Turns out—Kira grumbled as she raced past the trees—setting an Oakmane Boar on fire, which was made of wood, running and setting everything that’s flammable on fire in a forest, which was also primarily composed of wood, in the dry, arid season of Autumn: was not the wisest idea.

  As the lignin beast battled against the young group of humans, it suddenly found itself alight and subsequently attempted to run from the flames, unbeknownst to it, however, was that the fire originated from—its name-sake—its very own majestic mane.

  Courtesy of Riven, of course.

  Which now became everyone’s problem as they all tried and failed to catch said Boar, whilst the others fumbled to put out fires left in its, literally, fiery wake. Kira shuddered to imagine the damage done to the forest and the school’s coffers when they pay for damages. And the earful they’ll all get from their parents once the school fined them.

  Kira jumped over a fallen log, hot on the woody hog’s tail. Although, Kira thought as she ran, it wouldn’t make much of a difference whether she got in trouble for this or not: she’d already made up her mind on leaving. If not now, it’ll be anytime soon. If she will be held accountable, it will only push that day closer.

  A small part of Kira piped up in her dad’s voice, scolding her that this was an irresponsible line of thinking, and running away from her duties was shameful. Indeed, the Head of House Rockwell was strict and unforgiving, but he was fair in that regard to all his children. Kira was sure her dad would give the same reaction to any of her other siblings if they had done what she did, but Kira didn’t care.

  It stung to be abandoned by her own family, Kira quickly wiped a side-ways tear track and skidded down a dirt slope. The logical part of her reminded that she had no proof that the Head would indeed cast her out besides the word of her brother, but Kira knew that there would be consequences. Her father always drilled it into her head: everything you do has consequences, so take responsibility for your actions, or jeopardize your pride and the honour of the House.

  And Kira did just that. All her life, she followed the wise words of her dad with pride: keeping to the rules and thinking carefully about her actions and words before she did anything. All that worked well, until it didn’t.

  How was she supposed to know she’d summon a powerful monster anyways? How’s that her fault? And those other nasty nobles think they’re so superior, blaming me as an excuse to flaunt their power, which is typical of them, but Dad didn’t have to take their side for pin-the-blame-on-the-Kira too!

  Now that’s just unfair.

  Kira was fine with being a responsible person, gladly even, but she didn’t have any control over what she summoned! In her opinion, almost getting killed was already sufficient punishment.

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  Kira stormed after the Boar, still sulking. Her knees started to hurt and her mana reserves were draining for naught if the Boar got away as she cast [Stiffen Earth]—the reverse of [Earthen Decompaction]—through the soles of her feet to harden the dirt so she could run faster and more efficiently physically. But every impact with the ground was starting to strain her knees.

  “Run faster, slowpoke!” Thrane laughed at Kira as he overtook her from the right, leaving her in the dust. Shadows trailing behind, evidence of him partially phased into shadow. The lack of air resistance and substantially decreased weight helped him whizz through any terrain with ease.

  Kira stumbled in surprise and cursed. Seeing Thrane breeze past with shadows, made her jealous all over again. Laugh while you can. Punk. See how you like it when I learn [Shadow Jump] first.

  Speaking of, I’d better keep him away from Valendor. Kira smiled grimly at the irony: all those times of her keeping her head down were useless when it really mattered, ending right when she summoned the Night Warden, completely ruining her life. But now that she was lost and desperate, Valendor was the only hope she could cling to, out of all people she would’ve been confident in trusting just a week ago.

  Wondering whether it was his influence or just that life has thrown her off balance, but Kira noticed that she hadn’t acted like herself in the past few days. Then she wondered whether Camille had noticed as well. She caught a few worried glances thrown her way but so far she hadn’t said anything yet, and Kira didn’t mind. Camille’s got enough of her own problems to deal with, Kira would hate to drag her through the mud as well.

  Kira shook her head to clear it and caught up to the wayward Boar, tied down by Thrane’s [Shadow Tendrils] and hooves frozen to the ground. The shadow affinity mage yelled in concentration on his spell across from Elise Frostbrair, who also pointed her staff at the squealing pig between them.

  Joining the fray, Kira punched the ground with her gauntlet and added to the ‘cage’ by casting [Earthen Construct], stone walls erupting from the ground on either side of the badly singed Oakmane Boar and squished it in place.

  She made a few more walls just to be safe as she walked up to Thrane and Elise, then dropped a huge stone slab above the Boar, making a small shed sized prison. The three of them relaxed and gathered to one side, waiting for the other four to arrive and to catch their breath while at it: they will attack the Boar all at once to increase the chances of penetrating its thick hide.

  Kira bent over double, hands on her knees and breathing deeply. Keeping her eyes on the forest floor to avoid making eye contact with Thrane. Still salty about, well, everything—Thrane could use shadow magic easily, had the security of his House, and the respect of the public. House Dustwraith may not be popular due to the hostility towards shadow magic, but their strength was undeniable and greatly valued by the King. Which led to the other Houses, albeit grudgingly, leaving them alone.

  House Rockwell on the other hand, was a minor House, unremarkable and overlooked. They did not have the influence or reputation to fend off both political and magical attacks.

  But things were starting to improve: new talents like her father's cunning and older brothers’ magical might, massively forced House Rockwell up the ladder. Flying under the radar kept House Rockwell safe to build their power secretly.

  And Kira might have just brought trouble right to their doorstep, before they could ever accomplish anything great yet.

  “If only my House isn’t so weak.” Kira sullenly thought to herself.

  “If only I’m not so weak…”