Adrianna looked at Isidorus with a frown. "My safety? What do you mean? I can easily take care of myself."

Isidorus stared at her, "It is a full moon on the first night of your competition."

​​

Adrianna's face fell. She felt a shiver running down her spine. Her lips became dry, as she stared blankly at him. She became afraid of herself. Her stress was visible and her brain functioned less accurately. Her stress hormones chose to amp up what she feared every full moon night. This was her weak point and she felt she would crack up. If anyone would come to know about it, it would only spread hate amongst the fellow students. Her breath quickened as sweat drops showed on her forehead.

"Isidorus, this isn't right. You know that I am out of control in that state. I don't recognize anyone. This is going to be disastrous if I come in contact with any student. Please do something to avoid this catastrophe," she pleaded Isidorus. All that she was thinking about Ed had taken a backseat as the dread crept over her like a chilly winter day, numbing her brain. There was no avoiding it.

"You have to think of a plan Adrianna and manage it on your own. All I can do is keep Ed there in the inn so that in case of casualties, he is there to take care of."

The tables had turned. She was thinking of getting Ed out and now she wanted Ed to be there. Last time, she had injured Dmitri very dangerously. Her heart ached. Would she injure Ed this time?

"No! You must take Ed out of there," her mind protested.

"No Adrianna, this is a part of the deal. Ed stays there."

Adrianna's eyes became moist. There was no backing out now.

"When does the competition commence?" she asked.

"In three days from today." After saying that Isidorus left her.

Adrianna went to her bedroom with a heavy heart. This was so sudden. She had to devise a plan to avoid everyone during the first night of the competition.

She didn't sleep for a long time that night. Dmitri hadn't returned from hunting. She wanted to talk to him and got restless with each passing minute. She went to the balcony of her bedroom. She looked down at the wizard realm. It looked beautiful as the lights shimmered all across the hills and beyond.

Was she the right person to be their queen? She couldn't even control herself on a full moon night, how would she control the most powerful kingdom on the face of the earth? Her mind was full of too many thoughts. Her eyes became heavy with tension. She went to bed and lied. As soon as she lied, she could smell a relaxing perfume in the air. The flowers outside had blossomed for their queen to emit therapeutic aroma. Adrianna closed her eyes and slowly entered the dreamland.

Next two days, Adrianna became busy with her classes. Professor Ziu's anger came down and he was back to his normal self.

One day when she was contemplating her plan, he went to her to ask her, "Adrianna, have you read the notice carefully?"

Adrianna looked at him with a startle, and said, "Yes, Sir."

"I hope you are ready because this time no magic will be allowed. Only your wit and will to live will be your companion. All students will be on their own. It is possible that there are confrontations…" he explained things to her very gently.

"Yes Professor."

Ziu looked at her beautiful face and then gulped. "When you come back from the second stage of competition, there is something I would like to discuss with you…"

"Sure," said Adrianna as she took her hand to her neck and stroked it a little exposing her mark. Ziu saw it and became stiff. "What is that mark?" he asked even though he knew the answer.

"That is Dmitri's mark," she replied with a shy smile.

Ziu only felt more pained at heart. He was beginning to feed on the pain she was giving him unknowingly. He wanted to escape from that pain and felt like stabbing his heart. Without saying a word, he turned and left, much to Adrianna's shock.

When he left, Adrianna went back into her plan mode. She was disturbed by Lile.

"Adrianna, I have been looking for you," said Lile in her chirpy voice.

"Why?" asked Adrianna with a smile.

"Even though we all will be entering the wilderness from various portals, which will open in different places, let's plan to meet each other at one point."

"What point?" asked Adrianna fearing what was about to come.

"Let's meet near that little hut."

"No, we are not allowed to go there!" Adrianna said with anger.

Lile jerked her head behind, "Woah! Why are you so worked up? Almost all are planning to meet somewhere near it."

"But that is the breach of rules."

Lile lowered her head. "Adrianna, what do we do? I am scared."

Adrianna looked at Lile with sadness in her eyes. "Lile, I don't want to be near you or anyone during the competition. Just don't come near me, okay?"

"Adrianna, all friends are planning to help each other," Lile said. "I am all alone. Other than you there is no other friend I have."

"Sorry Lile, don't come near me. Find someone else to help you out," said Adrianna firmly. She got up and walked away from there, her heart aching for her friend.