"Eat up," Finn said, pushing another pastry onto my plate. "Tournament days require extra calories."
"I'm not sure my stomach can handle more," I admitted, though I took another bite anyway. My insides felt like they were performing acrobatics.
Headmistress Astra had materialized at the front of the Great Hall without warning, not walking in through the doors like a normal person, but simply appearing in a shimmering distortion of space. Her robes seemed to capture and reflect every stray beam of light in the hall, creating the impression that she was the source of all illumination.
"Students of the Academy of Arcanis," her voice carried effortlessly, no magical amplification needed. "The time has come."
Those four words sent a wave of excitement rippling through the hall.
"The Equinox approaches, and with it, the Tournament begins today." She raised her hands, and above her, the magical ceiling of the Great Hall transformed. No longer did it show the morning sky outside, but a swirling vortex of cosmic energy, spiraling patterns of stars and nebulae condensing toward a central point.
"All classes are hereby canceled. All students are to proceed immediately to the Equinox Nexus. The Tournament will commence in one hour."
She lowered her hands, and the cosmic display above her faded. "May fortune favor the prepared." Her eyes swept across the hall, and as always, her eyes lingered on me for a brief moment. Then she vanished, leaving behind only a faint shimmer in the air.
For a heartbeat, there was absolute silence. Then the hall erupted into pandemonium.
I groaned, pushing away my plate. "Let's go find out how creatively the universe plans to torture me today."
****
Reaching the place as simple enough, simply follow the river of excited students flowing through corridors that seemed to widen accommodatingly as we moved. What started as the familiar marble passageways of the Academy gradually shifted, the walls becoming more crystalline, the air charged with arcane energy that made the hairs on my arms stand on end.
"Anyone else feel that?" I asked, as a current of what felt like electric anticipation ran through me.
"The Nexus is forming," a voice said behind us. Elias had materialized at my shoulder, looking perfectly composed despite the general frenzy around us. "It only exists during the Tournament, as it draws power from the collective anticipation and magical potential of everyone participating."
"Is that why I feel like I might spontaneously combust?" I asked.
"That's just your natural state, Ardent," Elias replied with the ghost of a smile.
The corridor ahead of us suddenly opened up, and I stopped dead in my tracks.
I thought nothing would surprise me after the weird places I've seen in this academy, but the Equinox Nexus managed to blow my expectations with nothing less than a nuclear bomb.
We stood at the edge of what appeared to be an immense spherical space that defied laws of physics, magic, and common sense. The "floor" curved gently away in all directions yet somehow remained perfectly level underfoot. Above was a vast dome of swirling energy pulsed with colors I couldn't even name, occasionally resolving into constellations ranging from recognizable, to rare, to literal memes , before dissolving back into chaos.
Floating platforms of varying sizes hung suspended throughout the space, connected by bridges that materialized and dematerialized on their own whims. Some platforms appeared to be constructed of solid matter—stone, crystal, metal—while others seemed composed purely of light or even sound, shimmering with visible harmonics.
At the center of it all hung a massive crystalline structure that resembled a heart, pulsing with golden light that sent waves of energy rippling through the entire space. Each pulse synchronized perfectly with my own heartbeat, creating an eerie sensation of connection to the space itself.
"By all the ancient arts," Gavril whispered beside me, his face pale with awe. "The stories don't do it justice."
"And they call me dramatic," Finn added, his usual bravado nowhere to be seen.
All around the enormous space, elaborately constructed viewing areas held what must have been thousands of spectators. The professors occupied a floating crystalline platform near what appeared to be the main stage. Nearby, a section wreathed in constantly shifting lights held what I could only assume were the Personifications, their forms difficult to look at directly.
Beyond them, richly appointed viewing boxes housed nobles from various cities, identifiable by their distinct styles of dress and magical auras. One particularly elaborate box was festooned with the royal insignia of Azuria, no doubt where Valentina's family would observe her various triumphs.
Other sections seemed designated for specific magical traditions. A group of figures in elaborate alchemical apparatus occupied a space that periodically vanished behind clouds of colorful smoke. Another area held beings that were clearly not human, some appeared to be composed entirely of elemental forces, while others had anatomies that made my eyes hurt if I looked too long.
Students were being directed toward a large staging area to one side, where concentric rings appeared to correspond to different years of study. First-years like us were guided to the outermost ring.
"Welcome!" a familiar, booming voice echoed throughout the space. Professor Zephyr stood at the center of what appeared to be a commentary booth, a floating platform of swirling mist somehow made solid. "Ladies, gentlemen, distinguished beings of indeterminate gender, and entities beyond mortal comprehension! Welcome to the 873rd Equinox Tournament!"
A deafening roar of approval swept through the space, the magical acoustics somehow making it possible to hear every individual cheer while not being overwhelmed by the collective sound.
"I'm your host and lead commentator, Professor Zephyr, also known as the Personification Air and Chaos!" He made an elaborate bow, his robes fluttering despite the apparent absence of any breeze. "And joining me today, I have the distinct pleasure—and, frankly, surprise—of introducing my esteemed colleague, Professor Gravitas!"
A spotlight of pure magical energy illuminated Professor Gravitas, who stood rigidly beside Zephyr, looking as though he would rather be anywhere else in the multiverse.
"I was forced to be here," Gravitas stated flatly into whatever magical apparatus carried his voice.
"Forced is such an ugly word, isn't it?" Zephyr grinned, slapping his colleague on the back. "Let's say 'strongly encouraged by Headmistress Astra' instead!"
Gravitas's expression suggested that he was mentally calculating whether to squash Zephyr to a pulp or send him into the endless sky.
"And finally," Zephyr continued, undeterred, "a special guest commentator who quite literally grew from the chaos of our preparations! Please welcome the botanical sensation, the chlorophyllic charisma, the one and only, Bloombastic!"
A section of the commentary booth that had appeared to be decorative foliage suddenly animated, rising up to reveal a bizarre hybrid creature that looked like what might happen if a sunflower mated with an octopus. Its bulbous head shifted through a rainbow of colors, and vine-like tentacles waved enthusiastically at the crowd.
"Greetings, Meat-Beings and Assorted Entiteis!" its voice boomed, somehow deep yet gurgling. "I am rooted with excitement to be here!"
"Did that plan just make a pun?" Finn whispered.
"Why do I feel like I know this plant?" I asked, looking intently at the enthusiastic commentor. Then I remembered where I saw it, for Elias to verify, "You are guess is right Ardent, the professors took a liking to the hybrid that was created as a result of your "Probability incident" and decided to raise it as a pet."
"As if this tournament wasn't a pain already," I groaned.
"And there he is!" Bloombastic's head swiveled with unnerving precision to point directly at me, even from this distance. "My Chaos-Father! The Probability Perturbator! The Luck-Less Wonder!"
Every eye in the Nexus turned toward me. I briefly contemplated whether it might be possible to transmute myself into a puddle and seep between the cracks of the floor.
"Indeed," Zephyr smoothly intervened, "we have quite a crop of interesting first-years this time around. But before we get to the participants, let me explain for our newer spectators exactly what the Equinox Tournament entails!"
The massive crystalline heart at the center of the Nexus pulsed more brightly, and from it projected enormous images that floated in the air as Zephyr spoke.
"The Tournament is divided into five levels, mirroring the five years of study at our esteemed Academy. The levels test different aspects of magical mastery, from basic theory to applied creativity, from combat prowess to adaptability in the face of the unknown."
The projection showed students navigating increasingly complex magical challenges.
"Advancement is determined by a point system," Zephyr continued, as numerical displays appeared beside the floating images. "Points are awarded based on performance, creativity, efficiency, and other factors judged by our esteemed faculty, the audience reactions, and, most importantly, the Academy itself."
The crystalline heart pulsed in apparent agreement.
"To advance to the next level, participants must achieve a minimum threshold of points. And here's where it gets interesting, points can be wagered or lost in certain challenges, making strategy as important as raw magical ability!"
"A system that rewards both power and precision," Gravitas added, seemingly warming slightly to his role. "As it should be."
"Now, Level One awaits!" Zephyr announced with theatrical flair. "This level focuses on foundational magical principles combined with quick thinking and adaptability. The exact nature of the challenges? Well, that would be telling, wouldn't it?"
Zephyr winked at the audience, generating appreciative laughter.
"What I can say is that our first challenge, 'Scholars' Roulette,' will test knowledge as much as spellcraft. And let me assure you, wrong answers come with... entertaining consequences."
I exchanged glances with Finn and Gavril. "Elias already told us about this," I murmured. "Random physical debuffs for wrong answers, right?"
"Knowing is one thing," Elias said softly from behind me. "Experiencing is quite another."
"I'm especially excited to see how my Chaos-Father performs! His probability field has been photosynthesizing quite nicely these past days!" Bloombastic's voice boomed again.
"Now then!" Zephyr clapped his hands, and the entire Nexus seemed to shimmer in response. "The time has come for our participants to enter the first level. Everyone, please proceed to the Gates before you!"
As he spoke, five enormous archways materialized around the periphery of the student staging area, each glowing with different colored energy. The one nearest to the first-year section pulsed with vibrant white light.
"Each gate will transport you to the appropriate level of the Tournament," Zephyr explained. "Step through with courage, for beyond lies challenge, opportunity, and the chance to prove yourselves worthy of the Academy's greatest traditions!"
Students began moving toward their designated gates, fifth-years striding confidently toward their deep black portal, while we first-years approached our glowing white arch with considerably more trepidation.
"Remember what you practiced," Finn said, gripping my shoulder. "You've got this."
"Try not to explode in the first five minutes," Gavril added helpfully.
"Your natural state has stabilized," Elias observed clinically. "Though in these magically charged surroundings, anomalies may occur. Be vigilant."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I muttered, as we approached the gate.
Students ahead of us were stepping through one by one, disappearing in flashes of light. As we drew closer, I could feel the gate's magic washing over me, probing, assessing, almost... curious?
"That's the spirit, Chaos-Father!" Bloombastic cheered. "Embrace the uncertain soil of destiny!"
It was my turn. I took a deep breath and stepped toward the gate.
The moment my foot crossed the threshold, I felt it, a strange resonance between my probability field and the gate's magic. The glowing white energy flickered, turned a concerning shade of purple, then began to pulse rapidly.
"That's... not supposed to happen," I heard someone say.
The gate's energy swirled around me, lifting me slightly off the ground. I could feel it trying to transport me like the others, but something was interfering, most likely my own chaotic luck.
"Oh, come ON!" I shouted at the universe in general. "It's a DOOR! How can I mess up walking through a DOOR?"
"Spectacular," Bloombastic crowed. "The Chaos-Father is already rewriting the rules! The gate itself cannot decide his fate!"
"Mr. Ardent," Zephyr's voice held a note of concern beneath its amusement, "perhaps if you would just... relax and let the magic do its work?"
I tried to do exactly that, closing my eyes and attempting to calm the roiling anxiety and frustration. The coin in my pocket grew warm, then hot.
And then, without warning, the gate seemed to give up on finesse entirely. Rather than the gentle transition the other students had experienced, I was suddenly and violently launched forward like a human cannonball, the gate's magic propelling me at horrifying speed toward whatever fresh nightmare lay beyond.
The last thing I heard before the Nexus disappeared behind me was Bloombastic's enthusiastic voice: "Fly, Chaos-Father! May your roots find fertile ground wherever you land!"
Then I was engulfed in blinding light, hurtling toward Level One and whatever fresh hell awaited me there.