allowed to do magic whenever I want. Surreptitiously, I pull the sleeve of my shirt down to hide the metal brace.
Jesus. It’s so fucking unfair. I’m not going to just unleash my magic on the unsuspecting contestants, any more than the fire elementalist is going to set the podium ablaze. But I guess some people can’t stand even the possibility that one of us could start a ruckus or something.
The opening ceremony seems to be steeped in tradition and involves a bunch of dry speeches, some recitations in Latin, and a parade of school flags. It’s all tedious and makes zero sense to me, and honestly, I wish I was still in bed.
At the end of it, Provost Johnson, the bigwig head of the entire Phoenix Training Program, calls each of us up to the podium.
I’m last, and my stomach flip-flops when he intones my name.
“And finally, representing Griffin Academy, Elliot Sinclair.”
I’m not surprised to see a few raised eyebrows as I walk up to the podium and the crowd realizes I’m a girl. I know my name is typically a boy’s—don’t ask me why Mom chose it because hell if I know, but I like it.
Johnson shakes my hand. He seems about the same age as Dean Hardwick, and he’s got that same fatherly look going on, with a round face and a receding hairline. He has a few large rings on his fingers, which are the only really notable thing about his appearance. He nods at me solemnly, then I shake the hands of the other deans before moving stand with the other Trial contestants again.
Provost Johnson wraps everything up with a final speech about how this will build camaraderie and provide opportunities, foster friendships, and build community. I’m not entirely sure I buy all the feel-good vibes though; this isn’t an ordinary year of the Trials, and everybody in the auditorium knows it. I feel a bit like it’s the other magical academies against us, and I’m ready to stand up for Unpredictable magic.
They’ve all probably come here thinking I’m going to fail, or that our school is going to be shoddy and won’t live up to the standards they expect. They’ve probably come here thinking we’re nothing.
Well, I’m going to prove them wrong.
For once, I’m proud to be who I am, to have the magic that I do. We’re the underdogs, and I’m used to that, and I’m ready to do whatever I can to—as Cam put it—kick some ass.
“Let the Trials begin!” Hardwick says, and the crowd goes nuts.
I drag in a deep breath.
All right. Here we go.
Chapter 11
There’s a short break after the ceremony, and I get a text from Maddy right before the first competition starts.
Maddy: Good luck! Wish I could be there! I love you!
I smile to myself and quickly type out a reply, then hand my phone in. I’m not allowed communication with anyone during the competition.
Maddy was pretty worried when I told her I’d been chosen for the Trials. She feels bad that she’s not coming to observe, but only a few students from each school are allowed to attend, and she wasn’t chosen. I told her not to worry about it, that it’s more important for her to focus on her studies.
And there’s another reason l’m sort of glad she’s not allowed to come. If I fail miserably, I don’t want Maddy to be here to see it. I know I’m not a superwoman, but I’ve tried to set a good example, to be brave for her, tough for her. I don’t want to disappoint her—and if I do let her down, I’d rather it not be right in front of her.
After the staff member assisting with the Trials sticks my phone in a little baggie, we’re all taken out to the quad.
My brows pinch together. What the…?
There are eight small structures sitting on the grass, each about the size of a port-a-potty.
Weird.
I’m guided to stand in front of one at the end, and I stare at it. Nerves flutter in my stomach. Am I supposed to—what, go in there? Or is something going to come out instead? Like some monster bursting out of a tiny cage, and I have to defeat it or something?
“Contestants!” Hardwick announces, his voice magically magnified so we can all hear him. “You will each enter the room in front of you. The rooms are escape rooms, enchanted to be bigger on the inside. Once you enter, the door will disappear. Your goal is