Radiance - The Alight Archives Book #1

16. Aptitude

"Crows, huh?" Custas snickered. "I kinda like it. Makes us sound mysterious, enigmatic, bold!"

Elaine rolled her eyes. "It wasn't meant as a compliment, Custas. According to Hound, everyone thinks of us as a blight on the academy."

"Again, not really seeing the issue here. If anything, it just paints us as sorcerers not to be trifled with."

"Forget it," Elaine sighed. This "bad news" obviously wasn't getting through to him, its connotations flying ignorantly over his head.

The snickering boy leaned casually against the edge of the desk, arms crossed as Fearne took a seat at the desk beside him. Her usually vibrant demeanor was overshadowed by her discomfort at the confrontation with Minerva—her expression was a mix of anxiety and pain. She hadn't spoken much since, and Elaine knew when to hold back and not pry into personal matters. She had seen this particular kind of expression before, one that manifested a heavy heart. 

The way Fearne sat—shoulders hunched and posture slouched—was reminiscent of Liam's demeanor whenever he faced Mother's reprimands, which were often a result of mischief that escalated beyond innocent fun. Elaine could easily recognize the unmistakable signs: defeated sighs that escaped like whispered regrets, a reluctance to meet anyone's gaze, and an overwhelming desire to retreat into solitude; out of respect for her friend, Elaine chose to remain a comforting presence in silence.

She trusted that Hound would honor his word and initiate a serious discussion with the headmaster regarding the trio of bullies who had been tormenting her roommate. But was she overly optimistic in believing this would yield any real results? Over time, Elaine had learned that even a noble who lacked magical abilities could wield enough influence to reshape the world to their advantage. If Minerva's father truly held a significant position within the academy's hierarchy—as a wealthy benefactor or a member of an esteemed family—could the headmaster, or any staff member for that matter, really afford to reprimand his children? 

Furthermore, despite Fearne's insistence that they drop the subject to avoid further complications, a nagging curiosity drove her to unravel the mystery behind the whispers circulating through the school. How had anyone come to discover the details of her last-minute enrollment or Fearne's mixed heritage as a halfbreed? More critically, what other potentially damaging secrets were in the hands of this gossip, and how long would it be before they began spreading rumors about Glyph as well?

"So, you had a run-in with the Barrows, did you?" Custas asked snarkily.

"Unfortunately," Elaine grumbled, her voice tinged with frustration. "And I can't say they were the most welcoming of folks. They barred us from entering the classroom, all because I own a commoner's wand rather than one of their so-called 'high-class' Advanced Wands." As she spoke, Elaine's gaze flickered to Fearne, who winced in her seat. Elaine wouldn't reveal to Custas the true reason for her targeting—not today. Secrets, after all, were like precious gems; they belonged solely to their owner, and it was important to keep them hidden, preserved from prying eyes.

"Man, guys like them really make me sick," Custas spat. "I swear they'd have you believe the entire world revolved around them. Delusional sulmos."

"You know them?"

"Eh...sort of. Saw them once at, let's say, a social gathering for nobles in the Capital. I doubt they remember me, though."

Elaine raised a brow. "You live in the Capital?"

"Lived, past tense," Custas corrected. "And...kinda..."

"Right, and tell me, just what were you doing at a noble event?"

"Hey, a guy's gotta make a living somehow," Custas snickered. "In any case, House Barrow are kinda like celebrities. They're known for their lucrative trading businesses, specializing in the mass production and distribution of enchanted items in and out of the country. Word on the street is that they've got their fingers in quite a few upper-status circles. People these days crave their notoriety, their influence. So it isn't too surprising to hear they're sponsoring Glyph Academy to some extent. But it does make dealing with their snobby nobleings that much more difficult."