(Fey’s point of view)

After being released from the med bay, I sent a message to Fin. I was pretty sure he was still being held in med bay three so I didn’t bother trying to visit.

Next I thought I should probably try calling my father. I’d been dreading the conversation because I knew he wouldn’t want to talk about it, but I needed answers. For some reason Ms.Nordblum thought he had them. If that was true I’d just have to convince him to tell me. As I was scrolling to his contact info, my comm started to ring.

It was him.

“Dad, I need to ask you about something.” I blurted as soon as I answered.

“Fey, … something … you to do.” Dad shouted at the same time.

Then we both slowed down and asked, “what?”

“You go first.” I offered, forcing back my anxious curiosity.

“I need you to check on your sister. I think something might’ve happened to her.”

“She’s fine, dad; she’s been at Sky Haven this whole time. I’m the one that nearly died and now I’m hearing voices and sensing mana. My broken bones healed all on their own… Ms.Nordblum said you might know what’s going on.”

“Fuck! Listen—” my fathers words were cut off by loud sounds, a blast of some sort then people shouting. “I have to go. Be careful Fey, and please check on your sister.” Loud noises continued a few seconds, before a click told me he’d hung up.

Seriously! He’s still on about her?

I shook my head in frustration when the call ended. I’d sent Kyla at least ten messages since leaving on my first mission. she hadn’t responded to one of them.

Now I’m hearing voices and developing abilities that have enforcers suspecting I’m a rogue mage or some kind of threat and dad keeps going on about my perfect little sister!

‘Hi Ky, dad asked me to check on you… how are things?’

I sent the message despite feeling it was a complete waste of time. I’d find a chance to go and visit her later, but first, I needed something to eat.

In the cafeteria, Mai was eating alone. She sat intently focused on a holo screen while taking occasional bites from a sandwich. Despite a large crowd, the tables in her immediate vicinity were empty.

A dozen or more people were wandering around trying to find a seat, but none had the courage to take a place near the ice princess.

She looked intimidating and her aura was icy as could be, but I knew she wasn’t as unapproachable as she appeared.

“Hey, mind if I sit with you?”

“Huh, oh sure.” After answering Mai immediately returned her attention to a holoscreen.

I ate quietly and sank deep into my thoughts.

The voice told me to use its power and I haven’t been able to use magic since then. Sure I can sense mana, but that’s just because the voice did something to help. If that’s true, then maybe I’m not the rogue! I just need to tell them about the voice and then the enforcers can find whoever it is.

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I was getting excited following this line of reasoning, until I remembered what Valencia had said. She had no reason to lie to me. However, if she was right, then I didn’t want to know what she meant by a fate worse than death.

“Fey.” Mai tapped my shoulder. “Can I ask you a favor?”

She was looking down her arms at her thumbs which were engaged in a bit of a wrestling match.

I don’t have time or energy for favors. I’ve got enough to deal with on my own.

I wanted to say that, but I didn’t. When I opened my mouth, the words, “sure, how can I help?” spilled out excitedly.

“I need people for a castle game team. There’s a game coming up and the top prize is a spirit relic.”

“You do realize I’m inept right? Wouldn’t it be better to ask someone else?”

“You’ve seen how people react in my presence. I wouldn’t even get close enough to ask before they ran away.”

I chuckled at the thought of people running as she walked down a hall. I was sure that wasn’t really how things went, but I understood her meaning. “Alright,” I nodded. “If you’re okay with it then why not. I’ve always wanted to try castle game.”

“Thanks,” she said with a shallow sigh. “Now I just have to find three more teammates.”

“Carletta, Cole, and Fin?” I suggested, since they all seemed familiar with each other on our mission.

“Carletta and Cole are fine, but if I ask Fin he’ll get the wrong idea. Is there anyone you can ask?”

“I could try my sister, but I doubt it. She hasn’t answered any of my messages since we split up after the entrance exams.”

“I don’t think that would be a good idea anyway. I got the sense she didn’t like me much and castle game requires cooperation so…”

“That’s true. Although, I think it’s less that she didn’t like you, and more that she was disappointed she didn’t make first class.”

Mai shrugged. “Don’t worry about it.” She got up from the table and added, “the tournament starts tomorrow. I’ll see you then.”

I nearly choked on my drink.

What about class? What about this voice and my new abilities?

I shot up from my seat, still coughing on a bit of liquid that went down the wrong pipe. The tables around me were already filling up and Mai’s silver hair was getting further away. It seemed as if the crowd parted for her, allowing her to make a quick exit. I however, had to fight my way through a wave of students scrambling to get a seat.

By the time I made it out of the cafeteria her head of silver hair was gone. I went to send her a message saying that I wouldn’t participate in the castle game.

Five days isolated in the game field would mean five days of missed class. After typing the message, a realization struck me.

This could be exactly what I need! If I’m playing castle game, I don’t have to worry. There won’t be any concern of exposing myself and the only people I’ll have to worry about are my teammates and the enemies.

I deleted the message and went back to my room. After sending a message to commander Meniaous to let him know I’d be participating in the tournament, I turned on my holoprojector to watch a game for a refresher.

The basic premise of the game was simple. Two teams spend five days defending their castle in a special field. Each of the five team members has a specific role and can earn technical points for the team by completing objectives, or eliminating enemy players.

Technical points could be exchanged for runes, spirit relics, better quality CAD’s and even tamed beasts. The drawback is the points are shared between team members and it can take a while to earn a lot. Some of the best teams can earn as much as 500 points in a game, but it was far more common for teams to earn close to the 150 minimum required for most victories.

The match I was watching was my mother’s. Her team was legendary since they’d managed to never lose a game and always won with more than 400 points. I wasn’t sure how she managed that. To score so many points the team would have to complete nearly every objective and avoid triggering an instant win or otherwise ending the game early. Which basically meant skipping the biggest point giving objectives.

I should’ve called her for some strategy advice, but I wasn’t really concerned with winning. Mostly I just wanted to hide in the game as long as possible.