Chapter Three
"Is she going to be okay?" A familiar voice asks. It sounds old and weathered… maybe a teacher? I feel like his name is Grant for some reason, but I don't know anyone named Grant. Maybe it's his last name? I think the more important question is why my head feels all fuzzy, or maybe why I'm so tired.
"Barely. She used up all of her mana, and controlling that much power pretty much drained all her energy too. Poor thing was probably too focused on passing to even realize she reached her limit, so she just fainted. She's very lucky to be alive right now," another familiar, but more feminine voice answers. She lets out a frustrated sigh before continuing.
"I want to stay and ask her a few questions when she wakes, but I should go before Zerick gets back. Just give her a few seconds to get her bearings when she wakes up, and she should be fine," I hear the second voice say. I think she might be the school's nurse, but why would she be here? Where is here, anyway? I hear a door open and close, and I wonder why the name Zerick also sounds eerily familiar…
Suddenly, everything comes flooding back. The test, the spell, blacking out, all of it. My eyes snap open, and I gasp for air as my heart kicks into overdrive. Whatever dim light was in the room before seems to have magnified, and everything blurs together into shadowy shapes. I blink a few tears out of my eyes, and everything slowly comes back into focus.
I sit against the far wall of the room, and Mr. Grant crouches down next to me, a concerned look covering his face. I try to say something, anything really, but it just comes out in a tired groan, and I suddenly realize just how exhausted I really am. Every muscle in my body aches out for sleep, and my back hurts from laying against the wall. I try to stand, but Mr. Grant just pushes my gently back down.
"Take it easy. Just stay still for now and try to catch your breath. You've been through a lot," he says soothingly.
"What about my test?" I ask groggily. "Did I pass?" He shifts his brown eyes away and says nothing. My stomach drops. How could I not have passed? I put everything I had into that test, so much so that I lost track of my limit, at least according to the nurse. I've never done that before. Like, ever.
"Just be happy you're alive right now. You survived, and that's no small accomplishment," he offers feebly, and I feel anger rising in me. I don't want to just survive. I want to live. How can he be so compliant, just trying to get through the day? There's no reason for my anger, but I find myself glaring at him stubbornly, and he slowly gets up and backs off to the other side of the room, shaking his head.
Something else bothers me though. Why did he make it sound like he was surprised I survived taking the test at all? And what was with that dream I had? It was more of a memory really, but I've never remembered something like I was living through that same exact moment again.
Before I can think too much about it, the door opens, and Zerick steps in. He doesn't close the door right away though, and I catch of glimpse of the hallway. My breath stops.
Figures stand guard outside the door, wearing close fitting robes in Noxian black and red. Over the robes, they wear pieces of red gleaming plate armor, breastplates, gauntlets, the whole works. Their armor doesn't extend to their legs though, keeping the skirts of their robes unrestricted. Huge hoods shroud their faces, but armored masks gleam in what little light reaches them, and I instantly know who they are. What they are.
Noxian battlemages. They are some of the most powerful Noxian troops, second only to the Crimson Elite. They fight in hybrid armor, enchanted robes to ward off magic and spell-forged plate armor to defend against physical attacks. Prepared for everything and scared of nothing, they're the poster soldiers of the Noxian war machine. Every night raid on Ionian "rebels" has at least one battlemage involved, if for nothing else than to just strike fear into our hearts. The stories of what they can do…
I don't remember standing up, but I am now. Zerick seems to have noticed my reaction and he smiles, closing the door behind him. Did he want me to see them? He moves forward and leans on the back of the chair, motioning for me to take a seat in the other one.
My throat feels dry, and it hurts to just be standing, but I move forward anyway. Every step is painfully slow, and my legs shake slightly. The only sound in the room is my heavy breathing, broken every few seconds by my small shuffling steps. No one moves to help me. No one ever does.
I reach the chair and sink into it as my legs give out. Zerick smiles at me, almost like he's gloating about his victory.
"I would like to be the first to congratulate you on your performance. Your final score is the highest I've ever seen before. You have the potential to become an amazingly powerful wizard," he says. I had almost forgotten that he was still trying to keep up the ruse that Noxus was actually trying to help me. I would laugh if I wasn't so tired.
"There is one thing though," he says, like he's about to mention a small unimportant fact. "With the amount of power you have, I'm slightly concerned about how well you can control it. So, I pulled a few strings and managed to get you into a special training camp where you'll be taught how to improve you magic. It lasts for six months, and by the end of it, you will be a master at controlling your power. You might even be able to become a battlemage by the end of it, if you really want to."
He seems genuinely excited, but his eyes betray him. They remain dead and cold, and he looks stiff, like he hates every second of this. Probably because he would rather just kill me outright.
"What if I don't want to go?" I ask, staring right back at him. Mr. Grant shoots me a wide eyed glare from the corner, but I don't care. I'm done with all these lies, pretending to never realize what's actually going on.
"And why wouldn't you?" he asks innocently, raising an eyebrow. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime. Becoming a battlemage is considered a great honor."
"We both know what really goes on at the training camp," I say quietly. "So let's just stop pretending we don't. I know what happens there. What you're really saying is that I can become a battlemage if I want to live."
Zerick tenses up, and he narrows his brown eyes at me. They take on a new look, from cold and uncaring to one of jagged ice and anger. He leans in from where he stands, hand clenching the wooden chair hard enough to make it groan.
"Listen very close to me, girl," he spits out. "I'm done playing nice, so I'm just going to say it plainly. You will go to that training camp, and if you resist, I will personally-"
The door bangs open behind him loudly, and Zerick reacts immediately, whirling around to face the sudden intruder. Zerick blocks my view, so I shift in my chair, trying to get a look.
"Care to finish that sentence?" the intruder asks in a calm voice. "You really shouldn't say things like that. After all, you never know who might overhear."
I finally get a look at the intruder, and my jaw drops open. Why is he here?
A man in his early twenties with short brown hair stands in the doorway, a chainmail shirt gleaming out from underneath his red breastplate. He wears plain black clothes under the light armor, and heavy leather boots. His hand rests on the pommel of the long sword hanging from his hip, an unspoken threat. The captain of the guard for all of Sakara city stands there, his plain face looking passively at Zerick.
"Captain Fairfax," Zerick whispers out. "What are you doing here?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Fairfax asks in his monotone voice. "I'm here to take her to where the test says she should be going. To the academy."
"What do mean?" Zerick asks dumbfounded. "If you're suggesting that I changed the results-"
"I know about the promotion you were promised," the captain interrupts, taking a single step forward. "I also happen to know the person who offered you that position. He might not be too happy if he learns you wasted such potential."
"Are you threatening me?" Zerick asks, shifting on his feet slightly. "If you think you know everything that's going on here, you're dead wrong. He was the one who told me I had to send at least five to the training camp if I wanted to even have a chance at that job. You just want the job for yourself, don't you?"
"The terms have changed," Fairfax states bluntly. "The girl comes with me, and you'll be considered for the job. Or you could keep the girl, in which case, he learns all about those grimoires you've been gathering up."
His words echo in the silence that follows. Zerick seethes in anger, clenching his knuckles and shifting from one foot to the other. All the while, the captain just stands there, still as a statue. The tension feels like a sword's edge against my throat, and I'm scared to even breath. Captain Fairfax just stands there, calm and determined, and I can't help but feel a little suspicious. Why does he want me to go to the academy so bad? What's he planning?
"Fine," Zerick says, shattering the silence. "Take your little toy. See if I care. I'll take power over some kid any day. Don't think I'll forget about this though, Fairfax. Once I have that job, don't you think you can keep her, or yourself safe. This isn't over."
He leaves the room with long, brisk steps, brushing past the captain as he leaves. Mr. Grant follows after a few surprised seconds, rushing to catch up to him. He mutters something apologetically to the captain as he walks by, but Fairfax just nods, completely unfazed.
I start breathing again, unsure of when I stopped, and slowly get up. I don't really know what to say, so I just stand there awkwardly, waiting for some kind of explanation. Captain Fairfax just nods at me though, turning around.
"Let's go," he says, walking out the door, and it takes me a few stunned moments to follow after him. So much for explanations.
Somehow, I feel more steady now, and my legs are only slightly rubbery. I hurry out into the dreary hallway, only to stop in my tracks, eyes widening. The four Noxian battlemages stand outside, saluting Fairfax as he finishes saying something, and one walks up to him and hands him a cloak he was holding onto. Fairfax nods in thanks and puts it on deftly, turning to me. The battlemages fall back into place behind him, waiting for his orders.
"These guys are going to escort us through the library to the outside just to make sure no one causes any trouble. From there, we'll ride a wagon to the military compound here in the city. The academy is inside, so it won't take long. Any questions?" The captain asks.
I have millions, like how a captain of the guard was able to get elite soldiers, whose only job was to hunt and kill people, to follow his orders. I mean come on, he was using them as glorified cloak hangers and common guards, and they were just fine with it? Not only that, but he also was able to secure the job for Zerick just by talking to someone? Do I even know him anymore?
No, of course I know him. He's still the same person that I've always known. He might be planning something, but for now I don't really have much of a choice but to follow along.
"No," I answer him. Fairfax nods and begins walking towards the library door. I follow behind, and the battlemages take up positions to my left and right, two in front of me and two in back.
My heart begins racing faster with every step we take towards the library. The library was located in the central section of the school, and had an exit that led directly out the back of the school. Walking out the front would take longer so I guess it makes sense. I don't want to walk past all my classmates though, the ones who were still waiting to take the test.
The library is the largest section of the school, so every year when testing day came, all the students who turn sixteen are gathered there. They then had to wait for their name to be called and were ushered to a testing room in the old storage hallway. I was one of the first group of people called, so almost everyone would still be there. Waiting. Watching.
We reach the end of the hallway and Captain Fairfax opens the door, walking into the room beyond. Time to run the gauntlet. I walk in.
The room is the same as when I left it, two floors of musty old bookshelves with all the students sitting at haphazardly placed tables on the first floor. Any talking there was stops, and I feel the weight of their eyes settle upon me. A few people let out gasps, but most just remain silent, staring at me with mixed expressions of surprise and sadness. We wait for the Noxian battlemages to get back in their position, and then we move on, walking down the middle towards the door.
I find myself searching the faces for my friends even though I try to just keep staring forward. I see blond haired Eliza sitting at one table, a hand clasped over her mouth to muffle her crying. Another blond hair girl is hugging her with one of her arms, staring at me sadly. I nod at Amara and she nods back, an unspoken promise. Eliza always was fragile, and without me there to keep her safe, the job would fall to Amara, one of those genuinely good people. I could trust her with that much.
I only spot a few other friends as we walk, and they all look mostly the same as Eliza and Amara, either on the verge of tears or somber. Everytime I meet their eyes though, they nod back, and I find myself choking down tears of my own. I didn't think leaving them would be this hard. I had made my choice though, and there was no going back now. The only sound in the room is our footsteps.
We finally reach the door, and we step outside, leaving behind my classmates. My friends. Will I see them ever again? I wipe at my teary eyes, taking in a shaky breath and wait for the battlemages to get back in formation.
The test started at the end of the school day, so the sun is hanging pretty low now, painting sinister shadows onto the ground. We stand at the back of the school only a few feet away from the street. Various houses line the opposite side of the street, including a few in complete disrepair. I avoid looking at them and focus on the covered wagon. It's a nice one with a cloth covering for the back, and a guard even sits next to the driver, giving us a surprised look.
We keep walking, until we reach the back of the wagon. Captain Fairfax gets in with ease, pushing back the flap and offering me a hand up. I take it and climb in. It's empty inside except for the two of us, so I sit in a corner far from the opening in the cover. Fairfax leans out for a second and then sits down next to the entrance, across from me. The wagon starts moving, bumping occasionally on the cobblestone road.
We sit in silence for awhile, with the captain looking out the flap every once and awhile. I find myself thinking about the test. From the argument between Fairfax and Zerick, I must have actually passed the test, and Zerick just changed the results so he could get a promotion. Maybe I should be surprised he was willing to condemn me for a job, but I'm not. People have done worse for less.
What about that dream I had? I mean, it was a memory, but why did I completely relive it? Everything felt too real for it to just be some strange dream. Something else feels odd too, and I realize something in the dream hadn't actually happened. I don't know what exactly, just that it wasn't a perfect memory. Something had been added in, I think. Or maybe something hadn't happened that was supposed to?
I shake my head. The better question was why I was remembering that moment. That was when I first met Kyle… that was when it had all started.
I rub at my sore back, annoyed at myself. It didn't matter how it had started. What mattered right now was what was coming next. The academy.
I look over to the Captain Fairfax. I don't actually know his first name, which is kind of weird considering how long I've known him. He was the captain of the guard for Sakara city for as long as I could remember, and he had even been a regular at my family's shop. He and all the other guards under his command.
My father had been the actual blacksmith in the family, but when he went off to join the Ionian army, my Mother had taken up the job until Zane was old enough to do it himself. Zane had become the blacksmith with Akira handling the leatherwork, my mother doing the engraving, and I had handled the actual shopkeeping, occasionally helping out to sharpen blades.
Being the local blacksmith family had kept our family safe. Blacksmiths were rare as it was, so Noxians were forced to leave us alone if they wanted their equipment to remain in good condition. The soldiers had been hard to work for, knowing that every blade we sold and sharpened would only be used to kill Ionians. It had gotten better after the war, when only the guards remained. That had been due to Fairfax.
Captain Fairfax is one of the "honorable" types of Noxians. One of the only honorable types. Noxus probably wasn't always a terrible place, where the weak were used as footstools for the strong. I had read that Noxus used to believe that strength was important because with that strength, you could help others become stronger too. That was the idea, anyway. Over time, though, the strong and powerful started taking what they wanted, and there was no one to oppose them. There still isn't anyone, really.
Fairfax is one of the one who still abided by the old code though. It's not like he ever told me, it was just obvious from how he acted. He treats Ionians like actual people, and he expects the same from his guards. Most of them had no problem with that… most of them.
The captain looks over at me from where he sits, catching my gaze.
"You have some questions, don't you? Grant told you about the summoning academy we're heading towards, right?"
My breath catches, and I tense up. How did he know about that? Fairfax seems to read my expressions, and he nods his head.
"Good. I told him to make sure and elaborate on that part, but I wasn't sure how much time he would have. I wish Zerick hadn't forced me to reveal myself, but at least the plan still worked."
"Wait, Mr. Grant told me about the academy because you asked him to?" I ask. What is the captain trying to do? First he gets Mr. Grant to tell me about the academy, then he comes in and blackmails Zerick? All so I can go to this academy?
"That's correct," he nods. "I wanted to make sure you knew you had a choice."
"Why?" I ask after he doesn't elaborate. "Why are you helping me out so much? What do you want from me?"
He winces or at least does his version of a wince, twitching his eye slightly.
"Sorry, I know it must seem weird, but I don't have a master plan or anything like that. I'm just trying to pay for my mistake. I knew you had your test today and was aware of your talent, so I thought I would make sure you had a fair chance no matter what decision you made," Fairfax says, staring at me. I look away, turning my eyes to my feet.
"That… that wasn't your fault." I say quietly, folding my hands together.
"It wasn't," he agrees offhandedly. "But you can't deny that if I had done my job it wouldn't have happened. It was my mistake, and so I'm trying to make up for it. I thought that getting you the truth and using my blackmail on Zerick to get your actual results would be a good start."
We ride in silence for awhile. I don't believe what Fairfax says, not completely anyway. I know he's not lying, but I also feel like there's another motive that he isn't sharing. Something about the way he never actually looks at me makes me feel suspicious about his motives. Maybe it has to deal with Zerick.
"What was that job stuff you were talking about with Zerick," I ask. "Are you really trying to take that job from him by handing me over?" That could be it. It was kind of low of the captain to repay me and also help himself, but it wouldn't surprise me.
"No," he says simply, catching my eyes for a moment, and I feel somewhat relieved. I knew he was better than that.
"I'm not using you to get the job. I already have the job."
"W-what?" I ask, completely aghast. "But you told him he was going to get the job if he let me go."
"I never said that," he says, shaking his head slightly. "I told him he would be considered for the job, and he was. They just chose me instead."
I don't bother trying to fight the smile off my face, and he seems to relax a little, looking out the wagon. A shadow of a smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. Captain Fairfax always keeps his word.
"So what's your new job?" I ask. He scratches at his chin, and looks back to me.
"I'm not really sure what it involves, actually. The only thing I know is that its a teaching position of some sort at the academy."
I feel my jaw drop to the ground for what feels like the hundredth time today, and he chuckles lightly at me. He was going to be one of my teachers?
"I guess it's a good thing Zerick didn't get that job, huh?" he says, still chuckling slightly. "I have a feeling he would have been things just a little difficult for you."
I smile slightly. That was understatement of the year. I don't think misplaced anger would even begin to describe how he was probably feeling. Something nags at me, and I take a look at Fairfax, looking closer at him.
On the surface he seemed laid back, carefree even, with his monotone voice and relaxed attitude. He goes out of his way to seem like an average guard, but I can't help but feel he's more than that. He creates elaborate plans just to repay favors, has the respect of battlemages, and even found time to help himself. Just who was he?
The wagon stops, and I hear voices talking outside. The captain gets up and leans out of the cover. He ducks back in a second later with a familiar looking black cloak folded in his arms, and we start moving again.
"You might want to put this on," he says, handing me the cloak. It looks remarkably like the cloak my brother bought me, and I find out why a second later when I shake it out. It is my cloak. I turn to Fairfax and raise an eyebrow.
"I took the liberty of sending someone to your house to gather some of your things. The rest should be waiting in a room for you, including a letter from your mother, I think," he says, shrugging.
I feel a stab of pain snake its way up to my heart. Mom. With everything happening so fast, I had completely forgotten what my decision really meant: leaving my family. When would I see my family again? Would I ever?
"Will I ever…" I choke out, and the captain just nods his head.
"They make you stay inside of the compound's walls at all times, except for one day every week. On that day, you're allowed to explore the city and generally do whatever you want," Fairfax says.
I bit my lip, nodding, and slip into my cloak. It feels soft, almost like it was freshly washed, and I smile. Mom. I bunch up the fabric and hold it up to my nose, inhaling deeply. It smells fresh and clean, like lavender, with a slight hint of smoke. It smells like home.
The wagon slows down, doing a U-turn and rolling to a stop. The captain hops out, vanishing past the flap. He reappears a second later, holding it open for me, and I stand.
"Put your hood up," the captain says.
"Why?" I ask, already pulling the hood over my head.
"None of the other students have been introduced to each other yet," he answers, holding out a hand to help me down. "Most of the ones you'll be with come from rich families who pulled some strings to get their children here. They probably think everyone else is going to be Noxian like them. You might be able to use that against them," he says.
I understand what he's getting at. The longer they don't know I'm Ionian, the longer I'll be safe. When they do find out though, I might be able to tell by how they react which ones are really dangerous. I still don't know why Fairfax is helping me so much, or even if he's planning something, but for now, I'm just glad he's on my side.
I take his hand and hop out of the wagon onto the cobblestone road. The sun sets to my left, painting long shadows onto the ground. The wagon starts rolling back down the path we came, leaving both of us staring at the huge building in front of us.
The academy is rectangular shaped, and it looks vaguely based off of the Institute of War that the League built, with lots of pillars and arches. It stands about four stories high, painting huge, menacing shadows onto the ground. The area in front of the building is completely paved in stone with a large fountain dominating the space in the middle.
The fountain is made of more smooth stone, starting off with a low wall to hold the water. A pedestal rises from the middle of the fountain, ending in a small circular platform. Two arches rise from the wall, connecting above the pedestal and leaving a circular hole where the water flows out of. It looks very Noxian, all bland and smooth stone with an empty pedestal as the centerpiece.
I notice the people staring at us last. About nine stand in an awkward group in front of the fountain, waiting as we approach. All of them appear to be about the same age as me with only one or two looking slightly older. Their appearances all vary, from two who wear rich clothing in colors of deep violet and gold, to the others who mostly wear simple looking clothes. All of them have bags set down next to them, anything from a simple cloth sack to the huge leather cases near the two rich kids.
We reach them, and I'm suddenly thankful for the cloak shrouding my clothes. My uniform would probably have given me away almost as fast as my actual looks. Captain Fairfax stays by my side, waiting for something. I figure it out a second later, when a man steps out from behind the fountain, and everyone turns to face him.
The man is older with a serious looking face covered by a grey goatee, leaving the rest of his head completely bald. He wears a simple brown robe covered with black sigils, and leather boots. He surveys us for a second before speaking.
"Now that you have all arrived, we shall begin," he says in a surprisingly clear, yet soft voice. "You may call me Instructor Dumont. Before we begin the tour, I want to make something clear. This academy was created for the elite of Noxus, those who we think have the best chance of becoming a summoner for the League of Legends. That is the only reason this academy exists."
One of the two rich looking kids, a girl with curly blond hair, seems to straighten in pride, a smug smile on her face.
"You are not those elite candidates," Dumont says, and the smile drops off the girl's face. I can't help but grin underneath my hood.
"The only reason you are here right now is because someone much more powerful than me wanted you here, and we happened to have spots open. Out of the fifty students attending the academy, most if not all of you are here so you can fill our remaining spots. You are the leftovers. Some of you even more so than others," he adds at the last second, and I could swear his sweeping gaze lingers on me. He shakes out his left arm and looks at a watch before continuing.
"Now that we're clear, I must be going to welcome one of your other instructors. He will be here shortly to give you a tour after I have informed him of a few… changes. I suggest you introduce yourselves and where each of you are from until he arrives," Dumont says. He nods towards us and then turns around, walking into the academy, leaving us alone.
All of us stand there awkwardly in the silence that follows. I realize Captain Fairfax still stands next to me, saying nothing. I don't know why Dumont just left him here, but I'm not about to ask. My heart races as the silence stretches on, and I wonder how long I'll be able to keep my identity a secret. The rich girl finally lets out a little cough and steps forward a little bit.
"I don't know who exactly that man thought he was speaking too, but it doesn't look like we have much of a choice but to play along for now. I am Elizabeth of house Montfort, and I'm from Noxus, obviously," she says in a cultured accent, rolling her eyes.
I don't mean to judge her, but she doesn't exactly make it easy. She wears an elegant purple dress covered with shadowy black swirls and gold lace. The lace alone probably cost enough to pay taxes for a month. I shake the thoughts from my head as she gestures to the rich boy with combed blond hair next to her, and he steps forward. He looks to be slightly older than her, completely average looking except for his rich demeanor.
"I'm her older brother Edward, of the same house," he says. Although he doesn't wear as fancy clothes as his sister, he still has the same arrogant stance. Both of them appear to be the stereotypical Noxian nobility, which gives me a bad feeling. Even their last name sounds like one of the more powerful houses in Noxus.
A boy with a wide smile and short brown hair steps forward. He's of an average build and height, but something about him is unsettling. Maybe it's his constantly shifting orange-yellow eyes, or the way he stands like he's constantly absorbing everyone's attention. He wears normal Noxian black clothes though, so at least he probably isn't from a noble family.
"My name's Cody, of house Kain. Not as noble as house Montfort, but still Noxian through and through," he says, looking at the Montforts. Edward smiles back at him, while Elizabeth just shakes her head.
Someone clears their throat loudly, and we all turn to face a boy looking plainly at the rest of us. He's tall and absolutely built. Wide shoulders, wide muscles, and even a wide neck stretch at his dark clothes. He has plain brown hair, and his hazel eyes seem to be looking far away.
"Jackson, of house Garnet. Also Noxian," he says plainly. I'm not sure what to make of Jackson, so I just focus on the next kid for now.
A boy wearing plain clothes smiles at everyone warmly underneath his long blond hair. He looks average, like someone you would just pass on the street.
"I'm Alexander, of some no-name house. Findel if you really want to know. Feel free to just call me Alex," he says smiling, scratching at the back of his head. "Oh, and I'm also Noxian."
I get the a strange feeling off of him, and it takes me a second to figure out what it is exactly. He reminds me more of a Noxian who's lived in Ionia than one who's actually lived in Noxus. I wonder if he was born here. Maybe it's just my imagination, but he seems more easygoing compared to the others. I turn my thoughts away as a skinny boy in threadbare clothes begins speaking.
"Devon, of Noxus," he says quietly, his eyes poking out from underneath his long brown hair. When someone took the last name from the city they lived in, it usually meant they were a street urchin, someone with no power or standing. It makes me wonder just how he got into the academy in the first place.
"Yo," someone says, and I turn to see a short boy wearing an odd looking coat step forward. His medium length hair is dyed green at the tips, fading quickly to bleached white.
"Sorry to break the Noxian streak, but my name's Xander. I guess by house you mean last name, right? Well in that case, I'm from house Declan, of Zaun," he says smiling. Now I realize that his odd looking coat is actually a lab coat. The others don't react much except for Elizabeth, who frowns slightly at him. Zaun is a pretty close ally to Noxus, so it's no surprise really. The Noxians here would tolerate him just fine.
A girl with long blond hair and a plain black dress steps forward next, hesitantly. Her blue eyes shift nervously around, and she clears her throat before talking.
"I'm Molly, of house Rennes. From Noxus," she says. She might be another Noxian from Ionia, but maybe not. She seems too shy to actually be able to lie. Still, she might be another potential friend. A boy with shaggy black hair begins speaking next.
"Seth, of house Durandal. Noxus," he says. He stands stiffly, wearing a plain grey tunic and cloth pants. Out of all the people there he also has the smallest bag next to him, a simple cloth sack. Well, everyone but me anyway.
It takes me a second to realize everyone's looking at me, but before I can say anything Fairfax steps forward, lowering his hood and pushing his cloak behind him, revealing his armor and sword.
"I'm not a student here," he begins with. "You may call me Captain Fairfax. I am going to be one of your instructors. I'm fairly new here myself, so I'm guessing Instructor Dumont is sending another teacher to give the tour. I'll start by telling you guys-"
"Wait," the girl, Elizabeth, interrupts. "What about him? Why doesn't he have to introduce himself?"
I wince underneath my cloak, and Fairfax just stands there, staring at her. She blushes and looks away, breaking eye contact with him. He lets out an angry sigh and turns his head to me. He doesn't say anything, but I understand what he's thinking. It was a good plan to try and sneak my way in with my large cloak, but Dumont had kind of messed that up when he told us all to introduce ourselves.
I push the cloak from around my body, raising my hands to my hood. I hope no one can see them shaking. I can't believe I actually thought I was going to get out of revealing myself. I take a deep breath,and slide my hood off, letting my hair fall out.
"My name is Aria Kessler," I say, my voice coming out surprisingly steady. A few of them already have wide eyes, figuring out where I'm from based on my clothes and looks probably, but my next words will condemn me for sure. I suddenly wish I wasn't so tired, but it's not like I could change that now. I take another thready breath, eyes watching everyone.
"…and I'm from Ionia," I finish, and time screeches to a stop.