I’m fucking overjoyed.

It’s forest trials today at Atheris and I cannot wait.

I’m in my first year while Rhydian and Cassiel are finishing their fourth — which basically means they’re about to graduate and officially become the terrifying weapons Valmireth has been polishing since childhood.

Gods. That was awfully philosophical of me.

Disgusting. Moving on.

I fucking love forest trials.

Every couple weeks we get thrown into the woods and told to survive, dominate, and bring back proof we did it. Sure, occasionally someone dies. Sure, it’s meant to remind us what we’re actually training to become.

But they’re incredibly fun.

Plus I get to show off the fact that I’m the best.

Which I really am.

And honestly? That’s not even surprising.

I grew up in the palace alongside Cassiel — future king of Valmireth, Aethryn projection prodigy, golden heir with the weight of the entire kingdom on his shoulders.

And I grew up with Cassiel and Rhydian basically raising me.

You don’t survive that without picking up a few things.

Rhydian taught me precision. Cassiel taught me restraint. Both of them taught me how to fight like losing isn’t an option.

And yes, part of the reason I get laid so much is absolutely because I absorbed their confidence.

Not entirely my fault I was mentored by the two most intimidating men in the kingdom.

But they didn’t just help with flirting.

Cassiel helped me control my fire.

Fire projection is a nightmare when you’re emotional — which, unfortunately, I am. A fucking pain but he taught me how to channel it properly. How to hold it back until it matters.

He also gave me someone to trust when my parents died and the rest of the world sort of… shifted.

The king and queen took me in.

Cassiel made sure I never felt like I didn’t belong.

Sure, sometimes he and Rhydian still look at me like I’m a child.

But if they saw the number of girls who—

Actually.

Never mind.

Today’s forest trial for first years is capture the flag.

Except instead of flags, the “flag” is a token taken from someone you’ve defeated.

Meaning to win, you have to outfight them. Outmanoeuvre them. Leave no doubt.

Charming system, really.

But I’m in my zone. Fire is an excellent power for intimidation and control.

I am having the time of my life.

As night rolls in — like it always does — I decide I should probably find a lake and wash off before I start smelling like a casualty.

So I find one.

Usual plan.

Except for the girl in the middle of it.

She’s floating.

Still. Calm. Like the water isn’t just cleaning her — it belongs to her.

I recognise her immediately. First year. Quiet. The girl half the boys have bet their best daggers on the fact they could get her into their beds.

None of them succeeded.

Which, frankly, is impressive.

But I know her for a different reason.

She’s best friends with Cassiel’s opposite.

The Noctyra projection prodigy. The girl who can channel the other half of the power system the same way Cassiel commands Aethryn.

I’m pretty sure Cassiel is secretly in love with his so-called sworn enemy, but that’s not my business.

Where his dagger goes off the battlefield is between him and the gods.

Anyway.

I’m still watching her.

And then I step into the water.

The second I touch it, she jerks.

And suddenly she’s against me and my mind goes fuzzy.

Not painful.

Just… exposed.

Like someone flipped through my thoughts without asking.

Right.

Mindcurrent Projection.

Shared water contact equals shared access.

Brilliant.

She blinks at me and quickly crosses her arms over her chest — which, fair enough.

I also notice the dagger strapped to her thigh.

Soft doesn’t mean harmless at Atheris.

Especially not if she runs in circles like that.

So I grin.

Because that’s what I do when something could stab me.

“You don’t have to cover your chest,” I say lightly, “Sure you have great tits?”

She just blinks at me.

Unimpressed.

Tough crowd.

I grin wider anyway.

“Alright,” I add, pushing damp hair out of my face, “new strategy.”

I tilt my head slightly.

“How you finding the trials?”