Kema led me to a small, modest room tucked away in the depths of the Sky Border. A girl sat on one of the two beds, her dark eyes scanning a book. She wore the same dark blue uniform I’d seen on others my age—structured yet comfortable.“This is your roommate, Bainer,” Kema said.The girl stood briefly, saluting Kema with precision. She didn’t spare me a glance before returning to her bed.“That’s your side,” she said flatly, gesturing to the empty bed.The door closed softly behind Kema, leaving me alone with her.‘Oh, she’s a loner,’ Naila observed dryly.I sat on the edge of my bed, glancing at Bainer. She didn’t look up from her book.“Nice to meet you,” I said.She didn’t respond.The silence in the room was suffocating, but I decided not to push. Exhaustion weighed heavy on me, and for now, silence felt like a small mercy.:~*~:I stood at the edge of a vast chamber, my heart racing to the gentle charge of magic in the air. Six applicants, myself included, had been chosen for th
The first corridor was dark, the air thick and oppressive. Symbols etched into the walls glowed faintly, their light just enough to guide me forward. At the end of the corridor, two paths opened before me.One was marked with the inscription: To sacrifice is to serve.The other read: To conquer is to protect.I hesitated, the story of the Jagganighs fresh in my mind. The girl had sacrificed herself, hadn’t she? It seemed like the obvious choice. But something about the phrasing felt off.‘Think, Jade,’ Naila urged. ‘What did the mage say about truth?’I closed my eyes, replaying the story in my mind. The girl’s sacrifice wasn’t what won the war—it was the power she channeled. Her act wasn’t about giving up but about empowering others.I stepped toward the second path.As I crossed the threshold, the symbols on the walls flared, and a new challenge emerged—a glowing riddle scrawled across the corridor ahead:“What flows without form, yet shapes mountains with time? Choose its vessel wi
I didn’t have long to rest before the senior mage called my name again. The murmurs of the crowd quieted as I stepped forward, my chest tightening with anticipation.“Jade Ishola,” he said, his voice steady but laced with authority. “The second stage to test your brilliance awaits.”‘The second stage already?’ I thought, swallowing hard. Naila stayed silent, her presence steady in the back of my mind like a calming pulse."The final stage is done to confirm the mental fortitude of those who came out top at the first stage. It would have only three chambers. Good luck."I took a deep breath and stepped into the glowing doorway that had appeared in the chamber’s wall. The air shimmered, and the light swallowed me whole.:~*~:When I opened my eyes, I was in a vast, empty expanse. The ground beneath me was made of smooth, reflective glass, and the sky above swirled with hues of gold and blue."This place is unreal," I murmured, my voice echoing in the stillness.‘Focus,’ Naila said. ‘We’
The moment I stepped out of the final chamber, a chorus of gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd. The other participants had been watching my trial, their faces etched with varying degrees of awe, resentment, and disbelief."Did she really finish it that fast again?" someone whispered."Impossible," another said, shaking their head.I walked forward, trying to ignore the sea of eyes boring into me. My heart raced, not from the trials but from the overwhelming attention.‘You’ve made quite an impression,’ Naila said, her tone amused.‘I didn’t ask for it,’ I replied, feeling heat creep up my neck.The senior mage who had overseen the test approached, his eyes sharp and assessing.“Jade Ishola,” he said, his voice carrying over the murmurs. “You’ve not only passed the trial—you’ve shattered the previous record.”A stunned silence followed his announcement.“Congratulations,” he added, inclining his head slightly before stepping back.I nodded, unsure of what to say. The weight of
I woke to the sound of chanting. The words were faint at first, but they grew louder, their rhythm steady and controlled. I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes, and turned toward the source.Bainer was seated cross-legged in the middle of the room, a star traced with white powder surrounding her. Candles flickered at each point of the star, casting long, shifting shadoqws on the walls. A thick, weathered book lay open before her, its yellowed pages vibrating slightly.She spoke in a low, melodic voice:“Estra me seish kruel. Estes ses seish kruel. Hillma re kuvena celin. Oshrma celin.”The candles flickered wildly, and the air in the room grew colder.‘That’s black magic!’ Naila’s voice rang sharply in my mind.I stiffened. ‘How do you know that?’‘It’s written on the book’s spine. That’s a forbidden spellbook.’Pushing aside my surprise, I swung my legs off the bed and crossed the room in quick strides. “What are you doing, Bainer?” I asked sharply, my tone cutting through her chant.She
“Lieutenant Lasha!” I said, excitement spilling into my voice as I walked toward her and saluted with my fist pressed to my forehead.“You’re not an official cadet yet, Jade,” Lasha chuckled. Her smile faded as she added in a hushed tone, “Weren’t you warned not to carelessly reveal the symbol on your palm?”I froze, immediately tucking my hand behind me, making a tight fist. “I . . . I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful.”“Good,” she said firmly. “Now leave. He’s in an important meeting.”“I just need Blooby, please,” I pleaded.“We don’t do that here, Jade,” Lasha snapped, her eyes narrowing. “When given an instruction, you obey. Got it?”“I understand,” I mumbled, my voice heavy with defeat. “I’ll just take—”The heavy doors behind her creaked open, interrupting me mid-sentence. Lasha quickly straightened, moving to stand beside the guards, her posture rigid. She nodded toward me, and I scrambled to mimic her, saluting toward the figure emerging from the chamber. I could’ve sworn I hear
I closed the door behind me, glancing at the guard stationed outside. He was one of the Watchers Kema had assigned to ensure Blooby stayed safe while he was with me. His presence was a silent reminder of the commander’s strict orders. Inside, Bainer stared wide-eyed at Blooby, who stood on the floor between us, his copper frame glinting faintly."What in my blood is that thing?" Bainer asked, her voice rising with confusion and suspicion."My name is . . . bloob . . . Blooby. Nice to meet . . . bloob . . . you," Blooby said in his mechanical voice, tipping his head slightly in what almost looked like a bow.Bainer flinched so hard she nearly stumbled, clutching the edge of her bed for support. "Did that thing just talk?!"‘Being on the other end, it’s a funny reaction,’ Naila said with a chuckle.I smiled faintly. "He’s a machine knight, built by the best magic engineer I know.""And you have him why? Are you royalty or something?" Bainer asked, her voice turning frantic. Then she fro
The dining hall reminded me of the cathedral where I had my magic awakened—except here, long wooden tables stretched across the space, their surfaces scarred from years of use but enchanted to remain unbroken. Enchanted chandeliers floated high above, their crystal orbs casting a warm, golden glow. Even the Sky Border’s dining hall didn’t disappoint.The air was thick with the scent of roasted meats, spiced vegetables, and freshly baked bread, mingling with the noise of laughter and conversation. Cadets and aspirants clustered in groups—some laughing loudly, others whispering conspiratorially, while a few sat alone, lost in their own thoughts.I sat at the end of a long table, absently poking at my food. Despite the room’s vibrance, I couldn’t shake the unease that had clung to me since the ritual with Bainer.“Jade!” A familiar voice called, pulling me from my thoughts.I looked up to see Nyomei approaching, her shy smile a welcome sight. Lotanni followed close behind, her familiar C
Far across the mist, Lysar’s camp burned bright with controlled fires.Tents stood in neat rows. Food crackled over a spit. Laughter echoed through the clearing.They hadn’t yet faced a monster they couldn’t defeat—but they still kept their guards up. Fire repelled some creatures, but the ones it attracted were the most dangerous. So they scouted in shifts, planning only a few hours of rest.Lysar lay sprawled on a thick fur blanket, toying with a dagger. Arien — the royal mage — lounged beside her, sipping from a canteen.They were the picture of success. Strong. Untouchable.From the shadows, Ryn watched.Watched Lysar lean in, her fingers tracing Arien’s jaw. Watched their lips meet — slow, heated, possessive.Jealousy gnawed at his insides.His hands clenched at his sides.He could smell their mingled scents — Lysar’s musk, Arien’s magic, the heat of bodies pressed too close.He turned away.The pain of it was a blade twisting under his ribs.But what could he do?Werewolf and mag
Lysar strolled through the mist like she was taking a stroll through a rose garden, not a death trap.Her squad was all seasoned—fourth-years and fifth-years. They moved around her like a deadly pack, relaxed but hyperaware.She smirked behind her black half-mask, her portal magic flickering in tiny spirals around her fingertips, playful and casual."Poor Jade," she said lightly, almost singing. "Must be choking on her fear right about now."One of her teammates chuckled.Another—the royal mage—stepped closer, offering Lysar a playful grin. "Maybe she'll get lucky and die quickly."The royal werewolf stiffened a few paces back, silent. His golden eyes flicked to Lysar, then to the mage, then away. His posture rigid. His fists clenching.Lysar caught it all, of course.And smiled wider.She stepped toward the royal mage, tracing a finger down the front of his armored vest. Slow. Taunting."You’ll protect me, won't you, Arien?" she purred.The werewolf’s jaw tightened. A low, near-silen
Lotanni was the first to give the full rundown on Lysar's team. Of course she was. If there was gossip, she'd find it faster than a scent-hound on heat."Three mages, four werewolves," she muttered while checking the straps on her gear. "One of the werewolves is royalty. The prince from the Southern Fang. Has a stupidly forbidden crush on Lysar."Nyomei raised a brow. "That arrogant one who walks like his back’s too stiff for his own head?""That’s the one. But get this—he’s in some kind of love triangle. Because apparently, one of the mages, another royal, is having an affair with Lysar too."Bainer blinked. "Wait, what?""I’m telling you, the drama in that squad is better than any tavern tale."I didn’t comment. I was too focused on the unnerving green eyes of one of the mages Lysar had selected. He hadn’t said much, but the moment I saw those eyes—bright, fog-cutting, too familiar—something twisted in my gut.Kreel.He was from Kreel.I’d know those eyes anywhere.The briefing was
The news came the evening before the match.We were at the 5-Year Cadet Barracks when it dropped—right after evening drills, soaked in sweat and panting from a brutal sparring rotation. I’d barely unclenched my fists when the announcement flared across the nearest magic veil, the glowing script scrolling like a judge's verdict."UPDATE: Team Match Initiated. Jade Ishola and Lysar Fallan will no longer face off in a duel. Instead, each cadet will assemble a team and be deployed into the Evil Forest. Mission Objective: Recover a sacred crest stolen by bandits. First team to return with the item wins."A silence passed through the training ground when the update dropped. Then chaos.“They what?!” Lotanni shouted. “A mission? We’ve been training for the RGT, not an actual op!”Lysar’s voice cut through the noise, smooth and mocking. “Lucky cunt, Jade. Guess I won’t get to publicly humiliate her ass with a good beating after all.”She stood off to the side with her squad—older cadets in sh
"You're enjoying this way too much," Naila murmured inside my head, her voice dry, but amused. "A little too proud for someone who nearly died under a boulder of magic two hours ago."Lysar was still on her knees.I didn’t move. Just watched."Alright, enough," Naila said. "Pull it back. You made your point. Eat the rage before someone thinks you've lost control and decides to act on it."She wasn’t wrong.I drew a breath and clenched my fists, slowly pulling the aura back into me. It resisted, angry and wild, but I forced it in, reeling the energy back like an unraveling thread. As the storm faded, so did the trembling in the air.And the moment the last wisp vanished from around my body—I dropped to my knees.The Watchers lowered their weapons at once.Kema stepped forward. His jaw was tight, unreadable. He glanced at Lysar, who still hadn’t gotten up."Spend the night in the demon cave," he said simply.Gasps echoed. Even the wind seemed to falter.Lysar's head snapped toward him.
My aura wasn’t fierce like fire.Not in the way I expected.It didn’t rage or scream or crackle.It was . . . cool.Not cold.But steady. Deep. Endless.And yet, when I reached for it, I felt the truth—It wasn’t gentle at all.It was heavy. Condensed.Like trying to pull a mountain up by its roots while lying beneath it.I clenched my jaw, fingers twitching on the stone beneath me. My bones felt like they were vibrating from the inside out.I gritted my teeth.Tried to yank it out.The pressure of the cave didn’t help. It shattered every ounce of focus I scraped together.The weight of it all—inside and out—was suffocating.My lips cracked when I whispered, “Come on—”‘Stop fighting it,’ Naila said, her voice a tether in the storm. ‘You can’t pull aura like magic. You become it. Let it rise. Don’t command it—join it.’“I’m trying,” I hissed through clenched teeth.‘You’re not trying. You’re battling it. That won’t work. This isn’t an enemy. It’s you.’I slumped.My chest rose and fel
I failed to capture any of those muscular, rat-faced chickens the next morning. The joker, Lysar, gave me an hour to catch five—like she was offering some kind of mercy.She got what she wanted in the end, smiling like a demon when she ordered me back into the cave.The second time was no gentler than the first.I approached the mouth of the cave with slow, bracing steps, every muscle in my body tensed for what I knew was coming. The air shimmered, thick with invisible threads of pressure that pulled at my skin and slowed my legs like I was walking through molasses.And then, like clockwork, it happened.The force yanked me inward with brutal speed. I flew through the dark, slammed into stone, and crumpled to the ground. But this time, I expected it. I curled my body in midair, took the brunt of the impact on my side instead of my back. It still hurt like hell, but I stayed conscious.That was new.The cave roared silently around me. That same crushing weight clamped down, harder now,
I didn’t know how long I lay there.Minutes? Hours? Days?The pain made time meaningless.I didn’t cry out—I couldn’t. My body wasn’t mine anymore. Just bones and nerves trapped under the weight of something too vast to comprehend. Something ancient and angry, pressing on every part of me like it wanted to flatten me into dust.I couldn’t move.Couldn’t breathe right.All I could do was feel. And plead.I whispered to the darkness, over and over, “Let it end.”When that didn’t work, I begged.When begging didn’t work, I asked for death.And then—just when I thought the cave would keep me forever—It spat me out.One moment I was crushed beneath its aura. The next, I was flying.I hit the dirt outside the cave mouth hard, landed face-first in gravel, and gasped for air like it was treasure.I didn’t even lift my head.But I saw the boots.Polished. Familiar.A hand grabbed my collar and turned me over.And there she was.Lysar.Smirking down at me like I was exactly what she expected t
They weren’t just fast.They were coordinated.Hundreds of sharp-eyed nightmares, darting across the grass with freakish rhythm. Beaks snapping, talons gleaming, thick sinewy muscles built for chasing and shredding. If I hadn’t spent fifteen days sharpening my instincts in the isolation chamber, I’d be a torn-up mess before midday.I dodged left, rolled under a leaping pair, and kicked one away before it clawed my thigh. They circled back, unrelenting.Naila’s voice had been quiet since I stepped into isolation. I knew she hadn’t left—her presence still hummed at the back of my mind, silent and still, hibernating deep in the dark void.She said her time in the God's domain had taken a toll on her resolve, and she needed time alone to recover.But it was moments like this I missed her most.If she were here, she’d tell me how to beat this. How to capture them.But right now? I was alone.Two hours passed.Two. Whole. Hours.I hadn’t caught a single one.The most I’d managed was knockin