Chapter 24
839 Words
Dinner was served in the same place as breakfast. The buffet tables were overflowing with food. If I could have, I would’ve eaten everything myself. I chose baked fish and a vegetable salad. I had always loved seafood. I also took a few slices of whole-grain toast fried in butter.
Carrying my tray over to the drinks, I reached for some orange juice.
“Since when do you eat fish?” a familiar voice asked. It was Noah Aquaris.
“Since now. Is that a problem?” I shot back.
“Interesting. You used to feel sick even looking at any kind of sea creature, and now you’re taking a portion like that?” he noted.
“Maybe it wasn’t the seafood that made me sick. Maybe it was you. Ever thought of that?”
“Ari, what’s wrong with you? You’re… different,” he said.
“I’m different?” I scoffed. “Maybe. But nothing unusual. People change, remember?”
“Ari, you shouldn’t have come to the academy. This isn’t a place for you. And the way I acted… it was to make you understand that.”
“I understand. This isn’t a place for Noah Aquaris’s pathetic cousin. But here I am. So let’s just pretend we don’t know each other. It’ll be better for both of us. Enjoy your meal.”
I walked away without taking the orange juice.
What an asshole. He’d completely ruined my appetite. The academy isn’t a place for Ariel and so the poor girl ended her life. And that innocent death was on his conscience.
I sat at the same table as in the morning and spent a few minutes glaring at Aquaris. He was at the same table in the center of the terrace, only now their group of guys was joined by girls. Two of them were flirting with him at once, and he played along.
The sight or maybe the hunger made me slightly nauseous. I forced myself to eat. Slowly, I finished everything on my plate.
Leaving it empty behind, I quietly stood and left the terrace, just like I had in the morning.
The weather was beautiful. I walked through the park, enjoying the soft rays of the evening sun. I was exhausted. All I wanted was to go to sleep and wake up in my own world, wondering what a strange dream I’d had.
My feet carried me back to the dormitory. I went up to my room, lay down, and fell asleep.
I slept for maybe two hours, no more. But it was healing sleep. Rested and full, I opened my eyes. It was already dark outside.
I wondered if I should go to the party Ray Flaming had invited me to. I would definitely run into Eleonora and Aquaris there and that arrogant Edward, who would never miss a chance to ruin my mood.
On the other hand, Ray had offered me his amplifier. Something that could actually help me with magic.
But could I trust him? Nothing valuable comes for free.
“Aria,” I called softly, hoping to hear her. “Are you here?”
“Yes, Ari. I’m here.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll try not to skip meals anymore. I need you.”
“Try not to forget about it. If you don’t replenish your body’s energy, I will disappear.”
“I’m sorry,” I repeated. “Tell me about magical amplifiers. What are they? Do they really help?”
“Yes, Ari. They are specially charged amulets. Like magnets, they draw out fine threads of magical energy from within you and direct them into the proper flow.”
“What do they look like?”
“They can be anything, so long as they are properly charged. Usually pendants, rings, or jewelry people can wear at all times.”
“Got it. Thank you.”
I stood up and searched through all of Ariel’s belongings again, hoping to find at least one item that could be an enhancer. Nothing.
“Aria, how is it possible that Triton’s niece doesn’t have one?”
“It’s simple. She’s a half-blood. Her father had no magic. Amplifiers are passed through the father’s line.”
“Passed through the father? I thought they were given to all mage children in the cradle.”
“They are. But enhancers are rare. If there were many, everyone could use magic. Now their number is limited especially after the House of Air was destroyed.”
“How is that connected?”
“Only air magicians could accumulate energy and charge amulets.”
“So they’re extremely valuable,” I said quietly.
“Yes. Especially now.”
“What should I do?”
“What are you hesitating about?”
“The heir of the House of Fire saw me fail to manifest my element… and offered me his amplifier.”
“He what?” the dragon repeated sharply.
“He offered it to me. Honestly… what would you do in my place?”
- Writer
