K_Mopo

Eileen Caldwell had always been the epitome of a laid-back individual. From her early years to her teens, her passion for leisure rivaled that of any professional napper. School was merely a necessary inconvenience, and she found herself comfortably situated at the bottom of her class hierarchy, much to the chagrin of her teachers and the bemusement of her peers.

However, all of this changed on her 18th birthday signaling her transition into adulthood, a mysterious system was activated, one that would upend her world of sloth and slumber. Gone were the days of lounging around without consequence; instead, Eileen found herself thrust into a destiny she could scarcely have imagined.

This newly activated system, with its stern mandate against idleness, revealed to Eileen her true potential: she was destined to become one of the most formidable mages the world had ever seen. No longer could she while away the hours in blissful ignorance; instead, she was called upon to harness her latent magical abilities and rise to the challenge that lay before her.

Become a top mage at all costs

"Eileen, it was a mistake. Let's leave it at that."

The words left my mouth before I had fully processed them. I could see the hurt in Eileen's eyes, a look that stabbed at something deep inside me. I turned away, unable to bear the sight of her pain. It shouldn't matter, I told myself.

She shouldn't matter. My mission was clear, my purpose defined long before Eileen entered the picture. So why did I feel this wrenching in my chest?

I needed to leave, to put some distance between us before I said something I couldn't take back. The room felt stifling, filled with the echoes of everything we weren't saying. I turned on my heel and headed for the door, my steps quick and determined. I couldn't let myself waver.

As I exited, I nearly collided with Thalira, who was leaning casually against the wall. Her smirk was infuriatingly smug, as if she had been waiting just to see me falter.