The Black Swan

Chapter 5: Finally, fight!

Year 2021

Breathe, Yoonie. Breathe. You've prepared so much for this day. It's all going to go well.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" The crisp voice of a noble being boomed across the tunnels they stood in, causing Yoonie to jump a little.

Oh crap, there goes the announcer.

"Alright, guys," Ryujin exhaled explosively as she spoke, taking a step ahead of Felix and Yoonie. She turns around to regard them, a forced smile on her face. "Let's show the Capital what we are made of." There was an air to the way she spurred them on as she held her hand out for a final team hurdle.

"Coming from the 239th batch: Please put your hands together for the graduands of Sotia!"

Rumbling of metal chains ensued as the heavy gates lifted up, allowing them to enter the arena. Steering herself, Yoonie emerges from the shadows of the tunnel together with her two teammates - Ryujin and Felix - making their presence be known to the grand arena filled with a sea of spectators. Their screams and roars of excitement were enough to make Yoonie's hairs stand on their ends, in total awe at the immense scale of an event this had been.

Today was Yoonie's final rite of passage to earning the title of <Ember>; it meant that she would graduate from Sotia after this ceremony and be allocated to serve the Kingdom in one of the five factions. And the final rite of passage - a team-based friendly game of <Capture The Flag> between graduands. All graduands were to be evaluated in the final face-off against their peers in <the Grand Ignito> by <the Equitable, Xerophyx Officials> (also known as EXO) to determine which sector of the Kingdom they will serve: <The Queen's Shield>, <The Noble Servant>, <Sanctuary>, <Sotia> or <The Full Moon>.

Will I be a battle mage like Ms Saebom? A teacher, like Ms Wendy? What about a researcher of Life energies in Sanctuary, or the Noble Servant? I could totally see myself being of great help to the labourers who often run out of fuel torches in the night.

And what about being a spy? A rogue in the Full Moon? Now that would be so exciting!

As the ear-piercing blaring of trumpet fanfare died down, Yoonie came back to her senses. There were several thousands of attendees seated in the stone colosseum. In particular, the arena was separated from the audience by a dome of magical barrier, protecting the lives of the spectators. It is said that the tutors of Sotia come together several times a year to reinforce the magical barrier with their powers.

"YOONIE!" She turns towards the direction of the cheering, spotting a vivacious Nako cheering on her from the audience. Unfortunately for her, she was still a student, and about one year away from graduating. Beside her, were a few guests that Yoonie had the privilege of inviting, Sister Jihyo, and her close friends from the orphanage - Karina, Ningning, Winter and Giselle. I would have invited everyone, but sadly they only gave 6 tickets...

"Yoonie." Felix tugged on her hand gently, gathering her attention as the team of three hurdled up, hands over their shoulders, in a final discussion. "Okay. Let's re-state our strategy for the fight: I'm protecting the flag, yes?" Felix checked in with them - a user of Cloud Magic that disorientates the opponent. He would ensure that the other team would never be able to find the flag in the smoke.

"That's right. And I will fight both Onda and Soobin." Ryujin stated. Her Magnetic feat was a direct counter to Soobin's Metal Magic, and she needed to prevent the Air/Lightning user, Onda, from getting to Felix. One gust of wind would render his cloud and smoke invocations useless.

"I will do my best to help you too, Ryujin. But my focus will be on Hueningkai - and their flag." Yoonie shot a look at the Ice user from far away, who was deep in discussion with his team as well. From their speculations, it was likely that the Ice user was going to encase his team's flag in an iceberg - and Yoonie had a spell that could deal with that.