Chapter 44: The Calm Before the Storm

The days leading up to the second round of the tournament were filled with an unusual sense of anticipation. The academy grounds were alive with activity. Students practiced their magic, honed their combat skills, and engaged in intense debates about strategies for the upcoming matches. It was unlike any other time I'd been here, but for some reason, I couldn't help but feel an unsettling calm in the air.

My training sessions with Liara had become more intense, pushing my limits in ways I hadn't expected. Though I still found ways to sneak in naps between sessions, I knew deep down that I couldn't afford to slack off anymore. There was something within me urging me to rise to the occasion, and I had no choice but to listen.

It was late afternoon when Liara and I decided to take a break from the training yard. We walked side by side along the academy's winding paths, the cool breeze tugging at my hair as we passed by rows of towering trees. I glanced at Liara, noticing the faint smile playing on her lips.

"Something's on your mind," I said, narrowing my eyes slightly.

Liara chuckled softly. "You're not wrong, Aria. There's something I wanted to ask you."

I raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

She stopped walking, her eyes meeting mine with a rare intensity. "I've been thinking about what you said—the part about you stepping up in the tournament. I know you said you'd do it 'on your terms,' but I have to ask… Are you truly ready to face the challenges ahead? I don't mean physically, but mentally. This is more than just a match—it's a chance for you to show everyone who you really are."

Her words hung in the air, and I felt the weight of them settle deep within my chest. I had always kept my true power hidden, refusing to step into the spotlight. I wasn't sure I was ready to face the expectations of the academy, the pressure of proving myself. But Liara's eyes held a quiet confidence, one that made me question whether I had been running from something I needed to confront.

"I don't know," I said quietly. "I've never cared about being a hero or a champion. I just wanted to be left alone, to live my life without expectations."

Liara stepped closer, her voice gentle but firm. "Aria, you don't have to be anyone's idea of a hero. You just have to be you. But sometimes, being yourself means stepping up when the time comes. I'm not asking you to become someone you're not—I just want you to realize that you don't have to hide from your true potential. You were born for something more than just lounging around in the shade."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I know what you're saying, Liara. But sometimes I wish things were simpler. That I didn't have to be this… powerful."

She smiled softly, her gaze warm. "Power isn't a curse, Aria. It's a gift. And the sooner you embrace it, the sooner you'll understand how to wield it. You don't have to carry the weight of the world, but you can still make a difference. Just remember that."

I felt a sense of clarity in her words, like a door had opened in my mind. It wasn't about living up to some grand image of who I should be—it was about understanding and accepting who I was. Maybe it was time to stop running from my role in this world.

We continued walking in silence for a few moments, the weight of the conversation lingering between us. As we neared the entrance to the main building, I couldn't help but notice a strange feeling in my chest. It was as if something was about to change, something big. I wasn't sure if it was the upcoming tournament or something more personal, but I could feel it deep within my soul.

"I'll be ready," I said suddenly, my voice more confident than I had felt in a long time. "I'm going to face the tournament. And I'll do it my way."

Liara's grin was infectious. "I knew you'd come around. Just remember—if you need anything, I'm here for you."

"I know," I said, giving her a small smile in return.

---

The night before the second round of the tournament, I found myself lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling. The room was quiet, the only sound the soft rustle of the wind outside the window. My mind raced, thoughts swirling as I tried to prepare myself for the challenges ahead. Tomorrow was the day everything would change, one way or another.

I had spent so much time avoiding this moment, running from it. But now, it was finally here. The time had come for me to step into the arena—not just physically, but mentally. I would face the expectations, the pressure, and the unknown challenges that awaited me. And whether I was ready or not, there was no turning back now.

I stood up and walked to the mirror, staring at my reflection. The girl staring back at me was no longer the same sloth who had spent her days lounging around. She was someone who was ready to face her fears, to step into the unknown and embrace the power that she had been hiding for so long.

I reached up and touched the golden symbol of my mother, Gaia, emblazoned on my clothes. The same symbol that had always reminded me of who I was, of the legacy I carried within me. It was a weight I had always avoided, but now, I felt a strange sense of pride in it. My mother had never forced me to carry it. She had always given me the freedom to choose my path. But now, I knew that I had to walk that path—not as a demi-goddess trying to hide in the shadows, but as Aria Velanova, the elven princess who was destined for greatness.

I smiled faintly at my reflection. Tomorrow would be the start of something new.

---

The next day, the academy grounds were alive with the excitement of the tournament. Students gathered in the central courtyard, their voices a cacophony of anticipation. I walked among them, feeling a sense of purpose in every step.

Liara was waiting for me by the entrance to the arena, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Ready?" she asked, her voice filled with playful challenge.

I nodded, my gaze steady. "I was born ready."

She laughed. "That's the spirit. Let's show them what you've got."

As we made our way to the arena, the sounds of the crowd grew louder, the tension in the air palpable. This was it—the moment where everything would change.

The second round of the tournament was about to begin, and I was ready to face whatever came my way.

---

 o