2 WEEKS TO THE TRIALS OF THE CHAMPION OF ITHEA

Luciana navigated the school's corridors with purpose. When she turned a corner, the students' attention caught her, prompting their silence. They retreated to their lockers, and classroom doors swung closed. It wasn't fear that led them to avoid her; they simply chose not to engage. Undisturbed by their behavior, Luciana continued on, occasionally pausing to adjust her gloves.Approaching the exit of the classroom area, a young girl ran up to her, clutching a book.

"Luciana, wait!" she called out. Luciana halted to listen.

"Yes, what's up?" Her tone was solemn, her gaze meeting the curious eyes of the girl.

"Could you help us in alchemy class?" The girl's voice was soft and eager.

"Sure, no need for formalities. Just call me Luciana. What's going on? Is there an issue with your class? Isn't your teacher around?" Luciana crouched to the girl's level

"Our alchemy teacher isn't here, and usually when he's absent, we'd ask Miss Cecily. She was an Elder Alchemist," the girl explained with a tinge of sadness.

At the mention of Cecily, Luciana noticed the girl's somber tone. Luciana had formed deep connections with those she knew, and she could sense the void left by Cecily's departure. The encroaching melancholy didn't sit well with her.

"It's okay, sweetheart. How did Cecily help you guys?"

"She'd teach us alchemy basics and guide us in blending elixirs and finding compatible combinations. Since you're an Elder Alchemist like her, we thought you could help too!"

Luciana returned a smile. Another woman appeared at the far end of the corridor, occasionally gesturing for Luciana to approach before speaking. Luciana sighed, closed her eyes momentarily, and tapped the girl's head. "I'm sorry, kiddo, maybe another time. I'm swamped right now."

"It's fine." The disappointment was palpable in the girl's tone. Head lowered, she retraced her steps back to her class. As Luciana reached the elegantly dressed woman at the opposite end, she passed by the classroom. Behind its door and windows, eyes glinted fiercely. When she finally reached the woman, Luciana sighed, recognizing her as the one who had accompanied the king during Rhaizen Gale's ceremony.

"You're late," the woman remarked.

" I got held up."

"Busy with little kids? We don't have time for that now. The king's waiting for you in the school's tailor room. He wants to meet you there."

"I thought I told Father not to come."

"You don't dictate terms to the king, do you? Now, hurry before you waste more of his time. He's not known for his patience."

Walking past her, Luciana felt a twinge of irritation. The woman continued tapping her phone screen and chewing gum indifferently.

"Ah, there she is! My little princess!" King Vonner exclaimed as he walked over to Luciana and hugged her fiercely. Luciana didn't even return his hug.

"It's been a long time since I've seen you!"

"Father, what are you doing here?" Luciana jumped straight to the hard questions.

"How come I can't see my daughter now? Well, I had some free time on my hands and happened to be traveling by, so I decided to pay you a visit. How are you doing, Luciana?" The king inquired. Before responding, Luciana gave him a long stare.

"I was concentrating on my studies. I'm getting ready for the trials,"

"My daughter, you have nothing to be concerned about; after all, you have no competition. Isn't that the case, tailor?" The king inquired. With an embarrassed giggle, the tailor responded.

"I mean, take a look at that scholarly young man. He doesn't appear to be fit for combat. And what was the name of that modeling youngster, Jalon? He's only concerned about social media and his hair. He is unfit for the position. Trust me, you're going to win by a landslide. I know all of the judges, and they all think you'll be a good champion,"

"Did you bribe them to say that?"

Luciana remarked. With an awful laugh, the king chuckled it off.

"Where is mother? "Did you abandon her in the palace again?" Luciana had inquired. Her tone was starting to shift. The king laughed again before clearing his throat and turning to the tailor, 

"Could you just give us the room for a moment?"

"Yes, my lord," He hurried out of the room and shut the door behind him, saying, "I'll be outside." A loud smack echoed from within the room shortly after. Luciana lurched backward onto a stack of materials on a shelf behind her, knocking it down. She regained her balance and massaged the searing ache on her cheek away. When she turned around, she noticed her father's bloodshot eyes staring back at her.

"Have you lost your mind, you stupid child? Have you forgotten who it is that you are talking to like that?" The king growled again, this time with a more malicious tone than before. As she spoke, Luciana stepped back from his sight.

"I heard what you did to Nelanian, is this true?"

"Of course it is, what did you think I'd do, let a filthy commoner like him shame this realm in the trials? He, like Rhaizen Gale, had to be dealt with!"

Luciana's surprise was palpable.

"Are you saying you also planned Rhaizen Gale's death?"

"Now that's something I didn't do. But I'm grateful to whoever put that scum to death. He helped me save a lot of time and money,"

Luciana was on the verge of crying. Her father's statements had a deep and hurtful impact on her.

"Now, I'm going to call the tailor back, and he'll help you choose the best clothes for your ceremony, For the champion's crowning, you foolish girl, you're an imbecile just like your mother!"

"Father, I want to win the champion's seat fairly and squarely. I never begged for your help,"

"And you think I care about your pride and honor. This kingdom isn't one to play by the rules. I've already paid the judges and the school, so don't let me down. I don't want the kingdom to be upset because they have a champion who doesn't deserve it. I'm handing it out to you on a silver platter; all you have to do now is persuade the kingdom that you're deserving of it. That shouldn't be too difficult for you, right?"

Luciana remained silent.

"Great, I'll take that silence as a yes, so relax, and let's get this over with as soon as possible. I need to get back to what I was doing before"

Even though the crimson blotch discoloring her cheek was clearly evident, Luciana tried to look as if nothing had happened when the tailor was brought back in.