ㅤ
The student affairs office opened at eight.
ㅤ
I arrived at seven fifty.
ㅤ
It wasn't improved discipline. The guesthouse rent was due in three days, and saving sixteen silver a week had made me unusually punctual.
ㅤ
Mira stood beside me with Sir Flopsy tucked under her arm.
ㅤ
“Are we getting a house?”
ㅤ
“We're asking about an apartment.”
ㅤ
“With a garden?”
ㅤ
“A courtyard.”
ㅤ
“Can flowers grow there?”
ㅤ
“Probably.”
ㅤ
“Then it's a garden.”
ㅤ
I decided to leave that question to the experts.
ㅤ
“Will Mommy live there?”
ㅤ
I looked down.
ㅤ
“We haven't discussed that.”
ㅤ
Mira considered this.
ㅤ
“We should ask her.”
ㅤ
I tightened my grip on the apartment listing. “Yes,” I said. “Eventually.”
ㅤ
She accepted that, though the look she gave me suggested I was taking far too long.
ㅤ
The clerk at student affairs examined my identification.
ㅤ
“Dependent registration?”
ㅤ
“That's what I'm here to arrange.”
ㅤ
“Proof of guardianship?”
ㅤ
“Not yet.”
ㅤ
He looked at Mira.
ㅤ
She looked back.
ㅤ
Sir Flopsy offered no assistance.
ㅤ
“Is she your daughter?”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
“Then I'll need a birth record, guardianship order, or an equivalent document recognized by the academy.”
ㅤ
“What if I don't have one?”
ㅤ
“Provisional dependent status. Student welfare office, second floor.”
ㅤ
He returned my identification.
ㅤ
I thanked him and led Mira into the corridor.
ㅤ
“Are we getting the house?” she asked.
ㅤ
“We're getting directions.”
ㅤ
She frowned.
ㅤ
“I wanted the house.”
ㅤ
“So did I.”
ㅤ
The welfare office was closed.
ㅤ
A notice on the door explained that its administrator was attending a meeting until noon.
ㅤ
I read it twice. The administrator would not return until noon.
ㅤ
They didn't.
ㅤ
Mira tugged my sleeve.
ㅤ
“Can we wait?”
ㅤ
“I have a lecture soon. Mrs. Fenwick is expecting you.”
ㅤ
“Can we come back?”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
She nodded, then pointed through the window at the academy grounds.
ㅤ
“Can we see a garden after class?”
ㅤ
“That I can arrange.”
ㅤ
“Promise?”
ㅤ
“Promise.”
ㅤ
I copied the office hours into my notebook. I had a door to return to, at least. The apartment was no closer.
ㅤ
***
ㅤ
Mrs. Fenwick met us near the western gate.
ㅤ
Mira ran to her, then hurried back to straighten my collar.
ㅤ
“Mommy says you forget.”
ㅤ
“Apparently, future me has a reputation.”
ㅤ
“Your shirt was crooked.”
ㅤ
“I appreciate the intervention.”
ㅤ
She hugged me.
ㅤ
“Come after class.”
ㅤ
“I will. I need to visit an office first, so Mrs. Fenwick knows I may be a little later.”
ㅤ
Mira looked at the caretaker, who nodded.
ㅤ
“And the garden?” Mira asked.
ㅤ
“Still promised.”
ㅤ
Only then did she leave.
ㅤ
I watched until they turned the corner. A week ago, I'd barely known what to do when she asked for breakfast. Now we had a schedule, a caretaker, and someone who checked my collar before lectures.
ㅤ
Progress came in unexpected forms.
ㅤ
***
ㅤ
Evelyn was reviewing our revised diagram when I reached the practice chamber.
ㅤ
“Good morning.”
ㅤ
“Good morning, Lady Rosenfeld.”
ㅤ
“Did you visit student affairs?”
ㅤ
“Yes. I learned that an apartment requires documents, and documents require an administrator who's attending a meeting.”
ㅤ
“That sounds like student affairs.”
ㅤ
I placed my bag on the bench.
ㅤ
“The welfare office reopens at noon.”
ㅤ
“We finish before then.”
ㅤ
“Unless Halden finds more reports.”
ㅤ
Evelyn tapped the diagram.
ㅤ
“Your third channel.”
ㅤ
“Still wrong?”
ㅤ
“Still inefficient.”
ㅤ
“That's an improvement.”
ㅤ
“Don't celebrate yet.”
ㅤ
We spent the first part of the session arguing about mana distribution.
ㅤ
Evelyn wanted the barrier to retain its full initial strength while supporting two additional spells. I wanted to reduce the opening output and use the saved mana to stabilize the third channel.
ㅤ
“Your configuration leaves the barrier weaker at the moment of activation,” she said.
ㅤ
“Yours risks losing all three spells if the channels interfere.”
ㅤ
“Three seconds of stronger protection could prevent a fatal strike.”
ㅤ
“And twelve seconds of sustained protection could prevent the next four.”
ㅤ
She studied the diagram.
ㅤ
Each design protected against a different danger.
ㅤ
“We should test both,” she said.
ㅤ
“That was going to be my suggestion.”
ㅤ
“I know.”
ㅤ
I looked at her.
ㅤ
She continued writing.
ㅤ
I was beginning to suspect she enjoyed saying that.
ㅤ
The first configuration failed when Evelyn activated the third spell.
ㅤ
The barrier buckled. The measuring crystal flashed, and the chamber's safety ward smothered the fire before it reached the floor.
ㅤ
A bell rang.
ㅤ
Halden appeared in the doorway.
ㅤ
“What happened?”
ㅤ
“Channel interference,” I said.
ㅤ
“The revised configuration was unsuccessful,” Evelyn added.
ㅤ
He examined the readings.
ㅤ
“An informative failure.”
ㅤ
“I'd prefer an informative success,” Evelyn said.
ㅤ
“Then produce one.”
ㅤ
He left.
ㅤ
I watched the door close.
ㅤ
“Does he ever say anything comforting?”
ㅤ
“Not that I've observed.”
ㅤ
“Good. I thought it was personal.”
ㅤ
The second configuration lasted seven seconds.
ㅤ
We adjusted the activation interval. The third lasted nine.
ㅤ
On the fourth attempt, Evelyn maintained the barrier and both additional spells for twelve seconds before the third channel began to destabilize.
ㅤ
I checked the reading.
ㅤ
“Twelve.”
ㅤ
“Again,” she said.
ㅤ
“After a break.”
ㅤ
She opened her mouth.
ㅤ
Then closed it.
ㅤ
“That was what I was going to say.”
ㅤ
“I know.”
ㅤ
She laughed.
ㅤ
It wasn't a startled sound this time. She seemed comfortable enough to let it happen.
ㅤ
I smiled, then returned to the readings.
ㅤ
During the break, Evelyn took two folded sheets from her bag.
ㅤ
“I found the archival preservation references.”
ㅤ
“The letter?”
ㅤ
“Yes. One method might recover ink beneath the scorched layer. I want to test it on similarly damaged paper before we attempt anything with the original.”
ㅤ
“Thank you.”
ㅤ
She passed me the references.
ㅤ
“One source describes interference from unstable spatial spells. It isn't evidence of temporal magic, but it may explain the damaged edges.”
ㅤ
I read the title.
ㅤ
“Can we borrow it?”
ㅤ
“It's held in the restricted reference collection. I'll check the access requirements.”
ㅤ
She didn't suggest the reference explained the spell.
ㅤ
I appreciated that.
ㅤ
Then she unfolded the second sheet.
ㅤ
“I checked the public housing listings.”
ㅤ
I sat straighter.
ㅤ
“Please tell me this is good news.”
ㅤ
“One residence near the eastern gate accepts children under ten. It has kitchen access and a shared courtyard.”
ㅤ
“And the rent?”
ㅤ
“Twenty-six silver a week.”
ㅤ
I took the paper.
ㅤ
Then read the number again.
ㅤ
“That's sixteen less than the guesthouse.”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
“Every week.”
ㅤ
“That is how weekly rent generally works.”
ㅤ
I looked up.
ㅤ
Evelyn's expression was perfectly composed.
ㅤ
“Was that a joke?”
ㅤ
“I'm not sure.”
ㅤ
“That makes two of us.”
ㅤ
The listing came with conditions.
ㅤ
The apartment couldn't be reserved without provisional dependent registration. The landlord also required an inspection appointment before accepting a tenant.
ㅤ
I read the requirements carefully.
ㅤ
“So we still might not get it.”
ㅤ
“Correct.”
ㅤ
“And someone else could apply first.”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
I lowered the paper.
ㅤ
“Your talent for delivering good news is unusual.”
ㅤ
“Would you prefer I concealed the conditions?”
ㅤ
“No. I prefer knowing what I'm dealing with.”
ㅤ
Evelyn nodded.
ㅤ
“So do I.”
ㅤ
I couldn't tell whether she meant the apartment or Mira. I suspected she meant both.
ㅤ
***
ㅤ
At noon, I returned to the welfare office.
ㅤ
This time, Professor Bellamy was there.
ㅤ
I stopped in the doorway.
ㅤ
“Professor?”
ㅤ
“Adrian. Come in.”
ㅤ
She gestured toward the chair opposite her desk.
ㅤ
“Mrs. Alder contacted us about your accommodation. I understand you're looking for somewhere suitable for the child.”
ㅤ
“That is the goal.”
ㅤ
“Have you arranged childcare?”
ㅤ
“Yes. Mrs. Fenwick.”
ㅤ
Bellamy made a note.
ㅤ
“And the child's name?”
ㅤ
“Mira.”
ㅤ
“Age?”
ㅤ
“Six.”
ㅤ
“Relationship?”
ㅤ
I took a breath.
ㅤ
“My daughter.”
ㅤ
Her pen stopped briefly.
ㅤ
“Do you have documentation?”
ㅤ
“No.”
ㅤ
“Can you obtain it?”
ㅤ
“Not immediately.”
ㅤ
She set down the pen.
ㅤ
“Then tell me what you can.”
ㅤ
I considered the truth.
ㅤ
The entire truth involved a daughter from the future and the academy’s most prominent student.
ㅤ
I didn’t know what a formal investigation might do to Mira.
ㅤ
But Bellamy was responsible for Mira's welfare. She needed an answer she could act on.
ㅤ
“She arrived unexpectedly,” I said. “I believe she's my daughter, and I'm responsible for her care. I don't have documents that satisfy the academy's requirements yet. I'm trying to establish a stable arrangement while I resolve that.”
ㅤ
Bellamy listened.
ㅤ
“Is she in danger?”
ㅤ
I thought of the scorched letter in my drawer. “I don't know.”
ㅤ
“Has anyone threatened her since she came to you?”
ㅤ
“No.”
ㅤ
“Is there another adult helping?”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
“Someone I can contact?”
ㅤ
I hesitated.
ㅤ
“Mrs. Fenwick can confirm the childcare arrangement. There's also someone helping me investigate her circumstances, but I'd prefer to speak with that person before giving you her name.”
ㅤ
Bellamy studied me.
ㅤ
“That will need to be addressed at the review.”
ㅤ
“I understand.”
ㅤ
She opened a drawer and took out a form.
ㅤ
“Provisional dependent status lasts thirty days. It allows us to consider accommodation and welfare support while documentation is being resolved. It does not establish legal parentage.”
ㅤ
“Understood.”
ㅤ
“It also requires a welfare review. We may need to inspect the living arrangements and speak to the caretaker.”
ㅤ
“That's fine.”
ㅤ
“Fill this out.”
ㅤ
I stared at the paper.
ㅤ
“Does that mean I'm approved?”
ㅤ
“It means you may apply.”
ㅤ
“Right.”
ㅤ
“Adrian.”
ㅤ
“Yes?”
ㅤ
“Assistance isn't the same as a lack of scrutiny.”
ㅤ
“I wouldn't expect it to be.”
ㅤ
She gave me a look that suggested she wasn't entirely convinced.
ㅤ
I filled out the form.
ㅤ
By the time I left, Bellamy had issued provisional registration and scheduled a welfare review before its expiration.
ㅤ
The housing office had also agreed to let me inspect the eastern apartment the following afternoon.
ㅤ
The registration was temporary; the apartment was still only an appointment.
ㅤ
I had, however, acquired more paperwork than I'd owned before Mira arrived.
ㅤ
I collected her from Mrs. Fenwick and explained our progress on the way to the library garden.
ㅤ
“So we're getting a house?”
ㅤ
“We might be getting an apartment.”
ㅤ
“With a kitchen?”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
“A window?”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
“A garden?”
ㅤ
“A shared courtyard.”
ㅤ
“Can flowers grow there?”
ㅤ
“I imagine so.”
ㅤ
“Then it's a garden.”
ㅤ
I let her have the garden.
ㅤ
***
ㅤ
The garden behind the library was quiet.
ㅤ
Mira walked along the path, keeping her shoes carefully away from the flowerbeds. I sat on a bench while she examined a cluster of white blossoms.
ㅤ
“Daddy?”
ㅤ
“Yes?”
ㅤ
“Can Mommy see the new house?”
ㅤ
“If we get it, I'll ask her.”
ㅤ
“Can she help choose where Sir Flopsy sleeps?”
ㅤ
“I'm sure she'd have an opinion.”
ㅤ
Mira nodded.
ㅤ
“She always does.”
ㅤ
She came back and climbed onto the bench beside me.
ㅤ
“Did Mommy help you today?”
ㅤ
“Yes.”
ㅤ
“With magic?”
ㅤ
“And housing.”
ㅤ
“She's good at both.”
ㅤ
“She seems to be.”
ㅤ
Mira leaned against my side.
ㅤ
For a while, we watched a bee move between the flowers.
ㅤ
Then she said, “Mommy used to say you helped her when she didn't know what to do.”
ㅤ
I looked down.
ㅤ
“Did she?”
ㅤ
“Mhm.”
ㅤ
“What did I do?”
ㅤ
She considered the question.
ㅤ
“Sometimes you just stayed.”
ㅤ
She kept watching the flowers, as though she hadn't said anything remarkable. I put my arm around her.
ㅤ
I drew her closer and watched the bee settle on another flower. I didn't ask her to explain what future me had done. She'd told me enough.
ㅤ
***
ㅤ
That evening, I reviewed the apartment listing again.
ㅤ
Twenty-six silver per week.
ㅤ
It still exceeded my assistantship. Childcare and food made the shortfall worse.
ㅤ
But the shortfall was smaller.
ㅤ
If the apartment worked out, I could look for more paid work without giving up my studies.
ㅤ
I opened my notebook and wrote three items beneath the budget.
ㅤ
Inspect apartment.
ㅤ
Ask Halden about paid grading work.
ㅤ
Buy fewer biscuits.
ㅤ
Mira appeared beside me.
ㅤ
She examined the list, picked up my pencil, and crossed out the last item.
ㅤ
“Mira.”
ㅤ
“Daddy.”
ㅤ
“We discussed this.”
ㅤ
She wrote something underneath.
ㅤ
I leaned closer.
ㅤ
Make biscuits at home.
ㅤ
I looked at her.
ㅤ
“Do you know how to bake?”
ㅤ
“Mommy does.”
ㅤ
“Does Daddy?”
ㅤ
She thought about it.
ㅤ
“Sometimes.”
ㅤ
I sighed.
ㅤ
“Of course he does.”
ㅤ
She smiled and returned the pencil.
ㅤ
I looked at the revised budget, then at the little girl standing beside me.
ㅤ
Apparently, future me learned to bake.