Ceremony and Ball

The next day, Nera, Uma, and Serena were led into the main hall of Aretuza. Royals and other mages alike were already in the room. The three students were situated in front of the others near the far wall.

"I can't wait to go home," Uma whispered. "I mean, I like Aretuza, but home sounds nice."

"Yeah," Nera agreed. "Wow, Serena, you look nothing like you did."

"For better or worse, Nera?"

Nera snickered, "I'd say worse."

Serena had changed her dark chocolate hair to platinum blonde and her dark brown eyes to amber yellow. Her skin had been lightened from a tan olive tone to a fair porcelain tone. Now, she would not resemble a Nilfgaardian.

Serena pinned Nera with a glare. Nera quickly turned away.

"Girls."

They quieted down. Tissaia walked in front of them and welcomed everyone to Aretuza.

Then, the ceremony commenced.

Nera stepped forward and introduced herself, "Nera of Kaedwen."

She performed her ceremonial magic for animal communication, causing a bird to fly into the room and land on her out-stretched arm. Once her display was over, people politely clapped. Nera returned to her spot and Uma stepped forward.

"Uma of Verden."

She performed her ceremonial spell for fire manipulation and was applauded. Then she stepped back.

It was now Serena's turn and she remembered what Tissaia had told her the night before.

"Whatever you do for your ceremonial spell, do not show that you are a Conductor. Do not mention Nilfgaard at all either."

"But don't I have to say where I'm from?"

"Yes. Just say Aretuza."

"But, Rectoress, won't that just make them more suspicious?"

"Perhaps. But like I already said. Never mention Nilfgaard."

Serena had been trained by Tissaia, personally, to block others from her mind. So, she made sure that no one knew what she thought.

Taking a deep breath, Serena stepped forward.

"Serena... of Aretuza."

Confused murmurs rippled throughout the hall. Her eyes flicked to Tissaia, who gave a nearly imperceptible nod. She swallowed and began her spell.

Magic rippled on her fingertips. She knew she couldn't mess with anything that had to do with electricity, so instead, Serena summoned to her a staff and levitated it, moving it around in the air before sending it off to where it came from.

There were a few claps, but definitely not as many as there were for the other two Ascendants.

Serena again looked to Tissaia, who, for once, actually smiled. Then, she knew she had done well by under representing her magical abilities.

Stepping back, Serena joined her fellow Ascendants in line as Tissaia walked forward from her spot.

"Thank you all for joining us here today. Now that the ceremony is over, please welcome out newest mages, Nera, Uma, and Serena."

Claps rang in the hall.

"Now, let the Ascendants' Ball begin."

They all moved next door into the massive ballroom. It was decorated with ribbons and curtains for the ceremony and brightly glowing chandeliers were hanging from the tall domed ceiling.

Once inside, Nera leaned over to Serena and whispered, "You know, I'm surprised you did such a basic spell. And here Uma and I were worried you'd outshine us tremendously."

Serena faked a laugh. "Yes, well, it appears my luck has run out."

"Indeed," Nera said.

Then, she walked over to the King of Kaedwen and introduced herself. Serena looked around and saw Uma with the King and Queen of Verden. Then, the musicians started playing, and a dance started. Serena watched as people partnered up. After a while, Tissaia walked up beside her and murmured to her.

"You know, Serena, this ball is customarily for the mages who are being sent to royal courts. The only real purpose it serves is mostly for Ascendants to meet and interact with the people they will soon be serving."

"And, Rectoress? What does that have to do with me?"

"To avoid any questions about earlier, it might be best if you slip out now."

She knew what Tissaia was getting at.

"Yes, Rectoress."

Serena turned around and was about to leave when someone bumped into her.

"Hey!"

She looked up and saw a familiar man. He quickly apologized to her.

"Valentin," she breathed.

Tissaia turned and greeted Stovren's assistant coldly, "Valentin."

He bowed slightly to her.

"Rectoress."

He turned to Serena and said, "Serena, wow. You've changed a lot."

"Yes, indeed. Well, it has been two years since we've seen each other."

Her lips drew into a thin line. She was cautious of Valentin now and politely excused herself.

"If you'll excuse me, I don't feel well, so I'm going to lay down for a while."

"I could escort you to your room," he said quickly.

"Oh, there's no need for that, Valentin. Serena is perfectly capable of getting back herself," Tissaia interjected. "Come with me, there is something I would like to discuss with you and Stovren about Ban Ard."

Tissaia took his arm and dragged Valentin away, giving Serena her chance to slip out of the ballroom. In the halls of Aretuza, she made her way down to the Tower of the Gull. From there, she looked around and sensing no one near, teleported away from Aretuza.