CHAPTER TWENTY TWO _ FINALLY READY
915 Words
The training arena echoed with the sound of crackling fire.
Olivia hurled another stream of flames at the practice target.
It exploded—but the flames continued spreading across the arena.
"Olivia!" Omar shouted.
She quickly tried to pull the fire back, but it only grew larger.
"I... I can't stop it!"
Omar charged forward, grabbing a heavy metal shield and smothering the flames before they reached the wooden barriers.
Silence.
Olivia lowered her head.
"I'm sorry..."
Omar picked up another practice target and set it upright.
"Again."
She looked at him in surprise.
"I almost burned the arena down."
"And?"
"I failed."
Omar folded his arms.
"So fail again."
She frowned.
"What?"
"No one masters their gift on the first try, Olivia."
He stepped beside her.
"The difference between the strongest people and everyone else..."
"...is that they don't quit after failing."
Olivia took a deep breath.
This time, she closed her eyes.
A small flame danced above her palm.
Steadier.
Calmer.
Omar smiled faintly.
"There you go."
"For the first time..."
"...you're controlling the fire."
Olivia looked at the tiny flame in amazement.
Maybe...
Just maybe...
She was getting stronger after all.
Olivia smiled as the tiny flame danced steadily above her palm.
"I did it..."
Omar nodded.
"You did."
The flame slowly faded as they sat on the edge of the training arena, exhausted.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Olivia broke the silence.
"Were you always this good?"
Omar chuckled.
"Not even close."
She looked at him, surprised.
"My father trained me from the day I could walk," he said. "Every mistake had a consequence. There wasn't much room to fail."
Olivia lowered her gaze.
"That sounds... lonely."
A faint smile crossed Omar's face.
"It was."
She hesitated before asking, "Is that why you always act so serious?"
He laughed softly.
"I didn't know I had a reputation."
"You do."
Another silence settled between them.
"You know," Olivia said, "everyone thinks you have the perfect life."
Omar looked toward the setting sun.
"They only see the crown."
"And what don't they see?"
"The weight of wearing it."
Olivia studied him for a moment.
"For what it's worth..."
"I don't think you're as unapproachable as everyone says."
Omar smiled—a genuine smile this time.
"And you're stronger than you believe."
For the first time, neither of them spoke as the Student Captain and the new girl.
They simply sat together...
Two people carrying burdens no one else could see.
Professor Kael stood alone in the training arena, his arms folded behind his back.
The heavy doors creaked open.
Omar entered first, followed by Olivia.
"You wanted to see me?" Kael asked.
Omar nodded.
"Olivia is ready."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Ready for what?"
"The Founder's Ball."
A faint scoff escaped the professor.
"You've made that decision already?"
"No," Omar replied calmly. "She has."
Kael's eyes shifted to Olivia.
"You believe you've mastered your abilities?"
Olivia swallowed.
"I believe I've learned to control them."
"Belief isn't evidence."
He stepped aside and pointed toward a single candle resting on a stone pedestal.
"Show me."
Olivia closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
A small flame flickered to life in her palm.
Unlike before, it didn't rage or spread wildly.
It moved gently, almost as if it were alive.
She slowly guided the flame toward the candle.
The wick caught fire.
Nothing else burned.
The candle remained untouched.
Kael watched silently.
"Again."
This time, Olivia stretched out her hand.
The tiny flame lifted from the candle and floated into the air, circling the room like a glowing firefly.
With a gentle wave of her fingers, it returned to her palm before disappearing completely.
Silence filled the arena.
Professor Kael walked to the candle and examined it closely.
Not a single burn mark.
Not a drop of melted wax.
He looked back at Olivia.
For the first time...
He smiled.
A small, almost imperceptible smile.
"Control."
He nodded slowly.
"At last."
Olivia couldn't hide her excitement.
"So..."
"Does that mean—?"
Kael interrupted with a sigh.
"A deal is a deal."
"You've earned it."
A smile spread across Olivia's face.
"You may attend the Founder's Ball."
She beamed with joy.
"Thank you, Professor!"
As she hurried out of the arena, unable to contain her excitement, Omar lingered behind.
Professor Kael watched the door close before turning to him.
"She's ready to attend the Ball..."
His expression darkened.
"...but I'm still not convinced she's ready for what awaits her there."
Omar's smile faded.
Neither of them spoke again.
They both knew...
The Ball was never going to be just a celebration.
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