The Academy 3

Octavius looked rather stunned at the information Void had depicted. Before he could come up with a response to acknowledge what Void had just said, a familiar ginger-haired girl rushed in to pick up the pig. 

As she scooped him up and turned to run back to wherever she had come from, her eyes landed on Octavius. 

"Edwin, what are you doing here?" 

Octavius looked surprised to see Amy. He brought his hand out of his pocket as he scratched his head nervously, not sure of how to explain his situation to Amy.

Octavius leaned against the wooden railing, his eyes fixed on the Academy's entrance. "Well," he started, turning to Amy, "they're about to pick the top ten to enter the Academy." He briefed her with a serious expression.

Amy's gaze trailed from his, and her eyes widened as she looked down at the pig cradled in her arms. She remembered Octavius/Edwin mentioning that his talent was taming creatures.

"You intend to use him? I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you can't. I need to return him to the infirmary. I was testing my healing abilities when he escaped."

Octavius shook his head emphatically, his hands gesturing for emphasis. "I didn't plan to use him. I have something else."

Amy's expression softened, and she smiled slightly. "Okay, we'll catch up soon—if you get in, that is." With that, she turned to hurry away, the pig still cradled in her arms.

As she went, proceeding to disappear into one of the buildings, Octavius muttered under his breath, "Get out of the body." expelling Void from the pig's body.

In a swift, calculated move, Octavius cast Void into the Mohit bird. The timing was impeccable, as just then, one of the guards opened the door and instructed, "Get back inside, it's time to play the wild card."

_____________________

Octavius slipped in just as the Achitect Mage began explaining the rules of the Wild Card game. Though he already knew them by heart, he listened intently, his eyes scanning the room for any signs of weakness among his competitors.

"...Each player has one opportunity to influence the game," the moderator continued, "but be warned: any attempt to manipulate the votes or exploit loopholes will result in immediate disqualification. You're only allowed to cast one vote for yourself, and any additional votes must come from other players."

[Exploit loopholes? The Achitect Mage just made it to my top ten list] Void snickered.

"And I suppose the list doesn't have anything to do with your evil scheming?"

[The right question is; Why do you think I would make a list that doesn't involve— Quote and unquote, ] Void said using his hands to make air quote. [Evil scheming]

"You're not going to kill anyone, Void."

[Remind me what you came back to your body to do again?] 

Octavius rolled his eyes.

"I came to set the records right, and make sure no one falls victim to what my family fell victim to by showing others the true colors that of those that brought harm to both my family and everything they worked hard for. I came to make a change,"

[All I heard was revenge, revenge!! revenge!!!] 

Octavius rolled his eyes again as he watched the mage instruct one of the contestants from the other group to step forward.

"Unlike you," He told Void as he watched on. "I have a soul."

[And I'm sitting on it.]

"How did you get like this? Did your father not give you enough hugs or something?"

[Did your father give you enough?]

Octavius opened his mouth to retort, but his attention was diverted by the contestant, who began introducing himself. The contestant showcased his talent, and as he finished, the Architect mage addressed the group.

"Remember, you are not allowed to reveal your votes. Each of you has nine individual votes, which you can cast for your fellow contestants."

Octavius overheard Otto whispering to Marilyn, "We might not make it. Look at them, all smiles. It's obvious they've agreed to vote for each other. Three from our group might get left behind."

Octavius considered Otto's words, and a knot of concern formed in his stomach. If the other groups indeed voted for their own members, it could mean that only a few from his group would make the cut.

However, Octavius had witnessed the powers of his own group members, and he knew they were formidable. In contrast, the six contestants from the other group who had showcased their abilities so far had not impressed him.

His hopes rested on Void's mysterious plan. He needed something breathtaking, not just to secure his own group's votes— even though he hoped the Aetherstones he had given them would be enough for them to include him—but also to capture the attention of the other group.

Just then, the contestant who was friends with Thorne stepped forward, introducing himself with a confident smile.

 "My name is Erick Fletcher." He bowed slightly to the counselors, "My talent, noble counselors, is known as 'Whispercatch.' I possess an acute sense of hearing, allowing me to detect even the faintest whispers from those around me."

Erick's gaze locked onto the counselors, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes. "I'd like to demonstrate by recounting the whispers shared among my honorable counselors earlier, if you permit me."

The counselors exchanged uneasy glances before scribbling notes on their parchment. 

The Healer mage intervened swiftly, her voice firm but polite. "That won't be necessary, Erick. Please, try something else."

[Oh, he plays dirty,] Void whispered in Octavius's mind. [He's going to get in, alright.]

Erick bowed respectfully, a smug smile spreading across his face. He turned to face the contestants and pointed directly at Octavius. "I detect uneven breathing from him. He's not alone."

The room fell silent, with all eyes turning to Octavius in curiosity.