Paths

Chapter 6: Divided Paths

The sun rose reluctantly, casting long, golden shadows over the sprawling grounds of the Celestial Academy. The air was crisp with the scent of morning dew and faintly tinged with the crackle of magic that seemed to permeate everything here. Aeryn stood on the balcony outside her dormitory, gripping the railing tightly as she watched students in immaculate robes bustle below. Each movement spoke of purpose, precision, and a hierarchy she didn't yet understand—but felt crushingly aware of.

Today was her first full day as a student of the Academy, and already she felt out of place.

A knock on her door startled her from her thoughts. Before she could answer, the door swung open, revealing Selene, her figure framed by the early light. Selene's expression was neutral, but her presence carried an unspoken authority.

"Ready?" Selene asked, though it sounded more like an order than a question.

Aeryn nodded stiffly. "As I'll ever be."

Selene stepped inside, her gaze briefly sweeping over the sparse room. "Orientation will be held in the Grand Hall. After that, class assignments." She paused, then added, "You'll be fine."

The faint encouragement did little to soothe Aeryn's nerves. She followed Selene out of the room, her pendant warm against her chest as if to remind her she wasn't entirely alone. Yet, as they walked through the opulent halls, the space between them felt wider than ever. Selene's confident stride contrasted sharply with Aeryn's hesitant steps, and she couldn't ignore the way other students glanced at them, whispering behind cupped hands.

By the time they reached the Grand Hall, the whispers had grown louder. Aeryn recognized some of the words: "Special admission," "charity case," and most painfully, "why is she with Selene?"

The Headmistress stood at the front of the hall, her commanding presence silencing the room instantly. She launched into a speech about the Academy's illustrious history, the importance of discipline, and the rankings that defined every student's place. Aeryn tried to listen, but her focus drifted to Selene, who stood beside her with an air of practiced indifference.

When the Headmistress finished, she began assigning students to their respective classes.

"Selene D'Aramore," the Headmistress announced, "Elite Division."

There was no surprise in the room. Selene's name was synonymous with power and prestige. She nodded once and stepped forward, joining a group of students who exuded confidence and authority. The Elite Division—the best of the best.

Aeryn swallowed hard, dreading her turn.

"Aeryn Caelthorn," the Headmistress called, her tone notably less warm. "Special Admission Division."

The words hung in the air like a blade poised to strike. Aeryn felt every eye in the room turn to her, some curious, others scornful. Heat rose to her cheeks as she stepped forward, her shoulders tense under the weight of their judgment. The Special Admission Division was not a badge of honor; it was a mark of otherness, of being unworthy of the usual standards.

Selene's gaze followed her, unreadable but steady. Aeryn couldn't decide if that made things better or worse.

The Special Admission Division was housed in a less grandiose part of the Academy, away from the main towers and glittering courtyards. Aeryn's first class was Elemental Basics, a course designed for those who hadn't yet mastered their abilities. The room was sparsely filled, the students' expressions ranging from timid to defiant. Aeryn took a seat at the back, keen to avoid drawing attention.

The instructor, a wiry man named Master Rykel, entered with a brisk energy. He wasted no time diving into the lesson, demonstrating the basics of elemental manipulation.

"Magic is a dance between will and nature," he explained, conjuring a swirl of water that hovered above his palm. "Those who master the rhythm will find power at their fingertips. Those who do not…" He let the water drop, splattering onto the floor. "Will be forgotten."

Aeryn's pendant pulsed as she tried to mimic his demonstration. She summoned a faint wisp of flame, but it sputtered out almost immediately. The boy next to her snickered, and she clenched her fists, her frustration mounting. The whispers from earlier still echoed in her mind, poisoning her concentration.

By the end of the class, her progress was negligible. Master Rykel offered no encouragement, simply nodding curtly as the students filed out. Aeryn lingered behind, staring at her hands as if willing them to cooperate.

"Rough start?"

She turned to see Selene leaning against the doorway, her arms crossed. The sight of her in her pristine Elite robes only deepened Aeryn's sense of inadequacy.

"You could say that," Aeryn muttered.

Selene stepped closer, her presence both reassuring and intimidating. "You're letting them get to you."

"Easy for you to say," Aeryn shot back. "You've already proven yourself. Everyone here respects you."

Selene's expression darkened. "Respect and fear are not the same thing. You'd do well to remember that."

Aeryn looked away, her frustration bubbling over. "Why are you even here? Shouldn't you be off with your Elite friends?"

For a moment, Selene didn't respond. Then she sighed, her tone softening. "I'm here because I know what you're capable of. But you're never going to see it if you keep doubting yourself."

Aeryn's heart twisted. She wanted to believe Selene, but the weight of her past—and the judgment of the Academy—felt insurmountable.

"I don't belong here," she said quietly.

Selene's gaze hardened. "That's not for them to decide."

Before Aeryn could respond, Selene turned and walked away, leaving her alone with her thoughts. It was the last time Aeryn saw Selene for days.

Days turned into weeks, and the divide between them grew more pronounced. Selene excelled in the Elite Division, her reputation as a powerful elemental only solidifying. Aeryn, meanwhile, struggled to find her footing. The Special Admission label followed her everywhere, a constant reminder of her supposed inferiority. Selene became a distant figure, her presence felt more through the whispers of others than through direct contact.

But amidst the scorn and setbacks, Aeryn began to discover something unexpected: resilience. Each failure pushed her to try harder. Each scornful glance fueled her determination. The pendant's warmth became her anchor, a silent reminder that power—true power—wasn't measured by rankings or status.

One evening, after a particularly grueling session of practicing elemental control, Aeryn managed to summon a flame that didn't immediately sputter out. It hovered above her palm, small but steady. A sense of triumph surged through her, followed by a flicker of hope.

Unbeknownst to her, Selene watched from the shadows, a faint smile playing at her lips. Aeryn's progress, though slow, was undeniable. And while Selene's own motives remained hidden, one thing was certain:

Aeryn was no ordinary student—and the Academy was about to find out why.