The Anomaly's Path

A cold splash of water against my face finally woke me up.

I leaned over the basin, gripping the edges as water dripped down my chin, staring at my reflection in the dim light. My ocean-blue eyes looked tired, and my long white hair was a mess over my shoulders.

There was no going back to sleep now.

Alice’s threat wasn’t empty, if I stayed up here any longer, she really would kick the door down and drag me by my hair. With a tired sigh, I pulled back my hair and tied it into its usual low ponytail. I threw on a simple black tunic and dark fitted trousers.

I checked my watch one last time and stepped out into the hall.

_

The walk down to the lobby was quiet, but the moment I got close to the main entrance, I could hear the familiar noise of my classmates. Alice’s sharp voice cut through the air, followed by Roan’s lazy chuckles.

When I stepped through the arched doorway into the wide lobby, the whole group came into view.

Roan was leaning against a white stone pillar, his long hair tied loosely, his eyes scanning the room with his usual grin. Next to him stood Riven, his hair swept back, his eyes crossed in a deep scowl. He looked annoyed, his arms crossed as he ignored Roan.

Alice was right in the middle, full of energy. Nearby, Lyssaria was talking with Malva, who was talking back without her usual cold distance, while Caster stood by Lyssaria’s side, joining in on their conversation.

Then I spotted Iris. But she was not alone.

She was talking to another girl beside her. The girl had chestnut-brown hair that fell in soft waves around a pretty face, and her bright green eyes shone with sharp intelligence. She wore the blue and silver robes of the Arcane Academy.

For a second, a memory flashed in my mind, a memory of noble parties when I was nine years old. A nosy, curious little girl with round glasses and a runny nose, who used to corner me at boring banquets to ask endless, annoying questions.

”Ariana...” I said, my eyebrows pulling together.

The girl’s eyes widened, a look of recognition on her face. ”Leo? Leo von Celestial? Is that really you?”

”Oh! Look who finally showed up!” Roan shouted, his eyes locking onto me the moment I stepped in. He waved his arm. ”The king has arrived! We can finally leave!”

”Took you long enough,” Alice snapped, stepping forward and punching my shoulder. ”Five more minutes and I was going to break your door down.”

I ignored Alice and kept my eyes on the chestnut-haired girl. ”What the hell are you doing here?” I finally asked, my eyebrows pulling together in a frown. I knew she was in the city, but I had no idea why she was with my friends.

Ariana cleared her throat, a faint, slightly awkward smile appearing on her lips. ”Well... Iris practically dragged me out of the archives.”

She looked me up and down, not bothered by my cold response. ”We have not seen each other since that awful noble party years ago, but you have not changed. Still as brooding and grumpy as ever.”

”You were a huge nuisance who wouldn’t stop asking me questions back then,” I said, crossing my arms. I looked at her and let out a small breath. ”I didn’t expect to see you hanging out with this crazy group.”

”Hey, I can be social when I want to be,” Ariana huffed playfully, tossing her hair.

With our little reunion settling down, I finally looked past her toward the others. My eyes landed on Riven, who was standing right near Roan, staring off into the distance like he wanted the floor to swallow him whole.

”And let me guess,” I sighed, gesturing toward his thoroughly miserable expression. ”You got dragged into this too, Riven?”

”Do not look at me,” Riven growled, his eyes snapping toward Roan. ”This bastard would not stop banging on my door, claiming we needed ’team bonding’ before the classes start.”

I looked over at Malva in the corner. She did not say a word, but the tilt of her head told me everything. Alice and Roan had teamed up to drag her out, and she did not have the energy to fight them both.

”Well, now that the grumpy prince is awake,” Ariana said, her awkwardness gone as her green eyes lit up, ”let me guide you all! The city is full of buildings and amazing rune-work. You should not spend your first evening stuck in the dorms!”

Before anyone could say no, Ariana turned and marched toward the exit, her blue robes flowing behind her. Roan laughed, clapping Riven on the back, and followed. I shared a tired look with Lyssaria, who just shrugged, before falling into step at my side.

_

The moment we stepped outside the academy gates, the night sky stretched out above us.

The dark was pushed back by thousands of glowing lamps lining the wide streets. The city was made of clean white stone, with large bridges connecting tall towers and silver gardens full of glowing plants.

Even though it was late, the streets were full of people. Elven merchants, armored dwarven mages, and travelers from everywhere walked together peacefully.

”Look at the stonework on those arches,” Caster said from beside me, his hazel eyes wide as he stared at a big bridge. ”The weight-bearing runes are built right into the stone itself. It is brilliant...”

”Welcome to the Aurelia District,” Ariana said, walking backward so she could face us, her face glowing with excitement. ”This whole area was built a long time ago. The streets are lit at night using runes built into the stone.”

She pointed toward a big plaza with a tall monument in the center. ”And over there is the Foundational Arch of Saint Valerie.”

She kept walking backward, still talking, pointing at different buildings and bridges as we passed them.

”That tall spire over there is the Mage’s Watchtower. It’s one of the oldest structures in the city. See the massive clock face near the top? It’s enchanted to chime every hour, and you can hear it across the whole district. The tower itself is built from dark grey stone, with silver runes running up its sides that glow brighter as the night deepens. At midnight, the runes flare up and the clock chimes twelve times, a sound so deep it feels like it vibrates through your chest. And if you look past it, you can see the old market district — it’s been running for over five hundred years without stopping once.”

”Wow, she really doesn’t stop talking, does she?” Roan whispered to me, leaning in with a smirk. ”She’s like a walking encyclopedia.”

”She has always been like this,” I muttered back. ”A complete nerd.”

As we continued walking down the wide streets, passing the grand bridges and busy market stalls, I could not help but admire the place.

The city was stunning. Tall stone towers with glowing blue runes stood beside sleek glass buildings that shimmered under the moonlight.

Bridges arched over canals filled with small boats, their wooden hulls painted in bright colors. The streets were packed with people from every race, humans in fine robes, elves in flowing silks, dwarves in heavy leathers, and beastkin with their tails flicking as they moved through the crowd.

Market stalls lined the main road, selling everything from glowing gems to fresh bread to enchanted trinkets that hummed with soft magic.

The air smelled of spices, grilled meat, and something sweet. Colorful banners hung between buildings, flapping gently in the warm breeze. Street performers juggled fire or played strange instruments, drawing small crowds of laughing onlookers.

The architecture alone was enough to make anyone stop and stare. Every building seemed to have its own personality.

Some were old and weathered, covered in climbing vines and ancient carvings. Others were new and sharp, their walls made of polished stone and glass that reflected the sky like mirrors. Wide plazas opened up between the streets, filled with fountains and statues.

I found myself slowing down, my eyes moving from one sight to the next. It felt like walking through a painting, vibrant, alive, and constantly moving.

This place is incredible, I thought, taking it all in.

I watched a group of children chase each other through a fountain, their laughter echoing off the walls. A merchant called out to passersby, waving a glowing orb that pulsed with warm light. An old elf sat on a bench, feeding birds that flocked around his feet without fear.

It’s not just the buildings, I realized. It’s the people. They live here. They’re not preparing for war or training to fight. They’re just... living.

For a moment, I let myself forget about the future threats. I let myself just exist in this colorful, chaotic, beautiful city.

Then I caught myself, shaking my head with a small smirk. Look at me, getting sentimental. Roan would never let me live this down.

Still, as we walked deeper into the city, I couldn’t help but feel a small, quiet sense of peace. Even if it was just for a little while.

_

After forty-five minutes of walking and listening to history, Roan’s energy started to fade. He let out a loud groan, slumping his shoulders. ”Ariana, my brilliant friend... my legs are going numb, and my stomach is eating itself. Can we please stop the history lesson?”

”Hey! Do not look at me, I am fine!” Alice said, though she was leaning on a stick she picked like a cane. ”But if Riven does not eat soon, he is going to bite someone’s head off.”

”I am not hungry!” Riven snapped, his face turning red as he crossed his arms.

While the others looked for a place to rest, Iris quietly moved to my side. She looked up at me shyly. ”I-I am sorry, Leo... Ariana just really loves magic and runes. She gets so excited about teaching people that she forgets to stop.”

I shook my head with a small smile. ”Do not worry about it, Iris. I know how she is. It is not your fault.”

Before Iris could say anything else, Roan let out another loud groan, this time with more drama.

He pointed excitedly toward a big, three-story building down the street. The building was made of dark wood, its windows glowing with warm amber light. A carved wooden sign hung above the door, showing a silver crest.

”Ugh, finally!” Roan shouted. ”Look! A restaurant! Let us go!”

”The Silver Crest Pavilion,” Ariana said, her eyes lighting up. ”They serve the best meat in the whole sector. The chefs use precise fire-runes to slow-cook the meat over—”

”Say no more!” Alice yelled, grabbing Roan by the collar and storming toward the entrance. ”We are eating right now!”

I let out a slow sigh, shaking my head at their foolishness, and followed them toward the doors.

As we pushed open the heavy wooden entrance, the rich smell of roasted meat and spices hit us. We stepped inside the busy place, and I walked behind the group, ready to finally get some food after a long night.