Evaline:
The mont Kieran asked for volunteers to step forward, I didn’t even have ti to inhale before I felt it.
Every single one of my friends turned to look at .
Mallory’s brows lifted expectantly. Ria’s lips curved into a knowing smile. Rowan leaned back slightly, already convinced. Even Kyros, Selene, and Noah seed to be waiting for to stand.
It was obvious what they wanted - as Second Year’s representative.
I opened my mouth to protest... or at least to buy myself a second to think... when movent in the corner of my eye caught my attention.
Soone else was already standing.
Nadine.
She rose from her seat two rows ahead, smoothing down her skirt as if she had rehearsed this exact mont a hundred tis. Without once looking back to consult anyone from our year, she stepped into the aisle and began making her way down the stairs toward the stage.
A ripple of murmurs spread through our section.
I felt Mallory stiffen beside .
"Oh no she didn’t," Mallory hissed under her breath, already leaning forward. "She didn’t even ask-"
I reached out and caught her wrist.
"Mal," I whispered softly.
She turned to look at , her eyes nearly blazing. "Eva, she can’t just-"
"Let it go," I murmured.
Around us, Noah and Ria were also tensing, clearly ready to say sothing. I shook my head slightly, pressing a finger to my lips.
"Please," I added quietly.
They looked confused. A little offended, even. But they trusted .
Slowly, reluctantly, they settled back into their seats.
Down below, Nadine paused for just a second and glanced over her shoulder. And her eyes found mine instantly.
A victorious smile curved her lips... small, smug, and deliberate... as if she had just proven sothing. As if this mont alone validated every ugly thought she had ever had about .
Then she turned away and continued toward the stage.
The second years didn’t look pleased.
I could feel it in the air... the restrained irritation, the whispers that cut off the mont Nadine passed by. Plenty of students shifted in their seats, clearly unhappy that she’d decided this on her own.
But no one stopped her.
Nadine was an Alpha’s daughter.
That title alone was enough to silence most people.
Most.
Mallory leaned in close, her voice low. "Why did you stop us?" she asked. "We wanted you to represent us."
Ria nodded. "Yeah. You would have been perfect."
Mallory hesitated before adding, even quieter, "And let’s be honest... you would probably get us so extra benefits."
I sighed softly, keeping my eyes on the stage. "Relax. Since she wants this badly. Let her have it."
Noah frowned. "But Eva-"
"If she wins," I continued calmly, "we get a great destination. And if she loses..." I shrugged. "Do you really think Professor Kieran would pick any bad options in the first place?"
Kyros leaned forward from behind us, grinning. "Honestly? It might be better if she loses."
Selene snorted. "Watching her lose in front of everyone?"
"And in front of Professor Kieran," Noah added gleefully. "That alone would make the trip worth it."
I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips.
The representatives from the other years stepped forward soon after. A tall third-year boy with sharp eyes and an easy confidence. A quiet but focused first-year girl. And a fourth-year male who looked like he had already calculated every possible outco.
Once all four stood on the stage, Kieran explained the rules of the ga.
"To keep things fair... and fun," he announced, "we decided against anything combat-based or magically exhausting. Today’s ga will be simple."
Behind him, several assistants rolled out a long table placed horizontally across the stage. On it were four identical wooden boards, each divided into neatly marked sections. Beside every board sat a small basket filled with smooth, rune-etched tiles and a leather-bound instruction card.
"This ga is called Path of Choices," Kieran explained. "Each of you will be given the sa set of tiles. Every tile represents a different terrain - forest, mountain, river, plain, storm, and sanctuary. Your task is to build the most balanced travel route using the tiles you are given."
He paused, letting that sink in.
"There is no single correct answer. Points will be awarded based on balance, logic, and creativity."
That imdiately made the ga feel... approachable. Interesting, even.
The rules were simple:
- Each representative had ten minutes.
- They had to arrange their tiles into a continuous path from start to finish.
- Certain combinations earned bonus points.
- Overusing one terrain caused point deductions.
This was all about thinking, planning, and presentation.
Perfect.
When the signal was given, the representatives got to work.
Nadine surprised no one by taking the lead almost instantly.
She worked with confidence, her long fingers moving swiftly as she arranged her tiles. Her posture was straight, her expression composed... almost serene... as if this ga had been designed specifically for her strengths.
She glanced up once, briefly, her eyes flicking toward Kieran before returning to her board.
Of course.
The third-year representative took a slower approach, pausing often, rearranging tiles more than once. The fourth-year leaned heavily into symtry, clearly aiming for visual appeal. The first-year looked nervous but determined, biting her lip as she double-checked every placent.
When ti was up, the representatives were asked to explain their routes.
Nadine volunteered to go first.
She spoke clearly, confidently, explaining how her path minimized risk while maximizing efficiency, how each terrain flowed naturally into the next. Her explanation was polished... almost rehearsed... and the professors nodded along appreciatively.
Applause followed.
She smiled, clearly pleased.
The third-year went next. His route wasn’t as neat, but his reasoning was clever... he had built flexibility into his path, allowing detours and alternatives, and that had the professors exchanging thoughtful looks.
Then ca the second part of the ga - Roubd Two.
A large board was moved on the stage, displaying a series of hypothetical travel scenarios. Each representative had to choose one tile from their remaining set to respond to the situation.
Unexpected storm ahead.
Supplies running low.
Injured companion.
Blocked mountain pass.
It was about quick thinking.
Nadine did well again. Her answers were logical, safe, and efficient. By the end of the second round, she was clearly in the top two.
I could feel Mallory shift beside .
"She’s really trying to impress him," she muttered.
I didn’t respond.
The final round was where things subtly shifted.
The representatives were asked to swap one tile at random with another participant and then adjust their route accordingly... without changing the rest of their path.
It was ant to test adaptability.
Nadine received a storm tile. And I noticed how her smile faltered for just a fraction of a second.
She adjusted her route, but I still noticed the slight hesitation. The flow she had built so carefully earlier didn’t quite recover. Her explanation afterward was still confident... but less convincing.
The third-year, on the other hand, adapted effortlessly.
When the scores were tallied, the result was clear - third year took first place. And the second place went to Nadine.
Nadine’s expression stayed composed, but I saw it. The tightness in her jaw. The way her fingers curled slightly at her sides.
She wanted first place. She wanted to choose first. And more than that... she wanted Kieran to see her win.
The disappointnt was clear in her eyes, but she still held her head high as she stepped forward and picked the destination for our class. Her eyes once again halting on Kieran’s face longer than necessary.
As she turned to leave the stage, her gaze swept the hall again... and found .
There was no smile this ti.
Just resentnt.
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