Chapter 1

Sylvia’s POV

I kept thinking, what's the point of living when all your life is just one endless cycle of pain. The fact that my body gets weaker day by day. Hoping that at some point I'll be cured.

Tears suddenly began to fall uncontrollably. I tried to endure everything but it's impossible.

''I've suffered enough, haven't I? ''- This thought constantly comes to my mind. My parents died due to an accident and a disease that pierced my body my whole life that caused my heart to debilitate.

My life's a torture.

As I perceive the clock ticking. I saw a light passing through my window which caught my attention. Midnight breeze started to embrace me.

A bright full moon can be seen. The moon that gives light throughout the darkness. Its defined shape and calming presence mesmerized me.

I stared at it for a while but my eyes slowly closed, tired from all the crying. I began to sense weariness and lost my consciousness.

...

''Where am I?'' I uttered, surrounded by an unfamiliar place.

The place was indeed beautiful from the rich brown earth tones of the forest floor to the softness of the night sky, the forest looked magical, but there's something that seemed off. I don't know this place.

This isn't Alzeans territory.

I wandered around and saw my parents.I looked at them in disbelief, I was dumbfounded. What are they doing here? A little girl suddenly appeared behind me and came running with a smile on her face heading towards my parents.

Shocked by what I saw.

"It was me, but younger."

I quickly began following them.

"Is this a dream or perhaps memories?"I asked myself everything felt surreal. They were headed to this forest where a cabin is insight.

I got a glimpse of my parents and me having fun near the bonfire, they were talking to some unknown people, two men and a woman. I can barely recognize their faces. The conversation they were having seemed important. Curiosity kicked in, and as I tried getting closer to the cabin for a better look and to know what they were talking about. I felt immense mana behind me. I immediately turned my head but saw nothing.

Maybe I'm just hallucinating and confused about what was going on. Why am I seeing all of this? shivers throughout my body as I felt like something dangerous was about to happen.

A gaze that I discern, but I wasn't able to identify what that is. And suddenly I heard an unexpected growl. '' A growl?'' A dangerous animal must be nearby. It moves swiftly like a bolt, what kind of animal is this?

It's fast!

I can't tell where it went so I tried to sense its movement but it was too fast for me to trace. "What the hell is this creature!?"

I saw myself passing right at me. I tried to stop myself but I can't! As I lifted my head, I saw a humongous beast. A human with wolf-like features. A bloodthirsty beast.

The mana that this creature possesses is incredibly powerful!

"Ahhhhhh!" The little me screamed at the top of her lungs and alerted my parents. They quickly went to where I am and used their mana to try and save me. Blasting a powerful counterattack to divert its attention to them.

The creature looked at them furious his eyes started glowing and howled deafeningly. I began covering my ears due to the loud sound it made.

"That creature was way too strong! Not even a scratch can be detected."

My parents who have incredibly strong manas can't handle the mana it possesses.

"It must be an alpha."To think about it, wolves have packs right? an alpha who ruled them and a beta and an omega who obeys.

I can't move, this sensation is too much for me to bear, the pain all over my body began to hurt like crazy. I stopped down to the ground while catching my breath. I can't do anything but watch! It horrified me, I don't want them to die right before my eyes. My worry commenced to get worse once I noticed a pack of beasts with the same form but seems way stronger than those my dad and mom had been fighting.

I was wrong that beast was not an alpha but a beta!

''A beta was that strong!? H-how could that be?'' I stuttered as I breathe heavily.

I stood like a coward doing nothing but watch. Well, what am I supposed to do if I can't even touch them? My parents protected me using all their mana to put me in a protective barrier. But making a barrier required lots of mana!

Sacrifice? Is that what's going on. I clenched my fist and closed my eyes because I knew what was going to happen next.

I don't want to be here.

...

*Gasped

I woke up panting, scared because of that vague nightmare. It was something unbearable.

"W-why?"I asked myself in confusion my voice trembles as I cling to my chest, sweating. I looked at myself in the mirror across my bed. My lips were pale, my hands were cold and my heart throbbing. I quickly went to my bathroom and washed my face to ease my emotions.

"I have to calm down." I took a deep breath and exhaled, getting myself together.

As I got out of the bathroom, I looked at myself in the mirror once again and recalled what my parents were like.

My long raven black curly hair is reminiscent of my mother's hair and my nordic blue eyes are similar to my father's. I looked closely at the mirror my skin was fair and soft. All of my features reminded me of them.

'' I am their daughter after all.''

I wore new clothes and got ready for today. I'm wearing the uniform of alzeans, a gray bodysuit that hugged my figure perfectly that includes the logo of the academy located at the center and partnered with chunky boots.

Then I went downstairs and there I saw my grandparents, aunt Lydia and my cousin Jacob. They were the ones I treasured the most.

"Goodmorning, come join us." grandma said with a soft tone. I looked at her and smiled. Then proceed to the table and sat down next to Jacob.

"Are you sure you'll still attend Alzean Academy? your condition seemed t-"Jacob whispered at me. I stepped on his foot so that he'd stop talking.

"Ouch!" he stated in pain while he winced, so I lifted my foot and warned him.

"Yes, I'm sure and shut up, will you?"I said and looked into his eyes intently. He raised his hand and zipped his mouth.

Jacob is the son of Aunt Lydia, who trained us on how to use our mana. She taught us to acquire more knowledge. And she's strict in every way.

I was considered weak by Papa and a disgrace to our clan but aunt made my will stronger. Train harder, to control and properly use my mana. I've gathered new skills but the most effective way to get stronger is to attend the academy.

I stood up and excused myself but as soon as I did grandpa warned me of what I should do and don'ts.

"Lastly, don't do anything that would ruin the reputation of our clan." Papa told me with his usual cold voice while he reads his newspaper.

"I won't" I shortly replied and bowed.

I took my belongings and went inside my car I was about to start it but,

''Jacob, what are you doing here!''

"Hey, chill my car isn't working so I need a lift, hehe" Jacob said with a smile on his face as he buckled up. He also studies at the academy. Older than me but acts like a child. I started the engine and drove rapidly, Jacob looked at me in fear.

"You're driving way too fast!"

I opened the window to get some fresh air and let out a sigh.

''Don't be weak, and push past your limits'' reminder that will keep me going.

"Are you listening?"Jacob screams like he's about to die. He then started acting like he's going to puke.

"Don't you dare!"

....

As I got out of my car I gave the valet my keys. I was fascinated by what I saw.

''The Alzean Academy''I mumbled. We have arrived at last.

''Don't get too excited,'' Jacob told me while leaning back at my car with his hands in his pockets.

I rolled my eyes at him. We began to walk towards the entrance and felt mana all over the place. So this is what it's like here.

Newcomers were summoned in one place.

"Follow me" A woman who's in her mid-thirties announced. Her skin was tan with short blonde hair and has bangs, her height ranging about 5'4 the same as mine. Wearing a matte black bodysuit underneath her blazer.

"Before anything else I would like to introduce myself, I'm professor Eve." she presented.

Using her mana she made a map and imprinted it into everyone's memories.

"We shall not waste our time, Welcome to Alzean Academy " she stated then walked away. Then we commenced going our separate ways.

I expected this beforehand, Alzeans are very serious about this sort of stuff.

I went to my respective class but as I draw near I felt something unusual coming this way, a presence that's oddly familiar. I saw someone walking towards my direction. An intimidating dark aura, his eyes were a sharp shade of gold. I kept on walking trying to mind my own business and not be bothered by his presence but when we crossed paths, I unconsciously looked at him and saw him glaring at me, quickly averted my gaze. I didn't realize that I stared at him for far too long.

Students were already lining up at the quadrangle when I got there. There, I saw another professor.

''State your name'' he said with a demanding voice.

*

In this world where every empire endeavors to make their land prosper, to do that they train every citizen who has the potential on using their mana.

Ranking of who is strongest to weakest.

Strongest being applaud and adored while

weaklings discriminated and degraded.

Four dominant empires that ruled the world till today.

Selvestria, wealth is not a problem.

Bolivians, the wisest.

Stone a ruthless empire.

And Alzean, the most powerful empire.

This is where I live.

''I'm Sylvia Delavin''I answered.