RHEIN'S POINT OF VIEW
"Good morning."
Everyone straightened up instantly when our teacher walked in. Allie and I exchanged a brief smile.
This is it—the official start of our first day at the academy.
I felt Justin's gaze on me, sharp and unreadable. When I turned to meet his eyes, he quickly looked away. No doubt—he is still holding a grudge about what happened earlier.
Overall, the day wasn't so bad. Studying here at Mnarill tesAleid was… surprisingly enjoyable. The teachers could be strict, but every now and then, they cracked a joke that lightened the mood.
"How's it going? Justin didn't give you a hard time, did he?" Kate asked while we were having snacks in the cafeteria.
I shook my head, sipping my lemonade. "Not yet."
"Wait—yet? You mean he's actually planning to mess with you?" Lovely asked, brows furrowed.
"Probably." I noticed Forelody glaring at me from across the table while chewing on an apple. "What now? I didn't cause trouble. Well… not counting this morning."
"That's exactly my point!" she snapped. "I told you to help Lovely, not embarrass that guy in front of everyone!"
"You worry too much. Keep it up and you'll have a heart attack," I said with a teasing grin.
"Hmph! Do whatever you want!"
"Oh no, Rhein," Kate teased. "Your pracien's mad at you." Even though she isn't an ofris mnarillaza, she somehow picked up on Forelody's thoughts. "She's saying she won't help you if Justin tries anything."
Forelody shot her a glare, making Kate laugh. "Okay, okay. Sorry. I'll stop reading your mind."
"Sorry again, Rhein," Lovely said for what must have been the fifth time today. The guilt was written all over her face.
I smiled reassuringly. "It's fine. No need to keep apologizing." My gaze returned to my pracien, who looked far too stressed for someone so small. "Come on, Forelody. I told you not to worry so much. Don't you trust me? If he does anything, I can handle it. Besides, we're protected here—this isn't some random place where people can just attack each other."
"She's right," Owlice chimed in. "Your pracien is amazing. Don't you trust her?"
"Fine, fine!" Forelody huffed. "Just promise to tell me if you sense danger."
I grinned and pinched her tiny cheeks, making my friends and their praciens burst into laughter at the annoyed expression on her face.
When afternoon classes ended, I told Allie I'd be heading to the main library. I also asked her to tell Forelody if she came looking for me.
I left quickly, heading toward the library, which was only a short walk from our building.
"What kind of book are you looking for, dear?"
The librarian's kind voice made me smile faintly. I approached the counter, biting my lower lip. I felt oddly shy—probably because I'd just learned from overheard whispers that I am the only hwizta mnarillaza in the entire school.
"So you're the one everyone's talking about," the librarian said, glancing at my badge. "The hwizta mnarillaza who isn't part of the royal family."
My eyes widened. Is that enough to make me a topic of gossip already? Word travels so fast here.
"It seems we finally have someone who can rival the school's only deore mnarillaza."
"I—I doubt that," I said with a nervous laugh. "He's already fully transitioned, while I haven't even begun."
"That depends on ability, dear."
I brushed off her words, not wanting the conversation to drift somewhere uncomfortable. "Actually, I'm looking for a book about hwiztamnarillazas. I only learned yesterday that this is my type, so… I have no idea what it entails."
Her expression turned almost sorrowful as she shook her head. "I'm sorry, dear. Those books are in the restricted section. You'd be better off asking your pracien."
Disappointed, I left the library.
Why would they keep such books away from students? Our curriculum included studying the different types of mnarillazas. Even the information on deore mnarillazas was locked in the restricted section.
I tried browsing the shelves anyway, spending nearly two hours searching—but found nothing.
"Rhein!"
I turned toward the sharp, high-pitched voice of my pracien. Forelody landed on my right shoulder, panting heavily.
"There you are! I've been looking all over for you."
"I told Allie I was going to the main library."
"She just said 'library'. How was I supposed to know there's more than one here?" she grumbled. "So, what book were you after?"
"Something about my powers. But no luck—they're all in the restricted section. The librarian said to just ask you instead. So… do you know anything?"
She avoided my eyes, hesitating.
"Forelody, do you know?"
"A-ah…"
I stopped by a bench under a tree and set her down beside me.
"Why won't you tell me?"
"It's not like that."
"Then what? You're acting like you don't want to answer. Is there something wrong with being a hwizta mnarillaza?" My brows knit tightly.
Finally, she met my gaze. "It's not that. The magic of hwiztamnarillazas is just… complicated."
"That's exactly why I want to know. So tell me, Forelody."
"Rhein, I honestly don't know. The hwiztamnarill is so complex that even the pracien of its wielder doesn't know the full extent of its abilities. It has no fixed powers like the deore mnarill. Only you can truly know what you're capable of. What I do know is this—whatever your heart and mind desire, your mnarill will follow."
I nodded slowly, glancing down at my palms. Maybe, that was why Grandfather Lembo hadn't given me much information about hwizta or deore mnarillazas.
As Forelody returned to her usual perch on my shoulder, I studied her in silence.
Why do I feel this way? I don't want to be suspicious of her… but deep down, something feels off. Something's wrong.
And I have no idea which mystery I should try to solve first.