The polished floors of Eryndell's training arena gleamed under the bright lights, reflecting the group's faces—a mix of boredom, dread, and pure annoyance. A sharp whistle from the referee snapped them to attention, though they were already mid-squabble.
Professor Green's voice boomed over the sound system. "You'll be grouped according to the results of your Essence project progress. And congratulations... the six of you will be working together again."
A collective groan rippled through the group.
"This is punishment for being amazing," Umber groaned dramatically. "I mean, how else do you explain it?"
Blade shot her a flat look. "You used our project notes as coasters last time. That might have something to do with it."
"And you spilled coffee on the aura analysis sheet," Violet added, nodding.
"That was sabotage!" Umber protested, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "I will not apologize for living my truth!"
Peach leaned back lazily, her arms crossed. "Can we focus? Some of us have battle tests to ace."
Lux muttered something under her breath, catching Peach's attention.
"What was that, firestarter?" Peach smirked, her eyes glinting with amusement.
Lux shot her a glare. "Nothing. Just wondering how long it'll take you to actually contribute."
Peach raised an eyebrow, her grin widening. "You know, Lux, this biting banter is starting to sound a lot like affection."
Lux flushed but scowled in return. "In your dreams."
As the group shuffled into their starting positions on the arena floor, the opposing team warmed up with overly enthusiastic stretches. Blade scanned their opponents, his fingers twitching at his sides.
"We'll need a strategy," he said, his tone serious.
Loot, ever eager, waved. "I can duplicate myself! Take on multiple opponents at once!"
"Great," Umber deadpanned, crossing her arms. "Double the chaos."
Loot grinned, clearly unfazed. "Chaos is part of the charm."
Blade sighed, summoning a wrench-like tool into his hand. "Let's just try not to embarrass ourselves."
"Too late for that," Peach said mockingly, earning a few chuckles from the others.
The whistle blew, and the match began. Loot immediately split into two clones, only for one of them to trip over its own feet and dissolve into mist.
"Promising start," Violet muttered dryly.
Blade, already moving, deflected an incoming strike with a summoned shield. Peach, not to be outdone, raised a hand, and one of the second-year students on the opposing team suddenly froze, unable to lift their feet off the ground.
Peach grinned. "Don't look so surprised. Gravity's a harsh mistress."
Not wanting to be outshone, Lux summoned a flicker of flame to her palm and hurled it at an opponent. The fire sputtered out halfway, fading before it even made contact.
"Stupid aura control," she muttered through gritted teeth.
Peach glanced over her shoulder, her tone teasing. "Need some help, firestarter?"
Lux shot her a murderous look. "Focus on your own fight."
Across the arena, Umber lazily clapped her hands, sending a mild sonic ripple through the air. The opposing team flinched, but it barely made an impact.
Blade shot her a pointed look. "That's all you've got?"
Umber shrugged, looking unbothered. "I'm conserving energy. You should try it sometime."
Violet, meanwhile, used his telekinesis to fling a pile of practice weapons into the air. Most of them missed their targets, but one managed to hit a second-year square on the shoulder.
"Hey, I'm improving!" Violet grinned.
"That's the spirit!" Loot encouraged, still struggling to keep his clones under control.
As the match wore on, Peach managed to single-handedly pin the last remaining opponent to the ground with a gravitational field. She smiled sweetly, clearly enjoying herself. "And that's how it's done."
The referee's whistle rang out, signaling their victory. Back in the classroom, the group slumped into their seats, still recovering from the chaotic match.
"Let's go over the feedback," Blade began, trying to restore some semblance of order. "Professor Green said we lack cohesion."
Loot waved his hand dismissively. "I think we have plenty of cohesion. It's just... unique."
Peach stretched her arms behind her head, a smug grin plastered on her face. "Unique is one way to put it."
Lux glared as Peach lounged in her chair, far too relaxed for someone who'd just been in battle. "So, anyone else excited for the alumni party?" Umber asked, changing the subject as she fiddled with her wristband. "Or are we just pretending that doesn't exist?"
"Oh, definitely excited," Violet said brightly, his grin widening at the thought.
Blade and Loot exchanged knowing glances, but Loot's expression softened as his gaze lingered on Blade for a moment too long.
"You okay there?" Blade asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah! Totally fine," Loot replied quickly, snapping out of his trance. "Just... thinking about the project."
Peach stood, yawning as she stretched. "Well, if we're done here, I'm heading out. Try not to miss me too much."
"Unlikely," Lux muttered, not looking up from her notes.
But as Peach sauntered away, Lux's gaze followed her a little longer than she intended.
Professor Green clapped his hands, bringing their attention back to him. "One last announcement. Your midterm mock battle is next week. Same teams, same rules. Try not to embarrass yourselves."
A collective groan filled the room.
"Great," Umber said, rolling her eyes. "Another chance to showcase our unique cohesion."
Violet chuckled. "I, for one, can't wait to see what new ways we'll fail."
Their banter continued as they gathered their belongings and filed out of the classroom, a mix of chaos and camaraderie somehow holding them together. They weren't exactly friends, but they were something close—and for now, that was enough.
As the group disappeared down the hall, Professor Green remained at his desk, sifting through a stack of documents. The hum of conversation faded, and the classroom fell into a quiet lull. He tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, his jovial demeanor replaced by something more thoughtful, almost concerned.
A shadow shifted near the doorway, catching his attention. He looked up to see a young man lingering at the edge of the room, his posture tense and his eyes sharp.
"Something I can help you with?" Professor Green asked, his tone still friendly but laced with caution.
The student stepped forward, his expression calm but the intensity in his gaze unmistakable. "I wanted to confirm the schedule for the alumni event," he said, his voice polite but clipped.
"It's posted on the main board," Green replied, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You're free to check it there."
The student gave a tight-lipped smile. "Just making sure everything's proceeding as expected. The Royals' presence will make it a grand occasion, won't it?"
Green's gaze sharpened, though his smile remained. "Yes. It always does."
The student lingered a moment longer, his eyes flickering toward the professor's desk before he nodded and turned to leave. As soon as he was out of sight, he pulled a sleek, black device from his pocket, whispering into it as he walked down the empty hallway.
"The preparations are underway. The Royals will be present at the alumni event, as expected. Proceed with the plan."
A distorted voice crackled in response, the words unintelligible but heavy with intent. The young man tucked the device away and disappeared into the crowd of students, his expression calm, just another face among Eryndell's best and brightest.
Back in the now-empty classroom, Professor Green sat in silence, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the desk. His gaze lingered on the doorway, a flicker of concern crossing his face.
The Royals were coming. And with them, trouble was sure to follow.
Far above the training arena, the flags of Eryndell's Kingdom fluttered in the wind, oblivious to the scheming shadows gathering below.