As class was reaching its end, the familiar hum of students shuffling their belongings and whispering about dinner plans filled the air. But just as the atmosphere started to relax, the overhead speakers crackled to life.
Only, it wasn't the Headmaster's voice that followed.
It was Ms. Liora's.
A hush fell over the classroom as her smooth yet authoritative tone resonated through the academy.
"Hello, students. Apologies for the sudden interruption, especially since I know many of you are eager to pack up and head back to your dorms. However, due to pressing circumstances—specifically, the ongoing situation at the North Gate—we have no choice but to extend the schedule for mandatory critical training."
A collective groan echoed through the room.
I sighed, already feeling the exhaustion settle in my bones.
"Wonderful," Camille muttered, resting her chin on her palm. "And here I thought we'd have at least a day to breathe before they threw us back into the fire."
Lillian, ever composed, merely adjusted her gloves. "It's understandable. The situation at the North Gate is worsening—if anything, I'm surprised this decision wasn't made sooner."
I frowned, drumming my fingers against my desk. Just how bad was it getting for them to make a decision this quickly?
Ms. Liora continued, her voice unwavering.
"The training will be conducted in cooperation with the military division assigned to Fiore's defense. New instructors and evaluators will be arriving within the week to assess your capabilities and prepare you for real-world combat situations. Attendance is not optional. Every student, regardless of their current skill level, will be participating."
Another wave of murmurs erupted, this time more concerned than annoyed.
Diana, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "New instructors?" She narrowed her eyes. "Just who exactly are they bringing in?"
"Probably higher-ranking soldiers, maybe even war mages," Tessa speculated, her arms crossed. "The academy's security has been tightening for weeks now—this is just another step."
I bit the inside of my cheek. They wouldn't be bringing in outside reinforcements unless they were expecting the worst.
Ms. Liora's voice returned, cutting through the restless energy in the classroom.
"Further details will be provided tomorrow morning. Until then, I suggest you all prepare yourselves mentally and physically for what's to come. That is all."
With a final click, the speakers shut off, leaving behind an eerie silence.
For a moment, none of us spoke. The weight of her words hung in the air, heavy and unshakable.
Then, Claire let out a long, exaggerated sigh, collapsing dramatically against her desk. "Well. There goes my hopes for a peaceful school year."
Tessa snorted. "When has anything about this academy ever been peaceful?"
I groaned, rubbing my temples. "This is going to be hell, isn't it?"
Camille smirked, leaning closer. "Oh, undoubtedly."
Diana rolled her shoulders, her expression unreadable. "At least this means we'll finally get a glimpse of what's coming."
Lillian folded her hands neatly in her lap, her expression calm, yet something unreadable flickered in her emerald eyes. "Indeed. One way or another, we'll have to be ready."
And somehow, I knew—
This was only the beginning.
The tension in the room was thick, every student caught between dread and reluctant acceptance. But for me, something else gnawed at the edges of my thoughts, a memory from earlier—something Claire had let slip so casually, yet now held far more weight.
"The Academy's Survival Trials…" I muttered under my breath, my grip tightening around my quill.
Camille's ears perked up at that. "Ah. So that's what this is about," she mused, resting her chin on her hand. "Should've known."
Claire let out a nervous chuckle. "W-Well, in my defense, I thought we had more time before they actually announced it! I didn't think they'd drop it on us tonight!"
Diana turned to her, unimpressed. "So you did know," she accused, her sharp emerald eyes narrowing.
Claire waved her hands frantically. "Not all of it! I just heard rumors! And, you know, maybe I snuck a peek at a few documents, but that's not the point—"
Tessa groaned, rubbing her temples. "Of course, our student council president would be eavesdropping on highly classified information."
Lillian, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke, her voice steady yet carrying a hint of intrigue. "So, the Academy's Survival Trials… That means this isn't just a simple training session. They're preparing us for something much bigger."
A shiver crawled down my spine. I wasn't entirely sure if it was excitement or fear.
"Preparing us is putting it lightly," Diana muttered. "This isn't training. This is a test."
I clenched my fists. She's right. If they were bringing in external evaluators and war mages, this wasn't just about refining our skills. It was about determining if we were even capable of handling the looming threats outside Fiore's walls.
"What exactly do these Trials entail?" I asked, already dreading the answer.
Claire gulped. "Well… They're held every few years, usually for upperclassmen or elite students. But with everything happening, it looks like they're throwing everyone into it this time. It's meant to simulate real-life combat situations—except, you know, with actual danger involved."
"Lovely," Camille deadpanned.
"But the worst part," Claire continued, looking more uneasy now, "is that they don't tell you when it officially starts. One day, you'll just wake up and—bam!—you're in the middle of it. The Trials begin whenever the instructors decide we're 'ready.'"
I stared at her. "So what you're saying is… We could be thrown into this at any moment without warning?"
Claire nodded. "Pretty much."
A heavy silence fell between us.
Then Camille let out a dramatic sigh. "Well, I suppose it is an honor to be forced into near-death experiences ahead of schedule."
Diana shot her a look. "Only you would say something like that."
Tessa cracked her knuckles. "Doesn't matter. We'll just have to be ready for whatever they throw at us."
Lillian simply smiled, though there was a certain sharpness in her gaze that hadn't been there before. "Indeed. I look forward to seeing how we all fare."
I let out a sigh, running a hand through my hair as I glanced at Claire, who was doing her absolute best not to meet my gaze.
"I guess you're lucky then, Claire," I muttered, leaning back in my seat. "Since we probably won't be able to pick our training partners, you get to escape my wrath." I smirked, tapping my fingers against the desk. "You do realize that if we had been able to choose, I would've gone all out against you, right?"
Claire stiffened, her violet eyes darting toward me. "Lucky?" she echoed, incredulous. "Lucky?! Sera, do you even hear yourself? None of us are lucky right now!"
Camille chuckled. "She has a point, you know. Being forced into a trial where they might dump us in the middle of nowhere with monsters lurking about doesn't exactly scream lucky."
"Not to mention," Diana added, her arms crossed, "if this is the same format as previous Trials, they'll deliberately split up strong pairs and force us to work with people we don't normally train with."
Claire groaned. "Exactly! That means I might get stuck with some random first-year while you get to spar with Lillian or Diana! And let's face it, Sera, you thrive in chaos! Meanwhile, I—" She dramatically gestured to herself. "—am an intellectual!"
Tessa raised an eyebrow. "An intellectual who is about to be thrown into the wilderness with no idea who's on her team?"
Claire deflated. "I hate it here."
"You know what?" I grinned, leaning forward on my desk. "I really hope we end up together now, just so I can see if that 'intellectual' brain of yours can handle combat and survival."
Claire gasped, clutching her chest as if I had personally offended her. "Betrayed by my own best friend? In this economy?"
Camille snickered. "You did kind of bring this upon yourself."
"Traitors, all of you," Claire huffed, crossing her arms. "And here I thought I was the only sane one in this friend group."
Diana rolled her eyes. "You lost that title the second you suggested 'fan service' at the maid café."
"That was for business purposes!"
Tessa sighed. "Regardless, we should take this seriously. If we're really being forced into this without warning, we all need to be prepared to fight with anyone."
Lillian nodded, her expression calm yet sharp. "Indeed. We cannot rely on familiarity this time. We must learn to adapt."
And just like that, the weight of the Trials returned. No more teasing, no more lightheartedness—just the cold, looming reality that we were about to be thrown into something far bigger than any of us had anticipated.
I exhaled slowly, my smirk fading. "Then I guess we better be ready for anything."
Because whether we liked it or not—
The Trials had already begun.
And yet, despite the weight of impending doom hanging over us, something felt… off.
I frowned, shifting slightly in my seat as an odd sensation registered in the back of my mind. My body felt heavy—not from exhaustion, but from… pressure?
Wait.
My eyes darted down, and I finally realized what was happening.
"…By the way," I muttered, voice dangerously flat, "why do I feel at least five hands on me?"
The room went silent.
And then, ever so slowly, I turned my head—only to find all five of them casually draping themselves over me in some form or another. Claire had an arm slung around my shoulders like we were longtime war veterans reminiscing over battles past. Camille had her elbow propped against my other shoulder, chin resting on her hand like I was part of the furniture. Diana's fingers were lazily playing with a strand of my hair, her expression far too smug for my liking. Tessa had, at some point, leaned an arm against the desk and pressed her leg against mine under the table. And then there was Lillian, who had the audacity to rest her head against mine as if this was the most natural thing in the world.
I inhaled sharply. "Excuse me?"
"Eh?" Claire blinked at me, eyes filled with feigned innocence. "Oh, were we touching you? We had no idea."
"Really?" I deadpanned. "Because this feels suspiciously like a coordinated effort."
Camille hummed. "Sera, Sera, Sera. What ever do you mean?"
Tessa smirked. "You did say we should be ready for anything. Consider this a test of endurance."
I scowled, trying to shift away, but they all subtly tightened their hold on me.
Diana, the mastermind of all things insufferable, leaned in closer, her breath ghosting against my ear. "Are you uncomfortable, Sera?" she purred, her voice dripping with amusement.
My face ignited.
"YES!" I shot back, finally yanking myself free with an exaggerated groan. "Get off me!"
They all immediately pulled away, but their expressions told me everything I needed to know.
I had played right into their hands.
And judging by their grins? They enjoyed every second of it.
Lillian, ever the composed one, let out a soft, knowing chuckle. "You are quite easy to tease, Sera."
"I hate all of you," I grumbled, crossing my arms.
Claire beamed. "Aww, we love you too!"
The others nodded, and I swore I could physically feel the camaraderie radiating off them.
I groaned. 'This is why I should've stayed a villain.'
But despite my grumbling—despite my exasperation—I couldn't ignore the small, stubborn smile tugging at my lips.
Maybe the Trials had already begun.
But at least… I wasn't facing them alone.