Chapter 9

The towering doors of the Magic Academy creaked open, revealing a grand hall lined with glowing crystals. The air buzzed faintly, charged with the hum of magic flowing through the building. I could feel it settle on my skin, like a soft, invisible current brushing against me.

Mama squeezed my hand gently as she led me inside. Papa followed close behind, his usual grin plastered across his face. "This place always gives me the chills," he muttered, looking around with an almost childlike sense of wonder.

The hall was filled with other families—children around my age, some looking nervous, others brimming with excitement. Their parents hovered protectively nearby, much like mine. At the far end of the hall stood a raised platform where several figures in elaborate robes waited, their presence commanding and intimidating.

One of them, an older woman with sharp features and piercing green eyes, stepped forward. She raised a hand, and the room instantly fell silent.

"Welcome, young ones," she began, her voice smooth yet authoritative. "Today, we will determine the magical potential within each of you. Some of you will find that magic flows freely in your veins. Others…" Her eyes scanned the crowd, pausing on a few trembling children. "…may need to work harder to awaken it. But fear not—magic resides in everyone, even if it hides in the deepest corners of your being."

Her words were meant to reassure, but they left a ripple of unease among the children. I, however, remained calm. I already knew what they would find—or at least, I thought I did.

"This way, please," she said, gesturing toward a set of doors at the side of the hall.

The children were ushered through in small groups, their parents staying behind. When it was my turn, Mama knelt down to my level. Her usual gentle smile held a trace of nervousness.

"Don't worry, Aleena," she said, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Just do your best, okay?"

Papa chimed in, ruffling my hair. "You've got this, kiddo. Show them how amazing you are."

I nodded, trying to match their confidence. But as I stepped through the doors, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of unease.

---

The testing chamber was vast and circular, with a high domed ceiling that sparkled with tiny lights—like stars trapped in stone. In the center of the room stood a pedestal, its surface engraved with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with energy.

The older woman from before stood beside the pedestal, her sharp gaze fixed on me. "Step forward, child," she instructed.

I obeyed, my small feet making soft taps against the polished floor.

"Place your hands on the pedestal," she continued. "This device will measure your affinity for magic. Do not be afraid."

I placed my hands on the cool, smooth surface, and the runes immediately flared to life. A soft hum filled the air, growing louder and deeper as the light intensified.

I could feel the pedestal reaching out to me, probing for the magic within. At first, it was gentle, like a curious touch. But then it grew insistent, almost demanding, as if it were trying to unravel something buried deep inside me.

The light shifted, turning from a soft white to a vibrant gold, then to a deep crimson. Gasps echoed around the room as the runes began to glow brighter than ever, their light spilling across the walls in a dazzling display.

"What is this?" the woman murmured, her composed demeanor slipping for the first time.

I felt something stir within me—something ancient and powerful. It wasn't the magic they were looking for. It was something far older, far greater.

The light from the pedestal suddenly shot upward, forming a swirling column that reached the ceiling. The air grew heavy, and I could hear faint whispers, like echoes from another time.

"Enough!" the woman barked, slamming her staff onto the ground. The light vanished instantly, and the room fell silent once more.

I stumbled back, my head spinning.

The woman stared at me, her green eyes wide with a mix of shock and something else—fear, perhaps?

"What… what are you?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. I didn't know what to say.

---

When I was led back to the main hall, Mama and Papa were waiting anxiously. The moment they saw me, they rushed over.

"Aleena! Are you okay?" Mama asked, pulling me into a tight hug.

"I… I think so," I said, my voice shaky.

Papa frowned, his eyes darting to the testing chamber. "What happened in there?"

Before I could answer, the older woman appeared, her expression unreadable. She addressed my parents with a tone that was both measured and grave.

"Your daughter is… exceptional," she said carefully. "Her magical potential is unlike anything we've ever seen."

Mama and Papa exchanged a glance, their faces a mixture of pride and concern.

"What does that mean?" Papa asked, his voice tinged with worry.

The woman hesitated before replying. "It means she has the potential to achieve great things. But it also means her path will not be an easy one." She turned to me, her gaze softening slightly. "You are… special, child. Take care to use your gift wisely."

I nodded, though my mind was still racing. What had they seen? Did they know what I really was?

As we left the academy, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The life I had known—simple and peaceful—was slipping away. Something far greater was waiting for me, just beyond the horizon.

And for the first time in centuries, I felt a flicker of uncertainty.

What would my future hold?