ZENITH'S POV
The colossal auditorium echoed with the sounds of excitement, the air buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming trials. The twins, Zenith and Zeshia, were ushered into a waiting room, where the glass windows allowed them to watch the various ongoing tests in the arena. The noise from the crowd was distant, but it still carried a sense of urgency as the battle tests continued.
Zeshia, as always, was practically vibrating with energy, her excitement palpable as she watched the fights through the windows. "I can't wait!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "This is going to be so much fun! I've been waiting for this day!"
Zenith, more composed, simply gave a small smile and nodded. "Try not to get too carried away. Remember, we're here to pass, not show off." Her gaze remained on the arena as she took in the display of powers.
As the twins observed the events, Zeshia's ever-curious nature kicked in. She glanced to her side and noticed a girl sitting nearby, elegantly adjusting her hair. The girl had a calm, collected demeanor—something that immediately caught Zeshia's attention.
"Hey!" Zeshia greeted cheerfully, leaning toward the girl. "How're you holding up? You seem so calm, I bet you're a pro at this, huh?"
The girl looked up, startled for a moment, but relaxed when she saw Zeshia's friendly expression. "Oh, um... I'm fine, just a little nervous. I've never done something like this before," she replied, a faint smile curling her lips.
"Really?" Zeshia asked, raising an eyebrow. "You sure don't look nervous. You look like you've done this a hundred times!"
The girl chuckled softly, though there was a certain guardedness in her eyes. "I've been around competition before. Just... not in this kind of setting." She paused, seeming to reconsider something before adding, "But I'm sure I'll be fine."
Zeshia leaned in closer, her curiosity piqued. "Well, you've got this! You just gotta act like you own the place, right?" She grinned. "I'm Zeshia, by the way. And that's my sister Zenith," she added, gesturing to Zenith, who remained quietly observing the arena.
Zenith nodded politely in greeting, though she didn't add anything more. The girl, seemingly aware of Zenith's cool demeanor, offered a small smile and introduced herself. "I'm Talia. Talia Firo."
Zeshia's eyes widened slightly at the name, but she didn't dwell on it. Instead, she launched into her usual barrage of questions, asking about Talia's origins, her family, and her thoughts on the academy.
Talia remained somewhat elusive when it came to her background, though it was clear she wasn't trying to lie—just avoiding specifics. "I prefer not to talk about my social status," Talia said airily, her tone dismissive but not rude. "I'm just here to pass the test like everyone else." Her words were simple, but there was a certain arrogance in the way she spoke—one that was softened by her underlying warmth.
Zeshia didn't seem to mind and just nodded enthusiastically. "I get it! No need to say more. We're here to do our best, right?" she said, grinning widely.
Talia gave a slight, knowing smile. "Exactly," she replied, her voice laced with confidence. "But I have to say, the academy seems like quite a prestigious place. I'm sure we'll see some interesting people and powers."
Zenith, who had been observing the conversation from a distance, finally spoke. "You seem sure of yourself," she said, her voice calm. "Confidence is important here. But sometimes, being too sure can be dangerous."
Talia met her gaze with a raised brow, then smirked. "Maybe. But it's worked so far." There was an edge to her tone now, though it wasn't aggressive—more playful, like she was testing Zenith's reaction.
Zeshia, completely unaware of the subtle tension between the two, giggled. "Oh, you're just like us! You don't let anything get in the way, do you?"
Talia's smile grew slightly, but she was still a little guarded. "I suppose you could say that."
Zenith, although not one to get involved in idle chatter, found herself intrigued by Talia. There was something about the way she spoke—something polished, almost like she was used to being in the spotlight, even if she was trying to keep a low profile. Her arrogance wasn't mean-spirited, but there was a confidence about her that suggested she knew exactly who she was and where she stood.
As the conversation carried on, Talia didn't specify much about her origins, but Zenith's sharp instincts told her that there was more to Talia than she was letting on.
The air in the waiting room was thick with anticipation as the battle tests continued. Zeshia, always the energetic one, couldn't sit still. She bounced up and down, excitement practically radiating from her, while Zenith remained calm, her gaze focused on the battles taking place around them. Her mind, however, was elsewhere—on the upcoming test, her thoughts a bit distracted by the strange feeling she had regarding Talia.
Talia, who had been sitting next to them and chatting casually, now stood up as her name was called for the arena. Her movements were smooth and graceful, her confidence almost palpable, yet there was a slight nervousness in the way she adjusted her gloves. Zenith couldn't help but notice how poised she was. But there was something else, a certain quality to her bearing—like she wasn't just some common girl. Something in her gaze, her subtle air of authority, made Zenith's suspicion grow.
"Good luck," Zenith called out to her, her tone as calm as always.
Talia flashed her a bright, determined smile. "Thanks, Zenith. I'll be fine."
Zeshia, on the other hand, leaned in and whispered with a grin, "Just don't go burning them to a crisp, okay?"
"Not if I can help it," Talia said with a wink before heading toward the arena.
Zenith turned her attention back to the arena, but her mind was still on Talia. She wasn't sure what it was, but something about the girl's demeanor seemed... different. More than just a mage—perhaps even nobility?
As Talia entered the arena, her opponent—a brawny earth magic user—stepped forward. The crowd murmured, sensing that this would be a clash of heavyweights. The earth mage raised his hand, summoning pillars of stone from the ground, preparing for the attack.
Talia didn't flinch. With a swift motion, she raised her hand, conjuring flames that flickered brightly in the air. Her opponent threw a boulder in her direction, but Talia skillfully deflected it with a barrier of fire that evaporated the rock into smoke and dust.
"Impressive," Zenith muttered, watching Talia handle herself with such ease. But the earth mage wasn't finished. He slammed his fist into the ground, causing the very earth beneath them to shake. Massive rocks shot toward Talia, but she was ready. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned crystals, shooting them like arrows at the advancing rocks. They collided midair, creating a dazzling display of magic as the crystals sliced through the rocks with precision.
Zeshia leaned forward, her eyes wide. "Now that's what I call a fight. Go, Talia!"
Zenith's attention didn't waver. She noticed the way Talia used her magic—fire for offense, crystals for control. It was clear that she was a skilled mage, but there was something about the way she moved—her confidence, her command of the elements—that made Zenith uneasy. Maybe she wasn't just another fighter in the academy... maybe there was more to Talia than met the eye.
The earth mage lunged forward, attempting to overwhelm Talia with another barrage of stone, but this time she was ready. She concentrated her magic into a blinding beam of crystal and fire, slamming it directly into the earth mage's chest. The impact sent him flying backward, and the ground rumbled as he hit the arena floor.
The referee stepped forward, raising his hand. "Victory to Talia De Fiore!" he announced.
The name rang out across the arena, and a sudden hush fell over the crowd. Zenith froze, her mind racing. "De Fiore..." she whispered to herself. She exchanged a look with Zeshia, and they both knew at that moment.
"Talia... De Fiore...?" Zeshia asked, her voice barely above a whisper, but it was clear she was just as surprised.
Zenith nodded, her brow furrowing. "The De Fiore family is the royal family of the empire. I didn't think she was nobility much less royalty..."
The crowd had begun to murmur, but Talia remained unfazed. She didn't seem at all surprised by the announcement. As she made her way back toward the waiting area, she caught Zenith's gaze.
Zenith met her eyes, the realization settling in. Talia had never mentioned her true identity, nor did she seem to have any intention of revealing it. But now it was clear—Talia De Fiore wasn't just a student at the academy. She was royalty.
"Well, that was a good match," Talia said lightly, as though they were simply discussing the weather. "I think I might have overdone it a bit with the crystals, but I'll be fine."
Zenith couldn't help but smile slightly at her nonchalance. "You did great. But... you didn't have to hide who you were."
Talia shrugged, not even looking embarrassed. "Sometimes it's better not to advertise it."
Zeshia, who had been practically bouncing in her seat the entire time, leaned forward, her eyes bright with curiosity. "So, you're really a De Fiore? The royal family? That's amazing!"
Talia glanced at Zeshia, her eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "Yes, but lets now focus on that now ..its not important...i actually wanted to hide it."
Zenith raised an eyebrow. "huh?.. why though?"
"Because..." Talia paused, her smile softening slightly. "I'm just here to prove myself. I'd rather not be judged for my last name, but for my abilities."
Zenith nodded slowly, a sense of respect growing for the girl. Talia may have been royalty, but she didn't carry herself like a princess. She was different—more grounded, more focused on her skills than her status.
It was soon my turn. As I stood up from my seat in the waiting room, I felt the familiar weight of the upcoming battle settle on my shoulders. Zeshia gave me a wide grin, practically bouncing in her seat with excitement, while Talia offered me a brief, knowing smile.
"You've got this," Zeshia said, her voice brimming with confidence, though I could see the underlying tension in her eyes. She was itching to see a good fight, and as always, I was her preferred entertainment.
I nodded, the usual calm resolve settling over me. Fighting wasn't something I enjoyed, but I had no problem dealing with it. Besides, I had more than enough control over my abilities.
When my name was called, I walked down the aisle, my mind already focused on the match ahead. As I entered the arena, I glanced at my opponent. She was a young woman, maybe around my age, with an elegant air about her. She stood tall and confident, eyes sharp with the clear intent to win.
I knew what her magic was before the first move was even made—her aura shimmered with a cool, frosty blue glow, and the faintest glimmer of illusion magic hung in the air. Ice and illusion. I had to be careful.
The referee called for the start of the match, and immediately, my opponent raised her hands. A sharp, cold wind swirled around her, and then she summoned a wave of sharp, jagged ice shards toward me. They glinted menacingly in the light, and I could feel the chill of her magic even from where I stood.
I reacted quickly, summoning a torrent of water to meet the oncoming ice. My water magic was usually fluid and smooth, able to subdue even the harshest of attacks. But as the ice collided with the water, I immediately realized something was wrong. The water froze, hard and brittle, unable to form the usual resistance I was accustomed to.
"Annoying," I muttered under my breath. This wasn't going to work.
She wasn't waiting for me to recover, though. Another wave of ice shot toward me, and this time, she added an illusion, making the ice appear in several directions at once. The illusions were too quick for me to dodge or block, and I could feel the sharp edges of the ice closing in.
I was running out of options, my water magic not enough against her ice. That's when I stopped fighting the inevitable.
Instead of struggling with the water, I focused my energy on something more familiar—something that had always been within my control, but I had rarely used. Void. My control over space allowed me to manipulate the very fabric of it, bending it to my will.
I stretched my hand out, creating a dark rift in front of me. The void absorbed the oncoming ice, then reflected it right back at her with an eerie distortion. The shards of ice bent, twisting in unnatural directions before shooting back toward her.
For a moment, the arena fell into stunned silence as the ice hurtled back at my opponent. She barely managed to react in time, raising her hands in a futile attempt to shield herself, but the ice struck her with enough force to knock her off her feet. She tumbled backward, her illusion magic flickering out of existence as she struggled to regain her balance.
I didn't give her a chance to recover, stepping forward calmly as I lowered my hand. The void dissipated, and the arena watched in stunned silence as I stood there, unfazed by the battle that had just taken place.
The referee stepped forward, looking between the two of us, then raised his hand to announce the victory. "Victory to Zenith!"
I didn't bother celebrating or acknowledging the cheers of the crowd. The battle had been more of a demonstration than anything else.
As I walked back toward the waiting area, I could feel the weight of everyone's gaze on me. Some looked confused, others impressed, but I didn't let it bother me. The match was over, and that was all that mattered.
Zeshia was already bouncing in her seat, grinning widely. "That was awesome, Zenith! You really gave her a run for her money!"
Talia, too, gave me a small nod of approval. "Well done. You kept your composure under pressure."
I simply nodded, grateful for their support but still feeling a bit unsettled. The fight had been too easy, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something—someone—was watching us closely. The way the crowd had reacted, the way the examiners were looking at us. Something wasn't right, and I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
The crowd's energy shifted, and I felt a flicker of anticipation run through the room as Zeshia bounced in place, eyes wide with excitement. The next battle was hers.
I knew Zeshia—she was practically vibrating with energy, eager to get started. Her grin was almost mischievous as she practically skipped to the arena. I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. Zeshia always made everything seem like a game, and this was no different.
Her opponent, however, was the noble she had bumped into earlier—the one who had been so quick to sneer at us. He was standing in the arena, brushing dust off his clothes and glaring at her with the same condescending look he had given us in the hallway. His arrogance hadn't been shaken in the slightest.
As Zeshia stepped forward, her expression darkened slightly. "Oh, it's you," she said, her voice sweet with an edge. "Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes."
The noble looked up, blinking as if he hadn't expected to see her again so soon. Recognition flickered in his gaze. "You!" he snapped, his eyes narrowing. "I should have known you'd be here, commoner."
Zeshia tilted her head to one side, her playful demeanor slipping into something sharper. "Funny, I don't remember being 'just a commoner' when I knocked you down earlier," she teased, stepping closer to the arena. "But if you want round two, I'm happy to give it to you."
The noble bristled at her words. "You think you're clever, don't you? You'll regret this," he spat, raising his hand to summon earth magic.
Zeshia didn't flinch. "I'm counting on it," she replied with a grin that was all teeth. The excitement in her eyes was palpable, the thrill of the fight already consuming her.
The announcer's voice boomed through the arena, calling for the start of the match. Zeshia was off in a heartbeat, practically dancing as she dashed toward the noble, who tried to form a defensive wall of earth to block her.
But Zeshia was faster. She darted past the earth wall, laughing, before sending a blast of wind his way that sent his defenses scattering. The noble barely had time to react as Zeshia danced circles around him, her feet light and graceful on the ground.
"Too slow," she called out as she swung her hand, sending a gust of wind that knocked him off balance. He stumbled back, but Zeshia was already on him, her movements as fluid as water. Her wind magic was a blur of motion, and in the blink of an eye, she slammed him into the dirt with a burst of force.
The noble gritted his teeth and pulled himself to his feet. "I'm not done yet, you—"
Before he could finish, Zeshia was on him again, this time using her wind to propel herself into the air. She spun, her laughter ringing through the arena as she flew above him. With one swift motion, she sent a powerful gust crashing down onto him, knocking him to the ground.
His earth shield cracked under the pressure, and he had no chance to recover. Zeshia landed gracefully beside him, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Told you I'd knock you down a peg," she said, her tone playful, but there was an edge to her words.
The noble struggled to get back up, his face flushed with frustration and humiliation. Zeshia, however, was already walking back to me, her smile wide and triumphant. She didn't even look back as the examiner called the match.
"Victory goes to Zeshia."
The crowd erupted into applause, and Zeshia skipped back over to me, her energy still bubbling. "See? Easy as pie!" she said, spinning around and showing off her work. She glanced at me, her excitement almost contagious. "You should've seen the look on his face! He didn't even know what hit him."
I nodded, trying to suppress a smile. "You're going to give him a complex, you know that, right?"
Zeshia just grinned and twirled a strand of her silver hair around her finger. "He'll get over it. He was an arrogant prick, anyway."