A World Between Realms

A friend or a foe?

Sophie's greeting seemed to linger awkwardly in the air as she took in her new roommate. The girl, seated cross-legged on one of the beds, looked up from her book with an expression that mixed curiosity with a hint of reserve. Her dark hair framed a pale, almost porcelain-like face, lending her a striking, somewhat aloof appearance.

"Hello, Sophie," the girl responded, her voice calm yet distant. "I'm Phytia. You can call me Pita." Her introduction was succinct, lacking the warmth typically extended in such settings.

Sophie, trying to overcome her initial surprise and the slightly cold reception, moved further into the room, placing her belongings on the unoccupied bed. "Nice to meet you, Pita. I hope I'm not intruding too much."

Pita merely nodded, closing her book with a soft thud and setting it aside. "It's expected. Roommates come and go. Let's make the best of it."

As Sophie unpacked, she noted the room's balanced setup, with each side mirroring the other in layout and furnishings. Despite its spaciousness, Pita's side of the room was starkly personal—books meticulously arranged, a single dark-colored tapestry on the wall, and a curiously twisted plant on the windowsill, all contributing to her mysterious aura.

Attempting to initiate some light conversation, Sophie remarked, "This place has quite the old-world charm, doesn't it? With all the stone and these ancient-looking keys."

Pita offered a slight smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yes, it has its charms, though I prefer to keep to myself mostly. You'll get used to it."

Their conversation, if it could be called that, had the undercurrent of Pita's reserved and somewhat solitary nature. Sophie sensed that Pita was not particularly interested in making connections or friendships, which made her feel somewhat uneasy about the prospect of sharing a space with her.

As the evening unfolded, Sophie's attempts to engage Pita in conversation met with limited success. Each effort to initiate a chat was met with minimal interest as Pita maintained a polite yet distant demeanor. Just as Sophie was about to resign herself to a quiet evening, a bell chimed throughout the building, signaling dinner time.

At the sound of the bell, Pita looked up from her book and spoke, marking the first time she initiated conversation since Sophie's arrival. "That's the dinner bell. It means it's time for us to head to the dining hall. We, the residents of the fourth floor, dine with those on the third floor."

As they descended to the third floor dining hall, Pita maintained her usual reserved demeanor, guiding Sophie through the throngs of students with quiet efficiency. She didn't engage in conversations or greet others as they walked; her focus seemed solely on navigating through the bustling corridors.

Upon entering the large, warmly lit dining hall filled with long tables, the communal spirit of the academy was palpable, marked by lively conversations and laughter. Pita led Sophie to an available spot at one of the tables, pulling out a chair for herself and sitting down without much interaction with the others around.

Sophie scanned the room, taking in the faces of students who seemed eager to connect and share their day. It was then that she spotted Mia, her friend from the breakfast at Gardwyn Manor. Mia's bright smile and enthusiastic wave were a stark contrast to Pita's subdued presence.

"Hey, Sophie! Over here!" Mia called out, motioning her over. Surprised and delighted, Sophie excused herself from Pita's side and moved to join Mia, feeling a wave of relief wash over her at the sight of a familiar, friendly face.

Mia pulled Sophie into a quick hug. "I didn't know you were starting at the academy today, It's so great to see you here," Mia said cheerfully, her energy infectious.

Sophie glanced back at Pita, who was observing the exchange from a distance, her expression unreadable. "Yeah, it's a bit overwhelming, but I'm managing. Pita here has been showing me around," Sophie explained, gesturing towards where Pita sat quietly, seemingly detached from the bustling activity around her.

Mia looked over at Pita and nodded with a polite smile. "That's great to hear. Pita tends to keep to herself, and, honestly, most students find her a bit difficult to be around. But it's good you've got someone to show you the ropes."

Sophie joined Mia at her table, diving into a lively discussion with new faces, all while keeping an occasional eye on Pita. She noted Pita's isolation and wondered about the contrast in their approaches to academy life. Pita's solitary nature stood out even more starkly against the backdrop of the vibrant dining hall.

As dinner wrapped up, Sophie made her way back to Pita, feeling a complex blend of gratitude for her guidance and curiosity about her aloofness. "Thanks for waiting, Pita. Shall we head back?" Sophie asked, offering a friendly nod as they prepared to leave the dining hall together.

Pita simply nodded in response, leading the way back to their room in silence.

The next morning, Sophie awoke early, feeling a mix of nervous anticipation and determination. After a quick breakfast, she gathered her materials and headed towards the assessment center, the site of her continued evaluation. The walk there was quiet, giving her time to reflect on her conversation with Mia and her observations of Pita.

Upon arriving at the assessment center, Sophie found Magdalene waiting for her, this time accompanied by a tall, imposing man. The room was quiet, emphasizing the personal and serious nature of today's session, devoid of other students.

Magdalene greeted her with a warm smile and introduced her companion. "Sophie, this is Henry. He's one of our senior assessors here at the academy, specializing in physical and tactical assessments."

Henry extended a firm nod towards Sophie, his presence both calm and commanding. "Pleased to meet you, Sophie. We're ready to begin when you are. Today's session will be quite different from yesterday's; we're moving out to the field to cover various aspects of your physical and strategic skills."

Sophie, taken aback by the sudden shift, managed a nod. She had expected another day in the controlled environment of the simulation rooms.

"Today's assessment will test your endurance, agility, and tactical thinking in a more dynamic setting," Henry explained as they approached the academy's extensive training fields. To Sophie's surprise, the field resembled an arena, complete with spectator stands that were slowly filling with observers. The atmosphere was charged, more reminiscent of a sporting event than an academic test.