an illusion of mind

after they made it back Amanda had made up a random story of how bandits had kidnapped her and Evan along with Regina rescued her and defeated the bandits, they explained it to the professor who first found them.

he seemed sceptical at first but he believed them eventually.

but Regina was confused, what is happening here?

Regina entered the class the next day to be greeted by a tense atmosphere, she found a few students that weren't from their class all the way in the back, they were chatting among each other, they wore a green uniform which signified they were second years, unlike the blue uniform of first years.

among them was a girl with glasses, Rica?

Regina didn't know the girl that well she was just an acquaintance of hers, they knew each other but never spoke too well, the second years seemed to be surrounding Rica and speaking among each other, Rica seemed to shiver every now and then, her eyes were glued to the ground and she did not dare look at them.

the other students avoided eye contact with the third years and when she walked into the class, she had drawn the attention of everyone including the second years, Regina raised an eyebrow and smiled at the seniors, some of her classmates seemed to let out a sigh of relief.

"well isn't this quite the sight~" Regina spoke up in an amused tone, as she walked over to the group of seniors, they were 5, 3 males and one 2 female.

"who's it now? don't you know how to mind your business junior?" one of them spoke up, he was a chubby short one and he wore glasses, he sneered at Regina almost mockingly.

"hoo~ I apologize senior~ but this is kind of my seat~ and your using it right now~" she said pointing at the place they were all sitting with Rica in the middle.

"your seat? junior, you must not know what respect is." a girl with long black hair that went down to her waist spoke up and she got up standing a head taller than Regina, she was sizing her up she was most likely the leader, "kneel down and apologize right not for claiming this is your seat when we're clearly using it." she spoke in a threatening voice, a wide smile on her face, her ruby red eyes meeting Regina's Blood red ones.

it was a clash of hues of red, "senior, I would appreciate it if you left my seat alone for now." Regina's eyelid twitched but not in anger, she was excited.

the atmosphere changed drastically as all eyes turned to the two, they were staring at each other very intensely, it looked like a fight was about to break out between the two when Regina sighed.

"well, it can't be helped if the seniors want this seat..." she said looking away for a second then her eyes turned back up to look at the senior, a wide smile finding it's way on her face, her tone turned mocking and she spoke up for all to hear, "then I will have to relent and give up this seat for my dear seniors who I respect so very much~" she spoke up loud enough for all to hear.

some gasps were heard from her classmates, her sarcastic tone made it sound extremely rude, like she was the one who handed the seat over to them in pity, the ruby eyed girl smiled widely, but her smile masked immense anger and fury, veins bulged on her face as her teeth grinded together in a forced smiled.

"little girl~ did you know what you just did?" She spoke her tone angered and serious, she was very angry, extremely angry.

a member of her group got up and put a hand on her shoulder hesitantly, "h-hey Viktoria... let's not do this here..." the other female in the group spoke up, her voice was stuttering as if she's afraid of Viktoria, she had short white hair with blue eyes.

it was as if a malicious aura was rising from Viktoria, Red energy wisped off her body and her face darkened as the girl pulled her hand away in fear while squeaking.

Regina just looked straight into her eyes unafraid smiling widely, it looked as if Viktoria had grown several times taller in Regina's perspective her eyes were predatory as if ready to devour Regina whole, a bead of sweat rolled down her chin, but she never faltered, she smiled even wider her eyes widening in mania.

then the aura abruptly stopped, and Viktoria backed down, she gestured for her group to follow as she went to leave the class, she stopped at the door and turned back, "you've just messed with the wrong person whoever you are blonde girl, I invoke my authority as rank 1 of the royal class in the second year to a 'tradition of trials' on the first years Royal class, have four chosen contenders by the end of the week" she said her eyes wide in anger and rage, she finished before she slammed the door behind her.

it took a long time for the first years class to realize what had happened, "Regina do you realize... WHAT YOU'VE JUST DONE?!!" Rica yelled at her shaking her shoulders, but Regina just smiled widely not paying attention to anyone, still watching the door her expression that of excitement and eagerness.

Rica continued scolding Regina, the class was whispering and gasping as they pointed fingers at Regina and blamed her for this.

of course Regina wasn't ignorant she knew exactly what a 'Tradition of trials' was, it was originally a way for the second years or higher to test the lower years, and only the rank one had that authority, but in the recent years it had devolved into a way to keep the lower years in check, it's a ruthless tradition where the second years would beat whatever unfortunate students that were to be picked for the trials half to death, and show them as an example to run fear through the first years and force them to never rebel.

this tradition was mandatory.

"this has gotten interesting!" Regina shook in excitement her breath quickening at the thought of having fun with her seniors.

"fuck... who do even we pick for the fight?" Rica said holding her forehead as she felt her head throb from the headache, she was sitting next to Regina.

"of course I'll go, that leaves three more seats open, who would like to go?" Regina announced asking while she stood in front of the class her hands on the desk while she smiled.

"..." no one spoke up.

"hmmm~ well that's troublesome~" Regina put a finger on her chin and cocked her head back in deep thought, both Arron and Amanda are out for the count, that leaves only a few strong students to pick from, Adam was an easy pick of course but he wasn't here right now, she'll tell him when he arrives, that left two seats open.

the door to the classroom opened and Regina turned to the door as did all the other students, Suzi walked in and paused seeing the students staring at her.

JACKPOT!!!!

"what?" she asked looking around at the classroom.

Regina walked up to Suzi and she smiled widely, her smile was manic borderline crazy, she looked like an evil business woman about to rip away all of your life work.

Suzi shivered seeing this face and she almost threw a punch but she restrained herself, "...what do you want?"

"oh~ it's a simple small request my dear friend Suzi~" Regina spoke up wrapping a hand around Suzi's neck.

"... we're not friends..." she said narrowing her eyes at Regina suspiciously.

Regina ignored her words and spoke again, "you see there was a group of evil seniors that were in the class a few minutes ago~" Regina said clenching a hand in front of Suzi's eyes, "they made fun of our dear friend Rica~" she said her tone carrying false justice and she gestured at Rica who still shivered from the previous encounter, Regina's expression turned blank but she put on her act again.

"anyways, these seniors invoked the 'Tradition of Trials' on us, so we have to defend ourselves!" Regina finished and she swiped a hand in the air, "so would you like to participate as a fighter?" Regina asked simply finishing dropping all her justice filled facade.

Suzi just stared at her blankly, "basically you picked a fight with the seniors and fucked over the entire class." Suzi said expressing the thoughts of all her classmates in one sentence.

"well~ no~ not exactly these seniors were picking on poor Rica over there that wasn't a lie~" Regina's eyes glided over towards the ceiling trying to act innocent, wow, the ceiling looks awfully attractive today huh~

Suzi turned towards Rica not believing Regina, and Rica just nodded shivering slightly afraid of what's to come next week.

"meh~ alright I'll go, I've been itching for a fight these boring few days anyways~" Suzi said stretching her shoulder muscles.

"great~ I expect to see you in the arena next week~" Regina smiled and patted Suzi's back repeatedly.

Regina went back up towards the desk of the teacher and sat down, "now who else would like to participate~" Regina asked after a while of no one coming up she sighed and was about to give up, but then a student got up and walked over to the desk, her blue hair flowing freely, she had a megestic aura to her, she walked gracefully, pride in every step she took, her blue eyes focused on Regina's figure and she put a hand on the desk looking down at Regina who was laying on the teacher's chair.

"I volunteer." she said simply, Evelyn lumine volunteered to participate in the Tradition of Trials.

this sent a susurration through the class, as the feared arch duke's daughter she brought hope to everyone, they hoped she was capable of helping in the fight.

Regina's eyes widened as did her smile, she stood up and brought a hand forward to shake Evelyn's hand.

"pleased to meet you Evelyn lumine~ let's fight as best we can." Evelyn frowned at this and looked at Regina's extended hand before her expression softened and she shook her hand.

"pleased to meet you as well, let us try our best in the fight." she said as she narrowed her eyes on Regina.

Regina let go of her hand and smiled wider, great~ with this only one more left, Adam is a perfect addition~

she walked out of the classroom leaving them behind as she made her way through the hallways she smiled widely, PERFECT!!! THIS IS PERFECT!!!

her body shook in excitement at the coming challenge.