#12 Relic Class Sucks

Rowyn POV

Relic Navigation & Trial Prep Class

I didn't even need to walk in the room to know this class was going to suck harder than a leech in a blood bank. The aura hit me the second my boot stepped across the threshold, janky, twitchy, and fucking wrong. It made my stomach roll like I'd chugged spoiled milk and taken a ride on a tilt-a-whirl.

And then she spoke.

"Welcome, darlings," came the sugar laced snarl of a voice that sounded like it ate crystal and spat privilege.

"I'm Professor Galina. Do take your seats, nobility in the front, everyone else... scatter yourselves accordingly."

The bitch had the gall to curtsey to Seraphina.

Deadass curtsey.

I grabbed a seat toward the back beside Aster, who looked about as thrilled as I felt. Seraphina tossed her blonde curls and glided to the front row like the pampered tyrant she was, flanked by her Barbie Fae clones.

Professor Galina launched into the lecture, completely ignoring half the room.

"In this class," she began, smoothing her robes like we should give a damn, "you'll study Relics, items left behind by gods, demi gods, and ancient fae bloodlines. Some may call to you, though I wouldn't get your hopes up if you weren't blessed by birth."

Her eyes flicked past me like I was invisible. Good. I preferred it that way. Less temptation to swing Rivenstar straight into her false lashes.

She continued, "We'll also begin discussing the Trials. Your first year challenge is the Trial of Fire. It is painful. Brutal. You will suffer. Some will be broken. Some will burn. But those who survive? Will rise forged."

She paused. "If you survive."

Silence. Then, gasps. A muffled sob. A girl up front visibly shaking.

"Wait... people die?" someone whispered.

"Oh, yes," Galina purred, her smile razor sharp. "Roughly forty percent of first years perish."

The room erupted into murmurs and panicked breathing. Aster's hand flew to her mouth, eyes swimming with tears.

I didn't flinch. Didn't blink.

"If I survived my family," I muttered, "a little fire won't kill me."

Aster turned to me, her voice cracking. "I... I didn't know that many died."

I grabbed her hand and squeezed. "Don't worry, boo. You've got me. We'll survive together."

Pop! A spark of light exploded beside me, and Thistle appeared, buzzing furiously. "And me too!" she squeaked. "I'll protect you both!"

She fluttered with her fists on her hips like a goddamn battle sprite and I swear I heard a soft "aww" from someone nearby.

But of course, leave it to Seraphina to ruin the moment.

She shot out of her seat like she'd been slapped and shrieked, "What the fuck?! Did you steal a nymph, you lowborn trash?!"

The whole room stilled. Eyes whipped to me.

Even Professor Galina narrowed her gaze. "Indeed, Miss Vale. Nymphs do not bond without reason. Where did you acquire it?"

Thistle zipped across the room so fast Seraphina ducked. She planted herself right in the professor's face, wings blazing and tiny hands on her hips.

"I am Princess Thistleblitz of the Wood Nymph Court, and I bonded to Rowyn by choice." She jabbed her finger an inch from Galina's nose. "You will not question her again!"

A few students gasped. One dude in the corner whispered, "Holy shit."

Thistle fluttered back to my shoulder, crossed her arms, and let out a little huffy "hmph!"

I just grinned and leaned back in my seat like I hadn't just dropkicked the hierarchy in the face with a sparkling nymph sidekick.

Seraphina looked like she'd swallowed acid. The professor's eye twitched.

"It... must be a mistake," Seraphina muttered, her cheeks going blotchy. "She's still gutter trash."

Professor Galina nodded, "Indeed my dear."

I shrugged and patted Thistle's head. "Even gutter trash can burn palaces to the ground, babe."

Aster choked on a laugh beside me.

Welcome to the fucking war zone, Professor. Let's play.

Professor Galina's voice was like the sound of a dying crow wrapped in velvet. And she just. Kept. Going.

I took notes anyway. Pristine ones. If this Trial of Fire was gonna try to roast me alive, it could at least choke on the ink of my preparation. My handwriting was so on point, even the angry spirits of academia would've nodded in approval.

When the bell rang, I slammed that book shut like it owed me money.

"I need food before I set something on fire myself," I muttered, grabbing my bag.

Aster snorted. "Same. I think my stomach just tried to summon a demon."

Thistle perked up from my shoulder. "Can I eat too? Or should I just stare judgmentally at your portions again?"

"You'll get a thimble of soup and be grateful," I teased.

We headed to the dining hall and slid into our table, claiming it like little badasses of House Misfit. Today's vibe was carefree and hungry, and I was just about to annihilate some bacon when a voice cut through our chatter.

"Um... hey. Sorry. I don't mean to interrupt, but..."

We all looked up, and I instantly softened.

There stood a boy. Soft spoken. Fae, clearly. Green hair, brown eyes, and freckles like a constellation had sprinkled itself across his nose. He looked like the kind of boy who'd cry at sunsets and apologize to furniture for bumping into it.

"Can I sit with you?" he asked, his voice shy and uncertain. "I... don't really fit anywhere else."

I blinked, then laughed. "Neither do we, sweetheart. Grab a seat before one of these vultures claims it."

Aster scooted over, giggling, and patted the space beside her, maybe a little too eagerly. I raised a brow at her, smirking. She shot me a shut up look.

He smiled wide and slid into the seat like it was the safest place on earth.

"I'm Kyren Tarranoxis," he said, offering us both a little bow of his head. "Descendant of the god Terranox. Earth Court."

"Oh damn," I said, impressed. "Fancy dirt prince. Got it."

He laughed, his cheeks turning the cutest shade of rose. "Basically. My parents are... a lot. They expect perfection. Excellence. Flawless legacy status."

Aster groaned. "Same. The expectations. The pressure. Ugh."

"You're rich too?" I asked, my eyes flicking between them.

Aster nodded, and Kyren gave a sheepish shrug. "Born into it. But I'd give it all up for people who don't measure me by it."

I don't know what it was, his energy, his openness, but I felt this little flicker of warmth. Real warmth. Like maybe... I was finally finding people who weren't trying to use me, manipulate me, or break me.

"Alright then," I said. "You're officially part of the chaos crew. Try not to die."

Thistle popped up from my shoulder like a fucking firework. "Hi! I'm Princess Thistleblitz, bonded companion and personal fashion consultant to Rowyn!"

Kyren grinned at her in absolute wonder. "Whoa... you're beautiful."

She blushed, yes, somehow a nymph can sparkle blush, and twirled midair. "Thank you! You have very good manners. I like him, Rowyn. He can stay."

"I'm so glad I passed the sparkly inspection," he teased.

I nudged Thistle. "Hey... can all fae get nymphs? Like, do they choose?"

"Oh absolutely," she chirped. "We choose you. In fact..." Her eyes lit up, and she gasped. "I have two siblings who've been begging for a bond."

Aster's eyes widened. "Wait, really?"

Kyren looked like he might faint. "I've never even seen a nymph up close before this."

Thistle raised one finger dramatically. "Give me one moment. Let me check something..."

And pop! She vanished in a shimmer of gold sparkles and glittery stardust.

"Did she just..." Aster breathed.

"Yup," I said, grinning. "Get ready, babes. Shit's about to get magical."