Bab 56: Ceremony
As Lyra stepped out into the hallway, she was greeted by the eager faces of Elias, Lilith, and Clara. They had been waiting anxiously to hear about her private meeting with the judges and professors. Elias, in particular, seemed curious about what had transpired behind closed doors.
"So, what was the meeting all about?" Elias asked, his eyes searching Lyra's face for any clues. "Did they talk about your Essence abilities?"
Lyra hesitated, feeling the weight of her newfound secret pressing down on her. She knew that she couldn't reveal anything about the exclusive independent study program, no matter how much she wanted to share her excitement with her friends. Conflicted and torn, she decided to offer a partial truth.
"Actually, the meeting was mainly about the incident at the Essence Tournament," Lyra explained, trying to keep her voice steady. "They had a few questions for me to answer, and they assured me that the Lyra Potion would still be entered into the competition."
Elias, Lilith, and Clara nodded, seeming to accept her explanation. However, Elias's brow furrowed as a thought occurred to him. "But why couldn't I come in with you, then? If it was just about the tournament, why did they need to speak with you alone?"
Lyra's heart sank as she realized the implications of her secret. Not only would she have to keep the independent study program hidden from her friends, but it also meant that she would no longer be able to work alongside Elias in their regular alchemy classes. The thought of this separation filled her with a deep sense of sadness and regret.
Thinking quickly, Lyra fabricated another lie to cover her tracks. "Oh, they probably just wanted to get my perspective without any outside influence. You know how the judges can be sometimes, always looking for an unbiased opinion."
Elias seemed to accept this explanation, though a flicker of doubt still lingered in his eyes. Lyra hated the idea of deceiving her friends, but she knew that she had made a commitment to keep the program a secret, no matter how much it pained her to do so.
As the group made their way back to the auditorium, they noticed that the cleaning crew had already begun preparing the space for the award ceremony. Students and staff alike were bustling about, putting away projects and setting up the stage for the presentation of prizes.
Lyra's mind was a whirlwind of emotions as she took her seat among the other participants. She was thrilled at the prospect of being recognized for her hard work on the Lyra Potion, but the weight of her secret and the impending separation from Elias in their regular classes left a bittersweet taste in her mouth.
As the ceremony began, Lyra tried to focus on the present moment, pushing aside her conflicting thoughts and feelings. She applauded as her fellow students were called up to receive their awards, their faces beaming with pride and accomplishment.
When it was finally her turn to take the stage, Lyra felt a rush of excitement and nervousness. She accepted her prize with a gracious smile, feeling the warmth of her friends' support radiating from the audience.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone