Page 28 of Lucent Academy 2: Trinity Awakens
I started my essay on Vaerath's relationship to the Goddess Mithra, but I intended to finish it during the holidays when I had more time.
As the end of the first term at Lucent Academy approached, the first-years were all but humming with excitement and anticipation. I was looking forward to seeing my family again. I knew I wasn't alone in feeling like the last few days were dragging by too slowly. It had been a very strange and challenging few months. I was looking forward to the quiet predictability of Hartwick, to spending time in my own home with my own family, where I was just a normal person and where the expectations set on me had nothing to do with my strange new gifts.
There was still the last demonstration to get through, and when the day finally came, we entered the giant colosseum and took our places in the stands.
As before, Principal Lucius was there with the rest of the instructors, sitting in a row at one side of the arena, ready to judge our performances.
The stands were packed with students of all three years. Classes had finished up a week ago, and anyone who wantedto observe the last demonstrations of the term was welcome to do so. Amber and I had attended a few of the other students' demonstrations over the last few days. The second and third years had been impressive. Ever living up to the level of control that was expected later on was more than a little daunting.
As I looked nervously at the stands, there seemed to be more students gathered here than had been at any of the other demonstrations. I suspected it was because everyone wanted to see Cleopatra's show of skill.
My stomach was churning with nervousness. I was determined to give it my all this time, to not let fear stand in my way of performing the spell, but it wasn't easy to get out from underneath the shadow of my previous attempts when often nothing at all had happened.
As I looked out across the instructors sitting next to the podium with their mates, I was glad Crystalline was there. If anything happened with my fire magic, if I somehow lost control again, she'd be able to prevent it from turning into a catastrophe.
Deep breaths, Leah, I told myself,You've got this. But did I really?
I was saved from slipping into panic mode by the Principal walking up to the podium. It was then that I caught a glimpse of three strangers sitting on the right side of the podium. One of these strangers was an older gentleman with hawklike features wearing a scowl that made him stand out even more.
I leaned over to Amber. "Who is that?"
She looked and shrugged. "I don't know. I'm sure we'll find out soon enough." That was my cue to shut my mouth and listen to the Principal making his expected speech.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the very last of the last demonstrations for this term. As you know, the rule against clapping or cheering has been suspended for these demonstrations, as it was for the other classes' last demonstrations. If you see an impressive show of skill, feel free to give them an encouraging hand. They have worked hard to get this far. In that same spirit, I will ask you to refrain from making negative gestures if a student is overcome with nerves and fails to perform. It can happen to the best of us."
Now, he looked down at us, his students sitting in the very first row. "To my Apex Group class, I will say, remember to give your best. Your advancement to being trained in a higher level of magic next term is not dependent on this performance alone. You will find out next term if the instructors and I think you are ready to advance. Regardless of how you do today, you will have a well-deserved break. I'm sure you're all looking forward to the end-of term dance and after that, going home."
Cheering met this from the whole crowd. I was cheering right along with the rest of them.
When the students quieted down, Principal Lucius continued. "Now, we have a few special guests here today. Archbishop Pier Avalli Turin from the Order of Mithra, Archbishop Rosalind Kierneay from the Order of Asterius, and Archbishop Gladys deMontier from the Order of Elinle have come to give the students a special blessing from the three Gods who are held in such high regard in this school and in the Pacted Realms we share a special bond with. Over the years, we've had figures from different religious orders across the Empire before, but this is the first time Archbishop Turin has graced us with his presence."
The Principal turned and gave the strange man in the red-and-black robes a respectful bow of the head. The Archbishopreturned it, but his eyes remained cold. Either he was just a cold person by nature, or he didn't like our Principal much.
Principal Lucius turned back to us. "Please allow them each a moment of your attention to bestow the God's and Goddess's blessings onto you."
He went to take his seat just as the Archbishop of Elinle stood up. A plump and cheery woman, her voice washed over us, but my attention was soon drawn to the scowling man again. He stood up last and made his way toward the podium. He walked with a back that was ramrod straight, making me think of a sergeant in the military rather than a priest.
He regarded us with his cold, almost calculating gaze, and I felt a shiver down my spine. I seemed to be the only one who was suddenly feeling creeped out. All the other students seem to be captivated by the Archbishop's intimidating presence.
He started by giving a speech about the burden of power and what it meant to be gifted. He talked of the responsibility of being Manaborn. Since he himself clearly wasn't Manaborn, I wondered what gave him the right to advise us on how to deal with the responsibility of our power. Then I flushed guiltily, wondering why I was having thoughts that were so hostile about a man I had just met. The other students seemed to drink up his words. I was the only one who, after a while, grew bored with his assumptions and the arrogant way he delivered his message. By the time he held up his hands and closed his eyes, I was so grateful that it was nearly over, I closed my own, only to give thanks to the Goddess for finally bringing an end to the priest's speech.
When the Archbishop had taken his seat again, the Principal called Vivian Salvina down from the stands to take her placein the arena. She was the first to give her demonstration. She wasn't the best or most impressive student in our class, but she was reliably good, consistently meeting expectations. The applause in the stadium was well deserved. I liked Vivian. She was down-to-earth in a way that made me think we could be good friends if we got to know each other a bit better. Seeing as we'd been mentored by different instructors this term, we hadn't had as many interactions as I would have liked, even though we'd shared a dormitory. She had mostly been friends with Natalie and Kristin. I found myself hoping to get to know her better next term.
Amber, Oliver, student after student gave their demonstrations, and not a single one choked. Oliver gave the best demonstration of magical ability he had thus far, and it was clear he had studied and practiced very hard for this moment. Naja, his Lamia Princess, seemed equally impressed. She ended up kissing him so zealously that some people cheered and whistled, others clapped awkwardly, laughing while they blushed. I was one of the latter, but I was pleased for Oliver. He was blushing too when Naja finally released him, giving him a chance to come up for air. As before, the students were allowed to leave after their own demonstrations if they wished. Oliver didn't waste any time disappearing with Naja, and I didn't have to wonder why. I guessed he wanted a repeat of that kiss before the Princess disappeared back to her own realm.
I clapped for my friends, my own nervousness completely forgotten, as I was incredibly proud of them. The crowd was just as excited and pleased by the different demonstrations from the Apex Group. They cheered energetically, but only one student's performance drew a standing ovation from the spectators. Cleopatra Invicto, of course, performed her spell flawlessly. It was more controlled than the first time she had performed herHoly Light fusion magic. It was a thousand skillfully thrown darts rather than a singular sledgehammer.
The crowd cheered and cheered as if they were never going to stop. Had hers been the last demonstration, it would have ended the day's festivities on that highest of notes.
Unfortunately, there was only me left. I still needed to perform my own demonstration, and I realized I couldn't possibly compete. Not against Cleopatra and her flawless show of skill.
Who said you were competing against her in the first place?
I wondered at this as I walked quietly down to the middle of the arena. After a murmuring among the spectators, a hushed silence fell where it seemed I could hear every distinct beat of my own heart, where the whole stadium seemed to be holding its breath.
I summoned Vaerath, and he was just as beautifully dangerous as always. "Here we are again," he said as he stood in his human form. "You can do this, My Love. You just have to know you can."
Then he stood behind me, my Abyss Dragon, ready to give me all the strength and protection I needed.
