Auctioned off to a School for Magic

Chapter Nine: Teams

I walked into the room and looked at Jezebeth who was still in the bed but she wasn’t asleep. “How was your date?” She asked as she sat up and looked at me.

“Oh it was good but we aren’t doing that again. We’re just going to stay friends because Zander isn’t really my type.” I went to grab clothes since I was planning on showering before heading off to be.

“What is your type?” She asked.

I chuckled. “Nothing too specific, just girls. This doesn’t mean I’m going to go and try to date one but it’s cool to know what I like. I don’t mind giving people chances but I really want to focus on getting out of here not dating.” I explained. "I want to see the world with you."

Jezebeth blushed. “Yeah that’s good. I was starting to think you didn’t like people at all which would be fine too…”

I laughed. “I’m just not focused on that stuff Jeze, maybe it'd change if I started to like someone but I don’t.”

“You don’t like anyone at all?” She laid back down.

“No but I know I can if that makes sense. I like the idea of romance and stuff. I don’t want to even meet the right person until I’m older. I don’t want to meet them here and then want to stay. If you met someone I’d be okay with that, maybe they could just come with us.” I said that but I didn't like the thought of Jezebeth dating, it annoyed me. I just said it because I didn’t want her to feel like she couldn’t like anyone. “Hey what did the officers talk to you about the other day when they called you to the eight floor?”

“...They wanted me to skip grades but I declined.” She answered. “They said I didn’t have a choice but I convinced them otherwise.”

I frowned. “They really want you to become an officer.” First they ask her to skip grades now they’re encouraging her to assist an officer out on the field. They were going to force her to skip grades this really isn’t good. “Jeze, I think we should try to break out sooner than we planned.”

She looked over at me. “Do you think we can?” Officers of the order were no joke, they were some of the most skilled magic users in this realm. 

“I don’t know.” I sighed.

“Let’s agree not to try until we know we can okay…? I don’t want anything to happen to you.” She sounded so caring but that made sense because Jezebeth cared about me more than anyone else. “I know we won’t have to spend these last four years here. I’ll do whatever I have to so I can avoid being an officer early like they want.”

I nodded and left for my shower. 

The next day was Saturday and we usually spent the weekends in our room hanging out. Either that or right outside of the building where the officers made sure we didn’t go too far. Now we could leave so that changed things a lot. 

We were in line behind Alice and Grace at the front desk so we could leave the school. “Hey do you guys all want to be in a group for the school games?” Julie asked as we all walked out of the building with our tracking bracelets on. 

The school games was an event were the school would compete in groups to see which groups are the best at different categories of magic. It’s an event for upperclassmen only so this would be our first year competing. All advanced track students were required to participate since we're the best of the school. The event is held in an arena in the largest mage city far from here and always has a huge audience. They also broadcast live on TVs in the magical and demon realm. It's helped spread word of the order.

“Yeah all four of us should be on a team, I think it’s a good idea.” Zander said.

This was another thing they used to see who'd be good as an officer. I want to use it for a chance to show the world what me and Jezebeth can do together. “Me and Jezebeth are just going to compete as a duo this year.” 

“Duos never win, it’s always teams with four or five.” Julie said. “Come on Ruth, we both know Jezebeth is one of the best so if she’s on the team then she’s definitely going to win.” It’s not about winning, it’s about our debut to the world.

Alice who was walking with Grace ahead of us, turned around. We weren’t with them but we were going into the same city at the same time. “Julie just because Jezebeth is a lot better than you doesn’t mean she’s better than some of us.” She referred to herself. 

“I think you guys are underestimating Ruth.” Jezebeth mumbled but we all heard her clearly. 

Alice looked at me and chuckled. “I don’t think a human would be all that much of a threat.”

Grace grabbed her arm. “Come on Alice, stop bothering them.” She looked back and waved at Zander before they both turned around and walked in another direction. 

“Is Grace the one you were talking about Ruth?” Zander asked me.

I nodded. “Yeah I’m pretty sure she likes you, she stares at you in class and stuff."

Julie frowned and stopped us. “So this isn’t happening?” She gestured to me and Zander.

I shook my head. “We’re just friends.”

“Julie what if me and you got on Alice and Grace’s team for the games?” Zander suggested.

Julie shrugged. “Ask if you want but are you sure you want to be on the same team as Alice? She’s a control freak and perfectionist.” She gasped. “Which is exactly why we should. Maybe she’s the leader we’d need.” She looked at me and Jezebeth. “We’re going to go catch up with them so we can ask. We'll try to catch up with you guys later.” 

I nodded and watched them start jogging in the direction of Grace and Alice. The games still weren’t for four more months so I wasn’t worrying about it yet. “I guess it’s just us two, we can go find some ice cream.”

Jezebeth smiled softly. “Okay.” We started walking.

“What did you mean about them underestimating me?” I asked her.

She locked her arm in mine. “They were acting like you weren’t a threat at all. Having you on someone’s team would give them an advantage.” I felt like recently Jezebeth has been seeing me as her equal but I don’t think I’ll ever be as talented and powerful as she is. We sat down at an ice cream restaurant that had outside seating. “You’re a great psychic they just don’t see that because our classes don’t focus on psychic abilities. They only see what you can do with magic.”

“Thanks I hope I’m as good as you think. I try to train my abilities but it’s hard without classes, basic instruction takes you a long way. I do what I can with text books.” When I was an underclassmen me and the few other other psychics were placed in an extra class to teach us how to use our abilities but they don’t have that for upperclassmen.

I looked up and saw Officer Natalie approach us. “Hello girls. I was in the line over there and overhead a little of your conversation. Ruth if you need some psychic training I can assist since I’m also a psychic.” Officer Natalie was a psychic mage. 

I was surprised but interested in her offer. “Okay, but what do you get out of it?”

She reached into her back and handed us both a slip. “Maybe I can get you both to sign up to assist me in jobs.”

This was just a way to get Jezebeth to want to be an officer. They want her to assist one so that it changes her mind.  “No thanks.”

Jezebeth looked at Natalie. “Well think about it and get back to you.” She said and watched Natalie leave. “Ruth Imagine how much more powerful you can be if she teaches you. Assisting her in jobs won’t change our direction and these only last a semester. Remember what you said when we first came here about using their resources to become stronger than them. This would just be us doing that.

I thought hard and she was right, I was just being stubborn this is what we needed. “Okay, we’ll do it.”