<< FON CARLSON >>

The bleachers are covered with decorations and the names of the three remaining Great Search participants are written everywhere. Fon can't help but imagine that she is with the other contestants on the grounds.

"These portals are gateways to places outside the East main continent. A place where unknown creatures are said to prowl," Jayden introduces.

Fon takes another deep sigh. That would be pretty exciting. New creatures. New adventures. Which means new ways to gauge her power.

"Inside, you must acquire a list of items that you will get randomly from a box," he continues.

As a trigger, a fishbowl appears within his arm's reach. He holds the bowl and ushers the other contestants to come closer to him.

"This bowl contains a paper with the list of all the items the participants can retrieve. Each one is different, but each is assured of at least three items," he further explains.

As directed, the three participants approach and take one list from the bowl. While they are checking out the list, Jayden continues, "Scores will be based on the items that you retrieve. It doesn't matter how you get it or how long it takes for you to get it. But there's a time limit of three hours."

Ayin, Cesky, and Sven stand before the portal that they have chosen to enter first. The surrounding atmosphere is tense and their eyes are focused on what's in front. She can even see a hint of magic getting activated around their body, well that is, except for Ayin who needs to save his magick as much as possible.

"Each portal has all the items in the list. But if you find out, the other items will vanish and you will need to enter another portal." Jayden pauses for a little dramatic effect and in a loud voice, he booms, "If you are ready, GO!!"

At his signal, Sven and Cesky run towards the portals, leaving Ayin on the grounds. Fon frowns, especially at the way he glances at her. They meet each other's eyes and he makes a half-smile before going into his chosen portal.

'What was that?' she thought, confused at the way he looks at her.

Once the three participants are inside, a screen appears on the ground. There is one screen for each of the ten portals in the ground. Three of these show the three participants as they search for the items listed on their drawn list.

Cesky is having trouble looking for her items. As a result, Sven and Ayin finish the first two on their list and are now looking for their last item.

Sven finds it first and comes out of the portal. Everyone greets her with warm applause and the smile on her face tells her that the little girl knows that she might become the Great Witch of the East.

"If she really becomes the Great Witch, the East can be saved then," she murmurs. "But after a decade of dedicated training."

"You really do like her," Rissa comments.

"Like is different from acknowledgment," she answers. "Out of all the participants, she's the only one who has a chance to become a powerful Great Witch."

'Not to mention that she has almost half of my magick because of that blasted Utente,' she thought.

"You are forgetting that there is a wizard competing."

"Negligible," she says.

"Not everyone is as powerful as you."

"I am powerful, but that kid is still growing. If I become lax with my training, she can reach my level."

"You just bragged that you are powerful!" Rissa exclaims.

She looks at her, and then a smirk appears on her face. "It's true. Why would I not say it?"

Rissa moves closer to her and interlaces her arms into hers. "I wonder how I can have a little of your confidence?"

"You have two-syllable names. You are already powerful for your age."

"I just got it because of my family's influence."

"And your eccentricity."

"I was just playing then," she answers.

Rissa is referring to the fact that her inventions have taken the notice of the Circle of Wizards. Her inventions are mostly a result of her addiction to the way of living of the aberrants. She made a whole room of different equipment mimicked from the aberrant's bathroom and bedroom. Most can be done by magick, but hers are more efficient. A trickle of magic and it is akin to using ten times the effort when using pure magick. Which is the reason why the wizards are ecstatic about her inventions. Most of them offered to marry her until Philomena stepped in and allowed her into the school, out of the hands of the old men.

"And you are not playing now?" Fon asks. "Just last week, during a storm, I just saw a metal rod spewing out lightning and toasting the training dummies."

"Still a failure. I can't seem to refocus its direction by using minimal magic. To redirect its path, I still need a huge amount of magic."

"Something that wizards don't have."

"It's mostly for the aberrants," she answers absent-mindedly. "It would be nice if they can sense magick and be able to use it."

"And then, you will have such a massive friendship party."

"That was the whole point!" Rissa responds and laughs. And Fon can't help but laugh with her. She even forgot to watch the events happening in front of them.

"You are so obsessed with the weak aberrants that I still can't believe you are a best friend to a powerful witch," Fon comments.

Rissa beams at her. Every time she says that she is her best friend, she becomes happy like this. "Powerful enough to be noticed by a Great Wizard?" she teases. "Once you become eighteen and you marry him, you will be forced to grow up. And you are still a teenager!"

"I'm not the only one who needs to grow up. If Sven becomes the Great Witch, she will need a lot of growing up. And he's only ten years old."

"Sven has her sister. She will manage."

"Also, Rissa," Fon says in a much softer tone. "You also need to limit your experiments. Since I will leave soon, there's only Philomena to take care of all the damage you are causing in this school."

Rissa winces. "Just the thought of you leaving me alone, I don't want it. You are the only one who can handle me."

"I am the same. You are the only one who can ever have a best friend like me." Fon squeezes her hand. "Besides, I already promised that you can visit me. No matter how long you stay."

"Argh! I'm so jealous!" Rissa screams. She realizes what she has done and turns her attention to the other students. "Sorry," she repetitively apologizes.

However, the student's attention is not on her. Everyone's eyes are on the Academy grounds. And so, Fon and Rissa focus on the competition. Other than Sven, Ayin has also exited the portals with three of his items.

Fon frowns at the scene. "What is he doing?" she asks. There is something behind Ayin and she won't mistake what it is. She has seen the same type numerous times in books about mythical beasts. There are a couple of varieties though so she is not sure which is it. "Isn't that a mythical beast?"

"What mythical beast?" Rissa asks.

"Use Focus, Rissa, and you will see what I am talking about," she suggests, referring to the technique the witches employ to see beasts hiding or camouflaging with the surroundings. This one is not doing any camouflaging though. In fact, it looks ready to pounce on Ayin at any moment. "It has its claws out. And damn, does he know that it's looking at him like he is some prey?"

"Fon, I am using it now and I can't see a single beast!" she exclaims.

"Oh damn," she curses.

Fon turns her attention from Rissa and back to the oblivious Ayin whose megawatt smile is brightening up the entire body of students. He looks at her again and his smile widens. However, Fon grimaces which erased the smile on his face.

She knows what it is now. The most annoying variety of them all. "Those are Anthuriums," she says under her breath. "And the idiot is completely unaware of its presence."