"Valemnians have the natural abilities to control an element. If not elements, then something equally as powerful."

♣

CHAPTER TEN ♣ THE BATH



Valeriana had her sword flying out of her hands a couple of times. Seraphina was ruthless. She never thought she would have a tyrannical side.

"That's not enough! Put more effort into it!" Seraphina reprimanded as she knocked the sword out of Valeriana's hands for the umpteenth time.

Valeriana collapsed and held up her arms in surrender. "A minute to breathe . . . please," she begged.

The lady knight panted but relaxed the hand holding the sword. "I don't think that's enough. Your muscles aren't very well-developed so you're having a hard time."

"As expected," Valeriana said, panting. "I can't even win against you."

"You don't have to feel bad about it," she told her reassuringly. "Dawn will arrive soon." Seraphina stared at the clearing skies and sighed, chugging down some water from a wineskin. They were both drenched in their own sweat.

"So fast?"

"You should go take a bath before everything else," she suggested. "You need to feel rejuvenated."

"A bath sounds tempting." She stood from the sandy ground and dusted her pants. The clothes she was wearing were marred by dirt and sweat. She felt sticky all over and she stunk. "I feel bad for the owner of these clothes." She tugged on the soft, comfy sleeves.

"You don't have to worry about it," she said and paused, scrutinizing the way she looked in the attire. "They're yours from now on." She slid off of her leather armor and dumped it in some sort of large container with the others. Valeriana did the same, but had a hard time trying to pull the thing off.

"Really? For free?" She sheathed the sword and placed it gingerly in the armoire, sparing Seraphina a few glances while she did so. "Why?"

"One more reason is because you need a change of clothes," she simply replied. "Those belonged to me when I was still in the academy. They're old and they were collecting dust within my closet. I figured I should give them to you."

"These belonged to you? It's been taken good care of." Valeriana then sighed. She gazed at the lady knight and smiled before saying, "Thank you very much for everything. Now I feel like I have a chance to win, even if it's just little."

Seraphina smiled. "You're very much welcome. I can't say it's enough to let you win, but I've taught you enough to let you live."

"That isn't comforting but . . . thanks."

Seraphina was really a good mentor. She learned a lot in just a few hours it was a miracle. The thing she was worried about was the duel she would be having with Courtney. Hopefully, Seraphina was right.

"I see that you and Lady Seraphina are finally done with training." Corvan's voice rang imposingly. He walked into the arena in a refined manner.

"Why, Lord Corvan. What brought you here? I thought you were resting."

"I'm here to deliver a message from Headmaster Kylon. He wants you by his side before the duel commences."

"For what reason?"

"He told me that you should try to find out yourself and head over to him instead."

The lady knight made a noise of obvious annoyance. "Alright. I leave Valeriana in your hands. Take her to the baths for me, and fetch her the clothes appropriate for the event of the duel as well."

"But . . ." He glared at her and she returned it.

"You can ask someone else to do it, just make sure she receives that bath and the clothes she needs. I'll be going now then, Valeriana." Seraphina made her way out of the arena and quickly disappeared from Corvan and Valeriana's sight. When she was out, the lord turned to the human and quirked a brow.

"What are you standing there for?" he asked.

"Isn't it obvious? Watching her leave." She pointed to the direction Seraphina disappeared to.

Corvan looked straight into Valeriana's eyes. They stared at each other for a few moments until Corvan leaned towards Valeriana, his face closing in. Valeriana's heart jumped to her throat, wondering what was he planning, but the guy merely huffed in disgust and flicked his nose. He looked revolted as he withdrew.

"You smell," he spat out.

Valeriana's face went red with fury. "Then take me to the bathroom, you idiot!"

"Don't raise your voice if you don't want me tearing it out," he said.

-*-

Valeriana sneezed loudly as she stripped off her clothes and stepped into the bath. There was no one she was to share it with, so she had it all alone to herself.

It wasn't what she was expecting it to be. Instead of cubicles and shower heads, all she saw was an open pool with steam rising from the water.

She didn't like to be naked in public so she wrapped herself with a piece of cloth she found folded among others in a cabinet. Valeriana figured it was for the purpose. Hopefully, she was right. She wasn't going to risk having anyone see her in her birthday suit.

The bath helped her muscles relax and she breathed out a loud sigh. This would help her relax a bit.

She spent a few minutes musing to herself what in the world she was supposed to do and pulling on her hair as she rubbed off the dirt, feeling antsy because of the impending match. When she looked down at her fingers, she realized her skin had turned to prunes and it was probably time to leave.

Valeriana sighed and heaved herself out of the water. She walked out of the baths through the doors, only to stumble upon a bundle of clean clothes.

"I'll be taking this, thank you," she whispered. She bent down and took it inside her hands, feeling the soft cloth with her palms.

She decided to try it on and discovered it was slightly different from the previous get-up Seraphina described as the school's gym clothes. The top's design was more intricate. The front ran down with ruffles and flat, silver buttons. The sleeves were puffy, until it tightened around the wrists with strips of ribbons needing to be wound together. It was slightly loose around the waist so she needed to tuck it into the brown pants it came with.

"I'm starting to regret even agreeing to all of this now," she muttered, looking over her outfit. She placed a hand on her chin and thoughtfully spoke.

She anxiously stepped out of the dressing room. The mirrors on the walls were big enough for her to see her whole self.

She flicked back her damp hair and quietly left the room. Corvan was patiently waiting for her outside, arms crossed while leaning against the wall. If he would only remove that frown from his face, he would look like a model from a cover magazine.

"You took your sweet time in there," he said, his eyes fixed on Valeriana's face. "I bet you looked like a raisin for quite a while."

She huffed, though did not make any move to deny what he said.

"Now, let us depart." Corvan spun, his long hair swishing slightly behind him. He had tied it in a ponytail with a white ribbon while letting stray strands of his hair to accentuate his face.

She felt nervous of the upcoming duel. All this tension made her want to puke.

Her stomach suddenly made noises of protest. Really. How to puke with an empty stomach?

Corvan stopped and raised a brow at her. "Do you need to eat?"

"No." She shook her head sarcastically. "My stomach didn't growl. I don't need nourishment 'cuz I'm just that awesome. It's just my monster side coming out."

He snorted at her sarcastic comment. "Then, I'll guide you straight to the dueling area without eating since you're that awesome."

She was silent.

"I could use some snacks, though . . ."

Still, hunger was making her more nervous.

She encouraged herself silently by clenching her fist. Her father used to say that life was a battleground itself. It was an infinite cycle of challenges and obstacle. This was no different. She was going to survive all of it.

Even though he was dead, she was going to make him so proud it would send him dancing in his grave.

"Don't tell me you're scared," Corvan said.

"I'm fine," she answered.

He ignored her reply. "I recommend you back out while you have a chance."

"No . . ." Valeriana's shoulders sagged in defeat. She gulped. "Don't even start," Valeriana told him, not wanting to feel like running away with her tail between her legs.

"I've never seen an idiot like you my entire life."

"I'm the good kind of idiot. Just the way I am, I guess." She stuck her tongue out at him.

Corvan sighed, giving in to her stubbornness.

"You should start valuing your life more."

"But I'm not a coward," Valeriana retaliated, remembering her father's advices.

"Why do you desire to attend this academy anyway? What for?"

A smile lifted Valeriana's lips. She held up her fist and pumped it dramatically. "Because it's free!" she exclaimed. "Lord Aeron told me I wouldn't have to pay for anything if I got in!"

"Forget I asked," he indifferently replied.