This has to be the stupidest thing the University decided to do. I had come to this conclusion halfway through the first day of the Channeler showcases. Watching the Beasts was interesting since their abilities were each interesting and combat themed. The highlight of the Beast showcasing was both bonded groups. The Sabbath Four were the talk of the rest of the day but I noticed the other bonded group were just as good. Worthy of notice for the upcoming battle classes next semester. The Channelers on the other hand have taken a theme of sexed-up dancing with magic swirling around in some elaborate fashion. It is enough to make me gag a few times. It is embarrassing to think any of them would be required to take up ranks in the Verratarian military. Some Channelers and Beasts go on to do non-military duties, but most strive to be recruited. Of course, the more powerful Channelers had bigger displays of power that gained oohs and aahs from the gathered crowd in the stands. Alas the theme stayed the same. It is frustrating since I was hoping to provide some names to the 6th Battalion for consideration. At this rate that will not happen. I had already convinced myself to dip out completely and deal with the fallout when it came, just as Headmistress Shaylenne booms out the next name.
“Izzalene Grimsbane!” She calls out to the room. Which begins the whispers and gaping of the audience. Heads turn left and right looking for the person to stand. I grind my teeth at the use of my full name. Well, semi full name. Although, I know the last name is going to cause some commotion regardless. She could have kept my first as just Izz. The Grimsbanes are a notorious family that has produced very powerful Channelers and Beasts throughout hundreds of years. A long dark, almost evil history. That is a path I am not going to tread down right now. I stand once Trav basically pushes me to. Shocked faces surround me as I move to take the long trip down from the top of the bleachers. It’s easy to make out the comments of disbelief that I would be a Grimsbane. Or the shame that it is a waste since I obviously don’t have any true magical talent like my relatives. I brush them off because I know why they all think I am a weak Channeler. Because it is exactly what I want them to. I have made it my mission to keep it hidden much to Trav’s disdain. It serves a purpose. It always has.
I make it to where the judges are seated on the gym floor. The Headmistress smiles tightly and whispers to me.
“Try to be a little impressive.” She moves her gaze towards Madame Sade.
“Don’t I always?” By the look on her face that is not the answer she was looking for. Most likely because I never try to be impressive. Not in these halls.
I make my way to the center of the floor all the while trying to come up with something to display that will cause the least amount of attention to my true power but also keep the faculty off my ass. As I turn towards the crowd and judges, my eyes are scanning along them all when I feel the intrusive push towards my mind. My gaze snaps onto Madame Sade’s reflective eyes. She is staring straight at me not at all giving away what she is doing. Rather attempting to do. Luckily for her she has given me the answer of what to display. I pull my right hand out of my black oversized hoodie and raise my hand to my face. The room quiets. I snap my ring and thumb together, the sound louder than usual given it’s the only noise. Stopping the arrow midair that was intended to split my mind open to her. A red flame burns on the edge of my pointer finger that I ignited with the snap. Mimicking a lighter. Unknown to the crowd, at the same time that I snapped my fingers I sent a wave of my power right towards Madame Sade.
“If you wanted inside my mind. It’s polite to ask Madame.” I state.
Madame Sade has the decency to look shocked. We now stand inside her mind. She is wearing the same type of robes she usually wears. Different layers and patterns that both look like they go together and don’t. Her hair however is not wrapped and lies freely past her waist in small individual braids. Her eyes are a softer hazel than her glassy ones in the outer plane. She holds her hands together as she appraises me. My inner plane self always presents the same. I wear a traditional Chaos Warrior dress that wraps around my body. It is lined with fabric, but the outer part is chainmail. The back is open to highlight my markings. Chains connected from the neck to the wrists practically hide and show my markings along my back and arms. The dress falls all the way to the floor with one slit going up my upper right thigh. It is completely black with some specks of glitter to portray the void of the night sky. My hair is in a ponytail with braids on the sides of my head. A crown made of obsidian intertwined into it. My eyes are marked with black kohl on the lids straight to my temples. My lips are painted just as black. I smile wickedly at her.
“You are a soothsayer.” She reasons.
“I am. Among many other things.”
“Your professors made it seem as though you are nothing more than a mediocre Channeler. Yet you were not only able to prevent me from entering yours but pushed past my own mental defenses.”
“You need stronger ones I’m afraid. As for the professors, there are only a few who even know my real name. Now why are you entering the minds of the students?” I ask, skipping the small talk.
“Caught on to that?” She smirks to herself. “It’s easier to find connections when you know one’s intentions.”
“And here I thought you had some mythical ability to see them.”
“That as well. The connection lines only tell so much, however. They are fragile and can both be broken and strengthened throughout time and experiences. It’s an individual’s inner self that speaks the truth about the potential of a connection. Of one’s commitment to their Channeler or Beast. A connection line can exist but may not grow because the Channeler or Beast does not share a strong commitment with the other. It takes work for a true bond to be everlasting. That is why I produce the strongest and lasting connecting pairs. I look beyond the connection lines and into the individuals for true willingness to connect. Take your connection for example…”
“Careful, Seer. I did not come here to speak on that. Only to suss out your intentions.” I stop her from continuing down that uncomfortable conversation.
She only gives a quirked brow before moving on. “Ah, so you are a Chaos Channeler.” Her smile widens fully.
Fuck. I always forget that my powers are harder to hide within the inner plane. The spike of emotion from her bringing up Trav must have caused my eyes to flash to their true form. I decide it’s better not to reply.
“Hm. No wonder the unknowing professors are completely ignorant of your power. Either they are too weak to notice or make a point not to. None of them would be helpful with training you anyway.”
I let her rant on since she is completely right. A few of the faculty know of my status because it is necessary for them to know. The rest cannot detect my power since I am a master at controlling it enough to hide. Not one of them knows how to teach a Chaos Channeler. Majority of Chaos Channelers’ fate ends with death for others or themselves. I am the first Chaos Channeler to enroll at Sabbath. Being taught was not the reason I came here, so it isn’t a huge loss. Well, much of a loss.
“Do you wish to be taught?”
I tilt my head at her. “Taught by who?”
Her eyes flash an inky black before going back to the hazel. “I may know someone.”
Now it is my turn to look shocked. “You are a Chaos Channeler?”
“Part Chaos not full like yourself.” She makes a show of gathering a small spinning black ball of chaos magic in her palm. She closes her fist around it. “I still have a lot of knowledge regardless.”
“You’d just be willing to teach me?”
“You are powerful Izz and a force to be reckoned with all on your own. You still however show the signs of Chaos fatigue. If it continues… your fate will be like the others. Plus, your seer skills could use some work.” She adds with a smirk.
“And here I thought I hide the fatigue fairly well.”
“You do on the outside but here in the inner and through your connection lines it’s there. With the right training you will be able to combat it no problem.”
“I will never turn down a chance to learn by a master. I am not naive to know I lack in some areas.” I concede.
“Then it is done. Your training will start tomorrow night.” She sharply nods her head.
“Very well. ‘Til then, Madame Sade.”
As quickly as I am inside her head, I take myself out. Our gazes are still meeting when I blow out my finger. I place my left hand on my belly and swing my right arm out into the air. I make a show of a bow to the audience. To them it is a matter of a few minutes. All oblivious to what just took place between Sade and me. To them I have just been standing there staring at my flame the entire time. I straighten and look at the other judges who look bewildered or downright disappointed in the Headmistress’ case. It makes no difference to me. There is only one person that we needed to impress in this ridiculous showing, and I am confident I did just that. I make my way back to my seat as the giggles and comments start again. I am not aware if anyone clapped or booed my display. Not that I care in the slightest.
“What the fuck was that?” Trav all but growls when I make it up to him. He is already standing to greet me.
“That? That was two grown up Channelers chatting.” I simply state. His brows pinch in confusion. I will have to explain it to him later since he will think my “lack of performance” was a snub to the whole connection process. I’m not surprised that he or anyone didn’t pick up on it. You’d have to be overtly powerful or skilled in the inner plane to have.
A gaze is on me when I look around the room as another Channeler begins her showcase. I look down a few rows to see one of the Sabbath Four looking at me from the corner of his eye. His black eyes hold wariness but also a level of suspicion in them. Apparently, at least one person caught on. I put him on a list of dangerous individuals to watch. From his showcase, he is a Shadow Weaver of sorts since he is able to control them at will. Which means he may have been able to tell that we were in the inner plane using a form of shadow magic. He wouldn’t have been able to hear into our conversation without me noticing. It is a useful skill if honed correctly, and a useful one to any battalion. They just keep adding checkmarks to the recruitment list. I’m staring off into space as I recall the conversation with Madame Sade. Outwardly no one would notice the strain I endure constantly. I don’t know how much longer I can last like this.