Rae van Daleon – The Roots of the Storm
by Lea von Löwenstein
Chapter 4: Shadows and Decisions
The cool darkness of the north corridor enveloped Rae and Tyren as the hum of the device gradually faded. Tyren switched off the projection, intensifying the sense that they were doing something forbidden.
“This stays between us,” he said quietly, his tone firm. “If the instructors find out, we’re both finished.”
Rae gave a short nod, her thoughts racing. She knew that knowledge was indeed power, especially in a place like the Scola. But this power was dangerous, and Tyren was playing a risky game.
“And what exactly do you plan to achieve with this?” she asked at last.
Tyren leaned against the cold wall, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. “Understanding what’s really going on behind these walls. This place isn’t just about preparing us for service. There are layers they don’t want us to see. Information that isn’t meant for novices.”
Rae paused, her gaze fixed on the dark halls. She felt the weight of his words and the possibility that he might be right. But before she could respond, a faint sound reached her ears—the scrape of a boot on stone.
“Someone’s here,” she whispered, signaling Tyren to stay quiet.
Both of them retreated deeper into the shadows, their movements silent. Footsteps approached, quiet but purposeful. Rae recognized the silhouette before seeing the face—it was Celestine.
“You’re not very subtle,” she said softly, her tone a mix of mockery and seriousness. “What are you two up to?”
Tyren sighed and stepped out of the shadows. “Just a little… analysis of the Scola’s systems.”
Celestine crossed her arms, giving Rae a scrutinizing look. “And you’re involved?”
Rae shrugged, her voice calm. “I’m observing what he’s discovered. It could be useful.”
Celestine was silent for a moment, then stepped closer. “I want to know what you’ve found. But if you get caught, you’re on your own.”
Tyren smirked. “Fair enough.”
The Next Morning: Confrontation in Class
The following morning, the tension in the classroom was even higher than before. Instructor Parval began a new scenario, a more complex tactical exercise. Rae glanced at the others—Marcus was focused, Alric struggling, Celestine as composed as ever. Tyren, however, seemed unusually confident.
The simulation began, and Rae moved her units with precision, carefully planning her strategy. But she noticed Tyren making his moves unusually quickly and decisively, as if he already knew what to expect.
Parval approached, his eyes fixed on Tyren’s screen. “Impressive,” he said at last, his voice cold. “But perhaps a little too impressive.”
Tyren paused, his face calm, but Rae sensed the subtle tension in his posture.
“What do you mean, sir?” Tyren asked finally.
Parval studied him for a long moment before replying. “I mean that a novice like you shouldn’t be demonstrating such precision without… external assistance.”
A quiet murmur rippled through the class, and Rae felt the weight of the other novices’ gazes on Tyren. She held her breath as Parval turned to address the group. “If anyone here thinks they can circumvent the Scola’s rules, they are gravely mistaken.”
Celestine was the first to speak, her voice as cool as ever. “Perhaps Tyren is simply better than expected.”
Parval shot her a look that brooked no argument. “Or perhaps he had help.” His gaze shifted to Rae, and for a moment, she felt the tension tighten in her neck.
“No, sir,” Rae said calmly before Parval could say more. “We all work with the same tools. Tyren may simply think faster than the rest of us.”
A long silence followed before Parval turned away. “We’ll see,” he said at last. “Continue.”
The Evening: The Next Experiment
Later that evening, Rae, Tyren, and Celestine gathered in a quiet corner of the dormitory. Tyren appeared unfazed by the confrontation, but Rae was more cautious.
“That was too close,” she said softly. “Parval almost caught on to you.”
Tyren shrugged. “He has no proof. As long as we’re careful, he can’t do anything.”
Celestine narrowed her eyes at him. “If you drag us into this, it won’t end well. For anyone.”
“That’s a risk we have to take,” Tyren said firmly. “If we only follow the rules, we’ll never be more than tools here.”
Rae remained silent, her thoughts racing. She knew Tyren was right, but she also felt the danger inherent in his plans. The next step needed to be more cautious, more calculated—because in the Scola, a single mistake didn’t just mean failure; it could mean total ruin.
As the darkness of night settled over the Scola, Rae resolved to find her own path—one that would make her not only strong but also wise. She understood that in these shadows, power and danger lay intertwined.
