Mistaken Identity

The morning sun broke over the village as Silver and Vanessa woke in Kenji’s guest room. The night had been restless, the adrenaline of the execution fading into a bone-deep exhaustion.

Vanessa woke first, finding herself trapped in a vice-like grip. Silver was clinging to her in his sleep, holding on as if she were a lifeline in a storm.

She watched him for a moment, her annoyance softened by the memory of him walking through the barrier for a child. But then her ribs began to ache. 

She shoved him.

"Wake up" she groaned, prying his arm off.

Downstairs, a fine spread awaited them on the breakfast table.

“I’m never sharing a bed with you again, I couldn’t even breathe with how tight you were hugging me in your sleep!” Vanessa lamented as Silver dug into the food.

Breakfast was a solemn but grateful affair. The table was piled high with offerings left on the doorstep by villagers. The duo quickly finished their meal before heading out the door to exchange pleasantries with the villagers. Sachi and the other parents came by to say their farewells, eyes red but spirits lighter.

Soon enough, Silver and Vanessa were on their way with Kenji and his Donkey Kart, through the crimson highlands once more, on their way towards the Academy.

Kenji whistled a tune from the driver’s seat, happy to be of service. In the back, Silver lay flat on the straw, his hat pulled over his eyes. He wasn't lazy; he was burnt out. The death magic had taken its toll, and the weight of the previous night pressed him into the floorboards.

"Chernobog is going to kill me" Silver mumbled from under the hat. "I'm late. I look like hell. And I smell like smoke."

Vanessa barely heard him, entranced by something else. She was running her hands over the fabric of a robe Sachi had gifted her.

It was a masterpiece of Elven craftsmanship, likely a family heirloom Sachi had saved for a special occasion. Woven from a luxurious blend of emerald and gold silk, it shimmered like sunlight filtering through a forest canopy. As Vanessa pulled it on, the fabric settled over her like a second skin, the intricate leaf embroidery along the seams catching the light. It was oversized on her frame, the hood deep and shadowing, giving her an air of regal mystery.

Intricate, leafy embroidery wound itself along the edges and seams, each leaf detailed with fine threads that caught the light and gave the impression of a living garment. The leaves stitched into the seams were an array of vibrant greens, from deep emerald to the palest sage, creating a harmonious blend with the robe's base colors.

Sachi lamented that she was 2 sizes too big for the robe which fit Vanessa perfectly, making it a perfect gift for the elf, as if destiny had guided her to it.

"I don't think Sachi knew," Vanessa murmured, feeling the hum of mana in the threads, "but this robe is enchanted for protection."

A subtle pattern of vines ran through the fabric, adding a romantic touch. The robe’s collar and cuffs were white, adorned with delicate tendrils of golden embroidery, giving the appearance of royalty.

"Keep the hood up" Silver said, peering through the tiny holes in the straw hat, his voice muffled by it. "When we get to the Academy, I don't want you drawing attention."

"Why?" Vanessa frowned, smoothing the white-and-gold cuffs. "Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?"

Silver sighed, a long, weary sound. He sat up, removing the hat to reveal dark circles under his eyes. "I couldn't care less what people think about us. But your face... it's a problem."

"A problem? What does that mean?"

"It means you have a face that no one at the Academy can mistake" Silver said, looking her dead in the eye. "Because it's plastered all over the walls."

Vanessa stared at him. "My face is on the walls? That's ridiculous "

"I know. It confused the hell out of me when I first saw you in the maze," Silver admitted, rubbing his neck. "Maybe it's a relative. Maybe it's a coincidence. But the resemblance is striking. Until we figure out why, keep that hood up."

The Donkey Kart proceeded through the forest outside Kenji's village until they arrived at another Bridge. Kenji proceeded slowly as the group made their way through yet another toll booth. Once inside, Kenji offered to take the two all the way to the academy, but Silver declined having taken enough of his kindness already. Silver paid Kenji who refused any money for his services and simply hugged the wizard before returning back towards his village.

From here, Silver and Vanessa focused their sights on Kanro City that was located on the side of a mountain.

“That’s where the Academy is, come on, let's pick up the pace.” Silver related as he passed a stern look to his watch. Vanessa laughed at the thought of him being late for work as the two walked together through the bustling streets.

Unlike the entrance of the Darkspire Kingdom where all types could mingle and come together, Kanro was divided into sectors with the wealthiest of them at the top and the poorest at the bottom. At the base lay the slums, Sector F, where the mana-less and the poor lived in shadowed, cramped tenements.

Silver and Vanessa entered the town through a checkpoint at the bottom of the mountain. On sight of Silver, the guards brought out a salute and offered to take him up the mountain.

As the security vehicle Silver had commandeered climbed the winding roads, the architecture shifted. Stone turned to marble, cramped alleys turned to wide boulevards.

The guard made small talk with Silver who sat in the front seat, while Vanessa sat in the back and looked out of the window to observe the slum's shapeshift into the dwellings of the elite.

By the time they reached Sector S at the peak, they were in a different world. The air smelled of ozone and expensive perfume.

Silver thanked the guard and ushered Vanessa out at the Academy gates.

Sol Academy was a fortress of knowledge. The main headquarters dominated the skyline, a cathedral of white stone and glass. Surrounding it were greenhouses, dueling arenas, and broom-flight courses suspended in the air by gravity magic.

Students milled about the courtyard, transitioning between periods. They wore long black robes lined with white embroidery, the letter 'A' stitched on the cuffs and a stylized 'S' on the breast pocket.

As Silver walked through the crowd, waves of whispers followed him.

"Is that Silver?" 

"He looks like he got into a fight with a dragon." 

"Who's the girl?"

Vanessa kept her head down, but the curiosity was palpable. A group of girls from the upper degrees, sensing fresh gossip, drifted closer. One of them, a brunette with a haughty expression, flicked her wand subtly.

A trip-hex caught Vanessa’s ankle.

She stumbled, her knee hitting the pavement. The sudden motion threw her hood back, exposing her face to the morning sun and to the hundreds of students in the courtyard.

The chatter died instantly.

The boys stopped walking, bewitched by her ethereal beauty. But the girls froze for a different reason. They looked from Vanessa to the massive mural painted on the side of the Main Hall, a depiction of a legendary woman from the Academy's history.

The resemblance was terrifying.

"Alright" Silver’s voice cut through the silence like a whip. He helped Vanessa up, his eyes scanning the crowd with dangerous intensity. He pulled her hood back up, hiding her face. "Which one of you cast that?"

The brunette shrank back, terrified by the PI’s glare. "I... I'm sorry, Mr. Silver. It was a joke."

"Hilarious" Silver growled. "Get to class. Before I have you written up."

He grabbed Vanessa’s arm and hustled her toward the main building, knowing the damage was already done. The rumor mill had just been fed a feast.