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“The first to fall to the sand below loses,” Hogsmith explains. “As I said, magic of all forms is welcome. Losers will work together to clean the stables.”

I groan along with everyone else.

Sabra leans over and whispers something to her posse. They all turn to look at me.

I keep my face carefully neutral. They think I’m hopeless.

But what they don’t know is that I have other tools at my disposal they’ve never seen. I clear my throat, readying my voice to spill its sweet songs that neutralize even the strongest opponents.

They think I’m weak.

But I’ve overcome much worse, even further underground.

36

Doubling Lessons

The next few days pass in a blur. Training intensifies in every sense of the word, from Commander Hogsmith forcing us to duel until we deplete our magic—to Leaf’s and every other Solarball player’s chagrin because they want to store as much of the Source in their stones as possible for the upcoming game—to Professor Gregorio introducing seven more methods of wielding. The once rambunctious corridors are now steeped in silence, except when either of the Elven Princes pass by.

That’s when the whispering and giggling start. Leaf had to physically bat away a first-stone that offered to procreate with him, swatting at her until Ramona finally stepped in and flashed a blade. Or three.

“I don’t know, I kind of like the silence,” I say to Ramona from the chair by the hearth in the shared living space near our rooms.

“It’s eerie.” Ramona picks at a nail. “I hate it.”

“I think it’s respect you deserve, Starwatcher,” Esther says, sewing a small hole shut along the seam of her bright orange shirt. While she’s wearing it.

“Like I’ve said, ‘Akemi’ is just fine.”

Ramona cackles. “You think the silence is in reverence of Kem?”

Esther shrugs, unwavering in her support.

I sink further into the couch. Maybe if I squeeze my ass far enough between the cushions, I could disappear.

“It’s because we are tired”—Ramona starts to wheeze from withholding her laughter—“as shit!”

“The professors do seem rather… perturbed.”

Ramona slaps her knee. Really, someone should help her breathe soon.

Esther pauses her sewing and turns to me.

I freeze, one ass cheek successfully embedded into the couch. “No one is quiet because of me. It’s the training. I can barely string a thought together after Gregorio’s latest lesson, let alone create small talk in the halls.”

“See?” Ramona gulps in air, finally regaining her composure. “The almighty Starwatcher agrees with me.”

I slap her arm, hard.

She rubs it with a wicked smirk and changes the subject. “Have you been practicing our latest cast?”

“For the game?” I ask.

She crosses her arms and nods. “The one and only. What do you think?”

“Oh, it’s going to make Leaf so mad.”

A dimple appears on one of Ramona’s cheeks. “That’s what I’m counting on.”