The Final Slot
Arvanya's POV:
The hallway stretched before us, sunlight filtering through the tall glass windows, casting fractured patterns along the polished stone floor. My heart drummed a steady rhythm beneath my ribs, matching the sharp tap of our footsteps as Esme, Calen, and I walked in sync. After attending our classes, we made our way to Master Orin's office to give our team name for the competition.
Master Orin's office. Eight slots. Eight teams. My fingers curled tighter around the strap of my satchel. One thought had chased me since sunrise: We had to make it in time.
"I can't believe we're really doing this," Esme whispered, her eyes flickering with something between nerves and excitement. Determination laced every word. "We have to win that talisman."
Her voice carried, but the hallway swallowed it whole. Calen walked on my other side, brushing his fingers through the tangled mess of curls falling into his eyes. He glanced at her, then at me — as if waiting for someone to crack the tension building between us.
"We only found out about the competition yesterday," he said, quieter. "But... I know I can help. If I get the chance."
The edge in his voice made my stomach tighten. I didn't need to look at him to know what he meant. None of us had practiced. None of us had the experience. Freshers — still fumbling through lessons, still learning what our powers could do. But that talisman could change everything.
The turn in the corridor brought us face-to-face with the others. A loose circle formed outside Master Orin's office — Nico leaning against the wall, arms crossed, his sharp eyes locked on the parchment list pinned beside the door. Dante stood nearby, tapping his foot in uneven beats. Kai, Lila, and Sofia whispered quietly, but the tension in the air was palpable — thick enough to taste.
"Did we miss it?" I asked, breathless, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.
My stomach twisted. My gaze darted to the parchment.
Six names scrawled in dark ink.
Two slots left.
Kai's brown eyes flicked toward me — steady, unshaken. He shook his head once.
"Not yet."
I exhaled slowly, willing the thudding in my chest to calm. Not too late. But not far from it either.
Nico's gaze snapped toward the list again. His arms tensed where they crossed over his chest. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's sign up before someone else does."
Nobody moved.
Eight of us. Seven spots.
The weight of the decision sat heavy in the silence. My pulse ticked faster.
Esme shifted beside me, her shoulders drawn back, her chin lifted. The spark of fire always simmering beneath her surface flickered brighter in her eyes.
"I want to be on the team." Her voice was clear, unwavering. "I'll give everything I've got. I won't let anyone down."
Calen's gaze flicked between Kai and the list, his breath steady. "I know I'm not the strongest or the fastest... but I don't back down. If I'm on the team, I'll fight for every one of us — no matter what."
Their words hung in the air, raw and vulnerable. My chest squeezed. They both deserved to be on the team. They both belonged.
Lila's soft voice broke through the stillness. "This isn't about who wants it more." Her fingers twisted at the hem of her sleeve. "It's about what's best for the team."
Nobody argued — because she was right. But it didn't make the choice any easier.
A sharp knock echoed down the hallway. My heart lurched. Another team? Another name scrawled onto the list?
Seven slots now.
I clenched my fists, staring at the parchment like I could will the ink to freeze where it was. One slot left. Seconds slipping away.
"We don't have time for this," I said, the words spilling out fast and hard. "If we keep standing here, nobody's going to compete."
No one argued. They couldn't.
I stepped forward, knuckles rapping against the door before I could second-guess myself. A breathless moment passed — long enough for doubt to coil tight in my chest.
Then Master Orin's voice echoed from inside.
"Enter."
I glanced back at the others — at Esme's burning determination, at Calen's quiet hope, at the unspoken weight in every pair of eyes.
No time.
I pushed open the door, my heart hammering in my chest. The decision, whatever it was, had to be made inside.
Master Orin's gaze flicked to us, a confused furrow crossing his brow. Then, like a switch had been flipped, his expression shifted. He seemed to recognize why we were here before I could even speak.
"Are you here to give your names for the competition?" His voice was steady, but there was an edge to it, a silent question behind the words.
"Yes, Master Orin," I said quickly, the words rushing out before I could stop them.
He gestured for us to sit. We all moved quickly, but there was a tension in the air, thick and palpable, as though the moment itself was holding its breath.
He studied each of us with a calculating gaze. "Do you know what you're getting into?
Esme was the first to respond. She sat up straighter, her eyes bright and resolute. "We know, Master Orin. And we're ready."
He leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing. "You all are freshers, and it can be dangerous. Why do you want to participate in your fresher year? The other teams are from senior years, and it will be very difficult for you to compete with them. You can participate in the upcoming years when you have more experience with your powers and strategies."
I glanced at my friends, seeing the same resolve etched on their faces. Then I met Master Orin's gaze. His scrutiny felt like it was peeling away layers of our resolve. But I couldn't back down now.
"Master Orin, we have to do this," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "There's no other way."
He looked at me, an eyebrow arching slightly, suspicion flickering in his eyes. "Are you all hiding something?"
I hesitated, glancing at my friends again before finally speaking. "That talisman, which is the victory prize for the winner, is the relic that can help us get inside that place."
Master Orin's gaze sharpened at the mention of the relic. "And how do you know about that?"
I swallowed, knowing I was about to cross a line. "We... we got into the restricted section of the library," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. "We found out about the relics. And the talisman is one of them."
A sharp, audible breath left Master Orin's lips. His eyes went cold, his expression hardening, and I immediately regretted my words.
"You went into the restricted section?" His voice rose with disbelief, his frustration now obvious. "Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you could have gotten into? That place holds confidential information! If you'd been caught, they could have restricted you, maybe even expelled you! You're lucky nothing happened."
The room went deathly silent. My pulse rang in my ears as Master Orin stood up, his fists clenched on the desk, eyes blazing.
"You should never have been there," he growled, his voice rising. "And now you're telling me you want to join a competition that could risk your lives? Are you all completely insane?"
I flinched at the heat in his words, but Sofia spoke up, her usual calm shaking under the weight of the conversation. "Master Orin, we didn't do it out of reckless curiosity. We found something there, something that could help us. We know it's dangerous, but this competition is the only way we can get the talisman—the only way we can reach the place we need to go and free those elemental beings."
Dante's voice was quieter, but his resolve was unwavering. "We know the risks, and we're ready for them. The talisman is our only chance. It's more than just an artifact. It's a key—one we can't ignore."
Master Orin's expression didn't soften, but I saw a flicker of recognition—something close to understanding—beneath the surface. He took a long breath, letting it out slowly.
"Do you really think you're ready for what's ahead?" His voice was softer now, but the concern still dripped from every word. "This competition isn't just about winning. That talisman... Everyone thinks it's just an ancient artifact, but it's much more than that. It's powerful, far beyond what you think. There's a reason the information about it has been kept hidden for so long."
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I felt the weight of his words settle in my chest, but I couldn't back down. "Master Orin, we know. We understand. We wouldn't be here if we didn't. We need that talisman, and we need to enter the competition now. We can't wait."
Kai leaned forward, his usual lighthearted demeanor replaced by a hard edge. "We know what's at stake. But we're in this together, and we're ready. We just need your trust."
Master Orin studied each of us, his gaze lingering on our faces. The silence stretched on, each second feeling like a test. Finally, he spoke, his voice soft but firm.
"You've made your decision, and I can see you're not backing down." His shoulders relaxed slightly, but his gaze never wavered. "I still think you're rushing into something you're not fully prepared for, but if this is what you believe, then... I'll allow it. But know this—you're walking a dangerous path. If you break any more rules or put yourselves in harm's way, I won't hesitate to step in."
A collective sigh passed through the group, but the weight of Master Orin's warning clung to the air like a stormcloud, heavy and unrelenting. As he moved to his desk, the scratching of his quill on parchment broke the silence.
His gaze flicked to me, stern and unyielding. "You're participating, but remember—this isn't just about winning," he said, his words sharp like a blade. "Your safety is on the line. Keep that in mind."
He leaned forward, voice dropping in intensity, each word deliberate. "Arvanya, I'm serious. You cannot reveal your other elemental powers during the competition—not even by accident. It's not just against the rules; it's dangerous. If anyone finds out what you can do, it could cost you more than you realize. Your family will be in danger too."
The gravity of his words settled like a stone in my chest. I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I understand, Master Orin. I won't let it happen. I promise."
He studied me for a moment longer, as though weighing my resolve. Then, with a long, slow exhale, he seemed to make his decision. His eyes softened just a fraction, his posture easing. "Very well," he murmured with a touch of reluctance. "Now, tell me the name of your team, and who will be in it."
The room was thick with the sound of our uncertain glances, each of us silently weighing the decision before us. Master Orin's sharp eyes flicked over our faces, reading what we hadn't yet said aloud. Finally, he broke the silence, his voice steady but edged with expectation.
"Other teams will have fire, water, and earth elementals, at least one of each," he stated, his eyes flicking between us. "You should have a similar balance. From the three of you—Arvanya, Esme, and Calen—one of you must step back. Too many air elementals could compromise your strategy."
His gaze narrowed as he turned his attention to Esme and Calen, the unspoken challenge passing between them. "Arvanya should participate," he continued, his tone firm. "Her elemental power is stronger than the rest of yours. It'll benefit the team as a whole. Only one of you two can join."
Esme and Calen exchanged glances, their determination clear, but so was the weight of the choice. The tension between them was palpable, the unspoken question hanging between their eyes.
Master Orin seemed to make a quick decision. "There's a simple way to decide," he said, his voice softening slightly.
He picked up two small pieces of paper from the table and placed them face down. "One of these has a mark," he explained. "Whoever draws the marked paper will be part of the team."
The room held its breath as Esme and Calen approached the papers, their eyes locked on the small slips. Slowly, they each picked one, the silence growing heavier with each moment. When they turned the papers over, the room exhaled in unison.
Esme's face lit up with surprise and joy as she revealed the marked paper. Her expression was a mixture of relief and excitement, while Calen's shoulders sagged, the disappointment settling into his posture like a weight he couldn't shake.
After a beat of silence, Kai broke it, his voice bright and comforting. "You both would have made excellent teammates," he said with a reassuring smile, "but this was the fairest way to decide."
"You'll still be with us, Calen," Lila added, her smile warm. "Just not in the competition."
Calen managed a small smile, though the sting of defeat still lingered. "I'll be cheering for you all," he said, his voice steady despite the weight of disappointment.
Esme’s expression softened, a quiet understanding in her eyes as she looked at Calen. "This isn’t the end, Calen," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "You’ll always be part of this team, no matter where you stand."
A flicker of gratitude crossed Calen's face, the tension in his shoulders easing just slightly.
Master Orin gave a nod of approval, but his gaze never fully left me, his warning still in his eyes. "Now that's settled," he said, "What is your team name?"
We exchanged glances once more, each of us considering what we stood for. The silence stretched, and just as I was about to speak, Nico's voice cut through the quiet.
"How about New Wave?" Nico suggested, his eyes bright with the spark of a fresh idea.
The rest of us turned to him, some nodding in agreement, while others pondered the name. It felt right—like we were stepping into something new, something fresh.
Master Orin's quill scratched across the parchment, the sound sharp and deliberate in the stillness of the room. He murmured the words to himself, as though weighing the name on his tongue. "New Wave," he repeated, his gaze shifting to us, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Very well. Good luck, New Wave."
His voice, always steady, carried a weight that seemed to hang in the air, making the room feel smaller. We stood there, the name settling in our minds.
"One more thing," he added, his tone growing sharper. "Before you leave, I need each of you to sign here."
We walked toward his desk, where a large sheet of parchment lay, the edges curling slightly from being left out. The quills were ready, their tips glinting in the dim light. We stepped forward, one by one, and the soft scratch of pens filled the room, a rhythm marking our commitment.
When it was my turn, I took the quill in my hand, the cool wood familiar against my fingers. The tip hovered over the paper for a moment before I pressed it down, the ink spreading across the page. Each stroke of my signature felt like a quiet promise—one I couldn't take lightly.
Just as I finished, Lila's voice broke the quiet. She glanced at Master Orin, her brow furrowed. "Master Orin," she asked, "have Ryker, Zane, and Lucian signed their team up yet? We're the last, aren't we?"
My hand froze, the pen hovering mid-air as my eyes flicked up to Master Orin. He offered a small, almost imperceptible smile, the amusement barely visible in his gaze. "They were the first to sign up for the competition," he replied, his voice unwavering. "You’re not the last. You’re simply the final team to confirm."
A wave of understanding washed over me, but the weight of it settled in my chest. The pressure was real.
Master Orin’s tone shifted then, more serious as he glanced up from the parchment. "If you want to win this competition," he continued, his voice steady, "your biggest competitors will be The Phoenix Rising." His sharp gaze flicked over us. "They’ve dominated this competition for the last three years. You’ll need more than just skill to defeat them."
The room seemed to tighten with the weight of his words, but Nico’s voice rang out with quiet defiance. He lifted his chin, eyes burning with determination. "We know, Master Orin," he said, his tone firm. "And we will win."
Dante, standing beside him, squared his shoulders and added, "We’ll definitely beat them and take the talisman."
Master Orin nodded once, his expression unreadable as he studied their resolve. The air seemed to thrum with a quiet energy, as though even the room itself was holding its breath. We could all feel it—the challenge that lay before us, the fight for more than just a victory. The competition had just begun, and our path was clear.
"Now you are officially bound to this," he said, his voice softer, but still unwavering. "Go, and remember: stay united, stay strong."
His eyes held mine for a moment longer than necessary, a silent understanding between us. "Remember what I said, Arvanya," he added, his voice tinged with caution. "Stay vigilant. Your safety is more important than anything else. Now, go. Time is not on your side."
As we began to walk toward the door, Master Orin called out once more.
"Arvanya."
I froze, the sound of my name hanging in the air, thick with unspoken weight. My feet stilled, and my friends behind me sensed the change, their footsteps halting as they too grew quiet.
Master Orin stood as composed as ever, but there was something different in his eyes. A heaviness lingered beneath the calm. "As I told everyone in the arena yesterday," he began, his voice steady, "this competition will be grander than before. Royals and high-ranking individuals from all over will be attending."
A chill swept over me, as if the very air had turned cold. My family—Father, King Thalor, my brothers, my mother—would be there. I had dreamed of this moment for what felt like an eternity, picturing the reunion with them. The thought of seeing their faces, hearing their voices full of love, ignited something deep within me. Yet, in the same breath, the weight of my reality crushed that warmth, leaving a hollow ache.
No one here knew who I truly was—not in the way they should. Only Master Orin and my closest friends had any inkling. If anyone else found out, it would be the end of everything. I had to keep my identity under wraps.
Master Orin continued, unaware of the storm brewing within me. "And... your family will be coming tomorrow to watch the competition."
The words landed like stones, sinking deeper with every heartbeat. The lump in my throat expanded, but I forced myself to breathe, to keep it together. Master Orin's gaze softened slightly, but his words carried a weight I wasn't ready for.
"Be cautious," he warned, his tone softer but still carrying the weight of his words. "The competition isn't just about winning the talisman. It's just as much about keeping your identity hidden, blending in while still proving what you can do."
I nodded, each motion deliberate, my breath shallow. The responsibility pressed down on me like a thousand stones. My family would be there, but I couldn't afford to be reveal my identity front of everyone. Not yet. The pressure twisted in my chest, but I fought to swallow it down.
"I understand, Master Orin," I said, my voice tight but steady. "Thank you for telling me."
Master Orin gave a small nod, his approval unspoken but clear. He turned back to his desk, signaling the end of our conversation.
Outside the door, the air felt heavier, each step pulling me deeper into a storm of emotions. My family was coming tomorrow, and the thought of seeing them stirred something inside me. But I had to control it—I couldn’t meet parents as their daughter in front of everyone. Here, at the academy, I was just another student, and I had to keep my emotions in check, hiding the bond we shared behind a mask.
Then, a light touch on my shoulder jolted me from my thoughts. I turned to find Sofia beside me, her expression soft but knowing. Her eyes held understanding, and I felt a flicker of warmth amidst the storm inside me.
"We'll be with you, Arvi," she said, her voice low and comforting, steady as the earth beneath our feet. "Don't worry. You've got this."
I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat returning, but I managed to nod, offering her a small, grateful smile.
Kai stepped forward next, his usual calmness now laced with something gentler. "You're not alone in this," he said, his voice carrying a quiet strength. "We've got your back, no matter what."
Lila's smile was soft but unwavering, her gaze meeting mine with reassurance. "We're all in this together, Arvi. You can count on us."
Nico, ever the joker, added with a wink, "Yeah, and if anyone gets in your way, we'll knock them down. You just focus on what you do best."
Dante, who had been silently observing, stepped forward and placed a hand on my other shoulder. His grip was firm, his eyes steady. "You're strong, Arvi. We all believe in you."
My chest tightened with the weight of their words, but something lighter began to blossom within me. The pressure, while still there, didn't feel quite as suffocating anymore. I had them—my friends. Their support was more than just words; it was a lifeline.
"Thank you all," I said, my voice barely a whisper, but it was steady despite the storm inside me. "I don't know what I'd do without you. I promise I won't let you down."
Sofia's smile was all reassurance, the kind that anchored me when everything felt adrift. "We know you won't."
As we walked, Lila's excitement suddenly pierced through the quiet. "Ryker told me about a secret place behind the academy, where we can practice in peace," she said, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "It's hidden, and no one knows about it. We can go there to train for the competition."
Hope flickered inside me, its light cutting through the storm. "A secret place?" I repeated, a small but genuine smile tugging at my lips. "That sounds perfect."
Lila nodded eagerly, her grin wide. "Exactly! We can train without distractions, and the best part? Ryker, Lucian, and Zane will join us after their classes. They'll help us prepare for the competition, and we'll be ready for anything."
Nico's grin matched hers. "We'll need all the practice we can get to beat the seniors."
Dante, ever confident, gave a thumbs-up. "I'm in. Let's do this."
Kai, his calm demeanor returning, added, "We'll make sure we're prepared."
A sense of relief washed over me. With them by my side, perhaps we really did have a chance.
As we walked forward, the weight of the competition was still there, but it no longer felt as heavy. With a plan in place and my friends backing me up, I knew we had the strength to face anything that came our way.