Fire and Foe

"What if I don't get chosen, Mummy?"

The thirteen-year-old girl stared at her mother with teary, emerald-green eyes that shimmered with a depth far beyond her years.

Eyes that betrayed an intelligence rare among her peers.

"Who said you wouldn't, my little pumpkin?" her mother replied gently, brushing a loose strand of hair from her daughter's face. "You are strong, my darling, stronger than you know. Never let anyone convince you otherwise. Now, care to remind me what Daddy always says?"

"There is more than one way to be a hero, with or without a Cast," the girl recited, her small voice trembling as she rubbed her damp eyes.

Though she rarely allowed herself to cry, today was an exception. Nervousness radiated from her in waves, palpable to all who knew and loved her. It was her first Choosing ceremony, after all—an event so monumental that even the bravest would falter.

"Isn't that a bit much to tell a thirteen-year-old?"

The voice came from the doorway, cutting through the moment like a blade.

"Aunt Maggie!"

The girl's tears vanished in an instant as she leapt into her aunt's open arms. Maggie, ever the warrior, easily caught her niece, absorbing the full force of the child's enthusiasm.

"Good thing I'm not brittle," Maggie said with a grin. "Otherwise, we'd both be on the floor."

Aunt Maggie was no ordinary aunt. Her weathered skin bore the countless scars of battles long past, and an arsenal of throwing knives seemed perpetually hidden in every fold of her clothing. She was a far cry from the ideal of maternal perfection, but to the young girl, she was nothing short of a hero.

Verlicia, the girl's mother, shook her head at the sight.

"One moment you're crying on my shoulder, and the next you're bounding into Maggie's arms. What sorcery is this?" she asked, feigning exasperation.

"Admit it—you're jealous," Maggie teased, pulling the girl closer. "Don't worry, Verlicia. We'll save some of this love for you, right, Riv?"

The girl, Rivera, nodded with a grin as her aunt's playful teasing soothed her nerves.

"Now, little pumpkin," Maggie said, setting Rivera down. "Are you ready to become a dragon rider?"

"Yes!" Rivera's green eyes sparkled with renewed determination. "I'll be strong—stronger than Daddy, stronger than you. My dragon will make everyone cower in fear!"

"Ooo, I'm terrified," Maggie said with mock dread, tickling Rivera until she squealed with laughter. "You've got a legend in the making here, Verlicia."

"Don't mind her," Verlicia chuckled. "Ever since her father left for the Elf Kingdom, she's been planning how to outshine him."

"That's because I will," Rivera declared, hands on her hips.

"Of course you will," Maggie said, tousling the girl's hair. "Now tell us—what kind of Cast are you hoping for?"

"Well," Rivera began, "I'd really like a Fire Cast like Daddy's, but Mommy's Mind Cast isn't so bad either."

"Ambitious," Maggie said with a sly smile. "Just wait—you might be in for a surprise."

Memories Etched Before the Reaving

"Correct your stance, Ariella!"

Sir McGuire's voice thundered through the training yard, sharp and unrelenting, like the crack of a whip. "Sword pointed at your opponent's heart, not the heavens. Eyes on your foe, body straight!"

Ariella tightened her grip on the hilt of her blade, her feet wobbling beneath her. It felt like trying to balance on a thread stretched taut over a canyon. Across from her, Takish—her sparring partner—was faring no better. His sword dangled limply in his hands, and sweat poured down his face as though he had run miles.

Takish was a curiosity, chosen by a dragon egg despite being, by all appearances, utterly ordinary. His muddy brown hair and bright blue eyes might have been striking if not for his perpetual slouch and obvious lack of combat skills. Yet, for reasons that mystified even the academy trainers, an egg had chosen him.

Ariella stole a glance at the other first-years. They were a mismatched group of exhaustion and determination, their bodies screaming for rest even as they held their stances.

"That's enough for today!" Sir McGuire barked, finally granting them the reprieve they so desperately needed.

Relief washed over the group like a cool breeze on a sweltering day. Takish, however, had already collapsed in a heap on the ground—a routine occurrence after McGuire's grueling lessons.

"Ariella."

She turned to see her friend Urma, her face pale and drawn. "I won't be able to walk you to Beast and Magic History today. I'm too worn out."

"Oh, that's fine," Ariella said with a tired smile. "I'll join Virdia and the others. Though, honestly, I'd rather crawl into bed and sleep for a week."

Urma gave a knowing smirk and waved her off.

Urma was a witch, proud and self-assured in ways Ariella could only admire from a distance. She carried herself with the poise of someone who knew exactly who she was and what she was capable of. But beneath that confident exterior lay a softer side that only Ariella had been privileged to see.

As she approached her classmates, Ariella found herself marveling once again at the sheer size of Magium Academy. It was a labyrinthine fortress, its grand halls and towering spires seemingly carved from the very bones of the earth. Creatures of every species roamed its grounds—humans, elves, shapeshifters, vampires, and more—creating a tapestry of life as vibrant and diverse as the stars in the night sky.

Ariella herself was human, but her abilities set her apart. She possessed a rare Cast that allowed her to manipulate light—a gift as radiant as it was daunting. It wasn't what she had hoped for during her own Choosing ceremony. She had dreamed of inheriting her mother's Air Cast, a power as free and untethered as the wind. Fate, however, had other plans.

And then there was Limus.

Her dragon had hatched a week ago, a fiery creature with scales that shimmered like molten gold. The bond they shared was unlike anything Ariella had ever experienced—a melding of minds and souls that left her breathless. It was exhilarating and overwhelming in equal measure.

Beast and Magic History

The classroom door creaked open, revealing rows of students already seated. Professor Helsa was yet to arrive, and the room buzzed with hushed conversations. Ariella took her usual seat by the window, doing her best to ignore the stares and whispers that followed her.

At the back of the room, Mira's sharp gaze pierced through the crowd. A half-elf and the Emperor's daughter, Mira was the academy's golden child. Her rivalry with Ariella was well-documented, fueled by jealousy over Ariella's unique abilities.

But Mira wasn't the only one Ariella noticed. Freya, with her fiery red hair and piercing crimson eyes, sat in the shadows, her gaze fleetingly meeting Ariella's before darting away.

Professor Helsa swept into the room, her brown gown flowing behind her. Though small in stature and advanced in age, her presence commanded immediate respect. No one dared defy her authority or question her species, which remained a mystery despite endless speculation.

"We will continue where we left off last time," Professor Helsa began, her sharp voice cutting through the murmurs. "Who can remind us of the characteristics of Ice Dragons?"

Mira's hand shot up, and her melodic voice filled the room as she recited the details with practiced ease.

"Ice Dragons are distant and unforgiving. They hold grudges for life and are known for their unmatched resilience."

"Excellent," Helsa replied. "Now, who among you has bonded with an Ice Dragon?"

A pale boy with snowy hair raised his hand. "I have, Professor."

"Ah, Chase. You'll know that Ice Dragons, while fierce, are also peaceful by nature. They lack the fiery temper of Fire Dragons or the mischief of Lightning Dragons. They do not isolate themselves like Wind Dragons, nor are they as tranquil as Earth Dragons. However, the Black Dragons…"

The room fell silent. Black Dragons were a topic of fascination and fear.

"The Black Dragons are an anomaly," Helsa continued. "Ruled exclusively by queens, they are cunning, ferocious, and fiercely protective. Unlike Fire Dragons, their rulers are queens who fight to maintain dominance. Their battles are the most brutal in dragon history."

She paused, her sharp eyes scanning the room. "Your assignment: research the Black Dragons. Are they all Fire Dragons? Why is their population so sparse? And read up on Lightning Dragons for our next lesson."

As the lecture concluded, the room buzzed with conversation. Ariella slipped out quietly, eager to reunite with Limus. Freya's piercing gaze followed her as she left, the unspoken tension between them as palpable as the hum of magic in the air.