The next day, after the lectures, Valentina returned to the library. The excitement of her newfound ability tingled in her fingertips as she went to her secluded spot. The slight headache from the day before had given way to nervous anticipation.


    With trembling hands, she unpacked her books, trying to look like she was working concentratedly.


    "Are you ready, little Weaver?" whispered Vyxara in her head.


    Valentina nodded imperceptibly and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and let her senses immerse themselves in the Essence around her, just as she had learned to do the day before.


    At first, all she heard was the usual murmur of the library – the rustling of pages, the scratching of feathers on parchment, the occasional cough or whisper. But then, very gradually, individual snatches of conversation began to emerge.


    "...and then Professor Veilford said that the exam..." a voice reached her ear as clearly as if the speaker was standing right next to her.


    Valentina opened her eyes in surprise, but the table next to her was empty. She focused again and followed the conversation. It was coming from a group of students sitting at a table a good ten meters and a few shelves away.


    "...will certainly be harder than last year," said a female student with long blonde hair. "I heard he wants to raise the difficulty."


    "Oh, nonsense," replied a red-haired guy. "Veilford is far too lazy to think up new tasks. He''ll just use the old ones again."


    Valentina listened intently as the group continued to discuss the upcoming exams. She learned which topics Professor Veilford particularly liked, which books he quoted most often, and even what kind of answers he preferred.


    "You see?" murmured Vyxara with satisfaction. "Knowledge is power. And you now have access to more knowledge than ever before."


    Valentina nodded slowly as she continued to listen. The students changed the subject and started gossiping about other professors.


    "Did you hear that Professor Emberfell is supposedly having an affair with a student?" giggled a girl with freckles.


    "No!" the redhead gasped. "With who?"


    "I don''t know exactly, but I saw them coming out of their office together late at night..."


    Valentina felt a blush rise to her face. Even back in the village, she had hated the gossips and felt guilty for overhearing such things, but at the same time, she couldn''t stop listening.


    She focused on another group, this time older students talking about the Greystone Competition.


    "I heard they''re going to introduce a whole new type of task this year," said one.


    "Really? What?" asked a young woman.


    "Allegedly something to do with the practical application of Essence Weaving in stressful situations. But these are just rumors. The professors are tight-lipped because they''re afraid we''ll reveal something to the first-year students."


    Valentina''s heart began to beat faster. This was valuable information for her preparation for the competition.


    "You should remember that," Vyxara murmured. "Every advantage counts."


    Valentina nodded as she continued to listen. She spent the next two hours jumping from conversation to conversation, an invisible guest at dozens of tables.


    She learned about secret love affairs between students, attempts to cheat on exams, family secrets, and political intrigue. It was exhilarating and frightening at the same time to discover how many secrets the walls of the library held.


    When she finally released her concentration, her head ached again, and she felt exhausted but at the same time, wide awake.


    "That was impressive," praised Vyxara. "You seem to have a natural talent for it. But don''t get carried away. I don''t want you to have a stroke."


    "Thank you," Valentina murmured quietly. "But... isn''t it wrong to violate other people''s privacy like that?"


    Vyxara laughed softly. "Do you think the others would hesitate if they were in your place?"


    Valentina thought of Faustus and his rich friends, of all the advantages they had. "Probably not," she admitted.


    "You see? You''re just leveling the playing field. Besides, who are you hurting? You''re just listening, that''s all."


    Valentina nodded slowly. Vyxara was probably right. She wasn''t hurting anyone. And if it could help her be better in the competition. helped her family... why not?


    "You''re right," she finally said. "I''d be stupid not to put that skill to good use."


    Vyxara purred contentedly in the background of her consciousness.


    "One more time, Vyxara, then I''ll rest," Valentina said, closing her eyes again. She let her senses soak in the Essence around her, more carefully this time so as not to make the headache worse.


    As always, all she heard at first was the murmur of the library. But then, as if someone was slowly increasing the volume, she began to hear individual voices again.


    "...the Greystone Competition will be different this year," she suddenly heard a familiar voice. It was Professor Emberfell, speaking to someone Valentina couldn''t see.


    Her heart began to beat faster. She concentrated harder, trying to grasp every word.


    "Yes, the changes are considerable," replied a male voice she recognized as that of Professor Veilford teasingly. "The first task, in particular, will surprise the students."


    Valentina held her breath. This was exactly the information she needed.


    "That''s right," Emberfell continued. "The combination of theoretical testing and practical application will throw many people off track."


    "What are you up to?" said an annoyed voice she didn''t recognize. "Don''t make me pull everything out of you!"


    "There will be a hidden practical part," Veilford laughed softly. "The students shouldn''t even realize that they''re in the middle of a practical exam while they''re answering the theoretical questions."


    Valentina''s eyes widened. A hidden practical part? She had to find out more.


    "Exactly," Emberfell agreed. "The assignment will ostensibly focus on the latest theories on Essence resonance. A chance for the students to demonstrate their knowledge but also think innovatively and solve problems."


    "And all this while the Essence patterns around them are being subtly manipulated," added Veilford. "Those who manage to recognize these changes and react to them will have the best chances."


    "That''s really sneaky!" said the voice, which she couldn''t place, with appreciation.


    Valentina could hardly believe what she was hearing. This would be priceless for her preparation!


    The professors continued to discuss specific areas of Essence theory, history and ethics that the exam would focus on. Valentina memorized every detail, taking notes as fast as she could, her heart racing with excitement.


    When the voices finally faded away, Valentina slowly opened her eyes. Her head hurt so badly now that she felt nauseous.


    "That was a lucky shot," whispered Vyxara excitedly. "But you should go to your room and lie down right now – unless you want to throw up all over those books. Ravencroft would kill you."


    Valentina nodded slowly, her hands trembling, but something was nagging at her. "But isn''t it unfair? The others don''t have this information."


    "I don''t think it is," Vyxara said simply. "The others have their advantages, you have yours. That''s only fair."


    Valentina chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip. She had worked hard for this ability and had to accept the pain. Why shouldn''t she use it?


    "Yes," she finally said. "I will make the best of it. I will prepare myself perfectly and win the competition."


    "That''s my girl," Vyxara purred contentedly. "Together, we''ll make this happen."This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Valentina nodded resolutely, gritting her teeth against her headache, and began to look through her notes. She sketched out a detailed study plan based on the information she had overheard.


    "Your ambition is admirable," praised Vyxara. "But don''t forget to rest. An overworked mind is prone to mistakes. Now go to your room, I''m seriously worried about you."


    Valentina nodded with narrowed eyes as she rubbed her temples. When she stood up, she swayed slightly, surprised by her own exhaustion.


    On the way back to her room, she bumped into Crispin, who looked at her with concern. "Val, are you all right? You look as white as a sheet."


    Valentina forced herself to smile. "All good, just learned a lot today, I''m having a slight headache."


    Crispin nodded, his eyes full of sympathy. "Take care of yourself, okay? You''ve been pushing yourself pretty hard lately. Innogen''s worried too!"


    "Don''t worry," Valentina assured him. "I know what I''m doing."


    When she arrived in her room, she dropped onto her bed, exhausted. She could now see colorful patterns in her field of vision – not Essence patterns, but a result of her excruciating headache.


    "Rest now," Vyxara said gently. "Tomorrow, we can continue working on your skills."


    Exhaustion overcame her before she could answer Vyxara. She fell into a deep, restless sleep, populated by dreams full of Essence patterns and whispering voices.


    ~


    In the days that followed, Valentina returned to the library again and again, driven by curiosity and the urge to perfect her new skill. The high bookshelves had almost become her second home.


    That afternoon, she sat in her usual corner, surrounded by open books and notes. But her eyes were closed, her senses completely focused on the Essence around her.


    "Concentrate," Vyxara whispered in her head. "Try to extend your reach."


    Valentina took a deep breath and let her perception slowly glide through the room.


    "...and then I heard one of the janitors say that..." The voice came from a table at the other end of the library. Valentina concentrated harder, and suddenly, she could hear every word clearly.


    A smile flitted across her face. Her range had definitely improved.


    She continued to let her attention wander, jumping from conversation to conversation like an invisible guest again. Here, a group of students were discussing the upcoming Greystone Competition, and there were two people gossiping about their friends'' relationship problems.


    Then she heard a familiar voice. It was Faustus Boarfend, sitting in a far corner with his friends.


    "...my father made sure I got access to the old exam questions," he just boasted. "There are some professors who don''t mind earning a little extra money that way."


    Valentina felt anger rising inside her.


    "See?" muttered Vyxara. "That''s exactly why you shouldn''t be ashamed of using this ability."


    Valentina nodded grimly and concentrated again. She let her perception wander further, testing the limits of her ability.


    To her surprise, she realized that she could not only hear conversations in the library, but when it was very quiet, and she walked close to the wall and concentrated very hard, she could hear even in the adjacent rooms. She heard Professor Emberfell discussing with a colleague in her office and heard the whispers of students in the stairwell.


    The wealth of information was intoxicating. Valentina felt as if she had access to a secret network, an invisible web of words and secrets that ran through the entire university.


    She learned about secret deals, attempts at fraud, and intrigues among the faculty. It was as if a veil had been lifted from her eyes and showed her a world full of secrets and hidden motives of which she had had no idea about. She was almost shocked at how naive she had been just a few weeks ago. How had she ever believed that she could succeed here simply by working hard?


    "...have you heard that Professor Veilford is allegedly involved in dubious Essence experiments?" she heard a student whisper.


    "Really? What kind of experiments?" her friend asked excitedly.


    "I don''t know exactly, but it''s supposed to have something to do with forbidden Essence patterns. My cousin works as an assistant in his lab and has seen strange things..."


    Valentina''s eyes widened. This was explosive information. Should she tell someone about it?


    "Be careful," warned Vyxara. "Knowledge is power, but only as long as you keep it to yourself. And don''t forget – people lie. All the time. Just because it was whispered and you overheard it doesn''t mean it''s true. The university is not exactly a village, but there are no less gossips here than back home in Palewood. Would you believe anything they say?"


    Valentina nodded slowly. The demon was right. She had to be careful with what she had heard.


    "This is all unbelievable," she murmured quietly.


    "The more famous and powerful someone is, the more willing people are to say all sorts of things about them," said Vyxara. "You have to weigh up exactly what information is useful and what is just gossip."


    Valentina nodded thoughtfully. She knew she was walking a fine line. The temptation to abuse this power was great. But she was determined to use it well for her goals and triumph in the Greystone Competition.


    Valentina dragged herself back to her room exhausted, each step making her stiff muscles protest. Once she was in the courtyard, her eyes fell on the first floor. The window to Innogen''s room was lit up, and she could make out two silhouettes through the rough glass.


    Curiosity outweighed her tiredness. Valentina stepped closer to the window and concentrated, letting her newly acquired ability take effect. She could hear every word as clearly as if she were standing right next to them.


    "...worries me," she heard Crispin''s voice. "Valentina''s been acting so strange lately."


    Valentina''s heart skipped a beat. They were talking about her.


    "I know," Innogen sighed. "She''s hardly seen anymore, except in the library. And when you talk to her, she seems so absent, as if her mind is somewhere else entirely."


    "Exactly," Crispin agreed. "And have you noticed how she sometimes closes her eyes and just sits there?"


    Valentina froze. Had her friends been so attentive?


    "Yes, I noticed that too," Innogen said thoughtfully. "And then these sudden advances in her studies. Sometimes, it''s almost as if she knew in advance what’s going to come up in the lecture the next day and had prepared herself."


    "Do you think..." Crispin hesitated. "Do you think she might be involved in something?"


    Innogen was silent for a moment. "I don''t know," she finally said. "But I''m worried about her. She''s changed, and I''m not sure why."


    Valentina staggered back as if she had received a blow. Her friends were suspicious. They saw the changes she was going through, and instead of being proud of her progress, they were worried.


    "This is not good," whispered Vyxara in her head. "We need to be more careful."


    "But they''re my friends," Valentina murmured, tears in her eyes. "I didn''t want to worry them or disappoint them." She turned her attention back to the conversation in the other room.


    "What should we do?" Crispin asked just then. "Should we talk to her?"


    Innogen sighed. "I don''t know. I''m afraid if we bring it up to her directly, she''ll just withdraw even more."


    "Maybe we should talk to one of the professors?" suggested Crispin. "Professor Emberfell seems to like her. Maybe she could..."


    "No," Innogen interrupted him firmly. "Absolutely not. We don''t know what''s going on. We can''t get Valentina into trouble just because we''re worried."


    Valentina breathed a sigh of relief, seized by sudden affection for Innogen.


    "You''re right," Crispin admitted. "But then what?"


    "We have to be there for her," Innogen said firmly. "Show her that we''re her friends, no matter what. And hope that she''ll confide in us if there really is something worth confiding."


    Valentina felt tears running down her cheeks. The loyalty of her friends touched her deeply, but at the same time, it increased her feelings of guilt.


    "You should do more with them in the next few days. Take some time for them," Vyxara warned. "They mustn''t become even more suspicious. But under no circumstances should they find out about your new abilities."


    "But they are my friends," whispered Valentina.


    "And they will remain your friends," Vyxara assured her. "If you''re successful, if you win the Greystone Competition and help your family, they''ll see why you spent so much time in the library. They''ll be proud of you."


    Valentina wiped the tears from her eyes. Maybe Vyxara was right. Maybe everything would be all right in the end.


    "What should I do?" she mumbled.


    "Carry on," Vyxara replied gently. "You''re on the right path. Don''t let some doubts stop you now."


    She knew the demon was right. She had invested too much to give up now. Valentina nodded wearily and set foot on the creaky stairs, making her way to her room on the top floor.


    Valentina climbed silently, her steps heavy with the weight of the tiring day. The dim light from the Essence lamps cast flickering shadows on the walls, like lurking figures. As she reached the top of the stairs, she suddenly heard an all too familiar voice.


    "If it isn''t our little peasant girl," mocked Faustus Boarfend, who was leaning against the wall, an arrogant grin on his face.


    Valentina stiffened. "What are you doing here, Faustus?" she asked wearily.


    He pushed himself away from the wall and stepped closer, his eyes glinting dangerously. "I heard that the Decan allowed you to sign up for the Greystone Competition. What did you have to do for that? Did you have to disappear under Valemont''s desk for a while?"


    This disgusting insinuation made Valentina blush, partly with shame and partly with anger. "I just work hard," she pressed out between clenched teeth.


    Faustus laughed humorlessly. "Oh yes, I can see that. Always in the library, always studying. But you know what? It''s not going to do you any good. The Greystone Competition is for people like me, not for..."


    "For people like me?" Valentina interrupted him, suddenly seized by a wave of anger. "For talented Essence Weavers, you mean?"


    Faustus'' eyes narrowed. "Watch out, Valentina," he hissed, every syllable of her name full of venom. "You''re playing a dangerous game. Don''t get in my way, do you hear me? And if you do..."


    He let the threat hang unspoken in the air, pushed her aside with his massive body, and disappeared down the stairs.


    Valentina stood motionless for a moment, her heart hammering in her chest. She could feel Vyxara growing restless in her consciousness.


    "He''s a threat," the demon whispered. "We should do something."


    "No," Valentina mumbled as she unlocked her bedroom door. "Not yet. He''s got nothing in his hand."


    She stepped into her little kingdom and closed the door behind her. The moonlight fell through the window and bathed the room in a ghostly blue. Valentina suddenly felt infinitely tired and strangely detached from everything.


    She dropped onto her narrow bed and stared at the sloping ceiling. The events of the day swirled through her head – the overheard conversations, the worries of her friends, Faustus'' threat. She had gained so much power in the last few days, and yet she felt lonelier than ever.


    "You''re not alone," Vyxara said gently. "I am here. I will always be here."


    Valentina closed her eyes. "I know," she whispered.


    "Let''s not dwell on such dark thoughts," Vyxara purred seductively. "I know something better to distract you."


    Valentina felt a wave of warmth flow through her body. She knew what Vyxara was suggesting. Part of her was ashamed of how much she craved it, but a larger part of her craved the oblivion, the pleasurable satisfaction.


    "Yes," she breathed, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Please."


    "Good," Vyxara said, her voice like velvet in Valentina''s head. "Close your eyes and just let yourself fall."


    Valentina obeyed, sinking into the pillow. She felt Vyxara''s presence envelop her, warm and enticing in her consciousness. Her hands began to wander over her body as if of their own accord, guided by the lustful fantasies that Vyxara gently whispered into her mind.


    As the first waves of joy rolled through her body, the world around her faded. Forgotten were Faustus'' threats, the worries of her friends, the burden of her secrets. In that moment, there was only her and Vyxara''s seductive voice, fused in a dance of lust and shameless fantasies.


    The moonlight danced over Valentina''s writhing body as she let herself fall deeper and deeper into the sensations. And somewhere in the depths of her mind, Vyxara laughed softly, pleased with her little Weaver''s progress and full of anticipation for the things to come.