Page 41 of Monster's Baby

“I hope I’m capable of doing this,” I voiced my worries to my friends.

“Of course you are,” Aiden said encouragingly.

“I may not have known you for very long,” Pierre added, “but I have yet to see you falter at a challenge.”

“There’s a first time for everything,” I muttered.

“Europe, you must enter,” said the attendant nearest us.

We lined up in a scraggly sort of group and filed out of the room, through the narrow hallway, and out onto the field in the center of the amphitheater.

I couldn’t hear the loudspeaker announcing us, but I knew they were listing off our schools, countries, and names.Everywhere I looked in the stands, people were waving brightly colored flags, flashing lights, and screaming at the top of their lungs.

I had never felt so terrified in my life.

I held Aiden’s hand tightly as we walked the circuit of the bowl, following after the attendant waving the European flag as an escort.In the distance ahead of us, I could see the tail end of the Asian group.

“What do you think?”Aiden asked.

“I feel so tiny.I had no idea there were so many magical people in the world.”

He laughed.“Silly.I meant for your events.”

I blinked at him, startled that I had forgotten about that in my amazement.I glanced over my head to read my events: accuracy, flying, and charms.

“Flying?”I hissed.“I didn’t put my name down for that!”

Aiden looked proud of himself.“I did.You’ll love it, I promise.”

“It had better not be on dragonback,” I growled.

He looked surprised.“You already know how to do it.You’ll have no trouble at all.”

I took a deep breath, letting my annoyance fade away.“I wish you hadn’t done that, but you’re right.Idoknow how to fly, at least.”

“They wouldn’t have assigned you to an event that you couldn’t do,” Clarissa said, linking our arms.“You’ll be great.”

I wasn’t as confident, but tried to believe in my friends’ belief in me.

The cacophony increased as the next contingent was announced; North America.

The noise was so loud, it felt like it was pressing down on me.

Pierre tapped his ears.“If it’s bothering you, mute it,” he said.

I shook my head at myself.Despite having been doing spells on my own for years, I still forgot sometimes that I had the capability.

The instant the spell took effect, I breathed a sigh of relief.I could still hear the crowd, but it was as if they were much quieter.“That’s so much better,” I said.

“Great idea, Pierre,” Aiden said, clapping him on the shoulder.

I could still hear my friends properly, which was comforting.It seemed like the spell only affected noise above a certain decibel.I couldn’t hear the announcer either.

The European contingent had caught up to the Asian one in the center of the amphitheater.

“We wait here for everyone else, and then the spectacle will begin.After that, the first event will take place,” our escort said.

“What is the first event?”I asked.

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