The academy buzzed with excitement the next morning. Word had spread about the international tournament, and speculation about who would represent the school dominated every hallway conversation. Rynhara, however, was more focused on the new headaches in her life—Daemon and Kira.
Professor Aldwyn stepped into the classroom with a rare spring in his step. "Students, I have an important announcement. The tournament trials will begin in two weeks, and all students are eligible to compete. This is your chance to represent the academy on an international stage!"
The classroom erupted into chatter.
"I heard only the strongest make it to the tournament."
"Do you think Rynhara will join?"
"Of course! She's got villainess written all over her."
Rynhara groaned, her head hitting her desk. Kaelira leaned over, smirking. "You really need a new PR team."
The day's lesson was focused on team strategy. Rynhara found herself grouped with Daemon, Kira, Veloria, and two other royals from different classes.
"This'll be fun," Daemon said, cracking his knuckles. "Time to see what you're made of, Princess."
Kira smirked. "Hope you're ready to keep up."
Rynhara rolled her eyes. "I swear, if either of you calls me 'Princess' one more time—"
Veloria cut in. "Can we focus? This isn't about personal grudges. It's about winning."
"Finally, someone with common sense," Rynhara muttered.
The assignment was simple: infiltrate a mock enemy base, retrieve a flag, and return it without being caught. The catch? Their opponents were second-year students known for their teamwork.
The team moved through the simulated forest, bickering more than strategizing.
"Daemon, stop clanking your armor," Rynhara hissed.
"It's not clanking—it's announcing my presence," he retorted.
"You're announcing it to the enemy!"
Kira snorted. "This is why I don't do teamwork."
Despite the dysfunction, they managed to locate the flag. Unfortunately, the second-years were waiting for them.
"Ambush!" Veloria shouted, drawing her bow.
The ensuing battle was chaotic. Daemon charged headfirst, his shining sword drawing all the attention. Kira followed, her claymore slicing through the enemy ranks. Meanwhile, Rynhara flanked the second-years with her daggers-turned-fans, unleashing wind and lightning magic to disrupt their formations.
"Focus on the flag!" Rynhara yelled, spinning her scythe to block a projectile aimed at Veloria.
Veloria grabbed the flag and made a break for it, but a second-year blocked her path.
"Over my dead body," the opponent growled.
"Gladly," Rynhara muttered, dashing in to intercept.
With a coordinated strike, Rynhara and Kira cleared the path, allowing Veloria to escape. Daemon covered their retreat with a wall of light magic, and they made it back to the starting point just as the timer ran out.
Professor Aldwyn met them at the edge of the simulation.
"Well, that was... chaotic," he said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "But you managed to complete the mission, so there's that."
Rynhara sighed. "Barely."
"Teamwork takes time," Aldwyn said. "And patience." He gave her a meaningful look.
Daemon grinned. "We'll get there. Eventually."
Kira shrugged. "As long as no one slows me down."
Veloria just muttered something about "egos the size of dragons."
At lunch, Rynhara found herself cornered by Daemon and Kira again.
"We need to talk strategy," Daemon said, setting his tray down.
"We need to talk about you not talking," Rynhara replied.
Kaelira, sitting nearby, watched with amusement. "You three are like an explosion waiting to happen."
"More like a hydra fight," Rynhara grumbled.
"Hey, that turned out fine, didn't it?" Kira said, smirking.
"Barely," Rynhara shot back.
That evening, Rynhara recounted the day's chaos to Tiamora, who was lounging in her throne-like chair as usual.
"So, let me get this straight," Tiamora said, grinning. "You fought off an ambush, bickered with your teammates, and still managed to win? Sounds like a typical day for my little darkness princess."
Rynhara groaned. "I don't know what's worse—Daemon's hero complex or Kira's lone wolf act."
Kaelira smirked. "At least they make life interesting."
"I could do with less 'interesting' and more 'peaceful,'" Rynhara muttered.
Tiamora laughed. "Oh, sweetie, where's the fun in that?"
As Rynhara trudged off to bed, she couldn't help but wonder what new chaos the tournament trials would bring. Whatever it was, she knew one thing for sure: she'd be ready. Probably.