When Dale said that his lessons were going to be painful, I didn't realize it would be this excruciating. There was one day left until the tournaments and my muscles were already sore. Still, I felt more confident in my ability already and was looking forward to prove my worth. The Dragons Rage techniques were very... well they fit the name. Although the techniques were very powerful, it didn't fit me. I most likely will be using the techniques until I find one that suits me.

"Hey, breakfast is over. You ready to get your last lessons in?" Dale said, intervening her thoughts.

I shook my head, trying to wake myself up. "Yeah, i'm ready." I said as I stood up.

Leani waved a small goodbye, as well as the other boys at the table. I pained a small smile, upset at the thought that I haven't been able to hang out with them as often.

Once they were farther away from the dining hall, Dale said the words that had been on my mind.

"Sorry about having to constantly take up your time. We only have one more day to practice and you need to get as much practice as possible." Dale said with a concerned look at my face which shone with a tired attitude.

I heaved a sigh. "It's okay. I appreciate all that you've done for me." I said, managing a smile.

The next few minutes were filled with silence as they walked.

After the silence which lasted an eternity, we stopped in a field of lush grass, the wind sweeping at the plants that tickled my legs.

Jade was no where to be seen. He tended to be more distant, and I wasn't sure why yet.

"Alright. I want you to practice fighting on me." Dale said with a gleam in his eyes as he went into his stance.

I swept my right foot far behind my left, pealing my sword from its sheath, and holding it with both hands horizontal in front of my face.

"Begin." Dale said calmly right as I sprung forward.

Our swords flew in a fury of attacks and defends. The most difficult part about battling with Dale was that he chose a different fighting style every time we fought, so I could never predict what would happen next. It kept me on my toes.

Dale swept a full force attack at my side, however I was just barely able to block it from actually hitting me. The force of the attack quickly overpowered my balance which made me stumble back. Using the advantage Dale had, he sped forward for an attack. My mind blurred as my vision turned to a haze. Dale knew what moves I would use, so I had to show him something I hadn't had the chance to show him yet.

Everything seemed to slow as Dale swung forward. I thought of a small imaginary blue orb that floated in the center of my body. I imagined pulling a delicate string of power from the orb and changeling it through out my body and through my sword. A jolt of energy rushed through me, as my sword made contact with his and shattering it to pieces.

The noises of the brisk wind and the leaves swinging in the trees brought me back to reality.

Dale's eyes fell to his shattered sword, the only intact part was the hilt he still held between his hands.

"Don't ever do that again." Dale said with a darkened expression. It gave me shivers down her back just looking at him.

"Why not?" I asked with hesitation.

"Using magic like that isn't.." Dale stopped to think of a word to describe it. "It isn't the normal kind of magic. Usually, magic users pull energy channeled to make magic from the environment around them. They aren't able to have their own supply of magic. Don't get any ideas and work on that ability you have. Others will find out and you'll for sure have a lot more enemies. However, may I ask where you learned that?"

"I have this book I got with my sword.." I started before explaining everything that happened; with the note from Irene, and the unusual language, the dragon voices, and the history. I wasn't sure yet, but I get this secure feeling when i'm with Dale; like I can trust him.

Dale shook his head. "That sounds like a bunch of crap to me. I mean come on, everyone knows that Eric Valenia was the man who killed the leader of the other realm, sealing our victory. Why would the books not mention this Irene? Also, I'm not sure such a thing as an incarnation of someone has happened before. I wouldn't try to read that book, it's probably from some lunatic."

I slowly nodded, although I didn't feel like he fully understood.

————————

The honey sky fell below the horizon, replaced with a navy blue sky sparkled with white stars.

I heaved a long sigh, drowsily walking the long hallways streaked with candles. My steps echoed against the bare floor, and I opened my dorm room to an unexpected surprise.

Leani sat on her bed with a book in her lap, Dylan was sitting by the window, Lukas was curiously walking around, and Ryker sat on my bed.

"Hey Amira." Leani said as she looked up from her book.

The others turned toward me as I closed the door behind me. "What are you guys doing here?" I asked with a hint of confusion.

Dylan shrugged. "We just haven't been able to see each other in the past week so we decided to come to your room."

I glared at Ryker who hasn't budged to get out of his comfy position on my bed. He either didn't take the signal, or he just ignored me.

"So how has all of your training been going?" I asked after the long moment of silence.

"I've been reading a lot on techniques to improve my skills since I don't have a teacher. I don't think any of us do." Dylan admitted, looking around at the others shaking their head.

"Why do you get someone to teach you?" Ryker asked, which was the first time he had spoken since I walked through the door.

"I'm not sure, he just said that he was interested in teaching me." I quietly replied, thinking to myself. Why really did he start teaching me?

"Why would a higher year student be interested in a first year?" Ryker said, his green eyes starting at me intensely. He wanted a straight answer.

"Well Dale saw me practicing and Jade was nearby and my sword-" I started not only before getting cut off by Ryker.

"That's why. He wants to use you because your different then anyone else here. Pfft, figures. Why would anyone choose to actually tutor you if they didn't have anything to gain?"

"Ryker! That's so rude! Maybe Dale is merely interested in her ability as a student here." Leani said, putting her book down next to her.

Lukas and Dylan stayed quiet, not wanting to interfere yet. Soon, Lukas spoke up.

"I think everyone should give each other a minute to calm down. This is getting out of hand." Lukas said quietly.

Leani and I nodded with understanding, however Ryker thought otherwise.

"You all know i'm right!" Ryker said.

Dylan snapped toward him. "Does that seriously matter to you right now? Lukas made a good point. We are all working each other up over nothing. Come on, we are acting like a bunch of five year olds. You guys are tearing this group apart before the tournament starts. We don't want to be on bad terms tomorrow."

Silence consumed the room after Dylan's speech. I heaved a sigh, grateful for Dylan's usual reasoning. He was most likely the only one who held the group together.

Suddenly, I remembered about the tournament. "I think you guys should go back to your room. Everyone needs to get good sleep for tomorrow."

Everyone nodded except Ryker. Still, Ryker was the first out of the room followed by Dylan and Lukas who waved a small goodbye.

The room grew eerily quiet as the door closed behind them.

"Well that was certainly interesting." I muttered. Leani only stared at the door and clutched her book.

"How's Jade doing?" Leani suddenly asked.

"He's alright I guess. I haven't seen him around in a while. It seems like he's preoccupied with something." I muttered quietly.

"That's.. unusual." Leani said while she fumbled with her fingers.

I walked to my bed quietly and sat down on the sinking mattress with a sigh of relief.

"I'm really nervous. I think everyone is, they just don't want to admit it." Leani said honestly with a small smile.

"Yeah same. I don't want to fight against you guys especially. But I want to prove my worth and-" Leani cut me off before I could finish.

"No one is going to hold the tournaments against you, I promise." Leani reassured.

I held my tongue and said nothing else. The conversation ended briskly after that.

—————

The night covered the sky like a blanket. It enclasped it's tender fingers around every glow of streaming light until the only light source in the sky was a ring shaped star.

The academy grew still as students slumbered and fell into a state of deep sleep. All expect me. I couldn't keep my mind distracted from the tournaments that started tomorrow.

A light tap startled me to look directly at the window. Jade's blue eyes glowed brightly through the window. I could hear his flapping wings.

"What are you doing? It's in the middle of the night!" I said, attempting to keep my voice low enough so I didn't wake Leani or anyone else in the building.

"We need to talk."

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Apologies for the late chapter. What do you guys think of this chapter?