As the morning sun filtered through the hazy sky, casting a soft light over the academy grounds, I found myself standing at the main entrance of the student dormitories, absorbing the energy of this world. My roommates had scattered to explore, leaving me alone for a moment—a brief reprieve before the next whirlwind of introductions and expectations.
Just as I was about to retreat into my room, a ripple of murmurs drifted down the hallway. The voices grew louder, punctuated by a laugh so sharp it seemed to cut through the walls. I peered around the corner to see a girl with sleek, dark hair and an air of command, her features poised in a way that made her look untouchable.
Susan Storm—Bradley and Leo's younger sister. well she's my half sister too but its not like she would ever admit that. It wasn't hard to pick up on her reputation. Sharp, fast, and exceedingly gifted, she carried herself like someone used to being at the top.
Her eyes skimmed the crowd, dismissing most of us with a flick of her gaze. Next to her was Bradley, his presence less overt but no less intense. Where Susan was a gleaming blade, Bradley was the weight behind it—a solid, imposing figure, with shoulders that hinted at years of hard training. I'd heard stories of his strength, tales woven by older students who seemed half in awe, half in terror of him.
I ducked back around the corner, hoping to avoid drawing their attention. They hadn't noticed me yet, and I was more than fine with that.
My peace was short-lived. Just as I moved, a girl's voice rang out, cutting through the crowd with startling clarity. "Ah, so you're the famous Sky."
I turned to find myself face-to-face with a tall, elegantly dressed girl in robes as dark as midnight, embroidered with delicate threads of silver that gleamed in the morning light. Her posture was regal, her expression cool, and her gaze appraising.Her golden tresses gently swaying behind her on an invisible breeze, dark Grey eyes intense.
"You're Princess Isabelle Vixen," I ventured, recognizing her from whispered descriptions passed between students. She was more beautiful than I had imagined, her eyes cold and assessing, though a spark of mischief danced within them. I could feel the weight of her scrutiny, like she was sizing me up and finding me lacking.
"Well," she murmured, glancing me up and down with a smirk, "we'll see if you're worth all the fuss."
Her words lingered, leaving me feeling unsteady. Before I could react, she had glided past, her long hair trailing behind her like a cloak. Bradley and Susan followed, each casting a fleeting, curious glance my way.
Once they were out of sight, I exhaled, realizing I'd been holding my breath. This world was a labyrinth of power and status, and I was only just beginning to understand its complexities.
That afternoon, my roommates and I attended the assembly led by faculty members, where we learned more about the coming attribute tests and examinations. We exchanged wary glances, our tension mutual. I noticed how some students watched the professors with silent awe, their eyes full of reverence.
The whispers around me grew louder when a faculty member mentioned the Church of the Goddess—a revered institution that had shaped much of the kingdom's beliefs and customs. The church's priests and priestesses were rumored to possess divine abilities, and there was speculation that some of its members might even attend the academy incognito. I glanced around, wondering who among us might be connected to such a powerful institution.
A lingering sense of unease filled the air, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was much more to this academy than met the eye.
As evening descended, the test results were posted, ranking students based on their initial performances. My name sat at the very bottom of the list. I hadn't expected anything different, given my situation, but the sight of it stung nonetheless.
To my surprise, one of my roommates nudged me with a reassuring smile. "They don't know the half of it yet," she said, her tone warm but laced with a spark of defiance. Her encouragement gave me a bit of strength, a reminder that I wasn't completely alone in this new world.
Returning to my room that night, I shut the door, feeling a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for the first time, I felt ready to face them, determined to uncover the secrets of this academy and to prove—if only to myself—that I had a place here.