A new year at Nine Petal Academy means a new crop of students, including a boy who can't control his magic, a thief, an angel, and even a suit of armor? Adela, Lei, and their friends are tasked with welcoming the new class of first years and helping...
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"Now, come forth, master of wind and music, Yen Lan; and the one whose hair shimmers like waves in the sun, Nyima Taiyang!"
"Why does she insist on announcing like this?" I asked, wanting to bury my face in my empty bag of carrots.
Nat laughed from the seat behind mine. "Think she decided to copy Ms. Key's style. It's how she M.C.d during our tournament on the boat."
"Right, she did something similar last year when she could get her hands on the mic," Alto said, laughing.
I grumbled. "That sister-in-law of yours is a bad influence."
"Come on, Ny, don't be a party popper!" Kun said.
I threw my bag at him. "Let's go, Yen."
"She's already there," Lei said, pointing at his sister.
She moved that fast?
"Good luck out there. You'll need it against Yen," Lei said.
My cheeks warmed up. Was he cheering me on over his sister?
Kun wrapped an arm around Lei's neck. "Hey, don't go cheering on for the one who beat Sarah and is facing our sister!"
"I'm not taking sides here!" he mumbled.
I should've known. Still, it was nice knowing Lei couldn't pick between Yen and me. Although, he did squabble a lot with her. However, the two of us argued considerably too.
"Thanks, but I'm not one to depend on such things as luck."
Sarah smiled at me and raised her tablet at me. 'Nyima's the type who depends on her head,' she had written.
I nodded. "Exactly."
"Still, it wouldn't hurt," Adela said as she joined us.
"You should probably hurry," Ulissis said, eyeing the battlefield. "Marina has been signaling at you to hurry up."
I gulped. Ugh, I was holding things up. If not for the crowd around me, I would've swung my arms back and unleashed a jet of water, propelling me toward the ring.
I ran down the stairs and into the ring. "Sorry for holding things up," I said, waving.
Yen smiled at me. "It's fine. I probably shouldn't have gone ahead of you so soon. That said, I hope you're not anxious. But I understand if you are."
I chuckled. "I see that you're as cocky as your brothers after all. Let's see how you compare to them."
"Rather well, if I do dare say so myself."
"Hmph. I'll wipe the floor with you as I've done with Kun and Lei!"
"Looks like our girls are anxious to start! You may begin!"
Yen rushed at me and struck my abdomen with her palm, producing a soundwave, and flinging me toward the edge.
"Water Dance!" I yelled. Threads of water wrapped around me and bent the air, keeping me from hitting out of limits. Blades of wind flew at me. Forming a water barrier, I tore them apart, creating a whirlpool around me. "Sorry, but I won't fall so easily!"
