Laughter ran through the Competitors, and even High Master Zhuang managed to crack a smile as he waved them to silence once more.
“Those are the rules of engagement, and all that’s left are a couple of practical issues. We’re currently in the Training Room—this is where you will spend your mornings. A Training Master has been assigned from each college, and they will be available every morning to assist and oversee your training. In the afternoons, each pair will be given time in a private sparring room in which to train. How you make use of that time is entirely up to you.
“Finally, after the Second Final, those still in the competition will be given some time off and again after the Fourth Final. Other than that, you will be confined to the Training Grounds.”
High Master Zhuang stopped and looked over the crowd. He sighed and suddenly appeared much older than he actually was—worn out from seeing so many people so determined to rush toward death.
“That’s everything you need to know about The Five Finals,” he said. “All that’s left for me to do is to wish you luck.”
* * *
The Five Finals Competitors were separated into five groups, based on which Great College they had competed in. The Training Master for the Elemental College turned out to be a small man with a bored expression. He introduced himself as Master Akerman and impatiently ushered the five competing pairs from the Elemental Trials into one corner of the Training Room.
“So, let’s get this out of the way,” he began. “I don’t want to be here. I’m not a fan of watching young people do their best to destroy each other. I think this practice is barbaric and completely pointless in these modern times. However, my feelings on the subject are completely beside the point. And seeing as you lot seem to be utterly determined to pound on each other, I would at least prefer to see the winning pair come from the Elemental College. So, take a look at everyone in this group. While I can’t stop you from challenging each other, I would strongly discourage you to do so.”
“That’s ridiculous. The weakest person in The Five Finals is sitting in this group. Why shouldn’t we challenge her and gain ourselves an advantage for the First Final?”
The question came from one of the older members of their group. He was tall and solidly built with dark brown hair cropped close in the classic army style. His size was definitely intimidating, and even from the back, Allyra could see the bulk of his muscles were threatening to tear apart his shirt.
A retort ready on her lips, Allyra made to face him, knowing full well that she was the subject of his question. But she wasn’t quick enough.
Jason stepped out in front of him, with one eyebrow arched. “Please allow me to explain why you shouldn’t challenge her,” he drawled slowly. “Because she’s already survived the Between. But mainly because a challenge to her also means a Challenge to me. Think carefully whether you want to meet me in the Tunnels, François.”
François narrowed his eyes at Jason. “Are we supposed to be scared of you?” he asked, his voice almost a growl. “You might be favored by Marcus, but the truth is that you’re just some pathetic orphan that Marcus found wandering the streets. You have no family, no lineage. Nothing. And when it comes down to it, you were beaten in the Trials by an Atmospheric. I don’t see anything I should be scared of.”
Jason clenched his fingers into a fist until the tendons in his forearms tightened rigidly. She reached out instinctively and touched his wrist, afraid that he might start a fight and get them thrown out before The Five Finals had really even begun.
Jason jerked his arm away, almost as if her touch burned him. He spun around and shot her a glare of utter loathing, his dark indigo eyes seething with barely contained fury. Whatever hurt and anger François had awakened in him, Jason had now focused it fully on her.
Allyra refused to flinch under his gaze, but she couldn’t help the tiny spark of empathy flaring into life deep within her heart. Jason had told her that he was an orphan during the week they’d spent together preparing for the Final Trial. He’d thrown out the comment as if it was of no consequence. She hadn’t believed him then, thinking it to be just another ploy to try to throw her off her game. But François had thrown the fact at Jason like an insult, one that had clearly hit its mark. It became all too clear that Jason had been nothing but truthful, at least on that point.
She was sorry. Logic told her there was no space for sympathy in The Five Finals, and she did her best to stamp out the feeling, kicking it to the gutter like a piece of garbage on the road. But the truth was she couldn’t help it—it was as much a part of her as the need to take every stray puppy home. By winning the Elemental Trials she’d kept her promise to Alex and secured her freedom, but she’d never stopped to think what it might have cost Jason or any of the other Trials Competitors she’d beaten on her way to the win. What it might have done to their dreams and ambitions.
Before she could say or do anything, Master Akerman had pushed his way between Jason and François.
“Okay, okay. We all get it—you’re all strong and brave and just dying to get some hits in. But I urge you all to
