I SHOW MY FIRE SASS TO THEM

 

 

My name was finally called. I don't know what to do next but it doesn't matter now. I just need to put on a show, right?

 

Standing up front, I realized how many people this school can accommodate. Whew, is it getting a little hotter in here? Somehow, I feel a little dizzy. Where did all my self-confidence go? Oops. I left it behind, sitting at my seat. I can feel it mocking me, laughing at my incompetence.
 

The lights were dimmed by someone and no one even reacted. Maybe they thought it's part of my presentation. I scan through the audience and find my brother looking at me with anticipation. I think he was the one who decreased the flames of the candles to give emphasis on what I'm going to do.
 

Anyway, here goes at least something.
 

I formed a stance that my father had taught me to do before any actions. I inhale and start to move slowly, exhaling. Moving my hands as if crafting something, I command the flames to shape into a dragon above me. At my current state, I can't hear anyone though I can see them. I chose to decline my hearing so that my other senses could be intact and I could gain more focus. Gracefully, I dance with conviction and the dragon follows.
 

I ordered the dragon to cycle throughout the Narthex, endangering a few cowards, making them believe that I'd burn them if the dragon comes any closer. I'd totally like to because I definitely could but that won't be a good first impression. I thought of finishing extravagantly, so the dragon flies up as my actions instruct it to. It creates a blinding firework-like illusion as my hands swiftly part from each other; fingers spread from one another. I closed my eyes and breathe deeply before opening them.
 

The crowd pauses for a moment to ingest everything that just occurred. Then, everyone goes wild except for the teachers, of course. Cheers from everywhere could be heard. 
 

I might be delusional but I swear I can hear my brother's screaming from where I am. Chuckling, I head back to my seat. Still, the applause didn't die down and soon Headmaster Molvido had to stop the commotion.
 

"SILENCE!" She shouted and it echoed in the Narthex, effectively silencing everyone.

"Well, it seems we've gathered quite interesting students. I expect much from this year's batch of students," Headmaster glanced towards the freshmen.
 

"Let's cut this dillydally and proceed to the important announcements. All those who exhibited fire & frost will be housed at Voeur; time, teleportation & telekinesis to Caskinta; flight & wind at Aerein; light & lightning in Lux; water, earth & healing will be dorming in Erdroilen." Then, she clasped her hands together, grinning.
 

"You may now go to your designated dorms and prepare to feel at home. But not too at home, I must warn. The freshmen may follow the magistrates of every house to be assisted to their respective rooms." The Headmaster left the podium after a knowing nod.
 

Accordingly, the higher levels began standing up to go outside the Narthex and back to their houses. We had to wait for the magistrates if we want to go anywhere. My brother signaled me to meet at the banquet hall when it's lunch time. I wonder who my dorm mate would be. Well, I better start fixing my stuff so I could explore this castle more. 
 

The train of thought went on and on until the magistrate assigned me my room number. 143, he said. He led me in front of the door and welcomed me to this school before disappearing with a bunch of other students into the hallways.
 

I gulped and thought to myself, 'This is it. It's time to find out who I'm going to share rooms with for a whole year. I hope she's friendly.' Trying to be polite, I knock at the door.
 

Surprisingly, the door was opened by a petite, suntanned girl with beautiful features. She might even be a goddess with her beauty. I stare at her for a moment until she speaks, snapping me out of my trance.
 

"Hello! I'm Aphrodite Spytus!" She greeted me with exuberance. The name suits her well, I thought.
 

After she caught a glimpse of my face as she looks up, she gasps flabbergasted. "You're the amazing one from earlier! Park Hwa Jae, right?"
 

I felt bad that I didn't know her name when she knew mine. Truthfully, I wasn't really paying attention to the ceremony before. If I had, then I sure wouldn't forget her face. I smiled although I looked uncomfortable. I don't really like to be praised by strangers. "Yeah. That's me."

She made a path for me to slip inside the room and I immediately gather my stuff and start unpacking. Whilst doing so, we started engaging in small talk. Good thing she was an amiable person, she's the one that kept the conversations on.
Pretty soon, I knew her well enough to know that she's Greek and that she had the power of frost. After fixing our stuff, we've decided to stick to each other while roaming the school. I finally made a friend I can be comfortable with. Although not too comfortable.

Amidst the ringing of the first bell, old students scramble to get to their respective bailiwicks (as they call the different fields of study) and the magistrates gather the new students to give them their schedules. Once I received mine, I looked immediately at the parchment in order to know what are the bailiwicks I'm going to take and where it is located.
 

I memorized it for a while and then stuffed the paper in my bag. Based from my memory, the first ever bailiwick I was going to take is called "Power Tuition". Apparently, this was one of the classes with all kinds of powers are involved.
 

Unfortunately, Aphrodite wasn't going to join me. She says she has "Hand-to-Hand Combat" next. I felt a little sad to be by myself on the first class but there's no use in complaining.
 

I tapped a tall guy in the shoulder and asked him in a polite manner, "Excuse me, do you know where the Train Domain might be? My next class is going to be held there and I wouldn't want to be tardy."
 

As I take a good look at the man, I instantly knew he was a magistrate because of the badge he sported. He had sharp features and short dirty blonde hair. His eyebrows were quite the stand-out on his face. I'd say he's a pretty decent-looking guy.
 

"Oh," he looked a little startled. "I'm heading there as well. Would you mind if I you?" He smiled at me and bowed as if we were in a ball and was asking me to waltz. 
 

"Umm," I felt reluctant at first but I haven't got a single clue where the hell Train Domain is located so I guess, why the hell not? "Sure. My name is-" I was stopped mid-way through my introduction.
 

"Park Hwa Jae. Impressive performance a while ago." Apparently, everyone knew who I was. Something about that kind of bothers me. "I'm Wu Yi Fan but you can call me Kris," he did a subtle wink but failed at the subtle part.
 

I laughed at his dorkish behavior which led to his confusion, "Yah! Why are you laughing? You shouldn't be laughing at your seniors. Besides, I thought I was pretty smooth." He then made a toothy grin that sent me into a fit.

Wiping the tear in my eye, I put him out of his misery and said, "I don't know about being smooth but I thought you're cute, Kris-sunbae." Immediately he displayed eyes of horror.
 

"Cute is not a word to describe someone as manly as me," he showed his 'manliness' by showing off his non-existent biceps. I was chuckling the whole way while spouting empty agreements to make him stop. I didn't even notice we were in front of a humongous two-door when Kris-sunbae suddenly quit his tomfoolery.
 

He turned to me and smirked, "This is my favorite bailiwick. Maybe you'll like it too." He opened the door for me to enter and the area was enormous. It was like one big dome.
 

There are different sectors and objects to accommodate different powers. For example, there are obstacles in the ceiling for flight users, enough ventilation for air users, unbelievable boulders for earth users, the list just goes on and on. And there's sort of a special space in the middle, kind of like a big glass bubble, I'm not sure what's it for though.
 

A man cleared his throat loudly to get everyone's attention and stated, "Since there are freshmen here, my name's Ignatius and I'm here with my wife, Crystal. We're both professors here and we'll be hosting the duel for today." Murmurs erupted the whole scene. Why is there a duel?
 

Professor Ignatius explained, "Clearly, not everyone is familiar with this concept but basically every session in Power Tuition you'll meet different teachers. There is a cycle and right now, me, a fire user, and my wife, a frost user, will be the ones selecting the students to duel and also the ones supervising the duel, of course."
 

Professor Crystal chipped in and elaborated, "In the center, you'll see a certain zone wherein two students will be put there to duel. It's a field we like to call 'Battle Ground'. That space is equipped for anything you may want to throw at the opponent. The goal here isn't to kill or injure your opponent though. It's simply only to see your own strength as power users. And since we're fire and frost users, we'll be putting students with similar powers in the Battle Ground. But don't worry, afterwards, if there is still time, everyone may use the other facilities to enhance their own abilities."
 

Both the professors smiled at each other and held hands towards the door of the Battle Ground. They then faced all the students and asked for the fire and frost users to stand up and come closer while the others can just sit down and watch. 
 

I stride towards the front as I was already behind and made it on time for the selection. I found out that there were only five students for each power and Kris sunbae wasn't a fire nor frost user. Here I am, alone again.


The couple giggled to themselves while eyeing all of us closely. I don't know about the others but I kind of feel offended. I had this 'seriously?' face on. I thought they were supposed to be teachers. I silently scoffed but it appears that I wasn't discreet enough. 
 

Professor Crystal noticed and pointed at me. At the same time, Professor Ignatius pointed at some icy looking guy with a cold glare painted on his face. Talk about living up to his power.
 

Me and the other student were led to the Battle Ground and told us to position ourselves in opposite directions. The boy had the same height as me and rather thin for a guy.  He has dark brown hair, puffy cheeks, single eye lids and a complexion resembling snow. If he could just smile a little, I bet he'd be really adorable.
 

We stared at each other for a while as if thinking how to beat the other. I'm guessing my opponent had some fans because they kept chanting a name. Kim Minseok, was it?
 

Professor Ignatius hushed the students, "Okay. Park Hwa Jae, fire user and Kim Minseok, frost user. The duel starts..." Both the professors shouted, "NOW!"
 

I made the move first but it didn't last a second before he retaliates with his own. Both of our moves were just simple flicks of our wrists but we knew that it was enough to take down a weakling. It seems as if we both underestimated each other.
 

Flames were coming out at the palm of my hands as a wave of ice were escaping his. We maintained both of our streaks, even as they were colliding in the middle. Neither of us won't let go until a blazing force made us halt.
 

An explosion happened and in the middle of it all, we unknowingly created an eternal flame that's forever frozen.

My name was finally called. I don't know what to do next but it doesn't matter now. I just need to put on a show, right?
 

Standing up front, I realized how many people this school can accommodate. Whew, is it getting a little hotter in here? Somehow, I feel a little dizzy. Where did all my self-confidence go? Oops. I left it behind, sitting at my seat. I can feel it mocking me, laughing at my incompetence.
 

The lights were dimmed by someone and no one even reacted. Maybe they thought it's part of my presentation. I scan through the audience and find my brother looking at me with anticipation. I think he was the one who decreased the flames of the candles to give emphasis on what I'm going to do.
 

Anyway, here goes at least something.
 

I form a stance that my father had taught me to do before any actions. I inhale and start to move slowly, exhaling. Moving my hands as if crafting something, I command fire to shape into a dragon above me. At my current state, I can't hear anyone though I can see them. I choose to decline my hearing so that my other senses could be intact and I could gain more focus. Gracefully, I dance with conviction and the dragon follows.
 

I ordered the dragon to cycle throughout the Narthex, endangering a few cowards. Making them believe that I'd burn them if the dragon comes any closer. I'd totally like to because I definitely could but that won't be a good first impression. I thought of finishing extravagantly, so the dragon flies up as my actions instruct it to. It creates a blinding firework-like illusion as my hands swiftly part from each other; fingers spread from one another. I closed my eyes and breathe deeply before opening them.
 

The crowd pauses for a moment to ingest everything that just occurred. Then, everyone goes wild, except for the teachers, of course. Cheers from everywhere could be heard. 
 

I might be delusional but I swear I can hear my brother's screaming from where I am. Chuckling, I head back to my seat. Still, the applause didn't die down and soon Headmaster Molvido had to stop the commotion.
 

"SILENCE!" She shouted and it echoed in the Narthex, effectively silencing everyone.

"Well, it seems we've gathered quite interesting students. I expect much from this year's batch of students," Headmaster glanced towards the freshmen.
 

"Let's cut this dillydally and proceed to the important announcements. All those who exhibited fire & frost will be housed at Voeur; time, teleportation & telekinesis to Caskinta; flight & wind at Aerein; light & lightning in Lux; water, earth & healing will be dorming in Erdroilen." Then, she clasped her hands together, grinning.
 

"You may now go to your designated dorms and prepare to feel at home. But not too at home, I must warn. The freshmen may follow the magistrates of every house to be assisted to their respective rooms." The Headmaster left the podium after a knowing nod.
 

Accordingly, the higher levels began standing up to go outside the Narthex and back to their houses. We had to wait for the magistrates if we want to go anywhere. My brother signaled me to meet at the banquet hall when it's lunch time. I wonder who my dorm mate would be. Well, I better start fixing my stuff so I could explore this castle more. 
 

The train of thought went on and on until the magistrate assigned me my room number. 143, he said. He led me in front of the door and welcomed me to this school before disappearing with a bunch of other students into the hallways.
 

I gulped and thought to myself, 'This is it. It's time to find out who I'm going to share rooms with for a whole year. I hope she's friendly.' Trying to be polite, I knock at the door.
 

Surprisingly, the door was opened by a petite, suntanned girl with beautiful features. She might even be a goddess with her beauty. I stare at her for a moment until she speaks, snapping me out of my trance.
 

"Hello! I'm Aphrodite Spytus!" She greeted me with exuberance. The name suits her well, I thought.
 

After she caught a glimpse of my face as she looks up, she gasped, flabbergasted. "You're the amazing one from earlier! Park Hwa Jae, right?"
 

I felt bad that I didn't know her name when she knew mine. Truthfully, I wasn't really paying attention to the ceremony before. If I had, then I sure wouldn't forget her face. I smiled although I looked uncomfortable. I don't really like to be praised by strangers. "Yeah. That's me."

She made a path for me to slip inside the room and I immediately gather my stuff and start unpacking. Whilst doing so, we started engaging in small talk. Good thing she was an amiable person, she's the one that kept the conversations on. 

Pretty soon, I knew her well enough to know that she's Greek and that she had the power of frost. After fixing our stuff, we've decided to stick with each other while roaming the school. I finally made a friend I can be comfortable with. Although not too comfortable.

Amidst the ringing of the first bell, old students scramble to get to their respective bailiwicks (as they call the different fields of study) and the magistrates gather the new students to give them their schedules. Once I received mine, I looked immediately at the parchment in order to know what are the bailiwicks I'm going to take and where it is located.
 

I memorized it for a while and then stuffed the paper in my bag. Based from my memory, the first ever bailiwick I was going to take is called "Power Tuition". Apparently, this was one of the classes where all kinds of powers are involved.
 

Unfortunately, Aphrodite wasn't going to join me. She says she has "Hand-to-Hand Combat" next. I felt a little sad to be by myself on the first class but there's no use in complaining.
 

I tapped a tall guy in the shoulder and asked him in a polite manner, "Excuse me, do you know where the Train Domain might be? My next class is going to be held there and I wouldn't want to be tardy."
 

As I take a good look at the man, I instantly knew he was a magistrate because of the badge he sported. He had sharp features and short dirty blonde hair. His eyebrows were quite the stand-out on his face. I'd say he's a pretty decent-looking guy.
 

"Oh," he looked a little startled. "I'm heading there as well. Would you mind if I you?" He smiled at me and bowed as if we were in a ball and was asking me to waltz. 
 

"Umm," I felt reluctant at first but I haven't got a single clue where the hell Train Domain is located so I guess, why not? "Sure. My name is—" 
 

"Park Hwa Jae. Impressive performance a while ago," he stated, stopping me mid-way through my introduction. Apparently, everyone knew who I was. Something about that kind of bothers me. "I'm Wu Yi Fan but you can call me Kris." He did a 'subtle' wink but failed at the subtle part.
 

I laughed at his dorkish behavior which led to his confusion, "Yah! Why are you laughing? You shouldn't be laughing at your seniors. Besides, I thought I was pretty smooth." He then made a toothy grin that sent me into a fit.

Wiping the tear in my eye, I put him out of his misery and said, "I don't know about being smooth but I thought you're cute, Kris-sunbae." Immediately he displayed eyes of horror.
 

"Cute is not a word to describe someone as manly as me," he showed his 'manliness' by showing off his non-existent biceps. I was chuckling the whole way while spouting empty agreements to make him stop. I didn't even notice we were in front of a humongous door when Kris-sunbae suddenly quit his tomfoolery.
 

He turned to me and smirked, "This is my favorite bailiwick. Maybe you'll like it too." He opened the door for me to enter and the area was enormous. It was like one big dome.
 

There are different sectors and objects to accommodate different powers. For example, there are obstacles in the ceiling for flight users, enough ventilation for air users, unbelievable boulders for earth users, the list just goes on and on. And there's sort of a special space in the middle, kind of like a big glass bubble, I'm not sure what's it for though.
 

A man cleared his throat loudly to get everyone's attention and stated, "Since there are freshmen here, my name's Ignatius and I'm here with my wife, Crystal. We're both professors here and we'll be hosting the duel for today." Murmurs erupted the whole scene. Why is there a duel?
 

Professor Ignatius explained, "Clearly, not everyone is familiar with this concept but basically every session in Power Tuition you'll meet different teachers. There is a cycle and right now, me, a fire user, and my wife, a frost user, will be the ones selecting the students to duel and also the ones supervising the duel, of course."
 

Professor Crystal chipped in and elaborated, "In the center, you'll see a certain zone wherein two students will be put there to duel. It's a field we like to call 'Battle Ground'. That space is equipped for anything you may want to throw at the opponent. The goal here isn't to kill or injure your opponent though. It's simply only to see your own strength as power users. And since we're fire and frost users, we'll be putting students with similar powers in the Battle Ground. But don't worry, afterwards, if there is still time, everyone may use the other facilities to enhance their own abilities."
 

Both the professors smiled at each other and held hands towards the door of the Battle Ground. They then faced all the students and asked for the fire and frost users to stand up and come closer while the others can just sit down and watch. 
 

I stride towards the front as I was already behind and made it on time for the selection. I found out that there were only five students for each power and Kris sunbae wasn't a fire nor frost user. Here I am, alone again.


The couple giggled to themselves while eyeing all of us closely. I don't know about the others but I kind of feel offended. I had this 'seriously?' face on. I thought they were supposed to be teachers. I silently scoffed but it appears that I wasn't discreet enough. 
 

Professor Crystal noticed and pointed at me. At the same time, Professor Ignatius pointed at some icy looking guy with a cold glare painted on his face. Talk about living up to his power.
 

Me and the other student were led to the Battle Ground and told us to position ourselves in opposite directions. The boy had the same height as me and rather thin for a guy.  He has dark brown hair, puffy cheeks, single eye lids and a complexion resembling snow. If he could just smile a little, I bet he'd be really adorable.
 

We stared at each other for a while as if thinking how to beat the other. I'm guessing my opponent had some fans because they kept chanting a name. Kim Minseok, was it?
 

Professor Ignatius hushed the students, "Okay. Park Hwa Jae, fire user and Kim Minseok, frost user. The duel starts..." Both the professors shouted, "NOW!"
 

I made the move first but it didn't last a second before he retaliates with his own. Both of our moves were just simple flicks of our wrists but we knew that it was enough to take down a weakling. It seems as if we both underestimated each other.
 

Flames were coming out at the palm of my hands as a wave of ice were escaping his. We maintained both of our streaks, even as they were colliding in the middle. Neither of us won't let go until a blazing force made us halt.
 

An explosion happened and in the middle of it all, we unknowingly created an eternal flame that's forever frozen.