heart racing, pulsing

Soon enough, exam day arrived. I stood in front of the academy's grand entrance, the towering marble columns casting long shadows in the early morning light. The air was crisp, alive with a mixture of tension and anticipation as students filed in, all sharing the same unspoken hope of excelling.

My mind was a storm of thoughts. In my past life, I'd been a diligent student, someone who thrived under the pressure of exams. But here? In this world where magic and politics intertwined? I wasn't so sure.

I sighed, squaring my shoulders as I walked forward. Alright, Sera. Focus. You've got this.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice the approaching footsteps until I felt something warm wrap around my left arm. Startled, I turned to see who it was, and to my dismay, there she was—Tessa Vale.

Oh no. Not her. I internally groaned.

"Hey, Sera," she said, her crimson eyes sparkling with mischief. She leaned in closer, far too close for comfort, her black hair cascading like a dark curtain between us. "Ready for the exams?"

I blinked, trying to put some space between us, but she held on firmly, her grip light yet annoyingly unyielding.

"Uh, yeah," I replied, trying to sound casual, though the proximity of her face to mine made it difficult. "How about you?"

"Oh, I'm always ready," she said smoothly, her voice laced with confidence. "But you—you look a little tense. Nervous, Sera?"

"Nervous? No, not at all," I said, attempting to laugh it off. "Just… focused."

"Hmm," she mused, her gaze unwavering as though she could see right through me. "Well, you've been working hard lately. I've noticed."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "You've noticed?"

"Of course," she said with a sly smile, her crimson eyes gleaming with mischief. "You're hard to miss. Especially when you're studying so diligently in the library with Lillian. It's kind of… endearing."

My cheeks instantly warmed, and I quickly turned my head to hide the blush creeping up my neck. Endearing? Seriously? Is she trying to mess with me, or…?

But then her words fully registered, and I froze mid-step. "Wait," I said, narrowing my eyes at her. "How did you know that? I thought you weren't even at the academy this past week?"

Tessa's grin widened, and she giggled softly, a sound that sent both annoyance and curiosity racing through me. "Who knows?" she said, her tone light and teasing. "Maybe I was at the academy, maybe I wasn't. You'll never know."

"Tessa," I said with a warning edge, though I doubted it would faze her.

"Don't overthink it, Sera," she replied smoothly, tugging me forward. "We don't want to be late for the exams, do we?"

I sighed, giving in to the inevitable. "Alright, fine. Let's go."

As we walked toward the academy together, I was keenly aware of her arm still wrapped around mine. I told myself it would be easier not to cause a scene, especially with other students milling about. But deep down, I knew that wasn't entirely the reason.

There was something oddly… reassuring about Tessa's presence, even if her playful and enigmatic nature could drive me up the wall. Her confidence had a way of grounding me, whether I wanted it to or not.

"You're quiet," she observed, tilting her head to glance at me.

"Just mentally preparing," I said quickly. "These exams are no joke."

"True," she admitted. "But don't worry, Sera. I have a feeling you'll do just fine. You're more capable than you give yourself credit for."

I blinked at her, surprised by the sincerity in her tone. "Thanks… I think."

"Don't think," she said with a soft laugh. "Just accept the compliment. You'll need all the confidence you can muster today."

And just like that, her teasing nature was back.

We reached the grand hall of the academy, where students were gathering in clusters, their nervous energy palpable. Tessa finally released my arm as we stepped inside, though I couldn't help but notice the lingering warmth where her hand had been.

"Good luck, Sera," she said, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "I'll see you after the exams. Don't disappoint me."

Before I could respond, she turned and disappeared into the crowd, her raven-black hair swaying with each step.

I exhaled deeply, steadying myself as I made my way to my designated seat.

This is going to be a long day, I thought, already dreading the mental gymnastics ahead. But somewhere in the back of my mind, I couldn't shake the memory of her smile—or the unexpected kindness hidden behind it.

That lingering thought was quickly shoved aside, however, when a thick packet was unceremoniously dropped onto my desk with a thud, startling me.

"Get ready to begin, students," the overseer announced, his sharp tone cutting through the low murmur of the hall.

I stared down at the ominous packet in front of me, my heart pounding slightly faster. It looked like it could double as a weapon if thrown with enough force. Great. Let's hope all that studying with Ms. Sinclair and Lillian pays off, I thought, gripping my quill tightly.

The overseer's voice rang out again. "You'll have exactly three hours to complete the written portion of the exam. Remember, accuracy and clarity are as important as speed. You may begin… now."

A soft rustling filled the room as dozens of students flipped open their packets and began scribbling away. I took a deep breath and opened mine, scanning the first question. It was a comprehensive magic theory problem, involving elemental balance and mana stabilization in high-pressure environments.

Okay, Sera, you've got this. Ms. Sinclair drilled this exact type of question into your head, I reassured myself, recalling her patient yet firm guidance. I could practically hear her voice in my mind: Think through each step logically. Don't rush. Magic is all about precision.

I steadied my hand and began to write, focusing intently on breaking down the problem. As the minutes ticked by, the initial wave of panic began to subside, replaced by a steady rhythm.

The next section delved into magical history and moral philosophy. Lillian's elegant handwriting and detailed notes flashed in my memory as I read the questions. She had been meticulous in pointing out the nuances of various historical events, especially the ethical dilemmas surrounding the usage of ancient magic.

What would Lillian say here? I wondered, smiling faintly to myself as I crafted my answer. She would probably have some eloquent, thought-provoking response that I could never hope to match. Still, I did my best, weaving together what I'd learned from her into a coherent argument.

By the time I reached the final section—practical applications of fire and ice magic—I was starting to feel a spark of confidence. This was my forte, the area where I felt most at ease. The questions challenged me to think creatively, and I poured everything I had into my answers.

When the overseer finally called for time, I set down my quill with a mixture of relief and exhaustion. I glanced around the hall, noticing the varying expressions of my classmates—some looked pale and shell-shocked, while others seemed more confident.

As I gathered my belongings, I felt a light tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I found myself face-to-face with Diana, her piercing green eyes studying me closely.

"How did it go?" she asked, her tone neutral but her gaze almost… expectant.

"Well, I didn't cry, so I'll take that as a win," I said with a half-smile.

She chuckled softly, a rare sound that caught me off guard. "Good. I'd expect nothing less from you, Sera."

Her words lingered in the air as she walked away, the faint sound of her footsteps fading into the distance. I stood there for a moment, frozen, her parting comment replaying in my mind. "I'd expect nothing less from you, Sera." What did she mean by that? Was it a genuine compliment or something else entirely?

Shaking my head, I tried to dismiss the thought, though it refused to leave me. Diana Hayes always had a way of saying things that left you questioning everything.

As I stepped out of the exam hall and into the crisp afternoon air, the tension that had gripped me during the test began to ease, but only slightly. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the academy grounds. Students milled about, their expressions ranging from relief to quiet anxiety. Some discussed their answers in hushed tones, while others laughed as though a weight had been lifted.

I took a deep breath, letting the cool breeze brush against my skin. A strange mix of emotions bubbled within me—relief that the first hurdle was over, pride that I'd managed to hold my own, and something else. Something heavier. Unease, maybe? Or was it anticipation?

Now, all that was left were the results.

My heart tightened at the thought. What if I hadn't done as well as I'd hoped? What if I didn't live up to the expectations—Lillian's, Evelyn's, Diana's, or even my own? The weight of their words lingered in my chest, mingling with the gnawing uncertainty that came with waiting.

Lost in thought, I barely noticed someone approaching until they were right beside me.

"You're deep in thought again, Sera," a familiar voice said, light and teasing.

I turned, startled, to see Lillian standing there, her soft pink hair shimmering under the golden light. Her sparkling green eyes carried an amused glint as she studied my expression.

"Thinking about how you aced the exam, or…" she paused, her lips curving into a playful smile, "…how you're about to lose our bet?"

I groaned internally, her reminder crashing into me like a tidal wave. The bet.

"I'm not losing," I said quickly, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "I studied too hard for that."

Her smile widened, a knowing look in her eyes. "We'll see about that. I hope you're prepared, though, because if I win, I already have something very specific in mind for you."

That made my stomach flip. "And if you lose?" I countered, crossing my arms in mock defiance.

"Then you can ask anything of me," she said, leaning closer. Her voice was light, but the challenge in her eyes sent a shiver down my spine.

Before I could respond, a loud chime echoed through the academy grounds, signaling an announcement.

Everyone froze, turning their attention toward the towering magical board in the center of the courtyard. Names began to appear on the glowing surface, one by one, the rankings of the exam being displayed for all to see.

My stomach twisted as I stared at the board, waiting for my name to appear. The murmurs around me grew louder as students spotted their results, some celebrating, others groaning in frustration.

And then, finally, I saw it.

"Sera Vandren…" I whispered, my eyes locking on the name. My breath hitched as I read the ranking next to it.

My heart pounded in my chest, and for a moment, everything else faded away—the voices, the crowd, even Lillian's teasing smirk.

What I saw on that board… changed everything.

Before I could process it, I felt a hand slip into mine, gentle but firm.

"Sera," Lillian said softly, her playful tone replaced by something quieter, more serious.

I turned to face her, and for once, her smile wasn't teasing. Her green eyes searched mine, as though she already knew what I was feeling.

"Let's talk," she said, her voice low enough that only I could hear.

And in that moment, with the weight of the results hanging in the air and Lillian's hand holding mine, I realized—this was only the beginning.