Chapter 32
The next day, I arrived at the academy, my heart racing with excitement.
As I stepped through the large entrance gates, I was immediately greeted by Principal Evora, a tall and graceful woman with a calm yet commanding presence. Her long silver hair shimmered in the morning sun, and her sharp eyes softened as she smiled at me.
"How is it going, Aleena?" she asked warmly.
"Aleena is happy!" I replied with a bright smile, fidgeting slightly with my two little ponytails. Mama had styled my hair this morning, and I really liked how it looked.
"Great to hear it. Now, follow me to your new class," she said, gesturing for me to come along.
I nodded eagerly and fell in step behind her, trying to keep up with her long strides.
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We soon arrived at a long hallway, our footsteps echoing off the polished marble walls. The air felt heavy with energy, like something amazing was waiting just ahead.
"Are you excited about the new classes, Aleena?" Principal Evora asked, glancing back at me with a knowing smile.
"Yes!" I shouted, brimming with confidence. I couldn't wait to find out what this "Special Class" was all about.
At the end of the hallway, we stopped in front of a large door with intricate carvings of magical runes and symbols. Principal Evora placed her hand on the door, and with a faint hum, it opened.
What I saw next left me speechless.
Beyond the door was a massive training ground, far larger than anything I had ever seen before. The ceiling stretched so high it seemed to touch the sky, and the room buzzed with energy and activity.
Some students were playing with a glowing ball that floated in midair, laughing and cheering as they passed it to one another. Others were sparring in pairs, their movements swift and precise, while teachers watched over them, offering guidance and encouragement. The sheer scale and liveliness of the scene overwhelmed me.
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As I took it all in, my attention was drawn to a small girl running up to a teacher.
"Mari ma'am! Mari ma'am! I made a flower with magic!" the girl exclaimed, holding out a delicate flower made of mud.
The teacher, Mari, crouched down with a kind smile. "Great job!" she said, taking the flower gently. With a wave of her hand, she heated the flower, solidifying it into a hardened clay sculpture. "Now it's complete!"
The girl's face lit up with joy, and I couldn't help but smile at the wholesome moment.
Before I could observe more, Principal Evora interrupted my thoughts.
"Just so you know, Aleena, every single person here is an S-ranker," she said, her voice filled with pride.
"S-ranks? Really?" I asked, tilting my head in confusion. The term was unfamiliar, but it sounded impressive.
She nodded, clearly amused by my reaction. "Yes, S-ranks. They're some of the strongest individuals in the world. And now, you're one of them."
She gently pushed me forward, urging me to step further into the room.
"Don't just stand there," she said with a smile. "You're a part of this now."
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I took a deep breath and stepped into the lively training ground. The hum of energy seemed to intensify as I moved further in, and I could feel the curious eyes of some students and teachers turning toward me.
A boy with bright green hair paused his sparring match to glance in my direction, while a group of students playing with the glowing ball whispered among themselves, their gazes fixed on me.
For a moment, I felt nervous, but then I remembered Papa's words from the day before: "You're strong, Aleena. Never doubt that."
With those words in my heart, I straightened my back and smiled brightly.
"I'm Aleena! Nice to meet you all!" I shouted cheerfully, my voice ringing out across the room.
Some of the students exchanged surprised looks, while others smiled or waved back. The tension in the air seemed to ease, and I felt a surge of confidence.
Principal Evora placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You'll do great here, Aleena. Now, go ahead and explore. Your journey starts today."
I nodded, my heart filled with determination.
This was my new beginning, and I was ready to embrace it.