letting a bit of mana trickle out of her palm. The circle shimmered for a moment before the sigil in the center glowed with a soft purple light.

"How are you doing that?" Rupert asked.

"I'm pushing mana into it," she replied.

"But it's just ink and paper. How is it working?" he asked.

"Because I used a really efficient power collector formula when I drew it," she replied.

She tapped an unimaginably complex sigil, and the teens leaned in to look.

"I've never seen anything like this before," Rupert said.

"That's not surprising. I found it on a giant table in a dead city a few years ago. Originally it only collected life energy from its surroundings, but I was able to modify it to gather mana and shadow power instead," she replied.

"Don't you think that's a little much for basic circle assignment?" he asked.

"It's basic for me," she replied.

"You know, I really can't argue with that," he said.

He went back to drawing his circle, allowing her to put the finishing touches on her own.

Once she finished, she glanced over at each of the teens to see how their work was coming along.

"Eric, you need to put more of a curve in the transmission line, or it will short out," she said.

He looked down at his paper.

"Oh, uh, thanks," he replied.

He made the corrections and then continued working. She helped each one of them as they drew, making sure they all had working circles before they finished.

"So, you all want to go and get some food now?" she asked.

"Don't have to ask me twice!" Nickoli replied.

The other children laughed, and they packed away their homework before heading out of the library. The hallways were mostly empty. Most other students had either gone to the dining hall or back to the dorms.

"You know, the school is kind of spooky when it's empty," Eric said.

She burst into laughter.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing, nothing at all," she replied.

Except that darklings are the monsters under the bed in human kingdoms, and they're getting weirded out by an empty building. This lot really are kiddos.

She took a breath and shook her head, smirking at them as they made their way to dinner.

They reached the dining hall soon after and found it filled with students. Her new friends seemed to relax as they stepped inside, walking over to the serving line where they got trays.

She got a full portion of everything available, as she'd done that morning, and then waited for the others to get their food. When everyone had a meal, they found an empty table and sat down. They chatted about what they had learned that day, the teens asking her to explain some of the finer points of their lessons as they ate.

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After finishing their meal, they left the dining hall and headed back to their respective dorms. When they reached Cecilia's room, she said goodnight to her friend before entering her own room. It was empty, as expected, so she went over to her desk and placed her bag on it before taking off her uniform and laying it out flat.

There. Now it won't get wrinkled.

She flopped on the bed and stretched out, putting her hands under her head and looking up at the ceiling, replaying the day's events in her mind.

I probably should have asked who that skinny little shit was. Eh, whatever. I'm sure I'll find out later. Elaine was right about all these noble kids being obsessed with whose father is who and how important your family is. It can't be fun being a kid and thinking like that. All the kids I've met before were pretty happy, even the teenagers, but these ones are always on edge like one wrong word is going to ruin their whole lives. Actually, I guess they kind of could with all the princes and duke's sons and daughters running around. I kind of feel bad for Cecilia. On the one hand, this is probably the best thing that ever could have happened to her, but on the other, she has to deal with all these spoiled noble pricks. I wish there was more I could do for her…

She suddenly sprang up and rushed over to her dresser where she started to rifle through the drawers. She pulled out a small velvet pouch and rushed out of her room heading to Cecilia's where she pounded on the door. A moment later the girl answered, her eyes going wide when she saw Anna.

"Here," Anna said.

She held out the pouch, and the girl just kept staring at her.

"What?" Anna asked.

"You're naked!" Cecilia replied.

Anna looked down at her bare form.

"Oh, oops," she said.

She looked back up at the girl who had her eyes glued on Anna's assets. Anna shook the pouch and moved it into Cecilia's line of sight.

"It's candy," Anna added.

Cecilia looked up and then shook her head before taking the pouch.

"Uh, thanks," she replied.

"You're welcome," Anna said.

She turned and walked away, returning to her room where she went back inside and flopped on the bed once again.

Candy makes everything better.

She let her mind wander as she stared up at the ceiling, humming a tavern song she'd learned in Fishport all those years ago.

Sometime later, the door swung open and Rose walked into the room. She had a tussled look to her, with messy hair and a flushed face. Anna sniffed the air, noticing a familiar yet unexpected scent clinging to her friend.

"Did you have sex?" Anna asked.

Rose blushed and looked away for a moment before nodding. Anna smiled and then sat up.

"So, I made some friends already," she said.

Rose looked over at her clearly relieved at the change in subject.

"That's good," she replied.

"Yeah, so how did you do in learning to speak shadow tongue?" Anna asked.

Rose blushed again.

"It went well," she replied.

So, that's how it is? Damn Sebastian, I didn't think you had it in you. Actually, you had it in her, didn't you? Oh well, as long as she's happy, I don't care what she does.

"So, um, what are your new friends' names?" Rose asked.

"Cecilia, Nickoli, and Eric. I met Cecilia yesterday when I was walking back to the dorm, and we hit it off. Nickoli and Eric are Rupert's friends, and they're nice enough, but they do like to stare at my boobs," Anna replied.

Rose laughed.

"Most people do," she said.

"Yeah, I kind of flashed Cecilia just now though," Anna replied.

"How'd you manage that?" Rose asked.

"Well, she's a commoner, and people pick on her, so I wanted to make her feel better. I brought her some candy, but I kind of forgot to get dressed," Anna replied.

Rose laughed.

"That sounds like you!" she said.

"Yeah, and I was going to keep my clothes on around her. She's kind of chubby, and other girls have been picking on her, so I didn't want her to feel bad about seeing me naked," Anna replied.

"She'll be fine," Rose said.

"I hope so. I like her," Anna replied.

Rose smiled and then started to undress, stripping down to her underdress before walking over to the dresser and retrieving the brush. She started to brush her hair, humming softly to herself.

"I've never heard that one before," Anna said.

"It's a lullaby my mother used to sing to me," Rose replied.

"What was she like?" Anna asked.

"She was kind," Rose replied.

"So, um, what's your name? Your real one I mean?" Anna asked.

Rose stopped brushing her hair and looked over at Anna. She eyed the strange woman for a moment before sighing.

"Delilah," she replied.

"That's a nice name," Anna said.

"No, it isn't, and I don't want you to call me it," Rose replied.

Seeing the pained look in her friend's eyes made her feel wrong. She looked down for a moment trying to think of something to say.

"Tell me who made you hate your own name?" Anna asked.

There was a pause, and Anna looked up to see Rose looking at her a serious expression on her face.

"What are you going to do if I tell you?" she asked.

"Kill him," Anna replied.

Rose looked away for a moment before taking a breath and looking back at her.

"Barthelme Roberts and his sons tormented me the most, but it was his wife Ursula that beat me so bad I lost my baby and then had me sold," she said.

Anna nodded.

"I'll make sure they don't live to see the new year," she replied.

Rose walked over and sat next to her on the bed.

"Please don't quit school over this," she said.

"I'm not," Anna replied.

Rose put her arm around Anna's shoulder and pulled her into a hug. Anna put her head on her friend's arm and nuzzled her.

I'm going to take her nightmares away once and for all.

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