Quadripartite

"This cannot be true. Test her again!"

The Headmistress's voice could be heard through the thick hardwood doors of her office. One of her attendants had a difficult time assuring her there were no mistakes made in Maya's latest Re-appraisal Ritual. Faint voices and partial conversation carried through.

Maya was biting her nails, waiting in front of the office to be called in, still wondering if she made the right choice. A prolonged silence inside made her anxious.

"…have you tested her for the fifth?" The Headmistress's voice finally sounded.

"Pardon?"

"Amanda, that would be ridiculous?" Daria's voice chimed in.

"Do you think Lord of Light has blessed with another Prima after so long?" the attendant was astonished.

"Ha! Blessed us?" The Headmistress's tone was mordant. "His 'blessings' are yet to come if that were the truth."

"It can't be," Daria reasoned. "Perhaps we only ought to update our Appraisals. Things have gone far diluted with time."

"But how could we possibly—"

"Leave!" Amanda cut off the attendant.

The attendant exited the office and rushed past Maya without looking back, clearly distressed.

By confirming four elements, it was impossible not to raise suspicion. Maya took that risk. As expected, the Headmistress isn't a foolish woman. She knew the appearance of a Prima was not a good sign for this world.

Maya wished she could confide in her guardian, but, as she promised, she wouldn't reveal her identity until Anastasia was convinced the Headmistress was a reliable woman.

Her special ability gave her a lot of anxiety at the beginning when no one ever even indicated something like it ever existed. Maya herself questioned many times if it was all in her head, but it turned out it was a result of her being chosen as a Prima.

Since the appearance of the last Prima was centuries ago, not much was known about them or their special ability, supposedly connected to Spirits. No one could guess that it involved being able to communicate with the dead spirits. And even if it was known, just like the attendant was confused by the idea of testing for the Fifth element, it wasn't like they had a way to confirm Maya could talk to the dead.

The veil of mystery was her advantage. As long as she does not reveal it herself, they can only suspect her, but never confirm.

Maya didn't like tricking people, but even the Headmistress reacting like it was a bad thing was a sign that suggested she may not be treated like a ray of hope but rather the messenger of doom. And they were all very aware of how people treated the ones they feared in the past. In the best-case scenario, she could become a pariah. In the worst…

Even though it wasn't particularly chilly in front of the Headmistress's office, Maya shivered. She could still hear muffled voices inside. It seemed Amanda and Daria were having a heated discussion.

"…tell me it's impossible!"

The Headmistress seemed to be pacing back and forth through the office as her voice would be clearer at times when she was closer to the door. Her tone was serious.

"You already know that."

"I want you to swear it. Swear on Mikołaj's soul! If you're betraying me again—"

"I swear it! I swear on his soul you won't let rest, and on all Conquistors' knowledge, that I did not or could or could have known!" Daria was discomposed. "If it were possible, the entire legacy of Mellgrah Witches was flawed…"

"Don't call them witches."

"…The one that would know, would be you, Amanda, not me."

Maya almost fell out of the chair leaning in to hear better. Leo straightened her out with his hands on her shoulders. Her eyes widened only for a moment because she didn't realize he was with her.

"I can relay what they are speaking if you want," he offered, averting his gaze for some reason.

Opening and shutting her mouth — remembering she shouldn't talk out loud — she nodded at him. He could lean on the door without anyone noticing and hear them much better.

"Is there any documentation of a quadripartite existing without being a Prima Maga?" Leo began to impart what they were talking about inside the office.

"Not to my knowledge," he repeated Daria's answer. "But it's not like they were keeping reliable records in the dark ages. Exalted Lords! It could've gone unnoticed in our times. Remember Tanya Sherman, she almost advanced to the second year before anyone noticed she was of Fire as well."

Leo struggled to keep up with quoting them, so he began to summarize.

"They are talking about your mentor. The Headmistress has called her 'Daria's mistake'. Apparently, she had some clues, but disregarded them."

'What kind of clues would Daria have?'

How would she be held responsible? Maya remembered Daria didn't know which element had chosen her until she went through Appraisal. Blaming her seemed strange.

Now curious, Maya began leaning in again, wishing to hear for herself.

Amanda seemed distrustful of her most loyal subordinate because she was requesting files to investigate herself. Even Daria deciding to investigate further in Vetus Orbis didn't quell her agitation.

"Haven't I proven myself enough?"

"It didn't just happen once or twice, Daria! You keep undertaking such stunts at your own convenience!"

"I only had your benefit in mind."

"Ha! Unbelievable. Have I ever benefited? Your latest mistakes even ended up in the same room! And I am supposed to trust you when you are so blatantly undermining me?"

Having leaned in so close toward the door, Maya almost slipped off the chair. With too much stress on one side of it, the chair shifted and made a loud scraping sound against the stone floor. Leo caught her once again, being the only thing stopping her from crashing into the floor.

The voices behind the door stopped. Rapid steps approached the door, and the Headmistress's sharp eyes snapped to Maya as soon as she opened the door.

'Oh, no. Did she realize I listened in?'

"I-I… Sorry… I…" Maya's speech was laboured as she stuttered.

In that moment as she desperately searched her brain for some explanation to avoid suspicion, because she suspected that things she overheard she definitely wasn't supposed to, Maya began to hiccup. Her thoughts went to Elena, who would most definitely already have come up with a ridiculous excuse.

'Elena… Elena… All she does is sleep in class.'

"Asleep!" she blurted out. "I must've dozed off. I was so nervous last night that I didn't get much sleep."

"Maya?!"

The Headmistress's surprised expression made Maya wonder if they even knew she was waiting in front of the office this whole time. She was definitely told to wait until she was called in, but it seems the attendant never got the chance to inform them before being chased out.

"Sorry… I was told to wait here," Maya looked down, showing her deep insecurities.

The Headmistress looked at her for a moment longer, then smiled softly and suggested to the inside.

"Come in."

With a quick glance at Leo, who gave her an encouraging nod, Maya took a deep breath and stepped into the office. The room was filled with an aura of authority, every item meticulously chosen to reflect the Headmistress's stature.

After gesturing with a subtle wave of her chin at Daria to leave, Amanda gestured towards a chair, her face still bearing the kind façade. "Please, Maya, take a seat," she said, her voice softer than before.

Maya obeyed, trying to keep her nerves in check. She had to remember her plan, her act.

Daria made her way past her, giving her a gentle squeeze on the shoulder in passing. And the door closed behind her, shutting out the comforting presence of Leo who did not follow inside. The reality of the situation sank in. Maya was alone in a room with the Headmistress, a woman who held her fate in her hands.

"Now, Maya," Amanda began, her eyes studying the young girl carefully. "I understand that you've been through an ordeal. However, we need to discuss the results of your re-appraisal."

For a moment, Maya just stared at the Headmistress, her mind racing. This was it, the moment of truth. She had to play her part convincingly, she had to make her believe.

Drawing in a deep breath, Maya nodded, ready to put on her best act.

"Yes, Headmistress. I'm ready to discuss it," she said, her voice steadier than she felt.

And with that, she stepped onto the stage of her own making, ready to play the role that could decide her future.