The celebrations lingered long after the First Year Assessment ended, echoing through dorm corridors as students relived victories and nursed grudges over defeat. The five of us—six, counting me—became a walking spectacle. Every time I glimpsed a cluster of students, they parted like mist, eyes flickering with curiosity or suspicion.
I spent the evening scrutinizing my reflection in the window, searching for the thing everyone else seemed to see. I looked the same: pale hair, tired eyes, posture more suited to a desk than a dueling ring.
A knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts. Elane stood in the hall clutching a sheaf of notes.
"They're saying we'll all get rewards. Special privileges. I—I thought you'd want to know." She hesitated, eyes darting. "Congratulations, Riven. You were… amazing today."
I blinked, unsure how to respond, but her smile was so fragile, so real, that I found myself grinning back. "Thanks. Couldn't have made it through the maze without your help."
She blushed, shifting from foot to foot. "Will you come to the celebration? They're organizing one in the garden…"
Before I could answer, Seraphina appeared, arms filled with odd-looking vials. "Oh, there you are, Riven! Did you know the faculty is betting on who'll top the rankings this term? All the houses are buzzing." She leaned in with a grin. "You're the hot topic. That's never happened before for a first-year 'nobody.'"
Cassandra's voice cut through Seraphina's laughter, crisp and cool. "The celebration can wait. He should rest and prepare for what follows. Today was nothing compared to what's coming."
Seraphina made a mocking bow, rolling her eyes. "Such a ray of sunshine, Winter."
I tried to step aside, but Liora was already in the stairwell's shadow, her glassy purple eyes searching my face. "You stood out. They won't forgive that." Her words hung in the air, as if somewhere beyond the walls, wheels had begun to turn.
Mireille's arrival brought the group to silence, her gaze scanning the crowd as if measuring threats none could see. Without preamble, she addressed me: "Early training tomorrow. We continue. And… you did well. Today."
A beat. Then she turned sharply, storming off into the gloom.
There was a tug-of-war in the air—uncertainty, pride, tension, something darker I couldn't name. Every one of them stayed close as we walked to the garden. The celebration was a blur of glowing lanterns, musical spells, and awkward congratulations from people who only ever noticed me because of the company I kept.
Under the willow tree, Seraphina pressed a bottle into my hands. "For luck. And sleepless nights. You might need both."
Elane stood quiet at my side, Liora content to drift at the edge. Cassandra, always watching, always wary, never let more than an arm's length separate us. Mireille appeared only when I glanced her way, her presence as steady—and dangerous—as a drawn blade.
As the lanterns faded and students departed, I realized the celebration was less about victory and more about warning: Arclight never let anyone rest easy, not for long.
We walked back to the dormitory in a tight cluster, conversations subdued. No one mentioned the trials, the shifting rumors, or the eyes that now shadowed our every step.
When I finally reached my room, exhaustion claimed me as surely as any battle could. Sleep came fitful and light, haunted by the certainty that, come morning, the world would feel just a bit more dangerous—and that nothing I thought would remain secret for long.
[End of Chapter 7]