A Crumbling Society

Part 2-6

Day 3

The sun came through my window heating up the floor as it burned a little on my face as I rolled over. It must be time to get up, my torpor made me struggle to lift myself up and pull the covers off. Placing my feet on the floor I waited a second, still feeling too tired to stand. Stretching seemed to help a bit with waking up, a huge yawn came out and I started to get up to walk towards the dresser. I was putting my clothes on, bland shirt and some shorts with my boots and brushed my hair in place with my fingers. My shirt was a little loose on my athletic build, but this gave me room to move around, and it didn't look like it was going to fall off. A decent outfit for fighting students and seeing what happens in the field. There was a sound from the outside as the tournament had already begun, I slept a little later than I wanted but it was fine. Before I left the room, I spelled it to tell me if anyone comes to visit while I'm not here. Maybe it'll help tell me if anyone wants to snoop around. Empty halls and not a single person around to bother me as I headed to the great hall. Grabbing food, I realized this was the most I'd eaten since getting back into things and my life being in constant motion. The slow down feels okay but the images of everyone creeped back into my head and I had to put the food down. Coaching myself through my thoughts I made my way outside to the grounds to find a spot to do my own thing. The fields seemed like a good spot, so I headed there, a little quiet but still able to hear the noises in the distance. They were announcing pairs and some groups in turns. The arena was loud with cheering and the lantern above flickered in sequence for different rounds. A few hours here should help me out with what to do later and all I could do was draw a blank. If I could I'd blame ADHD, but I don't have it and figured thinking about later should be avoided.

I really did spend a few hours here, tuning out the announcing of what kinds of magic were being used. When intermission came, I could faintly see everyone crowd around the area with the concessions and attractions, it was on a different side. Pretty far, and I wondered if anyone could see me all the way over here. Tiny gusts of wind made their way through the air and the flags began flicking back and forth. The sun was still high up and not a cloud in sight, at least from what I could see. There was a pop and the Highmistress appeared standing a little way in front of me. Startling me a little but not too surprised since she has a knack for showing up like this.

"Are you prepared?", she asked raising one brow in curiosity.

"um", I began, "not exactly", squinting my eyes

"Good", she said while taking a few steps towards me, meeting me at my right side. "You've got one hour now, you'll do fine"

"How do you know that?", I started asking but before I finished, she popped away.

That was briefer than expected, but everyone keeps saying I'll do fine. I'm more concerned for the students than myself. Maybe it's time to head back, it'll take me a bit anyway since I was at a good distance. Leaving my spot, I made my way down the hill and up to the right. Before too long I headed into the tent instead of the arena but went to the left where the students had been going. A staff member ushered me to the side pointing down a short hallway. Here I met a few faculty members corralled with their two students of high marks, ignoring all of them as I made my way through. Nothing personal against them I was more dazed as to how all this was supposed to happen since it never has before. A woman with purple trim told me to wait on a designated spot and said I would know when it was my turn. I figured she meant when I'd go up in the arena to join the students. Several minutes later they began taking turns to appear before the crowd, showing them off and giving praises before they fight me. These were the top performers of each school out of six hundred kids. Two Inchencrest students were last to join the others as they materialized away, and the crowd cheered at them from outside. Their Highmaster shook their hands and then hugged them he was so proud. I'd be proud too if my fifth years took out two levels of upperclassmen. There was a watch panel playing all of this live, which now I realized was going to give me my que to appear. Several minutes went by and they announced me to the crowd and took the signal. I materialized myself in front of everyone, it got louder than before, howling and whistling, rampant celebrating all over.