A bead of sweat trickled down Dean Swans' temple, leaving a glistening trail on his starched collar. He cleared his throat, the sound sandpaper dry, and averted his gaze from Eydis' furious scribbling. Something was wrong, something monumental, and he dreaded dropping the news like a lead weight into her meticulously coded world."Miss Eydis," he finally croaked, the words scraping out like pebbles against stone. "I have... unwelcome tidings."
Eydis paused, silently urging the dean to continue. He braced himself for the storm. "The annual contest," he sighed, "it's been... moved. To Autumn. And... they want you. As champion. For the commoners."
Dean Gidion reflected on the overwhelming votes that catapulted Eydis into the role of a commoners' representative. His sigh didn't stem from the academy's professed inclusivity but from the evident power play it showcased. A commoner as a champion – a pawn strategically placed in a game where failure was predetermined, and humiliation awaited as the prize. Despite Eydis' attempts to remain in the shadows, it seemed she had attracted a considerable amount of unwanted attention.
Eydis, hunched over a notebook in the corner, looked up, a playful glint dancing in her eyes. Unfazed by the dean's grim expression, she spoke, her voice a calm ripple in the storm brewing within him. "Judging by your face, you're not a fan of the idea."
The dean blinked, surprised. He expected bravado, veiled anger, anything but this disarming serenity. "It… it's dangerous," he stammered, the word tasting bitter on his tongue. "They won't hold back. They'll relish your inevitable downfall."
Eydis smiled, a slow, enigmatic curve of her lips. "Oh, I don't intend to fall." She closed her notebook, the finality of the gesture echoing in the silence. "In fact, I rather think this little contest will be… illuminating."
Dean Gidion slammed his fist on the desk, the aged parchment trembling under the blow. "Illuminating? This is a crucible, Eydis! A month of unchecked magic, a battlefield outside the academy's protection! Your brilliance won't shield you from blades forged in shadows, spells whispered in forbidden tongues!"
His expression softened upon seeing her genuine smile, touched by his concerns. "What do you suggest I should do?"
The dean sat back down, his eyes turning serious. "You should take a leave of absence, for a semester. I can organise it for personal health reasons. Return to Silverkeep!"
Eydis pondered aloud, "I guess humiliation is the best outcome here, isn't it?" Casualties at the tournament were an open secret, "accidents" conveniently swept under the rug.
The dean nodded, understanding Eydis' quest for survival. She should not be reckless enough to reject his proposal, shouldn't she?
"I declined." Her voice rang out, clear and sharp, shattering the oppressive silence. The dean's heart lurched, a cold dread gripping him. "What did you just say?"
"I will join this tournament. After all, what's good about surviving 'this world' when you can't enjoy it," Eydis quirked, her ever-mischievous eyes returning. Before the dean could object any further, she changed the topic, "Indigo Crane."
Dean Swans froze, "what do you mean?"
Eydis nonchalantly shrugged, her finger tracing a circle on the table. "I've read an interesting book lately, and a name struck to mind is Priest Indigo Crane."
"Perhaps, you're harbouring unanswered questions?" Dean Swans glanced at the distracting rhythmic taps.
Eydis continued, "why did he disappear from the pages of history right after discovering the Mythshollow Wood witches?"
The dean cleared his throat, his gaze flickering away. "He chose a life of quiet contemplation, Miss Eydis. Nothing more."
Eydis leaned forward, her gaze piercing. "He wasn't the only one, was he? Lady Anatasia, Lord Damian… even Duke Theomund, before I intervened. All connected to the Wood, all brilliant sorcerers, all vanished into thin air."
The dean sighed, setting down his cup with a clink. "Your curiosity is commendable, but some doors are best left unopened. The Mythhollow Wood holds secrets better left undisturbed. The path you seek to walk is… shadowed."
"Humm," Eydis let out a soft hum, her lips curved into an enigmatic smile, eyes gleaming with a revelation. The dim light cast haunting shadows on her face as she continued writing on those pages. Just when he thought he could understand her a little, he was once again left perplexed. Was she really just a seventeen-year-old prodigy? Or was she something else, someone else, concealed beneath the layers of mystery?
**
"Duke Theomund, it seems we've encountered an issue."
"No surprise! John, your mission at the Imperial Arcane is clear: Protect Eydis."
"Understood, Your Grace!" With that, the imposing figure vanished into the shadows. Duke Theomund sighed, realising he had to accept the role of judging this year's contest. Interfering risked treason, as the Emperor designed the contest, but he couldn't bear to watch Eydis perish. The Emperor wouldn't execute his future son-in-law either.
"Lionel, convey my acceptance to Princess Athena. I have agreed to her proposal."
**
"Eydis, EYDIS! Over here!"
Eydis spun around to spot her friends frantically waving amidst the crowd of students. The final fifty contenders for the Grand Trials were unveiled, sparking murmurs and jostling amongst the nobles clustered around the announcement board. Ten champions from each faction - water, fire, metal, wood, earth, and the commoners - stood poised for glory. Divine wielders, their hands alight with ethereal glow, were designated healers, weaving a promise of safety.
Reaching her trio of friends, Eydis saw their faces etched with a kaleidoscope of emotions: elation tinged with apprehension. Natalia grabbed her hand, declaring, "I can't believe you're a contestant too! But, I'll protect you, promise!"
Eydis chuckled, her heart warming at her friend's unwavering loyalty. "Damsel in distress? Hardly, Nat, I can protect myself."
"But…there will be monstrous beasts even the strongest struggle with. And that blue witch is selected too." Eydis' gaze followed Natalia's to where a noble girl, blue hair and matching eyes, stood with a sneer playing on her lips. The girl stared at Eydis with challenge, and she knew trouble awaited.
"I wonder why she hates me so much," the brunette shrugged as she turned around, realising her reputation was yet another hurdle.
Ever perceptive, Colete edged closer to Eydis, voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, "Didn't you already know why? You seem to know everything, except matters of the heart."
Offended, Eydis understood matters of the heart, just not from those she deemed irrelevant. "I don't follow," she complained.
The ebony-haired girl grinned, "She was upset because her crush was crushing on you, hard!"
Come again?
"And I suppose you'll enlighten me on that too, won't you, Colete?"
Natalia huffed, slinging an arm over Eydis' shoulder — a feast that required some effort, given their stark height difference. "Can't you tell? There's this Sylvanwood guy who's been following you like a puppy for months now!"
Her eyes glanced at a long-haired, green-eyed noble who blushed under her gaze. "I really can't. Unfortunately, there were just too many of them."
Colete chuckled, "Dear Eydis, your humility is on another level."
"It's the truth."
"The truth…" Colete drawled, feigning contemplation, "is that you're headed for trouble. Didn't you mention your roommate despises you too?" Colete scrutinised the roommate in question, her expression tense as unwanted admirers circled around her, brows furrowed in frustration. The ebony-haired girl quickly averted her eyes upon sensing the icy violet orbs directed their way.
Birgit shuddered, "Do you feel that? The chills... I thought ice isn't an element."
"Ice is water, B," Eydis rolled her eyes, pondering briefly before approaching the icy girl with mischief.
"Looks like you might have a chance with me, after all, Lady Astra."
Astra growled, "Come again?"
Eydis' grin widened as she got close enough to speak within her roommate's earshot. "I mean, if looks could kill..." she trailed off, her voice laced with mirth, "...I would already be dead. Wouldn't you love to get your hands on me outside the suffocating constraints of this academy's magic?"
The silver-haired girl gritted her teeth, evidently weighing the pros and cons of wrapping her fingers around the infuriating brunette's neck. However, considering the curious onlookers surrounding them, it wasn't an opportune moment. The brunette played her game masterfully, but Astra wondered why she kept provoking her. "Give me an opening, and I'll gladly fulfil your wish," she warned, frustration evident as the teasing smile persisted on Eydis' features, unafraid of the threats.
"An opening, you say? I didn't think you were the type who requires permission for such…activities." Eydis continued her banter, disregarding the lurking danger gleaming behind those lavender eyes. Her grin grew wider, seeing colours finally reached Astra's cheek, finding it curiously endearing.
They continued to stare intently, eyes filled with challenge, refusing to break away, as if silently agreeing that conceding meant losing. The smouldering tension cut through the air like sharp blades, making Birgit squirmed with every passing second of their mutual gaze. "Um... they were threatening each other, right?" she asked, nudging a surprised Colete.
Scratching her cheek, the Azura girl replied, "It, um, seemed that way, I guess? They look like they're about to kill each other."
"This year's contest will be interesting," Natalia sighed, advancing towards the pair of troublesome roommates with an intention to break the ice. They always danced around this way, with Lady Astra's unusual hostility and Eydis' unpredictability. While this would make good material for her story, it might not be wise for her friend to draw this much attention to herself. Even if her brother hadn't asked her a favour to protect the mad brunette, she would be willing to do it. Only if the brunette could tone down abit, Natalia wasn't sure if she could win against Astra and Eydis' long list of enemies if they decided to work together within this contest.