The first light of the morning fell directly on her face. With a soft groan, Valentina turned over in her narrow bed, her body still comfortably relaxed from the after-effects of the previous night. A feeling of euphoria flowed through her, mixed with a gnawing sense of guilt that settled in her stomach.


    "Good morning, little Weaver," Vyxara''s voice purred in her head. "I hope you slept well after our... intense session."


    Valentina felt a blush rise to her face. "Vyxara, please," she mumbled, half embarrassed, half annoyed. "Do we really have to talk about this?"


    "Oh, but of course," the demon replied with a hint of amusement. "After all, our little nocturnal adventures are getting... more interesting, don''t they? I wonder how far you''re prepared to go."


    Valentina sat up abruptly, her long brown hair a tangled nest around her face. "That''s enough," she said sharply. "What we''re doing is... it''s just a means to an end. Nothing more."


    "Just tell yourself that often enough, little Weaver, and maybe eventually you''ll believe it," Vyxara chuckled.


    With a suppressed curse, Valentina swung her legs out of bed. The cool morning air made her shiver as her bare feet touched the floor. She hurried to her small dresser, where her worn-out wash bowl stood. The water in it was ice-cold, a shock that woke her up for good.


    As she hurriedly washed and dressed, her thoughts wandered to the previous nights. The intensity of her ''sessions'' with Vyxara had grown steadily, each night a new adventure in self-exploration and forbidden lust. It was exhilarating, frightening and absolutely addictive.


    "You enjoy it," Vyxara whispered in Valentina''s thoughts. "You long to know more, to feel more. Why do you fight it so much?"


    Valentina shook her head, as if she could drive the demon''s voice away that way. "It''s wrong," she murmured, more to herself than to Vyxara. "The Martyr would-"


    "The Martyr is not here," Vyxara interrupted gently. "Just you and me, little Weaver. And we both know you want more."


    Valentina bit her lip, unable to answer. Instead, she concentrated on braiding her hair into a neat plait. Her fingers moved deftly, years of practice making the task almost meditative.


    When she had finished, she went to her small desk where her bag and her Essence supplies lay. With a frown, she looked at the small bottle of Distilled Essence. It was shockingly empty, with barely more than a few drops shimmering at the bottom.


    "That won''t be enough," she murmured worriedly. "Not for the lectures today, and certainly not for the preparations for the competition."


    "Oh? And what do you intend to do about it?" asked Vyxara with a hint of anticipation in her voice.


    Valentina sighed deeply. "I don''t know. I... I''ll find something."


    She carefully put the bottle in her bag, along with her books and writing utensils. A glance at the position of the sun startled her – she was late.


    She hastily grabbed her worn, warm cloak and hurried to the door. As she placed her hand on the door handle, she paused and took one last look in the small, stained mirror.


    Her reflection stared back at her, pale and with dark circles under her eyes. But there was also something new in her gaze – a spark of something wild and dangerous. Something that both excited and frightened her.


    "You see?" whispered Vyxara. "You''re changing, little Weaver. Will it be for the better? That''s entirely up to you."


    Valentina swallowed hard and turned away. She opened the door and went downstairs into the courtyard, where the hustle and bustle of university life had already begun. Students hurried past her, some still sleepy, others already engrossed in animated discussions.


    When she arrived down in the courtyard, she heard the familiar ringing of the Burning Tower bell. It was a reassuring sound, a reminder of the order and tradition that made up Bridgewater University. But today it sounded somehow hollow to her ears, as if the bell were ringing a warning that only she could hear.


    Valentina entered the lecture hall just in time for Professor Emberfell''s lecture on Applied Essence Manipulation. The room was already full, the murmur of the students gradually dying down as the silver-haired professor took her place at the lectern.


    "Good morning," Professor Emberfell began in her characteristically sharp voice. "Today we will be looking at the more complex aspects of Leb-Essence manipulation. Who can explain the basic principles of Leb-Essence resonance to me?"


    Valentina felt her stomach tighten. Normally she would have hesitated to speak up, but today she felt a strange urge to demonstrate her knowledge.


    "Do it," Vyxara whispered in her head. "Show them what you can do."


    Before she knew it, Valentina had raised her hand. Professor Emberfell''s eyebrows raised slightly as she called Valentina up.


    "Well, Valentina," she said, "surprise us."


    Valentina took a deep breath and began to speak, her voice trembling at first, then becoming more and more confident, she began to explain the basic principles. "Leb-Essence Resonance is based on the principle of harmonic vibration. If we weave the right geometric patterns, we can amplify and direct the natural vibrations of the Leb-Essence. This is what enables us to achieve complex healing and growth effects in the first place."


    She went on to explain in detail the different resonance patterns and their applications. When she had finished, there was silence in the room for a moment.


    Professor Emberfell nodded approvingly. "Very good, Valentina. That was an exceptionally precise and comprehensive explanation. I hope everyone took notes!"


    Valentina felt a blush rise to her face, partly from pride and partly from embarrassment at the unaccustomed attention. She could feel the admiring glances of some of her fellow students, but also the scowl of Faustus Boarfend, who was sitting two rows in front of her.


    The lecture continued and Valentina found herself answering complex questions and even suggesting improvements to the Weaving techniques presented. It was as if a dam had opened in her mind and the knowledge just flowed out of her.


    "You see?" whispered Vyxara triumphantly. "You don''t lack talent, but determination and self-confidence."You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    When the lecture ended, Valentina was surrounded by a small group of students who bombarded her with questions. She answered them as best she could, both surprised and flattered by the sudden interest.


    "That was really impressive, Val," said a voice behind her. Valentina turned around and saw Innogen looking at her with both admiration and concern.


    "Oh, thank you," Valentina replied, suddenly embarrassed. "I just had a good day, I guess."


    Innogen raised an eyebrow. "Having a good day? Val, you were brilliant. But..." She hesitated for a moment. "Are you sure everything''s all right? You look tired. I know you want to learn more and get better, but you''ll get sick if you work five hours longer than everyone else every day."


    Before Valentina could answer, Faustus pushed his way through the crowd. His face was a mask of barely suppressed rage.


    "Look at that," he said with a fake smile, "if it isn''t our new best in class. Tell me, Valentina, how is it that you''re suddenly so... talented? Did you learn a few tricks from Professor Horne, perhaps?"


    Valentina felt her stomach tighten. "I don''t know what you''re talking about, Faustus," she said as calmly as possible. "I''ve just learned a lot."


    Faustus laughed humorlessly. "Oh, I''m sure of that. I just wonder what kind of... Lessons that were."


    "That''s enough, Faustus," Innogen interrupted sharply. "Just because you''re jealous doesn''t mean you have to be insulting."


    Faustus'' eyes narrowed. "Watch out, Lady Innogen. It doesn''t suit you to stand up for that peasant bitch."


    With one last venomous look at Valentina, he turned and stormed off.


    Valentina exhaled shakily. "Thank you, Innogen," she murmured.


    Innogen waved him off. "Don''t mention it, he''s a cretin. But seriously, Val, what’s the matter with you? You seem so simultaneously... liberated and driven at the same time."


    Valentina forced herself to smile. "I''m fine, really. I''ve just been studying a lot and working hard."


    Innogen didn''t look convinced, but before she could ask further, the bell rang for the next lecture.


    The rest of the morning followed a similar pattern. In Professor Veilford''s Advanced Planar Geometry lecture, Valentina solved a complex problem on the slate that had even some of the best students confused. In Professor Ravencroft''s Ethics of Essence Weaving, she led an impassioned debate on the moral implications of medicinal Weaving techniques in war.


    With each success, Valentina''s confidence grew, but so did the gnawing feeling of guilt in her stomach. She knew that much of her new knowledge came from Vyxara, and the thought made her feel uneasy.


    "Why do you feel guilty?" Vyxara asked gently. "You''re just using the resources you have at your disposal. Isn''t that exactly what the rich students like Faustus do?"


    "That''s different," Valentina murmured quietly as she left the lecture hall after the last lecture. "They don''t use demons."


    "No, they use money and influence," Vyxara replied. "Is that really so much better? Is there really any difference at all? Does it really matter whether fat Faustus'' father pays 500 silver crowns for a private tutor to somehow get the knowledge into his son''s thick skull, or whether you learn from me and pay me in our way? Think about it, little Weaver. And also think about what else we could accomplish if you were willing to pay the price."


    Valentina shuddered slightly. "What price?" she asked, although she feared the answer.


    "Oh, nothing bad," Vyxara purred. "Just a few more... Experiences. A little more intense, a little more daring. You do enjoy it, don''t you?"


    Before Valentina could answer, she heard her name being called. She turned around and saw Crispin coming towards her, a shy smile on his face.


    "Hey, Val," he said. "I heard how brilliant you were today. Congratulations! I thought maybe you''d like to have lunch with me? We could talk about the Greystone competition."


    Valentina hesitated for a moment. Part of her wanted to refuse, wanted to be alone with her confusing thoughts and feelings. But the sight of Crispin''s hopeful face made her give in.


    "Sure, why not," she said with a faint smile. "Let''s go."


    As they walked together towards the dining room, Valentina felt Vyxara''s presence in the back of her mind, a reminder that the last word in their conversation had not yet been spoken.


    With a suppressed sigh, she followed Crispin into the busy dining hall. Valentina and Crispin made their way through the crowd of hungry students until they found a free table in a quieter corner.


    "Here," said Crispin, pointing to a bench further back. "That should give you some peace and quiet to talk."


    They sat down with their steaming stew of root vegetables and rabbit, accompanied by thick slices of dark bread. Valentina breathed in the spicy aroma and felt her stomach growl.


    "So," Crispin began as he dipped his bread into the stew, "you were really impressive this morning, I heard. How did you do it?"


    Valentina shrugged her shoulders and tried to sound casual. "I''ve just been studying a lot lately. You know, extra hours and stuff. But let''s not talk about me. How''s your preparation for the Greystone competition going? I thought you wanted to enter too?"


    Crispin''s face brightened. "Oh, it''s exciting! I''ve decided to work on the technique for improving the shelf life of food using a combination of Leb and Z?t Essence that I told you about on Innogen''s birthday. If it works, it could be a great help to farmers and merchants."


    "It really would help them," Valentina said sincerely. "How did you come up with the idea?"


    Crispin''s smile faded a little. "Well, to be honest, it was partly born out of necessity. My family... well, we''re lesser nobility, but we''ve also had some financial difficulties in recent years."


    Valentina felt a pang of sympathy. "Oh Crispin, I''m sorry about that. I didn''t know..."


    He waved it off. "That''s all right. It''s nothing compared to what your family is going through. But if I could make my project work, it would make a big difference, especially for the farmers who work our land."


    Valentina nodded understandingly. She knew only too well what it felt like to be under financial pressure. "I understand that. My family... well, you know, we''re in debt. That''s one of the reasons I work so hard. But your idea sounds really promising. I''m sure you have a good chance of winning."


    Crispin smiled gratefully. "That means a lot to me, Val. Especially from you. You''re so talented... Honestly, sometimes I feel a little intimidated."


    "Oh, Crispin," Valentina said with a sigh. "You don''t have to feel intimidated. You''re talented in your own way. I couldn''t write poetry like you do."


    He blushed slightly and lowered his eyes to his plate. "Thank you. But seriously, Val. How do you do it? I mean, your progress over the last few weeks has been amazing."


    Valentina felt her stomach tighten. She hated lying to Crispin, but she couldn''t possibly tell him the truth. "I... I just found a new study method that works for me," she said evasively.


    "A new study method?" laughed Vyxara. "Is that the new euphemism for nocturnal demon summoning?"


    "That must be a damn good method," Crispin said admiringly. "Maybe you could show me?"


    Valentina laughed nervously. "Oh, I don''t know. It''s quite... personal. But I can help you with your project if you like."


    Crispin''s eyes lit up. "Really? That would be great! Maybe we could meet up at the weekend or so and work on it?"


    "Sure," said Valentina, relieved at the change of subject. "That sounds good."


    They ate in silence for a while, the clatter of cutlery and the hushed murmurs of the other students filling the air around them. Valentina watched Crispin furtively as he ate his stew with concentration and felt a twinge of guilt. He was so sincere, so honest in his efforts. And here she sat, with a demon in her head and forbidden books under her bed.


    "You don''t need to feel guilty," Vyxara whispered. "You do what it takes to survive and thrive. Everyone does."


    Valentina shook her head slightly to dispel the demon''s voice. She didn''t want to hear it now. Instead, she focused on Crispin again.


    "So," she said, "tell me more about your project. How exactly does the combination of Leb and Z?t Essence work?"


    Crispin began to explain enthusiastically, his hands gesticulating animatedly as he described the complex Weaving techniques. Valentina listened attentively, asking questions and offering suggestions. For a moment, she could almost forget what a dangerous game she was playing.


    When the bell rang to mark the end of the lunch break, they reluctantly stood up. "That was really helpful, Val," Crispin said with a smile. "Thank you. I''m looking forward to meeting you as soon as you''re free so we can continue working on it."


    "Me too," Valentina replied, and she really meant it. Despite everything, Crispin was a good friend, and she enjoyed his company.


    As they left the dining room to go to their afternoon lectures, Valentina felt Vyxara''s presence in her consciousness again.


    "That was a nice little chat," said the demon. "And it was kind of you to offer your help. But don''t forget, little Weaver, that you have bigger goals. If you really want to win the competition, Crispin is a competitor too."


    Valentina sighed softly. Yes, she had bigger goals. And she was determined to achieve them, no matter what the cost. With one last glance at Crispin, who disappeared into the crowd, she made her way to her next lecture.