His low chuckle sends an unexpected shiver down my spine. Damn it. My shadows react to my flustered state, curling closer to my feet as if trying to ground me.
"I look forward to it," he says, and I can't tell if he's mocking me or... flirting? No, definitely mocking. Probably.
We're nearing the classroom now, and I feel a spike of anxiety. What fresh hell awaits me today? Will Alenya be there, ready with more backhanded compliments? Will my shadows decide to misbehave spectacularly?
Mouse chooses that moment to abandon Malrik and twine around my ankles. The contact instantly soothes some of my frayed nerves, and I feel my shadows settling into a more manageable pattern.
"Thanks," I whisper to him.
Malrik glances down, that ghost of a smirk still playing on his lips. "Seems your 'shadow beast' has good instincts."
I narrow my eyes at him, catching something in his tone. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He shrugs, all innocence, but there's something knowing in his silver eyes. "Just an observation."
Before I can press him further, we enter the classroom. Professor Lira is already there, her silver hair gleaming in the light streaming through the tall windows. Her eyes lock onto me,then flick to Mouse at my feet, and I swear I see recognition there.
"Ah, Ms. Draven," she says, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I see you've brought a guest."
I brace myself for another lecture about rules and proper familiar etiquette, but Lira just smiles. "Some guardians can't be constrained by our rules, can they?"
I blink, caught off guard by her casual acceptance. "I... guess not?"
"Take your seats," Lira says to the class. "I'm Professor Aevorin, but you can all call me Lira or Professor Lira if you must. Today, we'll be discussing the finer points of shadow manipulation."
As I slide into my chair, I notice Alenya watching me from across the room. Her impeccable features are marred by a slight frown as she glances between me and Mouse. Throughout the lesson, Mouse appears periodically at different windows, somehow moving impossibly fast between vantage points. I try to focus on Lira's words about shadow theory, but I keep getting distracted by Alenya's increasingly bewildered looks.
Finally, as we're practicing a particularly tricky bit of shadow weaving, Alenya comes over to me. "Does your shadow cat actually teleport, or am I hallucinating?"
I'm so shocked by the genuine curiosity in her voice that I almost lose control of the shadow tendril I'm manipulating. "Uh... I'm not entirely sure," I admit, watching as my shadows twist into abstract patterns.
Alenya's brow furrows, and for a moment, I see past her perfect facade to the sharp mind beneath. "Interesting," she murmurs, more to herself than to me.
As class ends, Professor Lira calls me over. "Ms. Draven, a word?"
I approach her desk, anxiety bubbling in my stomach. My shadows twist closer, ready to defend or flee. But Lira's smile is kind as she says, "Your... companion is welcome in my future classes. Some rules exist to be bent, especially when ancient magic is involved."
I blink at Professor Lira, my mind struggling to process her words. "Ancient magic?" I repeat, feeling like I've missed a crucial piece of information.
Lira's silver eyes twinkle with something deeper than mere amusement. "Indeed. Your shadow guardian is... unique, to say the least. I suspect there's more to him than meets the eye."
As if on cue, Mouse slinks over to Lira's desk and, to my utter astonishment, curls up at her feet like he belongs there. The professor doesn't even flinch, just reaches down to scratch behind Mouse's ears. My shadows flutter with confusion.
"I... I don't understand," I stammer, watching Mouse purr contentedly. "He's never done that with anyone but me."
Lira's smile softens. "Mouse recognizes a kindred spirit, I think. Now, I imagine you have questions. This is a safe space to ask them, Kaia."
The weight of everything I don't know suddenly crashes down on me. Where do I even start? I take a deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts as my shadows swirl anxiously.
"My shadows," I begin hesitantly, watching as they respond to my voice. "They're not... normal, are they? Even for the Shadow Faction?"
Lira nods, her expression thoughtful. "Your instincts serve you well. Your shadows are indeed unique. They're more... alive, for lack of a better term. Most shadow mages manipulate existing darkness, which you have the ability to do as well. But yours? Yours seem to have a will of their own."
Alive. The word clings to me, heavy and strange. My shadows aren’t just magic—they’re something more, something I clearlydon’t understand. And Mouse... a guardian? The implications made my head spin. I shiver, remembering all the times my shadows have acted without my conscious direction. "Is that... dangerous?"
"Power always carries risk," Lira says carefully. "But it's not inherently dangerous. It's a gift, Kaia. One that, with proper training, could make you extraordinarily powerful."
I bite my lip, torn between excitement and fear. "And Mouse? What is he, really?"
