There was no doubt in Casey’s mind that Sybil could manipulate the wind to a far greater degree than she could. That said, because Casey was also an airbringer, she was able to control the wind just enough that she could counteract and deflate the power and speed of Sybil’s move. Not entirely, but enough so that Sybil wouldn’t notice and that Casey would still be able to dodge the attack.

Sybil scowled at her.

Casey shrugged and stuck out her tongue.

“Better luck next time,” she teased.

* * *

“Very well done,” said the climber president. “Young Casey used the wind to deflate Ms. Wesley’s attack.”

They all murmured in agreement.

“An impressive counter indeed,” said Samuel with slight irritation in his voice.

“I guess proof that those from non-traditional climber backgrounds being weaker than those from climber families is a bunch of bogus nonsense,” said Sakura, crossing her arms smugly at Samuel.

The man’s face went red and he kept his eyes focused on the match.

What are you up to, Samuel? thought Sakura. Why are you and I the only branch commanders here right now?

* * *

Sybil brushed dirt off her clothes and readied herself for another attack.

“Nice trick,” she said. “But I won’t fall for it again. You’re not getting out of this alive, fake-vein! Just accept it. I’m a Westley and you’re a nobody!”

The words sliced through Casey’s mind.

Her eyes widened as memories rushed through her.

You’re a nobody...

* * *

A few weeks after the fountain ceremony, when ten-year-old Casey had discovered she had a profile and a trait, her and her family had been invited to a special event hosted by the climber’s guild.

It was an outdoor barbecue for unranked climbers and their families to come and meet one another.

Casey and her family stuck out like sore thumbs.

They looked poor, but even worse, they looked traitless.

Casey saw two kids playing nearby and she decided to approach them.

She had always been good at making friends at her old elementary school. She’d poke someone in the shoulder and pretend not to notice, goofy little pranks like that to get kid’s attention and get them to play with her. Then she’d start doing similar goofy jokes on other kids with her new friends until they were all a happy gang of kids playing with each other.

She’d do the same thing here.

She approached the little blonde girl and boy and surreptitiously tapped the blonde girl on the shoulder.

Before Casey could pretend like she hadn’t poked her, the blonde girl spoke with hostility.

“Excuse me,” she said. “Did you just touch me?”

Casey shook her head with a silly grin on her face.

“She did,” said the blond boy. “I saw her.”

“My father tells me to keep my hands to myself,” said the girl. “To touch someone is a mark of war.”