The window creaks open, and the sea breeze rolls through the infirmary. Salt and wind and sunlight — it smells cleaner than anything in this city has a right to. I breathe it in, eyes half-closed.
This city… I'm starting to like it more every day.
"You'll need two things to join the Academy," Yun says from the chair beside my bed, biting into an apple like he owns the place. "First, a recommendation from a noble or a recognized adventurer. Second, you have to be of age. Simple, right?"
I glance over at him. "That's it?"
"That's it," he says, grinning. "Well, that and not dying on day one."
The way he says it makes me wonder how many don't make it past that first day.
"Let's go grab some food," I say, swinging my legs off the bed. "If I stay here any longer, I'll turn into a patient for real."
Yun stretches, his joints popping. "Now that you mention it, you haven't eaten a thing since you blew half the training field apart. I know a place by the sea. Great food. Try not to set it on fire."
I roll my eyes, hiding a smile.
***
Clairmarche looks different in daylight. The fog of morning gives way to gold-washed streets, merchants shouting over the creak of ship masts, the scent of salt and baked bread tangling in the air. The city is alive — beautiful, chaotic, dangerous.
Humanity isn't at the top of the food chain here. Not when monsters nest beneath the sea and dungeons carve through the mountains.
Still… I can't bring myself to hate it. Maybe danger is what makes it feel real.
"It's as hot as your magic yesterday," Yun says, fanning himself dramatically as we head down a crowded street. "Mind cooling me off a bit?"
"I could try," I say. "Just don't complain if I accidentally freeze your head off."
He grins. "Someone woke up with an attitude. Careful, princess — I might start expecting manners."
"Coming from the guy who's actual nobility? I'm just a commoner, remember?"
"You sure feel like one when I'm paying all the time." He pats his pocket proudly. "Don't worry, your big brother's a professional gambler."
"Gambling's not luck, huh?" I mutter. "Guess we'll see when it runs out."
The smell of freshly baked bread drifts past, making my stomach growl.
"Is the restaurant far from here?"
"Ten minutes," he shouts over the noise. "Try not to faint before we get there!"
***
The restaurant sits right by the docks — wood polished by the salty air, curtains fluttering like sails. Yun gets us a table with a perfect view of the sea. His winnings must be steadier than I thought.
"See that?" he says, pointing toward the horizon. "Farther than the eye can see — lies a land completely unexplored by men. People say the old gods once lived beyond those waters. Just thinking about it makes me daydream."
I lean back. "If it's unexplored, I'm guessing there's a reason."
Before Yun can answer, a soft voice interrupts. "It's because poking the sleeping bear doesn't make sense when the wolves are already biting."
The waitress stands there — not dressed like a noble, not like a commoner either. Somewhere in between.
Her apron is clean but patched, her hair tied up neatly, yet the tiredness in her eyes gives away the long morning shift.
"What can I get you two?"
"Hey, Luna." Yun grins, still half-lost in his fantasy. "House special, as always."
She glances at me, teasing. "And your cute friend?"
Cute? Really?
"He's my new partner in crime," Yun says with that ever-present smile stamped across his face.
I manage an awkward wave. "Will. Pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise." She tilts her head, studying me for a second longer than polite. "Your order?"
Right. "It's my first time here, so I guess… Whatever you suggest?"
"Perfect, newcomers always tip well. I'll be back with your orders soon."
Yun snorts once she's gone. "Good thing she didn't smell the poverty on you."
"Funny," I mutter. "Have you known her for long?"
"Her family owns the place. They helped me more times than I'd like to admit. They're good people."
I pause, glancing toward the counter where she's pouring drinks, movements precise and quiet.
"This place is a lot fancier than I expected." I lean back, taking in the soft chatter and ocean light spilling through the windows.
Yun grabs a piece of bread and stuffs his mouth full. "A lot of nobles visit from the capital during summer. That's why it's packed — and expensive."
Before I can poke fun at his lack of manners, the sound of shattering glass cuts through the chatter. Across the room, a group of well-dressed men are raising their voices. Their rings flash like small suns under the light.
Luna tries to calm them, but they only grow louder.
"They must be rich merchants," Yun mutters. "Always acting like they own the place."
Another bottle crashes. I push my chair back, ready to move — but someone else steps in first.
She moves with purpose, not haste. Every step draws the room's attention like a ripple through still water. Dark hair slides over her shoulders, catching the light like polished silk. Her gaze sweeps across the merchants— calm, sharp, assessing.
For the briefest second, her eyes meet mine. I look away first, pretending to study the window. When I glance back, she's done the same.
Then she smiles at them. Not kindly, not gently, but with the arrogance of someone who knows she doesn't need to raise her voice to be obeyed.
Mist begins to curl at her feet. The air thickens, wet and heavy. The merchants hesitate, blinking, suddenly unsure why they were angry.
"You must be very brave," she says, voice smooth and lazy, "to make a scene here of all places. Just get out before something bad happens."
No shouting. No violence. Just control. The kind that doesn't need to prove itself.
The merchants leave. Quietly.
Yun groans. "Not her. Of course she'd be here, she loves the place. Besides, her family owns half the district."
"She's…?"
"Dominique Von Auren," he mutters. "Last time she caught me gambling in her family's plaza, I almost lost a hand."
He ducks low. "Quick, let's leave before—"
Too late. She's already walking toward us, Luna trailing beside her.
Yun presses his forehead to the table, voice muffled. "We're doomed."