The silence in the Grand Hall cracked like thin ice.
Then, whispers. Fragments of voices breaking from all corners of the room.
They bounced off the high walls, shimmering in the air.
"Did they say...all of us?"
"A full scale showcase?"
"There's no way I'm ready for that."
"What if it's a chance to make it into the Elite Class....?"
Unease spread through the hall. Students stiffened.
Others slumped, as the weight of it settled.
Fear for some.
Opportunity for others.
It was a hall full of contrasting expressions.
Fayl leaned toward Selle, voice light, undercutting the tension.
"Guess this means our nap schedule is over"
Selle didn't glance at him, eyes locked on the front of the room. "You never had a nap schedule."
"I had a dream of one. That counts."
Aelana was unmoving. Arms crossed. Back rooted like a tree. Her eyes burned forward, staring into a void.
Whilst the room buzzed.
Jacob stood near the front. Posture relaxed, arms loosely by his sides.
Unlike before, there wasn't a smile graced upon his lips.
Instead his eyes, they glimmered with calculation.
He seemed lost in thought.
Off to the side stood Kalen.
His hands, clenched into fists at his sides.
Shoulders locked. Gaze sharp.
He hadn't moved since the announcement was made.
He wasn't looking at the stage.
He was staring at Jacob...
The same Jacob who had always been praised. The same whose presence cast shadows on anyone who stood beside him.
GRIP!
Something turned in Kalen's stomach, bitter...and familiar.
'It's always him...'
huff-
He exhaled slowly, through his nose. It was the only release he allowed himself.
The faintest tremble run through his jaw.
Watching this all, was Veyna.
She didn't speak. Didn't call him out.
Her dark eyes lingered. Watching the way his fists clenched, the tension in his neck.
The unreadable pain he didn't bother to hide.
For once...he wasn't masking it.
A smirk ghosted her lips, though it didn't reach her eyes.
Other students didn't notice the tension coursing in the air. They were busy fantasising about delusions of grandeur.
"The second years are gonna be watching..."
"Forget that, what if the royals show up?"
"No way.."
Above the hum of voices.
The most important reactions remained silent.
Jacob turned his slightly.
He could feel the stare.
Turning just enough to acknowledge the glare; he didn't hold it.
Instead he blinked.
Calm.
Almost bored.
And looked away....
That single motion cut deeper than any insult.
"Silence"
Korreth stepped forward, silencing the chatter.
Pause
Everyone's focus shifted back to the front.
Before Vei Alros continued.
"Remember, the first event begins in three days."
"Campus terrain will be adjusted for the Showcase. Schedules will shift. Some facilities will close for reformation.
You are no longer students simply learning....you are all about to be seen."
The words echoed around the hall.
A faint buzz carrying along with it.
Next to her; Headmaster Sarn postured. "And remember, you are representing not only this academy....but the whole of Eldris".
"Dismissed"
He motioned to the other instructors.
With that, both he and Vei vanished.
FLASH!
Adding to overall surprise in the students mind.
The biggest being a showcase, not only for the academy...but the whole of Eldris.
They remained still for a second longer.
Then-
The dam broke.
Voices erupting, as they was ushered out of the hall.
Fear.
Hype.
Questions.
Eyes flickering mostly to the Elite Class.
Most eyes going to one person.
This was the real induction.
An induction into something bigger that they could only dream.
-------
Kalen was alone in training room.
It wasn't unexpected.
He'd always train.
Still time was different.
He stood still, fists clenched.
The memory of Jacob's glance burned in his mind.
Hotter than the lights beaming down from above.
No matter how hard he pushed, he felt stuck.
Like a blade dulled on purpose.
He was missing something.
"Kalen."
The silence of the room was broken.
The voice reached him from behind, disrupting his thoughts.
He didn't turn. That light, almost sing-song voice could only have been her.
"I figured I'd find you here" Veyna Aris said, stepping into view with a folded scroll and a lazy smile.
"Shouldn't you be preparing?" Kalen grumbled.
She chuckled softly. Her tone angelic. "I am", she said, tilting her head. "Just not in the way you think."
Her eyes ran along his body, lingering for a second too long.
"You train like you're chasing ghosts..."
He didn't respond. The silence between them stretched.
But then. She moved closer.
Just a step.
Not threatening, not warm.
Just... present.
"You know", she said, voice softer. "you don't have to fight alone. Especially not in front of the world."
-------
Darkness had settled upon the sky.
The dorm lights the only combatant against it.
A soft hum overhead.
Warmth. Cushioned seats spread in a ring.
A fire glyph in the centre, designed to mimic a real flame.
Around a circle, a few of the Elite sat.
Their dorms being gifted with a lounge area, further into the hallway.
A small group huddled around the air.
tap, tap, click.
The sound of a tapping pen was the only constant, apart from the flickering flame.
tap, tap, click.
Fayl, Selle, Naeva, Torin and Aelana all sat in that room, in a rhythmic silence.
The weight of the day, unfolding.
tap, tap, click
Fayl Vera, the culprit of the clicking pen, sat there. Uncharacteristically lost in thought.
tap, tap, click.
He was creating a rhythm.
The more it went on, the more heads watched him blankly.
tap, tap, cli-
Standing up from her seat, Aelana swayed to Fayla, yanking the pen out of his hands.
"You're going to make me light your eyebrows on fire," she said coolly.
There was a pause, as he raised his arms in a mock surprise. Almost like a mime.
"I didn't know I was bothering you guys", he voiced.
They just stared at him.
Torin Vale sat beside them, arms crossed, gaze on the ceiling.
"Three days," he finally said. "Anyone feel ready?"
"Depends what ready means", said Naeva from the window. Hair damp, her coat still worn."If it means ready to be seen, sure."
She took a pause.
"If it means ready to win..."
She didn't finish.
A small silence.
Aelana, now standing in the corner, stretched her arms above her head:
"You guys are thinking too hard. Just fight and look good doing it."
"Easy for a hot-head", Fayl muttered.
"What was that?" she asked, smirking.
Fayl shrugged, looking away.
"Nothing. I was just talking to Selle."
Selle, seated nearby, didn't look up from the book in her lap.
"Don't bring me into your ego war."