As Withney and Maylyn got to know Cynthia better, they learned quite a few things about their new roommate. Cynthia was part of the Practical Magic Department, just like Withney. However, she had also enrolled in the Marine Biology Department. From their growing conversation, it became clear that Cynthia had adored marine creatures and flora since childhood.
Their chat was soon interrupted as the doorknob turned. In walked a girl with dirty blonde hair and soft features, dressed in a flower-patterned shirt and brown pants. With a bright and cheerful tone, she greeted them:
"Hello girls. I assume you're my roommates? Otherwise, your presence here might be a concern. I'm Elise. Nice to meet you."
The trio, already anticipating the entrance, responded quickly.
"Hello Elise! I'm Withney, and this is Maylyn and Cynthia. Come sit with us, we were just chatting and getting to know each other," Withney said warmly.
"Great! Let me grab my bag and the rest of my luggage first. Huh... where's your luggage?" Elise asked, visibly puzzled.
"Oh, we mailed ours ahead of time. The school should deliver them by tonight. Didn't you do that?" Maylyn responded.
"Ah, right. I remember reading about that in the acceptance letter. Now that I think about it I saw hardly anyone with luggage. But it cost extra, didn't it?"
"Yeah, about thirty-five trons, if I remember correctly," Cynthia added.
The most basic currency in the Evernight Empire was Sterling, then Talons and finally a tron.16 Sterlings made one Talon, and 20 talons made a singular tron. Sterlings came in copper coins, Talons were silver alloy, and Trons were minted from a rare white metal called Trinvester. They were in denominations of 1, 5 and 10. Trons had higher denominations too—10, 20, 50, 100, even 500—the last two made entirely of Trinvester.
"Yeah, that kind of delivery's too expensive for me," Elise said with a chuckle. "You girls must come from pretty well-off families."
"Honestly, I hardly saw anyone carrying bags. I guess people assume you can afford it at a place like Hermandry," Withney thought to herself.
"Wait... if you couldn't afford luggage delivery, how'd you afford tuition? I mean, I'm here on scholarship, but it's still 150 trons for my first year even with that. Without one, it's like 300 to 600, right?" Withney asked, confused.
"Oh! I got a full ride for the Magical Tools Department. That covered Practical Magic too. Everyone back home was super proud," Elise replied, beaming with pride.
"She's like Withney," Maylyn thought, hiding a grin. "Another bubbly oversharer. Looks like I've got double the workload now. well, at least I have got Cynthia now."
As Elise dragged her bags in, Withney suggested they help. The trio quickly pitched in, cutting down the time. Elise had brought quite the haul—a backpack, two duffel bags, and a large suitcase.
"How'd you carry all this up two flights?" Cynthia asked, eyeing her curiously.
"Two tall girls helped me! They're on the seventh floor. Super sweet," Elise explained.
With all the luggage in, they finally noticed the wall clock. It was already past 1 p.m.
Withney perked up, "Hey girls, got any lunch plans? Wanna grab a bite and explore Hansforth?"
Both Cynthia and Elise nodded.
"Perfect! Come with me and Maylyn. It'll be fun."
Hansforth, the city surrounding Hermandry, was named after Duke Hansforth Feynapotter—a founding figure of the Evernight Empire. The name had existed long before the academy.
As they stepped out into the cobbled streets of Hansforth, excitement bubbled in all four. None of them had explored the city yet.
Near the campus, they spotted a bustling restaurant.
"Let's eat there! Looks popular," Withney suggested.
"I don't know it looks quite expensive." Elise cautioned.
"Don't worry, I'll pay for all of us."
"You don't need to..."
"I insist!"
Withney came from a wealthy family and never worried much about money. She had such an unwariness about money which could only come from someone who was pampered since they were young.
Cynthia and Maylyn shared a glance of quiet understanding of something.
Elise hesitated. "I just met you. That would feel like... taking advantage."
"If you're worried about that, then you're definitely not taking advantage. We're friends, aren't we? I want to treat you."
"Anyway, let's go! I'm starving!" Withney declared and sprinted inside.
The girls followed her in. As they entered a scent of spices and fried food hit all the four girls. it was a decadent and flavorful smell making all their mouth's water. Many voices could be heard in the air. After being seated, Withney suddenly realized she needed to use the restroom. She excused herself to use the restroom. On her way, snippets of chatter drifted by—friends reuniting, complaints about prices, everyday noise.
But then she heard something that made her pause.
"Have you found the artifact?"
"Yes. I believe it's in the Hiddleston Wilderness."
"Tell me the details."
Withney tried to listen closer, but as she moved, the voices faded.
"Artifact? In Hiddleston?" she murmured.
After finishing up, she walked past the table where the two men had sat. One stood and made a strange motion on his chest—four taps, forming a symbol. Then he walked off. The other remained.
Returning to the table, she leaned close to Maylyn.
"Hey, do you know what an artifact is?"
Maylyn blinked. "Like the ones in tales? I guess. Why?"
Withney exhaled "No, not the ones in tales." Witney quickly jumped to the other topic.
Withney replicated the chest-tapping motion. "What does this mean?"
Maylyn shook her head. "Never seen it before. What's going on?"
"I'll explain later."
Just then, Cynthia looked up from her menu. "Decided what to order yet? I'm going with onion soup and pasta."
"Salad and baked potato for me," Elise added, contorting at the sight of these prices.
"Steak with fried potatoes," said Maylyn.
"Garlic seabass," Withney decided.
The waiter came and took their orders, drinks included. Withney nudged and forced Elise to order a drink too.
When the bill arrived, it came to sixteen Talons and thirteen Sterlings. Withney paid 17 talons and told the waiter to keep the remaining change.
As they stepped back into the city streets, Elise gave Withney a look which was filled with admiration and respect.
Withney felt a flush of shyness rise in her cheeks.
The group decided to go to the downtown market and look at the goods and fares or even buy something.
The group hailed a carriage to the downtown market, ready to spend the afternoon browsing wares and bonding over shared excitement. The city of Hansforth had yet to start revealing it's mysteries.