Stephanie sat on the floor, groaning. It was bad enough that she and Clara were sent to Arydryen for magic school, but even worse, she hadn't gotten accepted into The Lions' Den. How could they reject her? She was the seventh generation heir of the Lacey Coven. Her skills were unparalleled amongst her generation, in both magic and potions brewing. Even Clara, whose abilities were of an eight year old beginner, and a branch family member to boot, was accepted. Stephanie suspected foul play.

But regardless, she was rejected. Even worse, since they were to work as a pair, Clara had to come with Stephanie to a different school in Arydryen. She fluffed her small orange wings indignantly.

"Why do we have to go to Arydryen of all places, anyway?" she grumbled, standing up. "There are so many better magic schools here."

"It's a practice mission," a fellow Coven member replied. Stephanie groaned some more as she realized who it was. "How old are you again, fifteen? And you haven't even been on a single mission?" Thomas tsked. He was being as annoying and arrogant as always.

"I'm sixteen!" Stephanie growled. It wasn't her fault she hadn't been assigned a mission! "And says the guy who recently turned a hundred and forty and never had a girlfriend."

Thomas's face contorted in his anger, and Stephanie grinned. It was so fun provoking him. He was one of the weakest coven members in the last few centuries, which meant he was never considered as a candidate to form alliances through marriage with. What a loser. In the matrilineal witch society, where only females could pass down their ancestors' magic, he was pretty much at the bottom. Useless except maybe for the Coven's political gain. Even then, Thomas completely failed to impress anyone. He looked so ugly he never even managed to find a human girlfriend.

Thomas gritted his teeth.

"You failed to pass the Lions' application process," he sneered. "Even I did."

"Yeah, over a hundred year ago," she retorted. "At least I'm going to the top ranked magic school."

Thomas began to reply before he was interrupted.

"Hey, Steph?" Clara called. "We have to leave now or we'll miss our ride!"

"So, ha! Take that!" Stephanie whispered aggressively as she stuck her tongue out childishly at him, before leaving without waiting for his reply.

"What was going on in there?" Clara wondered aloud as they made their way outside.

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"Nothing," Stephanie replied evasively. Clara, as usual, knew Stephanie was superior, and did not press for more information.

After walking in silence, they finally reached the carriage station. Why they had to resort to such mundane means of travel when they could fly, Stephanie could not understand. Well, she could. They couldn't risk exposing their identities, at least not yet.

Soon enough, they found their carriage, and began the slow journey north. As an influential group, the Lacey Coven had their own magic-powered carriages, specially modified to go at higher speeds. At this rate, they would arrive in Arydryen's District G within the week. But despite having a fully-furnished, large carriage, Stephanie was not looking forward to spending an entire week stuck inside with only Clara for company. She found the nearest thick carpet and laid down for a nap.

"We should review our mission," Clara began suddenly.

"Huh? Why would we do that?" Stephanie muttered, sitting up again.

"When I followed Sister Jenna on her mission, she did this too."

"Continue. Review."

Stephanie sulked as she was once again reminded that she had not gone on a mission before.

"Our mission is quite simple. Coven Leader told us to attend Frozen Hearth, the top-ranked magic school in Arydryen, and watch the students and faculty. We also have to send a report every week. Easy."

Stephanie groaned internally, again. Of course she would get the easiest mission ever for her first mission.

"It's strange they want to send us, though," Clara said. "There must be something important happening near Frozen Hearth if we're attending, especially under aliases."

Stephanie definitely thought it was strange too. She had most certainly already considered that. She didn't need Clara to point it out because she already thought about it.

"Yes, it is strange," Stephanie said. "But we're just going to finish our mission."

Once they finished, the coven would certainly recognize Stephanie's talents, even if she failed the application for The Lions' Den. She'd even beat those stupid other covens in a battle if she had to do so in order to prove herself.

The upcoming inter-school tournaments would be her best chance. She would win and show the losers power of the next Lacey leader. For now, however, she would bide her time and finish her easy mission. After all, even the strongest witch had to start somewhere.

"Could it be that there's …" Clara began saying randomly before shaking her head. "Nah, too far fetched."

"What is it?" Stephanie demanded. As the self-proclaimed mission leader, she had a right to know.

"I just thought that maybe, something interesting will be happening at Frozen Hearth this year."

Stephanie didn't believe that. They were originally supposed to be going to The Lions' Den, not Frozen Hearth. But she nodded anyway.

"Yeah, I think so too," she replied. Because obviously, this was the reason she had not been accepted. This was the third-party interference she had suspected! The reason why she hadn't been accepted into The Lions' Den was clearly because of this important mission.

Because something interesting was going to happen at Frozen Hearth.