Chapter 8: The Path Unfolds

Saint Marianne possessed an ethereal beauty, her hair cascading down her waist in shimmering waves of lavender. Her eyes, the colour of molten gold, held a warmth that radiated kindness and unwavering faith.

The air crackled with anticipation as Saint Marriane appeared.

A hush fell over the room as Aira settled into the chair conjured by Saint Marriane. Ruby, perched comfortably on Aira's lap, flicked her tail with nervous anticipation. A million questions swirled in Aira's mind, and she barely knew where to begin.

"You can start asking, Aira" said Saint Marriane.

"Saint Marriane," Aira started, her voice trembling slightly, "there's so much I don't understand. Why was my mother forced to hide us? And how can a creature like Raid be trapped within Shade?"

Saint Marriane's gaze softened with understanding. "The world, Aira, is not always as clear-cut as good versus evil. Your mother, Selina, was a beacon of light in a time of fear. When the dragon appeared, some blamed her magic, fearing the unknown. This fear, fueled by a growing distrust of mages, forced Selina to make a heart-wrenching decision to protect you and your sister, Rose."

Aira's heart ached for the mother she never knew. "But why separate us? Why leave Aira behind?"

Saint Marriane sighed. "There are gaps in our knowledge, child. She wasn't left behind. It was fate. Perhaps Selina intended to return, but fate intervened. Perhaps there was another reason, something she took to her grave."

A flicker of anger sparked in Aira's eyes. "It's not fair! I, Rose also deserve to know the truth. Suddenly getting trapped in the novel...."

Saint Marriane placed a gentle hand on Aira's shoulder. "Patience, child. We will find answers. But for now, our focus must be on Shade.

Raid, a creature of pure malice, seeks to use her as a vessel. By severing the link between them, we can save her soul."

"The Sword of Arnold," Aira murmured, the weight of the responsibility settling on her shoulders. "How do I use it? How do I even find it?"

Saint Marriane smiled faintly. "The sword is not a simple weapon, Aira. It is an extension of the magic wielded by God. To wield it, you must learn to harness your magic, to connect with the elements that flow within you."

"But I don't know where to begin," Aira confessed, feeling a pang of self-doubt.

"That's where we come in," Saint Marriane declared, a twinkle in her ethereal eyes. "Together, we will guide you. You have the potential within you, Aira. The magic of your mother, the strength of your lineage. You are not alone on this path."

"Allow me to introduce you to the two other saints who played pivotal roles in our world – Saint Lina, the Saint before me, and Saint Miya, who preceded Saint Lina."

Aira watched in awe as two more figures materialized beside Saint Marriane.

Saint Miya's chestnut brown hair framed her face in gentle waves, catching the sunlight with a subtle sheen. Her eyes, a vivid shade of blue, sparkled with warmth and curiosity... "Our magic stemmed from the very essence of the world, Aira. I, Saint Lina, wielded the power of Earth, its unwavering foundation and resilience."

Saint Lina possessed ethereal light green hair that flowed like tendrils of ivy, complementing her serene presence. Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of silver, gleamed with wisdom and grace, reflecting her deep connection to elemental magic.

Saint Lina gave her a gentle smile and added, "And I, Saint Miya, was the guardian of Nature, its untamed spirit and boundless potential with me that's connected to you"

Together, they explained how their combined magic, along with all saints, birthed the Sword of Arnold. A surge of hope coursed through Aira. With the combined knowledge of these legendary saints, perhaps she could not only wield the sword but also learn to harness the magic that flowed within her veins.

"We sense the potential within you, Aira, that's why we chose to reside in your soul." Saint Marianne said, her gaze filled with warmth. "The magic within you and the strength of your lineage. We would be honored, to help you unlock your potential."

Tears welled up in Aira's eyes. This wasn't just about saving Shade anymore; it was about embracing a legacy, a birthright she never knew existed. With newfound determination, she looked at Ruby, who mirrored her excitement with a wag of her tail.

"We accept your guidance," Aira declared, her voice ringing with conviction.

A gentle smile touched Saint Marriane's lips. "Excellent. But first, there's the matter of your training."

After that, they suddenly disappeared.

The next day, Aira found herself standing before a massive stone building, its imposing structure dwarfing her. This was the academy dormitory, her new home. With a deep breath, she shouldered her bag and stepped inside, a kaleidoscope of emotions swirling within her. The next day was a day off. So she was thinking about decorating the room.

Suddenly, Sophia burst in, "Airaaaaaaa, I asked the warden to make us roommates."

Aira chuckled," That's a good thing you did, let's decorate it now."

Aira and Sophia set to work decorating their dorm room with cheerful energy. Sophia draped a vibrant tapestry over one wall, its intricate patterns adding a splash of color to the otherwise plain room.

Aira carefully arranged small potted plants on the windowsill, their green leaves bringing a touch of nature indoors.

They hung up fairy lights around the room, creating a soft, magical glow in the evenings. Sophia added a fluffy rug in front of their beds, making the room feel cosy and inviting.

Together, they affixed a whiteboard to one side of the room where they could jot down reminders and make plans for the tournament. Sophia enthusiastically pinned up a calendar, marking important dates with colourful stickers.

As they finished, the room had transformed into a warm and personalized space that reflected both Aira's fondness for nature and Sophia's vibrant personality. They stood back, admiring their handiwork with smiles of satisfaction.

As Sophia was resting on her bed, Aira said "I am going to training ground," Sophia showed her aa thumbs up as she was lazing around.

"Ruby, do you like the environment here?" Asked Aira.

"I am ok with any environment if you are here Aira. Only you can talk with me." said Ruby sitting on her head.

The training grounds bustled with activity as Aira arrived. Her heart pounded with nervous anticipation. She spotted Isaac, practising lightning magic with impressive control.

Taking a deep breath, Aira approached him. "Isaac, our training?"

Isaac's eyes widened in surprise. "So you remember?"

"Would you like to spar? Said Aira

A hint of a smile played on Isaac's lips. "Interesting. I've been working on channelling lightning with more precision. We could try to create a storm together."

The next few hours were a blur of exhilaration and discovery. Aira and Isaac, their initial awkwardness melting away, coordinated their attacks. Water arced towards the sky, meeting Isaac's crackling lightning mid-air, creating a dazzling spectacle of a miniature storm.

As they caught their breath, laughter bubbling in their chests, another figure approached. It was Asahi, "Looks like a storm's brewing here. Mind if I join?"

Before Aira could respond, a familiar voice rang out. "Hold on, let me get in on this too!" Sophia, with her levitating powers, materialized beside them.

"I'd like to join too," said Beatrice, her voice chiming unexpectedly from the shadows of the training hall. Her arrival sparked a momentary silence, quickly followed by nods of acceptance from everyone present.

As they resumed their practice, Beatrice's light magic interwove seamlessly with their efforts. Soft tendrils of radiant energy wrapped around their movements, enhancing their focus and amplifying the potency of their spells. Each flicker of her magic illuminated, casting a warm, reassuring glow over their training session. With her guidance, they found newfound strength and unity, pushing themselves further than before in their preparation for the upcoming challenges.

The training ground became a whirlwind of elemental magic, each student contributing their unique skills, their laughter echoing in the air. A newfound sense of belonging bloomed in Aira's chest. Here, amidst these remarkable individuals, she wasn't just the girl with a strange past; she was Aira, their friend, their teammate, and a budding mage with a purpose. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the grounds, Aira knew this was just the beginning of her extraordinary journey.

.....

Aira was exhausted after the training session. The group decided to head directly to the dining hall after a bath.

As Aira and Sophia finished bathing, they received a message in the Avalon group chat. The screen flashed, revealing Headmaster Dusseldorf.

"Dear students, in one week, a ball will be held. I really want everyone to participate. You may bring a partner with you. Thank you." As the message ended, two invitations fell from above with their names on them.

Sophia was excited, but Aira felt a sense of foreboding.

After they left the room Beatrice also joined them.

They headed to the dining hall and found Isaac and Asahi.

"Hey, did you get the invitation?" Asahi asked.

"Yes, it's going to be fun," Aira replied.

"Would you like to be my partner, Aira?" asked Asahi.

Aira was stunned. "It was supposed to be Beatrice," she thought, feeling a pang of guilt for changing the story.

Despite her conflicted feelings, she accepted without hesitation. Isaac looked a bit disappointed, having wanted to ask Aira as well, but he quickly turned to Sophia, who he had found amusing during their training.

Sophia gladly accepted his offer.

"Beatrice do you have a partner" asked Sophia.

"Yes, I messaged one of my friend, Sharon" said Aira.

Beatrice was beautiful so ot was easy for her to get a partner. However, Aira couldn't shake the feeling that something is wrong.

Back in their room, Sophia turned to Aira. "You seemed uncomfortable out there. What's the matter?"

"It's nothing. I'm just tired and want to sleep," Aira replied, avoiding the question.

"Aira, you should rely on your friends. It's tough to handle everything alone," Ruby advised gently.

"It's okay, Ruby. I don't want to trouble them," Aira whispered back.

Once again the phone buzzed and they saw a message that a tournament will be held the other day. It said that the message was posted late so no one could practice and show there natural strength.