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“Yes, I know. You’re one of my best students as far as determination goes, and you’re a great fighter during non-ability combat training,” he replied matter of factly.
Professor Hale tended to favor critiquing what we could improve upon. I was taken aback by his half compliment, but it gave me the confidence I needed. The final push to ask him if I could guard the banquet.
“Th-thank you, sir,” I stuttered. “I was… I was wondering, since it’s known that I want to be a guard, and a guard cannot take a husband or wife, if I could, um, attend the banquet not as anoption, but as a guard.” My cheeks heated as I honestly didn’t know how to word it. Potential bride, potential Queen, potential wife? It made me feel like we were cattle to be lined up for the High Council to choose the fattest one.
He remained silent as his gaze found mine. Whatever long speech I had rehearsed wholly left my brain as I kept rambling, “It would be a good way for me to prove how serious I am about this profession. I can show my dedication, and I will be on the lookout the entire time. I won’t socialize or talk to anyone. I’ll be on my best behavior and represent your guard class well. You won’t be—”
He held up his palm to cut me off, and I realized that I hadn’t taken a breath the entire time I’d talked.
“Scottie, I figured you would ask me. I know you are very dedicated and yearn to be a guard. I don’t doubt you would represent my class well and do a fine job guarding the banquet.” I leaned forward in my seat, practically off the edge of it. “Unfortunately, we cannot allow that. It’s mandated that every female attend. We cannot go against the High Council’s request. It was not a mistake that your name was included. Every single female must go.”
I slumped back into my seat, defeated.
“However, it’s unlikely someone like you would even be considered,” he continued. I ignored the insult since it was what I wanted to hear anyway. I didn’t want to be selected. “You may wear your guard uniform instead of a ball gown if you wish. You can take on responsibilities as a guard, but you won’t be included in the five students I select. You must still attend the ceremony, but before and after the banquet, you may work with your five fellow students if that pleases you.”
Well, it was better than nothing. “Thank you, sir,” I said.
I rose from my seat on shaky legs. Professor Hale let out a long sigh that echoed across his office. “Scottie, I know you chose to try out for the guard for your Trial, but you are aware that you may not be selected, right? No matter how well you place in the Trial itself, your ranking has a huge weight on where you get placed.”
“I know that, sir. That’s why I’ve been training really hard, and I want to use this banquet to prove how serious I am about this.”
“I guess what I’m trying to say is that it might not matter. Even though you’re an excellent fighter, they might look at your ranking and disregard how well you place in the Trials. There is a chance, I’m afraid, higher than I’d like to admit, that they might make you a servant instead. So it’s important to do your best on your examination. You can’t afford one slip up in your Trials the following day. Unlike the other students, you don’t have any room for mistakes.”
I gritted my teeth. The last statement was like a jab through my heart. It was what everyone always told me when they found out I was trying out to be a guard. That I wouldn’t make it. That a female could never make it. That a nix could never make it.
“Yes, sir,” was all I replied as I left his office with the door slamming shut behind me.
I occupiedthe remaining time I had before class by waiting in the female locker room—if you could call it that. Professor Hale had to remodel an old cleaning closet to give me a place to change. LakeWood hasn’t had a female try out for the guard in decades, which was why I got stuck with a four by four space, but I didn’t care. I was the only Advenian who used it, so the closet became a sanctuary to me. I quickly changed out of my uniform and into my guard outfit, trying to let out my frustration before everyone else showed up.
“Listen up,” Professor Hale called out once everyone filed into the gym. “Today, we’ll be sparring with abilities. You will spar using any powers you possess on top of your regular combat skills. A successful guard will learn to master both and incorporate each into your fighting. It’s weak to rely on only one. I will pair you off in twos. You will spar for thirty seconds on, thirty seconds off, for a total of thirty minutes. At the end of class, we will review fighting strategies for your final exam. Then I will explain how the Trials will proceed. Take this sparring session very seriously. It will be your last practice before the Trials. I will also be picking my top five students to attend the banquet based on your performance today.”
I patiently waited for my name to be called as Professor Hale started pairing us off in twos.
“Scotlind Rumor and Kole Sanders.”
Ugh, this day was getting worse and worse. I looked over at Kole, who flashed me a cocky grin. I made my way over to the mats where Professor Hale directed us to stand.
Kole glided over to me. The top of my head came to his chest as he peered down at me, glaring from under the bridge of his nose. I was smaller than most Advenians, not having the blessed genes for height like most of my kind. It was something to add to the long list of reasons why I was an outcast. It was also another comparison Kole often used to compare me to the mortals.
Kole’s awful smirk never faltered as he said, “I heard they’re allowing you to attend the banquet on Sunday. What a joke to give a nix like you false hope, but at least you’ll get to see who you will be working for as a servant.”
His laugh stopped short as I kicked him in the ribs, hard. Grunting, he glanced toward Professor Hale, who, mercifully, was looking the other way.
“You bitch,” he sneered as he took a step toward me and leaned down so that our faces were inches apart. I could practically smell his breath on mine. His brown eyes darkened. “You wanna play dirty, nix? I’ll gladly oblige.”
I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of backing away. I didn’t want to give him any indication that I was afraid of him, so I stayed planted in place, narrowing my eyes at him.
“Kneel,” he compelled as his skin flashed golden markings the second the command left his lips. He casually placed his hand in his pocket so Professor Hale wouldn’t see his markings flare to life as he held his compulsion over me. Kole’s markings were only visible on his right hand and forearm, and since we trained in our guard outfit which consisted of a long-sleeve shirt, it made it easy for him to compel me in public.
It was banned to use compulsion on other students at LakeWood as it was considered far superior to the other powers of the Dark Kingdom. Many teachers argued and fought the rule, but ultimately it was decided that a student didn’t need practice commanding others to do things. But after school, once Kole graduates, he wouldn’t have the restriction placed on him. He’d be able to use as much compulsion as he pleased.
Cursing under my breath, I sank to the ground in front of him. I knew I shouldn’t have kicked him, shouldn’t have provoked him. I was usually better at controlling my temper, but Kole had an obsession with getting under my skin, and he knew all my triggers.
He grinned down at me. “There. I just thought you should get comfortable with where you’ll be spending all of your time after you graduate.”
I spat on his shoes before I quickly jumped to my feet as soon as his compulsion wore off. The classmate standing next to us laughed softly, having overheard the whole thing. I shook off the humiliation and gritted my teeth.
Professor Hale blew the whistle hanging around his neck, indicating the start of our first thirty-second round. I started bouncing lightly on my toes as we circled each other.
