After hearing that finger snap, the class suddenly fell silent. A thick fog abruptly enveloped the entire room. Slowly but surely, the students vanished from Elysia's sight, as if trapping her in a silent, cold forest.
Elysia glanced at the seat next to her only to find Celina was not there. She was alone with no one to accompany her.
"It has begun, hasn't it?"
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then began to concentrate. Slowly but surely, she began to feel it, a warmth spreading throughout her entire body.
What is this? It's a little... warm.
When her eyes opened, everything around her became dark and silent. She began to realize she had fallen into her subconscious.
Alone. It's fine, I've always been alone anyway. Yes. Always.
However, not long after, softly glowing clumps of light approached her. Hundreds? Thousands? She didn't know, she couldn't count them.
They surrounded her like stars encircling the moon.
Elysia reached out her hand. One star came to her. At that moment, she felt a cold air. Not a biting cold, but a cold that was soothing, like the first snow of winter.
Ah. This reminds me, every time winter comes, he gives me warmth.
A bitter feeling suddenly filled her chest. At a time like this, for some reason, she remembered the unending bitterness in her soul.
But the stars seemed to ignore her feelings. Several entered her body. At that moment, her whole body shuddered, feeling various strange yet comfortable sensations within her.
She sighed. She tried to focus again, but her eyes widened when she glanced into the distance.
Wait. That...
Her gaze fixed on a bright, fiery red star located far in front of her. Her chest beat fast. She herself didn't even know why, but her heart felt sore seeing it.
Could it be...?
She reached out her hand. The one thing she wanted now was to reach that star no matter what.
But the other stars seemed to try to stop her. They entangled her like tree roots trying to prevent her from reaching that star.
Get out of my way! I don't need you! Don't get in my way!
But... that star felt farther and farther away. Elysia could barely see it.
No! Please don't go! You might be the only clue!
But it was futile, the star disappeared completely into the distant darkness, leaving only the bright blue stars that kept entering her body.
Nooooo!
Amidst the shimmering stars that kept dancing. Elysia screamed incoherently. Crying in her own subconscious.
After that... everything went dark.
***
Elysia slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was the anxious expression on Celina's face.
"What happened?"
Celina didn't answer immediately, hugging her small body tightly. "You worried me, Elysia."
Elysia hugged her back gently with a weak smile.
She then scanned her eyes around, disregarding the people's stares, her violet irises directly aimed at Antoni. She tilted her head, as if asking what really happened?
"You fainted, Lady Alveria. Right after I finished the ritual."
"I see..."
Antoni raised his eyebrows. "It seems you're alright. Did you feel something different?"
Elysia was silent for a moment. "A little."
"Don't tell me you've already awakened it?" Antoni laughed before then shrugging his shoulders. "Yeah. No way. It takes at least three attempts, unless you're a genius who can attract many stars at once."
Elysia stretched out her hand. Her eyes closed, concentrating fully.
For some reason, she could feel a warm sensation flowing through her blood vessels towards her palm. In her head, she pictured a change in energy, from warm to something cool and refreshing.
"Bloom."
At that moment, a cold air gathered in her hand, forming a beautiful ice flower.
All eyes turned to her. Not excepting Professor Antoni who was equally stunned. Their mouths were half open as they stared at the flower slowly blooming in the corner of the room. A gentle, cool air filled the classroom.
"Elysia... és incrível (you're incredible)."
The ice flower slowly faded as Elysia ran out of energy until her head fell onto Celina's shoulder.
Elysia let out a heavy sigh. A few drops of sweat streamed down her temples.
Celina moved quickly, holding her shoulder in a panic.
"Elysia!"
"I'm fine. Just a little weak."
Meanwhile, Professor Antoni scratched the back of his head. He laughed stiffly. "Damn. They're all very promising little monsters. Maybe I'll retire sooner."
Celina turned quickly to the professor. "Professor. What happened to Elysia?!"
Antoni blinked. "No need to worry, Lady Velharis. She's just tired. This is normal. Honestly, her condition even looks much better than most people's when using magic for the first time."
Awkwardness filled the entire class.
"Are you alright, Lady?"
Elysia straightened her back, nodding slowly after wiping the sweat from her brow.
Antoni gave a thin smile. He, once again, broke the tension by clapping his hands. "Alright, one of your friends has shown extraordinary potential. Everyone give a round of applause."
Clap. Clap. Clap.
The sound of everyone's applause echoed throughout the class. Not excepting Celina and Professor Antoni himself. They looked at her with proud gazes.
Elysia lowered her head slightly. A faint, subtle smile spread on her lips.
"Alright. Since it seems many of you have questions for her. I will end the class early. See you all. I hope you can get along."
After saying that, Prof Antoni vanished amid a smoke cloud that suddenly appeared from nowhere.
Elysia pursed her lips. What a cliché way to disappear.
The students suddenly swarmed her like bees swarming a flower. Their mouths wouldn't stop exclaiming, asking how she did it. But she just sighed, not wanting to respond further.
It was Celina who answered them, putting on airs as if she had been best-friends with Elysia for years.
This girl... well, it's fine. I'll forgive her this time for helping deal with them.
Elysia answered stiffly. She hadn't expected to become the center of attention after suddenly using magic. But behind all that, there must be consequences.
When she glanced briefly, several pairs of eyes on the other side were staring sharply at her, filled with envy and jealousy. Especially from a spiral-haired woman across the window. Her gaze was colder and more piercing than the others.
Ah... it's been a long time since I received looks like that. To be honest, I don't want to get caught in cliché teenage novel conflict.
She sighed. Her ears twitched slightly, sensing a bad premonition.
Her eyes scanned the room and landed on Alonso. That boy was staring at her with a mysterious smile that made her feel uncomfortable.
What does he want?