“You got this. Set the bar high for everyone else,” I told her.
She nodded, stepping into the center of the field where Master Knight was waiting for her. Master Knight whispered something, and she blanched, but dipped her chin in understanding.
As the Pyrotechnics Master walked away, I looked around, expecting to see the Royal Army mock attack Eden or something, but nothing happened. Only when Master Knight stepped off the field did I hear the sound of a cannon go off.
A hard, plate-like disc was propelled out of a machine and hurled towards Eden’s face.
The amassed first years gasped, myself included, but Eden looked determined. Master Knight must have warned her.
Reaching up with her hand, she shot a blast of fire from her palms and incinerated the disc before it could reach her.
We erupted into applause, but the joy was short-lived when another cannon shot off, this one from behind Eden.
I peered into the woods beyond the field and realized the projectile machines were scattered everywhere.
Without missing a beat, my bestie spun and used her right palm to shoot down the cardboard disc. It burst into flames and landed on the grass, and again we applauded.
I glanced up at the queen to see that she was watching Eden with interest and making notes on a piece of paper. I hoped it meant she would put my friend in her brigade next year.
Shot after shot boomed from the projectile cannons and Eden was a total beast as she burned them down one by one, and sometimes two at a time.
I had no idea if this was going to be as intense of a test for all of us, or if they had made the projectiles faster for Eden, knowing she was more advanced with her skill. I certainly wasn’t going to do as well.
By the time Master Knight blew her whistle, Eden was sweating and had thick flakes of ash in her hair. We all cheered wildly as she walked off the field, looked up at the queen, and bowed her head.
“Well done.” Master Knight beamed at Eden, likely her favorite student, and my heart was bursting for my friend.
“You killed it!” I told Eden as she sidled up next to me.
She shook her head, eyes wide. “That was awesome.”
I laughed and then watched as Blair was called up. The projectiles came fast and hard for her too and dread started to form in my gut. They were going to do this with all of us? Blair wasn’t as skilled in pyrotechnics, so she missed half a dozen, but everyone still clapped for her, and the queen wore a pleased smile. I glanced down at Ariyon to see that he looked bored. Hmm, fascinating, I would think he would take more interest in his girlfriend.
The next student was called and then the next, and pretty soon it was my turn.
“Fallon Bane!” Master Knight bellowed curtly.
I was dead last.
I wasn’t sure what was worse, being called first for something like this and having no idea what to expect or being called last and having to compare your performance to all of the students before you.
‘Good luck,’Yanric said from somewhere in the trees. That caused a slight smile to pull at my lips.
‘Thank you.’
Pulling off my gloves, I walked nervously to the center of the field as Eden and Ayden cheered me on. It was pretty depressing to hear only two people clap for you knowing hundreds were present, but I pushed it from my mind, focusing on the positive. I had two friends and that was better than zero.
I situated myself on the field, looking with paranoia at the different cannon projectile throwers. Which one would go off?
Boom.
The sound rang to my right, and I called on my magic, throwing my right arm out and sending an arc of purple fire at the disc, connecting with it and incinerating it. The crowd gasped, probably not used to seeing the undying flame, and then another cannon shot to my left. I spun and threw out another stream of fire; it crashed into the disc, which erupted into flames.
Eden and Ayden screamed their support, and I even heard the crow of a familiar bird. With a grin, I prepared myself for the next shot.
But nothing happened.
I waited, glancing at Master Knight across the field, who also looked slightly perplexed, and then I heard it.
