Raena woke up to the soft light of morning filtering through the infirmary window.
She blinked, trying to clear the remnants of sleep from her eyes. The room was quiet, save for the distant chirping of birds. As her senses sharpened, she noticed the chair beside her bed was empty.
Where's... Where is he?
Vladimir was gone. "Vlad?"
A pang of disappointment struck her.
'Are all boys like that?' she thought, wondering why the young man had left her all of a sudden.
However, before she could dwell on it, the door swung open.
It was him!
Vladimir stepped in, his face breaking into a warm smile when he saw her awake.
"Good morning, Raena. Ready for the final trial?" he asked, his voice gentle yet filled with anticipation.
Of course, of course, her somewhat-a-little-anxious morning has been changed into a better one now that her dark knight is around!
Raena nodded, a mix of excitement and anxiety bubbling within her. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, feeling a renewed sense of determination.
"Final trial? What is it about this time?"
"I'm not entirely sure myself. I guess it'll be a lot harder..."
"Oh, please." Raena rolled her eyes, remembering her younger days when she used to sneak out of their library to play with her grandma instead.
"We'll get through this, okay?" Vlad said as he approached the young princess, his eyes staring into the depths of her soul.
Raena gulped. 'God, why is he getting more handsome as the days go by?'
Instantly, she shook her head and moved past Vlad.
On the other hand, the man sheepishly smirked, knowing how much impact he just had on the lady's heart!
"What are you waiting for, up there?" Raena laughed, to which Vlad agreed.
"Alright."
As they walked through the hallways of the academy, the familiar sights and sounds filled Raena with a sense of nostalgia.
In a short time, this place had become her battleground, her training ground, and now, it would be the stage for her final trial. But then, just as they were about to turn a corner, they bumped into a group of students.
"Ugh. Of course..."
Ivana, Lucius, Jaime, and Jaun stood there, along with a new face, a girl with striking features and an air of arrogance about her.
Zorina was the name Raena assumed.
"Well, well, look who it is," Ivana sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "Little Miss Shadow trying to play with the big boys."
Lucius took a step closer, his sneer widening as he towered over Raena. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But guts alone won't save you when it really matters. This place isn't for weaklings who hide behind others. What makes you think you even belong here?"
Raena hates to see how blue Lucius' eyes are. His lips would have been so much kissable when you look at it, but all it says are bad things about her!
Raena straightened, trying to muster the confidence she felt the night before. "I... I have learned a new skill. F-for sure, I am ready for whatever comes next."
"HAHAHAHAH!"
Lucius laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. "A new skill? That's cute. Do you really think that will make any difference? You're out of your league."
"Girl, let me remind you, okay?" Ivana added, her eyes narrowing. "You're nothing but a shadow. And shadows are easily dispelled."
Jaime stepped forward, his eyes filled with malicious glee. "You think you can impress us with your little tricks? You're nothing but a joke, Raena."
Zorina, who had been watching silently, finally spoke, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I've heard all about your 'great power.' But honestly, I don't see anything impressive."
It's.. It's good? Isn't it?
I defeated that monster already! What else do they want from me?
Is it real...?
What they are saying... about me?
Raena felt a flush of embarrassment creeping up her neck, but before she could respond, she felt Vladimir's hand slip into hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Leave her alone," Vladimir said, his voice steady and filled with a quiet strength. "She's stronger than any of you give her credit for."
Raena met his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest, but she refused to back down. "I don't need to prove myself to you, Lucius. I've come this far on my own, and I'll keep going whether you believe in me or not."
Ivana scoffed, her lips curling in disdain. "On your own? Please. You've been nothing but a burden since day one. Always needing someone to protect you, always the one we have to carry."
"You're nothing but dead weight."
Vladimir, sensing Raena's rising frustration, tightened his grip on her hand and stepped in front of her, shielding her from their taunts. "That's enough, Ivana! You've crossed the line!"
Jaime rolled his eyes, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. "Oh, spare us the hero act, Vladimir. We all know you've got a soft spot for her, but that doesn't change the fact that she's out of her depth."
Zorina, who had been watching the exchange with a smirk, finally spoke up, her voice cold and cutting.
"You're all wasting your breath. It doesn't matter what she says or what you say, Vladimir. The truth is, this is a game of survival, and Raena is barely surviving. I give her until the end of the day before she's completely outmatched."
Raena felt her pulse quicken, the weight of their words pressing down on her. But she knew she couldn't let them see her falter.
She straightened her back, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside her. "I swear... I won't give up! Y-you'll see!"
Lucius's eyes narrowed, a dark look crossing his face as he took another step closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper as Raena can almost feel her enemy's breath on her neck.
"We'll see about that, Raena. We'll see if your new 'skill' is enough to save you when it's just you and the enemy, and there's no one left to hide behind."
The tension in the hallway was thick, the air charged with animosity. Vladimir watched how close Lucius was to Raena, and for some weird thing, the dark knight felt an ache in his heart that made his eyebrow curl!
For a moment, it seemed like the situation might escalate, but then Vladimir spoke, his voice calm but firm.
"Enough of this. The trial is what matters now. Let's see who truly has what it takes when we're out there. Words mean nothing here."
Ivana snorted, her eyes narrowing as she stared Raena down.
"Just because you've got a knight in shining armor doesn't mean you're worth anything. Without him, you're nothing."
Ivana rolled her eyes, but she didn't say anything further.
Instead, she turned sharply on her heel and began walking away, Lucius and Jaime following close behind.
Zorina lingered for a moment, her gaze lingering on Raena with an unreadable expression before she, too, walked away.
Jaun, who had remained silent during most of the exchange, gave Raena a sympathetic look before following the others, leaving Raena and Vladimir alone in the hallway.
Vladimir sighed, turning to face Raena fully. "Are you alright? I know they're being harsh, but—"
"I'm fine," Raena cut him off, her voice wavering slightly despite her best efforts. "I guess I should get used to it by now. But thank you, for standing up for me."
Vladimir smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "You don't have to thank me, Raena. I believe in you, even if they don't. And I'll be right beside you through this trial, no matter what happens."
Raena nodded, feeling a warmth spread through her chest at his words.
"I won't let them get to me. I'll show them I'm more than what they think I am."
As they approached the chamber, the tension in the air was palpable. The students gathered around, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
Headmaster Zelbus stood at the front, his presence commanding and authoritative.
"Welcome, students," Zelbus began, his voice resonating through the hall. "Today marks the final trial... The Gleam Team!"