"The academy is doing so well," said Xaranda as she crossed her arms and lifted her chin. Five hundred years after she founded the Institute of the Arcane, and it had produced some of the strongest mages in the world.
However, Lilian frowned and turned away. "You mean the elitist system you call a school?"
Xaranda's face dropped. A scornful voice was not what she was expecting from someone she considered a mentor, a rival, and secretly a crush. "I thought you would be proud of me."
"Proud?" She snorted, a long puff of smoke bellowing from her nostrils. "Have you forgotten what I've told you?" When she faced Xaranda, the sun wove through the thick, loose curls over her wide shoulders. Her face was lit with conviction. "Everyone deserves a chance. Talent can be nurtured in unexpected places." She strode up to Xaranda, and Xaranda inhaled the sweet floral scent that drifted off her scales. Lilian had grown up in the help and company of druids and the forest. "How are your weakest mages? Are they confident? Have you talked to them or built relationships with them?"
"Well, we only have one." Xaranda thought about her weakest mage, Sarena. She had been waiting for her to show some progress, but nothing came as of yet. Xaranda felt ashamed that she had done nothing to see that she got help.
"Are tutoring skills poor?"
Xaranda shook her head. "Not at all."
Lilian snickered. "I bet it is."
Xaranda knew what was coming next. They've bet on many things a thousand times before. "Is that a challenge?"
"Maybe."
Xaranda propped a hand on her hip. "What's the challenge?"
"Pick the weakest mage you have, tutor them, and bring them up to par. I will have my finest mage challenge them."
"What do I get if I win?"
Lilian shrugged. "I don't know. What do you want?"
Boldness flushed through Xaranda. She stepped closer to Lilian. "How about a date?"
Lilian grinned. "Sure."
Xaranda inwardly high-fived herself. But the victory was shortly followed with uncertatinty. "What do I get if I lose?"
Her eyes looked green as thorns. "You shut down your precious academy."
Xaranda's eyes widened. Was she really prepared to wager everything she's ever worked for?
Lilian held out her hand, and Xaranda decided that yes she would wager everything on proving that was a capable and fair leader. She shook her hand, savoring the touch of her palm. She kissed Xaranda on the cheek, hopped in the sky, and flew to her home in the forest.
Xaranda cradled her cheek and watched her fly. Then, she approached Sarena on her walk home. She placed a hand on her shoulder. "How would you like me to tutor you?"
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