Page 83 of Self Studies

“When they wake up?” I asked, emerging from my dome to lean against it like he leaned against my door. The clasps clinked against the stone.

Professor Garnet smiled at my actions before frowning. “Magic comes at great cost, Aphy. I know that’s not your experience, but most mages have enough magic for three, maybe four big spells a day. The more advanced ones who eat right and train their bodies can maintain small spells in addition. It’s why we draw runes in items and imbue potions so the magic lasts longer and doesn’t tax us.”

I thought of the mop Magnus Terra had me use and the magic which let me take food from the cafeteria. What he said made sense.

He motioned to the vine dome. “Remember Saffron during Metaphysics. He’d spent the evening before working on his Golem, then had a full day of classes before kicking Ram out and leaving a shield behind. After all that, he still did his mental projection.”

“Yeah, I remember,” I replied, not wanting to dwell on the memory.

I glanced at Yasmine. Her perfectly manicured nails flew across her phone, probably texting all of this to Mercedes.

Professor Garnet smiled. “Charging your runes took everything both of them had. They’re in the medical wing, unconscious.”

Guilt flooded my stomach, and I pulled my hoodie up.

Professor Garnet’s gaze softened. “It’s okay, Aphy. They’ll be fine. You didn’t know what you were doing. It’s why you’re here, to make mistakes. You’ve nothing to feel bad about.”

I bit my lower lip and nodded, not sure if I believed him but not willing to argue.

He hesitated and stood straight. “If not Saffron’s, pick a harem soon.” I shook my head, trying to get him to shut up, but he plowed on. “My advice to stay under the radar seems to be something you’re incapable of following. Your peers will continue tormenting you until they can’t. When you leave here, life will do the same. No one will care about you if you don’t care about yourself first.”

“Got it,” I said tightly. “I’ll see you in class tomorrow.”

“And for extra tutoring a few evenings a week,” Professor Garnet said, smiling brightly. “You’ll get your new schedule here soon.”

I nodded and waved goodbye before he could say anything else damning. Yasmine glared at me when I turned to her.

“Ah, I’m not joining anyone’s harem,” I said. “I want to be left alone.”

I tried to pull on my braid, and anger churned in my gut. I’m not the one who should be making excuses here.

Yasmine popped her head to one side and shook it before dramatically pressing send on her phone.

I sighed and entered the safety of my dome.

I didn’t want to join a harem. The more the professor pressed, the more wrong it felt. Halfway to sitting down on my bed, I froze. Instead of doing what the professor wanted, I fought back. I’d not even thought about it. I hit my mattress with an happy squeal. Excitement and terror twisted my stomach.

Chapter 12

I rolled uncomfortably in the sheets clinging to my body. Hot, stuffy air filled my lungs. I forced my eyes to open to the pitch black of my vine haven. Sweat dripped down my face as I sat up and felt for the entryway.

The cool crisp air of my dorm room had never tasted so sweet. Half in the bed, with my head sticking out, I realized I’d missed a few things when building my safe space. Ventilation currently sat on the top of my list.

Not willing to leave the cool floor, I studied the minute differences between the gray stone I’d brought to life and the stone ceiling. When my scrutiny did not reveal how to fix something magical while not using magic, I pulled my bottom half out of bed and onto the floor. Maybe just tonight, I could skip my new dome altogether and curl up on top of Professor Garnet.

The thought kept me grinning all the way to the shower. Warm water hit the buzzed bits of my scalp and tingled oddly. My short hair didn’t absorb soap or lather up much. Even the longer side made me regret the amount of shampoo I’d squeezed out. Soap and water painlessly ran under the clasps on my wrists, although drying under them would be a different story.

Wrapped in a towel, I discovered problem number two. I’d not left enough space between the wall and the dresser to open the drawers. I sat down on the edge of the bed and groaned.

My phone screen lit up as my morning alarm went off. A smile tugged at my cheeks to see my bookbag exactly where I left it, leaning against the wall of the dome.

I silenced the alarm before it grew in volume and smiled. At least during the night, the Dealership wasn’t going to be a problem anymore.

The uniform I wore yesterday had been fresh before I got my hair done. With Magus Terra’s class first, it would have to do. I took another deep breath. How my uniforms always seemed to be clean was one of the many mysteries on my list. Today, I was going to ask someone about it. No more sitting around and trying to figure things out alone. I had friends now. Friends who wanted to help me.

Facing my peers for the first time since the Aptitudes terrified me. I planned to put it off for as long as possible. I took the long way around to the cafeteria, heading for the library. My blue loveseat called to me. Once seated, I took out my phone and smiled while reading through my messages.

Every person who had my number had gotten in touch—every single one. Given it was only five people. But it still filled me with warmth which had nothing to do with sex.

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