As I watched the match unfold before my eyes, I couldn’t help but think back to what Kaleigh had said. The atmosphere was thick with tension as the opponent landed a brutal blow to the boy I believed was named Matt, striking him right in the kidney. My heart sank at the sight; I’d like to have said it would bruise, but I knew a hit to that specific area would likely leave no mark.
The crowd gasped collectively, and for a moment, it felt like time stood still. Matt staggered, his expression twisted in pain, and I felt a pang of sympathy for him. It didn't matter that he was in the ring, showcasing his skills; in that instant, he was just a kid facing an unfair blow, one that could take him out of the fight entirely.
I leaned forward, hoping he would shake it off, but a tightening in my gut told me he wouldn’t. Kaleigh’s voice echoed in my mind, reminding me that the stakes were higher than just a match. These moments were real and carried weight beyond what anyone could see. The thought sent a shiver down my spine as I continued to watch.
Matt quickly tapped his way through the corridors, a sense of urgency propelling him toward the mages' wing for repair and healing. It was always a fallback option—my second choice if I couldn't get into the alchemy academy. Just another reminder of how different my path had become.
As I watched from the sidelines, Kaleigh was chosen to enter the ring, and my heart raced with mixed emotions. There she was, moving with a grace that seemed almost effortless, dodging punch after punch as if she were dancing around her opponent. Each feint and sidestep was a display of skill and confidence, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.
When Kaleigh finally struck, her fist connected with the girl’s jaw just as her hair swung back into place, the collision echoing in the air with a satisfying thud. The way she fought was a beautiful blend of strategy and agility, and I marveled at how she made it look so easy while I struggled with my own doubts.
“Why couldn’t I find that kind of confidence?” I thought, my mind racing with insecurity as I clutched the fabric of my black uniform. I studied Kaleigh's footwork intently; it was crucial to learn how to move quickly and effectively. The fight was escalating, and I could see every strategic move unfold in front of me. The brown-haired girl, bruised and determined, spat blood onto the floor where Kaleigh had just struck her. With a fierce growl, she charged, delivering an unexpected uppercut straight to Kaleigh’s ribcage.
Kaleigh stumbled slightly but quickly regained her footing, a fierce glint in her eyes. The brown-haired girl didn’t relent, grabbing Kaleigh’s arm and unleashing a flurry of hits. Kaleigh grunted in pain, her face twisting with the effort to maintain her composure. In an impressive show of resilience, she tightened her grip on the girl’s fist and drove her elbow hard into the girl’s spine while simultaneously raising her knee to deliver crushing blows to both her lungs and back.
The force of Kaleigh's strikes was undeniable, and the brown-haired girl gasped, a look of shock crossing her face as she fell to the ground. She struggled for air, the impact leaving her completely winded. It was a fierce reminder of the stakes in combat, and I knew then that mastering Kaleigh’s techniques was more important than ever. I couldn't afford to be unprepared; each movement had to be executed with precision and timing.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sRWBtaTo3
I barely had time to react to Kaleigh's victory before I was pushed into the ring, the audience's anticipation fueling an energy that felt almost suffocating. My heart raced as I faced off against the woman who loathed me more than anyone in this entire academy—Parker Silverwind.
Her sharp gaze locked onto mine, filled with contempt and a hint of thrill at the thought of finally having me in a position I couldn’t escape. The crowd buzzed with excitement, clearly eager to see me take on the formidable rival.
Parker stood confidently, her posture exuding strength and determination, every bit the embodiment of what a future assassin should be. She wore her signature colors, vibrant and bold, as if to emphasize how I paled in comparison. The stark black of my uniform felt even heavier now.
"Ready to be embarrassed?" Parker taunted, a wicked grin forming on her lips.
I swallowed hard, forcing down the anxiety that threatened to bubble over. I had spent so much time in my own world, nurturing life and working with my plants, completely unprepared for this confrontation. I wanted to deflect her taunts, to show her that I wasn't some easy target, but the tightening of my chest betrayed my uncertainty.
professor linwick called for the match to begin, and in that instant, all distractions faded. It was just Parker and me, the focus of the crowd narrowing to this tense standoff. I took a deep breath, grounding myself as I tried to remember the lessons I had learned, no matter how overwhelming they felt now.
Before I could make a move or prepare myself, she swung out and hit me. I had no time to dodge as her fist made contact with my jaw with a sickening crack. Pain radiated through my skull, and for a split second, my vision blurred as I staggered backward, trying to regain my balance. The world around me spun, the vibrant colors of the cavern now swirling in a dizzying haze.
“Awe, the legendary Darksbane can’t even seem to handle a little fist fight. It’s almost laughable how weak you are,” she spat, my name dripping off her tongue with malicious intent. I felt Abraxes stirring in my thoughts, his voice worming its way into my mind. “Please, oh please, let me out! I am dying for some violence, Killie!”
I shoved him back, forcing him out of my consciousness. “Now is not the time, Brax,” I softly reminded him, sensing the bond between us strengthening. If she kept this up, the connection would complete, and everyone’s lives would be at risk.
I had to focus, push back against the chaos she was trying to provoke. “You think you can rattle me?” I shot back, my voice steadier than I felt. “I’ve faced worse than you.” The heat of anger flared within me, but I couldn’t let it consume me. I needed to stay in control, to keep Abraxes at bay and not unleash the fury that was begging for release.
I kicked out with my leg, connecting with her stomach, but she quickly grabbed my leg and shoved me to the ground. Thinking fast, I executed a quick maneuver, kicking my legs up and sending her flying over my head. She landed behind me, and I scrambled to my feet, adrenaline rushing through me.
“Look,” I said, trying to catch my breath, “I thought this whole hatred thing was over years ago. Azune is yours, take him; I couldn’t care less. But if you’re going to keep blindly throwing punches at me, you might want to remember what you know about my family. And if you can’t, maybe open a book and brush up on it.”
Her face twisted in jealousy, but beneath it all, I saw the cracks in her fragile pride, the realization that she was losing control. The atmosphere thickened with unresolved tension, and I stood my ground, determined not to let her break me.
I grinned from ear to ear as her gaze locked onto mine, the moment stretching with tension until realization washed over her as she met my gaze the crystle blue that usually reflected the bluest of water now a deep ruby red. The horror that dawned on her face told me everything I needed to know—Abraxes and I were officially bonded. I couldn't help but giggle, the thrill of the moment surging through me. Without giving her a chance to react, I dashed across the circle and struck her temple with a swift, forceful punch that resonated with a sickening crack.
She stumbled back, hitting the ground, but I didn’t give her a moment to regain her balance. As she attempted to sweep my legs from under me, I laughed, catching her wrists before she could complete the move. I slid her arms down my shoulders, twisting expertly to gain leverage, and before she could react, I gripped the back of her neck. I delivered a headbutt with all my might, the impact sending shockwaves through both of us. Blood sprayed across my face, hot and visceral, a striking mark of our fierce encounter.
In an instant, I flipped her over, pinning her arms down with my knees pressing into the creases of her elbows. The exhilaration coursed through me as I held her down, the tension of our fight crackling in the air. She squirmed beneath me, but I was not about to let go. Whether she liked it or not, this was a moment of reckoning, a testament to our shared bond—and I intended to show her just how formidable I could be.
I leaned down, letting my tongue trace the blood that streamed down her chin, savoring the metallic taste as I moved up to her nose. “I feel like you paired yourself with me on the fact that my daddy murdered your mommy,” I said with a chuckle, my tone deceptively calm as I gripped her throat tightly.
Behind me, I heard the unmistakable sound of a dagger being unsheathed. Just as I was about to draw my own weapon, I felt the cool metal gliding against the skin of my neck. “Touch her again and I will fucking kill you right here and now,” a rough, raspy voice warned from behind me—Azune.
The tension in the air thickened, an electric charge humming between us. I could feel the heat radiating off the girl beneath my hand, the pulse in her throat quickening as panic set in. A part of me relished her fear, but another part was distracted by the imminent threat at my back.
Azune’s presence was like a shadow over me, I had expected resistance, but not this kind of fierce loyalty. My grip tightened slightly, a reflex of defiance, but I sensed the danger in it. he m ust really love her to not want her to die right this second.
I raised my hands in surrender and got off Parker as she leaned over and coughed up blood she had swallowed. I crossed my arms, feeling the tension in the air thicken. Azune approached me, towering above, his fury palpable. "This is not the place to be a fucking show-off, Darksbane! It was a sparring lesson, not a goddamn bloodbath!"
I couldn't help but laugh, a hard edge to it. "Are you kidding me? She struck me first! And if you’re really that worried, you might want to check on her broken nose. The Academy doesn’t make exceptions, right? Then why are you bending the rules for her? That isn’t going to make her stronger; it makes her the weakest link."
The words hung in the air, and I could feel the tension reach a breaking point. Azune’s eyes narrowed, and I knew I had crossed a line. But in this dangerous game, maybe it was exactly what I needed to do.
"Get back in line, Initiate," he growled, helping Parker up off the ground as he beckoned two small mage initiates in green over. "Take her to get healed, please." They nodded and quickly led her away, leaving the tension palpable in the air. Azune shoved himself through the crowd, his anger radiating off him like heat from a forge.
Kaleigh stood beside me, laughter bubbling up uncontrollably. "I did not see that one coming! Holy crap! Where did you learn to fight like that, Kiri? That was crazy!" She clapped my shoulders, and I could feel the adrenaline coursing through me. As the red began to recede from my eyes, Abraxes pulled away, reassessing the situation with an almost playful curiosity.
"Just a little practice," I replied nonchalantly, though my heart was still racing. I knew I had just stirred the pot, and I couldn’t help but wonder how Azune would respond next. After sparring, it was time for Poison class, a subject I could pass with my eyes closed. I settled into my seat, taking down the notes as Professor Combs droned on about the various toxic substances we were expected to master. I couldn't help but snicker internally at her first name—Arenia—meaning "trash" in Telmythrin. Her parents must have really disliked her to name her that.
As I corrected her on a few points, a thought flickered through my mind: my own parents would be ashamed if they knew who I had become. But this life, with its complexities and challenges, felt more authentic than anything I had previously known. Still, I found myself grappling with the weight of their disappointment, but the excitement was brewing deep within me.
I knew who my next opponent would be, as it was exposed to us all by Professor Linwick before we left the yard. My opponent was the same height, size, and build as Kaleigh. I was going to die if I wasn't smart. I had to get out of the academy tonight. I had to. I needed hemolock and glass glow berries, and if I could, I needed to get to the kitchens at first light tomorrow.
Instead of listening to the professor drone on about topics I was already well-versed in, I found myself tapping my pen against my mouth in thought. My mind wandered to Calista and the upcoming sparring session. If she managed to eat before heading out, she’d certainly appreciate one of the muffins I had crafted.
With a dash of hemlock cleverly concealed by a layer of white chocolate, I could create something truly unique. And if I remembered correctly, mixing glassglow berries with raspberries would help mask the bitter notes of the glassglow. It was an exciting challenge to combine flavors and effects, turning something potentially lethal into a culinary delight. It felt more like an art than mere alchemy, and it sparked a warmth within me, a sense of purpose amidst the monotony of the lecture.
The professor’s voice faded into the background as I envisioned the vibrant colors of my ingredients coming together, imagining Calista's expression when she took that first bite. i had to adjust the recipe of course i didnt want her dead just...sick to her stomach one leaf of hemlock should be enough.
As night fell after our classes, I made my way up to my tower. I shut and locked my door behind me, breathing against the cool wood. Between learning about various weapons, gymnastics for balance and agility, and the demanding magic training, I was grateful for the day being over.
Suddenly, I heard a voice clear its throat from the corner of my room. My eyes flew open, and I turned slowly to see Azune sitting in a chair near the fireplace, a glare fixed on me. “I was wondering when you would make it back up here,” he said, his tone a blend of annoyance and anger.
he held a stick of smoking herb, Silver Dragon Haze, which was extremely illegal, and on top of that, could get us both expelled as the smoke filled my room. "Look, I get you're angry, okay? I broke your girlfriend's nose, but I promise you if she had only done a little research on my family abilities, she could have easily avoided me."
I moved across the room to force the window open, desperate for fresh air. "Are you trying to get me expelled? You know as well as I do that Silver Dragon Haze is illegal!"
He rolled his eyes, taking another drag from his joint, the haze curling around him like a mischievous spirit. "Chill out! We're not going to get caught. Just relax for a second and hear me out."
I shot him a glare, my heart racing at the thought of the consequences. "Relax? You think I can relax when you're waving around something that could ruin everything for me? You’ve already made one huge mistake being in a girls dorm without supervison—this can’t be another!"
The smoke spiraled out the window, mixing with the cool night air, but I could feel the tension mounting within the four walls that felt like they were closing in on me. "You don’t understand. I didn’t mean for it to happen. I was just trying to defend myself, and she came at me like I was supposed to back down."
He stood up and approached me, and instinctively, I stepped back until my back hit the wall. He took a drag from his joint, his eyes locked onto mine, and placed his hand on the wall beside me, effectively trapping me in place.
“Shut up. Look, so what if you defended yourself against Parker? I don’t care,” he hissed, his voice low and intense, so close that I could smell his cologne wafting off him in waves, intoxicating and disruptive. “You should know better than to let that demon take over your mind so completely.”
His words struck a nerve, a mixture of frustration and something deeper welling up inside me. The scent of him lingered in the air, both alluring and suffocating, magnifying the tension between us.
“Why do you care?” I shot back, trying to muster some defiance despite the fluttering nerves in my stomach. “It’s not like you understand what it’s like to fight for control.”
His gaze flickered, momentarily surprised by my response. There was a flicker of something in his eyes—was it empathy or just irritation? It was hard to tell in this charged atmosphere, and I felt a surge of unexpected courage. “You don’t know me,” I continued, my voice steadying. “You don’t know what it’s like to feel that darkness creeping in.”
For a momen the room went silent, but as he inhaled again, the tension returned, and I wondered if I had crossed an invisible line. Would he push back, or could there be an understanding in this chaotic exchange? I held my breath, waiting for his response.
he slid the joint between my lips encouraging me to inhale, and for a moment, the weight of the day felt a little lighter. It was familiar, comforting in a way that I didn’t expect. As I exhaled, my mind drifted back to the last time I had shared a moment like this. It felt like a lifetime ago.
Azune’s words struck a chord, a tension radiating between us. “Maybe if you knew me, you would see we're no different,” he said, that hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. It was a cryptic comment, loaded with meaning I wasn't sure I was ready to unpack.
“Ex-girlfriend, for your knowledge,” he continued, his expression shifting slightly, “I broke up with her prior to Initiate Day. It just hasn’t fully clicked for her.” There was an edge to his tone, a hint of frustration lurking beneath the surface.
I fidgeted with the joint between my fingers, listening but also processing the information. Azune raised a brow, challenging me with an intensity that made my heart race. “I only stopped you because Abraxes should be smarter. He knows that in sparring, it means to incapacitate, not kill.”
His knowledge of my demon was unsettling, and for a moment, I could feel a flush creeping up my neck. How much had he seen? How deep had he dug into the crevices of my mind? It felt like he was peeling back layers, exposing me in a way that made me vulnerable and raw.
“Yeah, well, maybe he just needed a reminder,” I shot back, trying to regain my composure. “You don’t know the half of it.”
Azune’s gaze softened, and I half-wondered if he truly understood the chaos lurking beneath the surface. the darkness around me urging me to tread carefully. I took another drag, savoring the feel of the smoke filling my lungs while I attempted to navigate this unexpected connection.
“Maybe we’re not so different,” he said again, more thoughtfully this time. “We both have our demons—literally and figuratively.” he said with a boyish smirk9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOrNeiJaqD
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzW3t6JGrt
