The First Syldine

19 - Grand Selection

We were lucky enough to spend the night without any trouble. Prince Rage kept us warm with his flames all throughout the night while we have never had an encounter with Draksias.

They made sure Mother will die. They were so confident that they didn’t bother to check her body even if she didn’t turn into ashes in front of them.

Making our way back to Erutainee early in the morning, the sun isn’t even rising yet. Prince Rage said I should stay in his room, as he will take this opportunity to tell me everything he knows.

He made me a roselion tea, which is said to be good in making someone calm.

“Thank you Prince Rage.” I said as he handed me my cup.

“Drop the prince, will you?” I shyly nodded as a response.

He sat on the other couch and took a deep breath before starting in talking.

“My father, King Agni found the book you got from the palace in the library of Erutainee. Our parents were all freshmen that time. He showed it to your father, King Anvindr and laughed themselves out, saying it is just a childish book but wondering why the academy is keeping it. Years passed and Wynmisia, your auntie made her way into the academy and was overwhelmed with your father’s achievements. Father said she badly wanted to surpass your father but she never succeeded. Not in any annual games or by the survival system. Your father will always let go off Wynmisia every time she will make a reason for their encounter. When both of our fathers fell for someone outside of their respective races, they consulted each other, and said that feelings are more important than thrones, titles, status, wealth, power. And so they continue their forbidden love, until our mothers, Queen Sequoia and first princess Talise gave births to us secretly. But I was exposed to the royal family of my father and mother, and the condition to keep me alive is for father to leave mother in Terranova. That both of them will be marrying their respective partners that were arranged to a marriage to them ever since they were children. Father gave up resisting, as he can’t handle to see me get executed and so is my mother. While you, you were used by Wynmisia, and with King Anvindr’s death, father lost his contacts to your mother.” Prince, I mean Rage said.

I lost count in how many times I have cursed inside my mind every time he mentions Wynmisia’s name.

She will pay, I will make sure that will happen.

“Can you enlighten me with this prophecy?” I asked him and he nodded.

“The book you have, that’s what my father found back in the days. And when he learned that I am a Gnomander, he had this hint that what he read was true. His guts were right as he suspected King Anvindr to have the Syldine with Princess Talise. All he read was that when the Gnomander and Syldine are born, they will end the darkness and curses in Retheale. That what was written the book. He believed in the prophecy, he kept me safe and said I should look for the Syldine, as the rumors about Draksias getting stronger has started spreading over the past five years.” he told me.

I guess Mother didn’t want to risk my life for some written prophecy that she never mentioned it to me. But I am in puzzlement, defeating the Draksias? Breaking curses in Retheale? Does that include the curse of Undines?

“Speaking of curses, aren’t you cursed? You’re an Undine.” Rage asked as if he knew what’s going in my mind.

I played with my hair and muttered yes in a low voice.

“Let me help you out then.” he responded.

I looked at him as he walked towards me. My body froze when he knelt in front of me and leaned closer.

“This is the only way I know on how to lift the curse on you.” he whispered and claimed my lips, giving me this sweet, slow kiss.

Closing my eyes in response, I felt my body being light, like it is about to float in the air, a little pain around my Undine’s mark.

“Look.” Rage said and I opened my eyes.

He’s already standing, pointing on my thigh and I saw some black aura coming out of my skin, my birthmark perhaps.

“Did you just cured me?” I asked him.

“I think so?” he answered laughing.

“But only true love is the answer for it!” I complained as my head is starting to ache with confusion.

“But you already had my heart, after you defeated Pele that day, you had it already. And I guess you fell for me to.” he teased me with a wink!

“I----“ I want to deny it but it is very evident, just by how the kiss lifted the curse.

“I thought it needed some sort of rituals before breaking?” I asked.

“Maybe this is your perk as a half Undine?” I nodded in his answer because it makes sense.

But still! It is not fair! For him to steal my first kiss like that! I wasn’t ready! I wanted my first to be memorable!

“Are you complaining inside your head? We can do it again if you’re not satisfied.” he said and with embarrassment, I walked out of his room.

“Mother, did you see that?! I broke the curse!” I started talking to myself as I head to my dorm room.

“Father, this is weird, the very first time I’ll talk to you, but are you sure you want me to work with that arrogant guy?” I sighed as I remembered how loving my father seemed from my dream.

I lost both of my parents, but dwelling in that pain will only make victory slip off my hands. In order to give justice for them, to the other fairies who died in the hands of the Draksias, of Wynmisia, I must stand as the Syldine.

Grieving can wait I guess, my parents won’t be probably mad if I’ll focus and devote myself in training starting today.

Reaching my room, I saw Aellah, waking up so early, looking like she’s preparing for something big.

“You’re back Naia!” she hugged me and I hugged her back.

“What happened on your task?” I asked her.

“We don’t have enough time, I’ll tell you things after the selection today!” she said hastily.

What’s happening. Selection?

“Go! Hurry and take a bath. The headmasters will be choosing the contestant for the Gran Erutain Games today!” she answered with her loud, nervous voice.

Without knowing how minutes it took me to get changed, I quickly ran to the Open Field, where the event today will be held.

The number of students around the area made me realize what I will be facing today. I can’t back out, I shouldn’t turn back.

“Naia!” I heard Zephyr’s voice and saw him few steps away from me.

“Glad you made it back today.” he said to me.

“I’m starting to get nervous.” I said to him.

“Don’t worry, the selection is not that hard.” he answered.

“It is usually just a test of your power level and mana flow.” Prince Mason, popping out of nowhere answered.

His presence made me shake a little, I guess I am a less nervous now, thanks to him and his jolliness.

“Where’s Prince Rage?” I asked them.

“Still sleeping, but don’t worry, he will make it on time.” Prince Aquon said.

“Naia!” I heard Princess Nepturime calling me.

With her are Princess Vestile and Princess Cerine, and a Salamander, who I am guessing to be Princess Ventire.

Her aura is scarier than Pele Alva’s and her face is fiercer than hers.

I waved back at them and walked towards their way.

“Good morning Erutainees!” I stopped tkang steps as I heard Headmaster Luxen’s voice.

Erutainees cheered on top of their lungs, some even made fireworks with their powers and filled the sky with colors.

“Are you ready for the Grand Selection?” she asked and the crowd has gotten wilder.

I saw Pele and her group making their way down the Open Field, and one her friends whispered to her before looking to my way.

She has that grin again, an annoying one.

You can’t scare me anymore Pele Alva. I have seen worst fairies than you. And I bet you would pee on your expensive dress if you were to face one of them.

“We have agreed on putting some twists in this year’s Grand Selection.” Headmaster Luxen continued.

What she said got numerous feedbacks from the students. Their voices won’t stop asking and making their own assumptions.

“Listen everyone!” with her aura, serious voice tone and serious look, everyone became silent.

“One more ruckus and I will snap flames on your heads.” she said.

“I was saying, the selection will still be looking at your power level and mana flow, but for this year, you won’t be facing any creature or your headmaster. Instead it will be an unbiased draw of opponents. And we will hand pick contestants for the annual games by looking at everyone’s performances!” once again the crowd became lively.

“Go Princess Pele! Crush the Sylph who came your way!” I heard one Gnome shouted. It was loud enough for everyone to hear it.

I stayed still on my stead, keeping my cool and trying not to let what I heard get into my system.

I will take down anyone whom I will be facing, even if it is Pele. I have already defeated and her, and even if she’s a Draksia now, I will give my all to win over her again.

“You will be beaten into pulp Naia Lysse.” I heard Pele’s voice behind me as her group walked pass my place.

Her threats are failing me to shake.

But after she distanced herself to me, still far enough to make me recognize her growing red aura, my eyes widened as it is now engulfed with black smoke.

A Draksia!

As I was about run before her, Rage blocked my way, shaking his head.

Did he hear what Pele said? Did he see what she did? Did he notice what kind of aura she has now?

“We can’t let Pele have it on her way. We need to keep the upper hand Naia.” He whispered to me.

I took a deep breath to retain my calmness.

“Sorry…” I answered him and he messed up my hair.

“I’ll be guiding you, I hope you will never fail to believe in yourself. When I said I lost hope in finding the Syldine, it was what I wanted myself to believe, so that my execution will happen. The guilt I am bearing because of being a half almost ate my wholeness. The thought of the Syldine existing and being alive made me held a grasp on everything. You saved me Naia, and I won’t let anything bad happen to you.” he said with his fierce looking face.

“Thank you.” I answered him and decided to go back to Aellah.

With my peripheral vision, I saw Zephyr looking at us. I waved at him and pointed Prince Rage who’s walking his way towards his friends.