Chapter 10 – the unravelling fate
Meanwhile, Iris prepared to leave for the Royal Spiritual Academy. As she finished getting ready, Flavia visited her. With a gentle smile, she informed Iris that Rey would be joining her at the academy. "He passed his magic aptitude test yesterday," Flavia added proudly. "Now, he'll be joining the student council and attending the higher classes."
Iris felt a pang of worry. Flavia noticed and reassured her, "You should be more friendly towards Rey. He has spent the past fifty years traveling the world with God Irathion. This is his first real chance to settle down. He's a lonely child, Iris. Try to understand him."
Iris nodded, feeling a bit guilty for her previous indifference towards him.
Before leaving, Flavia handed her a locket embedded with a shimmering blue stone. "Klaus had this made especially for you," she said. "It has a charm that will activate if you're ever in danger. Klaus and I will know immediately if something happens."
As Flavia left, concern flickered in her eyes. She murmured to herself, "I suppose the time has come. The seal I placed on Iris when she was born is weakening. Soon, she will be able to use her true powers… Perhaps it's for the best."
Iris changed into her academy attire—a maroon robe. She studied her reflection in the mirror, her teenage face determined. "Five hundred years, Iris. It's time to show everyone that I can protect myself."
She stepped into the hallway and walked outside, where a flying carriage awaited her. Rey was already seated inside.
As she climbed in, she asked, "I heard you finally enrolled in the academy."
Rey nodded. "Yes. I passed the magic aptitude test yesterday. I've been placed in Class Ruby—Higher Magic."
Iris's eyes widened. "Class Ruby? That's for immortals over six hundred years old!"
Rey smirked. "What do you think I was doing all these years? I was training under my master."
"By the way, which class are you in?" he asked.
"Class Limestone," Iris replied, feeling a little embarrassed.
Rey leaned back. "Well, well… How long have you been in that class?"
Iris hesitated before muttering, "For the past fifty years…"
The realization hit her hard. While she had struggled to advance past the first and lowest class, Rey had soared ahead, entering the highest-ranked class on his first attempt.
As they arrived at the Royal Spiritual Academy, Iris and Rey parted ways to join their respective halls. Almost immediately, her friends Liora and Rowan rushed over.
Liora, the youngest princess from the Eagle Clan with her distinct brown hair, grabbed Iris's hands. "Iris! We heard what happened. Are you hurt?"
Rowan, from the Blackbird Clan, frowned. "We should have never let you get lost in the forest. It was our fault."
Iris took a deep breath, trying to calm them down. "Let me speak first! I'm fine. My father's friend, God Irathion, saved me yesterday."
Liora and Rowan's eyes widened in shock. "God Irathion? The Wind Demigod?" Liora gasped. "Iris, you are so lucky!"
Iris sighed. "Yeah… I guess I am."
Liora suddenly grinned, changing the subject. "By the way, have you heard? The Dragon Prince has finally enrolled in our academy! Everyone says he's incredibly handsome and the rarest talent of our time. Some seniors told me that his magic talent is on a whole different level—he got into Class Ruby on his first magic aptitude test! And get this—God Irathion himself personally trained him!"
Iris blinked in surprise. "Wait… God Irathion was the founder of the academy, right? I thought the highest immortal was the first founder."
Rowan shook his head. "No, Iris. God Irathion founded the academy two thousand years ago. The First Prince of the Heavenly Palace was only appointed as the first dean because Irathion didn't want to take on the responsibility himself."
Iris processed this new information. If God Irathion had been the one to create the academy, then just how deep did his influence run? And if he had personally trained Rey, then Rey's presence here would undoubtedly shake the balance of power within the academy.
A feeling of unease settled in her chest. This year at the Royal Spiritual Academy was going to be unlike any other.
As the day progressed, Iris found herself at the center of unwanted attention. A group of students from higher classes sneered at her, whispering insults about how she had been in the lowest class for decades. One particularly arrogant girl from Class Quartz, Mircea, smirked as she stepped in front of Iris, blocking her way.
"Still stuck in Class Limestone after fifty years? How embarrassing," Mircea taunted. "Maybe you should just quit the academy altogether."
Iris clenched her fists, her face burning with humiliation. She wanted to retaliate, but before she could, a shimmering blue light fluttered beside her—her class fairy, Lume, appeared in the air, her tiny wings shimmering like moonlight.
"Enough, Mircea," Lume said sternly. "Iris has been selected for the upcoming magic aptitude test, the one Class Quartz will also be taking part in. She has no time for petty fights."
Mircea's smirk faded. "The higher magic test? But that's one level above her ability! She'll fail and become a laughingstock."
Iris stiffened. "What? Why was I chosen for that test?"
Lume looked at her seriously. "Because, Iris, it is time for you to prove yourself. The test will take place in the Shadow Forest. You must retrieve a magic crystal while fending off devilish shadows. If you fail, the entire academy will mock you. But if you succeed… you will rise above Class Limestone."
Iris's heart pounded. The Shadow Forest was infamous for its deadly creatures, lurking in eternal darkness.
"But I have no powers," she whispered, her hands trembling slightly. "How am I supposed to fight devilish shadows? How am I supposed to pass such a difficult test?"
Lume gave her a reassuring look. "You will find a way, Iris. Believe in yourself."
Yet as the weight of expectation bore down on her, Iris couldn't help but wonder—how could she possibly succeed when she had nothing to fight with?