The weekend had arrived, and with it, the promise of a quiet Sunday. Soya had been looking forward to a peaceful day of sketching and relaxation, his kitten curled up beside him as he worked. But Eliza Gorman and Davonte Evander had other plans.

"Soya, you're coming with us," Eliza said, her voice bright with excitement as she practically dragged him from his chair in the common room.

"Come on, it'll be fun," Davonte added, grinning. "It's Tideball today. You can’t miss it. It's a class, but it’s more like a game."

Soya blinked, surprised. "I didn’t sign up for any sports elective."

"Well, it's optional," Eliza said. "But everyone’s talking about it. You get to ride magical sea creatures! I mean, how often do you get to do that? Plus, it's a chance to hang out and learn something new."

Davonte nodded. "It’s not just about the game. It’s a really good workout, and honestly, it’s thrilling. You’ll love it, Soya."

Soya hesitated. He had never been a fan of high-energy sports, especially ones that involved water. But he didn’t want to seem like he was afraid to try something new either. After a brief pause, he sighed. "Alright, I’ll give it a shot."

The walk to the Tideball dome was an energetic one, with Eliza and Davonte leading the charge. Soya trailed slightly behind, his reluctance masked by the curiosity that bubbled beneath the surface.

"Trust me, Soya, you’ll love it," Eliza said, her voice practically bouncing off the stone walls as they exited the castle. "This isn’t just any sport. It’s magic, speed, strategy... It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before."

"And if you hate it," Davonte added, grinning, "at least you’ll get a laugh out of Eliza missing every shot."

Eliza scoffed. "I’d like to remind you who scored the winning goal during our first match before school this year."

"That’s because I set it up perfectly," Davonte countered, tossing a small rock into the air and catching it as he walked. "Teamwork, Eliza. Look it up."

Their banter helped ease some of Soya’s nerves as they approached the dome. The shimmering structure loomed before them, its translucent walls pulsating faintly as if alive. Inside, the shifting currents and glowing vortex created an otherworldly spectacle that immediately captured Soya’s attention.

Professor Wade stood near the entrance, her aquamarine robes fluttering slightly in the breeze. She smiled warmly as the group approached. "Welcome, everyone. I see some new faces today. Don’t worry if this is your first time—Tideball is as much about learning as it is about competition."

Soya was still unsure about how he'd fare in a game like this. He had no experience with aquatic sports, and the idea of riding a magical creature underwater was intimidating. But as he looked around, he saw the eager expressions of his classmates, many of them already looking forward to the challenge.

"Let’s begin with the basics," Professor Wade said, clapping her hands. "Tideball is a fast-paced, high-energy game where players ride enchanted sea creatures and work together to pass a water-enchanted sphere—known as the Tide Orb—into a shifting vortex at the center of the arena. You’ll be assigned positions today, and each of you will play a role: Shooter, Defender, Interceptor, Tactician, Orb Master, or Keeper."

She gestured to the mounts lined up beside the water. "The mounts you’ll ride today are enchanted creatures of the sea. These creatures bond with you, and the better you connect with your mount, the faster and more responsive it will be. We have seahorses, manta rays, and dolphin sprites. All are equally capable, depending on how you handle them."

As the students made their way to their mounts, Soya’s stomach fluttered with nerves. Eliza and Davonte had already chosen their mounts—a swift seahorse for Eliza and a powerful manta ray for Davonte. Soya hesitated for a moment, glancing at the available options.

His eyes landed on a dolphin sprite, a graceful creature with a shimmering, silvery-blue body that seemed to glide effortlessly through the water. Its sleek fins flicked back and forth, and its eyes sparkled with intelligence. Soya stepped forward, tentatively extending his hand.

The dolphin sprite nudged his palm with its snout, and Soya felt a wave of calm wash over him. It was as if the creature understood him, and despite his nervousness, he felt a sense of connection. He climbed onto its back, adjusting his grip on the reins as the sprite dipped into the water with an elegant leap.

"Good choice," Professor Wade said, nodding in approval. "Dolphin sprites are fast and agile, balancing speed with maneuverability. You’ll find them responsive to your commands. Now, let’s get you all acclimated to your mounts."

Professor Wade began by demonstrating how to control the mounts. "To guide your mount, simply use your magic and speak the commands in unison. The mount will respond based on your focus and intent. Remember, it’s not just about giving orders—it’s about forming a bond."

Soya hesitated before whispering, "Forward," to the dolphin sprite. The creature surged ahead smoothly, its movements fluid and fast. Soya grinned in surprise as the wind and water rushed past him.

"Good," Wade said, watching his progress. "Now, try a turn."

Soya focused and guided the sprite in a slow circle, feeling the connection deepen as it responded to his commands with ease. It was exhilarating, the feeling of gliding through the water on a creature so perfectly attuned to his thoughts

"Now let's focus on the spells used in Tideball." Professor Wade’s voice carried easily across the arena as she demonstrated each one, her wand movements precise and deliberate.

"Let’s start with Celeritas Aqua," she said, raising her wand toward her mount—a sleek manta ray that hovered just above the water’s surface. "This spell gives your mount a temporary burst of speed. Watch closely."

With a flick of her wand, she called out, "Celeritas Aqua!" The manta ray shot forward, gliding effortlessly across the water in a blur of motion. The students watched in awe as the creature executed a sharp turn, its movements fluid and controlled.

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"Now, your turn," Professor Wade said, motioning for the students to try.

Soya hesitated, gripping his wand tightly as he sat astride his dolphin sprite. The creature, sensing his doubt, whistled a reassuring tune. Taking a deep breath, Soya pointed his wand and said, "Celeritas Aqua!"

The sprite responded immediately, surging forward with a burst of speed that sent Soya leaning back to maintain his balance. He could feel the power of the spell coursing through the mount, a tangible connection between his magic and the creature’s movements.

"Good start, Soya!" Professor Wade called. "Now try guiding it through a turn. Use your focus to control the spell."

Soya concentrated, envisioning a smooth arc as he gently tugged the reins. The sprite responded, its body curving gracefully as it completed the turn. A small smile crept onto Soya’s face as he realized he was beginning to get the hang of it.

The next spell, Orb Vincta, required more finesse. Professor Wade explained, "This spell creates a protective barrier around the Tide Orb, making it harder for your opponents to steal. The key is precision and timing. If you cast it too soon, the barrier will fade before you need it. Too late, and your opponents will already have the orb."

She demonstrated by casting the spell on the floating Tide Orb. "Orb Vincta!" The orb glowed faintly as a shimmering barrier formed around it, pulsating like a heartbeat.

Soya watched intently as his classmates took turns practicing. Eliza’s first attempt fizzled out before the barrier could fully form, while Davonte managed to create a sturdy shield on his second try.

When it was Soya’s turn, he focused on the orb, imagining the barrier encasing it like a protective bubble. "Orb Vincta!" he said firmly, his wand pointed at the orb. A faint shimmer appeared, but the barrier flickered and dissolved.

"Good effort," Professor Wade said. "Try again, but this time, picture the barrier as an extension of your magic. You’re not just casting a spell—you’re wrapping the orb in your intent."

Soya nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration. He raised his wand and tried again. "Orb Vincta!" This time, the barrier solidified, glowing faintly as it surrounded the orb.

"Well done," Wade said, nodding approvingly. "Now, let’s move on to the final spell: Vortex Fluxus."

The last spell was one of the most challenging, designed to manipulate the position of the vortex. Professor Wade explained its importance: "The vortex is the goal, but it moves unpredictably. By using Vortex Fluxus, you can shift its position slightly, disrupting your opponent’s aim or creating a better angle for your team. However, this spell requires precision and a lot of focus, so use it sparingly."

She demonstrated by pointing her wand at the glowing vortex. "Vortex Fluxus!" The vortex shimmered and drifted a few feet to the left, its swirling currents adjusting seamlessly.

Soya practiced the spell alongside his classmates, finding it difficult to maintain his focus while tracking the vortex’s movement. His first few attempts caused the vortex to wobble erratically before snapping back to its original position.

"Don’t rush," Wade advised. "Feel the flow of the currents and guide the vortex gently. It’s like steering a boat—you can’t force it; you have to work with it."

After several tries, Soya finally managed to shift the vortex slightly, earning a nod of approval from the professor.

With the spells practiced, the students were divided into teams for the match. Soya found himself paired with Eliza, Davonte, and three older students who quickly took charge of the team’s strategy. Soya was assigned the role of Interceptor, while Eliza played as a Shooter and Davonte as the Orb Master.

The opposing team consisted of experienced players who wasted no time seizing the Tide Orb at the start of the match. Their Orb Master enchanted the orb with Celeritas Aqua, sending it speeding toward their Shooter, who aimed for the vortex.

"Intercept it, Soya!" Eliza shouted.

Soya urged his dolphin sprite forward, shouting, "Accio Orb!" The orb wobbled in mid-air, breaking free of its trajectory and flying toward Soya’s outstretched hand. He caught it just in time, spinning his mount to avoid an opposing Interceptor.

"Nice save!" Davonte called, casting Orb Vincta to protect the orb as Soya passed it to Eliza.

The game intensified as both teams fought to control the orb. The shifting currents and moving vortex added an unpredictable element, forcing players to adapt quickly. Soya found himself completely immersed in the action, his focus sharp as he anticipated the opposing team’s moves.

The game ramped up in intensity as players adjusted to the rhythm of the shifting currents and unpredictable vortex. Soya, still new to the sport, found himself relying heavily on his instincts and the skills he’d just practiced. His dolphin sprite responded eagerly to his commands, its sleek movements cutting through the water with precision.

Midway through the match, the opposing team’s Orb Master enchanted the Tide Orb with Orb Vincta, forming a shimmering barrier around it as their Shooter lined up a long-distance throw toward the vortex.

"Not on my watch," Eliza muttered, gripping the reins of her seahorse mount. "Vortex Fluxus!" she called out, her wand aimed at the vortex. The swirling goal shifted slightly to the left just as the opposing Shooter released the orb. The shot missed, skimming harmlessly past the vortex.

"Nice move!" Soya called, steering his mount toward the loose orb. The opposing Defender tried to cut him off, but Soya was quicker. He shouted, "Accio Orb!" and the orb flew into his grasp.

"Pass it, Soya!" Davonte yelled, his manta ray gliding into position near the vortex. Soya focused, aiming carefully before throwing the orb with all his strength. Davonte caught it smoothly, enchanting it with Celeritas Aqua to speed it up. With a flick of his wand, he hurled it toward the vortex.

The opposing Keeper reacted quickly, summoning a watery shield to block the shot. The orb rebounded, creating a scramble as players from both teams converged to reclaim it. Soya darted through the chaos, narrowly avoiding a collision with an opposing Interceptor.

"Get ready, Eliza!" he called, managing to snatch the orb and toss it toward her. She caught it mid-dive, her seahorse weaving expertly through the shifting currents. With a confident shout of "Aqua Hastae!" she launched the orb toward the vortex. The shimmering sphere streaked through the water and passed cleanly into the swirling goal.

"Score!" Professor Wade’s voice echoed across the arena as the vortex flared brightly. Eliza pumped her fist, grinning triumphantly.

The rest of the match was a blur of motion and strategy. Soya grew more comfortable with his role as an Interceptor, successfully stealing the orb twice more and even blocking a spell from an opposing Orb Master with a well-timed "Protego!" Davonte and Eliza coordinated their attacks seamlessly, scoring another goal before the final whistle blew.

When the match ended, Soya’s team emerged victorious with a narrow lead. The students gathered near the edge of the arena, catching their breath and chatting animatedly about the game.

"You did great, Soya," Eliza said, giving him a proud smile. "For someone who’d never played before, you held your own out there."

"Yeah, mate," Davonte added with a grin. "That last interception was textbook. You’ve got some natural talent for this."

Soya shrugged, feeling a mix of relief and satisfaction. "I was just trying not to mess up."

"You didn’t," Eliza said firmly. "You’ll be a regular Tideball star in no time."

After returning their mounts to the resting area and thanking them with gentle pats, the students made their way back to the castle. The group split up, with some heading to the library and others returning to their common rooms. Soya, feeling the need for some quiet, decided to find a secluded spot to unwind.

He wandered through the castle until he reached a small courtyard tucked away behind a row of towering eucalyptus trees. The space was peaceful, with sunlight filtering through the leaves and the gentle sound of a nearby fountain providing a soothing backdrop.

Soya settled onto a stone bench and pulled out his sketchbook, his fingers already itching to draw. Flipping to a blank page, he began sketching the dolphin sprite he had ridden during the game. Its streamlined body and playful expression took shape under his pencil, the details coming to life with each stroke.

He added the swirling currents of the Tideball arena in the background, trying to capture the chaotic beauty of the match. His focus deepened as he worked, the sounds of the courtyard fading into the background.

As he sketched, his pencil seemed to move almost on its own, the lines darker and more precise than usual. He paused, staring at the page. The drawing had an unusual depth to it, as if the dolphin sprite were about to leap off the paper.

Shaking his head, Soya set the sketchbook aside and leaned back against the bench. His kitten, which had followed him to the courtyard, climbed onto his lap and purred contentedly. He scratched behind its ears, letting the quiet moment ground him after the whirlwind of the day.

Later, as the sun dipped lower in the sky, Soya made his way back to the Thylacea common room. The space was warm and lively, with students gathered in small groups to chat, play games, or work on assignments. Soya found Davonte and Eliza near the fire, their conversation punctuated by laughter.

"Hey, Soya!" Eliza called, waving him over. "We were just talking about Tideball. You’ve got to join the next match. You’re a natural."

Soya smiled faintly, taking a seat beside them. "Maybe. I still need to figure out those spells. The vortex one’s tricky."

"You’ll get it," Davonte said confidently. "Just takes practice. And maybe a few more matches to get the hang of it."

The evening passed in a blur of conversation and camaraderie, the warmth of the common room a welcome contrast to the chill of the courtyard. By the time Soya climbed into bed, his body was pleasantly tired, and his mind was filled with the images of swirling currents, glowing orbs, and the rush of the game.