Valentina blinked wearily, trying to organize the events of the previous night. The scent of burning incense still hung in the air, a faint echo of the solemn ceremonies throughout the city.

  Valentina stretched cautiously and winced as she felt a slight pain on her bottom. Memories of her nightly encounter with Professor Horne came flooding back – shame, arousal and a strange sense of power.

  "Good morning, little Weaver," Vyxara whispered in her head, the demon's voice velvety and amused. "How does your... bum feel this morning?"

  Valentina snorted softly. "Shut up, Vyxara. I'm not in the mood for your teasing."

  "And now she's even starting to talk back! Oh, little Weaver," Vyxara purred excitedly, "you've really changed. Do you still remember the nice girl from Palewood? She never dreamed that one day she would be standing in Professor Horne's office bent over his desk while he..."

  "Enough!" Valentina hissed, her cheeks glowing.

  "Of course, of course, I'll stop," Vyxara giggled. "I'm just teasing you a little so you don't always make such a sour face."

  Valentina ignored Vyxara and started to get dressed. She didn't have time for this now, the final round of the Greystone Competition was in six weeks. There was work to do.

  As she plaited her hair into a braid, her thoughts drifted again to the previous night. Vyxara was right about one thing: She would never have thought that she would experience things like this. With one last scrutinizing look in the mirror, she left her room and made her way to the library.

  Every day of the next week, she spent every free minute there to prepare for the next – the last – round. Success seemed so close at hand.

  She was poring over a particularly complex text on advanced geometric configurations.

  "Fascinating, isn't it?" Vyxara murmured in her head. "You can't help but wonder what humans could do with Essence Weaving if they knew what a partial differential equation was."

  Valentina shook her head uncomprehendingly, careful not to answer aloud. She had learned over the last months that talking to herself in the library could lead to suspicious glances.

  When she looked up to relax her eyes for a moment, she noticed Crispin approaching her hesitantly. His expression was a mixture of curiosity and concern.

  "Val?" He cleared his throat quietly. "I... uh... I didn't mean to disturb you, but..."

  Valentina smiled wanly. "It's okay, Crispin. What's up?"

  He sat down opposite her and glanced at the books she had piled up around her. His eyes widened as he read the titles. "These are all books from the restricted section! How did you...?"

  "Professor Horne has given me special permission," Valentina explained hastily. "For the competition, you know?"

  Crispin nodded slowly, his gaze still skeptical. "Of course. The competition." He hesitated for a moment. "Val, I... we haven't spoken much lately. Is everything okay between us?"

  Valentina felt a twinge of guilt. She had indeed neglected Crispin in recent weeks, too preoccupied with her own problems and goals.

  "I'm sorry, Crispin," she said quietly. "Everything really is alright between us. I am just so focused on the preparation. You know how important this competition is to me."

  He nodded again, this time with a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I know. I just wanted to make sure that... well, that everything is okay between us. It has nothing to do with... our... you know."

  Valentina was briefly confused, but then understood what he was alluding to. Of course, their night together. To her, it felt as if it had been in another life.

  "Oh, how sweet," mocked Vyxara. "The poor boy is still madly in love with you. Maybe you should tell him about your nightly studies with Professor Horne? That would cool him down a little."

  Valentina punished the demon's mean suggestion with contempt and instead focused entirely on Crispin. "Everything is fine between us," she assured him. "It has nothing to do with that. It was nice and we're still friends. That's not going to change."

  Crispin smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Right. Friends." He stood up. "I'll let you get back to studying, then. Good luck with the competition."

  When he left, Valentina felt a stab of guilt. She hated seeing Crispin like this, but she couldn't dwell on his feelings right now. The competition had priority.

  She immersed herself in her books again, but her concentration didn't really want to return. Instead, she let her gaze wander through the library. She saw first-year students everywhere, eagerly studying for the competition.

  Almost without meaning to, she activated her Essence Listening ability. The sounds of the library changed, became sharper, more focused.

  "...heard that the last task has something to do with Leb-Essence," she heard a student whisper.

  "Nonsense," replied another. "I'm sure it'll be about advanced Viur manipulation. My father knows one of the judges..."

  Valentina listened attentively, memorizing every rumor, every piece of information, and had only the faintest hint of a guilty conscience. She could not afford to have any scruples. Not now.

  "Well done, little Weaver," Vyxara praised. "I see you're busy collecting."

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  The hours flew by and before Valentina knew it, the library began to empty. Matilda Ravencroft, the stern librarian, went from table to table and shooed the last stragglers out.

  When she reached Valentina's table, she paused. "Here to the end again, Valentina?" Her eyes wandered over the piles of books. "I hope you appreciate the special permission you have been granted."

  Valentina nodded hastily. "Of course, Madam Ravencroft. I'm very grateful for that."

  The librarian looked at her for a moment longer before nodding. "Very well. Clean up and go to bed. Even the brightest mind needs rest."

  When Valentina left the library, it was already dark outside. The cool night wind made her shiver as she hurried across the courtyard to her dormitory.

  Once in her room, she dropped onto her bed, exhausted. Her head was buzzing from all the information she had absorbed.

  "A productive day, I'd say," commented Vyxara with satisfaction.

  Valentina sighed softly, lazily pulled her dress over her head and then pulled the blanket under her chin, yawning. "I just hope it's enough."

  "You're on a good path," Vyxara told her gently. "Sleep now and get some rest, you can continue learning tomorrow."

  Valentina nodded in agreement and soon fell asleep.

  ~

  Two more weeks passed in a flash, the cold began to recede and the very first tentative feelers of the coming spring reached Bridgewater.

  Valentina was sitting on a bench in the courtyard, a thick book on her lap. However, her attention was not focused on the complex diagrams in front of her, but on a group of students who had gathered in another corner of the courtyard.

  Faustus Boarfend stood in the center of the group, his face lit up by a smug grin. His usual followers crowded around him, hanging on his lips and occasionally giggling nervously.

  "Look at that, little Weaver," Vyxara murmured in Valentina's head. "Our dear Faustus seems to be up to something."

  Valentina frowned. She had noticed over the last few days that Faustus and his clique were meeting more and more frequently for secret meetings like this. It was obvious that they were planning something – and Valentina strongly suspected that it had something to do with the upcoming competition.

  She closed her eyes and concentrated, letting her Essence Listening ability take effect. The sounds of the courtyard changed, became sharper, more focused. But when she tried to eavesdrop on the conversations of the group around Faustus, she met with resistance.

  It was as if an invisible barrier was blocking her ability. All she could hear were indistinct murmurs and occasional laughter.

  "Damn," she whispered in frustration.

  "Interesting," commented Vyxara. "It seems our friend Faustus has taken precautions to avoid being overheard. That's even more suspicious. I suspect it's against all potential eavesdroppers, he can't have found out about your ability."

  Valentina shook her head. That was impossible. No one knew about her ability.

  "Well, if we can't hear what they're saying," Vyxara continued, "we'll just have to... use more creative methods."

  "What do you mean?" Valentina asked quietly.

  "Oh, I don't know," the demon replied with feigned innocence. "Maybe you could… persuade one of Faustus' friends to tell you something? I'm sure you could be very persuasive if you wanted to."

  Valentina felt the blush rise to her face. "No, I can't... I can't do that."

  "Why not?" asked Vyxara. "You always say you're prepared to do anything to win. What would be the difference between that and a meeting with Horne?"

  Valentina bit her lip. Yes, she had already crossed so many boundaries, but something inside her resisted the thought.

  "I... I don't know," she mumbled, "And it doesn't matter. I'm sure there's another way."

  At that moment, the group around Faustus dispersed. He gave Valentina a hateful look from afar before sauntering off with his followers.

  Valentina clenched her fists. Whatever Faustus was planning, she had to find out. But how?

  She stood up and walked slowly back to the main building. Her head was buzzing with possibilities and doubts. She knew she had to act somehow.

  Valentina was so lost in thought that she almost bumped into Innogen, who was suddenly standing in front of her. Her friend looked worried.

  "Val, can we talk?" Innogen asked quietly but firmly.

  Valentina hesitated briefly, but then nodded. They followed a winding path through the rose garden, which would be in full bloom again in the not too distant future.

  "I'm worried about you," Innogen began after they had walked side by side in silence for a while. "You've been very different lately and it hurts me to see it."

  Valentina felt her stomach tighten. "Different? What do you mean?"

  Innogen stopped and turned to her. "You're aloof, secretive. And this sudden improvement in your abilities... You've barely spoken to Crispin and me for weeks now. One minute it's the same as always and the next minute it's like I don't even know you anymore and it feels like you're hiding something from me."

  "Oh oh, little Weaver," Vyxara whispered in amusement. "It seems your friend has a keen eye."

  Valentina ignored the demon and forced herself to smile. "You worry too much, Innogen. I just work hard for the competition, that's all."

  Innogen didn't look convinced. "I'm not going to be brushed off that easily this time, Val. If anything is wrong, if you're in trouble, you can tell me. I'm your friend, I want to help you."

  Valentina hated lying to Innogen, but what could she tell her? The truth was not only too unbelievable but also way too dangerous.

  "It's really alright," she said gently. "I know I've been a little absent lately, but the competition is so important to me. You know what's at stake."

  Innogen sighed, "I know. But Val, there are other things that are important too, not only the competition. Your health, your friendships..."

  "Oh, how touching," mocked Vyxara. "As if friendship would help you get your family out of poverty. Ask her if she wants to pay your family's debts."

  Valentina shook her head slightly to dispel Vyxara's voice. "I promise you, everything will be back to normal after the competition," she said to Innogen.

  "Will it?" Innogen asked quietly. "I sometimes get the feeling that you're emotionally isolating yourself from us. From me, from Crispin..."

  At the mention of Crispin, Valentina felt another stab of guilt.

  "I'm sorry," she said sincerely. "I know I haven't been a good friend lately. But I promise that will change."

  Innogen smiled faintly. "I hope so, Val. I miss my best friend."

  They continued to walk through the garden, the tension between them palpable. Valentina knew she hadn't completely convinced Innogen, but she hoped it would be enough for now.

  When they reached the main building, Innogen paused once more, took Valentina's hand and looked her very urgently in the eyes. "Val, no matter what, you know you can always come to me, right?"

  Valentina nodded, a lump in her throat. "I know. Thank you, Innogen."

  They looked at each other for a moment, then Innogen turned and left. Valentina looked after her, the feeling of guilt like a heavy stone in her stomach.

  "Well, that was touching," Vyxara commented sarcastically. "But don't let it distract you, little Weaver. We have more important things to do."

  Valentina sighed heavily. Yes, she had more important things to do. The competition, Faustus' plans, Professor Horne, her future – it was all waiting for her. But as she watched Innogen disappear into the archway, she couldn't help but wonder if the price of her success was perhaps too high. She would have some fixing to do between her and her friends after the competition. She resolved to do so. After the competition, things would change again.

  With a heavy heart, she made her way to Professor Horne's office. She had an appointment to keep, whether she liked it or not.

  As she climbed the stairs, she imagined she could feel the eyes of other students on her. Were they whispering about her? Did they know about her nightly visits to Professor Horne? Valentina pushed the thought aside. It didn't matter.

  She paused briefly in front of Professor Horne's door, took a deep breath and then knocked determinedly.