"Everyone, finish up. Trials begin in ten minutes."
The voice echoed through the dining hall, followed by chairs scraping and students rushing out in waves. The excitement was thick in the air—some nervous, some cocky.
Seraphina followed Cam and Lucien out, their House Vale jackets slung over their shoulders as they walked briskly toward the changing halls beneath the coliseum.
"You'll do fine," Cam said, flashing a grin. "Just don't puke on anyone."
Lucien glanced at her briefly, unreadable. Then turned away without a word.
Inside the changing room, the tension was thick. Girls adjusted their gloves and tied up their hair, muttering last-minute stretches and strategy. Seraphina sat quietly on the bench, heart pounding. She didn't know what exactly to expect—only that it was one-on-one combat, and the entire school would be watching.
She stepped into the arena when her name was called.
The stands were full—students from every house, gathered to watch the newest batch prove themselves.
Her opponent stepped forward. A boy from House Ignis, taller, broader, with a smirk that made her skin crawl.
"You sure you belong here, pretty thing?" he said. "Thought House Vale took warriors, not dolls."
Laughter rippled from the crowd.
Seraphina tightened her jaw.
"Begin."
He rushed her, fist aimed straight for her jaw. She moved—barely—but it was enough. She stumbled, caught her balance, tried to swing back, but it was sloppy. He grabbed her arm and shoved her down hard.
Embarrassed heat rose in her cheeks.
The crowd jeered.
She got up.
He came again—this time, she ducked. Something clicked. She didn't think. Her leg swept under his, knocking him off balance. She slammed her elbow into his side. He grunted, surprised.
She moved faster now. Her body remembered what her mind didn't.
Two clean hits.
Then three.
A perfect dodge.
He came again—wild, angry. She sidestepped and slammed her fist into his jaw. He hit the ground hard and didn't get up immediately.
Silence.
Then cheering.
From her own house.
From the others.
Cam jumped up from the House Vale bench. Lucien leaned forward, eyes narrowed like he was seeing her for the first time.
The referee lifted a hand.
"Winner: Seraphina Vale."
She stood there, breathing hard, sweat clinging to her skin, not even sure what she just did.
She didn't train for this.
Not here.
Not anywhere she remembered.
But her body knew. Somehow.
She walked back to the waiting area slowly, heartbeat loud in her ears.
Cam caught her by the shoulders. "Where the hell did that come from?"
"I... I don't know."
Lucien stood a few feet away, watching her in silence.
Somewhere high above, names were being shifted on the glowing rank boards. Her name rose four slots.
And just like that, Seraphina was no longer invisible.
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