(Zelda's POV)

So a little friendly dual. What can go wrong with this idea?

"Sure, why not! What do you think, Zelda?" Oliver smiled.

I smiled back at him. "I say bring it on, Nightingale,"

"This feels a bit like the pot calling the kettle black," Oliver said.

"Oh, no. It's not that, in my case, it's just confidence, for sure," I said as Oliver laughed.

"Let's round up the rest of the challengers, and we'll do matchups by random," Preston said.

The music stopped playing as the students made a big area for us. Four of my fellow competitors were across from me. "Alright, we've got all eight of our challengers up front now. I've matched everyone up randomly by drawing names from my hat. So, let's see which pair are facing off first," Preston took two pieces of paper from his hat. "From The Viribus Circle, Oliver Nightingale! Some may say he's the front-runner in The Trials, but not me! I've got 100% confidence in my circle's challengers. So, going up against Oliver is Cade McFarland from Intuitus. He's single, ladies, so don't let this hot commodity pass you by. Dualists, come forward."

I was hoping I would go up against Oliver; I was hoping I would face him to knock him down a peg or two. What better way is there to do that than with my magic? But I guess I won't have the honor of kicking his ass. He might be the Nightingale, but now, he's just a child. All the teenage boys I knew back home could never beat me in a dual. Oliver and Cade walked toward each other and bowed.

"Now, gentlemen, assume your positions. GET READY, GO!" Preston yelled.

Oliver's eyes flashed red as he cast a fireball toward Cade, but Cade quickly put up a shield. Oliver looked annoyed as his attack was blocked. Cade retaliated by throwing a ball of light, but Oliver caught the thing with his bare hands and fucking CRUSHED IT! The crowd was going wild as they fought.

"He blocked it without using magic!!!" I said with amazement.

"Let's end this quickly," Oliver said as he cast a stun spell at Cade; Cade tried to put up another shield, but Oliver was too fast for him, and he fell to the ground.

"AND OLIVER WINS!!" Preston said, and the crowd roared at his victory. "What a great match we got to witness; now, next up for round two is Honestus's gentle giant, Alfalfa Tweedy, and Intuitus's dark horse, Zelda Cromwell! Zelda's only been here a week, and little is known about her. Except for the fact that she's become the first real threat to Oliver's title as the top student of Elysium. I wouldn't mind getting to know Zelda more because she looks perfect tonight," Preston said.

I was starting to get a little creeped out by Preston's words, and I looked at Oliver, who was giving him a death glare. Why is he doing that?

"Why are you looking at me like that, Oliver? Is it cause I didn't say you're good-looking too? Don't worry; you are hot as well." Preston blew us a kiss as Oliver rolled his eyes.

"Now, let's get this match started. Dualist, please come forward." Preston said.

I bowed to Alfalfa as he did the same to me; we both assumed our positions as Preston said the match was about to begin. "READY, GO!"

Alfalfa snapped his fingers as beams of holy magic appeared to hit me. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes; a shield erupted around me as I crossed my arms and smiled. I didn't need to make hand movements to cast most magic. I raised my hand as lightning cracked on my fingertips. "Fulgur," I said as I sent a bolt of lightning at Alfalfa, but he quickly blocked it with his shield. I was waiting for him to make another move, but he kept his guard up in case I attacked again; I knew what to do in this situation. I conjured a golden light around my fist, "Gold Breaker!" I shouted as I shattered the shield with a single punch. Alfalfa was sent flying to some cushions that softened his landing.

"Zelda is the VICTOR!!!" I waved at the cheering crowd and winked at them.

(Later That Night)

After the party ended with the last two challengers fighting, I met up with Brooke. She seems annoyed at all the drama that happened with Jax. She walked me to my dorm room. "Zelda, I'm sorry for getting caught up in Jax's nonsense again. I didn't mean to leave you alone like that." Brooke said.

"Water under the bridge, Brooke. So, I'll see you tomorrow?" I said.

"See you tomorrow, Zelda," Brooke said, hugging me while heading off to her room.

As I was about to walk through my door, I suddenly saw smoke. I was coughing badly. I couldn't breathe; what was this? Then a gust of wind blew the smoke and dust away.

"Holy shit, new girl, are you okay?" said Kelli.

"Yeah. I think so; what in the goddess's name was that?" I asked.

"I have no idea. It all happened so fast, I was walking back to my dorm room, and then I noticed someone conjuring smoke around you, so I ran over as fast as possible and blew it away." Kelli said.

"Thank you, wait; you saw someone cast that spell? whatever that smoke was, it was incredibly toxic." I smiled with gratitude. "I was about to pass out until you came along; thank you."

"Who would attack you like that?" Kelli asked me.

"I have no idea. It might have been a prank, but it didn't feel like a prank." I said, coughing a little. "I'm going to sleep this off; thank you for saving me."

"Don't mention it; I'm sure you'd have done the same for me," Kelli said. "You were very impressive in that dual tonight. If that person just now hadn't taken such a cheap shot, attacking from behind like that, I'm sure you would have kicked their ass twenty times over."

I laughed. "Well, your wind spell was impressive,"

"I can teach you that and some good shield spells that my dad taught me. It might come in handy for The Trials. Plus, it might be handy if someone tries to pull something like that again." She said.

"I would love to learn it sometime. I know you're next to me, so can I come by sometime?" I told her.

"Of course, and by the way, I'm Kelli. Nice to formally meet you, Zelda," Kelli introduced herself and went into her dorm room as I went into mine.

I locked my door and sat on my bed. I don't know what would have happened if Kelli hadn't saved me. Someone attacked me, which hasn't sunken in with me yet. It felt too malicious to be a prank; I was choking on black smoke, which is deadly. I could have gotten hurt. Who would want to hurt me anyway? We're at Elysium; why would I get attacked here? Could it be a threat, or does someone not like that I got a spot in The Trials? Why did this happen when I thought things were starting to feel normal? Now to have to worry about getting attacked by disgruntled classmates now? Stay in the past, they said. It'll be fine, they said. What could go wrong? I must start being more mindful of my surroundings when I'm alone.

"Gee, Zelda, you should have more presence of mind," Shawn said as he appeared before me.

"What the hell, Shawn! Don't pop out of thin air like that!" I grunted.

"Sorry, you should know that I have a reputation for popping up out of nowhere," Shawn said.

"Where have you been, anyway? You might be a figment of my imagination, but I still want to know." I said.

"I've been watching you all week," Shawn said.

"Well, that's not creepy at all," I said. "Why are you showing up now? I wondered if we'd ever talk again. Unless you don't miss me the same way I do you, it's silly even to mention that seeing as you are just a figment of my imagination," I said.

"Hey, I haven't been around all week because I don't miss you. Of course, I miss you. It's just that it's the best thing I can do for you right now," Shawn said.

"I don't follow." I tilted my head.

"You've been settling into your new life here for the past week, and you've done wonderfully so far. You're acing your classes, made new friends in the last few days, and got a spot to compete in the Trials. You've had to leave your comfort zone lately, and it's good for you. Let you flourish on your own for once." Shawn smiled.

"Well, when you say that, you make it sound like I've been co-dependent on you," I said

Shawn laughed. "Let's be honest, Zelda, we kind of both were. We've been best friends since we were babies; it's no one's fault. I'm proud of you for putting yourself out there this week; you should be too. Get some rest; you've had a long day with great excitement."

"But we've barely gotten the chance to talk," I said, saddened.

"I will always be around, I promise. When you need me again, I'll be there faster than you can say, best friend," Shawn laughed.

"Thanks for watching over me, Shawn," I closed my eyes and drifted into a deep sleep.

"Goodnight, Zelda Mikaelson," Shawn cooed.

(Monday Morning)

I woke up the following day and did my daily morning stretches. I dressed in a casual school uniform with my black jacket: time to start a new week, Zelda. "Moon Goddess, please give me strength," I said as I walked out of my dorm room.

As the day went on, I exited class, but I heard Oliver call out as I was about to continue my day. "Cromwell, wait up!"

"I didn't realize that we were on a last-name basis, Nightingale," I said after I turned to face Oliver. I smirked.

"It kinda slipped out, to be honest. It seems fitting, but I wanted to talk to you about our project," Oliver said.

"What about it?" I asked.

"Well, we should probably try to set up the next time we can get together and work on it," Oliver said.

"You wanna meet outside of class again?" I rubbed my arm as I studdered.

"Obviously. I'm not accepting anything less than a perfect grade on this project. I thought you, of all people, would understand the necessity of time spent outside of class to achieve that," Oliver said with disappointment. "I guess I was wrong,"

"Of course, I understood that. I also have equally high expectations for this project," I said defensively.

"If you say so," Oliver said with air quotes. "You're the one that seems shocked about scheduling the time to meet for it,"

Because being around you confuses me in a way I never thought possible. I don't want to understand these feelings. "How about sometime today, then? After dinner? In the Library of Alexandria?" I said.

"Yeah, that works for me. Thank you, I'm glad we sorted that out. See you later, Cromwell," Oliver waved goodbye as he walked off.

Yeah, see you later—my mate.

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(Jax's POV)

(During the Party to Celebrate the Class of 2025's Challengers)

"JAX, WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?" Brooke yelled. I approached Niko and his boyfriend, Leo, and hid behind them.

"I'll explain later, guys," I said.

"Boys, where is he?" Brooke growled.

"Um, where is who?" Leo said with sweat dripping off his brow.

"That idiot, Jax. I saw him running in this direction," Brooke said

"We haven't seen him," Niko said.

"Oh, is that so? Cause you two look suspicious right now. If I ever find out that you guys helped him. Well, let's say that the Moon Goddess won't be finding your souls." Brooke threatened them.

"Sorry, Jax, you're on your own," Leo and Niko said in unison, leaving me alone with Brooke. SHIT!!!

"I'm going to rip you a new asshole, Jackson Prescott!" Brooke laughed maniacally.

I'm so dead.