2 months flew by leaving Esmeralda only had one day left to prepare for the tournament as she'll going against both old friends and classmates she used to work with before suddenly moving to the highest rank in the academy. Learning shadow magic was on top of her list if she were to have a chance of winning or at least getting far enough to not want Albus down grade her to middle class. Esmeralda got the head master's approval last month to practice and use it in the tournament as long as no one gets rapped in the darkness some call the Shadow Realm even though only one woman is know on using shadow magic, Morgana the sister of King Arthur who is the ruler of Camelot.
"Only one day left until the Tournament and I still have loads of research and practice to do!" Esmeralda complained sat on her bed that was covered in different books before plopping on her back hitting the back of her head against the headboard and hissed whiling holding her head rolling to the side feeling the cushioning feeling that her head supposed to feel not the back end of the bed. "Fuck that hurt!" She cussed to herself before eventually sitting back up wanting to continue her research, but knew that a break was in order to relax her mind and go for a nice peaceful meditation session.
When tidying everything up Esmeralda plopped down a cushion in her usual favourite spot where the sun shined more and a nice cool cub of water to sit beside her in the shadow she created from the sun's light and enjoying the peace and quiet she had left before someone decides to barge in and interrupt it.
It has been 4 hours since she began meditating when finally Theo came busting in as Esmeralda remained unfazed already prepared for this moment while opening an eye to peek at him lightly blushing from just looking as he came forward grabbing her arm pulling her up while talking. "Esme! You need to come and see what's happening on the court" he exclaimed looking pumped up about something while creating a portal pulling her through with him as she was only wearing trousers and a top before releasing her to the front of the crowd just to see Becky in a fight with one of the cockiest lads in the academy.
"Come on, Felix! Is that really all you've got? I should've know that you brondes would be weaker as all you are is bark and no bite. You're supposed to be Albus' start student!" Becky yelled with a cocky grin dinning her menacing fangs into his confidence and emotions like a hungry vampire thirsting for blood. Felix wasn't having any of this even though his ice blue eyes were the main reason he's pulling the ladies, but he knew a little more about Becky than anyone else as a cocky smirked came creeping onto his face.
"You call that an insult? Please brondes are far smarter than you blondes and don't get me started with those horrific brown eyes, please! You're only still in the academy because of your stupid familiar since there is literally nothing left in that tiny dumb drain of yours.. and don't get me started on your sick obsession over Lucas!" Felix embarrassed Becky in front of everyone as she growled in anger before unleashing everything she had at him while he blocked everyone single one of them with ease making her look like a complete idiot before looking over at Esmeralda getting an idea as she used her magic to pull her into the circle.
"You are nothing compared to my friend here. Esme why don't you show him something he hasn't got and remind him who the real wizard is around here" Becky suggested as he just laughed hysterically at the sighed of her before Esmeralda's expression quickly changed as he stopped wiping a tear from his eye.
"The Camelot freak? Please! She only got into the top because she probably fucked the head master or something, haha!" He went too far as Esmeralda gritted her teeth raising a hand in response as he didn't think any of it chuckling at whatever she was doing. "Really? What is that going to do, freak?! *in a teasing manner* Do you wanna hug because you your mama and papa" he said again as she sighed in response while the other of his friends joined in and laughed along with Felix's sick jokes.
"Funny. Last I remembered you're a second place wannabe who still pisses the bed and is scared of the boogeyman" Esmeralda replied back giving the bully a taste of his own medicine as he went silent glaring at her in shock.
"What did you say?" He annoyingly asked as she innocently smiled with both eyes closed as if nothing he would could faze her before opening her eyes again locking instant eye co tact with him as he stepped back feeling her atmosphere dwelling around him.
"Ye, you're still mummy's little boy aren't you? I bet you kiss her with that mouth too, mummy's boy" she repeated knowing a little more about him that expected before forming a portal beneath him not exposing her use of shadow magic just yet as he fell through landing in a nearby fountain completely drenched as the students laughed at him while he ran off in embarrassment.
"Thanks bestie!" Becky replied hugging her from behind as if they were friends while Theo came up in the middle of them placing both arms over their shoulders pulling them closer.
"I knew you could do it, Esme. Why don't we celebrate and have a party? What do you think Becky?" Theo suggested as Becky was completely up for the idea even though the next days a very important day for all of them as the weakest ones will be kicked out of the academy... permanently, but no one is aware of that just yet. Esmeralda was unsure of the idea at first until Theo changed her mind as they took this back to his dorm where the party started as interesting things happened.
"I really need to stop drinking.." Esmeralda wisely said to herself wobbling slightly as she about to trip someone was able to catch her as she looked to see that it was Theo before pulling her back to her feet again as music continued to play almost completely cancelling their voices out.
"Not on my watch Muffin-cake~" he too was slightly drunk and yet aware of what he was doing as the two gently staring into one another's eyes lost in every second that passes. "Has anyone told you that you've got beautiful eyes?" Theo flirting asked while sneakingly placing a hand on her waist pulling her in.
"No.." she confusingly replied as he leaned in closer placing a hand on her face while the other remained glued on her waist as he fell deeply into her eyes.
"Well let me be the first" he insisted before locking his lips against hers softly kissing them tasting the alcohol that she had recently drank, but he didn't mind as he too was mildly drunk and yet willing enough to kiss her so passionately. "Shit, she taste so sweet it's addicting" thinking to himself almost losing his mind when she began to take control showing that only was she a good sorcerer, but an amazing kisser.m despite being completely intoxicated.
"Get a room you two!" Becky complained while drinking with someone as Theo broke the kiss before dragging Esmeralda away in the restroom locking it behind him. He lifted her onto the counter beside the sink looking up at her for a second seeing a side of her he planned of keeping secret from everyone else.
"Why don't we continue in here, Muffin-cake~" he teased before making out with her again as his hands gently moved up her thighs towards her shirt slipping them underneath feeling the softness of her skin brush against his fingers tips ever so gently savouring every moment they have together even if it was just for tonight.
When the next day came around Esmeralda woke up in her own bed with a banging headache unaware of what time it was as she looked at herself seeing that she was half naked before remembering about the party last night. "Oh butter cake, I messed up big time!" Groaning to herself as little memories of that night came back to her before making her way to the bathroom where she used cold water to wake herself up and have a quick shower, but when she looked in the mirror a hickey could be seen on the right side of her neck freezing her in place wondering how it got there before remembering who exactly she slept with. "Theo you idiot.." she mumbled not wanting to have anyone ask her about this little accident especially during a day like this.
When leaving the restroom loud banging could be heard hitting her door while she was drying her hair still in a towel. "Esmeralda?!" Albus yelled startling her as she panicked while frantically looking around while throwing the towel she was using on her to the floor.
"One second!" She yelled back rushing towards her wardrobe unsure of what to pick before seeing and grabbing a black linen dress putting it on while going almost everywhere in the room knocking over some little things before getting it on while grabbing a hair tie while quickly brushing my hair putting it into a bun. "You're going to be late!" He yelled again hearing the struggle until finally she opened the door with a black hooded cloak in her hand while trying to catch her breath in the process.
"I most definitely didn't sleep in, master" Esmeralda reassured him as he raised an eyes brown a little suspicious while pointing at the hickey on her neck as she quickly put on the cloak in order to cover it up. "I accidentally hit myself with the brush earlier nothing big really" not wanting him to catch on or she'll be as good as gone if he found out what happened last night.
"Be careful next time. I don't think the other teachers would like to see you injured during your first tournament, do they?" He replied taken over by the fact that she had lied to him over some little bruise on the nape of her neck from Theo the sneaky bastard.
"No, sir. I will not disappoint you" she answered knowing that a injured candidate wouldn't make a good student within the academy and failing him wouldn't be the wisest of ideas. Esmeralda was nervous as pressure would be put against her since high expectations were set for her to sore high in the ranks despite still being a newbie at the academy.
When arriving at the arena Esmeralda saw both powerful and weak students as well as participants from the village who couldn't afford to become a student at Albus' academy and yet wanted to show that magic wasn't everything in Phoenix.
Theo and the others were ready and waiting for the last contestant to make it so everything can begin. "Took you long enough, sleepy head" Becky replied seeing her friend all dressed up just like one should while glancing up at Theo who nervously looked back rubbing the base of his neck when seeing Esmeralda waking over to him.
"Be glad that I didn't skip then you guys might actually have a fighting chance on winning today" Esmeralda jokingly replied making Theo chuckle in response loving this positive side of her more than the negative even though he knew he was to blame half of the time.
Despite the first few rounds being easy Esmeralda so far has become the star of everyone's eyes as they have been cheering for her as she never failed to deliver. Albus watched from a far wanting to see how far this student from Camelot could go and how amazingly outstanding Merlin said she was, but surprisingly enough speak of the wizard he was here too without his apprentice as he feared it would make cause her to lack in performance.
"Dude! Merlin is here" Felix fan girling being a huge fan of the wizard who came all the way from Camelot to watch this one tournament in general.
"You know he's only here to watch, Esme you weirdo" Theo purposely opened his trap making her become self conscious even though worrying about seeing him isn't going to do her anything.
"Oh yeah? Well one day I'm going to become the best wizard to ever live and work along side him one day unlike YOU, loser" Felix mouthed back as his friends agreed alongside him still being as hot headed and mean as before pushing Theo into the wall proving his strength to every student and participant who bare witness to this. "The finals are coming up so let the best one win and the winner decides what to do with the loser" Felix stupidly said being too confident already making a bet thinking he would come out on top just like he did in the last 3 tournaments ever since he joined upping the ranks faster than anyone until Esmeralda came along beating most of his pathetic records becoming the new star student.
"Fine!" Theo exclaimed accepting the challenge for all of them as Felix walked off leaving the 'losers' alone until Esmeralda smacked him at the back of his head. "Ow what the heck was that for?!" He complained looking back at her as she looked seriously mad from the idiotic decision he had just made without their consideration.
"Are you trying to get us all in trouble?! I am not losing to someone like him just to make myself look like a complete doofus in front of Merlin because of this idiotic competition you're having!" Esmeralda growled not wanting to make Merlin regret his decision on allowing her to come to Phoenix in order to become a better student for herself and learn things he is unable to teach her especially Eclipse Celestial magic, a source that is more powerful than magic itself and resigns mostly off the soul of the chosen one which is Esmeralda.
Becky remained distant not wanting to be scolded by Esmeralda as well since when she's mad it isn't only just scary, but oddly attractive.
Theo was up and of course his opponent was no other than Felix Redwood, but in order for the dare to go through he would have to defeat both Esmeralda and Theo to win not just one of them.
Felix had the upper hand even without his familiar as this tournament relied more on self confidence and independence than just relying on your partner to do the job for you. Theo did managed to knock him down, but not for long as he was sent flying back from a strong gust of force Felix used with his magic separating the distance between them both bruised while Theo was at the verge of collapsing.
"This isn't good I'm gonna loose if I continue to act up like this.. Esme was right. I shouldn't have messed around like that and now I'm in a situation I can't get myself out of.. I'm truly am a loser" down grading himself Theo was completely distracted as Felix charged at him knocking his opponent out just like he wanted as the crowd went wild praising the current champion on his win while Theo was dragged off to the get seen my a nurse as the last challenger was about to enter the ring.
"We all know how this is going to end, so bring them out!" Felix confidently said as Esmerelda emerged from the shadows and onto the battle arena grounds a few feet away from who she sees as an easy win. "Come on freak show me what you've got" aching her forward in order to get a good target at her, but she grew wise standing at her post looking at him judging his actions with her very eyes.
"No.. I ain't falling for his stupid tricks, just like he did to Becky and Theo.. it's time to make a difference" Esmeralda thought to herself while glaring at him as his expression changed growing annoyed that she wasn't exactly listening to him so he grew the confidence and attacked first. Esmeralda paid close attention to his actions dodging the fist attack allowing her to kick him to the floor as Merlin watched on intrigued to find out what her next move would be.
"No magic? What are you planning, Esmeralda?" Merlin thought not quite getting the grasps on what her exact plan was on winning the tournament especially wearing a dress and cloak making it harder for her to move about, but her actions later on would prove otherwise.
"YOU!" Felix growled stumbling back onto his two feet using his magic to chain her hands down as she stood there with no aid on defending herself from his attacks before swooping in as his fist connected with her hood as he head flung forward winded by the strong attack. "How's that taste, freak?" He whispered retracting his hand stepping back as she just glared at him as he scoffed with a smug grin before beginning to do a range of endless attacks as she just took them in one by one.
"This is going too far.." Merlin mumbled not liking the sight of seeing one of his apprentice's best friend getting badly beaten after just promising the lad that she was doing fine and will remain safe as long as she remained in Phoenix.
But before anything could be done Felix was sent flying back as his body slid as it hit the ground, Esmeralda yanked at her chains breaking free form one string tug as she character her neck in response before wiping blood from her nose using only her thumb looking down at Felix as he groaned sitting himself on before being pinned back down by her foot that pressed against the centre of his chest tightly making him grab ahold onto her ankles.
"No so tough now are you, mummy's boy?" She replied before using a sleeping spell knocking him out for the rest of the day. Looking around the arena that sat in silence before Merlin stood up beginning to clap his hands forcing the crowd to stand up and clap along too cheering for the new champion of the battle arena proving that magic isn't all they need in order to survive.
After the tournament was over Esmeralda was slowly walking beside Merlin who looked on proud at how much she had improved. "I heard that your in Albus' personal teaching now? You're growing to become a great sorcerer or witch one day. Your grandfather would be so proud of you" he replied as she loved the feeling of being approved of something as she hasn't felt like this for so long.
"I know.. I'm not fitting in that much either, but it doesn't matter as long as I finish the academy and come back home one day and see the others and show them what I've learned while I was away" she relied sounding determined to get better and see her friends once again just like good times.
"I know you will. Where is your familiar? You have a pendant so where are they?" He asked as Esmeralda grew nervous fiddling her thumbs in a circle motion.
"During class not everyone got their familiar, but they said I had a strange fiery red aura that surrounded me when connecting with it.. I do have one, but they just said I'm not ready for one yet and that's why it didn't show up" Esmeralda cut it down as short as she could not sure if he would tell Albus about the beast she had paired with that's trapped underneath the floors of the academy. He hummed intrigued from hearing such a thing.
"I guess it would be a loss if they kicked you out before your special arrives. Familiar or not I don't think you need one as you're capable of doing many things without a familiar to help you" Merlin replied knowing inside that Esmeralda from personal experience that she can cope on her own just like she did back in Camelot.
"I am aware.." she replied not wanting to say anything else that would involve a familiar catching up over some things before allowing him to leave Phoenix grounds and back to Camelot.
"You're friends with Merlin?" Becky asked startling Esmeralda from behind as she turned around seeing Theo stood next to her shocked at what they have been witnessing while stalking them.
"Y-yeah, I am from Camelot remember.." Esmeralda replied unsure of what else to say looking nervous at the two she is unsure are either trust worthy or misguided.
"We have a few more years until we can actually be masters, but I'm sure Esmeralda will make an outstanding sorceress" Theo confidently said making the situation less gloomy and more friendly.
"Why can't we just go inside? I'm getting the chills you guys" Becky complained as Esmeralda leaded the two back into the academy where they would spend the rest of the day laughing about Theo and Felix in the tournament.
How will her future change from trusting only these two students? Will their true colours come out? Or will they continue to hide the dark truth behind their blinding kind ways?