Morning sunlight filtered through stained glass, scattering rainbow fragments across the marble halls of Arcanis Academy.
Every step I took echoed faintly—too soft to be heard, too sharp to be ignored.
Students moved in clusters, robes fluttering, laughter spilling down the corridor. Some glanced my way, whispered, then quickly turned away. The rumors about the "black orb girl" had already spread.
Perfect. Let them talk.
Fear would keep them distant.
Lyra caught up beside me, her crimson hair practically glowing in the morning light. "You really don't hear the gossip, do you?" she teased.
"I try not to."
She grinned. "You broke a teacher's mana crystal, Serena. You can't expect people not to notice."
"I didn't mean to," I lied.
Lyra raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Right. Well, you've got your orientation today. Try not to destroy anything before lunch, okay?"
I gave her a half-smile. "No promises."
The Orientation Hall was massive—runic banners floated above, displaying symbols of the seven elements: Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Light, Shadow, and Arcane.
Students filled the seats as Headmaster Aurelius Vaen—a tall man draped in flowing robes of white and gold—stood at the dais. His presence radiated calm authority, but when his gaze swept over me, I felt it pause, just for a heartbeat.
"Welcome, new initiates," he said, voice carrying easily. "Arcanis Academy is where the brightest of every kingdom come to master their craft. But remember—talent alone is not enough. Control is everything."
The words hung in the air, sharp as a warning.
After the ceremony, we were divided into evaluation groups. Each student had to demonstrate basic mana control to determine placement.
When it was my turn, the proctor—a sharp-tongued noble girl with silver curls and emerald eyes—stepped forward. Her uniform shimmered with the insignia of House Velthorn, one of the elite lineages.
"Next," she said briskly, glancing at the clipboard. "Serena Vale."
That was the name Elion had given me. I walked forward, feeling dozens of eyes follow.
The girl smirked. "Oh, you're the one everyone's whispering about. The 'void girl.'"
"Rumors spread fast here."
"Of course they do. Weaklings make good stories."
I said nothing, just placed my hand on the testing glyph. Mana surged instantly, rippling through the sigils etched into the floor. The lines that were supposed to glow blue or red instead turned pure black—an absence of color that devoured the light.
The air went cold.
The noble girl's smirk faltered. "W-What kind of magic is that?"
"The kind you can't copy."
Whispers filled the hall. Someone muttered "cursed blood" while another gasped about "forbidden affinity."
The proctor scowled, cheeks flushed with pride and fear. "Show-off. Let's see how long that lasts."
Without warning, she lifted her staff. A gust of green energy spiraled toward me—a harmless sparring spell, but fast.
The room gasped.
I didn't move.
The spell disintegrated midair, devoured by a shadow that flickered into existence around me like ink spreading through water.
The noble girl stumbled back, eyes wide. "W-What did you—"
"Lesson one," I said softly. "Never attack someone you don't understand."
The silence that followed was heavy. Even the instructors hesitated before one finally cleared his throat. "That's… sufficient. You may proceed, Miss Serena."
I walked past without another word.
Later, in the academy garden, Lyra caught up with me again. "You really like making an impression, huh?"
"She attacked first."
"I know," she said with a sigh. "But still—most people don't vaporize spells before breakfast."
I chuckled lightly. "I'll tone it down. Maybe."
Lyra rolled her eyes. "Come on. Let me show you the dorms."
As we walked, I noticed Ravel leaning against a tree nearby, watching me with the same half-smile from before. When our eyes met, he simply mouthed, 'Interesting.'
I pretended not to care, but the way his gaze lingered made something twist in my chest—curiosity, or perhaps warning.
Lyra led me to a large building overlooking the academy gardens. My assigned room was small but bright, with a bed, a desk, and a circular window that faced the sunset.
As she left, she smiled. "If anyone gives you trouble, find me. You're not alone here, okay?"
Her kindness caught me off guard. I wasn't used to warmth without an ulterior motive.
When the door closed behind her, I sat on the bed and stared at my reflection in the window.
The twin moons were rising again, bathing the world in silver light.
"You see now," the Void whispered, soft as breath, "this world fears what it cannot name. Use that fear, my daughter. Make it kneel."
I pressed a hand against the window glass. "I'll use it… but on my terms."
"As you wish."
The shadows around me rippled faintly—like a living cloak eager to obey.
Somewhere in this academy, my old betrayer's soul was reborn. I could feel it.
And when I found him…
Ren's death would finally mean something.