The academy buzzed among the first years. In the courtyard and dinning halls, students spoke of the new assignments and special test.
Damian walked among the voices together with Abby.
"Did you hear?, a special test will be held tomorrow"
"Another test and so soon, I thought the academy will give us more time"
"I heard we're meant to look for a dual partner and we're supposed to register before tomorrow "
"Dual?, is the special event a dual event?"
"No, it for a future dual event among first years"
"Yeah but I also heard the same person you choose as a dual partner is the same person you will be assigned to for the special event, so we're all meant to pick a partner tomorrow"
"Really, we better look for a strong teammate then..."
Damian and Abby sat down after taking their order in the dinning hall, listening in on the students conversation in the process.
"Hmm...." Damian thought
"Would you be my dual partner" Abby asked
"Uhmm, are you sure you want me, I was of no help last test"
"I'm sure of it, I feel with our combined skilled we can face anything, plus, we agreed to stick together "
'you agreed' he said inwardly
"Sure, why not" he knew Abby was strong and she was a noble, there was no better partner than her.
"Awesome" she tapped her watch as if looking for something on the smart watch, she then placed her watch over Damian watch.
"Hmm, what's that"
"The registration for the dual event"
"You were expecting this?" Damian asked confused
"Of course, first years are expected to have a dual event. However, I know nothing about this special event we keep hearing "
'i see' he thought 'probably because she's a noble, I guess they have more information about everything but if she doesn't know about this special event..wait, could it be... Clark?, his dad owns the school after all..."
"Uhmm, hey" a shy boy with glasses walked up to where Damian and Abby were seated.
"Oh hey" Abby said with a warm smile
"H...hey, uhmm I wanted to talk to Damian" Damian looked, eyes narrowed "Go ahead" he said
"I was wondering if we could team up for the dual test",
Damian of all poeple.
Looking at him damain thought 'yeah, he'll no'
"Oh, Damian and I already registered our names as partners. So you might have to look for someone else, sorry"
"Oh, uhmmmmmmmo....ok, no problem " the boy said and simply left.
That boy looked weak, even if Damian had not had a partner, he still would have refused.
'Someone actually approached me, could my remark at the noble on that day ... Could that have made me stand out?"
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Returning to the dormitory halls, Damian boots echoed against the floor. His pendant pressed cool against his chest as though listening to his heartbeat.
When he pushed open the door to his dorm, sky's voice greeted him instantly.
"There you are!" Sky leaned back on his bunk, grinning with relief. His blonde hair was a mess, his uniform half- unbuttoned. "I was starting to think the training room swallowed you alive"
Damian gave him a flak look. "I'm here"
"That you are" sky laughed. "You vanish too much, you know?. One day you'll disappear and no one will even notice until it's too late.ha"
Damian ignored him, crossing the room to his bed. Elias, just sat, polishing his boots without saying a word. He didn't look up, but Damian felt the glance he pretended not to give. Silent judgement or curiosity. He couldn't tell.
Sky tried again, voice softening. "Look men, I'm glad you made it through the trial, Damian. A lot of ... people didn't "
Damian sat, unlacing his boots. His grey-glass like eyes flickered briefly to sky. He didn't say anything but his gaze gave a silent acknowledgement. That was enough for sky, who beamed like he'd just earned a victory.
"Hey, at the end of the week, the school gives a day holiday to all students, well except from the third year students. Those guys are like imprisoned at the stop of the academy floors. But we use this day of grace to relax and enjoy ourselves, I was wondering if you'd like to join me and Elias."
Damian hesitated
"Comon dude, do you want to stay locked up in the academy forever, it'll be fun... look even Elias always comes along and he's a noble" Elias said nothing too focused on the shoes that had not an ounce of dirt on it. "Trust me, you need this and you'll like it"
"Fine"
"Great"
Damian was about to lay on his bed when Elias called out to him.
"Here, something came in for you today" Damian was surprised, so was sky. Damian took it, an envelope. Sky noting since it was a message it might be from his family, did not ask any questions and just began discussing with Elias , about what they were going to do on that free day maybe.
No crest was on this envelope. Opening if he saw words written in sharp, deliberate strokes.
*You've drawn the ire of a noble. Watch your back. Tomorrow, you'll be tested*
'so this special event is indeed your doing, Clark' he said inwardly, unfolding the note, eyes tracing it.
No fear touched his face. Only calm, quiet thought.
So the games begins.
>>>>>>>>>>
The morning sun hung heavy above the academy grounds, yet the air carried a strange weight - an uneasy, that rippled through the students even before they stepped into class.
Damian sat at his desk, calm as ever, his gaze tracing the drifting dust in sunlight. His mind raced with possible obstacles Clark must have set for him.
The doors opened, the noice evaporated.
Professor Mo entered with her usual measured steps, robe trailing, her sharp eyes scanning the rows of young faces. She did not waste words.
"I assume" she began "that by now you've all heard whispers about today's special event"
No one answered, though every student's posture straightened.
"Good" she continued "then you already understand it weight. I hope you've chosen your partners wisely. But let me make something clear, what you thought you knew has changed"
The words landed like a stone.
"Just a little change though"