Aira couldn't stop thinking about the photo.
Even as the morning sun slipped through the curtains and painted soft light across her desk, that image from the library haunted her — her great-grandmother standing proudly among a group of robed students, and beside her… that tall, shadowed figure whose face was hidden.
There was something about him — the way his presence in the photo almost moved, as if he were watching her from centuries away. She tried to shake it off, but the thought kept tugging at the edge of her mind.
Zara's voice broke through her thoughts.
"You're staring into space again. What's wrong?"
Aira blinked, forcing a smile. "Nothing. Just thinking about… yesterday."
"You mean the part where you dragged us into an ancient, dusty bookstore for two hours?" Zara teased, tugging her sleeve playfully.
"Hey, I found something interesting!"
"Yeah, and didn't even show me! Rude."
Aira laughed softly. "Maybe later."
She didn't have to attend regular classes today — none of them did. It was her final day of training before the evaluation tomorrow.
So, after breakfast, she headed straight for the training grounds, her stomach fluttering with a mix of nerves and excitement.
The field shimmered under the morning light. The air was crisp, carrying the smell of wet grass and burning magic from other groups practicing in the distance.
Josh was already there, stretching dramatically like he was preparing for battle.
"Finally! Our sleeping beauty arrives," he called out.
"Oh shut up, Josh," Zara said, rolling her eyes.
"Hey, I'm just saying — we could've grown old waiting for her."
Aelric, as usual, stood at the far end of the training circle, his expression unreadable. His arms were crossed, and his voice was clipped when he said,
"If you're all done wasting time, we can begin."
"Good morning to you too," Aira muttered under her breath.
Zara giggled. "He's in a great mood today."
Aelric ignored that completely.
"Aira, since it's your last day before the test, you'll demonstrate everything you've learned. Control, stability, precision."
Aira nodded, inhaling deeply. Her heart pounded — she couldn't mess up now.
She started slow, focusing on the wind first.
It was easier now — more familiar, like a friend she'd finally learned to trust. The breeze responded to her hands, circling gently around her before spinning faster, forming a small cyclone that danced above the ground.
Zara clapped. "Yes! That's perfect!"
Josh grinned. "If I get blown away, just promise to tell people I died a hero."
Aira smirked. "No promises."
Then, she took a step forward. Fire.
That part always terrified her. It was raw, wild, and hot enough to burn through anything — including her control. But she had to try.
She closed her eyes, took a breath, and let the warmth rise from within. The air around her shimmered, and a faint spark glowed at her fingertips. Then another. Soon, swirling flames curled between her hands — fierce, orange, alive.
"Careful," Zara whispered.
"She's fine," Aelric said quietly, though his eyes stayed locked on Aira.
She exhaled and, for the first time, tried to blend them. Wind and fire — two forces that could easily destroy each other if she lost focus. The flames rose higher, flickering violently until she softened the wind's rhythm, guiding it instead of forcing it.
The air spun faster, carrying the flames upward until they formed a perfect spiral — a blazing ribbon twisting through the air before fading into harmless embers.
The group stood in stunned silence.
Zara gasped. "Aira, that was—"
Josh jumped in. "—freaking awesome! You almost set Aelric's hair on fire, though. Bonus points for that."
Aelric gave him a look. "You talk too much."
"And you glower too much," Josh shot back with a grin.
But Aira didn't hear them — she was staring at her hands, trembling slightly. For once, her power hadn't exploded. It had obeyed her.
When she looked up, Aelric was watching her, his expression softer than usual.
"Good," he said simply. "Very good."
Aira blinked. "Wait… was that—"
"A compliment," Josh said loudly. "Somebody write this down before he changes his mind."
Zara laughed. "I thought I'd never hear those words from him."
Aelric rolled his eyes. "You're all impossible."
But Aira caught it — the faint curve of his lips, almost a smile.
"You've improved," he said after a moment.
"Thanks," she murmured.
"I want you to win tomorrow."
Aira froze. "You… what?"
"Don't make me repeat it."
"No, no, I heard it perfectly fine," she teased, a grin tugging at her lips. "Just wondering if you hit your head or something."
Josh leaned toward Zara, whispering, "Are they flirting, or am I just imagining things?"
Zara whispered back, "That's their love language — sarcasm and fire."
They trained until the sun began to sink behind the towers. Aira's muscles ached, but it was the kind of exhaustion that came with pride — a feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time.
When they finally collapsed onto the grass, Josh tossed her a bottle of water.
"So, tomorrow's the big day. You ready to not burn down the entire arena?"
"Oh, ha-ha," Aira said, rolling her eyes.
"I'm just saying — progress is progress."
Zara leaned against her shoulder. "You'll do great. I can feel it."
Aira smiled, glancing at Aelric. He was sitting a few feet away, staring up at the sky, quiet and thoughtful. When their eyes met, he nodded — just once — a silent kind of approval that made her heart warm.
For the first time since she arrived at the academy, Aira felt something like hope.
Maybe she could win tomorrow.
Maybe she finally belonged here.
The morning sun spilled through the dorm window, washing everything in soft gold. Aira lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Today's the day.
Her final test.
The one that would decide if she could stay at the academy—or if she'd lose control again.
Across the room, Zara was already dressed, tying her hair into a high ponytail. "You up?" she asked with a teasing grin. "Or do I need to dump water on your face?"
"Don't you dare," Aira muttered, pushing the blanket off.
Zara laughed and tossed her a granola bar. "Eat. Big day ahead."
Aira smiled faintly, unwrapping it—but her mind was far away. Before heading to the training ground, she picked up her phone. Her thumb hovered over the call button for a moment before she pressed it.
Her mother answered on the second ring.
"Sweetheart! Oh my God, it's early there. Everything okay?"
Aira hesitated, suddenly nervous. "Yeah, I just… wanted to talk to you and Dad before my test today."
"Oh honey," her mom said softly. "Of course. Hold on, I'll put you on speaker—"
There was a rustle, then her dad's voice joined in. "There's our champ. How're you feeling?"
"Nervous," Aira admitted. "But kinda ready. I mean, I think I'm ready."
Her dad chuckled. "You always say that before exams. And you always do great."
Her mom added, "You just have to breathe and trust yourself, okay? Don't let fear take over."
Aira smiled, though her chest felt heavy. "Thanks, Mom. I just don't want to disappoint anyone."
"You could never," her mom said quickly. "We're already so proud of you."
There was a pause, and her dad's voice lowered. "Aira… just promise you'll be careful today."
"I will. Why do you sound so serious?"
Her mom laughed a little too fast. "Oh, you know your dad. Always dramatic."
"I heard that," he said in the background.
"Okay," she whispered. "Wish me luck?"
"Always," her mom said. "Go show them what you've got."
When the call ended, Aira just stared at her screen for a moment. Her reflection in the black glass looked… different. Determined, but uneasy.
When she and Zara walked into the corridor, everyone already knew what day it was. Their neighbors—Mira and Tessa—rushed up to her, carrying a tiny cupcake with "Good Luck, Fire Girl!" scribbled in icing.
"Oh my god," Aira said, laughing. "Did you guys seriously bake this?"
"Of course!" Mira grinned. "We believe in feeding success."
"And if you fail," Tessa added, "we'll still feed you. Cupcakes fix everything."
"Thanks, guys." Aira smiled genuinely for the first time that morning.
The training field was buzzing with students and teachers. Professor Renn, the strict Fire Division instructor, stood with his arms crossed, while Professor Lyra from Wind was silently sipping coffee.
Josh waved from across the field, cupping his hands like a megaphone. "Don't die out there, Aira! If you do, can I have your dorm room?"
"Shut up, Josh!" Zara shouted.
"Love you too!"
Aira rolled her eyes, but the corner of her lips twitched.
Then her gaze met Aelric's. He was leaning against a railing, arms folded, eyes cold as ever.
"You're late," he muttered as she approached.
"I'm literally on time."
"Then I'm early."
"Congratulations," she said dryly.
Zara smirked. "You two are like a divorced couple already."
Both turned to glare at her.
Professor Renn cleared his throat. "Let's begin."
The test began like any other training round. Aira centered her breathing, let the wind gather in her palms—gentle at first, swirling in perfect motion. Then came the fire: warm, bright, and alive.
Her control was steady. The flames didn't lash out this time; the air didn't turn chaotic. The two elements moved like they were dancing.
Zara cheered. "That's my girl!"
Josh gasped dramatically. "She's glowing! Wait, is she actually glowing? Someone get my sunglasses!"
Even Aelric was quiet. His gaze softened a little, and when she looked at him, he gave the smallest nod.
"Not bad," he muttered.
Professor Lyra smiled faintly. "Excellent control, Miss Vexen. You're improving faster than expected."
Professor Renn scribbled something down. "Good. Very good."
For a moment, everything felt perfect.
She'd finally done it.
But then—her breath caught.
The wind around her shifted—suddenly sharp, heavy. Her fire flickered violently, turning darker, almost black.
Aira gasped, clutching her arm. "What—what's happening?"
Her teachers looked alarmed. "Release your energy, Aira!" Renn barked.
She tried. She really did.
But something—someone—was twisting the energy inside her.
The fire rose higher, the heat burning through her palms. The air turned suffocating.
And then—
a voice.
Low. Familiar.
"Found you."
Aira's eyes widened.
At the edge of the field, half-hidden in shadow, stood a tall figure watching her. His presence radiated darkness—the same one she felt outside the principal's office. The same she felt that night she followed Zara.
He was real.
And he was here.
Before she could scream, her own flames turned on her—spiraling wildly—ready to consume her whole.