The silence was deafening.
Alina fought back tears as she looked upon the boy that was bruised and battered, his face hidden by a crimson mask of his own blood. The shock of what had transpired resonated around the circular arena, every eye fixed on the aftermath of a brutal, almost entirely one-sided fight.
The winner wore a grin that sent a shiver rushing down her spine. The remnants of his lightning magic crackled against the tips of his fingers until they eventually died into nothingness.
How could he smile after what he inflicted?
Several attendants rushed forward to create a protective barrier around the grievously wounded boy. From where Alina stood, she could see two mages kneeling on either side of him as they applied their healing magic.
Slowly, hushed chatter started; the disbelieving gasps and murmured words rising in volumes as the seconds ticked by. Time failed to stand still despite what had played out, uncaring of the severity of the events in its relentless forward march.
For the first time, Alina truly understood that she could get hurt this day.
Having lived a rather sheltered life, danger was not something she was accustomed to. She had not been in the same predicament as her cousins, both of whom had been forced into combative training from far too young an age. The punches, so to speak, were never pulled regardless of their status or tender age and she had witnessed first-hand the injuries left behind. Not only the physical ones but the emotional and mental wounds too.
She had been trained extensively to use her spatial magic, but the environment had always been safe. Now that she thought about it, perhaps she had been treated with kid gloves. There had been the odd accident, but pain was not something she was familiar with, and the knocking of her knees revealed how terrified she was at the prospect.
A faint sound began in her ears, much like waves crashing upon rocks. The noise rose sharply; Alina felt the blood drain from her complexion and the sensation of cold sweat broke out across her brow and slicked the palms of her hands. She tried to look around, but her gaze felt sluggish as if it was slowed down somehow.
When… when did I sit down?
She frowned at her shoes that appeared much closer to her face than should be right. Only then did she realise her back was pressed against a pillar, her arms hugging around her bent knees and a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Just breathe nice and slow, it'll be alright."
Alina wanted to lift her head to look at the source of the feminine voice, but her body was not reacting to her commands. A light shiver caused her to tremble gently. Closing her eyes, she gave in to the need to try and relax, a hard prospect given what was going on all around. She knew that the trials had resumed, could hear the faint scuffling noises along with surging mana that reached out to lash at he own.
Come on Lina, you are better than this! Pull yourself together, you wanted adventure. Well, danger goes hand in hand with it.
Slowly but surely, Alina found herself once more and regained her composure. Blowing out a breath she was finally able to lift her head to see the owner of the hand that had stayed as an anchoring presence throughout her faint spell.
Eyes of glittering green met her own, they crinkled at the edges as the girl smiled down. She was rather tall given she looked a similar age to Alina and her skin was a beautiful golden brown which gave the appearance of someone that adored the sun and it, in return, adored her.
The girl bent down and tipped her head to the side. Her short black hair was kinda scruffy, but it suited the mischievous appearance she had.
"Feeling better?" she asked.
Alina nodded, "much, thanks."
"For what? I didn't do anything, just made sure you didn't actually lose consciousness. I'm Sol, by the way, it's nice to meetcha!" she enthused, sounding rather energetic as she spoke.
"Alina, but please call me Lina."
Sol fell back to sit on her butt, rubbing her hands together in almost giddy excitement. Yet, Alina was still not over her own melancholy.
"Do you think that boy will be okay?" she asked quietly, lowering her gaze as she did not wish for the tears that were pooling to be seen.
"Hmm? Oh, you mean the unlucky opponent of crazy lightning boy. Yeah. Don't sweat it, he walked out under his own power. You didn't see because you were near fainting, but he's fine."
Her chest lost an element of its tightness, each inhale felt all that much easier to drag in as she realised that everything was indeed alright. She still wondered what would become of the 'crazy lightning boy', as Sol called him. Surely no Captain would want someone as ruthless and dangerous on their squad.
"You've not had your turn yet, is that right?" Sol continued, filling the silence that had fallen as Alina became lost in her own thoughts once more.
She shook her head in answer.
Snap out of it Lina, she is trying to converse with you. Do better!
"So, Lina, what squad you aiming for?"
Alina was glad that Sol was persistent, normal conversation was what she needed right now, and her gut feeling was that she quite liked this girl. Her smile was genuine, and her enthusiasm was certainly evident.
"I wouldn't say I was aiming for a specific squad. I'll just be happy to be offered a place," Alina answered, stopping short on mentioning her reluctance to join the Golden Dawn. Sol didn't need to be briefed on her family drama, certainly not this early into what she hoped might become a budding friendship.
"It's the Blue Roses for me, Captain Charlotte is so inspiring," the raven-haired girl said with a breathy sigh.
Alina stopped twisting her hair around her fingers, gaze snapping towards Sol's misty eyes. She smiled, thinking to herself that Charlotte was indeed a rather lovely woman, if not a little stiff at times. She paused for a moment to contemplate whether she should reveal that she was actually a distant relation to the Blue Roses Captain, on her mother's side. Her mouth opened, drawing breath but closing it again. To make this connection known, might invite more questions about her heritage and Alina did not wish to be friends with someone that only chose that option because of her status.
"Mhm."
It was almost time for Alina to take centre stage, and at least she felt able to stand on her own two feet once more. Perhaps it was a blessing to have been given that healthy dose of fear and caution, maybe it would make her judgements on the field all the quicker rather than toing and froing over her options.
"Well, I'll be rooting for ya!"
Sol clapped her hand upon Alina's shoulder, the impact was far heavier than she anticipated, had she not already been sitting then she certainly would have been at this point. Alina smiled and watched as the girl stood to drift out into the crowd.
Maybe making friends will be easier than I thought?
~.~
He felt foolish, and it rankled him more than expected. Magna had been too all consumed by anger at the lightning mage to notice what had happened behind him. The blast that had scattered him almost to the ground had been uncalled for, and as he had watched the fight unfold, unease swirled in the pit of his stomach.
This kid is gonna kill him, he had thought. His gaze was torn between the bloody almost slaughter and that of the Captains that had risen from their seats for a clearer view. The concern was etched on many faces, although not all he noted, and he wondered when someone would, at last, intervene.
In the end, no one had.
The defeated boy had lain in a pool of his own blood and Magna had been roughly shoved out of the way by mages that sprinted from every direction to encircle him.
He knew well of the deep-rooted anger he had experienced through his formative years, born of a society that wished to do nothing but spit on him for his place of birth – it was hardly gone – only diminished by the encouragement shown to him by Yami.
This blonde boy, who wore a crazed grin that didn't quite reach his eyes, appeared full of a similar form of low burning rage. It was almost tangible as if an invisible cloud hung heavy and thick above his head. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he felt sorry for the boy as every eye focused on him and with judgement burning in their stares.
In the chaos that had ensued, he failed to notice the girl he had been close to approaching had paled. When Magna turned back, her face was as pale as fresh milk – the pink of her cheeks swept away in favour of a sickly pallor. Her eyes were glassy, and for the first time, he noted that the colour was an interesting hue of purple.
He took two steps towards her before he halted once again. A girl obscured his view, tall with golden brown skin and messy black hair. Magna could only watch as she appeared to comfort the distraught girl. Swallowing thickly as the girl trembled down into a seated position with her forehead pressed against her raised knees. He bit into the side of his cheek, irritated that he had taken his eyes off her for a second and this was the outcome. Some strange impulse made him wish to be the one offering comfort, although, if he were honest, he wasn't exactly sure how he would do so.
Knowing that there was nothing that he could add to the situation that would improve things, Magna turned once more to watch the trials that had resumed. His concentration was spotty at best, eyes that lingered to the corner repeatedly to check on the welfare of the pretty girl. She seemed to be capable of talking, evident from the casual exchange that was taking place between her and the black-haired girl.
He tried to catch her gaze but failed.
Magna was lost in a sea of his thoughts; a mixture of concern over his performance and that of the girl. He wasn't quite sure if this feeling in his chest could be considered a crush, having not felt it before, but he certainly wished to learn her name before all was said and done this day.
A smattering of polite applause brought his attention back to the proceedings, and he grimaced as the mocking silver-haired boy from earlier stepped into the centre. He gave a dismissive wave to the gaggle of simpering nobles that cheered for him, followed by a rather dramatic salute to someone on the balcony.
As Magna was about to turn to see which Captain reacted to the gesture, he was frozen in place as his opponent stepped forth – it was her.
Fuck!
~.~
Hadn't she prayed for whoever would find themselves as the opponent to Solid Silva?
Not in her most vivid nightmares did she believe it would be her.
Alina fought down the nausea that rose like the incoming tide. No longer did she feel like she was mere seconds away from passing out, but there was a swelling doubt as to her ability to come out of this trial unscathed.
She met the eye of the callous royal, piercing blue irises that were cold and cruel. Chips of ice danced in their depths, spearing her with his overwhelming disdain. Alina gulped but fought to keep his gaze, as she had been schooled to do. She was a Vaude, and even though he was a royal, her house was one of the most prominent and well-respected within the Clover Kingdom.
"I suggest you surrender now, lest you wish to embarrass yourself and the Vaude name. I know of one person present that would not take too kindly to such a thing," he hissed to her. Deliberately quiet so that his voice only flowed to her ears.
She responded with silence.
Her left hand pressed into the skirts of her dress, concealing her two fingers that were poised and ready at a moment's notice. Alina was determined to show that spatial mages did not need the power of destruction to be effective in a Magic Knight squad. An ambitious task, one started by the eldest of the next generation of Vaudes but had fallen entirely on deaf ears. She dared to go against the wishes of her imposing uncle and backed Finral in the most obvious way she knew how. No longer should he believe his magic to be weak or lacking, it was all a lie. A lie concocted to make him doubt himself, and it had worked.
The only movement was that of her grimoire, it floated to her side with hues of buttercup yellow encasing the precious book. Her mana stroked along her arm, it was a cold but soothing presence that she had become accustomed to rather quickly.
Solid seemed displeased with not being able to get a rise out of her. His taunting smile vanished to be replaced with snarling lips, his feet spread to a battle-ready stance and before she could blink tiny spheres of water floated in front of him.
They appeared no bigger than large rain drops, but with a slash of his arm, he sent them towards Alina at the speed of deadly bullets. She was able to note each droplet, prepared for the strikes as her hands lifted in tandem. Her left hand drew small circles continuously in the air, no higher than her hip whilst the right traced a large circle. It was important for this to work that she did not lose her nerve, she couldn't afford to shift her body in any direction despite the fear of being hit. It would expend too much time and effort that was needed for manifesting a large number of portals.
Her lungs burned for oxygen as she held her breath, only daring to blow it out as the tiny portals took shape to intercept the speeding water bullets. Her counting had been true, each missile swallowed by the defences she had constructed. She dashed to the side, missing the outraged shock on Solid's face and much to his own detriment, he failed to notice the large portal that appeared directly above his head.
At the last second, he looked up with astonished eyes and diverted the bullets that were rushing toward him, outwards. They thundered against the ground, ringing him completely in his own handiwork. Alina was out of breath, her mana grumbled at what she had already asked of it. That many portals, although they were tiny in size, took a lot out of her in one go. It didn't matter – it had proved that she could avoid attack and redirect it accordingly. That was all that mattered. A demonstration of the varied uses of her magic and displaying her impressive mental speed to its fullest.
A spear materialised and aimed at her running form, Alina could see it from the corner of her eye and did her best to avoid it. She side-stepped through a portal to her left and appeared behind Solid just in time to see the spear smash into the column she had been stood in front of, the water crashed upon impact and soaked the few people nearby.
He whipped around looking for her, his eyes positively crackled with menace.
"You little bitch. Are you trying to show me up? Me, a royal of the Silva house?" he screeched, much like a toddler who wasn't getting their own way.
He was backing her up into a corner whilst malevolence poured forth like whipping vines. She could feel the sensation of his mana trying to suppress her own, it was doing its best to dominate her and she wasn't bowing easily, only served to anger him more.
"No!" she yelled as his face came even closer, "I just wish to prove myself in these trials."
It was true and yet he could not see it, his judgement clouded by his sense of entitlement.
A great water serpent slithered in the air, it remained close to the form of Solid as the two combatants faced off. Given that Alina was not planning on acting on the offensive, she continued to watch and wait. She felt like a bunny nervously hopping from foot to foot, the slightest change in his stance and she would dive through a portal.
Solid smiled; it chilled her blood to witness and she steeled herself as his lips parted once more.
"What has become of House Vaude, hm? Another black sheep rears its ugly head," he spoke the words as loud as possible, trying to ensure that everyone heard. He raked her from head to toe and let his disgust manifest fully on his pinched face.
Alina heard the gasps and murmured chatter. Her cheeks flushed to a deeper shade of red and her gaze flickered momentarily to where she knew Finral to be. It was a mistake – a grave error. Solid had successfully distracted her with worry over her cousin's feelings, along with jabbing cruelly at her own insecurities.
The snake lunged for her.
Alina caught the movement but it was too late. Her fingers could not complete the spell before the impressive length of the serpent coiled around her, restraining her arms and effectively placing her into checkmate.
The pressure was immense. She squeaked aloud at the crushing force being delivered to her torso. The gasps of the crowd changed as the events took a turn for the worst. She was out of the contest. Solid had clearly won and yet he continued. A watery face of death incarnate loomed into her own, fangs poised as if ready to sink into her, or worse – devour her whole.
She felt the crack within her chest as a pain she had never felt previously flooded her brain. Her mind couldn't quite connect what was happening, it was disassociating from the events unfolding and she struggled to comprehend what the implication of such a noise could mean.
Faint booing rose from the gathered crowd, people pressed closer together as they looked at Alina's bound body that was held aloft for all to bear witness. Her eyes were filled with tears that obscured her vision as she tried valiantly to cast her gaze around for assistance but found she did not recognise anyone. The booing grew louder until it was the only thing, other than her heartbeat, that filled her head.
Solid snarled but released his spell with a casual flick of his wrist. The aqua-coloured flare of his grimoire diminished as the book flew back to the holster attached to his belt. As Alina hit the floor with a wet thud, he turned on his heel and strode from sight.
She didn't know what to do, should she cry?
Tears already slid freely down her cheeks yet she did not sense their presence. Her dress was drenched, the wet material sticking to her skin and making her feel even worse about her body as it highlighted the imagined lumps and bumps that she saw each time she looked in the mirror.
A hand landed on her shoulder, she flinched before shrugging it off. She didn't dare to look at the person nice enough to come forth and offer kindness, she would fall apart if she did. Instead, she braced her hands upon the flagstone floor and stood on shaky legs. Pain raced along her ribs, making each inhale and exhale painful but she straightened her back and walked under her own steam. She headed for the farthest away point without leaving the arena, which would mean certain disqualification. Casting a portal, she shuffled through and effectively ensured that everyone lost sight of her.
Alina fell to her knees, not present enough to register the pain upon impact as she curled in on herself. Her body was cold from the residual water, goosebumps marching along her flesh but she could care less. She was trapped with her own anxieties.
Have I done enough?
Will Finral forgive me?
Does – does Langris hate?
Am I good enough?
Lost to her embarrassment, she did not realise that someone watched over her pitiful form. Though not there physically, their hard stare pierced through the small portal they had conjured to spy on Alina. A part of him wished to take her sharply into his grip, to shake her damn shoulders and curse her for wasting her talent on foolish parlour tricks. She could have truly wiped that snide smirk from Solid's face if she had used her magic offensively, to be proactive rather than simply reactive.
Another wish lingered in his mind, almost whisper quiet but it was there. Langris wished for peace of mind that she was not hurt more grievously than she had let on.
~.~
With the last of the battles finally concluded there was a brief respite for the examinees. The chance to catch their breath whilst the Captains conversed and deliberated, mostly they only spoke with the companion from their squad but some wandered by to chat with others.
Alina scraped her fingers through her tangled hair, it must look like she had been dragged through a hedge backwards. She did her best to comb through the knots, retying the band and sweeping the length over her left shoulder. She was glad that her mother was not her to see her in this sorry state. For surely she would throw an almighty hissy fit at her still damp dress, the dirty marks and blood that covered her knees and shins and the likely red, puffy appearance of her eyes.
It was decision time.
She walked as confidently as she could manage, staring around for where she would stand to await being called forth by her assigned number. A familiar head of ruffled black hair caught her attention and she beelined for Sol's side.
"Hey," the girl greeted.
Sol smiled but there was a sadness in her eyes. Alina hated the sight of it, she had no desire to be pitied.
"Please, I don't need or want your pity. What happened, happened. Can we look past it?" Alina beseeched, not meeting Sol's eyes but keeping her gaze fixed on the balcony above.
For a moment they stood in silence as hopefuls crept forward one by one to find out their fate. It was devastating to witness the hopes of the unsuccessful candidates being crushed and to think this might be her fate too, it turned her stomach.
"Sure," Sol said at long last, "I just wanted you to know that what he did… was beyond cruel. I swear that'll be the last time I speak of it, but yeah, you deserved to know that much."
Alina gently bumped her shoulder against Sol's arm and whispered a soft "thanks."
"Number 46," the unseen announcer thundered. She felt Sol practically vibrate my her side before she stepped into the spotlight.
She crossed her fingers, waiting with bated breath to see if anyone would raise their hand in offering. A hand shot skyward from the Captain of the Green Mantis, Alina winced at the terrifying face of the one known as Jack the Ripper. Sol took what looked to be an involuntary step back, but was saved by the second hand that lifted into the air.
Captain Charlotte's face was an expressionless mask but it wouldn't matter to the black-haired girl, she bounced gleefully as she yelled her acceptance into the Blue Roses. Cheers and clapping rang through the air to which Alina joined in heartily.
Alina was surprised when the girl returned to her side, most applicants chose to leave once their fate was decided but apparently she wished to remain. She offered no reason except for a shrugging of her shoulders as she wiped the happy tears from her eyes. Alina smiled, knowing that she was staying to see her own outcome.
They chattered quietly as the numbers continued to be called out, applauding along with the crowd when necessary. Something made her eyes snap to the centre, a trickle of warmth swept against the back of her hand as it had done earlier. It was the turn of the boy with the flame magic. The one that had smiled at her with those swirling mercury eyes and bore the appearance of a rebellious delinquent.
The words of her friend were drowned out as Alina focused solely on what was about to unfold. He had displayed impressive strength and control of his magic during the trials but she worried over the existence of prejudice even within the ranks of Magic Knight squads. He didn't appear to be from a noble house and she hoped that would not work against him.
The warmth that tickled her hand, curled around until it pressed into the centre of her palm. She wondered if this was a manifestation of his anxiety, interesting if that were to be the case.
Why does it call out to me of all people?
It looked as if her worst fear would be confirmed, that was until one hand lazily drifted into the air accompanied by a trail of smoke. Alina knew very little about the Black Bulls, other than it was the squad that Finral had joined. Her family and many others believed them to be the absolute dregs of the Magic Knights, scoundrels and miscreants that only brought shame to the Clover Kingdom but she refused to believe that.
Their Captain looked intimidating, if not a little bored, but she couldn't pretend to care much about him when all she wanted to do was observe the flame mage. The boy bowed his head, a clear acceptance of the offer and she watched as his hand came up to wipe at his eyes. He pushed the blue-tinted glasses onto his head and sniffed loudly. She was smiling widely, she knew nothing of him but happiness filled her chest nonetheless. Alina clapped loudly as he made his way back into the remaining crowd.
"Did you hear any of what I said?" Sol's voice cut through her thoughts, and the weak tug behind her navel that wished for her to follow him was denied as she tried to refocus.
"Hmm?"
"I'll take that as a no," she huffed.
They watched as Solid eagerly accepted his offer into the Silver Eagles, of course, he was going to pick the squad that his older brother was the Captain of. Her teeth grit as he bowed theatrically to the Captains and then the remaining applicants still present. How she wished to rake her nails down his smug-filled face.
"Number 112."
It was her number, her turn to face the judgemental gazes of the Captains and see what hand fate would deal her. Once more she found herself shaking from head to foot, her eyes could not land on one focal point as it continued to sweep from side to side. As if her mind wished to shield her from the eyes that would make her crumble, she looked to each Captain as her fingers twisted the silver thumb ring upon her right hand around and around.
Two hands lifted simultaneously, and not the ones she had thought would offer her placement. Her eyes were as round as saucers; she stared firstly at William Vangeance of the Golden Dawn, trying not to see past his right shoulder to wear Langris stood with a determined expression lining his face. Had he persuaded his Captain to make this offer?
With trepidation she switched her attention to the other raised hand, taking in the stoic expression of Nozel Silva of the Silver Eagles. She couldn't be more shocked. His brother had defeated her, had been offered his rightful place in this squad and it simply didn't make sense. Why would he want her? It seemed she wasn't the only one to have these thoughts as murmuring erupted all around.
This was Alina's literal between a rock and a hard place moment.
What do I do? I have no ambition to join the Golden Dawn, to be stuck under the thumb of Langris would be akin to torture. He must have a hand in this, why would they want two spatial mages in their ranks? Yet, do I dare join the Silver Eagles? I'd be stuck with Solid and he'd likely make my life a living hell… can – can I decline all offers? Has that ever happened? What would my parents say?
Breathe Lina, just calm down and think.
What is that I wish to do? I wish to prove that spatial magic does not have to be offensive to be effective, to show everyone that House Vaude is more than simply power-hungry. Can I achieve that in the Golden Dawn? Almost certainly not, Langris would never allow it and I'd be as well locked in an ivory tower of my own design. Can I achieve it in the Silver Eagles? Possibly, I couldn't really say for sure but I have a better chance there. I'd have enemies close by, I'd have to be ever vigilant and it might be trying at times, but it's worth a shot.
"I choose…"
Alina watched as Langris took a step closer into her line of sight, she locked eyes with his as she spoke once more. He seemed to already know what her decision was as he shook his head once and curled his hand into a fist by his side. The dull ache in her chest reminded her of the injury inflicted upon her this day, reminding her that she would be bound to the person who had caused it if she made this choice, but in the end - it made more sense to her than the alternative.
There was a deathly silence as everyone waited for her decision.
"I choose the Silver Eagles."
