The academy's botanical gardens were designed as much for magical research as aesthetic beauty, with specimens from across the continent arranged according to their magical properties rather than visual appeal. It was here that Axnem found himself paired with an unexpected study partner for their Advanced Herbalism assignment.
Sera Blackwater was a quiet second-year student whose family background couldn't have been more different from his own. Where the Blacks were fallen nobility trying to rebuild their position, the Blackwaters were recent immigrants whose merchant success had earned them enough wealth to afford academy tuition but not social acceptance among established families.
"Your family's archives probably contain extensive information about magical plant cultivation," Sera said as they examined a particularly exotic flowering vine whose blooms shifted color based on ambient mana levels. "Mine contains mostly shipping records and profit calculations."
"Shipping records can be surprisingly useful," Axnem replied diplomatically. "Understanding trade routes and resource distribution provides insight into how magical materials spread across different regions."
"You're being polite," Sera said with a slight smile. "My father made his fortune transporting goods that established merchants considered too mundane for their attention. Magical components for basic household enchantments, preserved foods for communities too small to interest major suppliers, things like that."
As they worked through their plant identification exercises, Axnem found himself genuinely enjoying Sera's straightforward perspective. Unlike many academy students who approached problems through layers of theoretical abstraction, she asked practical questions that often revealed insights others missed.
"This resonance vine," she said, pointing to their current subject, "your textbook says it responds to 'ambient magical fluctuations.' But what does that actually mean for someone trying to cultivate it?"
Axnem consulted his notes, which contained information from both academy sources and his family's archives. "The plant essentially feeds on environmental mana, so its health indicates the magical stability of its surroundings. In areas affected by magical disruption, these vines would likely wither or change behavior patterns."
"So they're like magical weather vanes," Sera concluded practically. "That's actually useful information. My family's trade routes go through some of the southern territories where the disruptions have been reported. If we could identify plants that serve as early warning systems, it might help caravans avoid dangerous areas."
The observation was remarkably astute, and Axnem realized that Sera's merchant background provided perspectives that traditional noble education often missed. While he studied magical theory in abstract terms, she automatically considered practical applications and real-world implications.
"Your professor assigns you to work with the weird scholarship kid as a test of character, doesn't she?" Sera asked suddenly, though her tone was more amused than offended.
"What makes you think that?" Axnem replied, though he suspected she might be correct.
"Because students from established families are usually paired with others from similar backgrounds. Mixing social classes happens when professors want to see how well their students handle... diversity."
"Well, if it's a test, I hope I'm passing," Axnem said with a grin. "Your practical approach to these problems is refreshing. Most of my study partners get so focused on theoretical elegance that they forget to ask whether their solutions would actually work."
Their conversation was interrupted by a minor explosion from the greenhouse section where another pair of students was apparently having less success with their assigned project. Smoke billowed from between the plant rows, accompanied by what sounded like very creative cursing in at least three different languages.
"Looks like someone discovered the hard way that lunar moss doesn't react well to direct sunlight," Sera observed calmly.
"Should we help?" Axnem asked, though the approaching footsteps of Professor Greenthumb suggested assistance was already on the way.
"Probably better to let the professionals handle it," Sera replied. "But we should probably finish our work before that smoke reaches our section. Some of these plants have unpredictable reactions to foreign magical influences."
As they hurried to complete their observations, Axnem found himself appreciating both Sera's practical wisdom and the academy's ability to surprise him with unexpected friendships. In his previous timeline, he'd been too focused on political maneuvering and family obligations to develop casual relationships with classmates from different backgrounds.
This time, he was determined to do better.