5

While in duel training against other ward members, be aware that you will be underestimated and maybe even targeted as a weak link when you let them know you have no emblem. But do not let that fret you. 

Their underestimation is your greatest weapon, Rain. Use it.

~A GUIDE TO SURVIVAL AT KINGSBURY HIGH, GIFTED TO RAIN ANDREA, RIVERTON. FROM ELOISE RIVERTON (section2) ~ 

CHAPTER 5 

RAIN ANDREA RIVERTON. 

                 

I read through the paper in my hand, the one that had mysteriously appeared at the side of my bed. Considering I had made sure my doors were locked, I was certain it was the school using magic to pass information to us. 

A sting of hurt in my chest lurked while I read out the names, a passport picture of each of them directly next to it. It was a death list of those who did not survive the massacre last night. 

There was a low writhing sound as their names appeared on the white midsized board hanging over the bed opposite mine. I could have as easily been on this list. I barely even survived myself. 

Twenty-three people were dead. 

How was the Oakblood council okay with this? How was Kingsbury comfortable with any of this? And most importantly, how were the students themselves cool with having to kill each other?

The last words on the paper. Rūsīr rigle ao māzigon, se rūsīr rigle shall ao jikagon. 

 ‘With honor, they came, and with honor shall they go.’

Then the paper disappeared from my hand. Like it knew I was done. 

****

“And I want to welcome all the new aspirants from all wards to Kingsbury.” The middle-aged man said. 

His long white beard was tied at the end. His hands were behind him like an actual scholar. The outfit he wore hinted that he might have lived under a rock for some time, considering he had no idea fashion had gone way beyond long medieval dresses for men. 

Snickers came from around me, turns out I wasn’t the only one who thought the same. Everyone else in my section whispered to themselves while they gave him an awkward stare. 

“Mhh mhh!” The woman next to him cleared her throat, a brow raised at us. At least she knew how to dress modern.

We maintained our postures, and everyone stood better. Me? I tried my best not to look over at them, the set that stood behind the two that most likely were our teachers. But with the five stars they had at their gears, they were probably five-starred students, considering we all had one star placed on ours.

Kai Malek stood casually, leaning on the side of the wall with his arms crossed, and of course, looking bored. Only one problem. His eyes were focused on me. Heck, his gaze had been locked on me since I and the other students entered. Fucking jerk. 

What was his deal even? Sending someone to assassinate me? Maybe he didn’t send her, but she still made it obvious who she worked for. 

Just like I’d thought, the girl from last night but with her hair longer, blocked Kai’s vision from me and mine from his, putting all his attention on herself. A frown creased my brow, that bitch tried to kill me for him?

Another girl entered, she looked exactly like the one currently straddling Kai with her body, but I recognized this one because her wolf-cut shoulder-length hair was in place.

Oh, and this exact one was sneering at me.

Twins.

The medieval man continued his speech. “I am Professor Bengal.” He turned to the lady next to him. “And my assistant here is Dr Zia. She is from the healer's section. She’s here to mend your broken bones.” 

The entire hall broke out in laughter. All aside from the five-starred students at the other end of the hall, I could tell not everyone from the acolytes was present. I mostly recognized those who had come up as ward and section leaders yesterday. 

They had to be here to guide the newbies in their wards, like Kai and the other two I recognized. Theon and Cole. Theon had Introduced himself as our section leader at formation yesterday. He was directly under Kai. 

Releasing his hand from behind and letting it fall on either side of him, Prof Bengal walked closer to us with two steps. It made me wonder what emblem he had.

“As the name implies, you are called aspirants because Kingsbury is not for everyone. This is the most dangerous university in Oakblood because it requires skill, strength, and every other thing to actually defend our world in its time of danger, like the acolytes who have reached three stars and above.” 

His brows were drawn together as he looked at us all, one after another.

A judgemental look he didn’t bother hiding was quite prominent. “Not all of you have what it takes, hence, not all of you would be going to two stars or even would survive.” He clasped his hands together in conclusion. “Any question, aspirants?” he asked, the title rolling off of his tongue with nothing but utter boredom. 

Some aspirants brought their hands upwards, curiosity overpowering their features but Professor Ben didn’t bother looking towards them.

“Good. In the absence of questions, we will go on.” Every hand that was up was brought down in shame. “Let’s proceed by showing everyone what emblems you possess, starting from you.” 

His gaze fell on me. Oh. Fuck.

Every attention shifted to me. My skin almost crawled at the thought of being in the spotlight. Holding my head high, I stepped out of the crowd and stood close to him.

“My powers are associated with my emotions.”

“Show. Us.” A brow was lifted and I nodded. 

Think of something scary. 

I closed my eyes as the nightmare from last night filtered into my brain, opening it again, my eyes changed to a blaring green. 

“Green indicates fear,” I stated, even though he looked unbothered and very much unimpressed. Doing the same thing I did before, I thought about how devastated Aunt Eloise was when she got the letter about me having to come back here. My eyes changed to blue in an instant. “Blue indicates sadness.” 

For the last one, I didn’t have to go far. One look at Kai and my eyes changed to red. His head tilted slightly to the side as though challenging me.

“Red indicates anger.” I turned to Prof Bengal.

“And how exactly does this emotion crayon powers of yours aid us? The university and Oakblood in general?” 

It doesn’t. Heck, I don’t even want to be here. “That’s all there is to it, but I am very skilled with daggers.” 

He frowned at my response, some mocking sounds could be heard from all around the hall. 

Let them underestimate you. Use that as your greatest weapon.

“Go on then.” With a swipe of his hand, he created a fighting ring in the empty part of the hall. That was his emblem, illusions. “Let’s see just how skilled you are.” 

“Professor—”

“Nazeera Hayat, get into the ring with her.” He ordered one of the students. She had beautiful brown braids with rings intertwined in them. Her dark skin glittered. Her eyes looked like she could kill and would do exactly that without hesitation. But I could kill too. 

Lifting my chin, I walked towards the ring, ducking into it. Not for once missing out on the mocking remarks I was given. She had joined me in the ring, a frown on her face and her makeup fiercely done. I pulled two daggers from underneath my boots.

“The rules are simple, tap out by hitting the ground three times. Magic and weapons are allowed. Death can often be unavoidable. But, Rūsīr rigle ao māzigon, se rūsīr rigle shall ao jikagon.”

With a clap of his hand, Nazeera went into position. She twirled her fingers while muttering some words. A glowing rope appeared in her hands instantly. She was a witch. 

“Riverton, huh?” Her siren eyes never left mine. A smooth African accent rolled off her tongue. “A family member of yours killed my brother.” 

I tilted my head. If Aunt Eloise killed someone, it would be for survival.

“Maybe your brother deserved it.” I grabbed my dagger, making sure I could feel the sharp edges of my stilettos tugged in the cuff around my wrist. 

I watched her as we circled the ring, eyes going to her legs while they moved. One after the other, careful. An amused grin went to the corner of her chin. “Maybe we will find out. You can ask him when I take you to him.” 

Unlike what Aunt said, she didn’t underestimate me. No, far from that.

“Likewise. I love a good reunion.” I lurched at her, swiping the dagger, that was my first mistake. With a swift movement, she dodged it, turning over in a somersault. Her two hands were on the ground, her legs up in the air. 

She kicked her feet simultaneously and before I could think, the two blades were already flying off my hands. I bent down, pulling out my third dagger. 

I swiped my leg underneath her hands that kept her planted to the ground in an attempt to cut her balance but she pushed herself upwards, stretching the rope in her hand so it wrapped around my ankle, she yanked me towards her.

Taking advantage of the closure, I pushed my dagger into the side of her fight gear, her scream drowned the gasp from the audience. 

“ignis ignite!” She made signs towards me.

A spell! Shit! 

I pulled my dagger from her, moving backward as a fireball tore into me. My back slammed across the harsh ropes of the ring, pain raked through me but I pushed it off, ignoring the smell of burning flesh that filled my nostrils. 

Half my black gear was torn and burnt. There were bruises on my right palm from the fireball I had pushed away. My eyes turned a blaring red and anger, like lightning went through every part of my veins. 

I raised my chin to meet her smirk, she was still holding onto the dagger wound oozing with blood.

I wrapped my hand over the last dagger in my boots, not caring that it made the burn in my hand hurt even more. I was going to kill her. 

She looked at my dagger, and the smirk she once had disappeared, fear now in its place. I followed her gaze, looking down at what I held. My dagger was glowing. A flaming blue. 

Taking my distraction to her advantage, she jumped upwards, a back kick with

her right leg on my chin which sent the now normal dagger and me up in the air. Next, my head hit the ground, hard. Everything went blank.