Eighteen

The whispers persisted as the classroom buzzed with intrigue and speculation. I couldn't resist the urge to inquire, leaning towards Zara and murmuring softly, "Who is she?"

Zara glanced at the newcomer, a girl named Lydia, with a hint of resignation clouding her expression. "She's my half-sister, Lydia. We share the same father but not the same mother," Zara divulged in a hushed tone, her gaze flickering between Lydia and the professor, signaling the end of their conversation.

I felt a surge of curiosity for Zara, wondering how she felt about having a half-sister she barely knew. I wanted to ask her more, but before I could, Lydia approached us, cutting through the crowd of students like a knife.

Lydia, with an air of contemptuous superiority, traversed the rows of students, her gaze fixed on Zara and me as she sauntered closer. She had long blonde hair that cascaded over her shoulders, piercing blue eyes that seemed to see through everything, and a slender figure that accentuated her elegant dress. She looked like a princess from a fairy tale, but her expression was anything but friendly.

"Well, if it isn't my useless sister, and you've made a friend too," she sneered, her tone laced with derision as she scrutinized me from head to toe. She made me feel small and insignificant, as if I didn't belong in this prestigious academy of magic.

I clenched my fists, trying to ignore her insult, but Zara spoke up, defending me. " She's a brilliant student, unlike you, who only got in here because of your mother's influence," Zara retorted, her voice trembling slightly.

Lydia laughed, a cold and mocking sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Oh, please, don't make me laugh. You're just jealous of me, because I have everything you don't. Power, beauty, and a royal bloodline. You're nothing but a bastard, a mistake that should never have been born."

Zara gasped, her eyes filling with tears. I felt a surge of anger and indignation, and I was about to say something, but Lydia cut me off.

Unfazed by her disdain, Lydia offered a backhanded compliment. "She's really not bad," she remarked with an air of nonchalance, her words devoid of any semblance of embarrassment, causing the initial butterflies I'd felt earlier to dissipate into thin air. "For a commoner, that is. But don't get your hopes up, darling. You'll never be good enough for this school, let alone for me."

With an indifferent farewell, Lydia departed, striding towards two fellow students a dragon and an elf seated at the far end of the classroom. Their collective aura exuded an air of power and prestige, hinting at their influential standing within the school's hierarchy. They greeted Lydia with smiles and compliments, as if she was their leader. If I had butterfly in my stomach before they just vanished just by listening Lydia talk. 

"She looks unbearable," I sighed, a hint of exasperation lingering in my voice. 

Zara nodded in agreement, her expression tinged with a mixture of resignation and apprehension. "Yes, but she's destined to be the future Queen of Larcin. She possesses far greater power than I do," Zara confessed, her attention diverted by the professor's impending announcement.

The professor cleared his throat, commanding the attention of the room. 

"Now that there are no more latecomers, it's time for the classification of your magical power," he announced, conjuring crystal magic orbs in front of each student. The orbs were spherical and transparent, and they glowed with a faint light. They were the instruments that measured the potential and the affinity of each student's magic.

"Use your magic on the crystal, and the number displayed will determine your rank," he instructed, his words ushering in a collective murmur of excitement and anticipation. "The higher the number, the higher the rank. The ranks are as follows: common, rare, epic, legendary, and mythical. Only a handful of students in the history of this school have achieved the mythical rank, so don't get your hopes too high."

The classroom erupted with activity as students began to channel their magical abilities into the crystals. Wisps of arcane energies danced around, a cacophony of elemental displays reverberating across the room. Fire, water, earth, air, light, darkness, and other types of magic manifested in various forms and colors, creating a dazzling spectacle.

Amidst the flurry of magic, the best score thus far reached 600, a commendable feat by any standard. It belonged to a boy named Leo, who had a knack for fire magic. He grinned proudly, receiving applause and admiration from his peers. However, the professor's judgment loomed, hinting that it was insufficient to secure a coveted spot among the top ranks.

The air was charged with palpable tension and competitive fervor as students continued to showcase their magical prowess, each vying for a higher rank within the mystical hierarchy.

The classroom pulsed with charged energy as students showcased their magical prowess. I observed intently, my focus honed on Zara, waiting for her turn with a mixture of anticipation and reservation. I knew she was nervous, but I also knew she was talented. She had a rare affinity for light magic, a gift that ran in her family. I hoped she would do well, and prove Lydia wrong.

Zara's concentration was palpable, a veil of determination draped across her features as she directed her magic towards the crystal. The iridescent glow of her magic infused the crystal, which promptly displayed a number: 1000.

An expectant hush swept across the room. My eyes flickered towards Zara, who awaited her classification. Yet, to everyone's surprise, the professor announced, "Zara, your score is commendable, but 1000 points place you within the common group."

A ripple of astonishment echoed among the students. Zara's expression bore a flicker of disappointment, quickly masked by an air of stoicism. She nodded in understanding, concealing any trace of dismay. I felt a pang of injustice, knowing that she deserved better. 

"Move aside, losers. It's my turn," Lydia said, pushing her way to the front of the class. She smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder. She looked confident and smug, as if she already knew the outcome of her test.

As attention shifted to Lydia, an air of anticipation mingled with curiosity enveloped the classroom. Lydia's poised demeanor exuded confidence as she channeled her magic, and the crystal flared, displaying an unprecedented number: 10,000.

A collective gasp escaped from the students, followed by a deafening silence. The professor's eyes widened, his mouth agape. He looked at Lydia, then at the crystal, then at Lydia again, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Lydia, your score actually really good for a beginer you will be with the epic rank," he said, his voice trembling with awe and admiration.

Lydia smiled, a triumphant and haughty smile that made me want to punch her. She looked at Zara, then at me, then at the rest of the class, as if she was gloating over her victory.

"Thank you, professor. I'm honored by your praise. But I'm not surprised by my score. I knew I was the best, and now everyone knows it too. I'm the future Queen of Larcin, and the most powerful mage in the world. You should all bow down to me, and be grateful that I grace you with my presence," she said, her voice dripping with arrogance and disdain.

She laughed, a loud and obnoxious laugh that echoed in the room. She walked back to her seat, followed by her loyal minions, the dragon and the elf. They congratulated her, showering her with compliments and flattery.

I looked at Zara, who looked crushed and defeated. I felt a surge of anger and sadness, wishing I could do something to help her. I reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. She looked at me, and I saw a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

All eyes now turned toward me, the weight of expectations palpable as I approached the crystal. I felt a surge of nervousness, knowing that everyone was watching me.She had whispered, "Good luck, Aaliyah. You can do this. I believe in you."

Feeling the collective gaze of the room upon me, I hesitated momentarily. My intention was clear—to match Zara's score and remain discreet. I didn't want to draw attention to myself, to reveal my true capabilities.

With subtle concentration, I directed my magic towards the crystal, attempting to withhold my true capabilities. I tried to limit myself to one type of magic, to one element, to one color. I tried to match Zara's score, to blend in with the crowd, to avoid suspicion.

However, as the crystal absorbed my magic, something went wrong. I felt a surge of power, a rush of energy, a burst of . I felt my magic slip out of my control, escaping my grasp, defying my will.

A collective gasp reverberated through the room. The crystal displayed an astronomical number: 20,000.

Shock rippled across the classroom. The professor faltered for a moment before announcing in disbelief, "Aaliyah, your score is… 20,000."

My heart quickened, a blend of astonishment and apprehension flooding my senses. The room fell into a stunned silence, a tapestry of whispers and murmurs surfacing around me.

Zara's eyes widened in disbelief, a mixture of awe and concern etched across her features. "Aaliyah," she whispered, her tone a mix of astonishment and caution.

I struggled to comprehend the magnitude of my score, attempting to mask my shock with a composed facade, all while grappling with the ramifications of this unexpected revelation. "Oh shit," I whispered.