CHAPTER 124: A REVERSAL ANNOUNCEMENT

{Elira}

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The morning sunlight spilled through the cafeteria’s high windows, washing the room in soft gold as the breakfast rush filled the air with clinking trays and chatter.

My friends and I carried our food to our usual table, and for once, there was no weight dragging at my steps.

Nari dropped her tray down with a grin so wide it was infectious. "I don’t think I’ve ever slept so well in this place. And waking up without the nightmare of chopping onions at dawn? That’s the sweetest part."

Juniper sat beside her, nodding in agreement as she tore a piece of bread. "It feels good not to have punishment hanging over us. Honestly, this Wednesday morning actually feels like a real morning, unlike Monday and Tuesday."

I smiled faintly at their relief, my own chest lighter than it had been in days.

But then, the cafeteria speakers crackled overhead, silencing the room.

"Good morning, ESA students," came Kaelis’s voice, warm and practiced, though a sharp ear could detect the strain beneath.

"This is your Student Council President. We wish to inform you that the disciplinary action assigned to first-year student Elira Shaw has been dismissed. That is all. Have a wonderful day."

The announcement ended, but the room erupted.

A wave of whispers spread like wildfire. Heads turned. My name carried on the hush of voices from table to table. Some students looked shocked, others curious, a few even amused.

At our table, however, there was no silence—only laughter.

Juniper smirked, shaking her head. "Dismissed. Just like that. If that doesn’t sting their pride, nothing will."

Nari leaned forward, practically glowing. "Oh, this is delicious. The mighty Council forced to announce their own defeat. I almost feel sorry for them. Almost."

Even Tamryn chuckled under her breath, then said flatly, "It’s good to know Princess Kaelis fears Professor Zenon. She should."

Their laughter rang again, loud and unbothered, making a few students nearby glance our way.

But then Cambria, ever thoughtful, tilted her head. "What about the apology? Shouldn’t there have been one?"

Nari snorted, nearly choking on her juice. "Apology? From them? Please. That’s the last thing Kaelis or any of her lapdogs would ever say into those speakers."

We all laughed again, and for the first time in so long, I didn’t mind the cafeteria eyes on me.

This time, they weren’t laughing at me. They were watching a girl who’d just won, and friends who weren’t afraid to laugh about it.

And though a small knot of tension still lingered in my chest—because Kaelis’s grudge wouldn’t die so easily—at that moment, I let myself enjoy the victory.

After breakfast, we left the cafeteria together, the laughter still fresh between us, and went to the locker room to keep our backpacks before heading toward the training grounds where the other first-years gathered for Science of Scent & Tracking.

Unlike the usual classrooms, today’s practical course met outside, near the forest edge where the air was sharp with pine and earth.

Several long wooden tables stood ready with baskets of herbs, oils, and glass vials glinting in the sunlight. Beyond them stretched a cordoned-off trail that wound into the trees.

Our professor, a lean woman with piercing green eyes, strode across the clearing and clapped her hands once.

"Groups of five. Today’s task is simple: identify three hidden scent markers and track them through the forest trail. Precision matters more than speed. Understood?"

A chorus of "Yes, Professor" rang out.

Just like we had planned a few days ago, I found myself with Nari, Juniper, Cambria, and Tamryn.

The baskets of herbs were passed to each group, the sharp scents of clove, sage, and bitterroot tickling my nose as I leaned closer.

Nari wrinkled her nose. "Ugh, who spilled pepper in this thing? It’s making me sneeze."

Juniper smirked. "That’s cinnamon, genius. Try using it instead of complaining."

I chuckled quietly as I dipped a cloth strip into the oil of rosemary and lifted it to my nose, letting the crisp, resinous scent settle into memory.

One by one, we memorized the key markers before stepping onto the forest path.

The air was cool, birds flitting between branches above, the ground soft with leaves. The first marker came quickly—a faint trail of clove oil clinging to a low-hanging branch.

I caught it before the others, the scent sharp and distinct against the natural woodland smells.

"Got it," I whispered, pointing.

Cambria leaned closer, inhaling carefully. "You’re right. It’s clove."

We moved deeper, following faint traces until the second marker revealed itself on a jagged stone, this one sage. Tamryn identified it first, her tone calm and sure, and we marked it down.

But by the third marker, fatigue pressed heavy over me again. My steps slowed. A yawn threatened to slip free, and I covered my mouth quickly, hoping no one noticed.

Nari glanced sideways at me, frowning. "You okay?"

"I’m fine," I lied, focusing harder on the scents.

Juniper’s sharp gaze lingered a moment too long, but she said nothing. Instead, she pointed toward a patch of moss. "There. I think that’s rosemary."

She was right. Together, we marked the third scent, completing the task.

As we turned back toward the clearing, Cambria let out a soft laugh. "Well, that was easier than I expected."

"Speak for yourself," Nari groaned, stretching her arms. "If my nose has to work this hard every week, it’s going to resign."

Her dramatics drew a round of chuckles from us, even me. The knot of exhaustion in my chest eased just a little as we returned to the professor, our group’s findings ready to present.

When we returned to the clearing, the professor was waiting, arms folded as each group presented their findings one by one.

Some struggled, others hesitated, a few even gave the wrong answers, and the professor’s sharp stare cut through them like knives.

Finally, it was our turn. Tamryn spoke first, her calm voice steady as she listed the scents we had identified in order: clove, sage, rosemary.

The professor’s gaze flicked to the parchment in her hand, then back to us. A faint smile tugged at her lips. "Correct. All three."

She walked closer, her boots crunching against the leaves, and stopped right in front of me. "And who found the clove?"

I froze for a second, then lifted my hand. "I did, Professor."

Her green eyes held mine, searching, weighing, but her tone was firm with approval.

"Excellent nose, Miss Shaw. You were the first in the entire class to detect it. Keep sharpening that skill—it may serve you one day when instinct alone has to save your life."

Heat rushed to my cheeks at the praise. I nodded quickly. "Yes, Professor."

Behind me, Nari elbowed Juniper with a grin, whispering, "That’s our Elira," loud enough for me to hear. Juniper rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched in a smirk.

The professor straightened, addressing the class at large. "This group has shown what I expect: teamwork, patience, and precision. Learn from them. You may all go."

A murmur rippled through the students, some casting glances at me as we stepped away. This time, though, the attention didn’t sting. It felt... good.

Nari leaned close as we left the clearing. "Did you see her face? She actually smiled. She never smiles."

Juniper smirked. "Elira might be her new favorite."

I shook my head quickly, laughing under my breath, but inside, warmth spread through me. It had been so long since recognition didn’t come with mockery attached.

By the time we left the clearing, the sun had climbed higher, pouring heat over the clearing.

My roommates and I started to the cafeteria for lunch. But the whispers had already started.

"She got all three right?" a boy muttered behind us.

"Of course she did—didn’t you hear the professor? She found the first marker before anyone else."

Another girl sniffed. "Probably a fluke. Don’t know why everyone’s making a fuss."

Their voices weren’t exactly hushed, but I ignored them, keeping my gaze straight ahead. Still, I could feel the stares—some curious, some impressed, and a few sharp with envy.

Nari, on the other hand, didn’t bother to ignore it. She spun halfway around as we walked.

"Yes, she found it first. Yes, she’s good. If you’re jealous, work harder instead of whining about it."

The muttering behind us fell instantly silent. Juniper smirked at Nari’s fiery defense, while Cambria only shook her head fondly.

"Come on," Tamryn said in her usual calm tone, though her lips curved slightly, "let’s not waste our energy on fleas."

By the time we reached the cafeteria, the tension had already dissolved into laughter among us. We picked up our trays and filled them with food before heading to our usual table.

The scent of grilled turkey, white rice, curry sauce, and sweet berry compote filled the air, and my stomach growled in eager agreement.

Nari dropped onto her seat, grinning ear to ear. "I’m telling you, today feels like a celebration. We are eating victory food."

Juniper stretched her arms lazily, smirking. "I will celebrate when we make it through the week without another stupid announcement."

I laughed softly with them, letting their energy wash over me. But just then, a chime from my phone drew my attention.