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The enigmatic atmosphere inside the Enigma Club filled the air as I stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, casting shadows across the walls. A stunning lady, with a stern yet elegant presence, was the only person present. She turned to face me and spoke, her voice firm but not unkind.
"Great," I said with a hint of exhaustion, "my only student."
The lady, who exuded an air of authority, regarded me with a mixture of curiosity and expectation. She moved closer and studied me intently, taking in every detail. Despite her stern appearance, I had a certain beauty and grace about her.
"You're early," I continued, her tone still retaining a cool composure. "What's your name?"
I felt a slight shiver run down my spine under the lady's intense scrutiny. I took a deep breath, gathering my composure, and introduced myself succinctly.
"I'm Lily," I said, my voice clear and steady. I met the lady's gaze directly, holding my ground.
The lady nodded in acknowledgment, seemingly satisfied with my response. She took a few steps back, placing a small distance between us, and leaned against the nearest wall. A hint of skepticism flickered in her eyes as I continued speaking.
"Well, I," she began, her voice carrying a note of assessment, "I am Professor Selena, the head of the Enigma Club."
Professor Selena's sharp gaze scanned across my face, seeking any sign of weakness or fear. She stood straight, her arms crossed, exuding an air of authority. Her voice was cool and controlled, as if she was already forming opinions about her new student.
"I hope you're not here because of some ridiculous rumors about the club," she stated, her tone bordering on impatient.
Professor Selena studied me intently, noting my physical appearance and demeanor. A flicker of realization crossed her face as she observed certain similarities between me and my brother.
"You look a bit like your brother," Professor Selena mused. Her voice held a hint of contemplation, as if she was already connecting the dots in her mind.
Curiosity flickered in Professor Selena's eyes as she continued her assessment. She pushed herself away from the wall and took a few steps closer to me, her gaze unwavering.
"Are you twins by any chance?" she asked, her tone laced with subtle suspicion.
I was taken aback by the mention of my brother, questioned Professor Selena with a mix of surprise and caution.
"How do you know my brother?" I inquired, my voice laced with a hint of protectiveness. "And no, we're not twins; he's older than me, my older brother."
Professor Selena's expression softened slightly as she reminisced about her past with Raymond. She looked at me with a touch of nostalgia.
"Raymond and I used to hang out in middle school," she revealed, her voice carrying a hint of wistfulness. "We were close, you could say."
My gaze wandered around the room, taking in the empty and somewhat neglected armchairs. I found the atmosphere a bit eerie, and the layer of dust on the furniture didn't do much to alleviate the sense of disuse.
Looking back at Professor Selena, I posed a question, my voice laced with mild confusion.
"Why is the classroom so empty and it looks like it hasn't been used for decades...?"
Professor Selena's voice held a hint of regret and resignation as she explained the situation. She leaned against one of the armchairs, her gaze fixed on me.
"It has been years since I've taught," she admitted, her tone tinged with a touch of sadness. "Madam Aria wanted me back because she said there's a girl who needs to learn her abilities, and it's you."
A flicker of determination gleamed in Professor Selena's eyes as she continued, "All of my students here in the Enigma Club disappeared without a trace. You're my only chance for this club to thrive again."
I felt a mixture of surprise and curiosity as I absorbed Professor Selena's words. The mystery of the missing students and the importance placed on my own abilities made me feel both humbled and a bit overwhelmed.
"I see," I replied, my voice a little uncertain, yet tinged with determination. "So you think I'm the only one who can help restore this club?"
Professor Selena nodded, a mix of hope and desperation in her eyes. She pushed herself away from the armchair and walked closer to me, her voice firm and resolute.
"Yes," she said, her tone filled with newfound confidence. "Madam Aria believes in your abilities, and I do too. I will guide you, teach you, and help you discover the true power within you."
A smile tugged at my lips as I spoke, my determination growing. I looked at Professor Selena with newfound conviction.
"Then what are we waiting for?" I said, my voice filled with eagerness. "Let's get started!"
Professor Selena shifted her stance and stood up straight, assuming a more authoritative demeanor. She fixed her gaze on me, her voice taking on a stern and instructive tone.
"The first lesson," she began, "is how to possess other's abilities, powers. The art of manipulating them."
She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath, preparing to dive into the technical explanation.
Professor Selena continued her explanation, her voice firm and authoritative.
"Let's go with the elemental powers," she stated, her tone leaving no room for doubt. "It would be better to start with the basics, which is easier on you."
She gave me a moment to process the information before continuing, ensuring that I understood the foundation upon which we would build.
Professor Selena's eyes scanned over me, noting my understanding and determination. The knowledge of my abilities and the potential I held intrigued the Professor.
"Now, let's begin," she instructed, her voice regaining its authoritative tone. "Let's start with a simple exercise. Close your eyes and clear your mind."
I followed Professor Selena's instructions, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. I focused on emptying my mind, pushing away any distractions and external thoughts. The room grew quieter, the only sound the soft rhythm of my breathing.
Professor Selena observed me intently, watching her student's concentration. She noted the calmness that seemed to envelop her and nodded in approval.
"Very good," she praised, her voice taking on a softer tone. "Now, try to visualize an element within your mind. Let it manifest within your thoughts."
I remained still, my eyelids closed, and my mind became hyper-focused. I tried to imagine different elements, starting with something basic like water. In my mind's eye, I envisioned the flowing, rippling liquid, its shape and movement becoming clearer with each passing moment.
Professor Selena noticed the effort on my face, recognizing the signs of struggle. She observed me intently, gauging her student's progress.
"Focus, Lily," Professor Selena said, her voice firm yet encouraging. "It's not just about visualization. You need to connect with the element on a deeper level. Feel its essence within you."
Professor Selena demonstrated her command over the elements with a display of power. With a focused gesture of her hand, she unleashed the four elements in quick succession - a rock materialized for earth, a perfect water ball formed in her palm, a small flame appeared in her other hand, and a gentle breeze fluttered through the room from the open window.
"See?" she said, her voice holding a hint of confidence. "You need to feel the elements, become one with them. This is how you can possess and manipulate them."
I watched the scene unfold, both awed and intimidated by the demonstration. I felt the force and control of each element, how they obeyed Professor Selena's command effortlessly.
Gathering my nerve, I focused my mind once more, attempting to follow Professor Selena's words. I imagined becoming one with earth, water, fire, and air, hoping to feel their essence within me like my teacher had said.
Professor Selena observed my struggle, her eyes fixed on her student's face. Picking up on her tension, she spoke gently yet firmly.
"I know it's hard," she began, her voice carrying a note of understanding. "But try to relax. It's similar to copying someone's ability. There's no room for tension or doubt. You need to be confident and focused."
I took a deep breath, trying to relax my body and ease my mind. Comparing it to copying someone's ability helped me to understand better. I closed my eyes once more, visualizing the elements within me and attempting to merge with them, just as I would when copying an ability.
Professor Selena watched my progression closely, noting the shifts in my expression. The tension in my body and furrowed brow began to slowly dissolve as I attempted to relax.
"There you go," Selena said, her voice soft and encouraging. "You're getting closer. Don't force it. Just let it flow through you."
As I managed to harness the elements, they swirled and rotated around me in a captivating display. The light from the fire danced along the walls, the water formed a small orb in the air, and the wind tousled my hair.
Professor Selena's eyes widened in awe as she watched her student demonstrate mastery over the elements. "Very good," she praised, her voice holding a hint of surprise and pride. "You're tapping into the power within you."
Professor Selena beamed with pride upon witnessing my successful manipulation of the elements. I then shifted my focus to the next step of our session.
"Excellent work, Lily," she commended. "Now, let's move on to the next lessonāAlchemy class. Time to explore potions and the mysteries of the Laboratory. Follow me."
Professor Selena led me into the Laboratory, the air filled with the scent of various potions and concoctions. She began the lesson, her voice taking on a serious tone.
"The first potion we will create today is the Starlight Spark," she announced, glancing over at a row of ingredients on the table. "If consumed, it bestows the ability to manipulate light itself. Are you prepared, Lily?"
As the lesson came to an end, the late afternoon sun had long since vanished, and twilight descended upon the campus. Professor Selena, satisfied with the advancement of our lesson, led me out of the Laboratory and towards the dorms.
"It's getting late," Selena mentioned, her voice carrying a hint of weariness. "Time for rest and preparation for Monday's lesson. Let's head to the dorms."
The night was quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves and the distant sounds of nocturnal creatures. I followed Professor Selena, my mind buzzing with everything I had learned that day. They soon reached the dormitories, our destination in sight.
Professor Selena stopped in front of the entrance and turned to face me, her expression softening. "Rest well tonight," she said, her voice laced with subtle concern. "On Monday will be another challenging day."
I had just entered my dorm room and was about to settle in for the night when I heard a faint noise coming from the adjoining bedroom. My curiosity piqued, I quietly shut the door behind me and tiptoed towards the bedroom.
Slowly pushing open the door, my eyes widened as I caught sight of Max inside the room.
Max, sitting on the bed, looked up as the door creaked open, his gaze meeting mine. Surprise flickered across his features for a brief moment.
"I didn't expect to see you here," he said, his voice low and slightly raspy. "What brings you to my room?"
I stepped into the room, my eyes roaming over the modest space. Then, a realization dawned on me, and I turned to Max with a surprised expression.
"Wait a moment," I said, a hint of disbelief in my voice. "You're my roommate?"
"Yeah, I'm your roommate,"
Startled by the unexpected voice, I spun around to find the source of the sound. Standing behind me was a figure, and they spoke to me with a casual tone.
Taken aback, I stared at the figure for a moment, my mind racing to understand the situation.
As the figure stepped out from the shadows, I recognized him as the person who had dragged the siren-like girl I had seen earlier. He was tall, with a pair of thick glasses framing his face.
Seeing him in this situation caught me off guard, but my expression remained mostly neutral.
The man with glasses looked at me with a hint of pride in his expression. He pushed his glasses up and spoke with a steady voice.
"I'm Ace," he said, a hint of confidence in his tone. "I belong to the Illusionist Club."
Looking at Ace with a mix of fascination and surprise, I processed the information.
"Wait, that wasn't Max?" i asked, my voice filled with a hint of wonder. "It was an illusion all along?"
Ace nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "That's right," he confirmed. "Max was never here. I created an illusion to make it seem like he was."
My curiosity grew with each revelation. I looked at Ace and posed the question.
"Wait, how do you know Max?" I inquired, my voice tinged with confusion.
Ace responded with a matter-of-fact tone. "No, I don't know him personally," he clarified. "But I can see him in your mind."
My eyebrows furrowed as I processed his words. I couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy knowing that Ace had access to my thoughts and memories relating to Max.
"You can see Max in my mind? What do you mean?" I asked, my voice slightly strained.
A knowing smile played at the corner of Ace's lips as he spoke with a hint of certainty.
"Don't try to deny it, girl," he said, his tone laced with a hint of confidence. "You want to see Max, that's why."
I couldn't help but feel a faint blush creeping onto my cheeks. His words hit a little too close to the truth. I hadn't expected my desire to see Max to be so obvious to others, especially someone like Ace.
Unable to deny his statement fully, I muttered in response. "Alright, fine. What if I do want to see him? What about it?"
Ace shrugged nonchalantly, seemingly unbothered by the admission.
"Relax," he said, his voice remaining calm. "I don't want any trouble. But please, get out of my room, tiny girl. Go back to your own room."
I crossed my arms, feeling a mix of annoyance and embarrassment. Being referred to as "tiny girl" stung a little, but I bit back any retort.
"Alright, I get the hint," I mumbled, a hint of reluctance in my voice. "I'll go back to my room."
With a sigh, I closed the door to the adjoining room and stepped back into my own bedroom. The events of the evening were still swirling in my head as I approached my bed and settled among the bedding.
Finding a comfortable position, I rolled onto my back and stared up at the ceiling, trying to calm my mind for sleep to come.
The silence of the room was suddenly interrupted by a soft whisper, as if a snake was lazily coiling and uncoiling somewhere nearby.
My eyes widened in the darkness, my ears straining to pinpoint the source of the sound. I froze, listening intently, my heart rate quickening a bit.
The initial shock of the strange whisper began to subside, replaced by the logical explanation that it could be just another illusion created by Ace. With this thought in mind, I dismissed the whispers and settled back into my bed, convincing myself it was all just a trick.
As I closed my eyes, I took a deep breath and attempted to will myself to sleep, pushing away any lingering unease.
As I lay there, trying to drift off to sleep, my eyes snapped open at the sound of my name being whispered. The soft, hiss-like voice sent a chill down my spine.
"Lily~" the voice repeated, its tone almost caressing.
Startled, I abruptly sat up in bed and turned on the bedside lamp, casting a warm glow over the room. My eyes darted around the space, searching for the source of the voice.
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice a hint shaky as I tried to sound assertive.
Despite the unease in my chest, I found myself compelled by the voice. The tone was almost enchanting, as if lulling me into a state of compliance.
I swallowed hard, but the urge to follow the voice's command grew stronger.
"Come outside your dorm and you'll see~"
With a mix of trepidation and curiosity, I found myself getting out of bed and heading to the door.
Driven by the mysterious voice and an urge beyond me control, I stepped out of my bedroom and made my way to the front door. My feet padded silently on the floorboards, my heart racing with a mix of fear and curiosity.
The night was quiet and still. The only sounds were my own soft footsteps and the muffled beats of my heart.
As I opened the door, I was met with the cool night air and a sudden presence near my ear. A hiss-like whisper caressed my skin.
"Follow," the voice commanded, its tone compelling and demanding.
The hypnotic hold of the voice was abruptly broken. Before I could fully register what was happening, a hand closed around my arm, pulling me back to reality. Blinking, I looked up and saw Ace standing there.
Confused and disoriented, I looked around, realizing I had somehow ended up outside the dorm room. "How did I get here?"
"Ace?" I managed to say, my voice shaky. "What's going on? How did I end up out here?"
Ace looked at me, his expression a mix of concern and confusion. He had been walking down the hallway when he saw the front door of the dorm room open and found me standing on the porch.
"I'm not sure," he replied, his grip on my arm loosening. "I saw you standing outside. What happened?"
I shook my head, still trying to piece together the disjointed memories. The last thing I could recall was falling asleep in my bed. How I ended up outside my room and listening to a strange voice was a mystery to me.
"I... I don't know," I admitted, my voice now more steady. "I was asleep in my room. Then I heard this voice whispering to me, telling me to come out. And the next thing I knew, I was out here."
Ace's eyebrows furrowed as he listened. The story sounded strange and a little unsettling.
"A voice? Telling you to come out?" he repeated, scratching his head. "Do you have any idea who it was?"
I shook my head again, my expression a mixture of confusion and growing fear. The experience had left me shaken.
"No, I don't know. It was just this whisper. It was so...compelling, like I had to follow it." I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly feeling a chill in the air.
My voice trembled slightly as I tried to describe the voice.
"It...it sounded like a snake," I said, my eyes avoiding Ace's. "Like a soft, hissing whisper. Like someone... something speaking in a sibilant way."
Ace, noticing my trembling, drew me into a reassuring embrace. The contact seemed to comfort me as I leaned against him, seeking warmth and security.
"Shh," he said softly. "Let's go inside. It's too cold to stand out here."
The morning after the strange occurrences of the night before, I awoke feeling a mix of unease and determination. I quickly got out of bed, aware that I had classes to attend.
As I got ready, I noticed Ace seated on a chair, sipping from a cup and reading the newspaper. He glanced up as I rushed around, looking unusually harried.
"What are you hurrying for?" he asked with a quizzical expression.
Feeling a sense of urgency, I quickly gathered my things and prepared to leave. In response to Ace's question, I answered hurriedly.
"I'm going to be late to class!" I said, my voice filled with slight panic. "And yeah, shouldn't you have classes too?"
As I fretted about being late for class, Ace's response stopped me in my tracks. He set down his paper, a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
"It's Saturday, dumb woman," he said, a hint of mockery in his tone. "Did you forget what day it is?"
My cheeks flushed as I realized my mistake. The panic from earlier was replaced with embarrassment.
"Oh, right," I muttered, feeling foolish. "Saturday. Right. I guess I got a little carried away."
Ace chuckled, enjoying my flustered state.
"A little carried away? You were about to run out of here like a headless chicken."
I shot him a glare, trying to recover my pride.
"Don't tease me," I retorted, my voice a blend of annoyance and embarrassment. "I was just... distracted, that's all."
Trying to change the subject and steer away from my earlier mishap, I turned to Ace and asked, my voice a bit tentative.
"Hey, do you have any plans today? Or, um, would you mind showing me around the Evergreen Academy?"
Ace gave me a mock-offended look after my question, rolling his eyes slightly.
"I'm not some freaking tourist," he retorted, feigning a tone of annoyance. "Why do you want a tour anyway?"
I, still slightly embarrassed from before, crossed my arms defensively.
"I'm just trying to get acquainted with the place," I explained, a hint of stubbornness in my voice. "It's my first time here, remember?"
Conceding to my insistence, Ace let out a theatrical sigh.
"Ugh, fine," he said with an exaggerated eye roll. "If that'll get you to stop bugging me, I'll show you around."
Following his reluctant agreement to the tour, Ace stood up from his chair and began leading me around the Evergreen Academygrounds.
The campus was indeed a sight to behold. Ancient trees stood like sentinels, their branches weaving a canopy of leaves that danced in the breeze. The buildings were a mix of old and new architecture, each with its own unique charm. The air was filled with a sense of magic, as if the very grounds were imbued with a certain enchantment.
As the tour came to a close, Ace and I walked together through the halls of the academy. I was filled with wonder and excitement from all I had seen, began to regale Ace with a story.
"I still can't believe how beautiful this place is," I began, my eyes shining. "It's like something out of a fairy tale..."
I was abruptly pulled away from Ace and the interrupted story by an unexpected voice. When I looked up, she saw Max standing there, looking surprised.
"Max!" I exclaimed, a mixture of surprise and delight in my voice. "I didn't expect to see you. What are you doing here?"
As I was about to respond to Max, Ace suddenly pulled me back, his grip tight on my arm.
"Lily," he said urgently, his voice low and tense. "That's not Max."
I was frustrated and bewildered by the situation, spoke up, my voice a mix of irritation and confusion.
"Wait, why is everyone trying to trick me by using Max's appearance?" I exclaimed, looking back and forth between Ace and the mysterious figure portraying Max.
The mysterious figure posing as Max faded into a shadowy mist, leaving a sense of unease in its wake. I looked back to Ace, her confusion evident.
"Ace, what was that?" I asked, my voice tinged with a touch of fear and apprehension.
Ace's expression was grave as he observed the vanished shadow. He turned to me, his gaze serious.
"That was a shapeshifter," he explained, his tone grave. "It can assume the appearance of anyone, even Max. It used your memories of him to fool you."
My confusion grew as I attempted to make sense of what I had just witnessed.
"But if that was a shapeshifter," I said, my brow furrowing, "it wouldn't have just vanished into a mist, right?"
Ace nodded in confirmation.
"You're right," he agreed, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "That wasn't just a shapeshifter. It had the ability to transform and become intangible, turning into a mist. That's a level of power beyond what a regular shapeshifter can do."
I was still on edge from the recent encounter, reacted instinctively when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned and, without realizing it was the real Max, I threw a punch in self-defense. It connected, sending him stumbling back a few steps.
"What was that for?!" Max exclaimed, rubbing his jaw where he had been struck.
Ace watched the scene unfold, his expression a mix of surprise and amusement. He turned to me and couldn't resist a quip.
"Great punch, dumb woman," he quipped, a hint of an amused smile on his face.
I quickly moved to help Max, apologizing profusely.
"Sorry, Max!" I said, my voice filled with remorse. "They've been shape-shifting to be you lately so I had my doubts about who was real and fake!"
Max, still rubbing his jaw, winced slightly at the pain.
"It's okay, Lily," he reassured me, trying to make light of the situation. "I probably would've done the same thing. Just maybe warn me next time before you throw a punch."
Ace's chuckle echoed through the hall, amused by the situation.
"I can't believe you just bled from that light punch of hers," he commented, shaking his head slightly. "You're more fragile than you look, Max."
Max shot Ace a withering glare, still nursing his injured jaw.
"Yeah, well, not all of us are made of stone like you," he retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
I was sensing the growing tension, attempted to lighten the mood by introducing the two.
"Hey, Max, this is Ace," I said, gesturing to Ace. "He's from the illusionist club."
I then turned to Ace and added, "And Ace, this is Max. He's my friend from the shadow club."
Max gave Ace a nod of acknowledgment, though there was a hint of competitive rivalry in his gaze.
Ace, returning the nod, eyed Max with his usual aloof smirk.
"Shadow club, eh?" he said. "So, what do you guys do, lurk in corners and cause mischief?"
Max bristled at the jab, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"We don't lurk in corners," he retorted, a hint of defensiveness in his voice. "We master the art of stealth, subtlety, and manipulation. Unlike you illusionists, we deal in shadows rather than false images."
Ace chuckled, enjoying the banter.
"Oh, so you're experts in sneaky business, huh? That's cute." he replied, a smirk on his face. "But illusions require finesse and skill too, you know. It takes a certain talent to manipulate minds and perceptions like I do."
Max rolled his eyes, clearly not impressed.
"Talent, or just a lot of smoke and mirrors?" he shot back, his tone laced with skepticism. "Shadows are more substantial than your tricks, I can assure you."
Max, feeling the power surging through his hand, stepped forward to challenge Ace.
"One on one?" he said, a hint of determination in his voice.
Ace, adjusting his glasses nonchalantly, met Max's gaze with a cool challenge.
"Alright, shadow boy," he replied, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Bring it on."
I was fed up with the competitive display between Max and Ace, rolled my eyes and sighed aloud.
"Guys, are you two stuck in kindergarten or something?" I said, my voice exasperated. "You're grown men, not kids. Can't you settle this without comparing powers like it's a playground fight?"
Ace, annoyed by my interruption, turned to me with a dismissive tone.
"This is none of your business, dumb lady," he said bluntly, his expression cool and condescending.
Max, equally frustrated with Ace's dismissive attitude, stepped in, defending me.
"Don't call a woman like that!" he snapped at Ace. "You should learn to respect women."
Ace, not one to back down from a challenge, retorted with a sharp and comment.
"Oh, look who's playing the white knight all of a sudden," he said, a smirk on his lips. "Since when did you become a champion of women's rights, shadow boy?"
Max clenched his fists, clearly irritated by Ace's comment.
"Someone has to have some manners around here," he shot back, his tone sharp.
Me, watching the verbal sparring match unfold, shook my head and sighed again.
Ace, sensing Max's growing irritation, taunted him further.
"So, you wanna fight?" he said, a hint of challenge in his voice. "Go ahead and give it your best shot, shadow boy. Just make sure you don't end up on the losing side."
Max bristled, his eyes narrowed in both anger and determination.
"Oh, don't worry about me, illusionist," he retorted, his voice tinged with a hint of mockery. "You'll be the one eating dirt when this is over."
I'm still annoyed by the pointless competition between Ace and Max, rolled my eyes once more and decided to walk away, seeking a more peaceful environment.
As I walked away, I couldn't help but hear more of their banter in the distance.
I stopped for a moment, feeling a mix of irritation and fascination, wondering just how long these two would keep up their macho display.
I abruptly halted in my steps as I heard the familiar voice. My heart leaped in my chest, and confusion flooded my mind. Could it be another imitation, or was I hearing things again?
With a mix of hesitation and curiosity, I turned around, trying to locate the source of the voice.
As I stood there, watching Max and Ace's continued bickering, a thought crossed my mind. Instead of involving them in another potential situation, I decided to handle this on my own.
Cautiously, I turned away from Max and Ace and started walking down the hallway alone, my footsteps echoing softly in the corridor.
As I followed the voice, I found myself heading down to the basement, despite the warning sign stating "Students aren't allowed."
Dismissing the warning, my determination to uncover the source of the voice outweighed any reservations I might have about ignoring the rule.
Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I gripped the doorknob tightly. My heart was pounding in my chest, anticipation and anxiety mingling together. Despite the uncertainty awaiting me on the other side of the door, I had come this far, and I couldn't back out now.