Tavaline Academy Vol.1; The Uprising of a Heroine

I

Here she was now, a dark cloak around her shoulders to appear as unnoticeable as possible.

Ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred ninety nine (99,999) students stood alongside her, dawdling in groups at a clear, green courtyard.

The students were all 15, young and not quite fully developed. Most wore armor, whether it was just for show or protection Kora didn't know. In fact, she spotted one or two wearing golden sets of armor.

Ignoring the gaudy sets of armor she stood silent, mostly at the back since she didn't need to garner attention. A hood sat atop her pretty little head, hiding her eye catching strawberry-blonde hair, though Kora doubted she would be noticed since so many shiny colors from the armor were much more eye catching.

But still, she heeded her brothers caution. She didn't want to be targeted right from the start.

It was against test partakers code to tell other people what had happened in the test, since they had signed a magically bound contract that stopped them from uttering a word of anything that had happened, but both of her brothers spoke the same words of caution: preserve your magic.

The words repeatedly echoed in the back of her head, her face hidden from sight as she kept her head down and ignored anything that seemed like trouble. The long sleeves of her cloak concealed her black, fitted armor. The armor was specifically drafted by her brother, Zeke.

Luca helped here and there, modifying some of the details and pointing out things that would do more harm than good.

It was charmed to be as light as feathers, almost like silky, weightless fabric, but it's protection was high-class, and the color made sure it didn't attract much attention. Despite it seeming so simple it was beautiful, in a way.

But anyone with a sharp eye could tell that the alloy used to smith the armor was nothing ordinary. It was tough, and Kora had yet to try out its capabilities fully.

While Kora was skilled at the whip, she was also skilled with many other weapons, mainly the bow and the sword. She knew for a fact that the whip was seen as more of a torture device than a weapon, but refused to stop using it as it was something she had grown attached to. In exchange for allowing Kora to use the whip as one of her main weapons, her parents made her study different weapons as well, to ensure that she wasn't only well-versed in the handling of a whip.

The test had yet to begin.

Many had grown antsy, checking phones and watches for the time. Kora knew better than to check the time. She found it comical for students in full armor to be holding smart phones and watches. It was like they were some sort of time traveler.

Patience was a virtue, and let me tell you, Kora had spent so many years waiting. What more was a few more minutes?

Minutes passed and some were beginning to become agitated. The smarter ones chose to stay quiet.

Some dropped to their feet, squatting down or otherwise sitting on the grassy ground.

Kora remained standing.

Minutes passed tensely.

Some were beginning to talk to each other, asking each other what to expect and if anyone knew someone who had already taken the test. Kora retreated farther back, avoiding people's glances and deciding to continue being ignored.

Suddenly the ground rumbled. The ground began to tremble, and it's shaking only began to intensify.

Kora stood still, eyes narrowed at the front.

The ground broke from beneath a hundred students. Some were able to get away, but most were caught off guard and fell into the rubble.

A figure appeared from the rubble. He levitated above them all, watching them with sharp eyes.