Lahat ng Kabanata ng Welcome to Aetherborn: Crushes, Curses & Creatures: Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 80

The fox moved first. A blur of pale light tore through the mist, so fast, Seraphine barely registered movement before claws grazed her arm. Pain flared hot, searing, sharp enough to tear a scream from her throat. She stumbled back, clutching her sleeve, blood blooming across her palm. The creature prowled in a slow circle, tails weaving hypnotic arcs through the air, each trailing a faint glow like burning silk. Its eyes shimmered, silver and cruel and its smile widened at her fear. “Still fragile,” it purred, the voice both heard and felt. “Still breathing borrowed courage.” Seraphine’s heart hammered. The forest’s chill sank into her skin, but her body burned from within, trembling with adrenaline and something else, a pulse under her ribs, like wind straining to escape. She reached for her magic instinctively, but all she felt was static, an echo that refused to take shape. Nothing solid. Nothing she could hold. Her fear doubled. The fox lunged again. Seraphine threw herself

The next morning, the academy pulsed with energy. Every tower shimmered faintly with enchantment, runes etched into the stone glowing with silver-blue light. Bells tolled from somewhere high above, their echo reverberating through the air like the heartbeat of the academy itself. Students in pristine uniforms flooded into the Grand Hall of Aertherborn, the vast, circular chamber that served as both throne and altar for the most sacred of ceremonies. A colossal dome arched overhead, painted with celestial sigils that shifted with every breath, depicting the four ancient Houses that ruled Aetherborn. At the center of the hall stood the Sanctum of Mirrors a vast, glowing circle of crystal platforms arranged like petals. Each one shimmered in a different hue, representing a Castle: Noctis, in black and red flame. Lupaxis, in molten gold and deep earth tones. Wyverndale, in blue and silver stormlight. Tenebrae, in lilac and dark velvet hues. The first years, still buzzing with nerv

Seraphine lingered at the edge of the courtyard, her golden Wyverndale crest still glowing faintly against her uniform. She could still feel the hum of the ceremony pulsing through her veins, the echo of the magic that had accepted her. She was about to step through the archway leading toward Wyverndale’s wing when she heard familiar voices behind her. “Sera!” She turned just in time to see Mina bounding toward her, with Caleb and Lyra right behind. Mina’s curls bounced as she threw her arms around Seraphine in a tight hug. “You did it!” Mina squealed. “Wyverndale! That’s amazing!” Lyra grinned, flipping her silver braid over her shoulder. “An Air Witch, huh? Not bad at all. I told you there was something wild under all that quiet.” Caleb smirked, his dark eyes gleaming. “Guess we’ll be calling you Storm Girl from now on.” Seraphine laughed softly, shaking her head. “Please don’t.” “Too late,” Mina said with a playful wink. “It’s official now.” The three of them looked so gen

“Damien?” Seraphine blinked, her hand still on the door. “It’s late.” He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed loosely, that lazy half-smile playing at his lips. “I know. Thought I’d check on you before the night eats you alive.” She arched an eyebrow. “You mean before I fall asleep?” “Semantics.” His voice was low, smooth, the kind of tone that seemed to hum in the air long after he spoke. “So… how’s Wyverndale treating its newest storm-child?” Seraphine stepped back, motioning him in. “You came all the way here just to ask that?” “Partly.” He glanced around as he entered, the faint scent of emberfire following him. The moment his boots crossed the threshold, the air in the room shifted, the runes along the walls brightened, and the floating bed stirred slightly as if recognizing another presence. Damien paused, tilting his head. “Well, look at that. The room likes me.” Seraphine folded her arms. “Don’t flatter yourself. It reacts to energy.” He smirked. “Then I must hav

Professor Vivienne’s eyes gleamed with quiet pride. “There it is,” she murmured. “Elemental resonance.” Seraphine stood trembling, the storm humming at her fingertips. It felt alive, wild, and beautiful, and hers. Then, just as quickly as it came, it faded, the air dropping still. The professor smiled faintly. “Excellent control for a first resonance. You may not realize it but the storm has taken an interest in you.” Seraphine exhaled shakily, her cheeks flushed. She did not like an outsider trying to survive…. but like someone meant to be here. …. The bell for the end of classes chimed softly across the castle, a low, melodic sound that rippled through the halls like a heartbeat. Students were already gathering their books and chattering excitedly, their energy bubbling over. Everywhere Seraphine turned, someone was talking about “calling day.” “I can’t wait to show my dad my spell mark, he’s going to freak!” “Mom said she’s baking a whole thunder cake for me.” “Do you th