A young yet matured-looking guy is staring at me intensely. He’s wearing a suit which fits his calm and collected posture.
However, I can see that he’s mildly catching his breath. He looked like he ran for three hours straight.
But the question is, where did he came from?
I swear, no one was anywhere near me five seconds ago.
“Excuse me? I’m sorry but can you help me go back to the dean’s office?” I carefully asked the stranger.I got confused when his intense stare became soft.
“Lorcé, right?” The guy asked with hopeful eyes.
My forehead creased. “You know me?”
The guy nodded once. “I am Lathré Callora. The first child of Zeke and Laralei Callora. You’re finally here…sister.”
Did I hear it wrong or did he just called me sister? I shook my head.
“Uh no. You’re probably mistaking me for someone else.” I turned around and started walking. I don’t feel safe with that man.
I tur
“The Guardian of Prophesying Fall came to speak with me personally. He said he had foreseen my daughter having an immense ability. An ability that even she can’t control! I ‘never’ told him I have a daughter. No one knew about it except us.”My mom shook his head in disbelief. “What? That’s not true. That’s impossible! It’s either she has an ability or not!”He reached for my mother’s hands and my mom allowed him.I stayed quiet and just listened because I know it’s something I need to hear. It’s about my identity. An identity I never knew I had.“She needs to be here. Her, staying at the mortal world, will cause a disruption on both realms. She belongs here.”My mother still shook her head. “No, no, no. Even if that’s true, I don’t want her to suffer Zeke. We’ve been there! You know how worse things can be! Do you want that to ha
I remembered she told me that Trun is a Seer. He saw something? A prophesy perhaps?“The heart of ice will melt. The shield of protection will stand. With the unimaginable power, one needs the other.” Trun uttered blankly before he snapped to reality. He inhaled a breath and exhaled to relax.Okay, what just happened?I glanced at Geoffrey and Ferris and they also had this confused yet worried expression.“Wait, what did I say?” Trun asked.“You don’t know what you just said?” I asked in disbelief.“He can’t actually foresee the future yet, he can only blurt out a word related to the future of the person whom he looked into deeply in the eye,” Ferris explained.“I don’t understand. We just met eye to eye for just a second, not even a minute,” I questioned.Geoffrey answered while observing Trun, “That’s our question. And this time, h
“Are we sure about this? What if they see us?” I asked Ferris as we were walking in the quiet hallways. Although it seems that everyone is on their first class except us.She just placed her hands behind her and walked confidently. “Don’t worry. The Xenostras training ground and room is in the opposite of where we are.”I felt assured after that. I’m not really used to skipping class but today seems fun.Ferris then turned around me with a bright expression as if she remembered something. “Wanna see something cool and thrilling?”I nodded with a smile not knowing what’s about to happen. She grabbed my hand and lead me somewhere.I stayed silent as we walked on a library with numerous number of busy students studying quietly. We stopped walking rapidly as she signaled me to act normal.We walked into the farthest and most secluded area of the library. My forehead creased when we ende
“How stupid am I to jump into that hole!?” I complained technically to myself as I wrapped my soaked body with my crossed arms.“Well, at least you got used to the portals,” Ferris commented beside me.We’re now walking into a long underground canal without any route and idea where we are.Gosh! I’m really so stupid! Now I dragged Ferris into this.“What is that, anyway?” I asked her, pertaining to that sliding hole that can disappear.“That, was a literal trap hole. They have been existing since the academy was built. They usually appear on places where any intruders can enter like the ‘shadow’ where we came from.”I wandered my eyes at our surrounding.We are like in a sewer except the water flowing in the middle is clean.“So how do we get out of here?” I asked in a determined tone.“Let’s see if we can find any possi
On that afternoon, I got to finally attend my first day in class.All the Xenostras including me were gathered at an open ground. The six of us are now standing in the middle of a green lot six inches away from each other.From what I heard, they gather at a normal classroom in the morning while they gather outside in the afternoon.That was maybe the reason why Ferris decided to skip class this morning.A little while later, a serious-looking man wearing a dark long coat along with his white shirt, formal tie and slacks came walking towards us. He is also wearing a dark hat.Young women in my world would swoon over this man and that would be disgusting on my part. It was my father.Professor Zeke gave us all a glance. In his low serious voice, he spoke, “The extent of one’s ability is unknown. But according to your records, Ferris and Trun is on level 1. Venice, level 2. Geoffrey, level 3. Cavroz, level 4. And Lorcé
I sat on the ground as I let out a groan.“When can we go home…” I complained in almost a whisper. The surrounding is already dark and Geoffrey is still inside the dome. We’ve been watching the slices of red light coming from him since hours ago.I stood up when the ‘lightsabers’ finally ended. “YES!”But when I saw the exhausted panting prince, I felt bad for being impatient. His hands are placed on his knees while he's gasping for air.“Is he okay?” I asked worriedly at Ferris’s direction. She nodded once and said, “He’ll be okay. I think. That’s probably what Professor Zeke would talk about when we get evaluated later.”“About how long you keep up?”She raised her eyes towards me. “Yes. We don’t really last that long.”“Do you wish to move up to level five?” We heard Professor Zeke asked Geoffre
The next morning, I was awoken by Ferris again. But this time… “Lorcé, wake up! Lady Sultana has summoned you!” Before she could touch my blanket, I sat on my bed like a corpse who rose from the dead. “Lady Sultana?” That beautiful woman is calling for me? “Woah! I didn’t know the words ‘Lady Sultana’ could wake you up easier than levitating your blankets but YES! So you better get ready now because she’s one strict of a woman when it comes to schedule!” After getting ready, Ferris immediately guided me towards Lady Sultana’s office and left me there. “Wait!” Ferris was already waving goodbye while running away from me before I could stop her. She must be late too. I stared at the large door in front of me and blinked twice. I’m here again. The first time I was here, I experienced an identity crisis. I even rejected that beautiful woman who introduced herself as my relative. Was I disrespectful? Is that the reason why I got summoned? I
I breathed in and out as I pant. “Haaa! Ha!” My sweat is dripping like rain.“Keep running Miss Lorcé. Three more laps. Don’t stop.” I glared at Sir Conrad. He’s the assistant of Professor Mikano who handles combat training. They assigned him to me so that I could learn how to protect myself and prepare my body for the ability that has not yet manifested.Almost a month have passed. We’re behind the school open ground near the forest. This place has been my exclusive training place. It’s a good spot since no one comes here. I haven’t even seen the Xenostras since. And I’ve been sleeping in a quarter near this training ground.“Stop daydreaming Miss Lorcé. Your record time did not improve since last week. You have to try harder.”“I’m trying!” I groaned as I ran passed him. Sir Conrad was a former soldier. He retired after getting married and had c
I firmly closed my eyes at the fast wind I’m encountering while keeping my soul in check. Cavroz is riding the horse too fast I can barely open my eyes.Wait. I can feel mana. A huge amount is being used around the place.I focused my senses. The closer we get to the area, the louder the people crying and struggling can be heard. I opened my eyes and I can almost sense where the commotion is as if it's right in front of me. Some houses are on fire and—“AH!” I shouted when the horse is suddenly trying to stop.No, Cavroz is stopping the horse. He must have realized he unconsciously brought me to a danger zone. “NO! KEEP. GOING!” I said firmly. I heard him groaned in response but he didn’t object. Because we have no time to spare.Wild spirits the man said. Now what the hell are those!?We arrived near the village and we came into a halt behind a small house. He jumped down before looking up at me
The next morning, I was awoken by a sequence of loud knocks on the door. So loud that it pissed me off!“Who is it?” I asked and leaned my tired face on the door.“LORCÉ!! IT’S US!!”I immediately opened the door. “Ferris!?”“AAAHHH!” She squealed and hugged me tight. Venice was behind her with her expressionless face. As always.But I couldn’t help but smile. “Oh my god! What are you doing here? I thought students weren’t allowed to come here?”Ferris broke the hug and clasped her hands. “Lady Sultana and Professor Zeke ordered us to visit town. They told us we can take you with us.”“Town? For what? Isn’t it too early?”Their faces fell then they both looked at me in disbelief. “Early? It’s already nine o’clock. Is that early for you?” Venice countered.Nine o’clock!? “W
Lorcé Callora’s POVAfter a moment of awkward silence, the man beside me spoke. “We should begin your training.”Sir Conrad said that Cavroz will replace him for today in supervising my training because he had to go home for a family emergency. He left after leaving those few words.I nodded then evaded his gaze. I should thank him, right? For that night. I remember everything that happened, the pain, the darkness, the cracks on my skin, the light, the lake, the desperation I showed when I saw his stunned expression, the way I held him tightly and how he carried me. I felt my cheeks suddenly burning.What am I thinking!? No! I should just pretend I don’t remember anything. I’m too embarrassed to say it!I cleared my throat and followed him. “What made you want to learn the whip?” He asked while inspecting the whip I’ve been using. He rolled them and with just a swift move, he released it
Third Person’s POV “It happened thirteen days ago, sir. The girl turned nineteen and that’s when her awakening happened. The academy tried hard to keep this confidential but they could no longer control it,” a middle aged man reported. The man in a white coat fixed his glasses. “Understood. Lorcé Callora you say? Callora. Callora. Hmmn. Interesting.” “A Callora who had no abilities and experienced a late awakening?” Another man approached. The man in a white coat nodded in amusement. “Yes, yes. A rare gem. We’ve got to have a hold on this matter. And as Examiners, the academy should allow it, don’t you think?” A dangerous smirk coming off from his lips. Lorcé Callora’s POV “It’s not working. Nothing’s happening. I give up!” I slumped on the chair and totally laid my back on the back rest. “Now, now. Stand up and try again, odd one. I have class this afternoon.” I am alone with the impatient Professor Kazar in an indoor trai
Lorcé Callora’s POV “My child. My child, wake up.” My eyelids moved as I hear a soft melancholy voice of a man calling out to me. “My child, wake up!” I opened my eyes but only the darkness greeted me. I stood up reluctantly and that’s when I noticed my skin. My skin! It’s glowing! I touched my face. It made me want to look in a mirror but everything around me is just pure darkness. Where am I? “Child, my child!” I looked around and saw no one. Someone is calling me but I can’t see them. Where’s mom? My father? And Lathré? “Who are you?? Please show yourself! I’m scared!” I blurted out in the midst of my nervousness. “Don’t fear, my child.” Suddenly, a beautiful man appeared floating in front of me and now he's holding my clasped hands. He looked so elegant. His dark green hair is so long that it reaches his ankle. His skin was glowing as well but in green light. Now he looks like a fairy in human form. “Who
I sighed in relief when I remembered that at least I never complained verbally towards Sir Conrad. Just on my mind. And I did my best in working on my strength and weapon training. But I do admit in retorting his scolding sometimes. I should be good tomorrow.“What’s with the determined look? Did you do something wrong towards Sir Conrad?” I shook my head violently and answered a firm, “No! I could never do such a thing!”“That’s good then.” Silence followed after that.But in that mere silence, I noticed a pair of eyes focused on our direction. I swallowed the lump on my throat at the sudden intimidation. Cavroz removed his gaze and I heard myself letting out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. How that hell did that guy noticed our presence!? He’s so far away!“Lorcé.” I flinched at the sudden mention of my name.“Y-yes?”“Do you really want
I breathed in and out as I pant. “Haaa! Ha!” My sweat is dripping like rain.“Keep running Miss Lorcé. Three more laps. Don’t stop.” I glared at Sir Conrad. He’s the assistant of Professor Mikano who handles combat training. They assigned him to me so that I could learn how to protect myself and prepare my body for the ability that has not yet manifested.Almost a month have passed. We’re behind the school open ground near the forest. This place has been my exclusive training place. It’s a good spot since no one comes here. I haven’t even seen the Xenostras since. And I’ve been sleeping in a quarter near this training ground.“Stop daydreaming Miss Lorcé. Your record time did not improve since last week. You have to try harder.”“I’m trying!” I groaned as I ran passed him. Sir Conrad was a former soldier. He retired after getting married and had c
The next morning, I was awoken by Ferris again. But this time… “Lorcé, wake up! Lady Sultana has summoned you!” Before she could touch my blanket, I sat on my bed like a corpse who rose from the dead. “Lady Sultana?” That beautiful woman is calling for me? “Woah! I didn’t know the words ‘Lady Sultana’ could wake you up easier than levitating your blankets but YES! So you better get ready now because she’s one strict of a woman when it comes to schedule!” After getting ready, Ferris immediately guided me towards Lady Sultana’s office and left me there. “Wait!” Ferris was already waving goodbye while running away from me before I could stop her. She must be late too. I stared at the large door in front of me and blinked twice. I’m here again. The first time I was here, I experienced an identity crisis. I even rejected that beautiful woman who introduced herself as my relative. Was I disrespectful? Is that the reason why I got summoned? I
I sat on the ground as I let out a groan.“When can we go home…” I complained in almost a whisper. The surrounding is already dark and Geoffrey is still inside the dome. We’ve been watching the slices of red light coming from him since hours ago.I stood up when the ‘lightsabers’ finally ended. “YES!”But when I saw the exhausted panting prince, I felt bad for being impatient. His hands are placed on his knees while he's gasping for air.“Is he okay?” I asked worriedly at Ferris’s direction. She nodded once and said, “He’ll be okay. I think. That’s probably what Professor Zeke would talk about when we get evaluated later.”“About how long you keep up?”She raised her eyes towards me. “Yes. We don’t really last that long.”“Do you wish to move up to level five?” We heard Professor Zeke asked Geoffre