The Winter Solstice, the date for the Harvesting, was approaching. Elena found the preparations for the harvest convoluted and unnecessary.

An entire rigorous set of actions and mantras had to be learned and practiced until perfection. A gown with pretentious symbolic meanings had to be fitted. Even the way the body was groomed and cleaned was specific.

Elena thought they had less elaborate preparations for a bride.

The priestesses were aghast when they saw the 'impure' state of Elena's body and makeup had to be used in some unexpected areas to at least give the illusion of perfect condition.

The ritual dress, which resembled more of a nightgown—or a corpse shroud—was nearly transparent. The pure white fabric was so thin it would become see-through once wet—an essential part of the water element ritual. Her naked body would be hinted at to the entire audience. And many people would just love to feast their eyes on that.

Elena laughed inside, thinking about Maya having to go through all this. Just thinking about Maya's reaction to something she wanted so badly, having so many clauses attached was entertaining. The anxiety attack she would have at even the thought of having to walk in front of the entire school practically naked.

'I bet that girl would turn into a tomato out of embarrassment. Wouldn't that be fun to watch?'

All in all, Elena wanted at least Water to be her thing. Maya already had everything else. It was the only thing that could earn her respect in the future. Though it meant putting up with a lot of unnecessary attention. Overhearing people talking about her was getting on her nerves. She already had enough envious eyes on her as it was.

Being called to the headmistress's office was a surprise to her, despite being a regular there. She'd done nothing wrong today, as far as she knew. Wondering if Amanda had fabricated something to take this away from her, Elena made her way there.

Elena hated seeing that woman's displeased face; however, today it served as a good excuse to get her out of those mind-numbing classes. Despite it being the month of finals, compulsory introductory classes for the non-compulsory subjects they would pick from for the next trimester being held were the most absurd thing she had ever heard of.

She knocked on the Headmistress's door.

Nothing.

'Why did she call me up then?' Elena was frustrated.

The first thought that came to mind was that she did it purposely so she could later accuse her of slacking. She didn't think Amanda would consider it something beneath her.

The door of Daria's office opened instead.

"I didn't know you were back," Elena said, surprised and poked her head inside to be nosy.

"Come inside," Daria invited her in.

Elena listened and closed the door behind herself. "How's Vetus Orbis?" she attempted some small talk with a big smile on her face, acting as if they were just some old friends about to grab some coffee.

Elena knew Daria hated being associated with Elena in that way. Like most adults, they struggled to keep some sense of authority over Elena.

"I didn't call you up to chat."

"So, you called me up?"

"Yes, Elena. You need to back down from the Harvest. You can't be the Harvester."

Daria's words were like a slap across Elena's face. She frowned.

'So Amanda had her lackey do it instead…'

"What are you talking about?"

"Just listen to me and don't ask any questions," Daria urged.

Elena blinked at Daria's unusual demand, taking a moment before giving a response. "No."

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"Excuse me?"

"I refuse. I won't back out. I earned it fair and square."

"Just say you won't do it! You're always the shameless contrarian, so why can't you be one now?"

"Apparently, I'm still being one."

"Please, Elena. I need you to back down. I'm begging you."

"Why? What's it to you?"

"I said not to ask questions."

Elena sensed something was amiss. She couldn't overlook Daria's unusual effort to invite her, just to suggest withdrawing. It wasn't to announce Elena's removal but to encourage her to step aside voluntarily.

It suggested Amanda was not opposed, or removing Elena forcefully would reflect poorly on her. The intent was not to strip Elena of her title but to have her relinquish it. Although it didn't fully make sense, Elena got an inkling that she might be in danger otherwise.

When she wasn't following Amanda's orders, Daria did, for some reason, care about Elena. And Elena knew how to benefit from it. The trick was just to determine if her benefit was to listen this time.

"What will happen if I back down? Who is the Harvester, then?" she humoured her for a moment.

Daria begging her was extremely unusual, and she knew she had to take it seriously now. "Next best. It doesn't matter," Daria waved her hand to brush it away.

"Will she be in danger, then?" Elena asked with her cold, peering eyes, calmly focused on Daria.

Daria paused for a moment realizing she might've let her in on too much information already. She never said anything about danger, but her face confirmed it. "Elena, please."

"Okay. I'll back down," Elena said suddenly.

A sense of relief came across Daria. That was unsettling to Elena. She only said it to please her. Whether she would or not, was to be determined yet. There was no way she wouldn't investigate this further. Conspiracies tend to pique her interest.

At lunch, she sat with Keith. After enduring pleasantries from people congratulating her on being the Harvester, she began with a casual interrogation.

"Who's the Harvester of your year? I need to ask her something," she said to Keith.

Keith was in the middle of eating noodles and paused for a moment to remember. "It was Suzanne Long. She was a solid earth mage."

"Was?"

"Vamps got her. She died last year."

Alarms in Elena started to light up.

'That can't be a coincidence…'

'Shut up. It's one instance.'

"What about the third year? Do you know her?"

"No… I could ask around," he suggested.

"I can do that myself."

"Are you nervous about it?" Keith was concerned.

"Having a bit of their insight couldn't hurt," she smiled.

Finding the practice pointless since she was already far ahead in water-based exercises, she decided to wander around. She went to check on Maya, where Tanya was still working hard to help her overcome her setback.

"Still no Spark?" Elena joined, asking a very pointless question to spark the conversation.

"Unfortunately, not. You take a moment to rest, Maya. I'll swing by later," Tanya said.

It was nice of her to allow them to hang out like this, but that didn't suit Elena. "Tanya, wait. I actually need to ask you something."

Maya looked at her with a confused expression.

Tanya had the same look. "Sure. Go ahead." She smiled.

'This girl likes to be of service.'

"Do you know who the third-year Harvester is?" Elena shot straight to the point.

Tanya didn't answer right away.

"I need to talk to one of them, but I learned the second year is… well… not alive," Elena went on further.

Tanya was hesitant. "She's dead, as well."

Elena tried to ignore a gut punch she felt inside. "What happened to her?"

"Freak accident. I don't want to burden you with gruesome details."

"And your year?" Elena continued her interrogation.

"Gone as well. Vamp attack."

"So there's no previous Harvester alive?"

"What?" Maya was shocked by Elena's conclusion.

Tanya looked at her with a sorrowful expression. It was already something she found suspicious. Having Elena figure it out on her own saddened her.

Her face muscles didn't move, but Elena was freaking out inside. What did she get herself into?

"I'm sure it is a coincidence," Maya interjected. "A lot of students died in previous years. It's why Tanya is working as a mentor."

"What are the odds that among them are all the Harvesters as well?" Elena countered.

"Are you suggesting they are targeted for some reason?" Maya looked from Elena to Tanya, back and forth, in disbelief.

Tanya looked away.

Elena paled slightly, but then—surprisingly—she brushed it off with a smirk. "Nah. I'm sure it's just a coincidence."

She convinced them she wasn't concerned, but she herself did not believe for a second that it was.

'Ah… Was I the fool all along? I gave her exactly what she wanted…'

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