The next day, everyone fell back into their normal routine —
going to classes, eating meals, studying for their exams, repeating the same cycle every day.
Except Damon.
He didn't study at all.
Whenever he was awake, he was either dancing in his dorm or lying on his bed completely exhausted from dancing.
It was like he had only two moods the whole week: practice or pass out.
Meanwhile, the others continued their daily schedule, and the week passed faster than anyone expected.
Soon, it was the second Saturday — the day the selection list was going to be announced.
All the students gathered on the ground, standing in two lines — boys on one side, girls on the other. The morning air felt heavier than usual, filled with tension and whispers.
Mr. Surlex stepped forward, hands behind his back.
"Girls, please go to Mrs. Surlex. She will be announcing the girls' team."
Immediately, the girls began walking toward Mrs. Surlex, some excited, some terrified, some pretending to be calm but dying inside.
Once they reached, Mr. Surlex looked back at the boys.
"So, as I told you before, even if you're not selected today, you still have another chance. New sports will be introduced after the announcement."
He paused, letting his words land.
"And if you want to participate in those, you're free to. We don't take this particular sport too seriously…"
He exhaled with a dry smile.
"Because, well… we've never won in it."
Mrs. Surlex:
"Let's start with our announcement… Stella, please come here and call out the selected members' names loudly."
(Stella is a senior girl and the best player in her batch.)
Stella:
Emilli Rodrigo
Merlin Chao
Serena Halden
Alina Crestwood
Fiora Windale
Tessa Marwood
Helena Fairwyn
Iris Montvale
Nyra Blackwell
Elowen Frost
Lyra Draycott
Calla Everhart
(As Calla's name was announced, Talia and Selby couldn't hold back their excitement and quietly cheered for her.)
Stella:
These were the main players. Now, the substitutes…
Rhea Lockwood
Mira Solen
Kaia Thornfield
Vanya Reed
Selene Ashcroft
Poppy Linden
Arwen Blythe
Noelle Hart
(As the girls' list was read out, Calla's smile slowly faded when she realized that Talia and Selby were not on it. Though Talia and Selby felt slightly upset, they pushed their feelings aside and cheered Calla on.)
On the boys' side, Damon and Owen were selected, while Aren was not. Still, Aren smiled—he was genuinely happy for Damon and Owen.
After that, Mr. and Mrs. Surlex gathered all the students—both girls and boys.
Mr. Surlex:
"So, the list has been announced. Now, the students who were not selected will get a chance to participate in a second sport, which will be introduced to you tomorrow (Sunday).
But before that, I want to let you know that this sport will be only for boys and not for girls. Sorry, girls.
Those who are interested should come to the ground tomorrow for activity practice. After that, on the next Saturday and Sunday, there will be no practice, as your exams will begin from next Monday.
All the best, children. Study well. And now, go for your lunch."
After that, Lyra walked up to Damon.
Lyra:
"Did you get selected?"
Damon:
"Oh, yes. What about you?"
Lyra:
"Yeah, me too."
She gave a small smile and then walked away.
Damon went back to his group.
Owen:
"So, what was she saying?"
Damon:
"Nothing much. She was just asking whether I got selected or not."
Owen nodded just as the girls came over to them.
Talia:
"So, are you all selected?"
Aren:
"Except me, Damon and Owen both got selected. What about you all?"
Talia:
"Except Calla, Selby and I didn't get selected."
Aren:
"Oh… congratulations, Calla."
Calla:
"Oh, thanks. Are you going to try for the second sport?"
Aren:
"Oh, of course."
While talking, they all reached the Grand Refectory.
Everyone sat down at their usual places.
Miss Coldhollow:
"Students, I want to let you know that from next week's Monday, your exams are going to be held. As per years of experience, we have observed that Aetherborns always score good marks in these exams, as their parents have already given them practice. Even some Veilborns do well because of their family background. So, we are going to make the exam tougher for them compared to Novaborns.
Aetherborns, if you haven't taken this seriously yet, please start now, or else you will fail the exam.
Now, begin with your lunch."
After listening to Miss Coldhollow, Damon got a little scared and thought about studying instead of dancing.
After lunch, everyone went to their rooms. While walking—
Aren:
"Girls, you're coming to the library today to study, right?"
Selby:
"Oh yes, we will."
Aren:
"Okay, so Damon and I will join you."
Damon:
"Me too."
Aren:
"You? But what about your—"
At that point, Damon pinched Aren's hand.
Aren:
"Ouch! That hurts."
Damon:
"Let's go to our room fast."
Saying that, he grabbed Owen's hand and walked away.
Aren:
"Hey, wait for me! Bye girls, see you in the library."
Talia:
"Ugh, these boys are really silly. I don't understand them sometimes—they act so weird."
Selby, Calla, and Talia laughed and started walking toward their room.
Later, they all met up in the library.
Talia sat near Aren, as she had many questions she didn't understand. Selby and Calla sat together, while Damon and Aren sat next to Owen.
At that moment, Mrs. Nectar entered the library.
The air instantly felt heavier.
Owen froze:
"Oh no… Mrs. Nectar. Talia, I'll explain it to you later."
Talia whispered, her shoulders stiff:
"Yeah… she's really scary."
Everyone straightened up at once, eyes fixed on their books. The soft turning of pages filled the silence.
Only Aren and Damon, unaware of the danger behind them, continued whispering.
Mrs. Nectar stopped right behind them.
Thud.
She tapped both their heads sharply with a thick book.
Mrs. Nectar:
"Mr. Draycott. Mr. Blackmoor."
Her voice was calm—but cold.
"Students come here to study, not to gossip. If you wish to talk, go back to your dorms. Do not disturb others."
She walked away, her footsteps echoing between the shelves.
Aren swallowed:
"Our voices were low, Damon… still she scolded us."
Mrs. Nectar (without turning back):
"Mr. Blackmoor. I can hear you."
Aren's heart skipped.
"Ah—s-sorry. Sorry."
He immediately bent over his book, not daring to look up.
Only after Mrs. Nectar left the library did the tension slowly ease. Owen leaned closer to Talia and began explaining again, this time in a whisper careful enough to barely exist.
The rest of the evening passed in quiet study.
Later that night, after dinner, everyone walked back toward their dorms.
Talia:
"So tomorrow you all are coming to the library, right?"
Owen:
"Yeah… except Aren, I guess."
Aren:
"Yeah, I'll be on the ground."
Talia (smiling):
"Best of luck, dumbo, for tomorrow."
Aren:
"Oh, thank you."
Selby and Calla also wished Aren luck before heading to their dorms.
Soon, the lights were turned off, and everyone fell asleep.