The academy hall buzzed with whispers as students crowded around the large board pinned to the wall. The sections were clearly listed, each name written in bold letters for everyone to see. Wads, Klyden, and Liora approached together, shoving past smaller groups of curious classmates.
Wads leaned in first, squinting at the board.
1A —
Reiyell Georgia Frey Ravenscroft
Liora Vallegoire
Ashborne Dunsmore
…
1B —
Keiya Anastasia Zheka
Klyden Yurei
Thaddeus Wynthrope
Ysoria Eldridge
…
1C —
Wyxro Waxzi
Nash Voldemort
Yetro Zaikeroli
…
Wads' eyes stopped at 1C. He let out a small, unimpressed sigh.
Klyden peeked over his shoulder, grinning. "1C? Middle of the pack, huh? Looks like someone's gonna have to work a little harder if you want to catch up!"
Liora smirked, her heterochromatic eyes glinting. "1C? Oh Wads… stuck with the mediocore while the real stars sit over there." She flicked her hand toward 1A. "I hope you can handle it, genius."
Wads rolled his eyes. "I can survive mediocrity. Barely, maybe, but I'll survive."
Klyden snorted, nudging him. "You? Survive? Don't let Liora's teasing get to you. I'll be your backup if she goes too far."
Liora leaned closer, grinning. "Oh, don't worry, Wads. I'll poke fun at you every day. You'll be my little project."
As their playful banter continued, Wads caught movement from the corner of his eyes. Reiyell Georgia Frey Ravenscroft stood in 1A, her indicolite eyes fixed on him, her expression calm but commanding. Their gazes met briefly, and she mouthed, "I'll be looking forward."
Wads froze, his mind racing. A princess… interested in rivaling a commoner? His hand instinctively brushed the locket at his chest, and a faint warmth spread beneath his fingers. A subtle warning—or perhaps anticipation—he wasn't sure.
Before he could dwell on it, Liora noticed the distraction. "Daydreaming again, genius?" she teased, poking him lightly. "Focus, or you'll trip over your own feet tomorrow."
Wads shook his head quickly, hiding his thoughts. "It's nothing," he muttered, though the locket still hummed faintly against his chest.
Klyden laughed beside him. "Ignore her. Just remember, genius, 1C isn't the end. You've got plenty of room to shine."
Liora smirked, flicking Wads on the shoulder again. "Oh, I'll make sure you shine, just in my own way."
Wads glanced back at Reiyell, still at the side of his vision, and the faint warmth of the locket made him uneasy. Somehow, he knew this rivalry was only just beginning.