The candidates sit around on the couches and other equipment that had been yielded with magic in the courtyard. They wait for their trainers under the growling clouds and abrupt flashes of light. Rain pounds down and bounces back up as it hits the invisible ceiling casted by one of the professors.

Sierra has never seen a spell as such before, and she finds herself wondering if it's a transparent ceiling or maybe it's an unusual form of a shield. She makes a mental note in her brain to look it up later on when she has free time. Sierra wishes that the professors would've had a temperature balancing charm as well - not that she hadn't already tried herself. She had, they all had, but it seems that the professors had placed a precautionary charm to make sure all magic was to be used - and only used - under their supervision.

Alec, Day, Orion, and Zoe sit with Raylene. The group laughs at something Alec had said and Raylene throws her head back laughing with more enthusiasm than necessary. Sierra envies how beautiful she looks doing it and she knows that the others notice too because Lucas's eyes seem to be drawn to her like a moth to a flame. She finds it hilarious too because cute, sweet and quirky, Claudia Bluebell can't take her eyes away from the Floridan boy. Noah nudges Sierra and nods his head towards Elijah Grimm who very much represents his surname as he stands mysteriously in the corner of the courtyard, leaning against a pillar and looking up at the sky with his arms crossed.

Sierra leans over and whispers, "His family were Malefactors."

Lucas and Noah glance over to the dark-skinned boy and then back at Sierra.

"And he's not?"

Sierra shakes her head. "I think it ended at his grandfather."

Noah, Lucas and Sierra stand together with Claudia who had decided to befriend the trio in an attempt to not be 'forever alone'. It's as if the candidates have split themselves into groups; Day, Alec, Raylene, Orion and Zoe on the right side of the courtyard on the couches and bean bags; Lucas, Noah and Claudia form a semicircle around Sierra as she leans against the green desk placed at the front of the courtyard while Elijah stands to the side, all by himself.

Narrowing her eyes, Sierra counts the heads in the room and realises the absence of two candidates. Sierra notices as the laughter of Day's group of friends die down as their faces look thoughtful and sober. She can't help but be intrigued about what they're talking about. She tries stretching her ear to the side and eavesdropping on their conversation, but Claudia doesn't seem to take a hint as she continues talking about their tortuous History of Witches assignment.

Amisha saunters in casually, chewing bubble gum and Aarush follows almost tripping over himself as he steps down two steps into the courtyard. Amisha's eyes run over the candidates as she analyses which group she wants to join. Aarush finally lifts his eyes and they meet Sierra's calculating ones. He smiles at her hesitantly and she smiles back politely to which his smile grows into a proper, confident one. Noticing this, Amisha walks towards Sierra and the group surrounding her with Aarush following behind.

From the corner of her eye, Sierra can see the confused and almost betrayed look on Alec's face. She almost feels bad but remembers how he's friends with Day and the Blackwood boy gives her bad vibes – almost as if he dislikes her. Which would be strange since she's barely had a proper conversation with him.

"Good morning, Candidates," Governor Gilbert greets, stepping into the courtyard along with Gwendolyn Highmore, Principal Cashore, and Professors Bane and Morlen.

With a swish of her hand, Principal Cashore removes the charm that was prohibiting the candidates from practicing magic. Sierra feels the air change and goose bumps arise on her skin. A glance at Noah's bare arm reveals that, he too felt the change.

"Being a candidate means that you have the chance to become a heir; to protect our kind against the Dark King; to be a hero. Being a candidate means that you have to compete in a tournament where all is at risk; where you may bleed; where you may hurt. Being a candidate means that you need to prepare for the worst; you need to learn how to survive in a war; you need to learn how to fight in the Revealing. Being a candidate means winning."

Governor Gilbert's words ring in Sierra's head, arising so many questions and protests. She presses her lips tight together, in an attempt to keep her mouth shut. She really does not want to get in trouble with the Governor. Her dead mother will probably roll over in her grave and come to haunt Sierra if she decides to speak against something the Governor said. Sierra is confident and always stands up for what she believes in, but Sierra Kingsley is anything but foolish.

"We will train you in various areas in order to help increase your chances in The Revealing. Today Professor Bane who teaches Incantations and Professor Morlen who takes Magical Arts, will show you duelling spells and charms. I must leave but I will visit to see how our candidates are doing." With a tight smile at the candidates, the Governor leaves.

"Good luck, Candidates. May the best succeed." With a smile, and the swish of her principal robe, Cashore walks out of the courtyard.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

"We will start this training session off by pairing you all up," Professor Morlen starts, a small smile gracing her lips and revealing her crooked teeth. She glances down at the clipboard in front of her, and her manicured hands trail down the piece of paper.

"Alright, Noah Woods and Orion Winders; Lucas Faye and Sierra Kingsley; Zoe Argent and Claudia Bluebell; Amisha Jeet and Aarush Bhatia; Elijah Grimm and Alec Bacani; and Day Blackwood with Raylene Tan."

Sierra smiles at Lucas, grateful that she has been paired up with someone she knows. With a glance in Noah's direction, she knows that Noah is uncomfortable being paired up with someone he doesn't know well. But from what she has seen of Orion Winders, he seems like a good guy. She had accidentally dropped her papers in the corridor one day, and instantly Orion was next to her, helping her pick her papers up. Raylene Tan on the other hand looks a little too enthusiastic to start training, and Sierra suspects that it has something to do with her training partner for the day.

"Zoe is nice, right?" Claudia whispers to Sierra, casting a nervous glance at the African-Australian girl on the other side of the room.

With a comforting smile directed at Claudia, Sierra answers, "Yes, don't worry. You'll get along great."

Claudia relaxes a little, and Sierra turns to face the front, directing her attention to the professors.

"Devoco antum six mattresses," Professor Bane chants, and six mattresses appear placing themselves at even distances. "Your task is for you to disarm your partner, and to throw them against the mattresses."

"Can anyone suggest any spells that can be used in this task?"

Sierra's hand shoots up and Professor Morlem nods towards her. "To disarm is to make someone harmless. By using the incantation "Motum Glacias" you can paralyze one and prevent them from using their magic against you."

"Well done, Miss Kingsley," Professor Bane says, shooting her a proud smile.

On the side, Day can't help but roll his eyes. Did she really need to put her hand up every. Single. Time?

"Now, can someone tell me how you can throw someone backwards?"

"If you're a bender witch, you can use the spell 'Aerperium Iactus' to throw someone back," Raylene Tan answers confidently.

"Good. Does anyone know what the spell actually does?" Professor Morlen questions.

The students adjust themselves so they're leaning, knowing that this might take a while.

Sierra raises her hand before answering, "The spell controls the air around the witch and manipulates it, forcing the opponent back."

"Fantastic, Miss Kingsley. And you're not even a bender witch yourself," Professor Morlen says, looking impressed. "Is there a spell that can be used to do the same by a witch that does not specialise in bending?"

When no hands go up, Professor Morlen looks at Sierra. Day is surprised to see that she has nothing to say.

"Iacta vasdeium," Professor Bane says. "The spell throws your opponent back without manipulating the elements around you but merely uses the magic inside you."

"It is best to use incantations and spells that draw the magic from within you rather than from around you. Does anyone know why?" Professor Morlen interjects, walking around the courtyard, her long flowy skirt brushing the floor.

"When you manipulate the elements around you, you're changing their form of being which drains a lot of power. Whereas the magical source inside you is ready for usage. Yes, it will still tire you out if you use a lot of strong or powerful magic, but it is a slower process," Sierra explains.

"Ten points to Gryffindor," Alec mumbles sending Orion, Day and Raylene snickering. Zoe casts a guilty look at Sierra who flushes. Amisha sends an unimpressed and bored stare at Alec and instantly his face sobers up.

"Correct. Now go off into your pairs and try to disarm your opponent and send them onto the mattress," Professor Bane instructs. "Any questions?"

When no one raises their hand and the Professor's question is answered with heads shaking, the Professor nods at them.

They begin.