CHAPTER 60: RULES OF THE TRIAD TRIALS

That morning was different from the rest.

The entire school was abuzz with excitement.

Theodora got up, got ready like every other day, then left the room. Outside, the corridors were loud. Students moved with their partners, talking in heated whispers as they walked toward the arena.

"First-years are dead today..." A group of second-year students walking by laughed among themselves.

"Did you see the roster? They put the worst pairs together,"

"Bet a thousand that no first-year is winning any of the matches today,"

"We are gonna wipe the floor with them today,"

Typical Gravemont. Everyone treated this like it was festival day.

She exhaled sharply, tightened her gloves, and stepped into the hallway.

Roman was already waiting there.

His back was against the wall and his arms were crossed.

"You’re late," he said.

"I’m five minutes early."

"Well, I’ve been here for six minutes, so that makes you late."

She resisted the urge to punch his jaw, "Let’s just get this done,"

He pushed off the wall and fell into step beside her.

As they neared the arena, the sound grew thunderous.

There were several roars of excitement and hundreds of footsteps. Teachers from rival academies had been invited today, and even some betas from distinguished Packs were present today.

Theodora scanned the large crowd, and soon found who she was looking for.

Alpha Ashbourne Sinclair sat at the high table, right next to the Commandant. His presence demanded submission and respect, overshadowing everyone else’s. Even Draegor couldn’t amount to Ashbourne. The further she stared at Ashbourne, the more the resemblance between him and Liam came to light.

Finally, she took her eyes off him and searched the crowd again. She had expected to see Sylas sitting close to the Alpha too, but he was nowhere to be found.

She followed Roman through the back entrance reserved for first-years. From inside, she could hear the booming voice of Professor Shaw announcing the event, hyping the crowd, feeding the frenzy the way Gravemont loved its violence.

Theo tightened the strap on her wrist guards again, even though it was already secure.

Roman watched her out of the corner of his eye. "Nervous?"

"No," she replied.

Gravemont had yet to announce the rules for the sparring match. No one had any idea who their opponent from the second year would be. All they had said was that it would be officiated. Which means thankfully, there would not allow deaths, probably lots and lots of broken limbs.

As Theodora sat down, she caught sight of Liam sitting alone by the corner. He looked more nervous than she had ever seen him before. Quill stood right next to him, having almost the same expression.

In fact, it wasn’t just them. Most of the First-years were low-key sweating off their pants. She was looking more composed and confident than anyone else in the room.

And that was when she felt a pang of guilt in her chest. If she hadn’t taken that Field race so seriously against the second years, none of this would be happening right now.

She felt someone staring at her, looked up and saw Liam waving. She waved back, and he smiled, trying to keep the anxiety from his face.

It still showed.

Just then, Professor Hitch walked in and barked at them to step into the arena.

Theo stood behind Roman and the other first years in a line as a large metal door groaned open, light flooding into the room.

The arena stretched far and wide in front of them, with raised stone platforms and spiked borders, with raised stands packed with students from other schools.

A wave of cheers, growls and mocking jeers rolled over her ears as she joined the line up of other first years on the sandy platform. The second-years stood across them, looking bigger, stronger, and radiating dominance like they owned it.

Some were even smirking.

A horn blared, and the Commandant rose from his seat. The entire place suddenly fell into silence, and when he spoke, it boomed with even more power than it usually did at the assembly ground.

"Gravemont Academy welcomes our guests," He turned slowly, acknowledging each section of the stands, "To the visiting teachers from the Northern and Eastern Academies,"

A respectful murmur rose.

"To the Betas of Distinguished Packs, and to the students from different academies across the Wolf realm,"

The cheer rose again, and died almost instantly.

"And to Alpha Sinclair, whose presence honours this event,"

Theo felt Liam tense behind her, and she reached in, took his arm and gave it a little squeeze of reassurance.

Draegor faced the students again, "Today’s exhibition is not for the faint-hearted. It is not a performance. It is a test. Your first test of the year,"

A hush fell over everyone, anticipation kicking in even harder.

"And every fighter here will be judged for their strength, their endurance, and the use of the knowledge and skills you’ve learnt since they arrived at Gravemont Academy,"

Then Draegor lifted the sealed scroll.

"These are the rules of the First–Second Year Combat Trials,"

The air tightened, and everyone seemed to hold their breath.

"Rule One: Two first-years will face one second-year. Matches continue until only one side remains standing, or in this case, one person on one side. Rule Two: Full power is permitted from the first strike. No holding back. No restraint,"

Theo felt adrenaline crackle through her bones.

"Rule Three: Weapons are allowed, bladed, spiked, or blunt. Any student may use whatever they bring or whatever they can take from the selection the school provides,"

The crowd erupted again and some idiot yelled, "LET THEM BLEED!"

"Rule Four: No healing or salves are allowed. What is broken stays broken until the match ends. Professor Sylas would be watching for any hint of wolf healing, and anyone found wanting would be expelled, effective immediately!"

On hearing his name, she looked around again but still couldn’t see him.

He had to be somewhere watching.

"Rule Five: A fighter may yield only if they are severely injured, and only if the referee deems it legitimate. Rule Six: No disqualifications for blood, broken bones, or unconsciousness. The match ends when one side cannot continue,"

Students gasped.

Theo could already feel Seraphina pressing against her skin, ready and restless.

"Rule Seven," Draegor finished, "Deliberate killing is forbidden...but accidents will not be punished,"

Then, Draegor lowered the scroll, his gaze sweeping across all lines of first and second years. He watched them - especially the first years almost pitifully, "With witnesses gathered and rules set, let the Triad Trials commence!"

A horn blasted, and the arena erupted once again.