Chapter 1

Concentrate. That is the first thing I need to do to be able to release energy from my palms. I looked at my hands who are now wearied due to an hour of simultaneously releasing energy from it. I think I should rest now but I’m not tired yet and I haven’t reached my goal yet— to release energy and form it into a weapon like a sword or something.

“You can do it Crystal.” I whispered to myself before letting a huge amount of black energy out of my hands, just enough for me to create an output. I imagined a bow and an arrow and tried to make it out of my magic by slowly moving my hands in the air but I just ended up being surrounded by black smoke. I never thought that doing an enchanted craft can be this hard but how can a respectable school accept someone like me who only knows how to release her magic and knows nothing beyond it?

“Practicing alone?” I was startled by the sudden voice who came from Lena. I never noticed her presence until she spoke and it seems like she’s been watching me for some time. I immediately shook off the dry leaves and dust that went clinging onto my dress and walked towards her. I told her this place so it wasn’t unusual to me that she came here looking for me. No one knows this place except for me and Lena so it is the safest place for us to use our magic. We’ve been practicing here since last year and Lena finally learned how to control her powers unlike me who still struggles in the easiest stuff.

“Yes, and still, I can’t do anything. The day of the examination is approaching and here I am, still figuring out what to do with my magic.” I sat at the wooden old bench under a big acacia tree and intertwined my fingers with each other. Lena looked at me with worried eyes but she instantly changed her expression when she met my gaze. She sat beside me with a genuine smile plastered on her angelic face. Her black eyes twinkled in the sun and her white skin shined. She's always like this when it comes to me, always trying to make me happy.

She held my left hand, started squeezing it and suddenly, I felt relaxed and peace reigned on my entirety. At this moment, pain and tiredness from continuous practice struck me all at once and I never felt this exhausted in my entire life.

“You know it’s dangerous to release massive energy right? Especially if you don’t know how to fully control it? Your body would be worn out because of fatigue! You’re so careless.” She suddenly sounded like mom. Well, she’s spitting out facts.

“I know. I just want to know what I can do with this power because all this time, what I’m doing is watching you all enhance your power everyday and here I am, still learning how to create a damn weapon out of my magic.” I sighed after I said those words. It scares me when I think about the consequences of not knowing how to control my own power and all I do is whine about it. Lena and everyone already passed through this phase a long time ago so I need to devote my everything to it and match with their footsteps. I need to continue my hard work to be able to keep up with everyone because if not, I’ll be trapped in this phase forever. No one wants that to happen.

“How about your ice powers?” Lena lowered her voice as if there’s someone who’s eavesdropping. Well, this matter is a secret though. I honestly don’t want to talk about it but maybe it’s the time for me to face my secrets. It also might help me in the exams. But I’m not certain if I can use this power because as far as I can remember, the last time I used this power, I caused danger to everyone.

I sighed before answering her question. “My parents forbid me from using it since I was five, I don’t know how to use it either. Anyway, I think I can try it right now.” I’m a bit nervous about this but still, I need to find out if this power still works. I faced her with excitement flashed on my face and Lena doesn’t seem to be happy about it. She’s now on her frowning mode which gave me chills.

“At this state? You’re already exhausted for Pete’s sake! Look at how wearied your hands were, aren’t you tired yet?” This isn’t the first time that Lena raised her voice at me so I’m kind of used to it but it still scares me. Maybe I should behave more but I need to find out if I can use my hidden power. I think it’s gone already due to years getting stuck up inside my body.

I stood up and pointed my hands at the nearest tree. This forest is a secret one since no one resides here so I can freely use my magic. “Let me try just once.”

I concentrated and imagined the ice powers coming out from both of my hands. I slowly felt the energy rushing through my arms down to my palms and in less than a second, a large chunk of ice formed at the base of the tree I’m aiming. The impact caused some dry leaves to fly in each side. I stared at the ice in awe and immediately went to it to touch it. My heart pounded with so much happiness as I sweep my fingers on its surface like an amused child. It was my first time seeing it in a while so it excites me a lot.

“Now your hands are wounded.” I instantly looked at my hands and noticed several wounds on it, more like scratches. I smiled at Lena apologetically and hid my hands behind me. But still, it’s a good thing for me to be able to release the power that I’ve been holding back all this time.

I released my ice powers again but I made it bigger this time. I tried to control it but just like my black magic, I just ended up being surrounded by messy ice particles. Lena hugged her body due to the sudden coldness because of my power. I showed her a peace sign after that.

Lena and I decided to go back to our houses before the sun goes down ‘coz our parents might scold us. I realized that practicing earlier left wounds and scratches on my hand so I cleaned it first before entering the house to avoid being noticed by my parents. As usual, mom and dad are busy cooking food for our dinner in our kitchen and didn’t notice that I just got home. I went in the kitchen to let them know that I’m home. Mom, Lilia Krause, saw me first and smiled genuinely as our eyes meet and that’s when I realize that my mom aged a little and developed some wrinkles but still as beautiful as a rose. Her hazel brown eyes still sparkled with genuineness.

“How’s my baby? Lena’s looking for you an hour ago. Have you met her yet?” Mom said as she untied the back of her apron. I just nodded as an answer. Dad, Denver Krause, turned to face me and instantly showed a sweet smile that hides under his thick beard. “What’s for dinner?” I asked. I took a seat on our wooden round table next to mom who’s now preparing the wooden plates and utensils.

“A vegetable soup for our little princess.” Dad said as he served the bowl full of soup that still has smoke on it. They know that this is my favorite food and I’m grateful to them for cooking it for me. I can’t imagine my life without my parents. They’re all that I have and I’m willing to do everything for their sake and studying at South Rhine is one of my plans in doing so. If I graduate at South Rhine, I can finally be a professional Black wizard who can create various weapons out of my magic. I’m sure I’ll earn a lot of money out of it so I got to do my best.

We ate happily at our little dining table while talking about random stuffs. Mom suddenly opened a topic about my birthday which I totally forgot about. She still asked me whether I like it grand or just a simple party even if she already knew that I would choose the latter. I don’t really like big parties since I’m not used to socializing with other people but it’ll be a different story when I start to study at South Rhine. I’m pretty sure that there will be lots of enchanters there that I need to socialize with.

“Just a simple celebration would do.” Mom and Dad isn’t satisfied with my answer. They’re really planning on throwing out a big party since it is my eighteenth birthday but I think that it would just be a waste of money. But I can’t just disregard my parents’ decisions since they matter a lot to me. I’ll just stick to what they want to do for me. Parents knows what’s best for their children, right?

I sipped the remaining soup left on my plate before wiping my mouth with a clean towel. “It’s still up to you, mom, dad.” I spoke. Mom leaned towards me and pinched my long and pointed ears. It didn’t hurt though.

“Mom and Dad wants you to be the happiest girl on your birthday so if you’re just worried about the money, worry not because we can handle it. We’ll throw a big, big party for our little fairy.” Mom rubbed the tip of my ears which made me giggle. Speaking of fairy, I suddenly remembered about my grandparents on mom’s side who were also half-fairies like me. Mom told me that I got my traits from them but I haven’t seen them even before we move here in Berien five years ago. I wonder how my grandparents look like. Do they also have long pointed ears like me? Or do they have fairy wings? I’m curious.

Our dinner ended with a hanging question. What would my birthday party be like? I don’t want to think about it for now because my mind is still clouded with thoughts on how to control my power. The examinations is two days after my birthday and I still haven’t controlled my power yet and haven’t told my parents about it yet. Would they be mad about it? I remember asking the same question to them a year ago and I ended up receiving answers such as “Studying at South Rhine can be dangerous.” And “I don’t want you to be far away from us.” Which I respectfully agreed on. But still, I’ll do my best for them to let me study at South Rhine. This is my only goal for now.

I was going to wash the dishes but when I reached on the faucet, ice suddenly poured out from my hands. My heart immediately pounded and I heard something ringing inside my head. My vision went blur in a second and my hands are shaking so bad. I literally have no control on it and didn’t even felt it coming out from my palms just like how it’s supposed to be. Mom and Dad rushed to the scene and saw me panting with my hands intertwined together. I can’t see them clearly but I know that they’re worried about me.

“What happened?” Mom asked in a nervous tone, like she’s going to cry any second. I don’t know what to answer. My body’s feeling so numb that I just stood in front of the sink like a concrete statue. “I don’t know.” I answered, nearly stuttered in every word I say but I can still handle it a little. I felt tears rushing down my face and my breathing’s still heavy. Dad tried to come near me but another wave of ice powers came out from both of my hands and formed directly on the floor. I flinched when I saw that the sharp ice nearly hit Dad’s legs. I tried moving my hands but the thing happened again. It made my vision even more blurry and made my head hurt so bad.

“Calm down Crystal. Don’t move, I’ll take care of it—” Consciousness left me even before my Dad finish his sentence. I felt peace as darkness slowly swallowed my entirety.

**********

I woke up with the sound of the birds chirping together with the light of the morning sun. Warm summer breeze brushed through my skin as I try to sit on my bed. My head tingled a little but I still managed to sit carefully. What happened? I can’t remember anything but eating dinner with my family one night. Where are they?

I flinched when the door of my room suddenly opened. Mom went inside my room with a tray of food on her hands. Her eyes seems tired and sleepy but it widened when she realized that I’m awake. I suddenly felt the urge to cry when I saw her face but I stopped myself ‘coz it might worry her. She immediately put the tray on my bedside table and hugged me. Mom is crying. She’s just refraining herself from sobbing too loud to avoid worrying me, as if I can’t hear her little sniffles. She wiped her tears before facing me with a widest smile.

“How are you now? Are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere?” She asked continuously. I showed her a smile to assure her that everything is fine. “I’m fine mom. No need to worry about me.” I showed again a reassuring smile. Mom seems relieved which is a good thing. Mom have me eat my breakfast while I ask her about what happened.

I remembered everything that had happened that night and all the fear went striking once again when I realized that the ice powers was out of my control. Mom also told me that Dad had a wound caused by the sharp ice that pierced through his legs before I pass out. It worried me so bad and the guilt train went running through my head but Mom reassured me that Dad is fine. They already sought help to the best healers in this island which calmed me down. All that was running through my mind right now is the fact that the incident happened two days ago. I was asleep for a long time and I missed my daily practice because of that.

Tomorrow is my birthday and we missed the chance to prepare about it because of what happened. I’m still guilty because it is true that I disobeyed my parents and used the power that they forbid me from using a long time ago. I guess it is the root of all these incidents. If I would’ve just listened to Lena that time, all of this won’t happen. The ice powers would’ve been under control.

“I’m glad you’re fine. I won’t know what to do if something really bad happens to you. You should thank your Mom for taking care of you when you’re being so careless, but now isn’t the time for guilt tripping. I’m just so glad that you’re fine now.” Lena said those sentences one after the other as fast as she could. It’s obvious that she’s really worried but she tries to hide it by being mad. I silently laughed at her.

We’re here in my house’s dining room and Lena won’t stop bugging me about being careless. I just pretended to be listening while eating dinner with her. Mom and Dad just finished eating and is in their room to rest my Dad’s legs. All that was left to him is a wound that isn’t serious but it still hurts my Dad whenever he’s walking. Thanks to the healers who took care of him while I was sleeping.

Lena helped my Mom earlier in attaching the decorations needed for my birthday. I told them that it isn’t necessary but they still insisted to do it. They didn’t even let me do a single thing since I just woke up from a long sleep. The two of them really are being protective but I can’t blame them. I’m being too careless, that’s a fact. I promise to never use my ice powers again and forget about using it forever.