Magic was originally gifted to women for healing and protecting their families during the dark times while the men were away.
...Until a boy emerged, able to preform the arts. Resenting the women for refusing to teach him, he decided to steal the k...
"But before I share the details of this tournament, we must train first." Meyer began to stand up, clasping his hands behind his back. "Come, let us go to the training yard."
Romelle and Saiyah shared a muddled glance. They've used the training yard only a few times during their time at the academy, only if the gym was occupied. The area was mostly for the 19 year olds, who dedicated most of their time to training.
Saiyah furrowed her brows as a question arose in her mind. She raised her hand. It took a few moments for Meyer to see her, but he inclined his head, granting her permission to speak. "If the senior students are the most experienced magikers in the school, why are we the only five candidates?"
The professor's lips pulled upward. "I was wondering when someone would ask that. And the answer is that they've already been sent to the battlefield."
"The battlefield?" Mused Zadro. Saiyah flinched, almost forgetting he was there. She hadn't spoken to him since the night they talked near the lake. "Do you mean that we're already at war?"
"But the Green Wizard is only one person, why send the entire senior grade to—" Romelle was interrupted by Meyer.
"I see the headmaster hasn't yet filled you all in entirely," Meyer frowned. "No matter, I will explain everything after today's training.
The training yard was very large, and otherwise occupied. The level below the senior—18 year olds, were already sparring with one another. Two of them, Saiyah recognized. One had black spirals of hair that reached his jaw. The other had a pig–like nose and whiskers sprouting from his chin.
"Tashek! Zora!" West approached them, a wary smile on his lips. "It's been a while."
Sadly, the two did not reciprocate his warm welcome. "Well, if it ain't West the pest," Zora, with the pig-like nose, grimaced. Saiyah then recalled why they seemed familiar. They'd been West's friends before he'd been held back. But now the two looked down on him. The girl didn't know what they were so cocky about, West had more looks and personality than them both combined.
"Still summoning sparks, eh?" Tashek sneered. West's expression darkened as he stared at the ground. All Romelle and Saiyah had to do was give them the death stare and the guys padded away.
"Don't take what they say to heart," Romelle crooned, trying to be encouraging.
"They're not wrong," West sulked, dragging his teeth across his bottom lip—something he did when deep in thought.
They reunited with Meyer on the west side of the training yard. "You've already done some training in the past, correct?" Taking Vex's scoff as a no, Meyer frowned. "Shame. Go find an upperclassmen to spar with. They should show you the ropes."
Everyone scattered like moths to team up with an experienced magiker. A tall woman approached Saiyah. She had albino box braids that reached her waist and lively, spring green eyes with flecks of orange in them. "Wanna pair up?" She asked, a small dimple appeared on her right cheek as she smiled. Sensing no deception, Saiyah shyly nodded.
Finding a vacant spot to practice, Saiyah tried to start conversation again. "I'm Saiyah, by the way."
"Thiel," The woman answered, shaking the hand Saiyah offered. Thiel's hands were calloused, and uncharacteristically cold. "I'm a Zoochemist. And you?"
Saiyah furrowed her brows. "I'm a late bloomer. What's Zoochemy? Raiko hadn't taught us that."
Thiel grinned, "It's a branch of Azulchemy. You'll see." She then shifted into a fighting stance, her fists curled in front of her. Saiyah mirrored her movements, anticipating her attack. Abruptly, Thiel closed the distance between them, her foot flying towards the left side of Saiyah's head. But the girl used the back of her fist to block the attack. This didn't dissuade Thiel as her other foot took flight, slamming into Saiyah's shoulder.
She grunted, wrapping her fingers around Thiel's right ankle. But the woman's other foot remained in the air. Saiyah's opponent was defying gravity.
"How are you doing that?" She demanded. Then she heard a buzzing. Saiyah drew back, not noticing the bees that clipped onto Thiel's sleeves before. "Zoochemy, of course. The manipulation of animals."
"It's more like persuasion," Thiel corrected. "I'm not forcing them to do anything against their will."
"That was a disaster." Saiyah groaned, staring at herself in the mirror in distaste.
"You didn't know Thiel was Meyer's niece and a pretty powerful magiker." Romelle pointed out, patting her friend on the back for her valiant but vain effort.
"She beat my rear," Saiyah moaned. "And she even went easy on me." The two girls were on their way back from the restroom. Saiyah received a few bee stings and twice as many apologies from Thiel. She could feel her fingers—engulfed in bandages—throb painfully. Thiel had taught her a few things during their battle.
One, expect the unexpected. Two, use every part of your body as either a weapon or a shield toward your opponent. Three, don't enter the battlefield without a strategy. Four, don't be afraid to improvise said strategy. And five....get more flexible.
Unlike Romelle, who was a rubber band—Saiyah was a stiff skeleton. She'd never dance because she fumbled over her own feet. Twice.
As they returned to the classroom, a wave of despondency filled the atmosphere. Saiyah and Romelle turned their attention to the white board. They froze.
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