The little white lies

The path to the classroom was lined with ancient oaks, their twisted branches forming a canopy that cast shifting shadows on the cobblestone walls. Anne walked beside Darky, his pale complexion sharper than usual. His dark eyes scanned their surroundings with quiet intensity, ready for anything that might threaten Jade and Jason.

Behind them, the twins walked side by side, their identical black hair catching faint glimmers of light from the enchanted lanterns lining the way.

"So," Jason began, adjusting the strap of his bag, "first day at Aloney. Got any tips?"

"Stay away from students with snake hair," Anne said firmly.

Jason frowned. "Your mom said that too. What does it mean?"

Anne shot him a glare. "Don't mention my mom," she snapped. Then, softening slightly, she added, "Ever heard of Medusa? The students with snake hair are her sisters' descendants. The Gorgons."

Jason's eyes widened in recognition. He had read extensively about Greek mythology. Jade, too, had some knowledge, thanks to Jason's endless stories.

"They can turn us to stone just by looking at us?" Jade asked hesitantly.

"Exactly," Darky said with a slight smirk. "Where do you think all those stone statues around the dorm halls came from?"

Jade gasped, fear flickering across her face. "Oh my god. Are you serious?"

Anne rolled her eyes. "He's just kidding," she said, her tone meant to reassure.

"Yes. Just kidding," Darky echoed with a laugh, though his grin suggested otherwise.

The group finally arrived at the Self-Defense classroom. Jade and Jason had expected something extraordinary—an arena or a hall brimming with magic—but instead, it looked like a perfectly ordinary classroom.

"Disappointed?" Darky asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Of course," Jade replied bluntly, crossing her arms.

"Welcome, students! Welcome to my class. In Self-Defense, you will learn how to survive—how to stay alive—against any species you may face." The professor strode into the room, his voice commanding attention. Jason froze, certain he had seen this man—or whatever he was—before.

"This is the professor who stood up for us against Agatha yesterday, on stage," Jade whispered, nudging Jason as recognition dawned.

Jason nodded. Yes, it was him.

"I'm Professor Minimous Darcy, but you can call me Mr. Darcy," he began. "As most of you have attended my class last year, I assume introductions are unnecessary."

Darcy? Jason's mind raced. Was Darky a Darcy too? Could they be—

"Before anyone asks," Darky said, cutting through Jason's thoughts, "yes, he's my father. And no, I don't like him."

"It seems we all have family issues," Jade whispered under her breath.

"Attention, class," Mr. Darcy called out, his sharp voice slicing through the murmurs. "I'd like the two new students to introduce themselves."

Jason and Jade froze. All eyes turned toward them, and the weight of the room's scrutiny pressed down on their shoulders.

"I'll go first," Jason said, glancing at Jade for reassurance before standing.

"Hi, everyone. I'm Jason Norman, one of the new students here. I'm hoping for your support. Thank you." He waved awkwardly, his voice steady despite the cold silence that followed. No one clapped or acknowledged him—except for Jade and Darky.

Jade rose next, straightening her posture. "Hey, I'm Jade Norman—"

"Go back to your world!" someone shouted, cutting her off. Laughter erupted throughout the room.

Jade's face flushed with anger and humiliation.

"Hey, dude! That was mean," Darky snapped, standing abruptly. The room fell silent, stunned by his sudden defense. Even Anne looked surprised; she hadn't expected Darky to stand up for newcomers.

Jade's gaze darted to the boy who had interrupted her. She recognized him instantly: Thomas, the werewolf who had joined Agatha in publicly humiliating them on stage the day before.

Thomas smirked, unfazed by Darky's intervention. But Jade wasn't about to back down.

Here's an improved version of your scene:

Jade was furious—so furious that her emotions overwhelmed her, bubbling over into something she didn't even know she was capable of. Without thinking, she raised her hand, and a sudden flash of blinding light shot from her fingertips, slamming into Thomas.

The force knocked him to the floor with a loud thud.

The room went silent. Everyone froze, their eyes wide with shock. Even Jade stood motionless, staring at her own trembling hands. Jason gaped at her, stunned.

"What… what just happened?" Jade whispered to herself, her voice shaking.

"I don't think humans can do that," Anne remarked, her tone cold but curious.

"Well!" Mr. Darcy broke the silence with an unexpected clap. "As you can see, that was self-defense—and quite an impressive example, might I add."

He smiled, his expression unreadable, and began clapping. Slowly, the rest of the class followed his lead, the sound of applause filling the room.

Jade, still reeling, couldn't bring herself to respond. Jason placed a hand on her shoulder, his face pale.

"Jade…" he began, but his voice faltered.

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with confusion and fear. Whatever had just happened, it wasn't normal. It wasn't human.

"Jade," Jason whispered again, his grip tightening on her shoulder. "What… what was that?"

"I don't know," she muttered, her voice barely audible. Her hands still tingled with the remnants of whatever energy had erupted from her.

Thomas groaned from the floor, his hand clutching his chest as he struggled to sit up. His sharp, golden eyes glared at her, filled with both pain and fury. "What the hell was that?" he growled, his voice hoarse.

Before Jade could respond, Mr. Darcy stepped forward, his calm but commanding presence cutting through the tension. "Enough, Thomas," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You provoked her, and she defended herself. Consider this a lesson in consequences."

Thomas muttered something under his breath but didn't dare argue further. He pulled himself to his feet, his movements slow and deliberate, and slumped back into his seat.

The rest of the class watched in stunned silence, their gazes flickering between Jade and Mr. Darcy.

"Now," Mr. Darcy continued, turning his attention back to the class, "shall we proceed, or is anyone else planning to demonstrate their abilities unprompted?"

A few students chuckled nervously, and the tension in the room began to ease, but Jason's frown deepened. He leaned closer to Jade. "Are you seriously going to pretend that didn't just happen?"

"I said I don't know!" Jade hissed, her hands trembling.

Darky approached, his usual smirk absent. "That wasn't normal," he said, his voice low. "You shouldn't be able to do magic. You're human… aren't you?"

Jade's stomach twisted. "Of course I'm human," she snapped, though even she didn't sound convinced.

Darky exchanged a glance with Anne, who raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"Interesting," Mr. Darcy said, his sharp eyes locking on Jade. "Very interesting. But we'll leave that mystery for another day. For now, let's move on."

The professor waved his hand, and the chalkboard behind him filled with elegant writing. "Today's topic: defensive spells and countermeasures."

The class slowly began to settle, but Jason and Jade remained tense. As Mr. Darcy explained the basics of deflection spells, Jade couldn't focus. Her mind replayed the moment over and over—the blinding light, the way it surged through her, and the way Thomas fell.

Something was wrong. Something had changed. And Jade couldn't shake the feeling that whatever it was, it would only get worse.

"That was me," Anne said, breaking the tense silence. "The flash. It was my spell."

Jade let out a shaky laugh, relief washing over her. "Of course it was you," she said, smiling for the first time since it happened.

"Thanks for helping us, Anne," Jason added, his tone sincere.

"I'm your Pathfinder," Anne replied flatly, her face unreadable as always. "It's my responsibility. No need to thank me."

"That's very noble of you," Darky said, though his expression remained skeptical. He knew Anne was lying. Her magic always manifested as a deep crimson, not the brilliant white light they'd seen earlier.

Anne avoided his gaze, giving nothing away.

When the class ended, Darky pulled her aside, dragging her into a quiet corner of the hallway.

"Why did you lie?" he demanded, his tone low but sharp.

Anne crossed her arms, her expression calm but firm. "To keep them calm. What else was I supposed to do? Let them spiral into panic?"

"You didn't have to lie. You could've said nothing."

"And let them wonder if they're losing their minds? Or worse, think Jade's some kind of ticking time bomb? No, Darky." Her voice rose slightly, her usual composure cracking. "I did what had to be done."

Darky stared at her, his jaw tightening. "You know something, don't you?"

Anne's eyes narrowed. "What I know is irrelevant right now. What matters is keeping them safe—and keeping things under control."

Darky sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. But if this happens again, we're not sweeping it under the rug."

Anne didn't respond, turning on her heel and walking away. As she disappeared down the hall, Darky couldn't shake the uneasy feeling creeping over him. Whatever Anne was hiding, it wasn't small. And he had a sinking suspicion it wouldn't stay hidden for long.

Darky stood there for a moment, deep in thought. He wasn't entirely convinced by Anne's words, but he knew pushing her further would only make things worse. With a sigh, he turned to follow her.

What he didn't know, however, was that they weren't the only ones in the hall. Hidden just behind a corner, Agatha stood cloaked in invisibility, her eyes narrowed and her expression one of silent fury. She had heard every word—the lies, the tension, and the secrets whispered between them.

A slow smile curled on her lips, the kind of smile that promised trouble.

"So, there's more to this than I thought,"she mused to herself. "I'll have to keep an eye on those two."

She slipped away, her footsteps silent, her mind already spinning with new plans.

A moment later, the four of them met at the Fairy Tower and began walking toward their next destination.

"What's next?" Jason asked, glancing at Anne.

"I have Shadowblade class," Darky replied, his voice flat.

"And I have Hexweaver. Jason, you go with Darky, and Jade, stay with me," Anne said, her tone firm but not unkind.

"But we're human," Jade pointed out, furrowing her brow. "How are we supposed to learn these things?"

Anne's expression softened, but her stance remained resolute. "Darky and I have to be separated now. And to keep you both safe until you get your schedules, this is what we must do."

Jason nodded, glancing at Jade. "She's right. We'll figure it out."

Jade hesitated, but nodded in agreement. There was no arguing with Anne's logic, even if she didn't like it.

As they made their way down the winding path toward their separate classes, the tension between the group lingered, but it was clear Anne and Darky's decision was final. Jason walked beside Darky, his thoughts still racing, while Jade stuck close to Anne.

"Don't worry, Jade," Anne said, her voice low. "It's not as bad as it seems. You'll be fine."

Jade gave a half-hearted smile. "I don't know about that. What if I mess up?"

"You won't," Anne reassured her, her gaze unwavering.

Jade's face flushed slightly, the memory of the flash of light still fresh in her mind. "But I don't have any ability of magic."

"I know," Anne said, glancing over at her. "But that's something we'll need to figure out, too. It's not just magic—it's control."

Jade nodded, though she couldn't shake the feeling that something was still off. She felt like the magic was actually hers.

Meanwhile, Jason and Darky walked ahead, their conversation just barely audible.

"So, Shadowblade class," Jason said, trying to break the silence. "What's that all about?"

Darky's smirk returned. "It's a combat class. You'll learn everything from basic defense to using shadows as weapons. You'll be trained to fight in ways you never imagined."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "Shadows as weapons?"

Darky's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Trust me, it sounds stranger than it is. You'll see soon enough."

They reached the entrance to the Shadowblade classroom, a dark stone building covered in creeping vines, the windows barely visible behind the thick foliage. Darky turned to Jason. "This is where we part ways. Good luck."

Jason nodded, taking a deep breath. "Same to you."

Darky gave him one last look before disappearing into the darkness of the building. Jason stood for a moment, staring at the looming structure, his nerves buzzing with anticipation.

Meanwhile, Anne and Jade continued toward their class. The soft whispers of the wind and the rustling of leaves were the only sounds filling the air as they walked in silence.

"You've got this," Anne said again, her voice steady as they approached the Hexweaver classroom, an ancient-looking structure with intricate symbols etched into the stone. "Just take it one step at a time."

Jade wasn't so sure, but she nodded anyway. She wasn't about to admit her fear—not yet.

As they entered the classroom, the atmosphere felt completely different. The air was thick with magic, and the walls seemed to pulse with energy. Jade's heart raced. She wasn't sure what she expected, but it wasn't this.

The Hexweaver classroom was breathtaking. The room shimmered with glowing strands of energy that wove themselves into intricate patterns in the air, like a living tapestry. The walls were lined with shelves holding bottles of glimmering potions, ancient spellbooks, and strange artifacts Jade couldn't name. A large circular rune was inscribed into the floor, its lines glowing faintly with a soft blue light.

Anne stepped forward confidently, but Jade hesitated, her feet feeling heavy.

"Come on," Anne said over her shoulder. "This is where it starts."

Jade swallowed hard and followed her inside.

The professor, an elegant figure with silvery hair and piercing violet eyes, looked up from a shimmering web of magic she was weaving with her hands. Her gaze landed on Jade, and for a brief moment, it felt like the entire world held its breath.

"New student?" the professor asked, her voice as smooth as silk but tinged with an undertone of authority.

"Yes, Professor Myra," Anne said, her tone polite but distant. "Jade Norman. She's… here to observe."

Professor Myra raised an eyebrow, her violet eyes narrowing slightly. "Observe? In my class, everyone participates. Magic or no magic."

Jade stiffened. "But I'm human," she blurted out.

Professor Myra's lips curved into a faint, enigmatic smile. "And that, my dear, is precisely why this will be interesting."

Anne shot Jade a look, one that clearly said don't argue.

"Take a seat, Jade," Myra said, gesturing to an open spot near the rune. "Let's see what you're capable of."

Meanwhile, in Shadowblade Class…

Jason stepped into the Shadowblade classroom, his eyes adjusting to the dim lighting. The room was cavernous, with shadows pooling in every corner. The air was cool and carried a faint metallic tang.

Darky was already seated near the front, leaning back in his chair like he owned the place. He gave Jason a small, mocking wave.

"Take a seat, Norman," Darky said, smirking. "Let's see if you survive the first lesson."

Jason rolled his eyes but took a spot near Darky. As he sat down, the professor entered—a tall, intimidating figure cloaked in swirling darkness. His voice echoed unnaturally as he spoke.

"Welcome to Shadowblade," the professor began, his tone sharp and commanding. "You are here to learn the art of weaponizing shadows—an art that requires precision, focus, and most importantly, control over your fear."

Jason straightened in his seat, his curiosity piqued.

The professor extended his hand, and a tendril of shadow slithered from the floor, coiling around his arm like a living snake. With a flick of his wrist, it transformed into a sleek, obsidian blade.

"Fear clouds judgment. Fear disrupts control. Here, you will learn to master both."

Jason exchanged a glance with Darky, who gave him a knowing smirk. "This is going to be interesting." Jason thought, bracing himself for whatever came next.

Back in Hexweaver Class…

Jade watched as the other students effortlessly wove strands of magic into beautiful, glowing patterns. Some created shimmering shields, while others formed intricate designs that floated in the air like delicate lace.

"Don't be shy, Jade," Professor Myra said, her gaze never leaving Jade. "Pick up a thread."

Jade's palms grew clammy. "I don't think I can," she admitted.

"Magic isn't about thinking—it's about feeling," Myra said, stepping closer. "Try."

Jade hesitated but reached out tentatively toward a strand of light hovering in the air. To her surprise, it moved toward her hand, almost as if it were alive.

Her fingers brushed against it, and for a brief moment, she felt a strange warmth—a spark of something she couldn't quite define. But as quickly as it came, it vanished, the thread slipping through her fingers like smoke.

"Interesting," Myra murmured, her expression unreadable. "You've touched the weave, but something's blocking you. We'll have to explore that."

Jade felt her cheeks flush. "I—I don't know what I'm doing."

"Good," Myra said with a faint smile. "That's the best place to start."

Anne watched from the sidelines, her expression carefully neutral. She knew the truth about Jade's potential but wasn't ready to share it—not yet.

As Jade struggled to connect with the strands of magic, Anne felt a sharp prickle at the back of her neck—the kind of sensation that only came from being watched. She didn't turn immediately, masking her awareness, but she let her gaze sweep the room casually.

There, in the far corner, Agatha sat, half-hidden in the shadows. She wasn't weaving magic like the others; instead, her attention was fixed on Anne and Jade, her expression unreadable.

Anne's jaw tightened, but she didn't let it show. Of course she's here.

Jade, oblivious to the silent tension, made another attempt to grasp the glowing thread before her. The light flickered and slipped from her grasp again, leaving her flustered.

"You're trying too hard," Anne whispered, leaning in. "Relax. Let it come to you."

Jade shot her a look but nodded, taking a deep breath.

From her corner, Agatha tilted her head slightly, her lips curling into a faint, amused smile. She crossed one leg over the other, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the edge of her desk as though she were enjoying a private joke.

"Focus, Jade," Professor Myra said, her voice cutting through the room like a blade. "You'll never succeed if you let your mind wander."

Anne clenched her fists under the table. She knew exactly what Agatha was doing—staring just enough to unsettle Jade, pushing her to falter without saying a word.

Jade tried again, her brow furrowed in concentration. This time, the thread of light wavered in her grasp, but it stayed, hovering between her fingers like a fragile ribbon.

Professor Myra's eyes gleamed with approval. "There it is," she said softly. "Now, pull it gently toward you. Let it weave itself around your hand."

Jade's hands trembled, but she obeyed. The light began to twist and spiral, forming a delicate lattice of magic around her palm.

Agatha's smile faltered, her eyes narrowing.

Anne smirked. Not what you were expecting, was it?

But just as quickly as Jade's triumph began, the thread sparked violently and disintegrated into ash, scattering through the air. Jade gasped, clutching her hand as though it had burned her.

"Enough for today," Professor Myra announced, her tone calm but firm. "You've made progress, Jade. We'll continue next time."

Jade nodded, though her face was flushed with embarrassment. She avoided looking at the other students, afraid of their judgmental stares.

Agatha rose gracefully from her seat, her movements deliberate. She glided past Anne and Jade on her way out, pausing just long enough to murmur, "Not bad for a human… but I'd watch your step, Jade. Magic can be… unpredictable."

Her words were light, almost sweet, but the edge beneath them was unmistakable.

Anne's eyes flashed. "And I'd watch your tongue, Agatha. It tends to get you into trouble."

Agatha laughed softly, a sound that carried no warmth. "Oh, Anne. Always so protective. It's almost cute."

Without waiting for a response, she disappeared through the doorway, her laughter echoing faintly behind her.

Anne turned to Jade, her expression softening. "Ignore her. She thrives on making people doubt themselves."

Jade managed a weak smile. "Easier said than done."

"She's nothing you can't handle," Anne said firmly.

Darky's words from earlier echoed in Anne's mind: You didn't have to lie. She shook off the thought. Now wasn't the time for second-guessing. Agatha's presence here only confirmed one thing—whatever was happening with Jade, it was drawing attention, and not the kind they wanted.

"Come on," Anne said, helping Jade to her feet. "We're done here for today."

As they left the classroom, Anne glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting Agatha to still be lurking. The room was empty, but the air felt heavier, charged with the lingering tension of unspoken threats.

Jade was quiet as they walked back to the Fairy Tower, but Anne's mind was racing. Agatha's interest in Jade wasn't a coincidence—it never was. And if Agatha had noticed something unusual about her, others would, too.

Whatever secrets Jade was carrying, Anne knew they wouldn't stay hidden for long.

Later that day, the group reconvened outside the Fairy Tower as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in hues of orange and purple.

"How was Hexweaver?" Darky asked, leaning against the tower's entrance.

"Intense," Jade admitted.

"And Shadowblade?" Jade asked, glancing at Jason.

Jason let out a low whistle. "Let's just say I'm glad I didn't die."

Darky smirked. "First day's always rough."

Anne's gaze lingered on Jade, her expression unreadable. "We should head back. Tomorrow will be harder."

As they made their way back to their dorms, a sense of unease settled over them. The day had raised more questions than answers, and each of them carried the weight of secrets they weren't ready to share.

But one thing was certain: their journey at Aloney was only beginning, and it was already proving to be far more dangerous—and far more magical—than any of them had anticipated.

___________________

This chapter turned out to be the longest I've written so far, and I hope you enjoy every bit of it!

As always, your thoughts and feedback mean the world to me, so feel free to leave a comment—I'd love to hear what you think!

Wishing you an absolutely awesome day!