The Villain Professor's Second Chance

Amberine tightened her grip on her robes, feeling the fabric press against her chest as she stepped up to the grand entrance of the Continental Magic Council's embassy. The archways stretched high above her, carved with intricate symbols and runes that pulsed softly, exuding an aura of authority and ancient magic. Everything about the entrance seemed to whisper power, reminding Amberine that she was not just at any building—she was about to step into one of the most prestigious centers of magic in the world. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears, a persistent rhythm that accompanied each of her nervous steps.

She paused briefly at the base of the stairs that led to the reception hall. She took a deep breath, her eyes sweeping over the glowing runes that traced their way up the stone pillars. Each rune seemed to pulse in time with her breaths, almost as if the embassy itself was alive, watching her. She closed her eyes, trying to steady her nerves. "You can do this," she muttered to herself. Ignis, her ever-present companion, peeked out from beneath her robe, his small flame-like form flickering mischievously.

"You say that a lot, you know," Ignis said, his voice filled with a playful tone. "But I have yet to see any evidence of confidence in this department."

"Quiet," Amberine whispered back, her lips twitching upwards. She couldn't deny that despite Ignis's teasing, his presence was comforting. He had been with her through thick and thin, a source of warmth and sometimes sarcastic wisdom.

She finally moved forward, crossing through the archway into the reception hall. The interior was bustling. Mages from different regions stood in clusters, some talking in hushed tones while others were engrossed in their scrolls and documents. Amberine's eyes scanned the room, taking in the variety of robes—each color, each crest, signifying a different region, a different school of magic. It was overwhelming. She felt her pulse quicken, her gaze drawn to the elaborate golden embroidery of a mage's robe nearby, which practically screamed prestige.

Taking a deep breath, Amberine approached the counter, her eyes meeting those of the administrator. He was an elderly mage, his long white beard contrasting with his dark robes. His glasses magnified his eyes to almost comical proportions, making Amberine wonder if they were enchanted. He looked up at her over the rim of his glasses, his expression polite but detached, the look of someone who'd processed a thousand visitors today and still had more to go.

"Name and purpose?" he asked, his voice barely above a murmur, the sound almost swallowed by the general noise of the reception hall.

"Amberine Polime, from Magic Tower University," she said, her voice wavering slightly. She cleared her throat, forcing herself to sound more assertive. "I'm here for the Arcane Symposium technical meeting. I have my invitation."

She fumbled with her bag for a moment before pulling out the scroll, sealed with Professor Astrid's emblem. The elderly mage took the scroll from her, carefully breaking the seal and muttering an incantation as he did. The scroll glowed for a brief moment before he nodded approvingly.

"Everything appears in order," he said, his tone slightly warmer now. He waved his hand over the counter, and a glowing emblem began to form in the air—a Celestial Seal, shimmering in iridescent blues and golds. Amberine's breath caught, her eyes widening at the sight. She'd heard of the Celestial Seal—an enchanted pass, proof of her clearance for Aetherion—but seeing it in person was breathtaking.

The seal hovered before her, its colors shifting like water in sunlight. "This pass will serve as your identity and your clearance for Aetherion," the administrator said, his tone now one of slight reverence. "Do not lose it. It is irreplaceable."

Amberine nodded, reaching out to take the seal. The moment her fingers touched it, she felt a warmth spread through her hand, like a gentle reassurance. She looked up at the administrator, who gave her a faint, weary smile.

"You're all set, Miss Polime. The embarkation area is straight through the courtyard. May your journey be safe."

Amberine thanked him, turning and heading towards the courtyard. Ignis whispered in her ear, "You know, that thing's beautiful, but it's also a giant target if anyone wants to cause trouble. Just saying."

Amberine sighed, slipping the Celestial Seal into her bag. "Always so positive, aren't you?"

"I try," Ignis responded, his tone dripping with mock humility.

The courtyard was unlike anything Amberine had seen. Stone columns lined the perimeter, each carved with intricate runes, some glowing, others dormant. Mages gathered in small groups, their robes swishing as they moved, the air filled with an electric hum of anticipation. But what caught Amberine's attention—what made her freeze in place—was the arcane carriage in the center of the courtyard.

It was magnificent. The construct glowed with runes, its wooden structure shimmering like crystal, as though the entire carriage had been carved from a single piece of enchanted wood. Even more striking were the creatures pulling it—spectral drakes, ethereal beings with forms that shifted in color as they moved, their wings like flowing silk made of moonlight.

"Well, if this isn't fancy," Ignis whispered, his voice filled with awe. "Imagine riding that and still getting lost."

Amberine couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. "Just look at them," she whispered, stepping closer, her eyes wide. The drakes' forms shimmered, their semi-transparent bodies moving with a grace that was almost unreal. "So this is what Aetherion's transport looks like," she murmured.

A young woman, dressed in robes adorned with oceanic motifs and coral-like adornments in her hair, approached Amberine, gesturing towards the carriage. Her smile was gentle, her voice almost musical as she spoke. "You must be Amberine Polime. Please, board the carriage. We'll be departing shortly." She handed Amberine a small pouch, the fabric soft and cool against Amberine's fingers. "For motion sickness, if needed," she added with a wink.

Amberine took the pouch, her nerves easing slightly at the woman's kind demeanor. "Thank you," she said, her voice quieter. She turned towards the carriage, her eyes sweeping over the glowing runes that covered its surface. She felt small in comparison to the grandeur of it all.

She climbed into the carriage, her fingers brushing against the enchanted wood. The interior was as magical as the exterior—cushioned seats that seemed to mold themselves to her form, windows that showed not only the outside world but also faint outlines of nearby magical currents, like threads of light weaving through the air.

Amberine hesitated, unsure where to sit until she noticed a familiar face. Elisande, the fire mage she'd met earlier, rather than she met, she saw her at one of the newspaper before, and she was already seated, her gaze fixed on the spectral drakes ahead. She turned as Amberine entered, a smile spreading across her lips.

I-It's a famous researcher... And I'm sitting at the same carriage with her...?

"Quite something, aren't they?" Elisande said, gesturing towards the drakes.

Amberine nodded, her eyes still wide with awe. "I've never seen anything like them."

Elisande chuckled softly. "This is your first symposium, isn't it?"

Amberine blushed slightly, nodding. "Yeah. It's… a lot to take in."

"You'll get used to it," Elisande said with a smile. "It's overwhelming at first, but once you're there, it's mostly just a lot of talking. And a lot of pomp and ceremony."

The drakes began to move, their wings lifting slightly as they took off into the sky. Amberine clutched the edge of her seat, her heart pounding as the carriage rose from the ground. The sensation was unlike anything she'd experienced—a combination of floating and gliding, as if the whole world had suddenly slowed beneath her.

"Relax," Ignis whispered from her robe, his voice filled with mischief. "It's not like we're going to plummet into the ocean. Although…"

"Shush," Amberine hissed, her eyes narrowing as she felt Ignis laugh softly. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to relax as the city below began to shrink, the bustling magical district turning into a blur of lights and colors.

"You really need to work on your fear of heights," Elisande remarked, glancing at Amberine with an amused smile. "You'll miss the view if you keep your eyes shut."

Amberine opened one eye cautiously, her gaze drifting to the window. The city was far below now, and beyond it lay the ocean, stretching out like a vast, shimmering expanse. She swallowed, trying to ignore the lurch in her stomach.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Elisande said, her voice softer now, almost wistful. "It's moments like these that make all the stress worth it."

Amberine nodded, her gaze fixed on the horizon. She could see the sun beginning to dip lower, casting the ocean in hues of gold and orange. It was breathtaking. She glanced down at the Celestial Seal in her lap, its glow contrasting with the warm colors outside. She felt a mix of emotions—excitement, fear, determination.

"So, what should I expect at this symposium?" Amberine asked, trying to distract herself from her nerves.

Elisande leaned back, her eyes thoughtful. "Well, usually there's a lot of technical meetings. Researchers, scholars, representatives—everyone coming together to discuss their work. It's a chance to share ideas, to debate theories." She paused, her expression darkening slightly. "But this year… it's different. Security is tighter than ever. The fall of Sarindel… it's shaken everyone. The Devil Coffin is a real threat."

Amberine's heart skipped a beat, her gaze shifting to Elisande. "Do you think they'll target the symposium?"

Elisande shrugged, her face pensive. "Anything is possible. But that's why we're here. To show that no matter what happens, we won't be intimidated."

Amberine nodded, her unease growing. The symposium was no longer just about presenting research—it was about standing against a threat, showing strength. She glanced at the Celestial Seal again, its glow seeming almost ominous now.

"You'll be fine," Elisande said, her voice gentle. "Just remember, we're all in this together. You're not alone."

Amberine offered her a small smile. "I-I'm grateful,"

Elisande grinned, her eyes twinkling. "I'll make sure you don't get lost along the way, young mage."

Amberine laughed softly, her nerves easing slightly. The carriage continued to glide over the ocean, the rhythmic beating of the drakes' wings almost soothing now. She watched as the sky darkened, stars beginning to appear one by one, their light reflected in the water below.

As they neared Aetherion, the underwater fortress came into view—a massive structure beneath the ocean's surface, its towers rising up, illuminated by arcane lights. The sight took Amberine's breath away. The fortress glowed softly, the enchanted barriers that kept the ocean at bay visible as faint, shimmering outlines. It was beautiful, yet intimidating.

The carriage began its descent, the drakes' wings folding slightly as they glided towards a grand entrance—a portal of shifting light that opened into the ocean. Amberine's heart pounded as the fortress seemed to grow larger and larger, the scale of it almost overwhelming.

The carriage passed through the portal, and Amberine felt a sudden shift—the open sky giving way to the enclosed, magical environment of Aetherion. She blinked, momentarily disoriented by the change. The carriage landed softly on an enchanted platform, the spectral drakes letting out faint, echoing cries as they folded their wings.

Amberine looked around, her eyes wide, taking in the grandeur of the fortress—the towering walls, the intricate runes glowing softly in the dim light, the water beyond the barriers shimmering with the movement of sea creatures.

She took a deep breath, her nerves returning as she stepped out of the carriage, her gaze sweeping over her surroundings. The fortress was even more impressive up close, its presence almost overwhelming.

"So this is… the underwater fortress of Aetherion," she whispered, her voice filled with awe.