Winter observed Della's fleeting form. She twisted the ring on her finger and stood. Winter scanned the area. It was totally destitute, lacking in everything that exemplified Golden Academy High. It was plain and empty, perfect for holding meetings with people from the outside world, should they ever make an appearance. It was a room where inquisitors would find their questions colorfully avoided, while remaining ignorant of the manipulation. Winter blinked. She had not been outside since her mother's disappearance, had not even thought of it. Winter absentmindedly rubbed at her wrist. No one talked about it, like they were all in their own bubble. They didn't seem to care for the outside world or what it offered them. Winter thought of her mother, wondered what she was doing. She shook her head and walked out of the deserted space. She didn't have the leisure to allow her thoughts to wander.
Winter ended up back in the gym and watched from a distance. She saw Mandy and Layla talking to Brenna amicably. Although they seemed uncomfortable at first, they were able to easily converse with the Ice Queen. Mandy even made Brenna smile. Winter expected nothing less from her friends. When they started training, their movements were loose, fluid. They worked together beautifully. There was no hesitation in their steps. "They were complaining yet they make such a great team," she smiled to herself and kept walking.
Winter happened upon Jax, Lucas, and Sam. Jax kept glaring at Sam. Sam stared back, unfazed. Lucas stood in between them, "You have to put this aside. If we want to have a chance at winning, we have to act as a team." Jax looked at Lucas with slight resentment, "How can you suggest that knowing he's responsible?" Lucas clenched his hand. Sam's usual uninterested expression, faded for a moment. Winter saw the flicker of pain in Sam's eyes. It was the most emotion she ever saw from him. Jax did not seem to notice it. Winter briefly entertained the idea of intervening before quickly deciding against it. She didn't have the tools she needed for a successful intervention. She still hadn't learned what went wrong between them, what had catalyzed the conversion from friends to enemies. The situation seemed strained enough without her meddling. She kept walking. It was strange though. Winter deduced that the teams were strategically decided by the person watching. They were designed to benefit the strongest magic users, so that their powers could be enhanced and studied. Jax and Sam were both powerful. It seemed to Winter as though they had never been placed together in a group before. They were supposed to be the benefactors of this system, yet they appeared to be at a disadvantage. The two of them have had this difficult relationship for years. That had to have been considered. "Why force them together now? What is the goal?"
Practice continued on without incident the rest of the week. M.J. and Leo stuck to the plan and remained training under the cloak of M.J.'s illusions. The next time Winter saw Lucas, she noted that his attitude toward her shifted again ever so slightly, but she hadn't yet approached the subject. Her mind was preoccupied with all the information she'd gathered from studying 'Stories Untold' in her free time. Winter continued fitting pieces together in her head, forming and perfecting her plan. Her plan that appeared to be everchanging. There were always new factors to account for, modifications to be made. It never seemed finite.
The day before the mock war, Winter overheard whispers of the post-war festival. It was the anticipated celebration that took place after every war. Like a short term breath of relief before the return to more lessons and vigorous training. Preparations for both the mock war and the festival were being undertaken. It was all fast approaching. Most teams had adapted to the new dynamic effortlessly, which was no surprise to Winter. There have been many mock wars and the students of Golden Academy have been long acquainted. They were probably used to taking on specific tasks and positions for each war. They also somehow managed complete flexibility with each other, allowing room for adjustment if necessary. A muscle in Winter's hand twitched. They had been training from the age of five. They all spent their most impressionable years under the instruction of the headmaster. Winter rubbed her temples, "The minds of children are extremely malleable." Leo tapped her shoulder, "Yes they are." Winter sighed, "Where's M.J.?" Leo smirked, "He wanted me to get you so that he could show you the finished maps." Winter rose her head, "He's finished already?" He nodded and led her to the emptied cafeteria.
Leo tossed open the doors and Winter caught a glimpse of the bare tables. Winter noticed a ripple where Sam's table was and strolled up to it. She entered the space where the illusion seemed to weaken. M.J. grinned up at her, "So prying eyes won't be able to see us." She rolled her eyes, "You're pretty confident when I found you this easily." His grin did not fade, "Most people don't see things like you do." Leo entered the illusion alongside Winter. M.J. flattened a piece of paper on the table, "I did a full comb through of the tunnels." Winter grabbed one of the sprawled out maps. He went on, "There are certain areas that I couldn't pin down. They use magic to regularly scatter these tunnels and rooms." Winter's eyes were fixated on the words "conference room" scribbled onto a small piece of paper that M.J. slid over to her, "Here's the list of the areas affected by magic." There were several tunnels, including the one to her secret room. She scanned the list, seemingly unbothered, "I'll figure out a way to account for these uncertainties. In the meantime, can you pinpoint who's magic is responsible?" M.J. shook his head, "I can't. There are several different types of magic being used. Probably to throw us off the trail." Winter glanced at Leo and he rose his hands, "Don't look at me. I'm just as useless as him." M.J. glared at him and Leo smiled back sheepishly. Winter waved her hand dismissively, "That's fine. I have another task for you." They both watched her, "I need you to tell me exactly what they do with the results from each war." Neither of them asked any questions, nodding silently. She had no doubts that it would get done. They had both proven their reliability. Winter cracked her neck, "Good job this week. Not a single slip up." Leo chuckled, "You don't need to tell us. We both know how awesome we are." Winter rose her eyebrows, "Keep it up tomorrow. Same energy. I don't want any mishaps." Leo bowed, "Yes your highness."