Isla

Large plumes of fire. Powerful gusts of air. Destructive mounds of Earth. Sweeping waves of water. Each person that went up to the platform had more to show off. Each of them had a signature. A specific way they manipulated their element, that made it different from everyone else’s, and they were all beautiful.

Shaymie danced around my head as we watched, blowing gusts of wind in mock cheer at the duels and demonstrations. She had been particularly excited during Sean’s fight, though I doubted it was because he was up on the platform. Shaymie didn’t seem to like Sean, but she did like the boy who used air against him. While I gave Sean a worried look when he went flying off the platform, one he didn’t seem to notice as he stormed back to the platform in a fury, Shaymie blew fast gusts of wind in a cheer. It was a struggle not to laugh as my, and several others around me, hair started to blow along with it, messing up all the nobles' refined looks. Some of them found it amusing, while others gave me looks of disdain.

More and more people went up, showing off new ways they had found to use their magic, each of them filling me with more excitement and nerves. For me, magic has always been a means of survival. It was a way to clear out snow from my path, or dry my clothes quickly after it rained. I was different from everybody else here. Sean had more training and skill, and all the Lords and Ladies had creativity.

Another young lord stepped up onto the platform. He was the one that had stood right in front of me this entire time. His hair was messy from Shaymie’s gusts, revealing small strands of red underneath the light brown. I hadn’t gotten to see his face the entire time we stood in line, his broad shoulders having blocked much of my view of him and the platform that I had to peek over just to see. So, when he turned to walk up, I was surprised to see that he had two rubies for eyes. They were unnatural, but they blended into his face well, making it look soft somehow.

He strode with absolute confidence, a trait most nobles seemed to have, and walked up the stairs of the platform. Several people let out small gasps at the sight of him before he even did any magic, which made me wonder if he was from one of the four Great Houses. It was the only reason so many others would be surprised to see him, but I couldn’t find an insignia anywhere on his clothes. I wondered if he was a commoner for a moment, but that didn’t make any sense. Everyone here was a noble. This was an event exclusive for nobles. Plus, there was no way any of them would be in awe of a commoner, no matter how powerful they were. Even those that I had actually started to like, such as Aiden or the oversized boy that had caught Sean when he tripped. They both had been kind, but neither would ever show respect to someone below them.

The young Lord started his demonstration. Fire poured out from around his feet, a wave of flames dancing across the platform in a ring, eventually stopping at the edges of the platform. They persisted, gently flicking as he continued his routine. Balls of fire formed on his hands and he tossed them to the side. They floated around his body, swirling around him in a circle. He formed more balls of fire in his hands, tossing them again and again until about a dozen wove around him in a dance. Then, as if he were a ringmaster in a circus, the young man snapped his fingers. The fireballs immediately expanded, their forms stretching into the image of a wall and combining with their neighbors. Eventually all the flames combined and they spun around like a tornado, completely engulfing the Lord in a storm of fire.

More gasps escaped from lips in the crowd. It looked like the young lord had been swallowed up and eaten by the fire. However, after just a few short moments, the tornado began to dissipate. It slowly melted away from the bottom up, revealing the Mage underneath. He stood there, his arms crossed in a proud pose. He even wore a smug smile on his face. None of it felt arrogant, though. He didn’t seem to be looking down on anyone, but rather looked filled with a sense of accomplishment, or a powerful pride.

As the tornado of fire died out, the flames surrounding the platform did as well. Many of the nobles in the crowd gave cheers and shouts of approval, some going far past what I had learned was acceptable during an event like this. The proper way of acting like a noble Lady had been drilled into me over the last six months, but it didn’t seem like everyone here had taken those lessons. Part of me wished I was one of them, but another part of me didn’t. The things I’d been taught were too intriguing.

As the young lord stepped down from the platform, the Mage who had done most of the speaking shouted, “Isla Phell,” grabbing my attention.

The name still felt foreign to me. It was another borrowed one, given to me just like Sean had given me the name Brynor, or the one assigned to me at birth. One was out of obligation, the other was out of kindness, but this one came with responsibility, which I had never asked for. I had considered running away from the Phell estate many times, even on the first day we arrived. When I saw Lord Phell beat Sean like it was nothing, all I was reminded of was the orphanage. I didn’t want to go through that again, so I wanted to run, just like back then. It would’ve been difficult with so many guards, but I had evaded a whole city's worth back in Dousin for years.

I never did, though. Nayu had warned me of my Soul’s instability, and I didn't want to risk losing myself again. However, that was months ago, and though my Soul still felt twisted and split apart into many different pieces, it was stable now. I could leave whenever I wanted too. I didn’t, though. Sean was the closest I’d ever been with a person, and even though he clearly didn’t like to talk about it, we were both reincarnated into this world. He and his mother were the closest thing I’d ever had to a family, and I didn’t want to lose that. I didn’t want to be alone on the mountain anymore.

I walked up the stairs to the platform, stopping when I reached the middle, and looked out towards the crowd. All eyes were on me, each of them staring with expectations that I knew I couldn’t live up to. This was the responsibility the Phell name had given me. I had been launched to a place of high respect, and all of these Lords and Ladies wanted to see what I could do.

I felt like bolting off the stage. I searched everywhere for eyes that I could recognize. I saw Aiden’s for a moment, but he had only glanced up from whomever he was talking to for a moment. I looked for the dull green that I knew I would recognize, but it wasn’t there. My ‘brother’ had left. The one person I could trust wasn’t here, and the weight of everyone’s eyes seemed to double. For so long there was no one around, and now everyone was here, focused on me.

Then my eyes met red. The color was piercing and sharp, but also gentle. Underneath it was a smug smile. A smile that I wanted to wear. A smile that I could have once I’d proven myself. One that could be mine when I showed what I could do. After all, this was a competition, and I hated to lose.

I felt for the water in the troughs near me. Sean had explained magic and how our Souls worked, but it didn’t make much sense to me. I just felt the water like it was a part of me. It was like another limb, not something controlled by an outside force. I did, however, enjoy the rush of energy and feeling of power I got when reaching for the water, though. It was apparently called Nex, but, again, I didn’t really understand it.

As the water started to surround me in a similar way the fire had surrounded the red-eyed boy, I took a moment to think. What should I do? How should I show off? What power would make me win? I thought of Sean and his spells. His water scythes were impressive, but they weren’t flashy, and the sculptures he made were pretty, but not exciting. I needed something both powerful and beautiful.

My eyes drifted upwards, and I saw several beasts with wings up in the rafters. They must have been the Soul Binds of some of the noble’s, but my eyes focused on one that I recognized. Winter was perched on a lower beam, preening her feathers and watching me. Shaymie had taken a seat next to her, the gentle gusts of wind she gave off pushing at Winter’s body. They were both beautiful, and they both had power. All of the beasts in the rafters were.

I smiled, then started moving the water again. The whirlpool of water I had surrounded myself with spun out all around me, covering the platform and a few of the closest spectators. I noticed that none of the Mages had been soaked, despite being on the platform as well, but the thought passed. I had to focus.

Out of the field of water I had created, a small, rabbit-like beast formed. It wasn’t as detailed as the real thing, nor was it as fully formed as one of Sean’s creations, but I could feel its shape within my Soul. I had, after all, made a Soul Bind with a Snow Skip before. The creature zipped around the platform like its real form would. I waited for reactions, but I heard nothing. I needed to do more.

I shifted the form of the snow skip, forcing it to grow larger. It took on the form of a massive wolf. The sairla was crude, just like my snow skip was, and I wasn’t able to mimic the mane of fire the beast typically had. Instead, when I tried to form the mane, a circular scarf-like object surrounded the beast's neck. A trail of tendrils that looked like the bottom of a jellyfish flowed down its back like hair suspended in water, only the tendrils themselves were made of water.

My creation danced around like I imagined Ronan would if he were here, showing off with a proud, raised head like it was the most magnificent thing in the room. I did my best to stifle a laugh, but couldn’t help a smile. The beast walked over to me and walked around me, making a full circle before falling apart and drifting back onto the ground.

More people had started to take notice of my magic, but I still didn’t think it was enough. I had one more creature I wanted to try and create, but I had never formed a Soul Bind with this one. Behind me, I forced the water upwards, creating a ten foot tall monster. It resembled a bear with large fangs and claws. It looked nothing like a real mathear, though. The shape of it was too round and some of the proportions were off, but I was proud of it anyways, especially since it had taken the rest of my strength just to form it. Exhausted, I let the spell drop and the water flow back into the troughs. A few claps came from the crowd, and I could see many smiles. It wasn’t a cheer like the red eyed boy had gotten, but it was enough. I had given it my all.

I slowly slumped down the stairs while Shaymie drifted down from the rafters and landed on my shoulder. I felt gusts of wind coming from her and turned to see her clapping her two stubby little arms together. The gesture made no noise, but it made me smile. I looked up to where Winter was and found her staring at me. She looked wide-eyed in shock, but she always looked like that. I gave her a gentle wave, then the owl went back to preening herself.

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When I reached the bottom of the stairs, several people crowded around me. Usually a Mage or two would walk up to talk after someone finished their routine or duel, but I was met with many different young Lords and no ladies. They talked over each other, so I could only hear parts of their questions. Some asked me about my relation to the other Phell noble, which I assumed ment Sean, while others asked about my relation to the family as a whole. Some asked about my magic, and some asked if I had a fiance.

That last question really got to me. This was a group of teenagers, and some of them wanted to know if I was going to be married soon. It was the complete opposite of what I knew as normal. I accepted my age, even identified with it, since the memories I had of my past life were scattered at best, and nonexistent at worst. I was a different person, with a new life. It still felt weird, however, when a group of young boys I was much more mature than were asking me questions like that. Despite that, maturity, though, this group that surrounded me was terrifying. There were too many people. I tried to speak, but no words came out. I didn’t even know what I would say if they did. I needed Sean. I wanted… my brother.

“Alright, alright,” a low pitched voice cracked. It sounded fake, like the speaker was changing it purposely, and it broke like a teenager on the second word. “Everybody, leave Lady Phell alone. I’m sure she’s exhausted after such an impressive show.”

The crowd parted like Sean had parted the lake in Dousin. There, walking up to me, was the red-eyed boy. Everyone lowered their heads as he walked by. It wasn’t necessarily a bow, but none of them dared to look him in the eye, except for me. I didn’t know what was going on, but Aiden said no one else was higher standing them House Phell here. I wasn’t supposed to bow or look away from this Lord’s eyes, even though I really wanted to. However, he nodded and waved to the other Lord’s, shaking a few hands and patting a few shoulders. Each one he touched looked up at him with surprise, but he only gave them a grin in return. When he was about an arms length away from me, he spoke again. “Go on, everybody. Let’s not make trouble for the Mages.”

The crowd around me dispersed and they focused on whoever was now up on the platform, but the young lord stayed in front of me. He gave me a kind smile before reaching out his hand. I took and shook it, but he didn’t let go of me. Instead, he pulled me out of the way of another girl that was heading up the platform and towards the door of the building. “Thank you,” I tried to say like a regal lady, but my voice came out shaky.

“So, my Lady,” his eyes drifted down to my insignia, “I didn’t know Lord Phell had a third daughter. What is your name?”

“I–I’m not his daughter,” I stammered, “I’m his granddaughter. My name is Isla.”

“I see. A beautiful name,” he said, not seeming to care about my correction. “Would you do me the favor of keeping me company for a while?”

I fidgeted slightly, unable to answer. I didn’t want to be rude, but I also didn’t want to talk to this stranger. He seemed kind, and he was definitely respected by everyone else, but I didn’t know him. “That’s—“

My voice was cut off by someone yelling from outside the door. It was less a scream, and more a loud, furious command. “Let go of my sister!” Sean demanded, his face red as he ran between me and the red-eyes boy.

Sean Brynor

The walk back to the Apprentice Hall was agonizing. My leg had not enjoyed the position I layed in, and when I finally stood to walk back, it let me know. I saw two figures walk out of the doors as I strode very slowly over. The first was a boy. He was, of course, much shorter than me, and his hair was dark brown. I forgot every other detail of his face when I saw his red eyes, though. They were the same ones I had just seen. Then, even that detail was swept from my mind when I saw who he was grabbing and pulling by the wrist.

Isla was walking behind him, a clear expression of worry, exhaustion, and confusion on her face. I could see she was trying to speak, but I couldn’t hear any of her words. However, I knew she was in trouble, and I wasn’t going to leave her alone. I dropped my cane and started running, forging the ice prosthetic around my leg in only an instant. I was between the two of them in seconds, separating their hands. “Let go of my sister!” I yelled, releasing both my anger at this noble for harassing Isla, as well as a bit from my loss.

The noble boy looked startled for a minute, but then a smug smile grew on his face. It looked arrogant, like he was looking down on me. It was the same smile most noble’s wore. Then he bowed his head and spoke. “I’m sorry, Lord Phell. I wasn’t aware Lady Isla had a brother. It is a pleasure to meet you,” he said, reaching out his hand. I didn’t take it, and he returned a look of confusion. “Er… Ah, I meant no offense. I only wanted to speak with Lady Isla about her magic. Her beauty is only a part of the reason I wish to speak with her, I promise,” he said with a wink.

That threw me off guard. Was this noble boy flirting with Isla? That was not what I expected. She was only twelve. Sure, our birthday was soon, but that didn’t make anything better. This was just strange, and I didn’t know how to handle it. “She’ll have to decline,” I told him.

The noble frowned, his smugness disappearing. He was now the spitting image of a sad boy who’d just been rejected. I actually felt bad for him for a moment, but then his smile was back along with his arrogance. He was about to speak again when another noble with greasy black hair ran out of the hall. “I finally found you,” Graham said, placing a hand on the other boy’s shoulder.

His skin turned white when he saw me and Isla with him, then bowed to the two of us. “I apologize if his majesty did anything to offend you. He is… volatile by nature, but he meant no disrespect.”

When I heard what Graham had said, my skin turned the same color as his. He referred to the noble as ‘his majesty.’ Only the Royal Family was referred to in that way. Which meant this boy was the Prince. And, if he was the Prince, then…

“It seems I have to go, Lord and Lady Phell,” the red-eyed noble started. “Graham has me on my leash again. I do hope to see you at the Twin Ball on the fifteenth, though. Perhaps you can dance with me as my birthday present, Lady Isla.”

The Twin Ball. An event held by the King for his twin children, who were both born on August fifteenth. The same day as Isla, Blair, and me. The same day as all the other reincarnates. I had known about it for a while, but I had been ignoring it.

“We should leave, Prince Wren,” Graham said, gently shoving the boy away as my thoughts remained scattered.

I almost instinctively called out to him, but I stopped myself. Even if he was another reincarnate, what did it matter? I was done even thinking about my past life. I wanted nothing to do with it nor reincarnation as a whole. However, was that fair to Isla? The Prince was already gone before I could make a decision.

“Are you okay?” Isla asked quietly behind me.

“Fine. I’m fine.”

“You heard it too, right? He has the same birthday as us. Does that mean…?”

“Maybe. I’m not sure.”

Isla smiled, “This is amazing. Another reincarnate, and he’s a Prince.”

“Yeah. It sure is,” I mumbled back.

Then Isla punched my shoulder. “You left me alone!” she yelled in a hushed voice. “You missed my turn.”

I rubbed my shoulder in surprise. “I–I’m sorry. I tried to get back in time, but I didn’t know when you would go,” I said truthfully.

“Then you shouldn’t have left at all.”

“You’re… right. I’m sorry.”

Isla didn’t seem satisfied by my apology, but she didn’t bring the subject up again. We walked back into the building, catching the final demonstrations before the event was over. The Water Mage gave a clumsy speech when it ended, and I saw several Mages talking to the nobles in the crowd. I took a glance at Master Averitt one last time, but found that he was gone.

Aiden came to pick us up, finally ready to be our babysitter again now that the event was over and the girl he had talked to the entire time had left, but I shrugged him off. I had an important meeting, so he took Isla to the carriage while I waited.

I found the Mage called Kella still standing on the platform. She was talking with another Mage, a woman, who looked extremely nervous. Her whole body shook as she spoke, and her head kept darting around like Tia’s had. Kella didn’t seem to care what the Mage was saying, her face completely passive. She dismissed the other Mage with a simple wave when she noticed me, which caused her to let out a terrified yelp as she walked away.

“Sean. Thank you for coming to see me,” she said, taking a seat on the rough earth that the platform was now made of. After so many Earth Mages had used magic here, the ground looked rough. “Please, have a seat.”

“It’s my pleasure,” I said, taking a seat. I waited for her to speak again, but we sat in silence for a long time. “You wanted to speak to me?”

“I did. Your magic felt very peculiar. It interested me. You are also one of the few here that seemed to have a bit of training.”

I assumed she was talking about my strange relationship with Nex and nodded along. “I did have training.”

“May I ask from whom?”

“His name was Restivus.”

Kella’s eyes widened. I couldn’t tell if it was in shock, surprise, or simply mild interest. Her smile turned into a smirk, then she reached for something within her robes. She pulled out a sealed letter. “Give this to your House’s Lord,” she said, handing me the letter.” While the Magic Tower does not care for Noble ranks and hierarchy, we do respect the bond of family. You will need his permission to become my apprentice.”

I looked back into her eyes after examining the letter, my eyes likely wider than hers. “You’ll make me your apprentice? I can become a Mage of the Magic Tower?”

Kella stood, her long robes flowing as she did so. “You can, so long as your Lord gives you permission. I look forward to working with you. Your Lord will get in contact with me through that letter, then we can begin.”

With that, Kella left. She walked out of the doors of the Apprentice Hall, leaving me sitting on the platform all by myself with a giddy grin. After a few moments, I whistled. Winter flew down from the rafters and landed on my padded shoulder. “Did you enjoy your vacation?” I asked her.

She chirped in response as I stood. I walked out with the letter in my hand, one of the last to leave the hall. I watched as a lone Mage moved the doors closed with earth magic behind me, then my eyes drifted towards the top of the castle I could see over the garden wall. I sighed. I had to figure out what to do about the other two reincarnates that lived there.