เข้าสู่ระบบLyra POVThree days.Three whole days since Julianna left for “home,” and the bed across from mine still looked like it had never been touched. Sheets tucked tight. Pillow perfectly fluffed. Her pendant wasn’t on the nightstand. Her boots were still by the door.But the silence… that’s what bothered me.I sat up, rubbing my face. “Julie… you were supposed to be back yesterday.”Still nothing.A sharp stab of dread shot through my chest.I threw on my clothes and headed downstairs. Maybe she came back late last night? Maybe she was in the cafeteria? Maybe—The moment I stepped into the dining hall, Scott walked through the opposite door. His hair was a mess, eyes tired, like he hadn’t slept either.“Lyra.” His voice was low, urgent. “Is Julianna back?”I exhaled shakily. “Scott… she’s been gone for three days.”His jaw tightened. “And she didn’t come back last night?”I shook my head.Scott swore under his breath. “Something’s wrong.”“I know.” I tried to steady my breathing. “She alwa
Julianna POVMonths after the Elven Kingdom incident, Paranormal High finally felt alive again.The academy’s halls buzzed with laughter, chatter, and the clatter of boots against polished floors. New banners hung from the ceilings, the courtyard gardens were replanted, and the massive training arena gleamed with reinforced runes and new spell-absorbing walls.Things were normal again.…Or close enough.Lyra and I walked side-by-side down the marble staircase leading to the combat fields.“So,” Lyra said, hands behind her head, “combat training today. Aren’t you excited?”“Excited is a strong word,” I said, smiling despite myself. “But… I’ve been practicing.”Lyra snorted. “Oh please don't be so modest—you’ve gone from pass-out-if-you-sneeze-too-hard to actually controlling your mana. That’s improvement.”“Well, someone had to keep up with you,” I teased.Lyra grinned proudly as we approached the newly rebuilt Combat Arena. Its ceiling stretched upward like a coliseum, with magically
Julianna POVSix months had passed since the Elven Kingdom incident.Six months since the Sacred Tree shattered.Since Fianna almost died in my arms.Since Vaelen and Elaria…Since the snow, the screams, the ice.Paranormal High was back to its loud, chaotic, absolutely normal self.And yet every crackle of magic, every rush of cold wind still sometimes made my heart skip.Lyra nudged me with her elbow as we walked down the stairwell. “Julie, you good? You spaced out again.”“I’m fine,” I lied. “Just tired.”“And I’m a vegan.” Lyra snorted. “You’re still having trauma flashbacks don’t deny it.”I would’ve argued, but a loud BOOM echoed through the building.Then shouting.Then crying.Lyra and I exchanged a look.“Oh, come on,” she sighed. “We literally just got out of class.”We rushed to the lower hallway, and immediately saw it, a first-year werewolf pinned to the wall by black, writhing shadows.His feet dangled off the floor as darkness choked around his throat.A group of older
Julianna POVPrincipal Johnson’s voice carried through the rebuilt auditorium:“All students involved in the Elven Kingdom conflict… report for magical counseling immediately.”Scott groaned beside me.Lyra muttered, “Yay, forced emotional bleeding.”But we all went.The counseling wing was new white walls, soft glowing lamps, floating ink quills writing patient notes on their own. A gold plaque read:“Dr. Maren Hale — Magical Trauma Specialist.”When I walked in, Dr. Hale looked… normal. Human. Brown hair tied up, thin circular glasses, warm brown eyes. Something in her expression made my shoulders relax.“Julianna Harris?” she asked gently.“Uh… yeah.”“Come in. Sit. Breathe.”I didn’t realize I’d been holding my breath until I let it go.She folded her hands. “I’ve been briefed on what occurred in the Elven Kingdom. But I’d like to hear your experience—from you.”The lump in my throat rose immediately.“I… I keep seeing it,” I whispered. “The ice falling. The light going out of peo
Julianna POVThe portal shimmered like rippling glass, humming softly as the runes lit up in green. One by one, students stepped through the portal.When my foot crossed the portal threshold, a familiar breeze brushed my face. The scent of ozone, books, and cafeteria waffles hit me all at once.“We’re home,” I whispered.Paranormal High stretched before us, rebuilt and far more impressive than before. The main building gleamed with reinforced crystal windows; the dorm blocks now had floating gardens; the sports field had glowing rune-lines for magical races; and the training arena…I blinked.It had three floors now.“Woah…” Lyra gasped beside me. “Did they rebuild the school or upgrade it to Level 100?”Lila let out a low whistle. “Father really outdid himself this time.”Niamh sniffed the air approvingly. “They fixed the werewolf gym too. Finally.”Scott, naturally, smirked. “Yeah, the place looks good, but can it handle me?”“Please,” Lyra groaned. “One day back and you’re already
Julianna POVUnity, Forgiveness, RenewalThe sun had risen fully by the time Scott and Tepes resumed melting the last of the frost. The courtyard steamed as purple flames and elemental fire burned through the ice with careful precision. Everywhere they walked, life was brought back from cold stillness.I followed with Fianna, Lily, Lila, Niamh, Aria, Wanda, Lyra everyone who was able to help carry or support someone newly thawed. Some collapsed into our arms, trembling; others woke slowly, confused, blinking like newborns.A man cried as his daughter thawed in his arms.A druid elder sobbed when his vines reawakened, curling weakly around his wrist.An elf boy shouted his mother’s name in relief.But then their joy froze not from magic, but from shock as their gazes drifted past us.Where the Sacred Tree once stood…Only splinters remained.A hollow circle of shattered roots.The people’s gasps turned into soft, helpless sobbing.“It’s gone…” someone whispered.“Our ancestors… our mag







