Mia, Kai, and Amara stood nervously outside the Dean's office, the sound of murmuring voices and shuffling papers filling the air. Lyrein leaned against the wall, his eyes fixed on the door.
The earthquake had caused quite a stir at the Academy, and the Dean had summoned Mia to discuss the incident.
The door swung open, and the Dean's secretary, a bespectacled witch, beckoned them in. "The Dean will see you now."
Mia took a deep breath and stepped forward, her friends and Lyrein following close behind.
Dean Ravenswood, a stern-looking woman with piercing green eyes, sat behind her desk. "Mia, I think we need to talk."
Mia nodded, feeling a knot in her stomach. "Yes, ma'am."
The Dean's gaze flicked to Lyrein, and her expression turned icy. "And who is this?"
Lyrein smiled, his fangs glinking in the light. "Lyrein, at your service."
The Dean's eyes narrowed. "A Nightwalker. I should have known."
Mia stepped forward, her hands held up. "It's okay, Dean. He's here to help me."
The Dean sighed, rubbing her temples. "Very well. Mia, we need to discuss the earthquake. What happened?"
Mia explained, trying to downplay her role in the incident. But the Dean wasn't having it.
"You caused the earthquake, didn't you?" she asked, her voice firm.
Mia nodded, feeling a surge of guilt. "I... I didn't mean to."
The Dean leaned forward, her eyes flashing with intensity. "I need you to fix this, Mia. Use your magic to repair the damage."
Mia hesitated, unsure if she could. But with Lyrein's encouraging nod, she took a deep breath and focused.
The words of the spell flowed from her lips, and a warm glow spread from her fingertips. The room around her began to shift, the cracks in the walls sealing themselves, the broken furniture reassembling.
When she finished, the Dean nodded, looking impressed. "Well done, Mia. You're a powerful witch."
But her expression turned serious. "However, your actions have consequences. You've attracted unwanted attention. You need to be more careful."
Lyrein stepped forward, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'll make sure she's safe, Dean."
The Dean's gaze lingered on him before she nodded. "See that you do."
As they left the office, Mia felt a thrill of excitement. She had fixed the damage, and the Dean had given her a clean slate.
But Lyrein's words sent a shiver down her spine. "The adventure of a lifetime awaits, Mia. Are you ready?
With a hint of doubt