The Academy’s Rejected Mage

Making Partners

Aelia’s POV

The instructor drops a stack of papers onto his desk. “You know the drill, Partners, now.”

Everyone scatters around, searching for their favorite persons to partner up with. The academy has no problems

with you working with a friend as long as you bring results.

“I chose her first.”

“No, I did. She’s my friend.”

I quietly watch as they argue amongst themselves. Then I turn toward him. He’s still sitting alone. Nobody has approached him and they won’t.

Yes, they want to be connected to him but for something like this, they’re too uncertain and terrified of him to choose him as a partner. Void magic? What if they try to attack a monster and their partner swallows their magic instead.

“Kai,” the instructor calls. “You need a partner.”

He doesn’t even look up. “No. I’ll work alone.”

“You can’t. Everyone gets a partner because the assignment requires it.”

He locks his jaw and looks around the room but he quickly sees it’s useless. Everyone is physically hiding from him.

He tightens his jaw, and I see the irritation building in his eyes.

A boy taps my shoulder, sees that it’s me and immediately scurries off. Of course, who would dare ask me for a partnership? I make the call, they don’t. If I share the class with Orin, we are automatically partners. If not, I choose who I want, they don’t choose me.

I get up and turn towards his direction. Immediately, the other students start murmuring and pointing at me.

When I stop by his desk, he looks up, eyes narrow.

“Did you miss your way?”

I scoff. How rude. And it’s quite interesting because no one has ever been that rude to me before. “Looks like we’re partners.”

He scoffs. “Hell no.”

I blink. “No?”

“You heard me.”

“But you don’t have anyone.”

“I will find someone.”

I look around the room with an amused smile. “Who? Who exactly do you think wants to work with a dangerous partner?”

He looks at me and I fold my arms across my chest. “Sure, it might be good against the creatures we’re up against but trust me, the only thing people have on their minds is how you might destroy them before you destroy those creatures.”

His stare deepens and I continue. “Besides, Everyone else already has a partner.”

“Then, I’ll work alone.”

“The instructor just said—.”

“I heard what he said.”

“So why are you trying to make things difficult?” my voice drops as I decide to tease him. Something that surprises me too because I’m never one to make jokes with anybody.

“Why? Are you scared I’ve been too close to me?”

His eyes sharpened immediately. “I don’t know what you’re thinking but I just don’t want to work with you.”

“Well guess what, that makes two of us.”

“Good. Then leave me alone.” He turns away.

“Unfortunately, I can’t do that. Whether you like it or not, we are going to end up together. Everyone has already picked themselves which means the instructor will bind us. Isn’t it better to show him that we made this decision ourselves?”

He looks back. “I think you’re funny?”

“Funny?” I laugh, genuinely. “And why the hell would I try to be? I’m only trying to get my assignment done so I can go up the ladder.”

He stares until the instructor's voice comes up again. “Everything settled?”

I hold his gaze as I reply to the instructor. “Yes, sir. Kai and I will be working together.”

He tightens his fist and mutters, “Unfortunately.”

“Is she really crazy enough to work with him? He’s going to kill her.”

Another voice answers. “Exactly. And then Orin is going to kill him.”

“That part, I doubt. The boy has void magic. Do you know how difficult it will be to win against him?” One says.

“Well that is if they have a fight of magic. If they use their strength as men, he stands no chance with Orin. Orin has been training for years,” Another replies.

I hear all of it, but they decide to ignore them. Kai looked like he had arrived at the same decision but as they mentioned that last part, something shifted in him. He’s about to turn and say something when I block him with my arm. “Don’t,” I caution, shaking my head.

“Don’t what?”

“Do what you’re about to do. Don’t stoop to their level.”

His expression changes slightly. “Why do you care?”

“I don’t.”

“Then don’t tell me what to do,” his reply is harsh and I expect him to carry on with his plan. But to my surprise, he settles down, ignoring them completely. A small smile lines at the corners of my lips against my better judgment.

I hate that he’s playing me like this but I can’t help it but still be somehow enchanted by it.

“Perfect, everyone now has a partner,” The instructor claps his palms together and begins explaining the assignment. “Each pair will enter the training arena and fight five summoned creatures. Your grade will be based on teamwork, combat ability and—.”

He raises his hand.

The instructor stops. “Yes, Kai, how can I help you?”

“Do I really need to work with her?”

I fold my hands across my chest. “And what is the problem with that? You don’t want to work with me because I’m a girl? Why? You think I’m weak?”

He stares. “I never said that.”

“Yeah, but you constantly imply it.”

“Well if you say so…”

I let out a dry chuckle. Then he adds quietly, “I don’t want to hurt you.”

I shake my head. “So you are looking down on me because I’m a girl?”

“Again, I never said that.”

I get up and hold his gaze. “You’re unbelievable, but guess what, I'm going to make you eat your words.”

His lips twitch. “Probably. But let’s just hope you survive long enough to do that.”

My fists tighten beside me. The absolute nerve of him.