A World Between Realms

Curiousity kills a cat

The morning light filtered softly through the curtains of Sophie's room, casting gentle patterns across her bed. She awoke feeling refreshed, though the thought of another day of assessments at the academy filled her with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. After preparing for the day, she reviewed the notes she had taken the previous evening, mentally rehearsing the strategies she learned.

Sophie made her way to the assessment center, the quiet hum of the academy's early hours accompanying her thoughts. As she approached the designated area, she saw Magdalene waiting for her, alongside Master Toren, an older gentleman known for his expertise in emotional resilience and strategic thinking.

"Good morrow, Sophie," Magdalene greeted her warmly. "Today's assessment shall differ greatly from the physical trials of yesterday. Thou shalt engage in a special task with Master Toren."

Master Toren extended a firm handshake. "Today, we shall play a game of Hnefatafl," he said, setting the ancient board game upon the table. "Your goal is to navigate and strategize to achieve victory."

Sophie felt a mix of nostalgia and determination as she looked at the familiar game. Hnefatafl was something she often played with her late grandfather, who had taught her the nuances and strategies of the game.

Master Toren set up the board, arranging the pieces meticulously. Sophie watched, her mind already recalling the strategies and counterplays she had learned from her grandfather. The game began, and she moved her pieces with confidence.

At first, Master Toren played in a relaxed manner, not expecting much challenge. However, as the game progressed, he noticed Sophie's skillful maneuvers and began to take her more seriously. She countered his moves with precision and foresight, clearly understanding the deeper strategies of Hnefatafl.

Toren's casual demeanor shifted to one of intense focus as he realized that Sophie was not just proficient, but exceptionally good at the game. The room grew quiet, the only sounds being the clinking of pieces and the soft rustle of the board.

Finally, after a series of strategic plays, Sophie cornered Toren's king piece, securing her victory. She looked up, a mix of triumph and fond remembrance in her eyes.

Magdalene and Master Toren were visibly impressed and curious. "Sophie, thy performance was exceptional," Magdalene said. "Thou hast shown great skill and strategic depth in this ancient game. How is it that thou art so adept at Hnefatafl?"

Sophie smiled, recalling her grandfather with warmth. "My late grandfather taught me. We used to play it often back in New Mexico. It was quite funny, really. No one else knew how to play it—only my grandfather had the board. He cherished it, said it was a rare artifact."

Master Toren's eyes widened with interest. "In New Mexico, thou sayest? on earth? This board is quite unique, originally found only in Navaria. There are but few who possess it. Thy grandfather must have had an interesting history."

Sophie nodded. "Indeed, he was a man of many stories and secrets. This game was one of his most cherished traditions."

Master Toren leaned back, clearly intrigued. "I would very much like to know more about thy grandfather. He must have been a remarkable man to possess such a rare artifact and skill. Thy talent is a testament to his legacy."

Magdalene smiled. "Thy grandfather's spirit lives on through thee, Sophie. Thou hast impressed us greatly today."

Sophie thanked them, a deep sense of achievement washing over her. Then a thought flickered through her mind, "Oh my, if my results are this good, does that mean there might be more assessments?"

Magdalene seemed to catch the hint of concern in Sophie's demeanor and quickly reassured her, "Your formal assessments are complete, Sophie. There are no further tests required at this stage." She added with a smile, "You can relax for a while as we arrange the details of your level placement and the classes you will join."

Relief mixed with anticipation coursed through Sophie as she processed Magdalene's words.

After a short while, Lady Magdalene returned with Sophie's results. "Given that thou art a realm crosser who hath but recently arrived in Navaria, 'tis fitting that thou join the Level 1 students for classes on Navarian history and the essentials of our way of life," she explained. "However, given thy outstanding performance in the assessments, thou wilt also join the elite class tailored for leadership and military strategy."

Lady Magdalene gave Sophie a reassuring nod. "Now, I would advise thee to rest and prepare thyself for thy first day of academy classes tomorrow. It will be a day filled with new beginnings and opportunities to further thy learning and leadership skills."

As Sophie made her way back to the dormitory, a commotion among a group of students caught her attention. Drawn by her innate curiosity, she moved closer, only to find Pita at the center of the disturbance. The same students who had confronted Sophie aggressively about Ealdred were now harassing Pita, hurling accusations and taunts at her.

"You're a witch who doesn't belong in Navaria!" one of them shouted, their voice laced with disdain. "Go back to your non-existent realm. You have no place here!"

The harsh words and the scene of bullying unsettled Sophie deeply. Despite her previous interactions with Pita being somewhat distant and reserved, seeing anyone treated this way stirred a strong sense of injustice within her. Sophie knew she couldn't just walk away; she felt compelled to intervene.

Stepping forward, Sophie raised her voice, her tone firm yet calm. "Enough!" she exclaimed, drawing the attention of the bullies. "This is not how we treat anyone at this academy, regardless of their background or where they come from. Navaria is a place of learning and respect, not of baseless accusations and exclusion."

The group turned towards her, surprised by her intervention. Sophie stood her ground, meeting their hostile stares with a determined look. Her intervention caused a momentary pause in the harassment, giving Pita a chance to regain her composure.