I glanced at the crystal again, which displayed a staggering 20,000 points, even though I had tried to suppress my magic and get a low score. My magic was far too powerful for this test, and I knew it would cause me trouble.
"Aaliyah, you'll be in the Epic Group just like Lydia, congratulations," the teacher announced, and the other students erupted in applause. Some of them looked at me with admiration, others with envy, and a few with fear.
I turned my head towards Lydia, who was already staring at me with a cold glare. She was the only other student who had reached the Epic Group, and she had been the undisputed top of the class until I came along. She rolled her eyes and snorted before looking away, as if I was beneath her notice.
I sighed loudly and rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on. I turned to Zara, who was sitting next to me, and saw her frowning at me with annoyance. She had every right to be angry with me, because now my job of protecting her was going to be even more difficult.
"You could have held back a little more, you know," Zara said in a low voice, trying not to draw attention. "Now everyone will be watching you, and you'll have to deal with Lydia and her cronies."
"Yes, I know, but it's not as easy as you think," I said firmly, not letting Zara boss me around. "My magic is too strong to control sometimes, and I can't risk exposing myself as a bodyguard. Besides, maybe being in the Epic Group will give me some advantages."
"Like what?" Zara asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Like... I don't know, maybe I'll learn something useful, or make some allies, or find out some secrets," I said, shrugging. "Anything is better than being bored in the lower groups."
The teacher clapped her hands to get the students' attention. He smiled and gestured to the crystal, which was still glowing with the results of the test.
"Well, now that we know everyone's magic power, you're all going to get in line with the people of your rank," she said, pointing to the signs on the walls that indicated the different groups. "From now on, you'll be working with your peers, and competing against the other groups. This will help you improve your skills and challenge yourselves. So, hurry up and find your places."
The students began to get up and move to their assigned groups, some of them excited, some of them nervous, and some of them disappointed. Zara gave me a quick hug and whispered in my ear.
"Aaliyah, be careful, okay? And don't get too close to my sister, she can be a pain in the ass."
I nodded and watched Zara join the Royal Group, which was reserved for the members of the royal family and their closest friends. She waved at me and smiled, but I could see the worry in her eyes. She knew that being in the Epic Group meant that I would have to face more dangers and enemies, and that I would have less time to watch over her.
I got up from my chair and picked up my backpack, feeling annoyed. I looked at Lydia, who was already standing in front of the Epic Group sign, surrounded by her loyal followers who leaved when they saw me.
Lydia clearly didn't look happy to see me, and I didn't blame her. She had been the star of the school for years, and now I had stolen her spotlight. I didn't know her personally, but I had heard enough from Zara about her to know that she was arrogant, ruthless, and ambitious. Maybe she had some redeeming qualities, but I doubted it.
I walked as slowly as possible towards the stairs that led to the Epic Group, hoping to delay the inevitable confrontation. I dragged my feet and avoided eye contact with the other students, who were either whispering about me or trying to get my attention. I wished I could disappear, or at least blend in, but I knew that was impossible. I had made myself a target, and I had to face the consequences.
I reached the stairs and climbed them at a snail's pace, feeling Lydia's gaze burning into me. I could sense her impatience and hostility, and I braced myself for a fight. I knew she would try to intimidate me, or provoke me, or challenge me, and I had to be ready to respond. I didn't want to make an enemy out of her, but I also didn't want to let her walk all over me. I had to find a balance, and it wasn't going to be easy.
I finally arrived at the top of the stairs and stood next to Lydia, who was glaring at me with contempt. I put my backpack on the floor and tried to act casual, as if I didn't care about her or the Epic Group. There was no sound from Lydia, she seemed to be ignoring me, but I knew it was only a matter of time before she spoke.
I cleared my throat to get Lydia's attention, and it almost worked, except that she looked at me with anger and disgust.
"What!" she snapped, making me flinch. I had to restrain myself from speaking badly to her, otherwise I would have already insulted her.
"It seems to me that you and I are in the same group," I said, trying to sound calm and polite. I hoped to start a civil conversation, or at least a truce, but I knew it was unlikely. Lydia turned her head completely towards me, and I saw the fire in her eyes.
"What's the point of being in the same group if you're so much more powerful than I am," she said, spitting out the words. "You don't belong here, you're a freak, a monster, a cheat. You probably used some illegal spell or device to boost your magic, or maybe you're not even human. You're a threat to everyone, and I won't let you get away with it."
I looked at her with disbelief and pity, wondering how she could be so bitter and hateful. She had her arms and legs crossed, and her face was twisted in a scowl. She looked like a spoiled child who had lost her favorite toy, and I that was kinda funny to see.
"Are you sulking?" I asked, with a smirk. I couldn't help but tease her, hoping to lighten the mood, or at least annoy her.
"Yes, I'm sulking, and I have every right to," she said, raising her voice. "I've worked hard to get to the top, to earn the respect and admiration of everyone, to be the best. And then you come along, and ruin everything, with your ridiculous magic and your mysterious background. You don't deserve to be here, you don't deserve anything. You're a nobody, a nothing, and I hate you."
She finished her rant and breathed heavily, as if she had just run a marathon. I stared at her, feeling a mix of emotions. I was angry, hurt, amused, and curious. I wanted to argue with her, to defend myself, to tell her the truth, to ask her questions. But I knew it was pointless. She had made up her mind about me, and nothing I said or did would change it. She hated me, and I had to accept it.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson and the start of the lunch break. Lydia grabbed her backpack and pushed past me, bumping into my shoulder. She didn't say a word, but I heard her mutter under her breath.
"I'll show you, Aaliyah. I'll show you who's the boss. You'll regret ever coming to this school."