"See you on the other side, Solenhart," he said flatly and unimpressed as he continued down the line of students.
I shoved the map into my shirt pocket and zipped it safely. We couldn't open it until the trials began. Then, I checked my supplies one more time. One healing potion in my other shirt pocket, my clock on my wrist, and the golden ring on my finger, where I could collect the gems of each test. Nothing else, no water, no food. Just my body and magic. My wrist was bare; though I had mental immunity, I couldn't use the protection heirloom.
Headmaster Marvek stepped to the center of the arena, his presence silencing the crowd. Marvek’s voice echoed. "Dragontail trials were never meant to be fair. They reveal the truth."
He let the silence stretch.
"The truth of whether you are worthy of this academy. Worthy of this island. Worthy to stand at the border and defend it with your life."
His gaze moved deliberately across the first-years, then to the second-years waiting opposite.
"You will be tested for strength. For magic. For your ability to defeat a dragon." He paused.
"But these trials go beyond that."
A murmur rippled through the stands.
"You will carry only one auroric healing potion. Use it wisely. You will be given no food. No water. You will survive by resourcefulness alone."
Above him, a massive fire clock formed, its numbers burning over the arena, marking twenty-four hours.
"In twenty-four hours, we will know who is meant to stay." Marvek lifted his hand.
"Let the Dragontail Trials begin."
In twenty-four hours, my destiny would be forged here or destroyed. No, not destiny. That word was a lie, shriveled and weak. My hands tightened into fists. I would seize my own future and carve my path through whatever trials awaited me. Failure was not an option if I wanted to defend the island or forge a new path for Rionis.
The crowd's noise drowned out my thoughts as they joined Marvek’s countdown.
"Ten."
"Nine."
"Eight."
My heartbeat matched every number, my focus fixed straight ahead.
"Seven."
"Six."
"Five."
I looked at Lorik one last time.
"Good luck. Not that you need it," a voice said in my mind. Not any voice, Lorik's voice.
His lips hadn't moved. I must have imagined it. I swallowed, forcing the thought away. I didn't have time to question my sanity. I had to stay focused. I looked straight ahead again, where a portal would open for me shortly.
"Three."
"Two."
A portal opened before me.
"One."
The crowd erupted in cheers, but I ignored them. Without hesitation, I jumped through the portal. After crossing it, I felt the noise vanish behind me as the portal closed.