CHAPTER 6 #2
So I kept breathing. In and out, in and out.
Focusing on the air entering and leaving my lungs until the cold fury no longer felt like icicles inside my chest. The quote about sticks and stones came to mind, but I’d always hated how untrue that saying felt.
I was pretty sure a good old-fashioned stoning would hurt less than the verbal beating I’d endured since arriving at this school.
Even so, my emotions were firmly under control once more as the last of the students filed in and the professors on stage took their seats. Like yesterday, Chancellor Grimshaw was the only one left standing, and as he raised his hands, the crowd ceased its chatter.
“Good morning, students,” he said, the sound-blocking spell clearly no longer in effect.
“I hope you were all able to get a good night’s rest, because we have a full itinerary for you today.
One thing we pride ourselves on at Heartstone Academy is an educational experience unlike any other.
Most of you have already received several years of education at one of our community academies located around the world, but the training you’ll experience here isn’t anything like that.
To better prepare our new students for what’s to come, we’ve decided to incorporate a mentorship program this year. ”
Excited whispers swept through the crowd, and the chancellor held up his hands again to silence them.
“This program not only prepares our first years for the rigorous training and trials ahead but gives our upperclassmen a chance to experience the leadership role responsibilities they’ll face after graduation.
We used to rely on the elders to protect our entire community and also looked to them for wisdom and guidance.
The Conclave of Magic will encompass the same roles, its members acting both as our shields and mentors.
So before our second and third years think that this mentorship program gives the first years an unfair advantage, know that it is crucial to your own training. ”
He paused to let his words sink in, sweeping his gaze over the back half of the great hall before continuing on.
“The professors and I have voted on a lottery to determine which first year student will be paired with which second or third year mentor. It’s completely random, and the pairing is final.
This partnership will continue for the rest of the year, and before any upperclassmen think they can get away with throwing their first years to the wolves, their failure will be yours.
Refuse to mentor them, and we’ll assume you’re not capable of leading our community someday. Venetia, if you please.”
The chancellor stepped back as Professor Holt rose from her chair and claimed the center stage position. When she raised her hands, green magic encased them, giving away her affinity.
Earth Elemental.
“Manifesto,” she intoned. With a sweep of her glowing green hands, she unveiled two black cauldrons on pedestals positioned on either side of her.
“These cauldrons are enchanted to yield names randomly and without bias for the Mentor Ceremony. When I call out your pairing, you will both come up and swear a binding pactum to each other, that neither of you will intentionally cause the other fatal harm whilst the pairing is in effect. This will ensure the pairing remains fair and mutually beneficial.”
Shocked exclamations rippled over the student body, and I felt my own face slowly drain of blood.
A pactum?
“It doesn’t, however, force you to ally with each other,” Professor Holt loudly said, cutting off the chatter.
“Who you make alliances with at this school is your choice alone. But if you break your pactum, no matter the reason, what befalls one befalls both. I hope you have all been taught how dangerous pactums can be. Your very life depends on how seriously you uphold your promise.”
Barely pausing to let us digest her warning, she raised her hands again and chanted, “Dutiful cauldrons, entrust me with the first pair. Thine servant entreat that it be fair.”
Green smoke burst from the bowels of both cauldrons, along with two scraps of paper. They fluttered in the air above the professor before floating down to rest on her open palms. Glancing down at them, she spoke in a firm tone, “Our first pairing is Blaze McGrath and Sydney Wright.”
No one made a sound as the two students stood and made their way to the stage.
Realizing that the first year was none other than Blaze the Bully, I immediately felt sorry for the upperclassman chosen to mentor him.
She wasn’t much taller than me, pretty with blonde hair fashioned into a cute pixie cut.
As she and Blaze moved to center stage and faced each other, neither of them looked happy about the pairing.
Chancellor Grimshaw stepped forward, drawing what looked like a small dagger from his coat sleeve.
Offering it to Blaze, he said, “A shallow cut on the palm is needed to make the pactum binding. Both of you must willingly cut yourselves, then clasp your hands together to let the blood intermingle. Once you’ve both done so, you will recite your oath together. ”
Blaze accepted the knife, quickly slicing his palm before giving it to Sydney.
She did the same, her mouth set in a grim line as she handed the dagger back to the chancellor and stuck out her hand for Blaze to clasp.
He did so rather brutishly, his beefy hand completely swallowing up her dainty one.
She locked eyes with him, scowling as he no doubt squeezed her delicate bones.
Blaze’s mouth twisted into his signature leer.
Poor girl.
“Blaze McGrath and Sydney Wright, repeat after me,” Chancellor Grimshaw said. “I bind thee to me, vowing not to intentionally harm thine mortal body. Henceforth, may we remain bound for one year, provided our immortal souls still reside on this plane.”
It felt like the entire great hall held its breath as the pair recited the oath. When they were finished, the two pieces of paper on Professor Holt’s palms lifted into the air and caught fire, magical green flames swiftly burning them to ash.
“Their oaths ring true,” she said, flashing them both an approving smile. “Well done. You may take your seats.”
Despite knowing that Blaze couldn’t harm her without harming himself, Sydney looked rather green as she wrenched her hand free of his and descended the stage steps. Blaze, on the other hand, looked smug as he watched her leave, sauntering down the steps as if he’d won something.
Several more pairings were called, each ending with a confirmation that their oaths to each other were genuine. Alma’s name was eventually called, and a few first years gasped when she was paired with Riku Tanaka.
“So lucky,” one girl whispered enviously.
“He’s going to bone her, for sure,” another wistfully sighed.
When the pair clasped hands and started to recite their vows, each word spoken dripped with sensual promise.
Based on the seductive smirks they kept giving each other, I doubted training and mentoring would be the only activities those two did this year.
An image of them passionately making out invaded my mind, and I threw up a little in my mouth.
As she descended the stage, Alma tossed her braid back and gave me a pretentious little wink, one that clearly meant, I won first place again. Too bad for you.
Yeah, well, Riku wasn’t the only powerful third year. I could be paired favorably, too.
But with my luck, probably not.
“Winter Mayweather,” Professor Holt suddenly said, and I snapped my gaze back to the stage, realizing that my pairing was about to be called.
Please be someone who doesn’t hate me, please, please, please, I silently begged as she opened her mouth to read the other name on her palm.
“And Thorne Hudson.”
My heart plummeted to the floor.