Peer Pressure

After I was introduced to the class, more rumors and theories about Ashfall 1, 2, 3, and 4 emerged. Indeed, no one talked to me. “So, as most of you know, we primarily learn how to cast spells by hand, starting with the fundamentals of magic, but this year, due to the Magical Council’s concern over the declining birth rate, the number of future mages is expected to drop as well. So, they’ve decided to implement a new learning method, assigning second-years to teach first-years how to cast spells by hand to increase the success rate.” The class started talking and whispering while I sat alone in the back.

Whoever came up with this idea deserves a raise and a big thumbs-up. Isn’t that what we’re doing right now, trained by my Senpai? Now, if only I had asked Aeter to train me— “We will randomly pick your trainer.” Thalia said. Huh… I guess it doesn’t deserve that raise. Everybody in the classroom seemed excited. Me too. I don’t know the exact number of second-year students, so the possibilities are beyond imagination. Or should I create my chance?

“Why don’t we choose based on ability, Sensei?” One guy in a room stood and said. Well-dressed, with nice hair and ambitious eyes. “How can we judge a first-year’s ability? No offense, you’re all just toddlers to us.” Harsh but true, that’s how mages see us first-years like toddlers trying to walk. He raised his hand, closing his eyes. The class was silent… He flicked his hand back. It was not much of a power, but the books in every row in front flicked slightly with his movements. Thalia smiled. “Impressive. What’s your name?”

“Caelis… Call me Kael.” The crowd gossip again louder than Ashfall bullsh— What I’ve learned is that he’s a noble—a popular one. That proves what Aeter said—I’m just another face in the crowd. In the end, people don’t care. “So, Kael, how do you want this choosing to be?” Thalia said. “I’ve already proven myself, so I want the best of the second year to teach me.”

“What about your friend in class?”

“They can be random, as you suggested. But for me? I want the best.”

”I admire your boldness. But we treat everyone equally here.”

“But no one seems to reject this idea.” The number one in the second year. I wonder who it is. It must be a real pain to teach this brat. I glanced at Caelis and Thalia the moment they said it. But after Caelis finished his sentence, Thalia paused a little too long. She could’ve rejected him—she is the teacher, after all. She could’ve shown him, boss. Instead, she glanced at me, her lips moving silently: ‘A-E-T-E-R.’ Was she trying to test me? Since I introduced myself to the class, this setup feels unnecessary and completely unreasonable. Or a chance?

It’ll be a year. Aeter would have to train him. I raised my hand. Thalia smiled like she’d been waiting for it. “I insist.”

“Why do you insist, Auron?”

“Because I deserved to pair with the number one of the second year.” A surge of confidence—a fake one, borrowed from Thalia’s encouragement. But this is a chance. Even if it’s slim, I’ll take it. Thalia smiled. Every eye was on me. “If there are only two contenders,” she said, I have an interesting challenge for you both.”

The practice field was packed with first-years. Peer pressure brought me here, but the real pressure was everywhere else. The upper-year students watch from the surrounding buildings. I could feel their eyes on us. “What challenge are we taking, Sensei?” Caelis said. Thalia glances at us. Called her wand out. Cast a spell. Two massive ice cubes slammed into the ground ahead of us.

“Your task is to keep the ice cube from melting using only hand-cast magic. No speaking. No wand... Any questions?” Is she testing me or trying to humiliate me in public? We both shake our heads.

“The master ice spell had benefited here, right?” Caelis said, glancing at me. “Do you?” He added. “No…” He stepped in front of his cube. “We should hurry, Sensei; the heat is melting ice.” “Nice observation from you… Now, let’s begin. And after this, no verbal… Shoo.”Thalia brought a finger to her lips, then walked straight into the crowd.

Weird. If she wanted a quick challenge, she could’ve just said whoever melts it first loses. But no, she wants us to keep it cold. If we were masters of ice, this could go on for a year. No verbal spells. That’s cruel for a first-year… But maybe that’s the point, keeping it from dragging on for a year.

So, an ice spell. Not many people master this kind of magic. And if you dig deeper? A first-year mage? Zero. My rival noble is a significant example of such a high standard and resource. They wouldn’t even bother teaching a kid this kind of spell. I’ve got the advantage if he hasn’t figured out the spell. I pictured Ruri snapping her fingers to cast fire… Can I stretch time using just my hand? Snap. Nothing. Silence.

The silence grew louder than a crowd ever could. I can’t lose doing nothing… I continued. I still couldn’t figure out the time spell, but then I saw it. Snowflakes began to form in his palm. Slow. Controlled. Precise. He was getting somewhere. The temperature around him was changing. Even in spring, it was getting colder.

Does sighing count as verbal? I let out tons of it. Pressure does their job. Ashamed. My neck burns through the back. And God takes me to trial for not putting enough pressure yet. Students began filling the balconies. We’d been here long enough, the first class had already ended. I can’t figure something out soon. Lose? And now, in a few hours, the noon was ruining my ice.

I glanced around me. The weirdest thing is that people are part of the environment when you’re watching them pass by. But the moment you look at someone… they pop out. Emil, Ruri, and Aeter, respectively, on the balcony… That made me chuckle for many reasons. Sipping tea together. Emil with her favorite pot of tea.

The most embarrassing event of the decade. My neck burned. Then my chest. Then my ears. All over. I sat there, staring. Emil warmed her pot the way she always did with her hand. How long had I promised to learn to do that for her? Half a year? Still nothing. My temperature rose. Burning. It’s burst out. I walked over to Caelis’s cube and touched it.

Verbal unallowed, so obviously, he can’t say anything. Glancing at me like he didn’t care. Me? Shame is a part of the process, feeling burned from embarrassment. It’s not gonna be the last time. And now this ice cube has to feel it, too. My hand touched his cube. I could feel Caelis's tension from behind. Steam rose from my hand. The ice hissed. My hand burned… The cold I melted wasn’t just ice; it was a shame of being pressured.