The festival began with a burst of energy that seemed to ripple through the academy and spill into the streets of Eryndale. The opening parade, the most anticipated event, showcased the diversity of the academy's divisions and the cultures they represented. The sun was barely above the horizon, yet the streets were already crowded with students, professors, and visitors, all eager to witness the spectacle.
Kalem and Lyra stood near the main thoroughfare, the air buzzing with excitement. The sound of drums and flutes echoed through the streets as the first float came into view—a massive, glowing construct from the Enchanting Division. Runes shimmered along its surface, weaving intricate patterns of light that drew gasps from the crowd.
"This is… a lot," Lyra muttered, her eyes darting between the towering floats, the swirling colors, and the cacophony of music.
Kalem, on the other hand, was engrossed. "Look at the rune placement," he said, pointing to the glowing patterns. "They've layered them for simultaneous activation. That's not easy."
Lyra gave him a sideways glance. "Of course, you'd focus on the mechanics. Meanwhile, I'm trying not to have a sensory meltdown."
The next float belonged to the Alchemy Division. It was a moving garden, with rare plants and potion-filled fountains spilling colorful liquids that evaporated into shimmering mist. Lyra visibly relaxed at the sight of something familiar, though her composure faltered when she spotted her professor riding on the float, waving proudly.
"Please don't see me, please don't see me," she whispered, ducking behind Kalem.
Kalem smirked. "Too late. He's looking right at you."
Lyra groaned. "This is why I hate parades."
The parade continued, each division showcasing their unique talents. The Elemental Magic Division's float was a breathtaking display of raw power, with swirling torrents of fire, water, earth, and air dancing in harmony. At the center stood Nara, her arms outstretched as she directed the elements with practiced precision.
"She's good," Kalem admitted grudgingly.
Lyra nodded, though her expression soured as she noticed someone stepping onto the float to confront Nara. "Uh-oh. Trouble."
It was another Orc, his stance wide and his voice loud enough to carry over the crowd. Kalem and Lyra couldn't hear the words, but the tension was palpable.
Nara's posture stiffened, her control over the elements faltering for a moment before she snapped something back at the Orc. The confrontation ended as quickly as it began, with the other Orc stepping down and disappearing into the crowd.
"What was that about?" Lyra asked.
Kalem frowned. "Probably nothing good."
Later in the day, the parade gave way to performances, and one of the most anticipated acts was the Ilvaar Beast Dance. The performance took place in the grand courtyard, where a circular stage had been set up.
Jhaeros stood at the center, his lean frame adorned with traditional Ilvaar attire—sleek, flowing fabric that shimmered like moonlight. Around him were magical beasts summoned from the Beast Studies Division, their forms glowing faintly as they moved in sync with the rhythm of the drums.
The dance began slowly, Jhaeros moving with a feline grace that captivated the audience. The beasts mirrored his movements, their steps precise and deliberate. As the drums quickened, so did the dance, becoming a whirlwind of motion and magic.
Lyra was mesmerized, her eyes wide as she leaned forward. "He's incredible," she whispered.
Kalem watched with a more critical eye. There was something about the dance that unsettled him—not the skill or the beauty of it, but the undercurrent of something… darker. The way the beasts moved, their eyes locked on Jhaeros, felt less like harmony and more like dominance.
When the dance ended, the crowd erupted into applause. Jhaeros bowed gracefully, a faint smile on his lips as he stepped down from the stage.
"That was… amazing," Lyra said as they made their way to meet him.
Jhaeros shrugged, his expression modest. "It's an old tradition. The Ilvaar believe in strengthening the bond between us and the creatures of the wild. The dance is a way to honor that bond."
Kalem folded his arms. "It looked more like control than harmony."
Jhaeros' eyes flickered toward Kalem, his smile fading. "Control and harmony are two sides of the same coin. Sometimes, to protect what you love, you must command it."
The cryptic response left Kalem unsettled, but Lyra, oblivious to the tension, launched into a series of questions about the beasts and the magic used in the dance.
Meanwhile, Nara was dealing with her own issues. After her performance on the Elemental Magic float, she had been cornered by a group of Orc students, including the one who had confronted her earlier.
"You're spending too much time with outsiders," the Orc said, his tone accusatory.
"They're my classmates," Nara snapped. "And they're the only ones willing to work with me on projects that matter."
"Projects that matter?" The Orc sneered. "Or projects that make you forget where you come from?"
Nara clenched her fists, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "I haven't forgotten anything. But if you're so concerned about loyalty, maybe you should focus on contributing something useful instead of wasting time on petty arguments."
The group muttered among themselves, their glares sharp, but they eventually dispersed, leaving Nara to stew in her anger.
As the day wound down, Kalem, Lyra, and Jhaeros regrouped near the alchemy booth, where Lyra had been helping manage the potion contest. The crowd had thinned, and the three of them finally had a moment to catch their breath.
"You looked like you were having fun," Lyra said to Jhaeros, her tone light.
Jhaeros gave a small smile. "It's always rewarding to share our traditions. Though I'm not sure Kalem enjoyed it as much."
Kalem shrugged. "It was… interesting."
"Interesting?" Lyra repeated, raising an eyebrow. "That's the highest praise you're getting from him, Jhaeros. Take it and run."
Jhaeros chuckled, but Kalem's expression remained thoughtful. The festival had only just begun, but it was already clear that it would be more than just a celebration. Beneath the surface, tensions simmered—between divisions, between cultures, and even within friendships.
And Kalem couldn't shake the feeling that the days ahead would bring more than just festivities.