Academy of Elements: Earth

Chapter 29: Traditions & Terrain

I yawn, it's only 7:30, only 30 minutes into class, and as ice, in the coffee, I had saved from yesterday was merely water, I was tired.

"Would all Third Year students please report Arena Number 2." A voice calls from the P.A. system, their kiwi accent thicker than any I have heard here.

Everyone stands up from the room packing up and leaving Mr. Evermore with his hands on his hips, his brows raised. Swinging my backpack over my shoulder Aira and I head down a set of stone stairs cutting through a sitting area overlooking the hub, the tall tree leaves close enough to touch, birds singing merrily within the gold leaves. Entering into the industrial staircase we spiral down, our feet echoing off the metal. We come to a landing and exit through a door into the stands. Spotting Ella and Haley in the crowd we move over to them sitting down beside them.

John sits behind Ella, avoiding all contact with me, Nora sitting in front of me as the other members of the Gifted Six join our sides. Jessie also joins us, smiling at Nora, and then another boy, blond, short, but by the looks of it quite strong, sits beside John introducing himself as Reighnen.

Mrs. Aneltt and Mr. Coal walk into the arena.

"Quiet down." Belts Aneltt. "As of tradition which started 236 years ago, the annual Survival test will be taking place for all third years. For those of you who do not know, here at Herta Macer, all third years are sent to the south island where they must survive for three nights, and four days in a Mirror Realm of the Fiordlands, which is a large stretch of famous jungle. But because you will be inside a Mirror Realm, the already mysterious flora and fauna will also have magical species amongst them. You will be leaving later today and I would suggest you head to the library to familiarize yourselves with these species. Some are deadly, some are peaceful.

"You will be allowed to make teams of ten, each Element must be represented at least once. You will be dropped off with nothing, and all you will be wearing a supplied survival suit, whatever you deem necessary in a small backpack that will be supplied. The group of 10 will be given a guidebook and that is all. Of course, as a safety percussion, you will have a bracelet that tracks your movement and vital signs."

Everyone in the stands nods as the principal finishes. "Meet back here in your group of ten in five hours. We leave no later than 1:30 pm."

I smile at Nora.

"We have ten people her," Ella says standing up. Indeed we did. I scan over the group of ten. Ella, Nora, Brennen, Denen, Aira, Haley, John, Reignen, Jessie, and I made a pretty strong team. But despite the four other members that would be joining us today, a small ache filled me, wishing the other three spots besides the Gifted Six and Nora, were taken up by James, Sarah, and Elise.

But they were back in Canada, indulging in Herta Macer's traditions which consisted of a similar event of Five Day Capture the Flag. I wish I was there, I wish I could laugh and talk with Elise, and roll my eyes as Sarah and James kissed. I wished that I was home.

The large group of us head for the library on the top floor of the school, and as we go I divide our group into different topics to study. "Haley, you can learn a bit of everything since you are probably the most vital of us all. Reigning and Ella, I want you two to study different animals, Aira you can look at plants alongside them, and Brennen and Jessie you two can map out the area find us a place with a good water supply. Denen and John, I want you to go through weather and make a list of what everyone should pack; remember the bag we have is have that of a regular backpack. Nora, you and I will make some plans like our sleeping structure and manage over everything we need to do to survive comfortably."

They all nod and I smile, gasping for breath. Climbing into the empty hall, portraits of late magic users hanging on the walls we head towards the library, the large dark oak doors pushing open as we near. I had never been in here, only heard of the amazing view...