Chapter 171: The Moon Listens
{Elira}
~**^**~
The words landed like cold water, sinking straight into my bones.
"I..." My voice shook. "I didn’t even try to use them. It just—happened."
"That’s exactly the danger," Rennon said, his expression grave. "Your emotions triggered it. If you let your anger control you, the fire will always answer first. And fire doesn’t care who it hurts."
My chest tightened, guilt mixing with fear. I saw again Lennon dodging, laughing, but also the flicker in his eyes when the flames got too close.
Rennon’s tone softened then, though his gaze remained unyielding. "If you want an upper hand, it has to be you in control, not your anger or your fear. Otherwise, things could end very badly."
I lowered my gaze, my voice barely a whisper. "So... I’m supposed to fight without the one thing that makes me strong?"
"You’ve always been strong," he answered simply. "The fire doesn’t make you that. You do."
For a moment, I wanted to believe him. But the memory of Zenon’s cold disappointment still pressed heavily against my chest, and I wasn’t sure I could.
With a deep breath, I turned onto a path that led to the dorm building.
"Don’t let my emotions control me," I whispered to myself as each of Rennon’s warnings weighed down in my chest.
I didn’t even try speaking to Selene. For the first time, I was afraid of what she might sound like.
Instead, I tilted my face toward the pale light spilling from the high windows of ESA and whispered a shaky prayer.
’Please, moon goddess, help me keep myself steady, and my emotions in check. Don’t let me slip up again.’
By the time I reached my dorm, my chest still felt tight, but there was a slight difference.
The door clicked open, and my friends immediately looked up. Cambria’s eyes softened as she leaned forward.
"Elira, you look low-spirited."
Nari tilted her head, squinting at me like she could read my thoughts. "What happened? You look like someone just told you Founder’s Day has been moved back."
Juniper set her pen down, her brows knitting. Tamryn didn’t say anything at first, but her steady gaze tracked me all the way across the room.
I sank down onto my bed with a small sigh. "I’m just tired from training, and maybe a little nervous about this evening."
Juniper’s expression eased, and she leaned her chin into her hand with a grin that tried to be reassuring.
"Don’t worry too much. We have already prayed. Your name won’t be called for a duel tonight."
Her confidence warmed the air. Still, I couldn’t stop the sigh that slipped out of me as I dropped my bag to the floor.
"I hope you’re right."
---
After resting for a short while, I finally pushed myself up and headed to the bathroom.
The hot water eased the knots in my muscles, though it couldn’t completely wash away the unease clinging to my chest.
By the time I slipped into a soft lilac dress and let my hair fall loose, I felt a little lighter.
My friends were already waiting by the door when I came out. Immediately, Nari looped her arm through mine with a bright grin.
"Come on, Elira. Tonight calls for good food and distraction."
Together, we made our way to the cafeteria. The moment we stepped inside, the hum of chatter and the mingling aromas wrapped around us—richly spiced roast chicken, creamy mashed potatoes with gravy, grilled vegetables glistening with herbs, and trays of golden-brown pastries that sent waves of butter and sugar into the air.
Juniper’s eyes lit up at the sight of a platter being carried past. "Is that honey-glazed ribs? Oh, I’m not leaving this place without a plate."
Nari clapped her hands dramatically. "Yes! Finally, real food. Not just bread rolls pretending to be dinner."
Even Tamryn’s lips curved into a small smile as she picked up a tray. "Let’s eat before Nari steals everything first."
Cambria glanced at me, her tone gentle. "What about you, Elira? Feeling up to it?"
My stomach gave a small growl at the smell of roasted garlic and fresh cornbread, and despite everything weighing on me, I smiled faintly. "Yeah. I could eat."
We joined the line, filling our trays with generous portions. Next, we carried our trays to our usual corner table by the window, the one tucked under the soft glow of a hanging lamp.
By the time we sat down, Nari was already piling ribs onto her plate like she hadn’t eaten in days.
"This," she said dramatically between bites, "is happiness. Absolute happiness."
Juniper rolled her eyes but was already tearing into her cornbread. "You say that about everything you eat."
Cambria’s tone was calm, but her lips twitched. "That doesn’t mean she is wrong."
Their laughter drew a smile out of me, even as I cut into my chicken. The buttery seasoning melted across my tongue, and for a moment, it was enough to quiet the knot in my stomach.
But the knot never left entirely. With every joke, every bite, the shadow of what was to come crept closer.
By the time we finished and carried our trays away, a current of tension was already threading through the cafeteria. Students moved in groups, whispering and glancing at the clocks, their voices dipping low.
Juniper caught my eye, her expression turning serious. "It’s time."
The five of us filed out together, following the growing stream of students heading toward the auditorium.
The buzz of voices grew louder, a mixture of nervous laughter and hushed speculation.
When we entered, the vast space was already filling—rows of seats stretching upward, the stage bathed in soft light.
At the center, a tall glass box stood covered with a heavy cloth, the same one used for the drawing of cards.
I slid into my seat between Cambria and Nari, my palms damp against my lap. All around me, students leaned forward, whispering anxiously about who would be called tonight.
Then the Vice-Chancellor stepped onto the stage, her presence commanding silence with nothing more than her steady gaze.
Her voice carried clearly as she began to speak, smooth but edged with authority.
"Tonight marks the beginning of the combat selection for Founders Day. As you already know, there are too many students holding red cards, preventing all from competing. Therefore, beginning this evening, we will hold elimination rounds. Only ten will remain."
The auditorium rippled with murmurs, but she lifted her hand, silencing them.
"Names will be called at random. If yours is announced, you will come forward immediately. Matches will be decided on the spot, and combat will commence under the supervision of your professors."
My stomach twisted hard.
"Remember," she continued, "this is not a test of luck but of will, strength, and strategy. The top ten will not simply represent themselves—they will represent this Academy before the King and the nation."
Then she stepped closer to the glass box, her hand catching the edge of the heavy cloth. With a swift pull, the cover slipped away, revealing the pile of colourful cards inside.
The sight alone sent a shiver of tension through the auditorium. I gripped my knees tightly under the desk, my heart climbing into my throat.
Beside me, Cambria slipped her hand over mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Whatever happens, remember that you are not alone."
Nari leaned close on my other side, whispering fiercely, "You will be fine, Elira. But if your name isn’t called—celebrate with me."
Even Tamryn gave a slight nod of quiet assurance, while Juniper added with a grin that didn’t quite hide her nerves, "We have already prayed, remember? The moon won’t betray us."
I nodded, clutching their comfort like a lifeline. Still, the fear coiled tight in my chest.
"Twenty names will be chosen tonight," the vice chancellor continued, her voice calm but carrying to every corner of the room. "Each one will be drawn directly from this box."
She reached in, fingers brushing over the cards, and drew the first. With a smooth motion, she unfolded it and read aloud the name written inside.
The student whose name was called stood stiffly, then made their way toward the stage.
One after another, the Vice-Chancellor repeated the process—drawing, reading, sending another student forward.
My pulse pounded harder with every slip of card, every pause before she spoke. Ten names. Fifteen. My chest felt so tight I could barely breathe.
"Number nineteen..." Her clear voice echoed, and another student stood to nervous applause.
I held my breath as her hand reached into the box one last time.
"Number twenty..."
Silence stretched, then she set the card aside. "That concludes tonight’s selection. The twenty chosen will remain for their duels. The rest of you are dismissed."
For a beat, I didn’t move. My ears rang. My name hadn’t been called.
Relief surged through me so suddenly that my shoulders sagged. A shaky laugh slipped out before I could stop it.
Cambria’s hand squeezed mine tightly. Nari clasped her hands in exaggerated prayer before breaking into a grin. "See? Told you!"
Juniper leaned closer, smug. "That’s why I wasn’t worried. The moon listens."
Even Tamryn’s lips curved faintly.
I pressed my palm to my chest, releasing a long, trembling breath. At least for tonight, I was safe.
And finally, I let myself smile.