"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall"

-Nelson Mandela

Celeste~

...Looking at the two people next to me I was very grateful to have such loyal individuals by my side.

6pm-2 hours later

Finally we were here. The coach trip took about two hours in total, not one toilet or lunch break. I guess we were being taught discipline early, although was pretty sure we would be served dinner at the camps.

Chloe somehow managed to sleep for the majority of the ride. Between eyeing out her potential targets and listening to others conversations she was napping like a baby.

I didn't understand how though. Like all high pressure social scenes there were many characters at play here.

I saw some who were reserved, in their own worlds.

Some reserved but alert, analysing. And of course the loud obnoxious ones, whom by the end of the coach trip, wether travelling alone or with siblings, initiated conversations made jokes and perpetuated an amazing exterior of camaraderie even though we were all in competition.

I mean I respected it. The ability to appear to be friends even though every thing else says otherwise.

Markan on my right didn't sleep though.

He was like me, too deep in thought and way too nervous to even dream of the idea of sleep.

His eyes were closed and while his facial expression didn't show anything but calmness I knew there was a storm of anxiety boiling under there.

*Please prepare to depart, leave all belongings behind as they will be brought to your assigned rooms for you. When ready, leave from rows starting at the front in an orderly fashion.

Here we go.

We all exited our rows when everyone in front of us had left and braced ourselves for what was to come.

With Chloe and Markan by my side we stood, the magnificence of the towers in front of us peering from above. It looked more like a castle than it did a camp but in comparison to the mines sites of Blue Phoenix I guess this was modest.

There were four main towers, all ridiculously large in both width and length. Gold and glue, their favourite colours clearly, cascaded down the buildings, wielding and turning to create the most intricate of designs. It was beautiful.

The one who was directing the group, shown by his Phoenix uniform, guided us to the entrance of the building. Most of us were quiet, as to not cause offence or to make a bad look of ourselves in front of authority. News spread after all. The guide was silent as well, he didn't tell us his names just met us outside the coach and led us to our destination.

Weaving through the corridors we ended up at the dining hall.

Filled with the most beautiful marble, the whole room screamed elegance.

The chandeliers created the most beautiful shades of nude lighting, paired with the sparkly whole floor created an almost disco effect against the walls.

It was here where the chatter begun.

There was an open style buffet that we could take food from along with a dispenser of all types of drinks to choose from. And this was only the Trial Chambers, imagine what the Academy looked like.

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The tour guide simply stated "You may eat, At 8pm you will be brought back to your rooms to rest before tomorrow." And left.

I saw everyone that came before our coach eating and chatting happily, only some eating alone. Made me wonder what happened to all those that came by themselves on the coaches, I guess the pressure of friendship making caught up to them already because the majority of people seemed to have made their lifelong friends already.

It was likely that the thought and harsh reality that we would be split up made it easier to speak to people as there was no real reason not to at hand.

Chloe, Markan and I quickly made our way to the buffet where we chose our food. it was a vast selection of cuisine.

I immediately headed to my favourite dishes which consisted of pizza, fried chicken, burgers, and chips.

As this was an all you could eat style buffet, I would definitely be back for more. Maybe to grab foods that you couldn't find in your local McDonald's as we were at the one and only Blue Phoenix Academy of course.

I sat next to Chloe and Markan who, with similar taste buds, both chose steaks and pastas out of the selection.

"So, how you guys feeling, anyone caught your eye yet?" Chloe said

"Is now really the time to be looking for your future husband, I mean, he could quite literally be hurling fireballs at you in about 12 hours."

"Okay this time I actually wasn't talking about my future man. Have you guys seen anyone who looks...hm...like a big threat to us in the competition."

"I wasn't really looking out for those sorts of things, I mean the Chambers of Eden were completely fair after all. I wanna know who's gonna be cunning and manipulative when we're at the actual academy."

"I wanna know both." Markan spoke "Not that we will know though. We don't know who's powerful from who's not aside from their lineage, and we definitely don't know who's gonna make it to the academy with us either."

That was true. Speaking of lineage.

"Have you guys spotted anyone who's from a very powerful family yet?" Chloe beat me to the thought.

I glanced around as non-suspiciously as I could, and while everyone was mostly average from my knowledge, there were definitely some people that stood out to me.

Chimen Blake and Chilisa Blake. Parents are currently the rulers of japan.

Powerful, structured. They've been in power for a very long time, unlike other nations who have had to outsource their new leader in more recent times, the Blake bloodline maintained their grasp on their position and are yet to give it up. The only people capable of doing that, them. Chimen Blake and Chilisa Blake.

They sat, quiet and to themselves while everyone else talked.

It was no surprise that they kept to themselves unlike the others who networked.

Their parents were the same, did things by themselves, didn't ask anyone for help. I was sure they passed on the same message to their offering as they demonstrated the aura of 'not needing you' so very effortlessly.

I also saw Judias Montgomery next to what i'm guessing was his family friend.

The destined leader of North America.

"I see a few, The Blake family and the Montgomery's caught my eye."

"Yeah, Judias was on the coach with us I saw him before, but Chimen and Chilisa weren't."

Markan replied.

"The Blake's are really mysterious, it matches their whole vibe though"

Me and Markan nodded in agreement.

"They will definitely be good competition, I mean they do have it in their blood of course."

Said Chloe.

"Not necessarily, there could be a runt in any of the families." I sure hoped so, it tended to cause a lot of drama among the rich.

"Who do you think it would be?" I asked. I really didn't know, they all looked so self assured. Definitely a result of media training.

"Hm, maybe one of the blake's, I don't know for sure but i'm hoping it's one of them. The amount of Chaos that would cause would be insane."

She was very right about that.

"Eh, I don't know, their parents couldn't possibly of let any of them become anything but a well trained weapon before coming here, even if their magic wasn't up to par, their other skills would of been honed and toned to make up for it. I doubt any of them could ever be described as weak." Markan stated.

Well that really put things into perspective.

I guess no matter how much you try to deny it, the advantage that came with being wealthy and powerful was one that could not be ignored.

*"Students, To your dorms. You should have received a digital map displaying the campsite and your individual rooms. Follow it and be inside your accommodation before 8:30pm."

Well that was us.

Me, Chloe and Markan made our way to our dorms, although it was a long journey because we kept on getting lost in this place.

When we got back it was around 8:15pm.

We were all well fed, curtesy of the amazing cuisine, and very exhausted from the trip.

Situated right next to each other we said our goodbyes before we settled for the night.

"Bye guys." Markan said before he swiftly entered his room.

"Night, Markan" Me and Chloe said accordingly before hugging each other, saying our goodbyes, and entering our rooms.

I didn't know how the Trials worked so this could have very well been the last time we all saw each other, making that familiar twinge of loss strike me again.

Well, at least the rooms were pretty.