The evening sun cast long shadows across the academy grounds, painting the stone pathways in warm gold as the battles slowly drew to a close. Most of the students remained inside the massive auditorium, eagerly watching the remaining duels. But not us.
Zeshia and I had seen enough.
We slipped out quietly, blending into the flow of students leaving the testing area. We didn't wait for the final announcements or indulge in idle chatter. Our battles were done, our performance complete—and honestly, neither of us cared much for watching others.
As we stepped outside, we caught sight of Talia making her way through the crowd. She spotted us almost immediately and gave a small wave, a smirk still lingering from her earlier victory.
"Leaving already?" she asked, brushing a strand of deep crimson hair behind her ear.
"We've had our fill," I replied with my usual calm. "And we're not exactly the cheering type."
Zeshia gave her a bright grin, clasping her hands behind her back. "You did great out there, Princess," she teased, letting the title hang just enough to make Talia's eyes twitch slightly.
She didn't deny it. Of course not. But she didn't confirm it either.
"Well," Talia said, stepping back into the crowd, "I'll see you tomorrow. Try not to get lost in the city, country girls."
Zeshia snorted. "We'll manage."
With a few parting nods, we turned and made our way toward the academy gates. The sun was dipping below the horizon now, setting the sky ablaze in brilliant hues of orange and pink. The capital city spread out before us in all its majestic glory—tall towers, glimmering spires, and winding roads bustling with life.
It was... a lot.
Even for me, Zenith, who rarely showed much emotion—there was something awe-inspiring about standing in the heart of the empire after a life spent in the quiet wilderness.
Zeshia practically sparkled with excitement. "We have to explore tomorrow," she said, bouncing on her heels. "I want to see the market, the main square, everything. Ooh! And maybe eat something that isn't stew or bread!"
I gave her a sideways glance. "It's already late. Let's not get lost before we even get into the academy."
She pouted, crossing her arms. "You're no fun."
"You'll thank me when you don't pass out from exhaustion before the results are even announced."
With a dramatic sigh, she slumped forward in exaggerated defeat. "Fineee. But we're exploring tomorrow, no take-backs."
"I never said no," I replied, shaking my head fondly. "Just not tonight."
Asking around for directions, we eventually found our way to a decent-looking inn nestled between two larger buildings. It wasn't anything extravagant, but it was clean, warm, and had private rooms—more than enough for our needs.
It paled in comparison to Madam Binne's estate, of course. Her home had been lavish, filled with magic-enhanced comforts and quiet elegance. This place was more... grounded. But it was fine.
Zeshia flopped onto the bed with a groan. "It's not even feathered," she whined. "Binne spoiled us."
I glanced around the room, noting the small fireplace, the sturdy wooden furniture, and the faint hum of magic wards along the windows. "It'll do."
After a simple dinner and a long bath, we settled in for the night. The events of the day lingered in my mind—Talia's strange power, the prince's fleeting glance, the curious looks from other students. And, of course, the test results.
Tomorrow evening, everything would change.
But for now, we slept—twin sisters under one roof, wrapped in the unknown, and walking straight into a destiny even we couldn't begin to imagine.
Morning arrived with the soft glow of sunlight slipping through the enchanted curtains, casting golden ribbons across the wooden floor of our modest inn room.
As always, Zeshia was the first to wake. Bright-eyed and annoyingly energetic, she leapt from the bed like she'd been waiting for this moment her entire life. "Zenith! Zenith, wake up!" she chirped, bouncing beside me on the bed. "We've got a whole city to explore!"
I groaned and rolled over, burying my face deeper into the pillow. "Five more minutes..."
Zeshia didn't buy it for a second. "You said that ten minutes ago."
"I didn't say anything."
"Well, I imagined you did. It still counts." She yanked the blanket off with no mercy.
I let out a long, suffering sigh—half irritation, half fondness. "You're lucky I like you."
"I know," she said cheerfully, dragging me out of bed. "Now get dressed! We've got stuff to do. People to judge. Things to mock. Stalls to rob—uh, I mean shop at."
"You're the worst."
"Yet you follow me every time."
I didn't argue. Mostly because she was right.
After freshening up and gathering our things, we checked out of the inn, thanked the innkeeper, and stepped into the morning bustle of the capital.
The city had truly come alive. Vendors shouted from colorful stalls lining the streets. Carriages rattled over cobblestone roads. People in fine robes and glittering jewelry mingled with commoners in plain tunics, all moving with purpose. The scent of fresh bread, roasted meat, and spiced pastries drifted through the air like a warm embrace.
Even I had to admit—it was mesmerizing.
Our first destination was the central market district, known as the Verdance Ring. It was a major hub of commerce in the empire, a circular expanse filled with elegant boutiques, vibrant street stalls, and magical shops where rare items flickered behind glass enchanted displays.
Naturally, Zeshia wanted to explore everything at once.
But I, ever the sensible one, reeled her back.
"Before we wander off into chaos," I said, holding her by the wrist like a leash on a particularly wild animal, "we're going to buy essentials first. Clothes, gear, potions. The usual."
Zeshia groaned like I had sentenced her to death. "Ugh, boring. That's not exploring, that's responsibility."
I raised an eyebrow. "Would you rather end up stranded mid-academy term with nothing but three outfits and a bottle of hair oil?"
She paused. "...Okay fine. But only because you're using logic against me. I hate it when you do that."
Smirking slightly, I guided her toward the more practical shops, knowing full well we'd eventually end up wherever she wanted anyway.
I smirked in quiet victory as I managed to drag Zeshia toward the more practical stores, her exaggerated sighs following me like a trail of complaints. We stocked up on everything we might need—clothes that matched academy regulations but still suited our tastes, essential potions, enchanted items, and a few travel tools, just in case.
Thanks to my control over void magic, everything was neatly tucked away in a small wrapped dimensional space, conveniently floating in a warped space, invisible to everyone else. One of the few advantages of having such a overpowered ability.
Zeshia twirled on her heels dramatically once we stepped out of the last utility shop. "Finally! The boring part is over. Now—my turn!"
I rolled my eyes, but didn't argue. Fair was fair.
She wasted no time. We made our way through the busier parts of the market, winding between crowds and decorative signboards. Zeshia had a list, it seemed—an invisible one—but she was checking off shops like a girl on a mission. Accessories, magical trinkets, overly extravagant clothes she clearly didn't need, but insisted "had personality."
"Look at this hat, Zenith!" she exclaimed, holding up an absurdly wide-brimmed thing with feathers sticking out like a phoenix in mid-molt. "Doesn't it scream drama?"
"It screams something," I replied flatly.
She laughed, completely unfazed, and tossed it back on the stand.
We moved from stall to stall, the energy of the capital seeping into our bones. It was loud, vibrant, chaotic—so different from the quiet, distant outskirts where Madam Binne had raised us. And yet... there was something nice about it too. Even I had to admit that.
It felt... real.
After a while, our bags (or rather, our void space) were full, and Zeshia's excitement had begun to simmer down just a little.
I glanced at the sky. Still plenty of time before results would be announced.
"Think we should grab something to eat before heading back?" I asked.
Zeshia gave me a grin. "Only if I get to pick the place."
"Only if you don't choose the one with the dancing soup bowls again."
"But they were fun!"
"They tried to bite my hand."
"Adds flavor to the experience!"
I sighed.
This was going to be a long afternoon.
The two of us wandered through the cobbled streets until we found a place that caught our eye—a tall, elegant establishment with ornate golden accents on its windows, soft music drifting through the open doors, and a gentle aroma of herbs and baked delicacies filling the air.
It looked expensive.
Luxurious, even. The kind of place that catered to nobles and high-standing merchants. A few people at nearby tables glanced our way as we entered, their eyes flicking to our silver hair, our composed expressions, and—for a brief second—assessing whether we belonged.
We did.
We might not have known much about our origins, but Madam Binne had always told us, with that soft sternness of hers, that we were no less than royalty in her eyes. And Madam Binne herself? A high-ranking noble and the influential head of Phoenix Hell, the most powerful trade organization in the entire region. She didn't talk much about her status, but it wasn't hard to connect the dots.
So yes, we had money. And status. And power.
I smirked slightly to myself as we sat down by a wide window overlooking the street. Let them stare.
Zeshia leaned forward eagerly, flipping through the elegantly inscribed menu with dramatic flair. "Ooooh, Zenith, they have berry-glazed roast! And lemon-touched fruit tarts! And—and—look at this—gold-dusted burger buns! Who even eats that?"
"You. Apparently," I replied dryly as she flagged the waiter with enthusiasm and started ordering half the menu.
I blinked and pulled myself out of my thoughts, realizing I should probably order too before she decided to just choose for me. My eyes scanned the menu until they landed on something simple—classic, warm, and strangely nostalgic.
Pasta.
Of course, I ordered it. Along with a fruit juice to match Zeshia's choice. Because even if I pretended not to care... I had favorites too.
As we sat there, waiting for the food to arrive, the warmth of the place settled into me. Polished marble floors, embroidered tablecloths, crystal lights above casting soft glows, and a gentle hum of chatter around us. It felt... different. Comfortable, but distant from our usual way of life.
Zeshia leaned back in her seat, arms stretched behind her head with a smug grin. "See? I pick the best spots."
"You picked the one with the gold burger buns," I replied, raising an eyebrow.
"And? Style matters, Zenith."
I couldn't argue.
Not when she was grinning like that