The Academy 2

"Emery," the mages called, beckoning him back to the matter at hand. He shook his head, casting aside the distraction, and continued, 

"As I was saying… We shall commence with each member's display of their talents. After which, a vote will be issued amongst you and also amongst us, Councilors. And the one with the least votes gets opted out."

He paused, scanning the room as he inspected their faces before continuing, "You have five minutes to gather whatever you need to manifest your talents within the Academy. If you don't require anything beyond this room to showcase your talent, use this time to analyze and prepare."

The confines of the Academy? Octavius thought to himself. He couldn't manage that. He needed a domestic animal or pest for him to cast Void into. And he wasn't certain he wouldn't find one in the prestigious Academy vicinity.

 "Void?" He called, and Void responded with a drowsy grunt.

Octavius followed Void's gaze and it landed on the Conjurer's mage, whose bosom was barely covered by her attire. He felt a flush rise to his cheeks. 

"Snap out of it, we have a problem!" he whispered urgently to Void.

Void merely grunted again, still seemingly distracted.

Octavius looked around and noticed that most of the contestants weren't moving. This meant he was the only one who needed to retrieve something.

He felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment before he slowly stepped forward and gave a slight bow to the councilors out of courtesy before exiting the room.

As soon as Octavius stepped out of the door, he spotted a pig. 

"I spoke too soon," Octavius countered in delight as he made his way towards it.

Void immediately protested, [Oh no, no, no!]

"Now I have your attention?"

[Don't put me in that pig, NPC]

"Well, it's the only available option right now,"

[It has no potential to make you win. So what's the benefit of possessing a pig? Gaining the ability to look stupid Or what?]

Octavius chastened him, "Don't speak to it that way."

[Actually, you don't need a pig to make you look just as stupid. You are naturally endowed]

"Get inside the pig." 

Immediately, Void's essence dissipated into the pig's body.

[Why do you keep humiliating me? You saw a Kragg and couldn't put me in her body, but you're putting me in this...thing?] 

Void's rant was punctuated by the pig's high-pitched squeaks.

Octavius couldn't help but wonder why he hadn't considered casting Void into the Kragg's body earlier. It would have been an opportunity to test his theory in a more formidable creature. 

However, upon further reflection, he was content with how events had unfolded. If he had attempted to possess the Kragg, perhaps she wouldn't have given him the stones.

[If you don't get me out of this thing... I'll ensure you never set foot in the Academy,] Void threatened.

Octavius turned to head back inside, unfazed by Void's warning, which only heightened Void's anxiety.

[I have an idea on how you can gain entry, but you must release me first,] Void said suddenly, its words stopping Octavius in his tracks.

He turned back to Void, intrigued. [Over there, in the trees, is a Mohit bird, ] Void continued. [With their distinctive white feathers and blue-hued skin, they're a rare find, despite being ubiquitous. If you free me, I can tap into their unique talents and make you real magic."

Octavius remained silent for a moment, contemplating Void's proposal. 

Finally, he spoke, "The ability of the pig I got isn't that of stupidity, but rather an extraordinary capacity to smell and detect the true emotions of those around them. With that unique gift, I perceived your genuine intention, unobscured by the facades you have built. You also need to get to the academy, you need me to win for reasons you don't want to tell me. Again, why did you want to inhabit my body?"

[It's almost time, we don't have time for this.]

 Void said dismissively.

"We are not leaving here till you tell me,"

 Octavius insisted.

[You do realize I'm in the pig's body and I can read your emotions too, right?]

"Good," Octavius said, taking two steps toward the pig and folding his hands into his pockets. 

Void knew he wasn't bluffing as he was, so he exhaled and stared intently back at Octavius.

"I don't want to get in, I need you to get in so I can enslave everyone that took part in making me powerless. That being every inhabitant of Wysteria."