A Curious Newcomer

The academy's morning air was brisk, a sharp contrast to the growing murmur among the students gathered in the main hall. Eogan leaned against the stone wall, arms crossed, his emerald eyes scanning the room. Lirien, ever composed, was quietly reviewing his notes, seemingly unbothered by the excited chatter."What's with the commotion?" Lorcan asked, his voice low.Eogan shrugged. "Probably another announcement about the trials. They've been pushing the students hard lately."Before Lorcan could reply, the heavy oak doors at the end of the hall creaked open. The headmistress, a stern woman with sharp features and piercing eyes, strode inside, her presence commanding immediate silence. Behind her walked a figure cloaked in a plain gray dress. The hood is drawn low to obscure her face. Whispers erupted like wildfire."A new student?""At this point in the term? Strange."Eogan's gaze narrowed as he watched the figure. There was something… off. It wasn't just her sudden arrival; it was the way she moved, her steps too fluid, her posture too poised, as though she wasn't accustomed to being watched."Quiet down," the headmistress commanded, her voice cutting through the whispers. She turned to the new arrival and gestured for her to step forward. "This is Abhainn. She has been admitted under unique circumstances and will be joining your class. Treat her with respect and show her the ropes."Abhainn lowered her hood, revealing a delicate face framed by waves of raven-black hair. Her eyes, a deep shade of blue, seemed to hold a strange, almost hypnotic depth. She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes, and there was a faint stiffness to it that only the most observant would notice.Eogan was one of them.The first class of the day was Theory of Arcance Art. The topic of the lecture today was magical constructs, a subject notorious for its complexity. The classroom was abuzz as students settled into their seats, and Abhainn was assigned to sit beside Eogan and Lorcan. She carried no books or notes, only a calm demeanor and an air of quiet observation.Eogan leaned slightly toward Lorcan. "Watch her closely. Something doesn't feel right."

Lorcan frowned but nodded, his curiosity piqued.

As the professor began the lecture, Eogan occasionally glanced at Abhainn, noting how her gaze flitted around the room. She seemed less interested in the lecture and more focused on the students. Her attention lingered on their gestures, postures, and how they interacted. When she finally began to take notes, her handwriting was unnervingly precise, each letter formed as if by an artist's hand."What do you think?" Lorcan whispered, his voice barely audible.Eogan didn't answer immediately. He was too distracted by the faint shimmer he caught out of the corner of his eye—a flicker of something not entirely human in her expression before she quickly masked it.By midday, the students were gathered outside for a practical session in elemental manipulation. The crisp air carried the scent of damp earth, and the ground was dotted with training circles where students paired off to practice their spells.Eogan and Lorcan found themselves in the same group as Abhainn. The instructor, a gruff man with a penchant for harsh critiques, ordered them to demonstrate basic elemental techniques.When it was Abhainn's turn, she stepped forward with a serene confidence that deepened Eogan's unease. She extended her hand, and a stream of water spiraled upward from the small pool at the edge of the training circle. The spell was flawless, almost too flawless. It lacked the slight hesitations and adjustments typical of a student's work. Instead, it was smooth, fluid, and precise, as though she had been practicing for centuries.The instructor nodded, impressed. "Well done. Your control is exceptional."Eogan's lips tightened. "Exceptional is an understatement," he muttered."You noticed, too?" Lorcan asked, his tone hushed. "It's like she's done this a thousand times before.""Exactly," Eogan replied. "She's hiding something."Abhainn turned toward them, her expression unreadable. Her gaze met Eogan's for a moment, and he felt a subtle shift in the air as though she had reached into his thoughts and brushed against his suspicions. Then she looked away, her smile faint and enigmatic.Later that evening, Eogan, Lorcan, and Lirien gathered in the library. The quiet hum of magical lanterns provided a backdrop as they huddled around a table."She's not human," Eogan said bluntly, breaking the silence.Lorcan's eyes widened. "Are you sure?""Positive." Eogan leaned forward, his voice low. "I saw it in the way she casts spells and moves. She's not like us. And that spell earlier? It wasn't just good—it was fey-level magic."

Lirien, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke. "If she's fey, then why is she here? They don't usually mingle with humans."

"That's what I want to find out," Eogan replied. "But we have to be careful. If she is fey, she's powerful. And if she's hiding something, there's a reason for it."None noticed Abhainn standing in the shadows near the library entrance as the three exchanged theories. Her expression was unreadable, but her hands tightened into fists at her sides. She had heard enough to know that Eogan was more perceptive than she had anticipated. If she wasn't careful, her carefully constructed facade would crumble.As she slipped away, her steps as silent as the wind, Abhainn's thoughts churned. She had come to the academy with a purpose, but now she realized that staying unnoticed might be far more complicated than planned. And Eogan, with his piercing gaze and relentless curiosity, might be the most significant obstacle of all.The moon hung high in the sky as Eogan crept through the quiet halls of the academy. His footsteps were light, his breath steady as he walked toward the courtyard. He had waited until everyone else was asleep, ensuring that even Leanan wouldn't sense his departure. She was busy helping Lorcan and Neala with their training, leaving him alone.Standing in the shadow of a great oak tree, Eogan closed his eyes and focused inward. The memory of his past life as a fey lord stirred within him, and he reached for the threads of magic that lay dormant in his human form. It was risky, but he needed answers.He extended his hand, a faint glow from his fingertips as he whispered an incantation in the ancient fey tongue. The magic swirled around him, invisible to human eyes but alive in the night air. He sent it outward, a delicate web designed to sense the truth about Abhainn. Who or what she was, and why she had come.Moments passed, and the magic returned to him with a strange resonance. It confirmed his suspicions: she wasn't human. But a soft voice interrupted his concentration before he could delve more profoundly."You're playing with dangerous magic, Eogan."He spun around to find Abhainn standing a few paces away, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. The moonlight caught the edges of her hair, giving her an otherworldly glow."You caught me," Eogan said evenly, lowering his hand. "Now answer my question: why are you here?"Abhainn tilted her head, a faint smile playing at her lips. "That depends. Are you ready to hear the truth?"The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unspoken truths and guarded secrets. Eogan stood his ground, his eyes locked on hers.Eogan held her gaze, the weight of her words sinking in. His breath steadied, and his calm voice carried the slightest edge of impatience. "Try me."Abhainn's faint smile didn't waver, but something shifted in her demeanor. She straightened slightly, her hands falling to her sides, and the glimmer of hesitation in her eyes was replaced by resolve. "I didn't come here to harm anyone if you're worried about that. But my reasons are… complicated.""Complicated doesn't cut it," Eogan countered, his voice firm. "You don't just slip into an academy like this without a reason. And that water spells you cast today—it wasn't just practiced. It was instinctual, like second nature. That's not normal, not for a human."Abhainn's gaze faltered for a moment before she sighed. "You're observant. I'll give you that." She took a step closer, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "I came here because I needed to learn about humans. I've… been away from this world for a long time, and things have changed. The only way to understand was to immerse myself.""So you're not human," Eogan stated, his suspicions confirmed. "What are you, then? Fey?"

Abhainn's lips pressed into a thin line, and she hesitated as though weighing her following words carefully. Finally, she nodded. "Yes. But I'm not your enemy, Eogan."

"That remains to be seen," he replied, his tone guarded. "If you're here to learn, why the secrecy? You could have come openly. The academy might have accepted you.""You think so?" Abhainn's voice carried a trace of bitterness. "Humans don't trust fey, and for good reason. Your people have hunted mine, feared us, driven us out. Even now, the distrust lingers. I couldn't take the risk of being turned away."Eogan's expression softened slightly, though his posture remained defensive. "And what do you expect to learn here? What is it you're really after?"Abhainn's eyes darkened, and for the first time, a flicker of vulnerability crossed her face. "I'm trying to understand if coexistence is possible. Between humans and fey. If there's a way forward that doesn't end in bloodshed."Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Eogan studied her, his mind racing. He had spent enough time as both a fey and a human to know the depths of the mistrust she spoke of. Yet something about her sincerity struck a chord."That's a noble goal," he said carefully. "But it's not an easy one. And if you're discovered…""I know the risks," Abhainn interrupted, her voice firm. "But it's a risk I'm willing to take. My people can't stay hidden forever, and the human world is changing faster than we can keep up. We need to adapt, or we'll be left behind."Eogan was silent for a long moment, weighing her words. Finally, he sighed. "If you're telling the truth, your work is cut out for you. But I'll give you the benefit of the doubt… for now."Abhainn's posture relaxed slightly, and she inclined her head in gratitude. "Thank you, Eogan. I won't give you a reason to regret it.""I hope not," he said, his tone serious. "Because if you're lying, I'll find out. And I won't hesitate to act."Abhainn's faint smile returned, though it held a trace of sadness. "I wouldn't expect anything less."As she turned and disappeared into the shadows, Eogan remained under the oak tree, his mind awhirl with questions. The encounter had given him some answers but also raised new doubts. One thing was sure: Abhainn's presence would change more than just the dynamics of the academy. And whether for better or worse, he would have to be ready.Abhainn lingered just out of sight, her back pressed against the cool bark of a tree. She exhaled slowly, her shoulders sagging as the tension eased from her body. Eogan believed her story, or at least enough to hold off further scrutiny. Yet, guilt gnawed at her as she stared at the moonlit sky."I couldn't tell him," she whispered to herself. "Not yet."Her purpose here was far more dangerous than she had let on. It wasn't just about understanding humans or seeking coexistence. She had been sent to protect Eogan and guard him against the shadowy threat of demons that loomed closer daily. But revealing that truth would raise questions she wasn't ready to answer. Questions about how much she knew and why she cared so deeply about his survival.Abhainn clenched her fists, determination hardening her expression. "One step at a time," she murmured. "For now, I must keep him safe—even if he never knows why I'm here."