Sidastir sat in the general hall of the main building of Virtus Scolaris. Here all the factions gathered to converse with each other. Magnus had been with him a moment ago but since Sidastir had official papers to read, Magnus had left him in peace and quiet. Or to be more accurate, he had fled.

Sidastir wished he could do the same. The Eitirian reports were hardly stimulating. The amount of Sunstones gathered this month was the same as the last one. One of the mines had collapsed when one of the trolls had decided to blow up the wrong part of the mine. They were forced to dig out the idiot and he had lost a tooth. The fairies were in a riot as the trolls had unleashed a flock of Airea Fiarin, Silver deers, in the throne room and they were forced to clean up after them.

The ice dragons had retired to their lair to rue the newly laid eggs. The Mountain Elves were quiet in their mountains and the Dark Elves had not come out of their dungeons. Everything was well in his kingdom.

There were some more general letters from various royals with glamorous drivel that invited him and his consort to balls. These were dispatched more out of courtesy as none of them expected that Sidastir and Akana would show up. It made Sidastir have the inclination to visit the festivities if only to behold their hysterical faces.

Sidastir sighed and threw the reports on the table. He had hidden them from Akana as he wanted to relieve some of the burdens Akana had taken on. After all, he was accustomed to taking care of the dull reports. He has done it for a hundred years.

Sidastir must admit that he feels the joy of getting rid of some of the responsibility but he does not want Akana to take over them all. Not at present when he has so much else to focus on.

"Dear me, you have been invited to Consul Julianus winter ball! Everyone has fought to get an invitation to the annual feast. I guess it pays to be of royal descent."

Sidastir glared at Atra Serpentis who sat herself down opposite of him with a wine glass in her hand as if they were close associates.

"Aren’t you starting a little early with the drinking?" he snapped and Atra gave him a sweet smile that caused the skin to crawl of discomfort.

"I have to drown my sorrows in something. Maybe you could console me. I doubt that... Incolaris! Would be a worthy companion to the winter ball. He may be decent in the bedchamber but the public assemblies should he keep away from," said Atra with a honeyed voice that made Sidastir nauseous.

"He will be very good at the assemblies. After all, they welcome you so their requirements cannot be that high," said Sidastir coldly. Atra giggled as if he had uttered something hilarious.

"I guess he could make himself at home among the animals in the stables."

Sidastir threw himself across the table and struck her glass aside. Atra merely gave him a revolting smile. All those around them had frozen in place at the outbreak of Sidastir and now began to insistently whisper while pointing at them.

"What will your little Incola say about your outbreak?" asked Atra with a giggle.

"He will understand why I have to chase away the vermin," Sidastir said and unleashed a frost gale in the hall. All the people in the hall shivered and many moved quickly towards the exit.

"So valiantly of you. I wonder if he knows you are the greatest threat to his life," said Atra and waved before she waltzed out of the hall as if she owned it.

Sidastir glared after her while the air froze under his wrath. He couldn't help but feel that she was planning something but he couldn't figure out what.

"What in the Inferno’s name! Why is it so cold here?"

Magnus ' voice echoed in the hall and Sidastir turned to explain that winter has come early this year.

*****

Akana was hurled across the room and landed with a hard thud on the floor. The air was knocked out of his lungs and he writhed in agony.

"Auch, " thought Akana but refused to show pain on his face.

"That was... Pathetic. I have rarely witnessed such an incompetent Elementalist in my entire life. "

The merry voice of Cessare prompted Akana to want to strangle him.

"You did well, Ceren", Cessare continued and Akana’s opponent irradiated joy at the praise.

"Where is my encouragement? I'm beginning to think that you're favoring some of the students," mumbled Akana who was still lying on the floor and stared at the ceiling. He refused to get up.

"Ceren is my favorite. He is my ward and my praise comes with that job," said the Cessare who had walked over to Akana and leaned over him.

"Are you doing well or do I have to call on your spouse for moral support, Your highness?"

Akana's white fire angrily blazed up and covered the whole body as he heeded the words of Cessare. Cessare just laughed in response and waved in all students.

Akana rose with difficulty and noticed that Ceren glowered triumphantly at him. Akana held back a grimace and went over to the group.

"The majority of you have already been sorted into an event. Ceren and Akana remain. We are just a few people and almost nobody wants to join the Fray so we are sending in the two first-year to defend our honor," said Cessare and made gestures towards Akana and Ceren.

Akana just stared at Cessare. Ceren was an obvious choice, as a Domoran was undoubtedly a master of battle magic, but he himself…

"Isn't it better to put me into another event?" said Akana and tried to sound dignified even though the proposal irradiated cowardice.

"There are three events. The Fray, the Race, and the Revue. The Revue is more or less a glamorous show. The performance requires control and creativity. Two qualities that you completely lack," Cessare said and Akana could just agree with him in this case.

"The Race is the last event and requires control and a large amount of mana. Not to mention fast reflexes, experience and power as opponents can attack you during the race and you have to cross the obstacles. Last year they had used a thunderbird that hunted the contestants across the track. This is an event for older contestants. Not beginners, "Cessare said untroubled.

It ruled out Akana as he was definitely a beginner.

"And it leaves only the Fray, " mumbled Akana.

"I did not choose you because there is no other choice. The Fray requires power, stamina, and intelligence to use these two well. You have all of these three traits along with a natural instinct for battle. I have no idea where it comes from but you have a talent for reading your opponent," said Cessare and Akana felt a little calmer even if he did not like to use an ability such as the white fire, which so many feared, in battle.

But the cards are played and now all he could do was wait for the result.