Chapter 14
862 Words
“These are the primary archetypes of the four elements.” continued the professor. “ We will study each in greater detail later. This is your introductory theory. You will need this knowledge to apply it properly in practice.
“There are three main ways to use magic.
“First, by manifesting the element physically beside you and working with it.
“Second, by visiting the element’s place of power and drawing magic from it.
“Third, by summoning the element through rituals and potions — which requires extensive knowledge.
“It is easiest to manifest the element beside you, and this is what you will practice during your practical lessons.
“Now for your assignment:
Prepare an essay about the Element of the Great House you belong to. Highlight both the strengths and weaknesses associated with your archetype.
“Thank you for your attention. See you next week.”
Students began shuffling out with loud chatter. I waited until everyone was gone. I wasn’t in the mood for another pathetic comment thrown my way.
Only Lida and I remained in the lecture hall.
“Hey… how are you? How do you feel after yesterday?” she asked gently.
“Hi. Thank you, I’m fine. That’s sweet of you to ask,” I replied with gratitude.
“You know… you should lie low for a while. I mean it. You don’t want to cross paths with Eleanor right now. Otherwise what happened yesterday will seem like nothing. Last year she pushed a girl to suicide. They buried the story, but my cousin told me the bullying was unbearable.”
“Why didn’t anyone help her? Why didn’t anyone stand up for her?”
“Eleanor is the Supreme Dragon’s daughter. No one dared to argue with her. Still… I agree with you, someone should’ve stopped her.”
“Don’t worry, Lida. I’ll manage. And thank you for the warning. You should also keep your distance from me so those hyenas don’t switch their attention to you.”
“I’m glad you understand that yourself… and even suggested it. You know, if I had been in your place yesterday, I wouldn’t have survived it.”
“Don’t overthink it. They’re just bored, stupid, spoiled kids. People with no opinions of their own, blindly following their queen bee, can’t really hurt me. Honestly, I even pity them.”
“Don’t say that. Even the trees have ears here,” Lida whispered, glancing around.
“Shame those ears listen but don’t hear,” I muttered.
Funny… I once did a whole psychology course paper on bullying. And now, in a parallel world, I had the questionable privilege of becoming its “victim.”
“In any case, thank you for the warning,” I told her kindly. “Being warned is being armed.”
“What electives are you planning to sign up for?” she asked, trying to lighten the mood.
“What electives does the Academy offer?” I hoped there would be some kind of sports class. I needed to burn off the tension building in me since yesterday.
“Well… there’s music, art, public speaking club, book club, potion-making — though don’t go there. That’s Eleanor’s kingdom,” Lida said.
“That’s it?” I asked, disappointed.
“No. There are more… but they’re more for boys.”
“Like what?” I asked hopefully.
“Archery, martial arts, athletics.”
“Girls don’t go to those electives?” I asked.
“They do… but only to stare at the boys. And they have a really strict, no-nonsense coach. Even not all boys pass. If you don’t pass the entrance test, they won’t even admit you.”
“When is the test? Do you have the schedule?” I asked impatiently.
I couldn’t wait to shoot at a target — imagining Eleanor’s or Noah’s head right in the center.
Back in eighth grade, I’d taken archery. Once I mastered technique and could hit the target consistently, I switched sports. But right now, this was exactly what I needed. To feel the bowstring tighten under my fingers and send an arrow straight into the bull’s-eye.
“Yes, here you go. But remember — don’t draw attention to yourself,” Lida insisted.
“Yes, thank you, I got it,” I said.
Lida headed for the exit while I unfolded the elective schedule. Archery was today. The first-year selection started in about an hour.
“Perfect. That’s exactly what I need.”
“Ari, don’t draw unnecessary attention,” the dragon warned in my mind.
“Don’t worry, I won’t. Although I think I already have. After archery, I’ll go to the library to read up on what happened in the last hundred years while you were gone.”
“Thank you. I’ve always liked that about you — you never procrastinate,” Aria said.
“In my experience, ‘later’ doesn’t always come. So let’s handle this right away. I just need to blow off some steam first.”
“All right,” the dragon replied. “If you believe it’s necessary.”
“More than necessary, Aria,” I assured her.
- Writer
