Chapter 101 Clique's Scheme
POV: Luna
Advanced magical theory class should be straightforward.
Learn spells. Practice technique. Take notes.
But nothing is straightforward when Cassandra's Circle is involved.
I notice them whispering before class starts. All five of them. Huddled together. Planning something.
Claire catches me looking and smirks.
Not good.
Professor Elara Moon begins the lesson. "Today we're practicing elemental manipulation. Specifically, water to ice transformation. A basic spell, but one that requires precise control."
She demonstrates. A sphere of water floating in the air. Then, with a gesture, it freezes solid. Perfect ice crystal.
"Pair up. Practice. I'll be observing technique."
I'm paired with a neutral student. Someone who doesn't particularly like or dislike me.
We practice the spell. Water to ice. Ice to water. Back and forth.
I'm doing well. The ring on my finger helps me maintain control. Keeps my magic stable.
That's when I feel it.
Someone else's magic. Subtle. Interfering with mine.
I glance around. Cassandra's Circle is spread throughout the room. All of them casting. All of them directing energy toward me.
They're enhancing my spell. Making it more powerful than I intend.
"Professor," I start to say.
But it's too late.
My water sphere doesn't just freeze. It explodes.
Ice shards shoot everywhere. Sharp. Dangerous. Fast.
Students scream. Dive for cover.
I throw up a shield instinctively. Protecting those nearest to me.
But the damage is done. Several students have minor cuts. One girl is bleeding from her arm.
Everyone is staring at me.
At the evidence of my "uncontrolled" power.
"Miss Eclipse!" Professor Moon is furious. "What were you thinking?"
"I wasn't. Someone sabotaged my spell. Enhanced it beyond what I intended."
"That's a serious accusation."
"It's true. They interfered with my magic."
Cassandra speaks up from across the room. "Professor, I saw the whole thing. Luna's mark was glowing. She lost control. No one else was involved."
Other Circle members nod in agreement. Backing her story.
It's my word against theirs. And there are more of them.
"Luna, you'll report to the Headmaster after class. This kind of dangerous magic cannot be tolerated."
"But I didn't—"
"Enough. Class dismissed. Everyone to the medical wing for examination."
Students file out quickly. Whispering. Pointing at me.
The Eclipse girl who can't control her power. Who's dangerous. Unstable.
Exactly what the Circle wanted everyone to see.
I stay behind, trying to explain to Professor Moon what really happened.
But she's not listening. She's too concerned about the injured students. Too worried about liability.
That's when Cole appears in the doorway.
"Professor Moon, I happened to be walking past. I sensed unusual magical activity. May I examine the classroom?"
"Professor Mercer. Yes, of course."
Cole enters and immediately starts analyzing the magical residue in the room.
He moves methodically. Checking each station. Each student's position.
After five minutes, he speaks.
"Professor Moon, the magical signature indicates multiple sources of interference. Five specific signatures, all working in concert to amplify Miss Eclipse's spell beyond her control."
"Are you certain?"
"Completely. The evidence is clear. This was sabotage, not loss of control."
Professor Moon looks troubled. "Can you identify the five sources?"
"I can narrow it down to students who were in specific positions during the incident." He gestures to where Cassandra's Circle was standing. "These five locations."
"That would be Cassandra Blackwood, Claire Morrison, and their associates."
"Yes."
Professor Moon's expression hardens. "Thank you, Professor Mercer. I'll handle this appropriately."
Cole nods and leaves. But not before catching my eye.
A silent message. I helped you. Trust me.
And I do. A little more than before.
After Professor Moon dismisses me with apologies, I find Cole in the hallway.
"Thank you. Again. You keep saving me from situations I didn't create."
"You didn't need saving. You handled yourself well. Protecting the other students. Maintaining control even when your spell was sabotaged." He pauses. "But yes, you needed someone to verify what happened. To provide evidence."
"How did you know to show up?"
"I was monitoring the classroom. I've been keeping an eye on Cassandra's Circle since the Council hearing. They're escalating their attacks. Getting bolder."
"Why are you so invested in protecting me?"
"I told you. I don't like watching talented students be destroyed by politics and fear."
"It feels like more than that."
He's quiet for a moment. Then: "Maybe it is. Maybe I see something in you worth protecting. Worth investing in."
There's weight in his words. Meaning beyond just teacher helping student.
But before I can respond, students pass by. Watching us. Whispering.
"I should go," I say. "Thank you. For everything."
"Be careful, Luna. They're not done. This was just another test. Another attempt to prove you're dangerous."
"What's next?"
"I don't know. But it will be worse. They're running out of time before the Council's next assessment. They need to force your hand. Make you lose control in a way that can't be explained away."
He's right. I can feel it.
The Circle is getting desperate. And desperate people do dangerous things.
That evening, I'm in the common room with my pack when Nova overhears something.
Cassandra's Circle is at a nearby table. Talking quietly but not quietly enough.
"The classroom thing didn't work," Claire is saying. "She controlled it. And Mercer proved it was sabotage."
"Then we need something bigger," another girl says. "Something she can't defend against. Something that will definitely trigger a loss of control."
"What about the fight club?" Cassandra suggests. "If we can get her into the ring. Make her fight for real. She'll shift fully. Attack someone. Prove she's dangerous."
"Will she agree to fight?"
"She won't have a choice. Not if we challenge her publicly. Eclipse wolves can't refuse direct challenges. It's pack law."
Nova pulls me aside. "Did you hear that?"
"Every word."
"They're planning something bigger. Using the fight club to force you into a situation where you'll lose control."
"What's the fight club?"
"Underground student matches. Where people settle disputes through combat. It's technically against rules, but faculty pretends not to know about it."
"And if they challenge me publicly, I have to accept?"
"Yes. Pack law. Refusing a challenge is seen as cowardice. Weakness. You'd lose all social standing."
"So they've trapped me. Accept the challenge and risk losing control. Refuse and be seen as weak, which gives the Council more ammunition."
"Exactly."
I need to think. Need to strategize.
But one thing is clear. The Circle is escalating. And their next move is designed to destroy me.
Socially. Politically. Maybe even physically.
And I have to be ready.
Whatever it takes.