Radiance - The Alight Archives Book #1

100. Until Next We Meet...

Brushing the loose strands of hair out of her face with the back of her hand, Elaine stood before the full-length mirror, examining her reflection. Instead of her usual Glyph Academy uniform, she wore a knee-length brown skirt that brushed against her calves, paired with a crisp white top. These had been the same clothes she had chosen for her departure from her hometown nearly three months ago.

A long, white scar stretched from the corner of her mouth and ran horizontally across her right cheek, nearly grazing the lobe of her ear. It served as a physical reminder of the trials she had faced during her Spellcasting Midterm Exam. It was a wound earned while she struggled to incapacitate Mercedes; that girl had been one formidable opponent. Elaine hadn't even noticed the injury until after her examination with the Medical Mages.

Theoretically, she could have the scar healed as the Medical Mages could easily erase it with their Abjuration. Professor Dragonthorne had even offered to perform the healing herself. However, Elaine made a conscious choice to leave the scar untouched. The memory of that nightmare—the palpable fear, the rush of adrenaline, the desperate struggle for survival—would forever be etched in her mind, and she felt that the scar was an integral part of that story. At least, for now, it would remain.

Behind her, Elaine could hear the rustling noise as Fearne continued packing, neatly folding her clothing before appropriately organizing them inside the suitcase she had resting on her bed. Gulp watched her curiously, or perhaps it was waiting for the girl to treat it with a snack. Its leaves quivered at its base, and the spikes running down its spine wriggled excitedly. Fearne ignored the plant, though, far too focused on making sure she hadn't forgotten any of her belongings, hands on her hips as she thoroughly swept the room.

Fearne had a bright green-colored skirt with a floral pattern of flower petals billowing over its cotton fabric. Technically, today was the final day of classes, which typically meant they would still be required to wear their uniforms. Given the circumstances, Orion had announced during their assembly yesterday that they were free to dress however they chose today...just so long as it was appropriate for the school environment. Well, it saved them the trouble of needing to change out of their uniform later on. That was one positive, if nothing else.

Just the same as Fearne did, Elaine took in her dorm room, which she had grown so used to throughout their albeit brief semester at the academy. After a while, it truly began to feel like home. But Elaine would always know where his real home was. She'd be able to see it again soon. That quaint little town on the outskirts of the country. How much had changed in the short while she'd been gone? It was a question that greeted her earlier in the morning after she had showered.

"I'll be catching a train to Rosal City this afternoon," Fearne said, checking herself in the mirror, her ponytail twirling as she playfully spun around on her heels. "You should come with me. It's not exactly close to Page, but traveling together will be fun. Plus, you can always take a train at one of the stops."

Elaine smirked. "And since we're Glyph students, all the expenses will be covered."

"I wouldn't suggest it if they weren't," Fearne said slyly.

"I'll admit that does sound like a blast, but...I'm kind of eager to see my folks again. Word of what happened would have reached them by now. I'm sure they're all worried sick about me." Elaine rechecked her reflection, giving herself a swift once-over. Yes, the scar would have to be something to get used to. She imagined her mother would throw a fit once she noticed it. "I know the academy is advising us not to be too open about what happened, but it doesn't feel right not filling them in. I hate keeping secrets like this."

"Yeah, I'm with you. But I'm pretty sure my mother will fit the pieces together herself. She's a bit forceful, perhaps to her detriment." Fearne grinned nervously. "Then again, I doubt it'll be much longer before everything is released to the public. Our families will find out, regardless of what you or I have to say."