Fueling Up for What’s to Come

Lucian's POV:

The steady drone of Professor Harrow's voice echoed through the classroom, his words barely cutting through the fog of my thoughts. I absentmindedly tapped my pen against the notebook in front of me, eyes flicking over pages filled with half-finished equations. My mind, though, was a million miles away — consumed by the competition that was drawing closer.

"I told her this wasn't just some friendly sparring match," I muttered under my breath, frustration creeping into my words. "But does Aria ever listen? No."

Beside me, Ryker reclined in his seat, his arms folded tightly across his chest as he stared up at the ceiling, lost in thought. His eyes followed some unseen path, tracing invisible patterns on the high beams above us.

"Lila was all excited too," he muttered, voice tinged with disbelief. "Said it would be fun."

A derisive snort left his lips. "Fun? With half the academy's biggest show-offs trying to prove they're the strongest? She's out of her mind."

Zane, sitting on my other side, ran a hand through his dark hair. The usual calm façade he wore had cracked, leaving an edge of tension behind his sharp gaze. His fingers drummed lightly on the desk, the rhythm matching the unease that was settling in my chest.

"Sofia wouldn't back down even if we locked her in a cage," he said, his voice quieter but no less intense. "She wants to test her limits, and that scares me more than she'd ever admit."

He exhaled sharply, eyes narrowing. "Why do they always have to prove something? It's like they don't realize what they're stepping into."

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair, the weight of the conversation settling heavily on me. The memory of Aria's determined grin flashed in my mind. Her eyes had gleamed with defiance when we'd tried to talk her out of it — when we'd warned her not to get involved.

"You know how they are," I muttered, my voice low. "Stubborn. Think we're overreacting."

Ryker snorted, his tone cutting through the room. "Of course they think we're overreacting. They haven't seen what we've seen in these competitions. Yeah, they're 'supervised,' but the only time they stop a fight is when someone's unconscious or bleeding out."

Zane's fingers stopped their rhythmic tapping, and his eyes hardened as they fixed on the desk in front of him. "And what if something happens to them? Sofia's strong, yeah... but not everyone's gonna play fair. And those rules? They don't always get followed."

A heavy silence lingered, thick and suffocating, as the words I'd been trying to push aside crept back in. Aria was powerful, sure, but that didn't make her invincible. And I knew her too well. She wouldn't protect herself — she'd sacrifice everything if it meant keeping her friends safe.

Ryker glanced over at me, his eyes heavy with concern. "Why now, Lucian? They're still in their first year. They have no reason to prove themselves. So why are they suddenly so eager to sign up?"

Zane's sharp gaze flickered between us, his thoughts mirroring my own. "Exactly. What's driving them? They're not stupid. There's something more here, something we're missing." His gaze darkened as he let the question hang in the air.

The silence stretched, thick with unanswered questions. The drone of the professor's voice was little more than background noise now, drowned out by the growing tension in the room.

Ryker leaned in, voice barely above a whisper. "You know about the magic barrier, right? Once the match starts, no one can interfere. Not even professors can step in. If something goes wrong, we're stuck."

Zane's jaw clenched, his fist curling around the edge of the desk before he loosened it again. "We can still help them. We can't use our powers, but we can train them, give them advice, make sure they're ready."

He glanced up, eyes burning with determination. "We can't let them walk into this unprepared."

Ryker's gaze sharpened, a spark of resolve lighting his eyes. "Lila take them to our secret training spot. The one we use after class. It's hidden. No one will notice us there. We'll help them... even if they don't want it."

"But it's not just them," Zane leaned forward, voice low and urgent. "Even Kai, Nico, Dante, Calen, Esme... they're all joining too. Why now? Something's wrong. Why are they suddenly so eager?"

The weight of his words settled over us like a storm cloud. I glanced between them, the knot in my chest tightening. They were right. This wasn't just about proving strength — there was something bigger at play.

I glanced up at the professor Harrow, his lecture a blur of words I couldn't bring myself to focus on. The hum of the classroom was nothing more than background noise, drowned out by the urgency of what lay ahead.

The bell rang, a sharp slice through the tension hanging in the air. Chairs scraped, the familiar sound of students shuffling to pack up. We moved in sync, a practiced dance of stuffing notebooks into bags, slinging straps over our shoulders, and trying to shake off the weight of the day.

"Hold up," Ryker said, raising a hand, his voice loud enough to cut through the noise. "We should grab some snacks, just in case they want something to eat while they're practicing."

Zane arched a brow, giving Ryker a sideways glance. "Is that your stomach talking, or is this some sudden burst of selflessness?"

Ryker shrugged, his smirk never fading. "Can't it be both? I'm serious. I want to take snacks for them."

Zane snorted, shaking his head, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. "Sure, man."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of my lips. Typical Ryker — hiding his concern behind that lazy humor of his.

We followed him toward the canteen, where Ryker made a beeline for the counter, already rummaging through the shelves. He loaded up on whatever caught his eye — a chaotic mix of chips, candy, and a few questionable snacks. Zane, on the other hand, opted for a couple of protein bars, his choices far more sensible.

My eyes drifted to a tray of neatly wrapped granola bars sitting behind the counter, next to a stack of fresh sandwiches.

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"Five granola bars and four sandwiches, please," I told Marla, the canteen worker, already anticipating Aria's tendency to skip meals if no one reminded her. She had a knack for pushing herself too hard without a second thought.

I packed the snacks into my bag, a quiet satisfaction settling in. If she wouldn't take care of herself, I'd make sure she didn't go without — even if she'd never realize it.

Ryker, meanwhile, was still locked in a life-or-death decision between chips and cookies, holding one in each hand as if the fate of the world depended on his choice.

Zane smirked, leaning against the counter. "Really, Ryker? We're one step away from chaos, and you're worried about snacks?

Ryker shot him a glare, clutching both bags protectively. "Tension makes me hungry. Besides, if we're going to be stressed, might as well be stressed with snacks."

I shook my head, unable to hide the faint amusement tugging at my lips. "You're hopeless."

Zane snorted. "The world could be ending, and you'd still be raiding the canteen."

Ryker shrugged, completely unapologetic. "Can't face the apocalypse on an empty stomach."

Zane arched a brow, eyes flicking to the growing pile in Ryker's arms. "Or maybe you're just building a snack fortress in case you need to barricade yourself in your room."

Ryker's grin was wide and shameless. "Hey, don't knock the fortress. It'll outlast all of you."

A chuckle slipped from me, the sound foreign in the weight of the day. But the moment of levity was brief — shattered the second that voice cut through the air.

"Lucian."

I froze. My grip tightened on the paper bag in my hand, and Ryker and Zane stiffened beside me, the easy banter instantly evaporating. They knew that voice. We all did.

Celeste strode toward us, each step deliberate, as if she were savoring the moment. Her hair gleamed under the fluorescent lights, perfect and untouchable, her lips curled in a smug, almost predatory smile.

"Have you prepared for the competition?" Her voice was syrupy sweet, but the razor edge beneath it cut deeper than any challenge.

I met her gaze, forcing my expression to stay neutral. "None of your concern."

Ryker shifted beside me, arms crossing over his chest, his tone sharp. "Funny. I don't remember anyone inviting you into this conversation. Guess that slipped our minds."

Celeste's eyes flicked to Ryker, irritation flickering in her gaze. It was barely noticeable, but I caught it. "Always the loyal guard dog, aren't you, Ryker?"

Zane leaned casually against the counter, though his eyes never left her, sharp and calculating. "At least dogs are loyal. Can't say the same for snakes."

The words seemed to hit Celeste, but she recovered instantly, her smile never fading. She turned back to me, her eyes glinting with malicious curiosity.

"I heard your precious Aria's joining the competition too." Her voice dripped with mockery, each word deliberately chosen to jab at me. "Does she even know what she's walking into? This isn't a playground, Lucian. She's made more enemies than she realizes."

I could feel my jaw tightening, the familiar, simmering heat rising beneath my skin. My nails dug into my palms, the urge to lash out just beneath the surface.

"You don't know anything about her," I said, my voice dangerously controlled, though my body vibrated with the effort to hold back.

Celeste's smirk deepened, her eyes sparkling with malice as she leaned in. "We'll see, won't we?" Her voice purred with satisfaction, the words slithering under my skin as she turned away, flicking her hair with a flourish.

She walked off, the clicking of her heels echoing down the hall, leaving a trail of tension behind her. The air still crackled with it, thick and heavy.

Ryker broke the silence first, his voice quieter now, the weight of Celeste's words clearly sitting with him. "Aria's gonna face more than just competition. There are too many fire elementals who already have it out for her."

Zane's gaze was still fixed on the now-empty hallway, his voice cold. "It's the perfect opening. The perfect chance to hurt her... and her friends."

A heavy knot twisted in my stomach, and my chest tightened. The feeling lingered, a deep unease that gnawed at me.

Why does she want to do this?

Zane pushed off the counter, brushing his knuckles against it like he was trying to wipe away the tension Celeste had left behind. He grabbed the things from the counter and shoved it into his bag, his movements swift but deliberate. "I hate that girl."

Ryker followed suit, tossing a handful of snacks into his own bag without missing a beat. "I'd pay to see Aria knock her flat in the arena."

I let out a humorless chuckle, the sound hollow. "You'd be first in line, wouldn't you?"

But even as the sarcasm passed between us, the unease in my stomach didn't disappear. No amount of humor could wash away the gnawing feeling that something was brewing.

Whatever game Celeste was playing, she'd just made one thing crystal clear.

She was watching.

And she was waiting.

As we walked, the familiar crunch of gravel underfoot was drowned out by the sound of Zane's voice, low and filled with a spark of anticipation.

"This competition's going to be intense," he said, eyes narrowing as if already sizing up the challenge ahead. "Royals from the other kingdoms are coming too—Air, Earth, and Aquara Kingdom. Kings, queens, and princes... it'll be a spectacle."

Ryker's smirk was barely concealed, arms crossed in his usual cocky stance. "Earth Kingdom's so-called prince, Charles, is already here. You know he'll join the competition. He's itching to beat us, but we all know how that's gonna end."

I rolled my eyes but kept my focus straight ahead. "True, but this time, we need to focus on Aria and the others," I muttered, my voice low. "I don't want anyone getting hurt in this competition."

Zane's usual playful glint faded as he nodded seriously, his gaze flickering to the horizon. "You're right. We'll have to be extra careful."

Then, a sudden shift in the air caught me off guard. At first, it was barely perceptible—just a hint of something sweet in the breeze. But as we continued down the path, it grew stronger, more insistent, like an invisible hand tugging at the edge of my consciousness.

I froze mid-step. My chest tightened as I inhaled deeply, the scent weaving its way through the air—something floral, like night jasmine, blended with the earthy freshness of rain on dry ground. It settled deep in my lungs, warm and intoxicating. A shiver ran through me, unsettling and unfamiliar.

What was that?

"Lucian?" Ryker's voice broke through the haze of my thoughts, his tone laced with concern. He paused, his eyes narrowing as he looked back at me. "What's wrong?"

I didn't answer immediately. Instead, my senses sharpened, focusing only on the scent that had wrapped itself around me. My heartbeat quickened as I inhaled again, trying to make sense of it. It was like something primal, something I'd never felt before, was clawing at the surface.

"Do you smell that?" I asked, my voice hushed, barely more than a rasp.

Zane sniffed the air, his brow furrowing as he caught a hint of what I'd sensed. "Not really... just the usual..." His words trailed off as his expression shifted, eyes softening with realization. "Wait... maybe... Sofia?" A grin tugged at his lips, the familiar teasing edge returning.

Ryker's arms unfolded as he grinned, a playful gleam dancing in his eyes. "Lila. Definitely Lila."

I tore my gaze from the shadows ahead, glaring at them. "Why the hell would I find your mates' scents intoxicating?" My voice came out sharper than intended, but the heat under my skin made irritation prickle at my spine. "Have you both lost your minds?

Zane raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by my reaction. "Relax, man," he teased, nudging me with his elbow. "Maybe you're finally catching on to what it's like having a mate around."

My jaw clenched, teeth grinding together. A strange ache gnawed at my chest, and I fought to ignore it, shaking the thought away. Mate. No. I didn't have a mate. And I didn't want one.

But the scent... it was still there, lingering in the air, tugging at me, drawing me forward like a siren's call. It wasn't theirs. It couldn't be.

Still, it pulled at me, deep into the woods where the echoes of clashing water and bursts of fire drifted from our place. The scent grew stronger, heavier—like warm honey with night jasmine,, intertwined with something wild, untamed, like rain on scorched earth.

My pulse quickened, my head growing light with a mix of confusion and desire.

I fought the sensation, pushing it away, trying to lock it down behind the walls I'd carefully built. But it wouldn't let go. It was persistent—demanding to be heard.

Without thinking, my feet began to move faster, the path ahead becoming a blur. I wasn't aware of it, but something deep within me had already decided I needed to follow it, needed to find where this scent was coming from.

Ryker and Zane exchanged amused glances behind me, but I hardly noticed. I didn't care.

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms, trying to ground myself. Whatever this is... it can't be mine.

It shouldn't be.

It wouldn't be.

And yet... with every step I took, it felt like chasing after something—a ghost of something I didn't even know I was missing. And I hated how badly I wanted to catch it.