As usual, I struggled to keep up with a perfectly nonchalant Nemesis as she glided across the perfect IAYN sidewalk on her way to our fourth class of the day: Defensive Aurology. In the time of Selaeyah Valior, the height of the warmatch industry, the elective class had been known as "Death Arts," and had focused on the infliction of pain on others, usually for no reason other than one's own entertainment. Under the current Chief Valior, however, the curriculum, and along with it what was left of the warmatches, had completely shifted gears to place a greater focus on self-defense tactics and the gruesome history of Selaeyah Valior's billion-duvat warmatch empire. In short, its main purpose was now to tame the children of any radical followers of the Iceheart regime who still remained in Glaisse. And, of course, to educate noble children in the art of Aural warfare. 

"Defensive Aurology," Nemesis shook her head as we approached the IAYN's Amanda Myers School Of Aural Studies, recently renamed by my mother after someone from her past. "What a joke," my friend smirked, her eyes rising mockingly to the ferocious statue of King Airel mounted atop the tall, narrow building. The great monarch's horse reared powerfully and his arm was raised above his head, glowing staff in hand, probably prepared to send some Flame leader past the point of no return. The AMSOA might've been the most iconic building of the IAYN, what with it marking the exact center of the school and supposedly being the spot at which King Airel breathed his last breath.

"What do you mean?" I frowned as we passed other groups of students, approaching the wide marble steps that led up to the AMSOA's Aura-imbued double doors. I was starting to find it mildly unsettling that Nemesis had artfully avoided the topic of Rhoda Faye the entire day, when that was all anyone else, including the IAYN's golden duo of Lillae and Zaliana, was talking about. In fact, she had the peace of mind to complain about a class in the wake of a death! A death, at the IAYN, at the most prestigious, most expensive, best guarded private school in all of the Lessaenite Empire! 

"What I mean is that the class adds no value whatsoever to our Aurological skillsets. Now, I'm no supporter of Queen Saralee, but sometimes, I feel that Death Arts would've been better. At least they actually learned something...no matter how twisted that knowledge was," Nemesis says. "Change is great and all, but should it really be placed above the education of Lessaenes' future elite?" 

"Change," I scoffed, kicking a pebble in front of me with no concern for the shine on my polished, black IAYN-issue shoes as the biggest revelation of my life thus far hit me. "Nothing has changed." 

Nemesis perked up with sudden interest, pausing awkwardly with one foot on the first of the steps and the other still on the ground. 

"Lessaenites are still just as racist and pig-headed as ever. Rhenans aren't all slaves anymore, but they still work in exploitative environments for illegally low wages. The IAYN is still ruled by a clique led by an Arystenn and a Valior. Half-Rhenans are legal...but we might as well not be with what the higher-ups think of us." 

"I understand," Nemesis nodded sympathetically. "There have been things like this in the history of both Earth and Lessaenes: false revolutions. The people are dissatisfied with the government and are at the brink of revolution, so the government hires 'rebels' to 'overthrow' them and establish a 'new' government that's basically the same thing under a different name. While nothing has really gotten better for them, the brainless masses eat up the new system and its ideologies. That just makes wonder...what if Queen Saralee wanted to be defeated? What if this is all part of a bigger plan?" 

"That just got way deeper than I want to go on a Tuesday afternoon," I shook my head with a slight smile. 

"Don't worry about it," Nemesis laughed, returning her attention to her ascent to the Aurology campus. "It's just one of my weird thoughts. Just know that things aren't going to be this way forever. Someday, you're going to do something great, and people are going to grow up and realize that you're just as Lessaenite as you are Rhenan. I promise." 

"I hope so," I smiled softly, hopping up the stairs two at a time to keep at Nemesis' side. So many people had said similar things to me, from my parents to Aunt Tara to the former Iceheart Raliyel Novisty, but somehow, I didn't believe it until it came from Nemesis. I didn't know what it was about her, but she had a certain influence that could make one feel invincible in her presence...

Suddenly, almost as if prompted by Nemesis' words, the students gathered in front of the doors to the AMSOA parted respectfully. Lillae and Zaliana strode through them into view, their hair tied up even more intricately than usual with green, IAYN-approved ribbon. 

"Well, if it isn't my little cousin," Lillae smirked, crossing her arms deviously and placing her foot carefully in front of mine to prevent me from escaping her through the AMSOA's doors. Zaliana stood back, acknowledging the crown princess' superiority. 

"Your Highness," Nemesis curtsied, sarcasm plastered all over her face. "Mess with my friend and I will be forced to practice some of the Aural dissection techniques I have been studying...on you." 

Lillae regarded Nemesis coldly, visibly displeased that a non-noble had dared to stand up to her. "Wow, Swan. I never thought of you as someone to befriend such...dark and dangerous types." 

I put my head down, wishing the girl gone as I had done so many times before. I feared for Nemesis' safety- she was strong, but Lillae was the daughter of the Queen. And we had just recently been taught a harsh lesson that the IAYN wasn't as safe and perfect as everyone thought it was. 

"Don't," I whispered, squeezing my first and only friend's hand. Nemesis tensed up, and just when I was sure she was going to follow through with her threat, she took a step back, hissing softly. 

"Well, putting her rude interruption aside, I have something to tell you," Lillae said in an uncharacteristically sweet tone before lowering her voice to a whisper. "You're in high school now, and I'm sure you understand more about this school and this Empire than you did when you were younger. Especially in the wake of last night's disaster, Zali and I feel that it's important to foster bonds in this school, not hate. So we were wondering if you...uh...wanted to hang out this weekend?" 

"I'm not interested in your idea of a practical joke," I said softly, trying not to sound too aggressive. There was no telling what my cousin and her friends would do to me if they saw me as a threat. 

"What joke?" Lillae frowned. "I'm being completely genuine. I know you have no reason to trust me, stickbag, but like it or not, we're family. I think it's time for us to start acting like it." 

"I'll think about it," I muttered. 

"Did you just refuse me, stickbag?" Lillae raised an eyebrow. 

"I said I'll think about it, okay? Now let me get to class, will you?" 

With that, I shoved my way past Lillae and Zaliana, storming into the AMSOA. I didn't want to hear anything else about Rhoda Faye, Nemesis' crazy theories about Queen Saralee, or my cousin's sudden desire for reconciliation. All I wanted was to push through the school day and get back to my dorm so I could study for my first Lessaenite History test of the year. 

My parents, uncles, and aunt had spent their teenage years fighting a war so that I could spend mine doing schoolwork. 

Right?