Arcane Academia

Chapter 16

DING!
I open my eyes, sleep slowly creeping off me.
Where the hell am I?
A room in the academy, but not my dorm.
"F***" I say. Last night's events slamming my mind.
"Uuuuuugh," I say rubbing my face. I look at the clock.
Its 8.30, practice starts at 7.
"F***"
----

Washing my face I race out of my strange, new sanctuary and open the door. I'm in the new training unit.
They did make new rooms for the Prince's elite squad, I'd just never used mine.
There's no one outside. Wierd.
My stomach rumbles. I'm STARVING.
I look at the time, I have half an hour till breakfast ends.
F***. I dig my heels and race to the cafeteria. Hunger fuelling my adrenaline.
---
"Where the hell have you been?? " Fiore asks staring at me. I drop my tray on the table. Today was oatmeal and watermelon slices.
I scoop my oatmeal and start devouring.
"We hadn't seen you since break fast," Lyra says waving her watermelon slice.
"Got preoccupied, " I say.
"We thought abducted, it was Ethane that reassured us just now that your still alive," Fiore says.
"Guys I'm fine now," I say in between scoops," I'd just-"
"Needed the attention," Ethane says suddenly appearing behind me.
"WHERE'S Zandar? I thought we had training?" I ask not quite looking him the eye.
"She had a meeting to go to," he says," trainings rescheduled. "
"Charming " I ask.
"Finish up, she'll be back soon," he says and with that walks off.
I turn and find my friends glaring at me.
Yeah not today.

"Later girlfriends, " I say getting up with my watermelon.
"Girl what's going on with you?" Lyra asks exasperated.
"Good question," I say waving with my watermelon.
Outside I lean on my palms on the buildings balcony and sigh.
This is all so exhausting.

But I've got work to do.
Upon entering the facility I stop in my tracks.
The Prince and Princess stand inside talking to Zandar.
"Reia," Prince Kian says nodding at me.
"Cousin," I say.
"We're here to observe your aiming skills, we need to move fast with this squad," the prince says.
"Well-," I say as Ethane comes up to me and drags me out by my arm.
"Give us a moment, " he says.
In the hallway he says," listen you're ready just find your space, go somewhere calm. The strongest weapon's not the Arcane, it's your mind. Stay true to your aim."
For a second we stare, his words sinking in.  
Taking a deep breath I nod and enter the training room.
As Zandar opens the glass door I step in as the red target's lifted. I stare at it and for a second my palms sweat.
Yesterday's frustration growing fast in my head, pumping my heart.

Deep breath Rei, all in your head.
And when it comes to your head, your always in charge.

Raising my hands I twist my palms, my eyes starting to purple.
Suddenly knowing exactly what to do I spin before launching my purple ball of flame spinning at the target and watching it crumble into charred ashes.
I smirk.
I look at my audience and take a bow.
"Next ," I say.

Aiming Arcane is one of the few harder tricks. And I just completed it.
I walk out of the room as Ethane raises his arm and we high five.
Princess Kiana says," impressive, now we just need to build the squad."
---
After training I make my way to the Armory with Ethane. I've finally got back permission to equip my sword again.
Ethane pulls out the drawer and holds up my sword. Vipress.
I take it spin it in my palm. It was banned after my little incident in the maze. Till today.
"Gorgeous, " I say turning to the mirror," like its owner."

"About last night..." I start," thanks."
"Although it is more of a blessing for you, I make a  gorgeous damsel in distress," I say flexing my sword before the mirror.
"You, are no damsel in distress, " he says leaning against the shelves.
" I know ," I say sitting on the window.

" Thank God, you were quite heavy-"
" Don't ruin it" I say shoving my sword in its sheath.

"Anyway, hows the recruitment going to happen?"

"About that," he says joining me by the window," meeting in 5mins." With that he turns around and jumps out the window.
This is fun.
I join him. My Arcane just exits my hand, fueling through my palms.
We slide down the wall.

"Surprise the wall didn't crash," he says as we make our way to the meeting.
"By that ego?" I ask strengthening my hair, the tower really throws one off.
He laughs. I can't help smile. There's something so rejuvenating in these powers.
---

We enter a stone room with its few hints of modernity. I lean on the gray wall and observe the room. The prince and princess stand before a table of sheets of paper. And-
"Who's the guest? " I ask looking at a boy no older than me.
"Nathaniel love," he says with an accent giving me his hand.
"Parents cupid?" I ask shaking it.
He laughs ," it's a linguistic choice. Love."
"Charmed, " I say.
"Now that you're aldready acquainted, " Prince Kian says as we gather round the table," this is Nathaniel Williams, newest squad member, and one of my finest soldiers."
"Flatter me with honesty, " Nathaniel says.
"The rest of the squad, I want from the academy, " he says, " Ethane, I'll let you pick. I need them gathered in the training room by tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow," Ethane says before heading out the room.
After he exits it's just the twins, cupid boy and I.
"Reia, we're heading to the palace now, I need you to come with us," Prince Kian says.
"Why?"

" Your DNA results are out-"
I knew the answer before its rolls out of the Princess's mouth.
"They're positive," they say in unison.
"Cousin," Kian adds.
I say my mantra of the day
"Fu**"
All of a sudden the walls look unsteady.

"I need to piss," I say walking out in a daze to the nearest loo.

I'm royalty. MotherF***ing royal by blood.