Chapter 13: Criminal

  "Kaelin."

  A voice called from outside her room.

  “Kaelin!”!”

  There it was again.

  “Kaelin, please come out,” Lena said from behind the door, her voice tinged with worry.

  “Go away already. I told you, I'm not saying anything to them,” Kaelin replied.

  “It’s not about that, I already got them to leave. But if you don’t come out here, you’re gonna miss your chance at the academy!”

  “Why bother. It’s not like they’d allow a criminal in.”

  “I’ve told you before, and I'll tell you again. It isn’t your fault. We all knew it was dangerous. If he didn’t want to participate, he didn’t have to. All of us here were willing to take the risk, and that’s on us.”

  “What are the chances I'm accepted anyway. I don’t want to have to bother with all the people and the questions. I could get jailed for all I know! What hope do I have of becoming a mage if I'm in the clink?”

  “And what hope do you have if you lock yourself up in here... Look, if you’re worried, we could always sneak you in. We’ll think of something. I just really don’t want your dreams to be spoiled because of an accident like this. Please Kaelin.”

  Kaelin sat in thought for a minute, Lena waiting patiently for an answer.

  The door swung open. Lena fell to the floor having been leaning on the door and looked up at Kaelin’s face. Her hair was messy, and her eyes were puffy. She looked awful.

  “Fine, I'll do it. But if I get arrested, you had better bail me out.”

  “Yea whatever. But seriously you need to freshen up, you look half dead,” Lena remarked, a wide grin apparent on her face.

  Kaelin slammed the door in frustration and Lena let out a small laugh.

  ***

  “Kaelin, come one. No-one has seen you yet. Let’s go in the side entrance.”

  The candidates were gathered in the Academy’s grand hall, a vast chamber adorned with banners heralding the school emblem and boards, filled with the names of the top graduates.

  Kaelin stood among the crowd, arms crossed as she scanned the room. The events of the last match still played in her mind, though she tried her best to put the thoughts to the back of her mind. Now was not the time to dwell on what she had done to Daniel. Now, was the time for the results. This moment dictated almost her entire life.

  What would she do if she didn’t get in. Of course there were other schools, but since she had taken part in the Thread Trials, she had missed the application for all the other schools in the kingdom.

  A panel of academy professors stood on a raised platform at the front of the hall, their robes pristine, their expressions unreadable. Each was the head of their individual subject. In the centre stood a tall man with streaks of silver in his dark hair, his gaze sweeping across the crowd with quiet authority. Professor Aldric, both the academy’s head of admissions, and a teacher of philosophy.

  “Candidates,” his voice rang out, effortlessly commanding silence. “You have all undergone rigorous testing. Your knowledge, control, and skill have been evaluated by some of the best mages in the kingdom. Today, the Royal Magic Academy welcomes those who have proven themselves worthy. And to those who haven’t, do not try to appeal. Our examiners do not make mistakes.”

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  Murmurs rippled through the hall, but they quickly died down as professor Aldric lifted his hand to silence the crowd.

  “I will now call the names of those who have passed the entrance examination. If your name is called, step forward.”

  As he unrolled a scroll, the crown could see that the list was long. But when compared to the group who stood around. It seemed like less than half had passed.

  One by one, names were read, and their owners stepped forward, some with visible relief, others with barely concealed excitement. Kaelin remained still, waiting, her fingers tapping lightly against her arm. Kana was called early on, and she let out a breath before striding to the front, expression composed. Others followed.

  The list dwindled, and some hopefuls began to shift nervously, realizing their names would not be called. For them, this was the end of the road. The hall grew quiet as the last few names were read. Lena, being one of them.

  I can’t say I'm surprised. I did tell her I wouldn’t get accepted. Wait... I didn’t hear Zephyr’s get called either.

  Once the list had been read, Aldric set the scroll aside and clasped his hands behind his back.

  “Now,” he continued, “while all of you who passed here have earned a place at the Academy, there are those among you who have demonstrated skill much higher than expected. These candidates have not only passed the main exam, but has also been recognised by a department head, as an exceptional talent.”

  A hush settled over the hall. This was the moment that truly separated the great from the average.

  Professor Aldric turned slightly, and another professor stepped forward, a woman with piercing blue eyes and a green-threaded robe. “Those whose names are called will be receiving scholarships and personal sponsorships from a department head,” she announced.

  The first name was read.

  “Zephyr Kalyndria. From Professor Martin, head of Time.”

  A knowing murmur rippled through the crowd as Zephyr stepped forward, his usual confidence unshaken. Kaelin eyed him, unsurprised.

  “Liora Vayne. From Professor Gray, head of Essence.”

  A composed-looking girl with red hair moved forward, standing next to Zephyr.

  “Caius Drenhold. From Professor Whitaker, head of Mind”

  Kaelin’s brow twitched as Caius walked up nervously. He seemed uncomfortable with all eyes on him.

  "Guy Everette. From Professor Reed, head of Nature.”

  Huh, I kinda forgot about him. How’d he get a scholarship though? Him of all people!

  “Kaelin Cro-.”

  Aldric stopped mid-sentence and started to whisper to a man behind him, although not very well.

  “Are you sure this is right? Aric you aren’t meant to sponsor two students!”

  The man he was talking to replied, too quietly for anyone to hear. But it didn’t seem necessary as Aldric was insistent on being both sides of the conversation.

  “It doesn’t matter if they’re both prodigies, you can’t just make new rules!”

  The man spoke again.

  “You know I'm not going to speak to Mr Calton! Urgh, fine, what does it matter to me anyway.”

  Aldric turned back to face the crowd of contestants who stood, listening intently.

  “Kaelin Crown. From Professor Martin, head of Time.”

  She blinked, her spine straightening at the sound of her name. The eyes of the gathered candidates shifted toward her, some surprised, others expectant. Keeping her expression neutral, she stepped forward, joining the others at the front.

  “These students have been awarded scholarships based on their performances in the exams. They will receive one to one guidance form their sponsor, along with special training facilities and leadership roles. But don’t worry. In your time here, each student has the chance to replace them here. After the end of year examinations, the professors must re-pick their student representatives. Although this can be the same person, I expect you all to try your very best to achieve this goal.”

  Aldric turned his gaze to large majority of the competitors, those who didn’t pass.

  “And to you, who have not succeeded. I hope to see you back another year to try your hand at this academy. I assure you, the margins were close, but as always, we only have limited places.”

  Kaelin resisted the urge to glance at Zephyr on her left. Instead, she kept her gaze forward, though a flicker of satisfaction stirred within her. She had done more than just pass. She had proven herself worthy.

  Once they had been dismissed, Zephyr left quickly, along with the rest of the scholars. Lena was waiting for Kaelin near the exit.

  “Look at you miss ‘scholar’, bet you’re glad you came now, huh.”

  “Yea... I guess. I mean it’s nice to not have to worry. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I didn’t get in. I kinda planned my whole life around it.”

  Who am I kidding. I don’t deserve this after what I did to get here

  “Stop looking so down,” Lena said, “Let’s go grab some dinner, gotta have one last night out in the city before school starts. I really can’t believe they only gave us one day before school!”

  Kaelin let out a small laugh. Lena always had been unserious. Even if it were the end of the world, nothing would change.