Hallor Chronicles

CHAPTER XXV. - AND THE GAMES BEGIN

I have no idea if I will be able to get enough sleep tonight, so I asked Reilly if we can go back to our room. We need to prepare clothes for the competition and sleeping early won't hurt either. She agreed and kept explaining her strategies for tomorrow on the way.

I was too busy trying to not loose focus of what's Reilly telling me, I haven't notice someone is waiting for us. A familiar person is pacing in front of the door and it startled me, but I managed to muffle the scream.

At first, we only saw his back, but the blue-shirt-white-pants outfit combined with short blond hair told us who it is. We both greet Professor Coldon and ask him what is going on. Naturally, I was a bit nervous, because I was expecting some troubles concerning me.

I can finally breathe when I hear that Professor Coldos is only here to inform me about Ms. Do'or requesting an urgent meeting. I was surprised she chose him specifically to be the messenger and that he actually agreed. Then he also wished me good luck for tomorrow. It struck both me and Reilly speechless, so we just stood in the hallway, watching Professor Coldos walk away.

Reilly: Could it be he is in love with you?

Me: That's not funny. Why would you even think that?

Reilly: Maybe because the always-strict professor is actually nice to you? He basically only tolerates everyone. You are probably the only one at the whole academy he might like, hell, even the whole world.

Smacking Reilly's shoulder, I tell her to better not start any weird rumors. I explain to her how I am close to Professor Coldos only because I can read Noion and I am useful to him, nothing else. Reilly smirks and keeps teasing me, since I apparently became too defensive. I only roll eyes and tell her return to our room without me. Reilly kept apologizing as I walked away, but I only waved my hand at her to brush it off.

The guardian opened the door as soon as I got close without needing to see any permission. I nod as a thanks like I always do, but take time with the crossing. Remembering the feeling of drowning inside the barrier, I don't really want to go through it again. I had no other problems as I crossed it lately, but I am still wary of it. The guardian doesn't move, keeps looking straight, but I can tell he is impatient with me. After taking a deep breath, I walk into the barrier and push my body to move fast. My vision turns back to normal and I finally exhale, thanking whatever gods there are, then go meet up with Ms. Do'or fast. I got to the office in no time, despite having to mavigate through waves of students flooding the hallways. Everyone is excited for tomorrow; meanwhile I am wishing it would be already over.

Her pixie cut is messier than usual; even her outfit looks a bit off. Ms. Do'or is standing near a window, worry spread all over her face. Needing to catch breath first, I take a few fast shallow one, then finally manage to greet Shannie and gain her attention. The furrowed brows loosen up and teary eyes brighten up as the worried expression turns into a smile, but I can tell Ms. Do'or has to force herself. After asking if there is something wrong, she seemed to relax a bit and explained how she just wanted to see if I doing okay.

Seeing her and talking with Ms. Do'or energized me a little, but the usual exhaustion caught up with me quickly and I started to yawn mid conversation. Ms. Do'or apologized for asking me come here when my health hasn't improved. Feeling guilty for making her think that, I apologize to her as well, saying she must be busy and I am distracting her. It became awkward suddenly, so I quickly changed the topic. I remembered the health improvement spell Aideen gave me, but getting the ingredients is a bit tricky. In hope to break this weird mood, I tell Ms. Do'or about it, saying I would like to try it out. She knows exactly which one it is and connects the dots about the preparations for it immediately, without me having to ask her directly. Ms. Do'or instantly offered to get everything I need. She even insisted on going to the shops right now. I didn't want to rush her, but if I can use the spell tonight and it works as well, it might help me survive tomorrow. I apologized again, this time for inconveniencing Ms. Do'or, but also thank her.