Incline 18: Oddity Student Nin

"Going to be honest, was expecting a little more drama with the entry." I comment while fiddling around with this strange device they had attached to me.

"I'm surprised Einervaene here is keeping her cool given how on display your hard, robust and defined body is." Vadei snickers at our friend who is trying her hardest to ignore the comments that were just made.

"I'm sorry, what?" Einervaene says in a failed attempt to make it seem like she had not heard her. But, the way she was blushing and looking over at me made it clear she had. Even then, I was putting on a show just for her because it was funny.

"So why are you naked?" Larishazza asks after she finishes idly skipping about this chamber we were waiting in.

"Could not tell you." I lied as I tried to hide the fact I forgot to write down anything as equipment. As such, the staff running this event sent me in with nothing but my bare carapace and the device. Or, maybe they were just cruel and this was an attempt to embarrass me. But, I really have been through worse appearance-wise.

As for everyone else, they were not dressed all that badly. Tacky, dangling elements were gone and it was all very professional. Everyone either had something new on that I had never seen before or they were holding new tools. It was just a shame I would not be able to really see how any of it works.

Einervaene had with her a staff for some reason. But, I think I could gather its purpose from how much runed copper it was made with. Yet, its spear-like tip did confuse me. When did Einervaene learn to use a spear...?

Vadei, on the other hand, was far simpler in what it might be. She was covered in bandoliers with various bombs of some kind attached to them. I was curious as to why they were see-through and seemingly full of water. But, again, I wasn't going to be seeing it in action.

Others, however, didn't look too different. Rose, who was with us for some reason, was dressed as she normally was. Quinshuu, as distant as ever, had his strange brace. And the fat one was finishing off his fourth lunch or something stupid.

Then, the clang of metal caught my attention, "Shouldn't we be focusing on something, you lot?" Liada asked with an irritated voice as her armoured hand pointed up. And, when my gaze followed the finger's directions, I was beholden to a vast map of the arena we were in. Or, rather, the maze we were to fight in.

It did not have many details on it, but, it labelled key areas. Places to fight, pathways to get there, and, of course, how you won this event. Admittedly, I hadn't paid much attention as I just wanted to practise my magic in a serious fight. But, we were charged with capturing an item at the middle of the maze.

I wanted to believe it would be a simple matter, what, with us being positioned south of it. But, stealing that airship and travelling wasn't a simple matter. Climbing this damn mountain wasn't a simple matter. And, everything else in between was definitely no simple matter.

"So what is the plan, anyway? There's too many of us here to make one that works." Larishazza's sister points out before she reminds everyone of the vast crowd around us. There must have been hundreds of applicants from our House here. And, likely, many times more from Traditional. But, I was not too sure about Exceptional House.

Clearly, from the way the crowd was acting, they were on everyone's mind. I could easily understand why everyone could. The strongest, most powerful witches in the school were all from there. At least, the ones who knew wind magic. And, if the rumour was true, Vapooliar was up in their start position too...

"You know, Nin... It's alright to say you're nervous..." Vadei suddenly mutters to me while she holds her tail. Everyone else was talking away without me, so, I turned to face her.

"I'm not nervous." I lie while watching her as she subtly trembles and shakes.

"Ok, but I am." she answers quickly before she looks around, her ears lowered. A gentle whimper leaves her mouth before she scoots closer.

"You can leave, you know? They did say there would be a delay to the start so you can get out if you don't want to." I remind her just so she is perfectly aware of it. I would rather not have to visit her injured, bed-ridden body because she felt pressured into staying.

"N-No, I'm fine here." she struggles to get out before she loudly sighs into the air.

"Well, if it is any help, good luck with whatever fights you get into." I tell her with a small smile after leaning in closer.

"Thank you..." she says back as her tail is slowly released.

"Vadei, do you think your nose would be of any help here?" Einervaene asks as she comes over and takes Vadei away from me. And, as she did so, I watched with a smile. What did I have to be nervous about, I had my friends here to help me out!

"Nin..." Rose suddenly whispers as she comes close to me.

"You need encouragement too?" I ask her as she looked nervous too. But, I was mostly trying to keep the tension lacking. Our recent, rocky history could easily give way to needless conflict. And, well, we'd be getting enough of that soon.

"When the bells ring, can you follow me? I think I can get us to the end." she whispers very quietly.

"Then tell Einervaene?" I point out, which causes said woman to turn towards us.

"N-No! The path would only work with us two." she clarifies, and I open my mouth in understanding before waving off my friend. I guess this path of hers must've been very cramped? Or, very exposed, so, less was better?

"Alright, go on." I tell her with a slight gesture of my nearest claw.