The Blade

As she danced across the stage, wind whipping in the wake of her sword, Anastasia felt free. She went through her routine as she had practiced, finishing with a graceful curtsy. Rising, she looked up, meeting Cleo's gaze with a smirk.

"Amazing! Absolutely amazing!" the headmaster exclaimed, suddenly appearing behind Miss Lian, clapping his hands energetically.

"Oh, headmaster! I didn't see you there!" Miss Lian said, surprised.

The headmaster of Eldritch Academy was a strange man. Known to the world as Alaric Viotto, the rebellious son of Abraham Viotto, Viscount of Fancienne, he had risen to be the strongest magic wielder in the empire at the young age of nineteen. Then, only one year later, he had been nominated to be an immortal, and chosen. As of this day, he has lived three hundred years, yet he does not look a day over twenty.

"Worry not, dear Lian, for I only arrived a moment ago." Despite conversing with Miss Lian, the headmaster's attention was focused on the girl on the stage. "You are a talented young lady, Miss Nova."

Anastasia did not recall ever telling him her name.

"Now, I would like to exchange a few words with this lovely young lady in my office. Miss Lian, I'm to assume that you'll handle the rest of this competition?"

"Yes, headmaster," the etiquette teacher replied with a curtsy.

Cleo watched the headmaster lead Anastasia away. This girl was suspicious. She had the silver locks unique to the royal family, though it could be assumed that Viscount Nova was descended from a distant branch of the Lumens. Still, this girl wielded the world-renown sword called Heaven's Light, which belonged to Cecil. Cleo's eyes drifted down towards the blade sheathed at the prince's waist. According to the novel, there only existed one such weapon in all of the story world, and now, Cleo had seen two. Anastasia could not be trusted. Not to mention her uncanny resemblance to Cecil.

"Now, students!" Miss Lian announced, clapping her hands for attention. "We shall begin the selections! Remember, the company you choose will help or hinder you. Think carefully. If any disagreements arise, I will handle them as fairy as I can."

The four girls stepped forward, Lola nervously looking around, Azriel and Lilith holding hands, and Fiona shifting from foot to foot.

"Tch, I'm not interested," Constantine huffed, backing out of the line of students. "I'm leaving. Goodbye."

"Okay..." Miss Lian exhaled, biting back the insult that had bubbled up her throat. "Anyone else?"

Two people raised their hands.

"I, uh, kind of have a thing going, so..." Zeke took a step back before turning around and running off.

"Yeah, I'm...same as Constantine." Franklin said, rubbing the back of his head. "I'll just go now, I guess."

Miss Lian sighed, exasperated. "If no one else has anywhere better to be, then let's begin."

"I'll take the anxious one," Madeleine said, pressing a finger to her lips. "I like her."

Lola obediently scampered over to the Reinland princess's side. With a flip of her newly-curled hair, Madeleine led her new servant back to her room.

Theo nodded towards Fiona.

"Well, if nobody has any objections." Miss Lian jotted a few notes down on her notepad.

Theo winked at Fiona, patting her head. Then they walked off, waving to Cleo and Cecil.

"I wouldn't mind the twins over there," Grace said, speaking for the first time that day. "Of course, that is if no one has a problem with me receiving two."

Miss Lian looked around at the remaining five students. "I guess nobody does. You guys can leave as well."

When the three of them had left, the etiquette teacher sighed. "It always comes to this. Four of you fighting over one girl."

"Oh, no," Cecil said, shaking his head. "I'm not interested."

"Then you can leave."

With one final look at Cleo, the young prince spun on his foot and left.

"At least now it's three. Each of you, state your reasons. Why do you want this Nova girl?"

Cleo began to think. She had to get this exactly right if she were to keep Anastasia and carefully observe her. She had to prove to Miss Lian that she was a better choice than both Nathan and Icarus. Either by having an extremely good reason for choosing Anastasia, which might come off a bit narcissistic or prideful. Or...

...by making the other two look bad.

When nobody replied, Miss Lian simply chose someone randomly. "Nathan, you go first."

"Well," he said, playing with his long ponytail. "She's pretty. And I would love to have her in my bed tonight."

The exhausted etiquette teacher simple gave him an exasperated look. "On to the next person. Icarus, what about you?"

"She's strong," he answered proudly. "And being around strong people can make you stronger. Together, she and I will be undefeatable."

"Finally! A decent answer!" Miss Lian exclaimed, rolling her eyes. "Be quick, Cleo. I still need my beauty sleep."

"But wouldn't you say that I need her more?" Cleo responded, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

The two boys were shocked. Miss Lian simply smiled. "Oh? And why is that?"

"Based on what I've seen, she could be one of the strongest people in empire. Recently, so many of our classmates have befallen terrible fates, and I had the misfortune to witness one of them depart this world. I fear that I may be next, and with my family's curse, I live in fear every day. I would feel much safer if someone like Anastasia was protecting me."

Miss Lian furrowed her brows. "Is your curse that serious? Oh my, I hadn't thought of that! Truly, you have need for that talented young lady's skills." She turned to Nathan and Icarus. "The two of you should be ashamed with yourselves! Fighting a girl over a girl! Tsk."

The boys slunk off grumbling.

Now, Anastasia Nova had nowhere else to run. Cleo would uncover all of her secrets, even if it was the last thing she would do.

***

The headmaster's office was unique to say the least. Looking around, Anastasia spotted countless magical relics from the past. From her seat on the couch placed in the middle of the room, she saw an old book of spells, a ram skull, a human skull, and a few sketches of magic circles strewn about the headmaster's desk as if they were worthless.

"Now, Miss Nova, I'm sure you understand why I've called you here," he began, leaning back in the couch across from her and crossing his right leg over his left. "You seem to possess-"

Anastasia smiled. "A paradox?"