Smoldered Flames: Part I of the Edonia Series
Chapter 14

Valeri

Valeri

Despite my optimism, the rest of my classes were hell. I was led to each class by Tanni and pretty much guarded by Adeyemi. I’m sure this was for the benefit of the students versus my own wellbeing. Tanni and I were five minutes late to Potions vs. Alchemy. The professor surrounded me in a thorny rosebush as punishment before continuing her lesson. Tanni was left unscathed. Professor Rose Applebottom was a surly woman who was the epitome of her namesake. I was still fuming by the pack of wolves-and everyone else-who thought I was an easy target to bully, that I missed what the professor was saying.

Divine and Arcane magic was a little simpler. They were two sides of the same coin. Divine magic was internal and Arcane magic, external. Divine magic was funneled from a god or goddess, whoever was in favor of you. For instance, if you were favored by the Earth goddess, then you were blessed with a certain amount of that affinity. If you ask, you shall receive. Arcane magic on the other hand was more of a give or take. It’s a source of raw energy from Ley lines that hold channels of immense power. I made it on time to this class and was shortly briefed by the professor before the class held mock battles.

Professor Leilani was a stern teacher. Personally, she was ten times better than Professor Applebottom, but still held a sense of ire in her character. She paired me with Tanni. Tanni possessed Divine magic. She was a talented woman, I’d give her that. Of course, I was knocked down on my ass the first round.

Training and Battle Practice took place in one of the many islands of Fallnora-I learned this from a passerby student. I was forced to hitch a ride in the dragon’s claw again. We flew over rolling green hills and endless sea. Verdurous trees surround us and frogs croak in the distance. The dragon flung me from its grasp and I landed in a heap of mud. At least I hope it’s mud.

Whoops of laughter rings in my ears. My cheeks flame in embarrassment while smoke billows around me. the dragon makes a deep gurgling noise. It, too, was laughing at me. I scramble to my feet, calmly flinging as much mud off as I can. I bend down to scoop up some mud before flinging it at the scaly beast.

Its stunned gaze compels me to laugh. Thunderous growls come from within the beast.

“You should not have done that,” shouts Adeyemi.

Flames engulf my body. Shadowy figures flit in and out of my vision. People scream in fright. In the natural order of things, I should have been howling in pain and fright; just like last time. But this time was different. The flames awoke something within me. It was like coming home to a warm hearth or welcoming a long time friend.

Embracing this, my body consumed the flames. I stretch my arms to the sky luxuriously before smiling at the dragon. I internally gather the flames before gracefully balling my hands together, beckoning the flames to come out. When I try to release the fire within me, a white shield appears in front of me. Burgundy hued flames roar to life after being released from within me. I feel my eyes turn a different color while pent up fury courses throughout my body.

A deep, but feminine voice shouts from behind me. “Naka! You know better than to burn my students, no matter how much they annoy you!”

I turn and see a six-foot tall and burly woman behind me. “You! Save it for battle practice!”

This must be Professor Bertha Luxembourg. She wore dark padded armor that held built-in chainmail. The professor holds a helmet in hand and carries a scowl on her face.

She shouts again. “Listen here, you maggots. No matter what you decide for your future, you will need to know basic fighting techniques. You will be graded on performance, endurance, agility, among other things. This will then determine your position in the Tournament.”

I don’t know why she has to be so loud! My ears practically bleed from the pain of her voice. And what did she mean there would be a tournament?

“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it,” someone whispers. The person speaking came from my left side.

I flinch. ”Jeez, announce yourself next time, will ya?”

“My apologies.”

She is a tall and lithe woman who stood a few heads taller than me. Her midnight blue eyes twinkle with curiosity. She wears a simple azure leather one piece. A scaly, turquoise colored head pops out of her raven black hair. It chirps joyously at me before going back into the safety of the woman’s tresses. It was a dragonling. I didn’t care how cute it was, I didn’t trust them.

“Not all dragons are as rude as Naka. They reflect their partners,” she begins. “You must be Valeri, I’m Nerissa. Pleasure to meet your acquaintance.”

She is perceptive, I’ll give her that much, but I didn’t trust her. I couldn’t trust anyone around here. The last time that happened, I became a walking buffet for the school. So, I decided to ignore her introduction.

Adeyemi slides down from Naka. “Today, you will be tested on speed, endurance, and agility. Many obstacles will be set to challenge you. The last few who make it will be marked as omegas and will stay behind for additional training. No excuses,” he says sternly.

Two tall and limber men amble their way towards us, their eyes set on Nerissa, and her alone.

The first to arrive had gray eyes as bright as the stars. He dressed in a flowing silver shirt with black breeches. His pale skin was in contrast to his long metallic colored hair that was braided back and revealed pointed ears.

The other looked to be dripped in gold. From his golden eyes to his golden tanned skin, he shined brightly in the sunlight. He wore a gold dress shirt with black skinny jeans. His appearance almost blinded my right eye.

“Good afternoon, Lady Nerissa,” they say in unison.

“Oh, so you are a Lady, eh?” I asked.

She rolls her eyes. “Gentlemen, you know that such formalities are not necessary. We are all equals here.”

Professor Luxembourg interrupts the conversation before I could get an answer. “Alright, prepare yourselves. When you hear the gunshot, get ready to take off!”

So we were having a foot race. Everyone stretches their limbs and laugh amicably with one another. If I am part vampire, surely I’d be one of the fastest around, right? I begin to stretch as well, determined not to become an omega.

We are not meant to be of such low rankings, says that seductive voice in my mind.

Agreed.

The feminine voice takes on a suggestive tone. Why don’t you take off the necklace?

I’m sure I can do well with it on, I argued.

“Don’t even think about it,” said Nerissa.

“About what?” I queried.

She smiles. “Elves and faeries are just as fast as vampires, if not faster.”

So she was either fae or an elf, interesting.

A sudden competitive sensation washes over me. “Are you sure about that?”

“More than certain.”

“Let’s place a bet.” I say.

“On?”

“If I win, you help me figure out what the hell is going on with me” I declared.

“Deal,” she responds.

“And if you win?”

“You will owe me a favor. That detail will be explained to you later,” she says.

Huh?

I start to speak again. “But that-”

A gunshot echoes around us and my fellow peers take off to the distant forest.