The Bonded was a group mainly for students from the most powerful families in the North.
Since Wyrmwood Academy was located in the North, so all the students here were from the North region.
Other regions, the South, East, West, and the capital, each had their own Academy.
At Wyrmwood, every new and old student dreamed of joining 'The Bonded Group'.
Laena was no different. She was a great cadet with excellent grades and a decent rank, but her family background was the one thing stopping her from the joining The Bonded. Her family was well-known in Terraverde City, but they were near the bottom when it came to the overall rankings of the wealthy family in the North.
But everything changes today. Landon family was one of the Top Four richest in the North, and he had offered to get her initiated into the group tonight.
Laena's green dragon, Veridium, landed softly just outside Landon's dormitory. She slid off the back and rubbed the head gently, patting the thick hide.
Veridium let out a low, content sound before flapping her wings and flying off to the dragon stables.
Laena entered the dormitory and found Landon's room. He was already waiting, dressed neatly in a black suit.
When he saw her, Landon's eyes widened for a second, clearly surprised by how good she looked. He quickly settled his expression.
"You look great, Laena," Landon said, his voice smooth.
Laena felt a familiar heat rise in her cheeks, but she steadied herself.
They had left the trial grounds early today, before Reynold even started his tests, to go shopping for this very dress.
"Thank you, Landon," she replied. "You don't look bad yourself."
Landon returned to the mirror, adjusting the knot of his tie as he gave his tie a final push. He then walked over to her, stopping right in front of her. He looked her up and down, then cupped her cheek gently before pressing a quick kiss to her forehead.
"Nervous?" he whispered.
"A little," she admitted, swallowing hard. "But ready."
"Good. It's time."
They walked out together. Landon had already call his dark red dragon, Ignis, to come, and it was already waiting outside.
Landon climbed on first. Laena followed, wrapping her arms around his waist to hold on tight.
Landon tightened his hands on the rein-straps as Ignis flew them high into the night, the moon already visible in the dark sky.
Soon Ignis angled down and dropped them at the building where The Bonded held their meetings.
Landon gave Laena his hand and she took it, their fingers linked as they walked into the hall.
The hall was mostly empty. A few students were drinking, and others were talking quietly in corners.
As they entered, a boy walked up to them.
"Landon. Good of you to finally arrive." He shook Landon's hands before turning his attention to Laena
"This must be Laena, then."
Laena nodded, forcing out a smile. "It is."
"Welcome," the boy said.
Laena felt scared and intimidated by all the powerful faces watching her.
But she kept her expression calm. Seeing how timid she look, Landon's hand, which was now resting on her waist, started rubbing her lightly.
Landon led her to a small bar table and poured a drink for both of them, handing one to her. She took a small sip.
Suddenly, a voice boomed from the doorway in the corner.
"I heard Laena flew her dragon to the trial grounds today. Breaking rules before you're even fully a member. Bit premature, wouldn't you say?"
Laena's hand shook slightly on her glass. She stayed silent. Landon, who had been drinking, set his glass down and placed his hand back on her waist as a support.
The voice continued. "The boy you flew your dragon to see... is he going to cause trouble for us?"
How did they know? Of course. The Bonded had eyes and ears across the entire Academy.
Laena swallowed hard. "No," she said firmly. "He won't be a problem. He's too weak to even get in."
The boy, Bram, stared at her for a moment. "The name?" he asked.
When Laena didn't answer right away, his voice grew colder. "Give us the name, Laena. We can't have you running around after some poor boy like a rogue fly. If this 'boy' turns out to be a problem, we handle it now."
Landon leaned down, whispering quickly. "It's fine. Just give him the name."
Laena took a breath and mumbled, "Reynold Starweaver."
A sudden rush of murmuring swept through the hall.
Bram cold look vanished, replaced by shock.
He repeated the name. "Reynold Starweaver? That boy was your… lover?"
Laena, confused by the shift in the room's mood, quickly nodded. "Yes, but he's not going to be a problem. His chances of getting into the academy are incredibly low, almost zero. He's too weak, he won't make it past the first trial."
Since Landon and Laena had left for shopping before Reynold started his test, they were completely ignorant of what had happened at the trial grounds today. They didn't know about the storm Reynold Starweaver had caused.. His perfect scores had amazed everyone, even the magic students.
Seeing the quiet looks on everyone's faces, Laena worried they were angry. If they were angry, her chance to join The Bonded would be ruined. She had worked too hard for this. Blinded by fear and ambition, she started talking badly about Reynold.
"He's nothing but a weakling. He isn't my type, and he won't be anyone's problem... The Bonded's. He's.."
"Gods. How ignorant and stupid are you?"
The insult was aimed directly at Laena.
Laena snapped her head up. Even Landon frowned, ready to defend her. Who would dare talk to his girl like that?
But the frown disappeared when he saw who it was.
A figure in a white robe stepped fully into the hall. She calmly pulled the robe off, revealing a short, stunning black dress... She wore high heels and carried a small red purse. Her hair was a single, long black braid.
Nymeria Xylaria, a powerful magic user.
The hall went quiet. Everyone, even Landon, offered her a respectful nod.
Laena quickly lowered her head, a look of bitter dislike on her face.
Nymeria Xylaria was everything Laena wanted to be, the power, the position, the family wealth, the effortless style. Everything.