As time passed, many things came to make sense to Elysia that hadn't before. Perhaps that's what turning thirteen meant. It certainly seemed significant to everyone else.

She learned that the reason Idris made such a fuss about becoming a tower applicant was because his family had lived outside Whistria since he was born. His father owned a potion shop several towns over that had been run independent of his extended family. But, the moment he was accepted to the tower despite being three years younger than the average, they were all pushed into moving in with his grandfather.

The man in question--Laurent Kazin--was famous enough that by the time Idris told her the story, even Elysia knew his name. Despite the title of Master of Medicine being one that was earned, not inherited, the position had been held in the Kazin family for centuries, leaving Master Laurent as the last in line. Ultimately, it meant that his power and influence fell just below Allura's--if one ignored the fact their family held a blood nobility title as well.

It was clear to anyone with eyes that, given his talent, Master Laurent hoped to make Idris his heir. After neither of his sons showed an interest in following in his footsteps, the old mage had held onto his power with an iron grip far beyond the age of his predecessors. Idris was his last hope. Once her friend had moved in, there was no escaping the estate and the expectations that came with it.

Sometimes, when they spoke, he would brag about how much bigger his house was now that they lived near the tower. He would talk about the servants and how he had been told to do nothing but focus on building his magic. How he no longer had chores or responsibilities.

Most of the time, though, he called it suffocating.

Salia--she learned--had known Idris for years. Her family had visited his once or twice when their messenger birds got sick and Master Laurent had requested her parents stop by the shop. They had also attended basic lessons together. But, that didn't mean they were friends. In fact, if one talked to Salia she claimed it to be the exact opposite.

"He's lazy, mean, and...and...egotastic," Salia told her one day. "I read that in a book. It means you have a head bigger than the empire."

"Egotistical," Idris corrected.

"See!"

Despite her complaints, every moment she thought no one was looking, Salia was watching Idris. Not only that, but he was always the first one she looked at when Professor Talon praised her in lessons. Sorrel told Elysia it was best to keep that to herself, though--so, she did.

Another detail was that the bird that was always resting on the girl's shoulder had been named Whiskey by her dad--Ke for short. Salia said it was because of the color of her plumage, but when she wasn't listening, Idris said it was because that was her dad's favorite drink. Whichever it was, the bird listened to everything Salia said and even allowed her to see or hear things that she couldn't have otherwise.

"Each branch of my family shares their senses with certain animals," she explained. "It's our bloodline. As long as the bird will let me, I can know whatever they do."

The final, most important detail, however, that became cemented in her mind as time passed was simple--out of everyone, Idris held the most talent.

Elysia was better when it came to the sword, even if her stamina never did catch up. Salia excelled in truly physical tests, such as hand-to-hand or knife-throwing. But, Idris was in a league of his own. To the point that the professors almost let him graduate early. He said they even visited his house the day he turned ten, but after a quiet conversation with his parents and grandfather, it was decided he would stay with the rest of them.

The reason was unfortunately obvious. If he graduated early that meant Idris would become an official mage of the tower--and mages could be drafted.

Even mentors.

"We'll be back before you know it," Camilla reassured them. She ruffled Sorrel's hair, before squatting down to give Elysia a hug. "A few months is all it should take. Just enough to even the tide."

And kids.

Sorrel lingered by the door, his bag in his hand. His palm went over his mouth as he coughed, drawing a grimace from Rhom.

"I know, I know," Sorrel interrupted, that smile on his face. "But, they're sending Lee and Rena, and I can't just let them go alone. I'll say hi to Mom for you when I see her, okay?"

Not that it seemed to bother Idris.

"They're just worried," he complained. His fingers caught the circular end of his throwing knife, twirling it through the hole meant for string. "Grandfather says it would be fine. He thinks it would do me good."

Elysia frowned. Had she felt like arguing, she would have pointed out that his grandfather seemed to think that any near death experience would be good for him. The old mage was desperate for someone, anyone in their family to show signs of the ancient bloodline. He seemed to think that if they didn't, their family wouldn't be able to hold onto their military title even with Idris' talent. And the surest way to activate a dormant magic was to die. Well, almost die.

"I've got a plan."

Always a bad thing.

"I think I want to go check it out."

He tossed up his knife, letting it twirl in the air before he caught the handle in a single, smooth action. Like she'd known he would, Idris glanced towards where Salia practiced, before faltering as he realized she was distracted by someone else.

His attention flickered back to Elysia, only for him to sigh as he seemed to realize she had no idea what he wanted to do. Before explaining, however, he chucked the knife. As expected, it hit the center of their target.

"I told you. When I went home yesterday Gramps was complaining to Dad about how some of the mages under his command came back with injured diplomats. Some animal attacked their caravan or something. I want to go see it, don't you?"

She stared, incredulous.

What exactly would seeing that animal do for them?

Seeming to read the look on her face, Idris sighed and collected his knife. "Look. They won't let me graduate because they're afraid I'll get hurt, right? So, the solution is simple. You and me, we go out and find the animal, hunt it, and return. If I show it to him, he'll show it to our parents, and we're both set in time for the adventurer's exam. Otherwise, we have to wait until graduation next spring, and everyone knows the guilds only do basic advancement exams in the fall. In all, we'd be stuck here for a whole extra year just because they don't think we're good enough."

When did I get included in this?

"What do you think? Just imagine what your mom will say when she returns next month and you've already graduated."

Elysia tensed. That did sound tempting.

Her mind had been on little else since Rhom excitedly reported that Camilla and Sorrel had sent letters reporting they'd received a break from duty for their achievements. Being able to brag about something she'd done when they saw her...well, it would be nice.

Seeming to notice he'd caught her attention, Idris returned to her side with a wide grin. His eyes skipped over to where Professor Talon stood, instructing a physical mage on why their throwing knife had blown up. When it was clear no attention was on them, Idris shifted into the correct stance once again. This time, his hands lit up in a familiar, blue glow as he shifted mana into the weapon as they were supposed to be doing.

Notably, his knife glowed far brighter than anyone else's' had. She was reasonably certain it was the reason he'd made sure Talon was distracted.

"After class," he told her. "We'll go then."

"Go where?"

Idris jumped. His knife, thankfully, flew out of his hands before it shattered. Bits of metal ricocheted off the sides of their warded practice range, before ultimately falling harmlessly into the earth. Salia snickered.

"I thought you said this spell was elementary," she commented cheerily. "How are you supposed to help Elysia with her aim when you can't do that much?"

Idris swore, before spinning to face her. Unrepentant, Salia met his irritation with an innocent expression as her fingers ghosted over Ke's back. Elysia couldn't blame her for not being wary of his anger--not only was Idris harmless, but he was a whole foot shorter than the twelve year-old.

"Like you could've done better, Sal," he retorted.

Her face turned red. "I've told you not to call me that!"

"Right," Idris drawled. He turned his back to them, focusing on where extra enchanted blades had been stuck into the dirt back when they first started. "What was the reason again? Because you hate me?"

"It's inapre..pro--wrong," Salia corrected. "And yes, that too."

Idris rolled his eyes, much like Elysia was tempted to. In their class, only Salia seemed stuck on noble etiquette. Her mother's influence, Camilla always explained. As a former star of society, she'd pressed many odd ideas into her daughter. Such as the fact that noble ladies and gentlemen couldn't be informal with one another without attracting the wrong sort of rumors.

"Where are you going after class?" Salia added, seeming to remember her original question.

"None of your business, Sal," Idris replied lightly. He ignored how she grumbled, instead seeming to focus on once again shoving his mana into the blade. It buzzed even brighter than the last. "You'd be too scared to come along, anyway."

"Would not! Unless--what are you doing? It isn't anything dumb, is it?"

A crack resounded through the training ground as Idris' blade hit the target. Elysia winced as the wood shattered into a million pieces, much like his first blade.

"Idris!" Talon shouted.

"Fuck."

"Oh my gods you can't just say that."

Idris groaned as Professor Talon stormed towards them. "Look, fine, whatever. You can come. I'll tell you all about it when we meet up. Just don't tell the professor, okay?"

Salia seemed to mull it over, before nodding just as their teacher reached them.

"Okay. I won't."

"After class, then. We'll meet in front of the tower."