The morning above Waldkran was strange.
Too quiet.
The city floated like a dead whale in the sky, wrapped in clouds and vapors. The towers hummed with overabundant magic, the alchemical fumes stung the nose, and something seemed to be lurking within the walls of the Academy.
Kalen sat at a long table in the common room, picking at his porridge. His eyes were bleary, and his hands were slightly trembling. He hadn't slept much after his nighttime training session.
To the right, a couple of chairs over, someone was snoring into their plate. To the left, Rheine.
Calm. As always. Her red hair was slightly damp, as if she had just taken a shower.
She ate in silence. From time to time she looked up and then looked down again.
Kalen didn't ask questions. He already knew that Raina noticed everything. Even when she was silent.
He raised the spoon to his mouth, and at that moment, the crystals on the walls lit up.
Pam.
They flashed orange-red, and a sharp hum echoed through the ceiling. A ringing voice, amplified by magic, echoed over the tables:
— First-year students.
The Olympics will start in a week.
The hall became quiet.
Someone stopped chewing. Someone dropped their cup.
— Wildkrahn will be the venue.
Nine faculties, thirty teams. Mixed rosters.
Your course is accepted.
Kallen put his hand to his chin. He snapped his fingers.
"Well, fuck it.
Reina turned slightly, but didn't say anything.
The voice continued:
— Teams will be formed in the coming days.
Sparring sessions are mandatory.
The training is intensive.
This is a test.
This is a chance.
Pam.
The lights went out. The hum disappeared.
There was more noise and excitement in the room. Someone stood up. Someone started shouting about "destroying everyone."
Kalen just sighed.
"Great. So there's going to be a week of pain."
Raina finally spoke.
— Are you participating?"
He turned to her.
— Do I have a choice?"
"Yes, there is. But you're going anyway. You look like a dog that's been promised meat."
He chuckled.
"It's not meat. It's a fucking trap. But I'm going in anyway."
Reyna returned to her plate.
***
The next day
Kalen stood in the training arena, surrounded by thick smoke that slowly swirled around the perimeter of the circle.
Sparring. One-on-one.
Against him was an elf from another house. Tall, with a slight green tint to his hair. His magic was Wind. Fast. Sneaky. He flew like a mosquito, stinging with spells from a distance.
Kallen stood with his sword drawn. No armor. Just him and his shadow.
"Let's go!" the instructor shouted.
The wind spell hit his chest, and Kalen was thrown across the arena.
Spit. Leap. Sword up.
And another blow.
"Come on, damn it..."
It's not about strength. It's about endurance.
He missed, endured, looked for a moment. When the wind became less, he hit the floor.
Ward emerged from the shadows.
A moment later, the elf was lying on the ground, breathing heavily with a broken rib.
The instructor didn't say a word. He just made a note.
***
Evening
"There's a team selection tomorrow," Reina said, sitting by the window.
Kalen lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
— I don't want to be in a team. I want to be on my own.
— That won't work. The teams are formed by the teachers.
He closed his eyes.
"I hope I don't get any idiots."
She looked at him. For a long time. In silence.
"I'll make sure you get some live ones."
He chuckled.
"I'll appreciate it."
***
The Academy was buzzing like a beehive.
Students were milling about in the hallways, some arguing, some whispering, and some openly proposing alliances.
The qualifying round will begin in three days. Team formation.
There will be ten teams. One will come out of each.
Those who pass will be eligible to compete in the Viktoriad from the Waldkrans Academy.
Right now, the distribution hall was compiling the initial lists.
Floating boards hung on the walls, where names and abilities floated in time with the footsteps.
Kallen stood at one of them, his hands behind his head.
I watched it.
"Lionheart."
He turned around.
Helmir Saen, the homeroom teacher, approached. As usual, he wore black gloves, and the magic of death flowed from him like a caustic vapor.
— Do you want to participate?
— Do I have a choice?"
"No. But you can choose who you go with."
Kalen glanced at the board.
Hundreds of names.
Humans. Elves. Demons. Even a troll, almost two and a half meters tall.
He chuckled.
"I don't care. But no screamers or those who vomit at the sight of blood."
Saen took out a marker.
Black.
"Then you're the captain of one of the teams."
- what?
"You're stronger than anyone we've seen in our first year. And you're not even fully developed yet."
He scribbled something on the blackboard.
Team #6: Kalen Lionheart (Captain)
"Pick up four.
And left.
An hour later
**€
"Why did you choose me?" Reina asked, standing by the pillar next to the board.
"I didn't choose you. You fit in."
"I'm the head of the class. I'm supposed to be."
"Yeah. And you're also a light-absorber. A soundless sphere where people go crazy. Do you think I'll refuse?"
"You're strange, Kalen. Usually, people are afraid when they hear about my magic."
He chuckled.
"I'm curious to see who breaks first. You or me."
She didn't answer.
Team #6:
Kalen Lionheart (Shadow)
Reina (Light Devourer)
??
??
??
That left three.
***
Evening
Kalen stood at the edge of the arena.
Ward emerged from the shadows at his feet.
A knight with a scarlet gaze, black armor, and a deep breath.
"We have to be ready. Anyone who comes will want to break us."
Kalen put his hand on the hilt.
"No one can break someone who is already broken."
Ward didn't respond. He only bowed in a gesture that resembled a nod.
And melted away.
***
Night. Room
Kalen was sitting on the windowsill. His gaze was fixed on the streets of Wildcrane.
People were like ants there.
Everyone was doing something, building, conjuring, dying.
And he was getting ready.