Zuri groaned as she stood in the castle's grand training hall.
"Another test?!" she whispered to Rowan. "How many tests does one villainess—I mean, person—have to take in one week?"
Rowan, carrying a stack of scrolls, muttered, "If you survive this one, you might live to complain about the next."
Zuri blinked at him. "Survive? That doesn't sound like a test; that sounds like an audition for disaster."
At that moment, Caden entered the hall, looking… impossibly serious.
"Good morning," he said. "Today's test is a summoning exercise. You must summon a creature, control it, and complete the trial without causing structural damage."
Zuri raised an eyebrow. "Control it… okay… how hard can that be? The orb worked yesterday… mostly…"
Caden's eyes twitched. "Mostly does not count here."
---
Zuri took a deep breath and began the ritual, repeating the incantation Rowan had written down. The orb floated into position, spinning in mid-air. The dragon, perched on her shoulder, watched intently, occasionally sneezing small sparks.
"Focus," Caden instructed. "Control it through your mind. You can do this."
Zuri nodded. "Control… mind… brain… magical thinking… I got this."
She waved her hands. The orb twitched, shot upward, and suddenly transformed into… a very large, extremely fluffy cloud with tiny glowing eyes.
"Uh… that's… cute?" Rowan asked nervously.
Zuri frowned. "Cute? No! I wanted a fierce elemental, not a plush toy! Attack! Do something!"
The fluffy cloud blinked at her. Then… it sneezed rainbow sparks across the hall.
"Rowan! Stop laughing!" Zuri shouted.
"I'm not!" Rowan wheezed, falling onto the floor, trying to avoid the sparks.
Caden pinched the bridge of his nose. "I should have expected this…"
The cloud floated lazily toward the wall, leaving scorch marks in its path. The baby dragon chirped indignantly, tiny flames flicking at the cloud.
Zuri flailed. "Stop fighting! You're supposed to listen to me!"
The cloud sneezed again, creating a rainbow explosion. Zuri, the dragon, and Rowan were covered in glittering sparks.
Caden finally stepped forward. "Alright, step back. Let me guide you."
He held her hands, moving them slowly in the ritual pattern. Zuri felt a warm surge of magic flow through her. The cloud shimmered, blinked, and… obeyed. It floated in a perfect circle around her.
Zuri blinked. "I… did it?"
Caden smiled faintly. "You did. But it seems you need… supervision."
Zuri grinned. "Supervision is fine. I like supervision. Especially when it comes with… heroic, handsome princes guiding me."
Caden coughed. "I—um—let's just focus on the test."
The dragon chirped again, nuzzling Zuri's cheek. She laughed. "See? Even he agrees with me."
Somewhere in the castle mirrors, Zelaria's spirit sneered.
"She's stronger than expected… and she's already forming bonds with everyone. This complicates everything."
---