First Impressions

The grand entrance of the Phantasia Magic Academy was a spectacle of shimmering stone and arched doorways that seemed to touch the sky. As the chauffeur opened the car door, my new leather boots crunched on a path of white, perfectly manicured gravel. Students walked by in groups, their faces a mix of confidence and arrogance, their uniforms pristine. Their effortless grace made Eliza and me feel like impostors in our new, tailored clothes.

We were met at the gates by a stern-faced woman with a sharp bun and a ledger in her hand. She wore a simple, dark robe, unlike the colorful, ornate uniforms of the students.

"Names?" she asked, her voice flat and formal.

"Kira and Eliza, daughters of Amelia Sterling," Eliza answered confidently, a bright smile on her face. Her nervousness seemed to vanish the moment she stepped out of the car.

The woman's eyebrows lifted slightly. She scanned her ledger, her eyes running down a list of names. "Ah, the new adoptees. You're expected. Report to the Headmaster's office immediately. The main hall is straight ahead, and his office is at the far end."

As we walked through the massive bronze doors, the grandeur of the academy hit me. The main hall was breathtaking, a cavernous space with a ceiling that showed a perfect, cloudless sky, even though we were indoors. Magical chandeliers floated in mid-air, casting a warm, golden glow on the polished marble floors. Students milled around, some practicing small spells, others laughing as they watched a magical orb bounce from one hand to another.

I kept my head held high, my eyes scanning the faces around me, looking for any sign of a familiar, smug face or a tattooed arm. I knew this was a long shot, but I couldn't help myself. My heart hammered with a desperate hope that I would see Leon. Every student with black hair and a slender build made my breath catch. But it was no use. Everyone here seemed to belong, a part of a world I had only ever glimpsed from below.

As we walked, I felt their eyes on us. Whispers followed us like shadows.

"Who are they?"

"I heard they're from the lower floors."

"Is that why they look so... rough?"

"Look at their shoes. They're new, but they walk like they're still on gravel."

Eliza squeezed my hand, her smile now a forced, tight line. I squeezed back, my knuckles turning white. The words stung, but I ignored them. I was no longer that girl who cried in a park. I was a weapon now, a tool of vengeance, and this academy was the forge.

We finally reached the Headmaster's office. It was a large, wooden door carved with intricate patterns of mythical beasts. Eliza knocked, her hand trembling slightly.

"Enter," a deep voice boomed from inside.

As we stepped into the office, a wave of magical energy washed over me, making the hairs on my arms stand on end. The room was filled with magical artifacts, glowing crystals, and bookshelves overflowing with ancient scrolls. Behind a huge oak desk sat an imposing man with a long white beard and robes embroidered with constellations. He looked at us with piercing, intelligent eyes.

"Kira and Eliza, welcome to Phantasia," he said, his voice resonating with power. "We have been expecting you."