After everything that happened, it almost felt odd for the year to end so smoothly. Territory management kept everyone busy, but it was somehow dull. Yuki never must have felt the same as he spent his time at Cassandra's side sleeping. Before they knew it, they were all packing up to return to Nobility.

  Some of the older students noticed something was off, and Cassandra heard them discussing it. Usually before they returned, they would receive an overview of their score, and those who did not play their part well enough were escorted back home.

  Cassandra knew why there was a difference, but she couldn't tell any of them what had happened, or even that Osmond was gone for good. She wasn't even sure of all the details herself.

  The student's suspicions only grew as their return journeys were far more heavily guarded than before. There was a palpable tension in the air that convinced every one of them that something had happened. Upon arrival, each student took a moment to stash their things before gathering in the assembly hall to eagerly wait for the news.

  A set of footsteps sounded through the previously silent hall, and Alvis stood proudly on the stage with a presence that far outshone Osmond’s. With his approach came a torrent of whispers. Who was he? Where was Osmond? What news was he going to announce to them? Cassandra was just as tense and nervous as the rest of the student body. How much would he say?

  “Welcome to Nobility,” Alvis greeted, “Your journey was no doubt meant to give your firsthand experience of the real world how to work together, and I see that some of you have learned these lessons. Unfortunately, in light of recent events all of your hard work was in vain. I will not be scoring you based on this little excursion.”

  Several voices overlapped as they shouted in anger and dismay. Cassandra couldn’t make out what any of them were saying but she could understand their feelings. She too felt stung by the thought that everything they had gone through would be for nothing.

  Alvis raised a hand to calm them. “First things first, I should introduce myself. I am Alvis Crowe. Yes, the very one you are thinking of. The Founding Headmaster of Tethia. Osmond has unfortunately left this world due to an outside threat and I have returned to guide you in his stead,” he announced, “Yes, Tethia is in danger. Osmond was murdered. You, the future of Tethia have every right to know these things. Would you like to hear how students progress under my supervision?”

  The silence had returned, but this one was charged with tension and fear. It was understandable. Some man claiming to be the founding headmaster had just announced that a pillar of Tethia had been murdered. She hadn’t been expecting to hear news of his death like this either, but since she already knew something was going to happen perhaps she was less surprised than the others.

  “Yes,” Cassandra called through the crowd, “I would like to know why all of our hard work is a waste.”

  Alvis smiled. “I find this method of learning inefficient and easily manipulated,” he replied, “I cannot rely on those sorts of easily fabricated reports. Instead, I will reinstate the system I used when I founded Nobility. Feel free to stay here and learn from these classes as long as you would like. Whenever you feel you are ready you may arrange a test. This test will be a simulation of reality created from the Pavilion of Eternal Dusk. Once inside that simulation I will be able to see everything you do with no chance for cover ups.”

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “How long does the simulation take?” Alois asked warily. Cassandra felt bad for him. Rather than escaping his role as the Headmaster’s apprentice he gained an even more unpredictable mentor.

  “In reality? A few moments. In your mind and memories you will have lived there for two years,” Alvis explained, “I can’t tell you much more until you are prepared to take the test. Are there any more questions?”

  “Do we know who murdered Osmond?” a bold student questioned.

  “I am afraid that is still under official investigation and any suspicions are confidential information,” Alvis told them, “However, every one of you is invited to attend his funeral which has been held off until your return.”

  There were a few more questions that Alvis actually answered, but he cut them off shortly after, ordering the students to enjoy a nice meal and some rest. Waiting in each student’s room was an invitation to the funeral as he had stated, though Cassandra found a second invitation in hers. It was from Maximus.

  He had arrived in Nobility at the same time she had. How had he delivered this so quickly? It might have something to do with his frequent correspondence with Nero during their last days in Teber and journey back. Cassandra opened it with caution just in case it was some form of elaborate trap.

  “Due to the current circumstances, it has been arranged that I will be the first to take my test,” it read, “When I do, I would like to ask for you and the others to come to the entrance with me for moral support, and await my return. It may just be moments for you, but it will give me something to look forward to during whatever waits for me during those years inside.”

  The bottom was merely signed with Maximus’s name. The others must have also received this invitation. Cassandra took out the second piece of paper with the date and time of this test. At least they had the decency to wait until the next morning. She had known from the beginning that Nero had no interest in being king, but she hadn’t expected him to push Maximus so far so soon. What if he failed?

  The Heroes of Tethia, or whatever they were considered now, gathered in the center of the maze after breakfast to meet a nervous Maximus accompanied by both Alvis and Nero. Nero almost seemed more nervous than Maximus.

  “I can wait another year if you don’t feel ready,” he told Maximus.

  “No. I need to do this,” Maximus refuted, “I will graduate Nobility properly this time. I can’t stand by as Tethia falls again.”

  “Good luck,” Cassandra told him, “I am sure you will do well.”

  Maximus instantly seemed calmer and beamed at her. “If you think so, I know I will.”

  Allvis approached the arch. “Are you ready? Once I activate the simulation, no one may access the Pavilion until you leave. Whatever happens inside will all depend on you.”

  “I am,” Maximus declared, and stepped forward to face the arch. There was a glow, far different from the normal appearance of the Pavilion and then Maximus was gone.

  Cassandra couldn’t help but feel that if this was a story, her part had come to a conclusion. The immediate threat was gone, and her friends and allies had all come one step closer to their dreams. However, this wasn’t a story. This was her reality. Reality continued beyond the confines of a single tale. Enemies still lurked in the shadows, waiting to strike. Most of all, she had yet to achieve her dream.

  Like Maximus, she needed to take the reins of fate and write her own story going forward. Once Maximus returned, Cassandra resolved to prepare herself to enter her own test. There was no need to let herself be held back by the confines of schools and traditions. This was the opportunity Alvis had presented and she had no intention to waste it.

  -End of Book One-