---Silves’s POV---
The next month passed in a blur. From the acceleration of the classes to switching to room with Echo, our weekly trips to the island cave. Watching Echo work on his skills late at night had me falling asleep in the middle of class. I had tried to learn the skill he used, but it didn’t work. So I would sleep while he practiced. Surprisingly it was becoming more comfortable being next to him.
He would walk me as far as he could every morning making sure not Tritons tried to pick on me, as well as watching over me while I used the bathing area. Feeling bad that he had to look out for me so much was why I had tried to keep up with him originally with the lack of sleep. Wanting to give back something for all he was doing for me.
In class there were two new minor healing spells that they thought me. They were not as strong as the one my mother used, but they were easier to learn and required less magic. They were for smaller injuries but could hold a larger one until someone with a stronger spell could get there.
A few Tritons still tried to cause problems, but the teachers handled it quickly. Out of the whole staff none of them seemed to have an issue with my being a male Siren, so the kids mostly quieted down. That didn’t mean my guard was lowered through. There were still at least a handful that would be glad to see me gone. Those were only the ones I knew of.
Looking around the room, Echo was sitting on his bed polishing his trident, I admired his attention to his weapons, along with all of the work he put in to being a Triton. I was proud to call him my friend. Though we had never used those words out loud. I was sure that he would be my friend if asked, or maybe we were already friends. There was so much that I was unsure about.
Echo was unique, he was picked on a lot as well. Yet he never let that get to him, he always strove to do his best, to be stronger, better. To show not others that he was an amazing Triton, but to show himself. So I threw myself into my own studies. Using my healing powers whenever Echo was injured, even if it was just soreness from overworking. Pushing my magic to the limits.
When the month ended they informed us that we would be pairing up. A Siren and Triton would work together in a mock battle at school, to test our ability. It was our first test, my job as a Siren was to support Echo, with healing and offensive spells. While he was to fight the other Triton. With this being the first test, it would end when the Triton was defeated. Our class hasn't learned any offensive spells yet.
Some of the Sirens did put in extra work and we might know some offensive spells, but year one was about healing because it was the most vital role we played on a battlefield. Year two we would learn combat magic, then the tests would require for the Siren and Triton to be defeated.
It was either luck or the teachers planned it, that Echo and I ended up together. Even though my spell casting was coming along, there was still a lot to worry about. In these events, accidents could happen. Though killing or maiming your opponents were very bad, accidents did happen. We were learning to fight to protect ourselves.
The night before the first round of the tournament I couldn’t sleep. Thinking about every spell I knew, I was up to 6 spells, Ice shell, greater heal, minor heal, ice bomb, soothe wounds, freeze.
Ice shell allowed me to create a shield of ice. Greater heal was my mothers healing magic. Minor heal was what they taught here. Ice bomb was what I used to signal my family if I was being attacked, though it could be used as an offensive spell. Soothe wounds, wasn’t really a healing spell, it was more a relaxation spell. Allowing the muscles to relax. Freeze was a crowd controlling skill, right now I could only cast it on one person at a time, but as I got stronger I would be able to cast it on an area. It slowed the movement speed of whoever I cast it on. With the chance of causing them to freeze up for a bit.
There was still so much that I had to learn and practice, though compared to some of the other kids, Echo and I were probably in the top percent. There were a lot of students who were not taking this seriously yet.
Echo wasn’t worried, he told me his abilities would allow him to get us an easy victory. Which made me feel like I wasn’t doing anything to help. Though he probably didn’t mean it to sound that way.
“Silves, stop thinking so much.”
I looked up and Echo was still polishing his Trident. “You are worrying about tomorrow match. If we win, we win. If we lose we lose. We stood up to a third year, this test should be easy for us. You can heal and protect me and I will protect you. We are going to show them that we are the best, that we deserve respect.”
I blushed slightly at his words. Kind and to the point. Echo was always like that, though when he got flustered he was shyer. I thought it was cute. Though Echo probably didn’t think of me that way. We haven't really talked about relationships even though we had been together a month.
When I had asked one night, he said he didn’t have time for the distraction, that he needed to put all his focus on his training. While I found that inspiring, it also left me wondering what happened to make him so focused on his training. I assumed it had something to do with his father, but I didn’t want to ask. I didn’t want him to think I was being insensitive.
“You’re doing it again.” he said sighing and putting his weapon away.”
“Sorry, I was thinking about something other than the tournament this time.” I said quietly.
Echo just laughed. “We are not going to get anything done, just sitting here. Why don’t we go out to get some food. There is a good place in the city, not too far from here.”
“We cannot leave school grounds before the tournament, it is against the rules.”
“Oh, right, well we can go to the cafeteria. They will have some food we can have.”
Smiling and following after Echo, we headed out to get some food. The cafeteria was almost empty when we got there, though it was kinda late. They would be closing soon. Most of the people here were older Tritons who had learned the skill that Echo was using, or some who were eating while trying to get some last minute cramming in. We were able to eat in peace and left shortly after finishing.
“You have been to these before correct?”
“Yeah, I’ve been coming for the last five years to watch my brother and sister compete.”
“Are they strong?”
“They did okay, they finished in the top half of their class every year.”
“That’s impressive.”
When we finished eating we went back to our room. Sitting on my bed, pulling my tail up and looking out the window. So much had changed in this last month, never had I thought I would have a friend. Glancing at Echo from the corner of my eye. He was polishing his weapon again. It seemed to be a nervous tick of his. While I wasn’t sure what this tournament would bring us, I knew that I would have to do my best not to let Echo down.
Knowing that the other Sirens would be focusing more on healing than anything else gave me an opening. If my attention was focused on them, interrupting their spells should be easy, and with Echos martial ability he should be able to easily overpower his opponent.
“Do you think it will be easy for you to fight your opponent tomorrow?”
“That depends on who we get, there are some in the class that are really good.”
“If I take out the healer can you take out the warrior?”
“If they are not getting healed it will help, but I will need healing. Will you be able to do both.”
“We will have to find out.” I said closing my eyes.
The night drifted onward as I thought about the issue, could I freeze my enemy and heal Echo at the same time, or would I need to alternate.
Opening my eyes, to the change in light, realizing that at some point I fell asleep. Echo was sitting next to him, holding me up. My head had been resting on his shoulder. My moving woke up and he blinked before looking at me.
“Good morning, are you ready for the tournament?”
“I hope so,” I said quietly.
“Winning would be nice, but all that matters is we do our best, this is our first test. They are not expecting us to be masters, so that should help us.” Echo said slapping me on the back, much lighter than he used to. At least it didn’t bruise me this time.
The physical difference in power between the two of us was more shocking that I thought that it would be. He felt so bad the first night I showed up and he ended up leaving a hand mark on my back until my sister could heal it. Talk about an awkward conversation. Though she wasn’t to mad, she could see that he was really upset.
Watching as Echo gathered his things up, I mimicked him grabbing my stuff so we could get ready for the new day.
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