Liana walked out of the principal's office with her map and room key pressed tightly in her hand.
Her heartbeat was steady at first… but as she stepped into the long hallway of Astralis Immortal Academy, something inside her shifted.
A slow dizziness crept up her spine.
She blinked. Once. Twice.
"Not now…" she whispered, breathing deeply as she followed the map.
The academy was alive with students—laughing, carrying boxes, greeting friends. Some parents were still around helping their children settle in. Fancy cars lined the sidewalks. Everyone looked excited… normal.
Meanwhile, she felt like the ground beneath her feet was tilting.
She forced herself forward.
Earlier that morning, Kael had insisted on escorting her.
"I'll take you myself."
But Liana stood her ground.
"No. I want to arrive alone. And you've already told the principal about me. I have my map. I'll survive."
Kael only sighed, cupping her cheek before letting her go.
"Fine, but if anything happens—"
"Nothing will happen," she had smiled.
Now she wished she hadn't said that.
Her knees wobbled as she reached the girls' dorm building. She pushed the door to Room 407 and stepped inside.
Two girls were inside—one sitting on her bed painting her nails, the other unpacking clothes. They turned at the sound of the door… then their eyes widened at the sight of Liana.
"Wow," the shorter girl whispered. "She's so pretty."
Liana forced a weak smile.
"Hi… I'm Liana."
She took one more step.
Then everything darkened.
Her vision blurred like ink spreading on water. Her knees buckled.
The girls screamed as Liana hit the floor.
"Someone call the healer!"
"Is she breathing?!"
Footsteps thundered down the hall. A healer in silver robes rushed in—an older woman with glowing runes on her palms.
But the moment she saw Liana lying there, she froze.
Then she bowed—deeply, respectfully.
"Lady Liana…"
Both roommates stared, confused.
"L–Lady?"
"What's happening?"
The healer knelt beside Liana and placed her glowing hands above her chest. A soft, shimmering light spread over her. Liana's breathing eased, but she didn't wake.
The healer's brows furrowed.
"This is strange," she murmured.
Her voice trembled slightly, as if she didn't want to panic the others.
"Her power was awake before… stable. Strong. But now… now something is blocking it."
"Blocking?" one roommate repeated.
"Yes." The healer's eyes darkened with concern. "It's as if a barrier wrapped around her energy—something trying to suppress her abilities completely."
The girls exchanged nervous glances.
Finally, Liana's fingers twitched. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.
The healer immediately bowed again.
"My lady. You're awake."
Liana blinked at her roommates staring, confused, terrified, and speechless.
She tried to sit up, but the healer gently held her shoulder.
"Don't move yet."
"What… happened?" Liana whispered.
The healer shook her head.
"That is what I'm trying to understand. Your power has not risen suddenly. It has not exploded. Instead, something forced it to retreat. Like an invisible hand pushing it down."
Liana's heart thumped.
"I know I have power," she said quietly, steadying her shaky voice. "But why would it suddenly collapse like this?"
"That is exactly why I was summoned," the healer replied. "Your power was steady before… but now something is interfering with it."
The room fell silent.
Her roommates were frozen, staring at Liana like she was someone they shouldn't even be breathing near.
The healer bowed again—deeper this time.
"With your permission, my lady, I will report this to the principal immediately. Only he will know what to do."
Liana nodded weakly.
The healer left in a hurry.
The room stayed silent for a moment.
Then the taller roommate whispered:
"Liana… who exactly are you?"
Liana forced a small smile.
"Just a new student. Same as you."
The girls didn't believe her—but they kept quiet.
Liana lay back slowly on the bed as her heartbeat finally calmed.
She didn't want Kael to know.
She didn't want him to panic.
She wanted to do this alone.
But deep inside, she knew something:
Whatever happened today…
whatever tried to suppress her power…
…it wasn't normal.
And it wasn't over.