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Chapter 35
~Jade’s POV~
The training hall felt different the mont we walked in. We had been asked to convene there to et with the Principal regarding the Mock Trials.
The high ceiling lood above us, banners of the five factions hanging from the beams, in their vivid colours under the crystal lights.
Rows of students filled the space, voices overlapping as everyone searched for their friends or allies. I found Isadora imdiately, and relief loosened sothing tight in my chest as she waved over.
Silver stood a few steps away, while Adrian was beside him. Silvie lingered near Vera, her arms crossed, with that sa unreadable expression.
I inhaled deeply. Sothing was coming. I could feel it.
"Why does this feel like a trap?" Isadora whispered as we took our seats.
I let out a breath. "Because it probably is."
She shot a look. "That’s not comforting."
"I wasn’t trying to be."
Up ahead, Principal Vale stepped onto the platform; her presence alone was enough to silence the room. The murmuring faded into uneasy silence as she folded her hands behind her back, sharp eyes sweeping over all ninety-five of us.
"Good morning, students," she said calmly.
"Good Morning, Principal," ca the chorus.
She gave a nod then without wasting a breath, she added, "Today, we address the Mock Trials."
A ripple of excitent moved through the hall.
Silver straightened imdiately. I caught the subtle tilt of his chin, the confidence he wore like armor. He had been talking about this for days—how he had already submitted the nas of the team he wanted. Himself, Adrian, , Isadora, and Silvie.
To him, it was a balanced, perfect, loyal unit.
Too perfect. I rolled my eyes just at the thought of Silvie being near .
"As you all know," Principal Vale continued, "Mock Trials are not rely about combat. They are a test of leadership, adaptability, strategy, and ntal resilience."
She paused, letting that sink in.
"Earlier this week, you were instructed to form teams of your choosing."
Groans and laughter echoed. Isadora nudged lightly. "See? We’re fine."
Principal Vale’s lips curved, not quite a smile.
"That exercise," she said smoothly, "was a test."
The room went still.
"A test of preference, of bias, and of comfort."
A murmur broke out instantly.
"What?"
"So it was pointless?"
"They made us fight our friends—"
"Silence," she said firmly without raising her voice.
The hall obeyed.
"For the Mock Trials, the school has made randomized selections based on multiple factors—grades, combat records, strategic aptitude, magical affinity, and psychological profiles."
At the ntion, I could see Silver’s jaw tightening from where he sat to my left. "Shit," he cursed, barely letting any words out as his jaw tightened.
"We do this every year," Principal Vale went on, "to ensure no student relies solely on familiarity. In the field, you will not always fight beside those you trust."
Isadora’s fingers curled around mine.
"This school as you know it, has been divided into five factions," Principal Vale said, gesturing to the banners. "And for this class, those factions contain nineteen students each. One leader. The remaining eighteen are divided into two wings of nine."
She turned, and the projector behind her lit up.
"Faction Eagle, representing Elent Air," she announced. "Two wings being, Wing Athyst. Wing Moonstone."
Whispers followed imdiately.
"Faction Phoenix, representing Elent Fire," she continued. "Wing Ruby. Wing Erald."
Adrian shifted beside Silver.
"Faction Tiger — Earth," Principal Vale said. "Wing Diamond. Wing Obsidian."
Vera smiled faintly.
"Faction Dragon — Spirit," she said next. "Wing Jade. Wing Onyx."
My breath caught.
"And finally, Faction Shark — Water. Wing Sapphire. Wing Pearl."
The room buzzed now, voices overlapping as students leaned toward friends.
"Do you think we’ll still be together?"
"This makes no sense."
"They can’t separate everyone."
Principal Vale waited. Then, with a single nod, the screen changed.
Nas began to scroll.
Isadora gasped sharply. "No—"
I followed her gaze to the screen and felt my chest tighten.
Silver — Faction Eagle, Wing Athyst.
Silver stared at the screen, disbelief flashing across his face.
Adrian — Faction Phoenix, Wing Erald.
Adrian let out a stunned laugh. "You’ve got to be kidding ."
Isadora — Faction Tiger, Wing Obsidian.
Isadora turned to , eyes wide. "Jade..."
Jade — Faction Dragon, Wing Jade.
My na glowed back at , alone.
Silvie — Faction Shark, Wing Pearl.
Silvie’s lips pressed into a thin line. More nas followed.
Vera — Faction Tiger, Wing Diamond.
Every single one of us, scattered.
I exhaled slowly, unsure whether to laugh or panic.
"This is insane," Isadora whispered.
I forced a smile and nudged her arm. "It’s going to be okay."
She searched my face, then nodded, though her grip on my sleeve tightened.
Principal Vale raised her hand again. "Each faction will be assigned a trainer. These trainers will oversee your individual and collective developnt." Her gaze sharpened. "This is why the Zevran Triplet Alphas were recruited as lecturers."
At once, the hall erupted.
"You’re kidding—"
"All three of them?"
"This is unfair!"
"More like it’s going to be brutal, you know."
She let it run its course before continuing. "This trial carries six credits toward your final term score," she said. "The Mock Trials will take place at the end of second sester, or no later than mid-third sester."
The weight of that settled heavily on . It was what I wanted, the trials, the Lunar Crown at the end of it all.
"Take this seriously," Principal Vale finished. "Your future standings depend on it."
She stepped aside, and Professor Halden moved forward.
"Faction Eagle," he announced, "will be under my supervision."
A few relieved cheers.
"Faction Phoenix," he continued, "will be handled by Professor Xade Zevran."
The energy shifted instantly. Xade stepped out, hands in his pockets, smirk lazy and dangerous.
"Faction Tiger," Halden said next, "will be trained by Instructor Xander Zevran."
Xander followed, expression sharp, posture commanding as always.
"Faction Dragon," Halden finished, "will be under Professor Xavier Zevran."
My heart slamd against my ribs. Xavier stepped forward, calm, unreadable.
"And Faction Shark," Halden added, "will be handled by Professor Aqua Tempest."
She stepped out beside Xavier. And I forgot how to breathe.
She was tall, maybe five-nine, with strawberry blonde hair pulled back, and ocean-blue eyes that were sharp and assessing. Black leather trousers, fitted jacket, boots that clicked against the floor with confidence.
Her gaze t mine, and a smirk curved her lips.
At once, Javelin stirred uneasily. "Careful."
Each lecturer spoke briefly. Professor Halden emphasised discipline and endurance.
Xade talked about cunning, deception, and exploiting weaknesses. Xander focused on brute strength, control, and pain tolerance.
Professor Aqua spoke of adaptability, flow, and emotional balance in combat, while Xavier was last.
"Strategy," he said simply. "It’s about thinking three steps ahead. Winning before the fight begins."
Principal Vale nodded, satisfied. "Every two weeks," she added, "trainers will rotate. Learn everything. Master nothing halfway."
Then she turned to leave.
"Trainers," she said over her shoulder, "address your factions. Choose captain if you see fit."
Just like bees released into the farm, the hall erupted again.
Halden kept Silver.
Xade surprised everyone by choosing Adrian. Xander selected the student council president. Professor Aqua pointed directly at Silvie.
Then Xavier turned. His gaze found instantly. "Jade," he said. The hall fell quiet. "You’re captain."
My heart stuttered. I stood slowly, eting his eyes. "Yes, Professor."
The hall did not settle the way it should have.
Instead of relief or acceptance, tension crept in, sharp and restless. I felt it before I saw it—the way shoulders stiffened, the way whispers turned edged instead of curious.
A hand shot up. Then another. Then a third.
Principal Vale had already stepped aside, but the lecturers hadn’t dismissed us yet. Professor Halden paused, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Yes?" he said.
A tall guy from my faction stepped forward, arms crossed, gaze fixed on . "With all due respect," he said loudly, "I don’t agree with the captain’s selection."
A murmur rippled through the Dragon faction. My chest tightened.
Xavier didn’t look surprised. He only tilted his head. "Explain."
The guy lifted his chin. "Jade Snow has no combat leadership experience. She hesitated in her last spar. That’s not captain material."
A few students nodded. I swallowed, my fingers curling at my sides. Before I could respond, another voice cut in.
"And Adrian?" soone scoffed from Phoenix. A broad-shouldered boy stepped forward, pointing at Xade. "You’re making him captain because you like him, Professor. That’s not rit."
Adrian stiffened but Xade’s smile didn’t fade. "Careful."
The boy ignored him instead. "I challenge the decision."
The room erupted, with murmurs coming from every corner concerning the open challenge and its implications from the professors. Then...
"I challenge him, too."
All heads turned as Vera stepped forward from Tiger faction, her back straight, eyes locked on the student council president Xander had chosen earlier. "If leadership is the issue, then let’s test it."
Up until now, the student council president who had remained silent through the whole conversation twisted his neck a little as his lips curved into a slow smirk. "Bold."
Silvie laughed softly from across the hall. "You really think you stand a chance, Dean Dark?"
Before the noise could rise further, another voice joined.
"I challenge Silvie."
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