AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well, it was delicious if that’s any consolation,” Roman scoffs, plonking his lanky frame down next to me.
“Wanna hang out later at the Etherial Room?”
“No.” I say a little too hastily. Then I add, “I’ll need an early night so I can meet you at the Zen for practice tomorrow.” I hate the Etherial Room and the way the in-groups swan around. It makes me feel even more awkward than usual.
Roman clutches his stomach in hysterics. “We’re meeting an hour before class Siriarna, the sun will already be up. Just like you should be.”
At this chastise, I throw my fluffy reading pillow straight at his head. Whilst my aim was incredibly accurate, he manages to escape contact by using the speed of light.
“Show off.”
“Slob,” he teases and strides out my front door singing, “See you in the morning Siriarna.”
Maybe.
Chapter3
Siriarna
I don’t make it to the planned tutoring session with Roman. Instead, I stay in bed until the sunshine filters through my window warming my skin. Besides, how many times does one turn eighteen?
Leisurely, I step out of bed and open the wardrobe door to the mirror located on the inside. Scrutinizing my reflection, I can’t see anything different. Same appearance, same feelings, same everything. I try to cast a simple image spell to lighten my very average hair colour, it’s not blonde nor brunette, sitting somewhere in between. But my magic doesn’t cooperate. Surprise. Not surprise. I guess my birthday wishes to the Fates were unanswered once again. It’s definitely put a dampener on my celebratory spirit. I mean, I didn’t expect to wake up full of confidence with magic zapping through my veins, called upon at will. Okay, I actually did. Eighteen is a big deal for a semi god. It makes the disappointment so much worse.
I dress in my white training uniform and leave the hut. No point stopping by Roman’s dorm, he’ll be practicing his skills at the light pillars. Surely he won’t be shocked that I didn’t turn up, despite my promises.
I really do want to qualify for a Propensity and I make a mental note that I will, most definitely, make the effort to rise early tomorrow morning and meet him for our intended tutoring session. After all, I am a mature eighteen year old now.
Arriving to the first lesson of the day, I spy Roman sitting in his usual spot by the window, mid row. I make my way to the vacant seat beside him and slide in, knocking the desk with a clunk.
“I see you are still as awkward as usual despite your wiser years,” he says with mirth.
“Stop it, I did that on purpose to announce my arrival.” I brush my bangs aside, and bat my eyelashes innocently.
“Funny. I missed you at training this morning,” he rolls his eyes. “I guess I’ll let you off due to it being the most auspicious of occasions. Happy Birthday by the way,” he grins.
“Thanks. I feel totally different.”
“You look it,” he counters, softly laughing under his breath.
The lecturer enters the room and announces the day’s lesson will pick up where we left off last week, discussing the Mount Olympus Council Arena and the Olympian Gods that hold voting positions.
I love studying the old textbooks and manuscripts. The images are so beautifully curated, I am drawn into the artwork, often getting lost in the nuances of brushstrokes. My fellow classmates do not hold the same passion as me and a collective groan vibrates around the room at the mention of text study. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I am delighted there is no physical skills training today.
Maybe the Fates have listened somewhat and spared me a magical embarrassment?
******
The last lesson flies by and Roman waits for me to pack up mysatchel.
“Come on, gods you’re slow,” he says drumming his fingers on his work desk impatiently.
“What’s the big hurry?”
“You’ll see,” he says cryptically.
“Argh. Okay.”
I carefully place the text book in my satchel, and I’m ready to leave. Following him down the hallway, I pass the TON who are huddled together at the exit.
