Chapter 17 - Assigned Disaster
The next morning arrived far too quickly.
Lyra spent the entire walk toward her first class trying not to think about the conversation she had with Mrs. Bradmore yesterday.
It failed.
Repeatedly.
Because every time she remembered the words separate training, another question immediately followed.
Who?
More importantly—
How exactly is this person supposed to get rid of my trauma?
If there had been a simple solution, the old man would have found it years ago.
By the time she reached the first-year lecture hall, her mood had already deteriorated.
The theory classes themselves were manageable.
Astral circulation.
Magical structures.
Elemental compatibility.
None of it was particularly difficult.
The problem was maintaining concentration while wondering what kind of instructor Mrs. Bradmore had chosen.
Amy, meanwhile, appeared completely energized despite claiming she had been exhausted the previous night.
"You look concerned."
"Of course I am."
"That makes sense."
"You're not helping."
"I wasn't trying to."
Lyra sighed.
Naturally.
During lunch, she attended another first-year lecture before moving to one of the second-year combat theory sessions afterward.
The special permission granted by Mrs. Bradmore allowed her to move between both schedules whenever possible.
Honestly—
it was useful.
The first-year classes covered fundamentals.
The second-years covered practical applications.
Combined together, the material made significantly more sense.
But the students remained exhausting.
By the time the final class ended, the sun had already begun descending beyond the academy barrier.
Which meant—
training.
Amy immediately appeared beside her.
"I'm coming too."
"No."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Support."
"No need."
Amy looked offended.
"You attended my combat match like it was a festival."
"That was support."
"I don't think so"
Amy ignored her completely.
The two eventually crossed the western side of the academy together as evening settled over Valmere.
The outer training grounds sat farther away from the main buildings.
Large.
Quiet.
Usually reserved for advanced combat practice.
As they approached the designated hall, Lyra noticed something strange.
The doors were already open.
Voices drifted from inside.
Several voices.
Her eyes narrowed.
Amy immediately looked interested.
"Oh, something is definitely wrong."
That wasn't reassuring.
Not even slightly.
The moment they stepped inside—
Lyra stopped.
Because people were already there.
Several people.
Rivan sat on one of the training barriers.
Lucian occupied an entire bench despite there being nobody else nearby.
Seren leaned casually against the wall.
Kaelan stood beside him with the exhausted expression of someone accepting unavoidable chaos.
Silence followed.
Then—
"Oh."
Rivan smiled.
"She arrived."
Lucian looked immediately delighted.
"Welcome, Princess."
Lyra slowly turned toward Amy.
"Did you know about this?"
"No."
A pause.
"...Maybe."
"Amy."
"I just had a feeling. You know...intuition."
"I finally understand why people say there's no need for enemies when you have friends."
Amy grinned.
Lyra looked back toward the group.
"Why are all of you here?"
"Research," Seren answered.
"That answer raises additional questions."
"It should."
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
Because none of them looked surprised to see her.
They looked like they were waiting.
For something.
Or someone.
Then another figure entered from a side corridor.
And immediately—
Lyra understood.
Erix.
Of course.
Tall.
Composed.
Entirely unaffected by the fact that several people were apparently treating this as entertainment.
He walked into the hall without acknowledging anyone before stopping near the center platform.
Lucian immediately grinned.
"Unbothered as always."
Lyra's eyes narrowed.
"Why is he here?"
Nobody answered.
Which somehow felt worse.
A moment later—
the side doors opened again.
Mrs. Bradmore entered.
The atmosphere shifted immediately.
Conversations stopped.
Students straightened.
Even Lucian looked slightly more professional.
Slightly.
Mrs. Bradmore's gaze moved across the hall once before settling on Lyra.
"Miss Ashbourne."
Lyra stepped forward.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"As of today, your reinforcement training begins."
Lyra nodded.
Then waited.
Mrs. Bradmore continued calmly.
"I have selected an instructor."
A terrible feeling immediately appeared.
Deep.
Instinctive.
Like the universe itself was preparing another attack.
Beside her, Amy suddenly looked delighted.
Which was never a good sign.
Mrs. Bradmore turned slightly.
"Your instructor has already arrived."
Silence.
Then—
"Erix Valehart."
Nothing happened.
For exactly three seconds.
Then—
"No."
Mrs. Bradmore blinked once.
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
Lyra pointed toward Erix.
"Him?"
"Him."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
That felt unfair.
Around the hall—
Lucian looked like he was enjoying too much.
Rivan was visibly struggling not to laugh.
Seren had completely given up pretending to be subtle.
Even Kaelan looked mildly entertained.
Amy physically turned away.
Her shoulders were shaking.
Meanwhile, Erix remained completely expressionless.
Like this situation wasn't affecting him either.
Which somehow made everything worse.
"You cannot be serious."
"I am."
"There has to be someone better than him."
"There is."
Lyra blinked.
"Then why aren't you using them?"
"Because I chose him."
That was somehow an even worse answer.
Lyra stared at Mrs. Bradmore.
Mrs. Bradmore stared back.
The battle ended immediately.
Because there was no winning against that woman.
Ever.
Finally, Lyra looked toward Erix.
"You agreed to this?"
"No."
That surprised her.
A pause.
"Then why are you here?"
"I was ordered."
Somehow that was the most believable thing he had ever said.
Lucian raised a hand dramatically.
"I support this arrangement."
"Nobody asked."
"Sorry, ma'am."
"I also support this arrangement," Rivan added.
"Still nobody asked."
Seren crossed his arms.
"I think this will be educational."
"For who?"
"Us."
"That isn't reassuring."
Mrs. Bradmore finally sighed.
"Enough."
Instant silence followed.
"Visitors leave."
The excitement disappeared immediately.
"What?"
Lucian looked heartbroken.
"We can't stay?"
"No."
"That feels discriminatory."
"It is."
Rivan looked equally devastated.
Amy looked like she had just lost access to premium entertainment.
"Seriously?"
"Yes."
One by one—
the group began moving toward the exit.
Though not without complaints.
Lucian looked back at Erix dramatically.
"We'll hear about this later."
"No, you won't."
"We absolutely will," Seren corrected.
"That somehow feels true," Kaelan admitted.
Within moments—
the hall emptied.
The doors closed.
Silence settled across the training grounds.
And suddenly—
the situation felt much more real.
Lyra stood on one side of the platform.
Erix stood on the other.
Mrs. Bradmore watched from nearby.
Then she spoke.
"Your goal isn't combat."
Her gaze settled on Lyra.
"It's overcoming your fear."
The words hit harder than expected.
Before Lyra could respond—
Mrs. Bradmore turned and walked toward the exit.
"Good luck."
The doors closed behind her.
And then there were only two people left inside the enormous training hall.
Silence lingered.
For several seconds.
Then Erix finally spoke.
"We're starting with reinforcement."
Lyra stared at him.
For a moment—
she seriously considered whether fighting a dragon would be easier.
It probably would.
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