After the Ankheg attack on the vineyard, Vita and Naomi return back to Costa Del Rugido, while Rose and Thalga return to Saradbad, hoping to see each other again in the city. It seems that the 'sheep experience' at the Vineyard did really bring them together. The new academic year of the Cursebreakers Academy will soon begin.
While in the carriage, Naomi asks Vita just what even happened, but Vita can't really answer the question, Naomi did catch Vita in a lie, because initially Vita said that 'something like that' (implying the sheep situation) never had happened before. But she knows that it did, and during that conversation, Vita thinks back for a while.
Vita's Flashback
After the terrible incident in her hometown's district, Vita feels afraid, she cannot shake the hot burning sensation that's inside of her. One day after the incident, a strange invitation arrives for Vita to appear at the mansion of Einar Giedensera, the last surviving Luminary of Maraya, the Luminary nation that was destroyed in the Throne War, many years before Costa Del Rugido was built.
Vita comes from humble origins, as she arrives at the mansion. It's covered in thick but breathtaking layer of ice, which is a stark contrast to the hot climate of the rest of Concordia. She immediately wonders why, eager to receive answers.
She meets the head attendant of Einar's mansion, Kaedlin, who slows becomes like a bit of a mother-figure to her, she's kind and explains a few things about the mansion. She's free to stay here, but never on the 30th of a given month. Kaedlin does not tell Vita why. Kaedlin directs Vita to the old throneroom, mentioning that once the Luminary ruled this city, but things are different now.
Yet out of respect and tradition, the new Orpaz family takes care of Einar in any way that they can. Einar keeps mostly to himself, yet eventually did become a teacher at the Cursebreakers Academy.
Vita arrives in the throne room where she sees four statues of riders on horses, each representing a certain season. Spring, Summer, Autumn and finally Winter. The eyes of the statue of winter glow. When Vita wanted to touch the statue, Einar interrupts her mentioning that she shouldn't touch things without permission, Einar is distant and cold, yet Vita does notice that he was wearing a charm, a charm similar to what her mother had! He quickly puts it away when Vita asks about it. But in return Vita remains vague when Einar asks about her mother. It seems to be a difficult subject...
Einar immediately begins that she'll be remaining here in the mansion until her powers are under control, Vita is worried that her powers could destroy the palace, but Einar dismisses her worries. Eventually Einar calls for Kaedlin to arrange Vita's living arrangements and coldly leaves. Kaedlin tries to make Vita feel welcome.
Eventually the ladies reach Costa Del Rugido, late in the evening. Vita returns to Einar's Mansion, while Naomi wanders to the entrance of the Cursebreakers Academy, intending to return to her room for the night. However she finds Professor Hasulon standing in front of the entrance with Professor Antheia, they along some other faculty and students are... mopping the floors. It seems that their cooling system named "Veins of the Tundra" has malfunctioned, all the gemstones connected to it have drained of their energy, entirely. The system was also connected to other pipes and due to the malfuctioned, unfortunately several rooms seem to have flooded...
Naomi explains that she experienced something similar where she came from, they've sent a bird to Saradbad to collect Thalric Fyreward, uncle of Thalga Fyreward. Without any other options, Naomi decides to help out for the rest of the night...
The next day, it's time for the opening ceremony of the new Academy year, Rose and Thalga arrive just in time, noting the muddy roads and odd smell while entering the Southern mane of Costa Del Rugido....
After getting off the carriage, Rose and Thalga spot Vita and Naomi amongst the crowd of the new students of the Academy and talk a bit about the vineyard experience. During the opening ceremony, headmaster Rahmarito accounces that Rose White, Thalga Fyreward, Vita Stormborn and Naomi Kawakami need to report after the opening ceremony to Professor Hasulon. This awkward callout causes a scene in where all the eyes of other students fall upon these four.
After the opening ceremony, the ladies notice that they have many eyes upon them, also spotting a few other students that stand out amongst the crowd of other students.
Professor Hasulon leads the ladies to their new dorm, it seems that the ladies have been placed together! Professor Hasulon unfortunately informs the ladies that some of their personal belongings were lost due to the flooding incident. Meaning that the ladies now have a reason to head into the city to do some shopping.
After dividing the rooms, and settling in. Floating letters arrive, each lady receiving an invitation to the fanciest restaurant of the entire city. Shamsha Leonidas. Naomi, Thalga and Rose are invited, but Vita's letter is written in a way that she's just expected to be there, noting that she should tend that the ladies 'dress appropriately'.
Vita opens her luggage, finding a gorgeous dress inside with a note.
I hope you have a wonderful first year at the Academy. This dress was handpicked by me, and approved by Lumin Einar with some moderations. - Kaedlin
Vita sobs, thinking of how kind Kaedlin has been these last few months, reminder her of her mother. Rose, Thalga and Noami console her a bit before the ladies decide to head into town for some shopping! The ladies travel to the Southern Markets not far from the Academy, here Vita annoys a gem saleswoman by trying to barter a too low price for a fancy gemstone
Rose eventually picks up where Vita left off and manages to buy the gem, which seems to be some kind of spell component for the spell Chromatic Orb, and gets a very fancy Wind Fan! Perfect for the heat or blasting enemies away...
Here she also meets Cedric, a Wolffolk traveler who helps her identify the fan's magical prowess, he also recognized her as a follower of the same faith. Mistress Harmonia.
Eventually the ladies reach another shop, The Garment Emporium, where there's a young boy selling dresses and fabric with a magical touch. Each of our ladies find either a beautiful dress or some nice accessories. It seems that Vita wasn't quite done yet because this boy was the younger brother of the Gem seller. Seems that Vita wasn't entirely honest and he sold her some accessories way below the actual price. Luckily to compensate, Naomi is much more honest when she sees a high price tag, when the boy mistakes the price.
During their walk around the city, Thalga bumps into a strange red dragonfolk. He looks wounded and scurries off in a hurry. Not long after that the ladies see strange hooded men with snake symbols seemingly looking for that same dragonfolk.
The ladies decide to inform the Sentinels, where Rose meets her father! Seems that Johnathan White got a new job as a Sentinel clerk after getting fired from his previous job. While Rose quickly catches up with him, they inform the guards of a strange group of men traveling through the city.
After their visit to the Sentinel Office, they decide to grab a bite at 'The Spicy Boys', a local restaurant at the Southern Market. They meet a group of small dragonfolk and a strange human covered in draconic scales who runs the place making very very spicy food. So spicy that Naomi burns her tongue. While the ladies enjoy their late lunch, they notice that same strange dragonfolk coming out of one of the backrooms leaving the restaurant.
They decide to go after him, eventually approaching him while he was getting a drink. Thalga informs him that a group of strange hooded men are following him. The dragonfolk denies it, but it doesn't take long for the group of hooded men to shout out: "There! GET HIM!", causing the dragonfolk to runaway and a chase ensues.
The ladies chase after the hooded men following the dragonfolk. Eventually catching up with them, trying to attract the attacking of the hooded men, although they get noticed, it seems that the hooded men are only after their target, the red dragonfolk.
The dragonfolk rushes out of the city, making their way to the Marayan ruins. Where he eventually gets cornered. Will the ladies manage to help the dragonfolk?
Key Information
Vita's Flashback and Invitation
Naomi and Vita return to Costa Del Rugido, while Rose and Thalga head to Saradbad.
Vita recalls a flashback about her first encounter with Einar Giedensera, the last surviving Luminary of Maraya.
Vita receives an invitation to stay at Einar’s ice-covered mansion after a destructive incident involving her powers. She meets Kaedlin, the mansion’s head attendant, and begins her training under Einar.
Cursebreaker's Academy
Naomi arrives at Cursebreaker's Academy and assists professors Hasulon and Antheia in addressing a malfunction of the cooling system called "Veins of the Tundra," which caused flooding in several rooms.
The four ladies—Naomi, Rose, Thalga, and Vita—are publicly called out at the Academy’s opening ceremony, catching the attention of other students.
A Trip to the Southern Markets
The group is placed in the same dorm and learns some belongings were lost due to the flooding.
Each receives a floating letter invitation to the city's finest restaurant, Shamsha Leonidas. Vita’s letter comes with a special dress gifted by Kaedlin, evoking memories of her mother.
The group shops at the Southern Markets for gems, dresses, and magical items. They meet Cedric, a Wolffolk traveler, who helps Rose identify a magical wind fan.
Encounter with the Red Dragonfolk
The group encounters a wounded red dragonfolk being pursued by hooded men with snake symbols.
They inform the Sentinels, where Rose reunites with her father, Johnathan White, now working as a Sentinel clerk.
The dragonfolk is spotted again at a local restaurant, "The Spicy Boys," leading to a chase through the city and ending in the Marayan ruins, where the dragonfolk is cornered by the hooded men.
