Return to the Realm

When I finally opened my eyes, the world around me was a blur of colors and shapes, slowly sharpening into focus. A cool breeze brushed against my skin, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers mixed with damp soil. I blinked several times, my mind struggling to piece together fragmented memories that swirled in my head like autumn leaves caught in a gust.

"Mira, are you awake?" Akira's voice broke through the haze, her expression a mix of concern and relief.

"W-Where are we?" I croaked, my throat dry and raspy. My head throbbed painfully as I rubbed my temples. "What happened?"

"You fainted on the train," she replied, kneeling beside me, her hand brushing my shoulder. "We're at Artemis Academy now. You scared me!"

As I took in my surroundings, reality hit me like a bolt of lightning. We were no longer on the train; instead, I lay on the lush grass of a sprawling courtyard, the sky overhead a brilliant blue, dotted with wisps of cotton-like clouds. The grandeur of the academy loomed behind us, its towering stone walls and intricate spires seeming to reach for the heavens. It looked like something out of a fairy tale.

"I… I can't believe this place," I whispered, slowly pushing myself up. "It looks surreal."

Akira smiled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Told you it was amazing! This is just the beginning."

"What?" I stammered, my voice barely a whisper, overwhelmed by disbelief. I looked at Akira, desperately searching her eyes for reassurance, but she merely hovered above, a figure transformed into someone entirely different from the friend I knew. Confidence radiated from her as she floated effortlessly, her long, dark hair glimmering in the sunlight like an obsidian waterfall, framing her face with an elegance I had never seen.

"I am Ms. Aurora, the head of the outer court of the academy," she announced, her voice ringing clear and authoritative. "And this is Akira, your senior sister and the captain of the student council's inner court."

My mind reeled. Akira, the introverted girl who struggled to speak up in class, was now floating with an elegance that exuded authority. I scanned the surroundings, taking in the magnificent spectacle unfolding before me. Gone was the train I had arrived on, replaced by a vast expanse of vibrant cityscape.

The air buzzed with energy, infused with the scent of blooming jasmine and the faint crackle of magic. Grand, ornate buildings towered above us, their spires stretching toward the azure sky, while lush, emerald courtyards sprawled below, dotted with students soaring gracefully through the air. It was a world that seemed plucked from the pages of a storybook, yet here I was, standing at its precipice.

"Welcome, my fellow students," Akira began, her voice commanding as she stepped forward with a newfound poise. "I'm Akira, and I'll be guiding you all alongside Ms. Aurora. I know this is hard to believe, but you've all been chosen to learn magic."

Her words felt like a weight pressing down on my chest as I struggled to grasp the magnitude of what she was saying. My heart thumped wildly in my ears. Magic? This was not just a fantastical story—it was my reality now, and it terrified me.

"Wait," a boy protested, his voice trembling with confusion. "We took a test on science and math. There was nothing about magic."

Ms. Aurora smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes, her long, flowing robes shimmering with iridescent hues that seemed to shift with every movement. "True, but you were also tested in ways you weren't aware of. Your blood samples were taken to check for any traces of magic. Magic can be inherited, but sometimes, exceptions occur. You all are those exceptions, even without a family history of magic."

The words struck me like a cold wave. I felt my stomach churn, and my palms began to sweat. Akira was different, transformed into someone I barely recognized, while I remained a mere spectator in a world I didn't understand.

"And if we don't want to learn magic?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, dread pooling in my stomach.

"If you choose not to pursue magic, you will lose not only your abilities but also your memories of this place," Ms. Aurora replied, her tone chilling. "Stripped of your magic, you would face a fate worse than death—like a punishment for criminals."

A shiver ran down my spine, and I glanced at Akira, who now looked almost gleeful as she relayed this information. This wasn't the friend I knew; this was a stranger. Where was the Akira who had confided in me, who shared my fears and dreams? The chasm between us felt insurmountable, and I could sense betrayal lurking in the shadows of her transformed demeanor.

"Tonight, we will have an orientation ceremony to explain the rules of Artemis Academy," Ms. Aurora continued, her voice brisk and businesslike. "Our world operates under its own set of regulations, which you will learn."

Akira took a step forward, exuding authority, her stance wide and assured. "The academy has two divisions: the inner court and the outer court. The inner court is reserved for the most talented individuals, while those who are still learning will be placed in the outer court. The inner court wields more power and has access to knowledge and resources that can help you become formidable mages."

I listened, heart racing. The thought of being powerful was intoxicating, but the shadows of uncertainty loomed large. Could I really become someone worthy of such power? And why did it feel as though Akira was reveling in my confusion?

"After this, you'll head to your dorms," Ms. Aurora concluded, her voice cutting through my spiraling thoughts.

As we were led away, frustration bubbled inside me. Akira had hardly spoken to me since our arrival, and the whirlwind of information only deepened my sense of betrayal. "How could she not tell me about this? Why is she ignoring me?" I thought, my heart heavy with disappointment. It felt as though she had turned into a completely different person, one who thrived in this new world while I was left behind.

Once we reached our dorm, I found myself sharing a room with two first-year students, Rhyshe and Celvia.

Rhyshe was a whirlwind of energy—her fiery red hair cascading in wild curls around her face, a vibrant halo that caught the light. Her bright green eyes sparkled with mischief and curiosity, drawing me in with an infectious smile that seemed to light up the room. "Welcome to the academy! You're going to love it here," she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement, her enthusiasm almost palpable.

Celvia, on the other hand, was more reserved. Her sleek, dark hair fell in straight, glossy strands to her shoulders, framing her face with a quiet elegance. Her deep brown eyes held an intensity that made me feel like she could see right through me, and she carried herself with a quiet confidence that hinted at a deeper wisdom. "We'll show you around later. It's overwhelming at first," she said, her voice steady but with an undertone that suggested she knew more than she let on.

As I settled into my new surroundings, I couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that Rhyshe and Celvia were hiding something. They both felt powerful, their magical energies pulsating like a heartbeat, but their secrets remained locked away, shrouded in their laughter and warmth.

The dorm itself was surprisingly cozy, with wooden beams overhead and walls lined with enchanting tapestries depicting magical creatures and landscapes. A large window offered a view of the expansive grounds, where students practiced spells amidst lush greenery, their laughter echoing in the crisp air.

My mind swirled with questions, doubts creeping in as I took in the beauty of the academy's interior. The walls were adorned with intricate murals depicting magical battles, while the soft glow of floating orbs illuminated the hallways. But despite the enchantment surrounding me, fear gnawed at my insides.

What had I gotten myself into? What secrets lay hidden within these walls? And most importantly, could I trust the person I had once called my best friend?