RAVENNA

Part 31

NIEVE POV

I was discharged the next day. No pain, no symptoms—like nothing had ever happened. My family worried, especially Gran. He wanted me to take leave, pack my bags, and head back home. But nah. I was actually enjoying myself here—extra lessons with Professor Maria (because, duh), practicing spells with Rhett in secret, and learning herbs with Aunt Yuxi. Every other day, you'd find me in her garden.

Still, something had changed. Ever since those nightmares started, I'd been... curious. Always searching for something new, something I couldn't quite name.

So yeah, technically, I was back to my normal routine. But not really.

The newspaper and Buzz Sphere were buzzing with headlines about a fire in the village. They claimed it was the work of a fire manipulator. Witnesses even swore they'd seen duskborns. The guards apparently fought them off—Hamid among them. Breakfast was lazy and unhurried. Rob slurped his juice with no shame, while Esme crunched through bread, her eyes fixed on the book she'd brought to the table. I was buried in the volume I'd picked up at the fair, and every so often Esme absently fed me a bite between her own.

The book was nothing like its plain cover suggested. Every page was covered in scribbles, underlines, and notes—clearly the work of a devoted bookworm, whoever was the previous owner. One word in particular snagged my attention: Mnemaurgia.

"Hey... do either of you know what this means?" I asked, tilting the book for them to see.

Esme leaned over, squinting. "Mne... what? I can't even pronounce that."

Rob frowned. "Hang on. Let's check the dictionary." Rob wiped his hand on his thigh as he reached for it.

"Ugh, Rob. Get a towel, or at least a napkin," Torea muttered as she passed by.

"Please. I am the laundry service. Premium, same-day delivery. Don't like it? File a complaint with management." Rob shot back, deliberately rubbing his hand harder against his pants just to rile her. Torea huffed and stalked off, muttering "dork" under her breath.

Rob smirked and turned the dictionary pages. "Alright... M... here. N... got it. Mnemaurgia. Spelled mneh-ma-oor-GHEE-ah." He cleared his throat, then read aloud: "A process to retrieve memories. When a mage kills someone, the victim's memories either transfer to the mage... or to an object."

I nodded understanding the meaning. "I didn't know such thing exists." Esme said. I closed the book and concentrated on food.

"Do you think we can contact him?" Rob asked.

"Who?" I pulled a fork from stand.

"Hamid. He lives there too, doesn't he? And Ali."

"We can't go." Esme replied, chewing her toast like it had wronged her. "Security's tighter than my jeans after winter break. Even the road to village closed. I saw it this morning."

I sighed. "I just hope they're fine. The news said it was massive."

"Anyway..." Rob slurped his juice loud enough to summon spirits. "When are you going to Kim's house for that—what was it again?"

"Rituals, Rob. Rituals." Esme snapped. He'd already asked me three times this week. Liliya was pregnant, the way I announced their deed they had to get marry fast and now the Kim were having this ritual for the protection for both mother and child.

"What?" Rob frowned. "I'm asking her. Why are you answering? Is it your ritual?" He grinned and let out a burp.

"Eww, Rob! Gross! Have some table manners." Esme gagged dramatically.