Finally, it was time for Arian's most anticipated lesson. After a few weeks, the students were finally ready to discover their affinities.
In the latest lessons on "Beast-Taming", teacher Nora had discussed the affinities of humans in detail and how they related to a beast's demesnes.
A main topic was the dangers and risks of bonding with a beast affiliated with a different demesne than you.
Going mad (to various degrees) or constant physical pain were the usual consequences of bonding with a beast whose domains differed from one's own affinities.
Of course, there were cases where death was involved, too.
Some famous beast tamers had died, just because their pride made them think they could overcome the difficulties of bonding a beast that didn't suit them.
On top of that, the students got their first look at the eggs the academy provided for them.
Over the day, they were located outside in a cordoned-off zone.
The heat of the sun was the best tool to speed along the hatching process. When night fell and the temperature turned icy, the eggs were placed inside, around a fire. It was of utmost importance not to forget an egg outside, because the cold would mean death for the baby inside.
For the past week, ever since the students had seen the eggs for the first time, it was their responsibility to carry them into the sun in the morning and get them back inside when it turned cooler.
Not only was it a task that demanded the students to take responsibility (a good exercise for those who didn't take their studies seriously), but it also served as the first indicator of the students' affinities.
While the eggs hadn't hatched yet, there was still a living being inside. One that could exert limited influence on its surroundings. In a way, only by touching or carrying an egg, the students could tell which egg fit them and which didn't.
Arian found it an interesting thing, watching the students handle the eggs. Every student treated them with some kind of reverence and handled them with special care. Even those who were troublemakers acted with maturity and restrained themselves from doing anything stupid.
Therefore, there had been no incidents. Except one- and to Arian's surprise, it had involved Satori, who was usually a model student.
Just like everyone else, she too had to carry the eggs. Her own egg, the one that had allowed her to attend the academy in the first place, had been placed with the others. Despite that, Satori insisted on always carrying that egg herself and didn't let any other student touch it. It seemed like she had already formed a bond with her egg-or rather the baby inside. She talked to it, and even petted the thing.
No, but who would pet an egg? Arian was surprised how well she and the beast inside got along. By now, it was almost certain that she would attempt a bond with that very creature and that she most likely would succeed.
As far as Arian knew, the teachers had closely examined the egg when they selected Satori for the academy. It fell under the same category, Shivani's did. It was most likely illegally bred on the black market, and therefore, it was a new species no one had heard of before. But since most beast species, stemming from the black market, were either Puny or Dainty, Satori's unborn beast should belong to one of the two ranks.
As for the demesne of the unborn baby, the teachers were certain it must be water. Arian agreed with this categorization. It was pretty obvious, since the egg looked like the surface of water and was largely blue coloured, with some pink, orange, and green veins wrapping around it.
If Arain was honest, it was one of the most beautiful eggs he had ever seen.
But then again, as he had found out by now, the black market often bred for looks instead of power, so the beasts would garner more attention and sell more easily.
What Arian didn't agree with was the rank of power, the teachers had estimated for Satori's beast.
Well, at first he had, but then a very memorable interaction happened.
One day, apparently, he had cast a very questionable gaze at Satori's egg.
When she had noticed him, her reaction had greatly surprised him.
"What are you looking at?", she had demanded.
"The prince is merely interested in your egg, it's the only one of its kind here after all", Marie had tried to explain.
"Then what do you think is her rank and demesne, my prince?"
Back then, he still thought the teachers' estimation was correct, so he let Marie tell Satori the same.
What had happened next left him in shock.
"She's something special, you fool!", Satori had hissed in a tone completely unlike herself.
Arian had been so taken aback that he didn't even know what to answer. She has just called me a fool, she actually dared to call me, a prince, a fool.Straight to my face, no less! Arian hadn't been able to believe it.
Unless it was about studies, Satori was the quietest and most introverted person Arian had ever met, one who was uncomfortable in every situation.
Back then, it had been clear to him: The beast had already started to influence her, it was even in her mind.
This was more than surprising.
Even though Satori had known this egg for a bit longer than the students had known the others, no egg had even a remotely similar effect on a student.
What most of the students felt was either malaise, when the egg didn't fit them, or a warm and safe feeling when it did.
Already taking control of a human and tampering with their emotions and actions was really drastic.
For Arian, it was a clear indicator that this beast might actually be higher than the rank of Dainty. How much higher he couldn't tell.
He himself had never interacted with beast eggs before. It was the beliefs of all nobles, and thus himself, that forming a bond with an already grown beast, rather than bonding with a baby, was the superior method. A fully grown beast could already access all, or at least most of its powers, thus you didn't need to wait for years until you felt the boost of your beast.
Instead of finding an egg that suited them, the students of the academy Arian had attended (and Arian was sure every other academy for nobles did the same) were prepared to 'conquer' their beasts. Thus proving through their strength that they are worthy of bonding with said beast.
After all, this method required you to either defeat or subdue the beast in order to attempt a bond with it. And if you were weak, you couldn't subdue a beast, therefore, you weren't worthy of being a beast tamer.
Bonding with an egg or a hatchling, a beast that hadn't fully developed its will, was seen as the coward's method. Of course, it was fitting that the commoners preferred it.
Arian suspected it was the 'different philosophy' Javis had told him about when he had first arrived at the academy.
But still, the point remained the same: Satori possessed an exceptional bond with her beast.
So it had been all the more surprising when one morning she simply dropped the egg. Luckily, it happened when she had already stepped out into the desert. Therefore, the egg landed on the soft sand instead of the hard floor inside.
Arian remembered how everyone had looked at her in shock. All eyes were on Satori as she stood motionless.
For a moment, there was silence, but then she swayed and collapsed.
Immediately, she was taken to the infirmary.
It had been a great shock for all, but luckily, everything turned out well. The egg only got slight damage, which posed no threat to the baby inside. And Satori was released from the infirmary a day after.
The diagnosis: Nothing major, only a circulatory collapse. Maybe because she hadn't eaten enough or drunk enough. The latter was more likely since staying hydrated in the desert wasn't an easy task, and one had to drink a lot of water.
Only Arian noted that this hadn't been the first time Satori lacked strength. He had noticed something similar during her fighting training weeks earlier.
Right now, in the present, Arian watched her carefully as she entered the classroom. There hadn't been any signs of weakness in the days following her release from the infirmary, and yet, Arian wanted to confirm if she was truly alright.
Why do I actually care so much about her well-being? He asked himself and answered it immediately. Probably because she's Shivanis friend and just like her, she's a bit suspicious.
But just like last week, he had nothing to worry about. Satori was doing fine. She looked good. Well, as good as someone with her misshapen facial features could look.
Luckily, she didn't seem tired. In fact, her eyebags had almost disappeared completely.
If anything, she looked relieved. It was great to see. Satisfied with Satori's health status, Arian turned away from her.
He was about to focus his attention on teacher Nora, who was ready to start her lesson, when he noticed a girl with blonde hair and pale skin. No, her skin hadn't been so pale before. Normally, she has a natural tan, I'm sure of it, Arian thought.
But right now, her skin was not only pale but also possessed a green tint.
You're just seeing things. Don't interpret too much into people's skin colors, it's not your business, the prince told himself.
He tried to focus on teacher Nora's words, but ultimately failed.
Something was wrong with the girl.
And not just with her, the one next to her seemed to be in a weird state as well.
She looks almost like in a trance, Arian thought, and immediately wanted to facepalm himself.
He had to stop seeing things!