The next morning, Alaryc woke up, his wounds completely healed thanks to his light element. He quickly prepared for class and, as usual, met up with his friends on the way to the classroom. Silvarya, Alicia, and Jake were eagerly discussing which professors they would choose as their mentors.
Jake declared proudly:— I'm going to pick Madame Eloria! She's a master of the fire element, and I heard she fought alongside the headmistress in the past.
Alicia, ever pragmatic, added:— I'll go with Professor Caldrin. His perfect mastery of water could help me improve both my offensive and defensive spells.
Silvarya, agreeing with Alicia, chimed in:— I think I'll choose Professor Caldrin too. He could help me synchronize my elements better.
All eyes then turned to Alaryc. Curious, Silvarya asked:— And you, Alaryc? You haven't said anything yet. Do you know which professor you'll pick?
Alaryc dodged the question with a slight smile. He had decided to keep his status as the headmistress's disciple a secret. He simply replied:— Not yet. I'll think about it.
The group arrived in the classroom and took their usual seats. Shortly after, their professor entered and asked the students to sit down quietly.
— Alright, listen carefully, she began. This year, the Academy will participate in the prestigious Elemental Tournament. This tournament gathers the best first-year students from every kingdom. But unlike previous years, only five students will be chosen to represent our Academy.
A murmur swept through the classroom. The professor continued:— To determine who those five students will be, you'll undergo a series of rigorous tests to prove your worth. These tests will begin tomorrow and will evaluate your magical skills, your elemental mastery, and your ability to work in a team.
The announcement elicited mixed reactions from the students. Some seemed panicked, whispering that they weren't ready, while others, like Alaryc and his friends, were brimming with excitement.
Suddenly, Alaryc noticed a girl with red hair and green eyes sitting alone in a corner of the room, staring into space. Intrigued, he asked Silvarya:— Who's that girl over there?
Silvarya seemed surprised by the question.— You don't know her? That's Maria. She ranked third in the standings during the last assessment.
— Why is she sitting alone? Alaryc asked, puzzled.
Silvarya shrugged.— She doesn't like talking to people.
Thoughtful, Alaryc observed Maria for a moment, intrigued by the mysterious aura around her. Deciding to learn more, he used his Analysis. To his surprise, he discovered that Maria possessed three elements: fire, water, and shadow.
— Three elements? Alaryc murmured to himself. That's rare...
As if sensing his gaze, Maria suddenly turned her head toward him. Alaryc quickly looked away, but he knew he had to talk to her.