The night is so cold that I feel my bones freezing. I sit up on my bed and stair out of the window. There are sheer curtains draped in front of it but I see right through it.
“Can’t sleep?” a quiet voice speaks
It's the girl in glasses who was reading.
“Yeah” i respond
“Are you really an Anorem?” she asks with curiosity
“I was… until now”
“Oh”
“Yeah”
The conversation drops into an awkward silence for a few seconds.
I watch her as her eyes skim my appearance. She looks at me as if she's searching for something odd, that would maybe definitely show my Anoremic heritage.
“What year are you?” i ask
Her eyes cut back to mine. “Oh I’m a first year too, just like you”
“Somebody mentioned that the rooms are assigned according to performance?” i ask
“Yes” she sits up straight in her seat and pushes her glasses farther up her nose bridge
“Once you reach the age of 20, you might activate your Paliar. Some people activate theirs much later though. Once you do, you will be enrolled in this academy to learn how to control your power. There are a series of tests however that you must go through, and that will determine your class (room number).” she explains
“Then that would mean..”
“I failed. Everyone in this room failed their test at some point.
But that doesn't stop you from improving” she adds
“Oh. I get it now”
“You must have been put here because you didn’t take the test”
“I’d still be here anyway. I’m hopeless” i say with a chuckle
She chuckles too
“I’m Urna” she says
“Hello Urna. Pleased to meet you” i say with my most posh voice” an we both burst out in laughter
“I will burn your faces off if I hear but another sound from you” the girl in the eye mask between our beds spits.
We both hush up and sink into our beds
Maybe it’s not going to be so bad after all.
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
The sound of a shrill and piercing bell pulls me out of my slumber. When I turn over, everyone else is already out of their beds and making them.
I clumsily get up and attempt to make my bed too. In Front of my locker is a bright red racer looking jacket and some black pants. I quickly put them on and rushed out of the room just as everyone else did.
We make our way to the courtyard where we stand in queues that alternate between male and female.
I see Yohan take the stage majestically.
“Today is the first day of your training. You will learn combat, battle strategy and honing the power of your Paliar, the Sun” he ends, looking at me.
We begin to file away after all the other leaders have spoken.
“You’re coming with me” Yohan appears behind me from nowhere.
“Where are you taking me” i ask
“You’ll see”
I huff in annoyance. He’s insufferable
We make our way to what looks like a combat room. When we step in, there are three other people in there.
Yoda, Mateo and another girl that I do not recognize. She's tall and has long beautiful brown hair that tumbles down her shoulders.
Yoda walks towards us.
“We’ll take it from here” she says to her brother
He turns around and walks out of the room.
“We meet again, princess” Mateo breaks the silence.
“The principal asked that a special task force train you” Yoda explains
“Princess treatment for the Anorem princess I guess” the girl says
“Reina, shut up” Mateo cuts her
She must be Reina Sam. The top graduating student.
I step further into the room, taking it all in. There are all kinds of scary looking equipment that I have never seen. At the center of it is a wrestling ring.”
“Have you had any sort of combat training?” Yoda asks
“Yes, just some basics”
Without warning she throws her fist at me, but I spot it from the corner of my eye and duck. But before I realize, she swings out her leg and kicks my feet off the ground. I land with a thud and I swear… I hear a crack in my ribs.
“You’re fast, but you’re leave yourself open for attack” she explains
I look at her, and she’s no longer the calm and nonchalant person I know. She has a mean scowl on her face and she looks like she would love to beat the crap out of me.
“Let’s work on what you're good at… speed first” Mateo steps in
“Reina will guide you on how to dodge attacks. You’re weak, so your best bet is making sure the enemy doesn’t land a blow on you or you’re out” he explains
I’m not weak. But i held my tongue
Reina and I made our way to the ring.
Up Close she looked terrifying. She towered over me by a couple of inches. Her eyes were a piercing blue. She was a mix of gorgeous and scary in a weird way.
Right before my eyes caught it, a punch came straight at my face.
“Too slow” she mutters
I plant my feet on the ground firmly in a fighting pose.
“You caught me off guard” i retort
“Off Guard is the enemy’s best chance at you” she responds
I dodge to my right as she swings her left fist at me. And then another and another and another. She’s unable to land a blow on me. I watch as her movements get more frantic as I jump around, taunting her.
I get a little confident and decide to take a swing at her. That was a mistake
She took the chance to punch me underneath my arm.
And another one to my head. The world around me spins and I lose my balance.
“That’s enough for today”
I see Yohan walk in from the corner of my eye.
“I’ll take her to the clinic” Mateo pipes up and jumps into the ring, catching me right before I fall.
“Damn girl, you were like lightning in there” he chuckles
“ Remind me not to attack her next time” I mutter, feeling my eyes get heavy.
“Sure will” he says as he lifts me up in his arms
I wake to the sensation of someone gently stroking my hair. My eyes flutter open, and I’m met with the most magnetic blue eyes framed by jet-black hair. I try to speak, but my throat is dry and aching.“Shh,” Mateo whispers.I glance around, taking in my surroundings. I’m lying on a stark white clinic bed, with thin blue drapes hanging on either side, likely separating me from other patients. Mateo lifts a glass of water to my lips, helping me take a sip. The cool liquid soothes my throat.“You’re not supposed to be doing this,” he mutters.“Doing what?”“Training. Fighting. For Daryn.”I let out a slow breath. “I haven’t even fully processed why I’m here.”“It’s just…” He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “You were sent away to protect you. It doesn’t make sense to throw you back into battle.”“You think a battle is coming?” I ask.“Yes. The Anorem won’t stop until they have the power of the Frinx.”“And somehow, I’m the key to stopping them?”“That’s what Her Highness Frieda b
The halls of the academy are eerily quiet at this hour. The moon’s silver glow filters through the arched windows, casting faint shadows that stretch and twist along the stone corridors. My pulse is steady, but I can’t shake the feeling that we’re being watched.“You’re sure about this?” I whisper, my voice barely above a breath.“Of course not,” Evelyn replies with a mischievous grin. “But that’s what makes it exciting.”She moves ahead, leading me down the eastern corridor where the iron gate looms before us—the last physical barrier between us and the underground chambers. It’s enormous, its surface carved with swirling sigils of protection. Every student knows this passage is forbidden, but that hasn’t stopped Evelyn from trying.I place a hand against the cold metal, my breath misting against the chill in the air. “How do we get past this?”Evelyn pulls out a small glass vial filled with a swirling silver liquid. “A little something I borrowed from the Aqua Wing.” She tilts the v
My heart drops as my eyes lock with his.Yohan stands at the mouth of the passage, broad-shouldered and silent. The golden torchlight reflects off his hair, giving it an almost ethereal glow. My pulse quickens, though I refuse to let him see any fear. His posture is rigid, his stance sharp—like a blade ready to strike.“What exactly are you doing here?” His voice is even, but there is no warmth to it. Just scrutiny, cold and unrelenting.I square my shoulders. “I could ask you the same thing.”His gaze doesn’t waver, but for the briefest second, something flickers in his expression—hesitation, perhaps. If I had blinked, I would have missed it. But I hadn’t.Evelyn fidgets beside me, uneasy in the weight of the silence. Finally, Yohan exhales through his nose. “It doesn’t concern you.”His tone is clipped, dismissive.I press my lips into a thin line. “Neither does this concern you.”Something shifts in his jaw. He stares at me for a long moment, unreadable. Then, without another word,
“You’re late.”Yohan’s voice cuts through the training room the moment I step inside.I scowl at him.The ropes of the sparring ring quiver as Reina climbs inside, rolling her shoulders in preparation for me.I glance around. No sign of Yoda or Mateo.“Where are they?” I ask.Yohan doesn’t answer. Instead, he turns on his heel and strides toward the ring, ignoring me completely.I grit my teeth. Who does he think he is? Without thinking, I yank off my boot and hurl it at his head.I don’t expect him to react so fast.Before it can hit him, he sidesteps effortlessly, spins, and incinerates the shoe midair with a burst of fire from his palm.I blink in shock. Well, I guess he’s Section Leader for a reason.“Excellent display of reflexes,” Mateo remarks, entering the room.Yohan’s gaze flicks to him, his expression darkening.“You’re late,” he mutters before stepping into the ring.“She’s sparring with me today,” he tells Reina, who is already strapping on her fighting gloves.“Be my gue
The morning after the incident with Reina, I wake up to a dull ache throbbing through my limbs. Every muscle protests as I shift in bed, my mind replaying the moment I lost control. The flicker of flames. The blast. Reina’s lifeless form sprawled across the gym floor.I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to will the memory away. Mateo had said she would be fine. That the AQUAs would heal her. But doubt gnawed at me. I had never felt that kind of power before, and the thought that it could happen again terrified me.A soft knock at the door startles me. I glance at the clock—training isn’t for another two hours. Pushing myself up with a wince, I mutter, “Come in.”Evelyn steps inside, shutting the door behind her. “I heard what happened.”I don’t respond immediately, staring down at my hands. What if I lost control again? What if next time, I really did kill someone?“Arina.” She kneels beside me, her voice softer now. “I know you’re scared.”I scoff. “Scared? I nearly killed Reina.”“But yo
A blinding light pierced my eyes as I lay in my plush bed. Why did my mother have to do this every day? “Wake up, you lazy oaf!”, mother yelled. Before I could turn over to my other side, away from the blinding sunlight, those rock-hard foot pillows were hurled straight for my head and the god-awful stench of wet moldy feet hit me. “The Magi would be here any minute for your physical assessment and you’re here in your stinking room!” mother yelled. Her shrilling voice pierced my eardrums. “Mom, I already told you, I am not joining the Academy Arc, so send those sodden old and wrinkle Magi away! Gosh!” I said groggily, still half asleep. All of a sudden, I felt my mother’s firm and sturdy hard hands wrap around my ankles and tug me towards the end of the bed. In a different world, these hands would have easily passed for those of a man. Probably someone who had been working in fields with animals. But these were hers. I almost forgot the life she had before now. She was after all the w
"She put the golden yoke on Anthal the Head of the Royal Magi! This girl is dangerous, she could become a threat to this Kingdom! She must be executed!" An unknown voice said sharply"To hell with execution! She is my daughter! I will not stand and watch this injustice towards her!" My mother replied. Her voice trembled with rage and underlying fear.Many other voices echoed in the background as I regained consciousness. The familiar scent of the immortal roses that I planted at my windowsill told me that I was in my room and in my bed.Memories of my encounter with the Three Royal Magi came rushing back to my mind.My heard began to race and blood rushed to my head. My flight instinct had been activated.Before I could process what happening to my body, I purple light emerged from my chest where I had been impaled. It formed some dome shape formed around my entire body.“Is that… a Darynem’s shield?”, I lifted my back off the bed, and the dome followed my movement. What was this? Why
I wake up in the softest sheets that I had every laid on. Softer than my bed that I’ve grown used to, and that really is a feat. They are soft against my skin. They smell like citrus. I open my eyes slowly and take in the magnificent sight before me. The room I am in seems more like a small ballroom. The ceilings are far up above. Beautiful ceiling sculpture line up above giving the roman antique but ethereal feel. I gigantic, intricately designed chandelier with more lightbulbs than I can count on it, giving off the softest glow of golden light to the rest of the room. The bed stretched on a couple of feet away from the base off my feet. This bed is huge! I inhale deeply, soaking in the sweet citrus smell that I realize is coming from the candles on either side of the bed.“You are awake”, somebody speaks quietly. Glancing around the room, I lay eyes on a breathtaking woman with such angelic features. She is tall and lean. Her skin is as pale and white as mine. She has full round che
The morning after the incident with Reina, I wake up to a dull ache throbbing through my limbs. Every muscle protests as I shift in bed, my mind replaying the moment I lost control. The flicker of flames. The blast. Reina’s lifeless form sprawled across the gym floor.I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to will the memory away. Mateo had said she would be fine. That the AQUAs would heal her. But doubt gnawed at me. I had never felt that kind of power before, and the thought that it could happen again terrified me.A soft knock at the door startles me. I glance at the clock—training isn’t for another two hours. Pushing myself up with a wince, I mutter, “Come in.”Evelyn steps inside, shutting the door behind her. “I heard what happened.”I don’t respond immediately, staring down at my hands. What if I lost control again? What if next time, I really did kill someone?“Arina.” She kneels beside me, her voice softer now. “I know you’re scared.”I scoff. “Scared? I nearly killed Reina.”“But yo
“You’re late.”Yohan’s voice cuts through the training room the moment I step inside.I scowl at him.The ropes of the sparring ring quiver as Reina climbs inside, rolling her shoulders in preparation for me.I glance around. No sign of Yoda or Mateo.“Where are they?” I ask.Yohan doesn’t answer. Instead, he turns on his heel and strides toward the ring, ignoring me completely.I grit my teeth. Who does he think he is? Without thinking, I yank off my boot and hurl it at his head.I don’t expect him to react so fast.Before it can hit him, he sidesteps effortlessly, spins, and incinerates the shoe midair with a burst of fire from his palm.I blink in shock. Well, I guess he’s Section Leader for a reason.“Excellent display of reflexes,” Mateo remarks, entering the room.Yohan’s gaze flicks to him, his expression darkening.“You’re late,” he mutters before stepping into the ring.“She’s sparring with me today,” he tells Reina, who is already strapping on her fighting gloves.“Be my gue
My heart drops as my eyes lock with his.Yohan stands at the mouth of the passage, broad-shouldered and silent. The golden torchlight reflects off his hair, giving it an almost ethereal glow. My pulse quickens, though I refuse to let him see any fear. His posture is rigid, his stance sharp—like a blade ready to strike.“What exactly are you doing here?” His voice is even, but there is no warmth to it. Just scrutiny, cold and unrelenting.I square my shoulders. “I could ask you the same thing.”His gaze doesn’t waver, but for the briefest second, something flickers in his expression—hesitation, perhaps. If I had blinked, I would have missed it. But I hadn’t.Evelyn fidgets beside me, uneasy in the weight of the silence. Finally, Yohan exhales through his nose. “It doesn’t concern you.”His tone is clipped, dismissive.I press my lips into a thin line. “Neither does this concern you.”Something shifts in his jaw. He stares at me for a long moment, unreadable. Then, without another word,
The halls of the academy are eerily quiet at this hour. The moon’s silver glow filters through the arched windows, casting faint shadows that stretch and twist along the stone corridors. My pulse is steady, but I can’t shake the feeling that we’re being watched.“You’re sure about this?” I whisper, my voice barely above a breath.“Of course not,” Evelyn replies with a mischievous grin. “But that’s what makes it exciting.”She moves ahead, leading me down the eastern corridor where the iron gate looms before us—the last physical barrier between us and the underground chambers. It’s enormous, its surface carved with swirling sigils of protection. Every student knows this passage is forbidden, but that hasn’t stopped Evelyn from trying.I place a hand against the cold metal, my breath misting against the chill in the air. “How do we get past this?”Evelyn pulls out a small glass vial filled with a swirling silver liquid. “A little something I borrowed from the Aqua Wing.” She tilts the v
I wake to the sensation of someone gently stroking my hair. My eyes flutter open, and I’m met with the most magnetic blue eyes framed by jet-black hair. I try to speak, but my throat is dry and aching.“Shh,” Mateo whispers.I glance around, taking in my surroundings. I’m lying on a stark white clinic bed, with thin blue drapes hanging on either side, likely separating me from other patients. Mateo lifts a glass of water to my lips, helping me take a sip. The cool liquid soothes my throat.“You’re not supposed to be doing this,” he mutters.“Doing what?”“Training. Fighting. For Daryn.”I let out a slow breath. “I haven’t even fully processed why I’m here.”“It’s just…” He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “You were sent away to protect you. It doesn’t make sense to throw you back into battle.”“You think a battle is coming?” I ask.“Yes. The Anorem won’t stop until they have the power of the Frinx.”“And somehow, I’m the key to stopping them?”“That’s what Her Highness Frieda b
The night is so cold that I feel my bones freezing. I sit up on my bed and stair out of the window. There are sheer curtains draped in front of it but I see right through it. “Can’t sleep?” a quiet voice speaksIt's the girl in glasses who was reading.“Yeah” i respond“Are you really an Anorem?” she asks with curiosity“I was… until now”“Oh”“Yeah”The conversation drops into an awkward silence for a few seconds.I watch her as her eyes skim my appearance. She looks at me as if she's searching for something odd, that would maybe definitely show my Anoremic heritage.“What year are you?” i askHer eyes cut back to mine. “Oh I’m a first year too, just like you”“Somebody mentioned that the rooms are assigned according to performance?” i ask“Yes” she sits up straight in her seat and pushes her glasses farther up her nose bridge“Once you reach the age of 20, you might activate your Paliar. Some people activate theirs much later though. Once you do, you will be enrolled in this academ
“Look for your names on the notice board in front of your dormitories to find your rooms” Yohan directsWe begin to disperse.“I hope we’re in the same room.” Evelyn squealed“Yeah, me too” I replyWhen we reach the notice board, the path clears up for us again like before. Evelyn takes the opportunity to strut through, dragging me along. The last thing that I want is to be the sore thumb that sticks out like a rotten carcass.I keep my gaze firmly on the floor, ignoring all the eyes following us.“You look from the top for our names and i’ll start from below” she says“Okay”I take note of the first name on the list. Reina Sam. I wonder in what order these names are ranked.“Oh I’ve found your name” Evelyn taps meI follow her finger to the bottom of the list, where my name is, inscribed in pencil, as if added at the last minute.I guess this makes sense. I didn’t exist to them until three days ago.“Found mine too” she says in a disappointed tone.Next to my name is the letter X an
We walk into a very large courtyard filled with students divided into four groups in perfectly lined up rows. “I heard that your Paliar is Gaia” Kwaku asks with a bit of doubt on his faceAmongst the people I’ve met here, he’s the one I like the least. Well after Yohan.“Yes” i answer“May I?” he stretches out his hand, like he wants to receive something. I get confused. What does he want from me?“Give me your hand Princess Arina” he asks smoothly.I glance at Yoda, unsure, but she gives me a nod of agreement before i place my hand in his. His palms feel rough and hard. He gently flips my hand over and presses his thumb deep into my palm till it hurts. “O-oww” I howl, snatching my hand away from him. “I’m sorry about that, but that was the only way to bring out your Paliar,” he explains. I look at my palm and I see it glowing a bright Red light for a few seconds. Then it changes to Blue, then Green and then silver light.A few students who were close to us and could see what was goi
“This is an Academy?” i askWe stood at the edge of a long bridge that hung above an enormous earth crater about 30 feet up in the air.On the other side of the bridge was a dark and enormous structure that lot out of a horror film. The fence around the school stretched for miles that i couldnt see where it ends. “Did you tell her that she could possibly die on this bridge before she even gets to the school?”Mateo asks Yoda“What does he mean?!”“Theres a negative pole down there in the crater. And if you are not deemed worthy, you’ll fall through the bridge and have all your life sucked out of you” she answers casually“What do you mean if i am not deemed worthy?”“Exactly that. The bridge choses who’s worthy of this academy” Yohan answersHe had been quiet since we got thrown of of the tavern.“And you chose to tell me this now!!”“Quit whining and get on with it” Mateo teasesI gulp and take my first step unto the bridge.“Go on,” Yoda urges. With an amused smirk on her faceI ta