Nightshade Academy | Episode 13 | Flame Within (Audio)

I vowed to submit myself to extreme mental or physical correction if necessary [Music] Yoshi discovered that hair could make a miraculous impact on perception upon Val's arrival to the dining hall for breakfast trainees fell silent her long hair had once softened the features that now made her resting face menacing by carrying herself with a newfound boldness Bell redefined her haircut as a statement of dedication rather than an act of helplessness she took a seat across from yashi and slammed three history textbooks onto the table he flinched at the impact Shall We Begin Pinto pushed his plate aside and slid vel's books in front of him impressive titles why those books in particular I was in the library for hours yesterday and I had no clue where to begin study smart not hard remember obviously the exam will cover the limited topics Professor Ambrose lectured us on that includes the formation of the Guardian Force the atheros war and changes in the guardian divisions over time I searched for a book on each Topic in the library this morning Yoshi smiled thanks for the explanation now I feel stupid you're very welcome throughout breakfast and research class pennzo put together a list of sections in each book to review he showed Yoshi and Bell his notes on the way to the medical lab my study plan is fail proof If we review the information in these nine sections we'll learn everything we need to and nothing more Yoshi Val and Pinto were the only trainees to study in the dining hall during lunch and supper but when they arrived in the library that evening nearly every trainee was there wandering aimlessly down the aisles unlike the others the trio had a plan and they claimed a table to embark on a productive study session as dusk settled in Val and Pinto left with the other trainees to get ready for bed bioshi lit to few lanterns and stayed behind with every hour that passed he could feel his knowledge growing and for the first time since the incident he enjoyed the academic challenge and so when Val returned to the library after the morning bell rang Yoshi glanced at them briefly before refocusing on the page in front of him three events led to the formation of the Guardian Force the first was the murderer Yoshi please tell me you didn't stay up all night I didn't stay up all night he skipped to the next paragraph as they approached his table the second was he attempted for koi Palace Invasion although the operation was unsuccessful it's our concern regarding the Royal Family's safety and the security of stop the book slipped out from under Yoshi's fingertips and Val slammed it shut you are being Reckless without sleep you won't think clearly no need to scare him bill it's too late now I'm fine really not sleepy at all another bell rang and Yoshi sprung from his seat and there's the Bell let's get breakfast he reached for their study materials which Val promptly moved away leave the books but I need to leave them yeah she narrowed his eyes fine the trio enjoyed a peaceful meal before heading to the lecture hall for their filtration Yoshi was pleased to see that Sana had shown up for class despite being absent during breakfast I'm glad you're feeling better I'm glad to be back Professor Ember passed out their exams Each of which contained 100 multiple choice questions Yoshi grinned as he read the first one what three friends led to the formation of the Guardian Force after handing Professor Ember his completed exam the sleepiness kicked in Yoshi had to pinch himself throughout medical class to stay awake and as he walked with pinto and Val to the dining hall for lunch his eyes continually drifted shut if you don't catch up on sleep you'll die tomorrow Yoshi felt even sleepier at the mere thought of having to spar in the Final Phase but he knew he couldn't afford to make the same mistake of falling behind in one class for the sake of another I can't miss our afternoon classes Pinto rolled his eye I missed two days of classes and I'm alive aren't I I need a hopeful train Pinto can fill in for you I can just go to sleep it didn't take much convincing Yoshi grogally made his way back to his quarter and ended up sleeping for nearly 15 hours he woke up Before Sunrise the next morning and killed the time by skimming through a book on natural remedies that fell had suggested when the bell rang he headed to the dining hall with pinto scarfed his breakfast down and walked into the lecture hall fully awake and bright-eyed the room went silent as Professor Ember stood with the stack of graded exams the trainee with the lowest score is Durland OZO as the trainees let out a collective sigh of relief their eyes drifted to a boy with a crooked tie and disheveled hair Yoshi could tell with one glance that Durland had been slipping he resembled limbo's former roommate who had filtered himself in the program one week prior what was that guy's name again I can't recall Derlin you're filtered from the program a guardian is waiting in the common room to escort you home Durland held a Stern expression are you positive that you graded correctly of course could you double check there is no mistake I can't go back Professor you're filtered you have to go back darling frantically reached for his collar but I already earned my pin see I bet I could win a match against any training in this room right now and you're gonna filter me over a History exam Professor Ember walked down the aisle as darling pleaded even louder what if I retake the test just give me a new exam and I guarantee that my score won't be the lowest this time the guardian stopped in front of him and durland's eyes began to water please you read my personal essay you know why I'm here I need this if I don't graduate I Professor Amber slapped him across the face Yoshi's jaw dropped as he watched Darlin take a step back his hand tenderly cradling his red in cheek you've made a fool of yourself Darlin fools don't belong in the force Durland lowered his chin with a small Shake of his head he took slow measured steps down the center aisle toward the door his bangs hiding his eyes as he passed by trainees averted their gaze as Professor Ember returned to her desk the clouds darkened and a light mist met the windows causing Yoshi to shiver he was reminded that the academy Guardians were not just ordinary instructors but also highly respected members of the force their word was Final and their orders were to be followed promptly Professor Ember grabbed the stack of papers from her desk and passed them out as though nothing had happened for the remainder of class I'll be exploring the correct answer for each question pay close attention to your mistakes and learn from them Yoshi's exam displayed the circled number 52 in red ink but he didn't mind the low score three weeks ago he'd been worried that he might have to repeat the term but here he was now passing a research filtration at the most prestigious School in the Empire the bell rang as Yoshi made his way toward the door Professor Amber locked eyes with him Yoshi stay behind a moment Yoshi halted by her desk holding his breath as the other trainees filed out of the room I finished your new paper Professor Ember held out his revised personal essay it's perfect really hold on to it as a reminder of what drives you I will Yoshi took the pages into his hands as for the exam you cut it close if you had missed one more question you and Durland would have been tied for the lowest scores the research division values attention to detail so be more cautious when you read next time you missed at least three questions because you chose examples instead of exceptions the tenseness in shoulders faded completely Professor Ember had given him a personal critique a sign that she was rooting for him to succeed in the program I'll be more careful thank you Professor when Yoshi left the room he was surprised to find pinto and Val waiting for him in the hallway what was that about I think I may have impressed her and so held his chin Hai like I said my study plan was fail proof Yoshi headed toward the staircase and they caught up to him on either side so what's your score 52 52 what the hell you missed nearly half the questions Pinto's Pride melted away how is that possibly supposed to impress her fascinating isn't it oh come on answer my question when they reached the medical lab Dr blimery had yet to arrive most trainees were huddled in groups Whispering about durland's dramatic filtration he slowed his Pace allowing Pento and Val to move ahead of him as he scanned the room for potential opponents in the Final Phase his gaze landed on Sana who was anxiously clutching his empty collar quarks and KO stood at his side smiling as they spoke to him perhaps sharing words of encouragement just as Yoshi was about to look away quacks turned abruptly toward him leaving KO and Senna behind Yoshi came to a stop as quacks joined him in the aisle and crossed his arms the three of you are friends now strange why is that strange you've spent two years pushing everyone away well I've moved on I'm putting my energy into the program now so the dozens of times I tried talking to you did nothing but those two fixed you overnight that's not what happened yeah she glanced over at his new friends why are you so mad that I'm here you never have to work for anything what with a frown Yoshi returned his full attention to quacks I used to look up to you you know that you were smart and funny and you somehow made everyone feel comfortable but then you threw it all away after the incident like it meant nothing I had to work my ass off just to reach your level and even at your worst you still got everything I worked for you always win Yoshi shook his head are you kidding me your sister got selected you became rich and popular without having to move a finger and with the best tutoring Talent anyone could be a star student quax's jaw dropped as he let out a chuckle which escalated into a laugh that graded on Yoshi's nerves more than any insult ever could Yoshi's blood boiled as quacks turned his back and headed toward KO and Sana clearly intending to have the last word Yoshi wouldn't stand for it he grabbed quacks from behind and forcefully shoved him down the aisle quack stumbled away his hand reaching out to grab a nearby table to study himself he straightened up just in time to see Yoshi storming toward him but before he could react Yoshi's tight fist struck his nose with a sickening crunch what the hell is your problem quacks groaned taking a backward step as he clutched his bloody nose ooh they're fighting cut it out Yoshi threw another punch quack stopped and retaliated with an uppercut that left Yoshi's jaw trembling but the rage numbed his pain and Yoshi sprung back with all his might ah quack's cheekbone took another blow which seemed to cut off his Edge Yoshi easily anticipated his next moves waiting for an opening before kicking quacks in the knee and sending him to the floor fired course through his veins as he pinned his old friend down the rain began to pour but he didn't listen he jammed his fist into the same eye he had black in three weeks prior he wanted to see it bruised and swollen all over again quack's Pride at Yoshi's grip but his strength was waning he brought his arm down once more and shouting ensued there were footsteps and gasps and names called someone who's bound to intervene and he wouldn't allow this fight to get cut short Yoshi would have to end it quickly he needs to know that he can't win blood dripped from quax's penis Yoshi punched him again and again glasses resistance eventually failed and with a cough his body went Lynn Yoshi landed one more hit before a group of arms dragged him away he nearly fought their interference but he cooled down by immersing himself in the sound of water splashing against glass in one fight he learned how to light the match and put out the flame with perfect timing [Music] Belladonna book one Nightshade Academy written and narrated by Mel Tori Franca produced by Mel Tori Franca and Wilson Hensley edited and Mastered by Juan Pablo Diaz something went wrong we worked hard for this life that we don't want it all cover art by mad Studio score by Juda puspida azri theme song composed and produced by James Sinclair's thought starring Jason Brown Anthony Andreas echeveri Philip kryianov Melissa white Alex Bowie Patrick verzba Julia risto David John bores Connor Blanc Cody Keel Ellie Chua Ben Autry Walter Mack [Music] with us if it's really true was living stories featuring the voices of Gwyneth Evans Jeff Rosenau Lucas Hensley Levi Titus Angie Eggers Willem dagar Allison Prophet Maria palmo Knight shield Academy is produced in association with Lost Island press if it's really true if it's really true remember