The Essence Flow

Chapter 126: Terms and Conditions

The murmuring crowd fell silent as Professor Khalvin's voice cut through the forest air like a blade. He stood atop a moss-covered boulder, the dappled sunlight casting sharp shadows across his stern features.

"These are the rules," he announced, his voice carrying effortlessly through the clearing. A hush settled over the students, the only sound being the distant call of a woodpecker echoing through the ancient trees.

"You have to be at the other side of the forest by evening." A deliberate pause. The leaves rustled as if whispering the unspoken consequences. "With at least two flags." His gaze swept across the gathered faces. "Those who have less than one won't pass."

A nervous shuffle ran through the crowd. Khalvin let the weight of his words sink in before continuing.

"I'm sure you know already," he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous calm, "but I'll say it anyway." Another calculated pause. The forest itself seemed to hold its breath. "No killing or lethal injuries. All right?"

The question hung in the air, more warning than inquiry. Some students exchanged glances while others stared straight ahead, jaws set.

"Disperse." The single word carried finality.

As students began moving toward the tree line, Khalvin added one last instruction, his voice cutting through the growing murmur: "In 30 minutes, an explosion will mark the start."

The countdown had begun.

The crisp forest air carried snippets of conversation as Towan made his way toward Rellie and Len. The two girls stood beneath the dappled shade of an ancient oak, its gnarled roots creating natural benches. Len's posture was all sharp angles as she gestured decisively.

"I think the best idea is to go for weaker students first," Len advised, her voice carrying the cool certainty of someone used to strategic thinking. She absentmindedly twisted a lock of hair around her finger - the only tell that betrayed her nerves about the coming trial.

Rellie's eyes flickered over Len's shoulder, her lips quirking into a knowing smile. "What about Towan?" she asked, her tone light but deliberate.

Len snorted, the unladylike sound contrasting with her refined features. "Towan? I'm not dumb enough to fight someone who can beat my ass." The crude phrasing rolled off her tongue with surprising ease.

Behind her, Towan crossed his arms, his shadow stretching to join theirs on the mossy ground. "That's quite the vocabulary for a noble lady," he chimed in, amusement coloring his voice. "What would others say if they heard you?"

Len jumped nearly a foot in the air, her pale cheeks flushing crimson as she whirled around. "-You!" Her fist flew out in an instinctive punch that connected harmlessly with Towan's shoulder. "Don't appear out of nowhere like that!" The words came out half-growled, half-embarrassed. She shot a glare at Rellie, who merely smiled innocently. "We'll... we'll see each other later," Len stammered before disappearing into the crowd with uncharacteristic haste.

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Towan rubbed his shoulder, watching the retreating noble girl with raised eyebrows. "You could've told her I was coming," he said to Rellie.

The quiet girl shrugged, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she sipped her ever-present tea. "Yeah," she admitted, the steam curling around her smile, "but a bit of fun doesn't hurt anyone."

The fading afternoon light painted golden streaks across the courtyard as Towan leaned against a weathered stone pillar, studying Rellie with raised eyebrows. "When did you two get so close?" he asked, genuine surprise coloring his voice as he gestured toward where Len had disappeared into the crowd.

Rellie took a slow sip from her ever-present teacup before answering, the steam curling around her faint smile. "After you left to train with Eryndar," she began, her voice carrying its usual calm rhythm, "she came to see you at the tavern." Her eyes flicked up to meet his, holding a glimmer of quiet amusement. "Turns out, you never visited."

Towan's shoulders slumped slightly as understanding dawned. "Oh." The single syllable carried the weight of unexpected guilt.

Rellie nodded, watching a leaf drift lazily to the ground between them. "Yeah. She kept coming back, checking if you'd returned to work." A soft chuckle escaped her lips. "One day we just... started talking. And then we became friends."

Towan scratched the back of his neck, the ghost of a smile tugging at his lips. "Well, that's good, I guess." He straightened up, the movement sending a small cloud of dust motes dancing in the sunlight. "Anyways, back to what I wanted to ask."

Rellie tilted her head, the steam from her tea swirling with the motion. "What is it?"

"You're not planning to fight, are you?" Towan asked, his voice dropping into a more serious register as he glanced toward the darkening tree line where other students were preparing. The unspoken concern hung between them - Rellie's delicate frame seeming ill-suited for the brutal competition ahead.

The golden light filtering through the canopy suddenly felt colder as Rellie's words hung between them. She stared at her teacup, watching the steam curl and die like the last whispers of her magic. "You know, Towan..." Her voice dropped to a fragile murmur meant only for his ears—or so she hoped. "My Essentia channels are broken."

Towan's grin vanished. The forest sounds—rustling leaves, distant chatter—seemed to mute themselves. "What?" He leaned closer, his shadow stretching across the moss between them. "What do you mean... broken?" His usual confidence faltered, replaced by something raw and unguarded.

Rellie traced a finger along the rim of her cup, the porcelain smooth against her skin. "I was attacked when I was little." The admission came out flat, as if she'd rehearsed it too many times. "My channels were destroyed. I can still sense Essentia, but..." She lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes reflecting the fractured sunlight. "Trying to flow it through my body is useless."

A pinecone cracked under Towan's boot as he shifted his weight. "So... you're not fighting." It wasn't a question.

Rellie exhaled through her nose, her breath disturbing the steam rising from her tea. "No. I'm gonna hide till it's safe to go out."

Silence settled like snowfall. Then Towan squared his shoulders, the familiar fire returning to his voice. "Hmmm. Alright." He jabbed a thumb at his own chest. "But if your flags get stolen or anything, tell me. I'll hand you some."

Rellie's eyebrows arched as she studied him—this boy who carried confidence like armor. "You sound really confident about getting more than enough to share."

Towan's grin flashed, wild and bright against the gathering shadows. "Of course." With a final nod that sent his unruly hair bouncing, he turned on his heel and bounded back toward Elliot, leaving Rellie alone with her tea and the weight of what went unsaid.

Her lips parted for a second, like she wanted to say something else—but the moment passed, and she simply nodded.