Page 11 of The Scars Within
I picked up the mug and tested the handle in my grip. It is the perfect fit for my small hands.
Joy.
This brings me joy.
This could bring me joy even on my darkest days.
I approached the drip coffee pot, added a thin linen filter, the grounds, and water from the kitchen sink spout, and waited a few minutes for a full cup of coffee with sweet cream. It doesn’t matter if it’s late in the evening; holding a warm cup of coffee in my hands brings me a feeling of peace I can’t describe.
Deciding to head back to our dorm, I slipped through the quiet cafeteria, hoping to find a peaceful spot to sip my coffee. The courtyard would be a beautiful place to enjoy my brew, but there were just too many humans. And I’d rather avoid humans at all costs, especially when I’m trying to enjoy a moment of peace with my coffee.
I walked past fellow cadets chatting in the halls until I found the furthest set of chambers—ours. In the corner of my eye, I noticed a darkened turret of stairs that I hadn’t seen earlier.
Heading up, up, up, I came to an iron door with a latch. I should be near the top of the castle by now, so I decided to test my luck and keep exploring.
With a steady grasp on my coffee and a shoulder on the door, I heaved it open to find the most beautiful view I’ve ever seen. I have made it to a rooftop spot that overlooks the entire grounds.
With no humans in sight. Score.
Sitting on the parapet, I took a deep breath in. I have almost completed my first full day at Mageia without a panic attack, which is a big win in my book. From this spot, I have a clear view of the courtyard, the outdoor class fields, and the pathway to Dragon Valley.
Dragon Valley is the home of all dragons within our territory. Each dragon has a special bond with their chosen rider– the closer they are, the stronger the force of fire magic.
In about a month, the entire college will gather within Dragon Valley for the Burn Trials. These Burn Trials are when fire wielders can be chosen by unbonded dragons.
Some snooty officials believe they control their dragons, but it is definitely the other way around. The first dragon eggs were left behind when the fire element retaliated during the Battle for Mareki. It is said that the fire burned so incredibly hot, hotter than ever before, that it formed the eggs of fire-wielding creatures. Once these hatched, our land had dragons.
During the Burn Trials, fire wielders will enter the pit. Unbonded dragons seeking riders will fly around the stadium, assessing the willing cadets. No one knows why or how dragons choose their riders. Humans are not worthy to understand their ways.
When a dragon chooses its rider, it will land on the field and examine them. Once the dragon decides, it will light the cadet in its flames. Fire wielders can’t be harmed by dragon fire, so their clothing would be the only thing burning to ash.
Bad news: they’d be butt naked in front of the entire college.
Good news: they’d get a dragon out of it.
Fire wielders aren’t the only ones allowed to enter the Burn Trials. Technically, any cadet that hasn’t channeled an element can participate, hoping to be a late-blooming fire wielder. This is a last-chance way to stay in Mageia as a cadet.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. And you have to be extremely desperate to be in this war college if you are willing to risk your life like that.
The sound of the iron door closing made me jump so high that my coffee would have spilled everywhere if it were full. Thankfully, it only landed a drop on my new cadet leathers.
“You’ve found my spot,” said a male voice behind me.
Great. There goes my peace.
Fucking humans.
Chapter 4
I turned my head, fear spiking at the thought that cadets might not be allowed up here, and saw Rhodes staring at me.
“Hey, Rhodes, I, uh…” Damn, why can’t I ever find my words around this guy? His presence makes me quiver in my boots.
Rhodes remained silent as he walked towards me, his heels clicking on the stone roof. As he got closer, his facial expression looked like he was either about to report me or push me off the parapet.
But to my surprise, he sat next to me instead.
“This is the only place on campus I can come to be by myself,” he said, his gaze fixed on the view.
