EQUINOX || The Catalysts Series, #3

XII

Classes resume to their normal schedules after the trials.

Viktas and his group had a formal exchange with Arcana and the rest of the professors and instructors of Arcane Academy, before departing the Academy grounds. It was ceremonious event with all the students receiving their renewed ability class, ranks and statistics for the year—data that are officially tabulated and published into the City's official systems.

It's a pride of some sort to receive an improved ability class from the previous year, and those with Class A or above are generally classified as higher tier ability users with much potential to the City. These students receive additional attention from the higher ups and have already been receiving offers throughout the week of the trials for various mentee positions in different sectors of the City of Leatia.

Lena doesn't have anything to worry about further. The authorities have departed, and her apparent ability class and rank are just average. She's received a B-Class rating, unsurprisingly, and her internal rank in Arcane Academy isn't noteworthy either. The rest of the uniquely measured statistics of her abilities? She doesn't pay them any attention—but it's not like she can understand those specific numbers and what they may imply anyway.

And so she relaxes. But there's still unrest—students are already working their gears up for the next chapter: the Annual Games. Some students are fortunate enough to consider the openings and offers given to them via the trials, but everyone else also sees the annual school competition as an even greater equal opportunity for them to perform publicly, and get recognised.

It's an annual competition within Arcane Academy, with students competing with each other with their abilities through various games—only, it's broadcasted live and across the City of Leatia.

Which means being featured in the games will earn outstanding students publicity; and in a City revolving around power, it's their chance to show the world what they're made of.

The Annual Games is still going to happen despite all that's happened. This is part of the deal Arcana made with the authorities: to hold Arcane Academy's Annual Games whilst pulling away the City's attention from the recent tragedy of Andromeda, allowing the authorities to continue their investigation without public unrest.

One episode after another. Ever since Lena stepped foot in the City of Leatia and was made a student of Arcane Academy, she's been like a character in a fantasy world. Except this is indeed reality—and a world created by her nonetheless.

At the very least, it's still true that Lena can take it easy now that the academy is free from watchful eyes. Her shoulders feel considerably lighter with each step she takes in the academy since the departure of the government representatives. The Annual Games, on the other hand...

"Is completely voluntary," Neesha explains as the two girls walk the length of the ancient hallway, under stone arches.

"But?" Lena prompts, sensing something there.

"But," Neesha continues, "Most of the students are eager to participate anyway."

"To fight among the best. Free duels and games—what better way to do it than this competition where these are legally allowed?"

Neesha flashes her a grin. "Exactly."

Perhaps this annual competition of Arcane Academy can keep Lena's own mind away from what happened in Andromeda, too. She needs this refresher herself—especially if she can't talk to anyone about it.

The only person who has openly prompted her to talk about this—who equally shared an experience in Andromeda Sector, only on different battlefields—is Caelus, but he is still not talking to her since the trials. And immediately after the departure of the authorities, he's simply gone from classes just as before.