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“I know this may seem like short notice, but rest assured your professors will get you ready with the condensed materials.” I choke back the scoff that threatens to leave my throat at that. My mind struggles to understand how he expects the professors to fit two months of material into just a week.
“This move may seem brash, but our newest students must learn to defend themselves with all of their abilities. Next time it may be life or death.” Those words cast a somber mood over my classmates and me. Our class was the one that felt the full brunt of the demon’s attack. It had been our lives on the line that day.
Yet I couldn’t forget the apparent disregard he had for our safety that day, leaving the room once he found out about the attack. Not caring in the least about any of the student’s wellbeing, or even his professor’s.
“Please make sure you’re staying vigilant. You never know when another attack will occur.” With that, his image flickers out, leaving the space empty, like a pit about to swallow us whole.
My eyes collide with Kyros’ instantly, attempting to decipher the emotions playing in his honey-brown eyes behind the impenetrable mask shielding him. The growing shouts distract me, pulling me out of my trance. My hands raise to cover my ears against the cacophony erupting in the small room.
Kyros lifts his arms, sending out a blast of power. The soothing warm glow envelopes the students, calming the frantic shouts. “I know you have concerns, but shouting across the room won’t help anyone.”
“How can he do this?” a male student cries with his hand in the air, not bothering to wait to be called upon.
“He has the council’s approval, unfortunately.” Kyros shakes his head. “The majors have tried to overturn the decision, but the council is trusting Headmaster Mavros’ judgement.
“Is this really safe?” a female interjects. She squirms in her seat, wringing her hands nervously.
“It will be challenging, but not impossible,” Kyros answers solemnly, not hiding the truth. “We really won’t know until the Ascension. There are some powers more dangerous than others, and we won’t necessarily know what we’re dealing with until the nature of everyone’s abilities is brought to light.”
“What happens if we don’t pass the finals?” Lucas asks, and I see his leg bouncing with nervous energy in front of me.
“I don’t want to keep anything from you,” Kyros starts warily, gauging the student’s reactions. “If a student does not pass the exams, they will have to start the courses over from the beginning and retake the exams.” The tension dissipates from most of the students, yet Kyros’ body language does not change. “After that, if the student fails again, they will have their powers permanently stripped and will live out their days as a mortal.”
Silence settles around the room as everyone takes in the gravity of our situation. Not only were we being launched into these exams underprepared, but who’s to say Mavros won’t change the rules again? There is a genuine possibility that if any student fails, their powers could be taken away, and they will miss out on the chance to explore their true destiny. That thought makes me pause, realizing how much I’ve changed in the past few weeks. If I had been offered the chance to have my powers removed when I first got here, I would have gladly taken it. After getting to know what is possible in this realm, the thought makes my heart sink.
“I think it’s a great idea—the sooner the better. I won’t be left defenseless again,” a male student declares, pulling me from my thoughts. My eyes narrow on him before I place him as the last student terrorized by the demon. I nod at him, understanding his point.
“In theory, the idea is great since you’re close to being mortal at this point, especially when faced with a creature such as a demon. However, there may be some students that possess volatile powers, making them more of a liability than an asset if not trained appropriately,” Kyros explains, not looking down on the student, merely offering another viewpoint. Recognition is in his eyes as he gives the student a respectful nod.
“Are there really going to be more attacks?” Kali asks from beside me, her voice low and soft. She darts a glance in my direction, fear and concern evident in her gaze. He catches the direction of her gaze, and his eyes rise slowly to meet mine. His face softens as our gazes meet.
“Honestly, we aren’t sure. We’re working tirelessly to find the source of how the demons are not only getting to our realm, but how they are getting past the school’s wards. I think it’s safe to say there will be another attempt. How successful they will be, remains to be seen.”
An eerie silence settles over the room at that, everyone taking in his words. His open and honest expression calms everyone, and they seem to appreciate he’s not willing to mince words when all of our lives are at stake.
“How are we going to learn all the material in a week?” I ask, my voice strong and sure, cutting through the tension like a knife.
He shoots me a grateful look before responding. “The professors and I will be condensing the material. There will be missed items, but our aim is to have you as well prepared as possible. I’ll be working with anyone after classes who needs extra help. We’ll be making sure no one is left behind.” With those words, the atmosphere changes from hollow hopelessness and despair to one of sheer determination.
He continues his lesson, covering the most essential information to us right now. The different gods and what their powers are. My hand flies furiously over the page, recording his words.
We’re going to need this information to piece together our own abilities once they’re unlocked with the Ascension ceremony. The ringing bell cuts off his words as he attempts to use every possible second.
“That’s it for today. Remember, I’ll be holding study sessions every day in the library after class.” He raises his voice over the sound of chairs scraping on the floor. Students rushing to get to their next class thank him on their way past.
If any of us pass this exam, it will be a direct result of Kyros and his dedication to his students. My chest tightens with pride as I gather my belongings.
A pit forms in my stomach, guilt, and embarrassment creeping up at what Kyros saw that night. Despite being drawn to all of them, he is the only one other than Adrian I was physical with. To make matters worse, I completely overreacted to his wanting to pause things between us the last time I saw him. That uncomfortable tightness amplifies as I draw nearer, my heartbeat pounding in my ears.
The rest of my classmates walk ahead, and Kali gives me a sympathetic wave before walking through the open door. I pause, fear gripping my chest, feeling clammy wetness moistening my palms. I don’t have a clue what I’m going to say.
This is so not like me. I’m usually confident and calm, not nervous and sweaty. I take a deep calming breath before closing the distance. This will happen whether I like it or not. I might as well just deal with it.
“Liv,” he breathes, the word rushed, as though he was holding his breath in anticipation for this moment. He steps forward, heedless of any watching eyes, the door still standing open to the hallway. His hand wraps around my upper arm, gentle yet pleading.
“Can we just talk?” he asks, his body radiating with nervous energy.
“Of course,” I answer, my words coming out a bit too forced. The coward in me craves to just duck and run—putting this off for as long as possible. “I have to get to my next class, but tonight?” I offer, giving myself at least a bit of a reprieve before facing the firing squad.
