The Aldean Chronicles: Hidden

The second day is not too different from the first. It seems like Professor Harding has singled me out for ridicule and I'm the laughing stock of the class. I just want to yell that I'm the only one who hasn't been training for this since the day I was born. I once again fail today's exercise. The other classes are at least not as bad as yesterday. I studied last night on Illyrian history and I'm getting better.

The fifth day being Friday, my fire professor sends me to the director's office. My classmates react a lot less than I expected, seeing me fail is getting boring for them.

I clutch the note and go to Lilian's office located on the top floor of the administrative building. Her assistant asks me to wait and I spend half an hour there, at this rate I'll be late for my next class. Fortunately, I'm soon signaled to go in. Lilian's office is nice, there's a big desk opposite the door and various shelves lining the other walls. Closer to the door is a settee. A window takes up a big chunk of the left wall.

"You asked to see me, Lilian." I say, walking into the office.

"Director Lillian." She corrects. "And yes, Professor Harding has suggested that perhaps you were admitted into this school by mistake and you don't have what it takes to continue." That was direct. "And I agree, you're simply ill-prepared."

"Thank you for saying that. The thing is, these kids have been training for years and I haven't. Maybe if I had a tutor, I can start catching up."

Lillian's smile tightens. "Or maybe you need to take a break and decide whether you should even be here. There are lots of good students on the waiting list, they will happily take your place."

I match her tight smile. "The thing is, I have no intention of leaving. So I feel like the tutor will be the best option."

Her laugh is sharp. "I think I know how to run a school, Cassandra."

"And I'm not questioning that, it's just, I was struggling with all my classes on my first day but I'm gradually getting better. All I need is time and guidance, something I'm sure this school prides itself on."

"Yes, but this school also has certain standards, and you're just not rising to them."

"And I will rise to them, with a bit more help." I'm not letting her kick me out without a fight.

Her phone goes off and she picks the call. "Hello, Lillian Harrington speaking." She says proudly. "What?" Her face falls.

I tap my foot repeatedly on the carpet. "Director Lillian, my next class is starting soon. Can I?"

She waves her hand and says forcefully. "Go." I beam and leave her office, allowing her to deal with whatever issue just came up.

I get to my next class of the day, History. "You're late." My teacher states the obvious.

"Sorry, Professor, I was with director Lilian." I explain.

"Just take your seat and try not to cause any more disturbances."

I walk over to my usual seat at the back and bring out my books. My reading is paying off and I understand most of what she's saying. In today's lesson, we learn about the first King of Aldean and some of the rules he made.

"There is a rule that we can't give first years assignments during their first week. Unfortunately for you, first week is over." She moves over to the board and flicks her wrist at it. The screen changes. "Your first assignment."

I pick up my pen and follow my classmate's lead in jotting down the question. 'Write an essay on the first king of Aldean.' Seems simple enough. She isn't clear on how many words though. After class, I go to her desk and ask how many words the essay should be.

"It's the first assignment so just the standard three thousand."

My eyes widen. "Just three thousand, that's not high at all." I laugh shakily.

She sighs. "Miss Flores, we have very high academic standards at this school. It seems you're the only person here who doesn't understand that. I want you to know that I don't think you're stupid, just at a disadvantage. If I were you, I'd figure out a way to improve before you're asked to withdraw."

"I'm not..." I start.

"You met director Lilian your first week. That's never a good sign." She says simply. "The assignment is due Monday, get started as soon as possible."

I nod and leave the classroom. I only have five minutes between classes so I race to chemistry. We get grouped in two's and I'm paired with a dark-skinned boy in a blue sweatshirt. He asks me to wait behind after class.

"Hey, I just wanted to say that I'm sure you're very smart." This can't be good. "The thing is, I'm not good at working in groups. It has nothing to do with you, so how about this? I do the entire thing, you sign your name then we both get good grades."

I don't know what to say, so I leave him and go to my next class. On all our desks is an atlas. I see the five countries in Illyria on a map; Aldean, Calais, Varron, Ferona and Owan. The class goes well and we don't have any homework.

In the dining hall, I see Paisley sitting alone and join her with my tray. "Hey, how was class?"

She winces. "Not the best for Michelle, she lost a match with one of our classmates."

"Is that why she isn't here?"

"Our instructor said she can come during lunch for extra training. Today, it's just going to be the four of us." She bites into her apple and groans. "So the rumors are true."

I turn back to see what's she's talking about. On the other side of the dining hall, I see Kat and Jamie walking to Jamie's usual table. He has his arm wrapped around her waist and they're walking with some of Kat's friends.

"I can't believe what I'm seeing either," Axel says, sitting next to me. "That girl has game."

Sara sits next to Paisley and groans. "I hate my new chemistry partner." She snaps her fingers. "Forget them and focus on me."

"I hate my chemistry partner too," I say. "He said he wants to do our project by himself and I can sign my name when he's done."

"I wish I were that lucky. My partner's the exact opposite. She wants us to do the work equally." Axel complains.

"Well, my partner is a twat." Sara says angrily. "He thinks just because he's Jason Leader, he can do whatever he wants."

"Who's that?" I ask.

"Sorry, forgot you don't know anything about Illyria. He's the son of the president of Calais. Not even a monarch, his father's term is supposed to end next year."

"He's getting re-elected," Paisley says, but sadly for Sara's benefit.

"Don't hate the man because of his son, he's a good president. Calains seem to like him." Axel says. "Why do you hate his son?"

"He asked the teacher if he could change partners. Can you imagine, like he deserves special treatment or whatever?" Sara scoffs.

"Terrible." I gasp. "He doesn't sound so bad, maybe he just wanted to partner with one of his friends." Sara huffs. "But anyway, my history professor gave me homework. To write a three thousand word essay on the first king of Aldean."

"I have her after lunch, thank you for giving me something to look forward to. Here I was, thinking I was going to enjoy my weekend." Axel steals a grape from Paisley's salad.

"I'm going to spend mine holed up in my room doing the one thing I'm good at, studying. I might suck at magic and potions but I know how to pass exams." I say.

"Every first year is going to get the assignment, no one is leaving school this weekend." Sara laughs. "But if everybody is getting it, all the books would have been checked out of the library."

And they were, every book pertaining to the first king or the history of the country had been checked out. I felt the most stupid because I heard about it first and didn't think of going to the library. I meet Michelle in our fifth class of the day, Illyrian languages. My sixth and final class is Biology. It's Friday afternoon, also known as when clubs hold their general meetings.

First years can't join clubs till second semester. They can hang around the club spaces if invited though. The school offers a wide array of clubs, some are normal like, art, drama, music, debate, student government. While some are strange, like the secret (not so secret) societies started years ago.

There are also sports teams; lacrosse, fencing and equestrian. I haven't picked a club yet and if I'm lucky, I'll go through the next five years without being a part of one.

My friends keep talking about how clubs are a great way to network and boost your opportunities for when you leave school. I don't plan on being here after I graduate so that doesn't apply to me. I go to my room and bring out my history textbooks. They're alright, I just can't bring out much content from them. I find out that the first King, Adolphus was a very powerful fire elemental who was gifted the dragoit. All the monarchs for the last two thousand years have had it, they used it to make Aldean the most powerful country in Illyria.

I drift outside my reading and research more on the yearly tradition of pledging to the monarch. When the princes and princesses pledge, they pick a piece of magical jewelry that enhances their powers. From what I've seen online, Kat has a necklace while Grey has a bracelet. The pieces are magically bound to their owners and charmed to disappear if the owner ever takes it off. This was done in 765ca to ward off thieves.

I skip dinner doing the assignment, I know it's not due till Monday but I want a headstart. That night, I get a call from Sebastian.

"Cassandra, how are you? How was your first week of school?" He asks cheerily.

"Good." I lie. "Thank you for the phone and necklace and debit card." I pause. "Is the necklace magic?"

He laughs. "No, it's just a normal necklace. And also, you can tell me if things aren't going well, Lilian mentioned you were having trouble with your classes."

I exhale. "Everybody here is really good, they've been training for years and they know the history and I'm so far behind. And now I have an assignment due and I need better textbooks but they've all been checked out of the library. And I'm falling behind on all my classes and the kids are so mean." I take a deep breath so I don't suffocate.

"Okay." I hear him clap his hands. "Let's handle this one at a time, you need a history book. I will arrange for you to get one from my personal library. Is that alright with you?"

I nod even though he can't see me. "Thank you, that will really help."

"Next problem, you say you're behind on your training. I'll ask Grey if he can help you out." He offers.

"He's never going to agree to that. I don't think he likes me very much, he spoke to me once and it wasn't a pleasant conversation. But he was better than Kat, she still hasn't said a word to me since I got here."

"They'll warm up to you, I'm sure of it. Till then, why don't I pick a different tutor for you? I'll contact the person and they'll meet you in the fire field tomorrow."

"I appreciate this so much, Sebastian." I feel my chest getting lighter.

"I'll give the person your number. Don't hesitate to call if you need anything. I promised your mother I'll take care of you."

"I will, goodnight. Thanks for everything." I say quickly.

"Of course, goodnight." He cuts the call and the room is completely silent. I wander out of my building and to the dining hall. It's mostly empty as dinner is over, I see Sara sitting alone at a table and sit next to her with my fruit salad.

"Why are you still here?" I ask. "And also, can I have a bite of that?" I point at her piece of chocolate cake.

She slides the entire plate over to me and I grin. "I was having dinner with two second years, they're members of this club I'm hoping to get into. They said they'll talk to the head and get me invited to the meeting next Friday."

I cheer and say with a mouth full of cake, "good news. At least I think it is, why do you look so glum?"

She shakes her head. "I'm not sad, I'm tired. They just left and I started eating."

"Well, I'm very happy for you, let me finish this and we can go back to our room." As I'm eating, I get a text from an unknown number.

The person sends, 'Hi, I'm Tristan. I'm going to be your elemental tutor. Please be at the field by 6 am.'

I reply. 'Seems a little early but thank you. How will I know it's you when I get there?'

His reply is instant. 'I know you so I'll approach you.'

"Who are you texting?" Sara picks a piece of watermelon from my plate with her fork.

"Some guy named Tristan, I'm supposed to meet him tomorrow so he can help me with my magic." I don't look at her.

"I don't know a Tristan," she says. "What's his last name?"

I shrug. "Don't know. Let me ask." I type and send. 'Sorry, if you don't mind me asking, what's your last name?'

'Oisin. Don't be late tomorrow.'

"His last name is Oisin," I tell Sara. "He's a fire elemental."

She smiles. "Um, okay, as usual, you don't know anything." I roll my eyes. "The Oisin's are this old family, the patriarch is a Liege. On earth, you can call that a duke? Wait, a duke is a powerful person who isn't a royal, right."

"More or less."

She nods. "Both his parents are members of the council and very strong elementals. They're good family friends with the royal family." Explains how Sebastian knows him. "How is he teaching you? He's a third-year."

"Director Lillian asked him. She decided that I needed a good teacher to catch up."

"One of these days, you're going to tell me how you entered this school."

I smile. "Keep dreaming Saraline."