Chapter 9 the inner court

The inner court stood like a breathtaking dream before Mira, its towering spires reaching toward the heavens, shimmering with an ethereal glow. Intricate silver patterns adorned the stone walls, reflecting the soft light of the surrounding waterfalls that cascaded gently down the cliffs. Water flowed serenely into a crystalline pool that circled a magnificent tree in the heart of the courtyard—its branches twisted with ancient wisdom, and its leaves pulsed with a soft, magical aura.

Mira's breath caught as she took in the grandeur of the court's entrance. It was not just a place of learning; it was alive with magic, a nexus of energy so intense it made her skin tingle. The air around her thrummed with raw power, and she could feel the weight of history pressing down on her, as if the very walls were whispering secrets of the past. This was where the most talented magicians were trained, the home of the Seven Devils, and now—her new world.

As she stepped through the ornate gates, her heart swelled with awe and a hint of trepidation. She had made it to the inner court, a place few could even dream of seeing. But with it came the realization of just how small she felt in the presence of such grandeur. Every stone, every ripple of water seemed to radiate the magic that she had yet to fully grasp. It was as though the court itself was watching her, waiting to see if she could live up to the promise she carried within.

Mira entered the inner court, her stomach tight with nerves. Everything about this place was different from the outer court. The air was thick with magic, almost too much to bear. Each step felt heavier, like the energy around her was pressing down, making it harder to breathe. She had heard about how powerful the inner court was, but being here felt even more overwhelming than she had imagined.

As she walked, she heard voices from a group of students nearby.

"Did you hear about the new girl?"

"Yeah, the one who doesn't know any magic but still got admitted!"

"How does someone like her get into the inner court? And part of the Seven Devils? Unbelievable…"

Mira's face burned with embarrassment, and her heart raced. They were talking about her. They had no idea who she was or what she had been through, but they were already judging her. Worse, she knew they were right—she didn't know magic, not yet. The whispers only made her more anxious. What if she couldn't keep up? What if she didn't belong here?

She shook her head, trying to push those thoughts away. She couldn't let their gossip get to her. Instead, she focused on finding her room. Miss Veena had told her where to go, but the inner court was so big and confusing, it was easy to feel lost.

Finally, Mira spotted a small desk at the far end of the hall. A man sat behind it, dressed neatly in a uniform, not even looking up as she approached.

"Excuse me," Mira said softly. "I'm looking for my room."

The man glanced at her and held out his hand. "Your badge, please," he said in a bored tone.

Mira quickly pulled out the small badge Miss Veena had given her. The moment the man saw it, his expression changed. His eyes widened a little, and he sat up straighter.

"Oh," he muttered, clearly surprised. "You're one of the Seven Devils."

Mira wasn't sure how to respond to that, so she just nodded.

The receptionist handed the badge back to her, still eyeing her curiously. "Your room is in the Ripe Gate, on the 3rd floor," he said.

Mira blinked. "The Ripe Gate?" she asked. "What's that?"

"There are different gates in the inner court, depending on a mage's skill or status. Special mages like you stay in the Ripe Gate," he explained. "It's reserved for those with unique talents. Follow me. I'll show you where the gates are."

Mira nodded and followed him through the long hallways, feeling even more out of place. The inner court was nothing like the outer court. The outer court had been filled with trees and fresh air, while here, the walls seemed to glow with magic, and the energy in the air made her head spin. She had to focus to keep her steps steady, but her unease grew with every passing minute.

Finally, they arrived at a grand room with several doors, each one marked with a different symbol.

The man pointed to a large, shimmering silver door with a glowing crest on it. "That's the Ripe Gate. Take the elevator inside and press for the 3rd floor. Your things have already been sent to your room."

Mira thanked him quietly and approached the gate. Her hand shook a little as she pushed the door open. Inside was an elegant elevator with soft lighting. She stepped in, took a deep breath, and pressed the button for the 3rd floor.

The elevator ride was smooth, but Mira's mind was racing. She had so many questions. Why had Miss Veena given her such a special badge? Why was she being treated like someone important? She didn't even know magic yet.

When the elevator doors opened, Mira stepped out into a quiet, beautifully lit hallway. She found her room—Room 301—and slowly turned the handle.

The room was simple, but there was something magical about it. Soft lights floated near the ceiling, casting a gentle glow over the room. It was much more comfortable than her room in the outer court. There, she had shared with others, but here, this space was all hers. Her luggage sat neatly by the bed, already unpacked.

Mira let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Despite everything, she couldn't help but smile. The room felt peaceful. After all the tension and fear of entering the inner court, this was a small comfort. She finally had a space where she could be alone and think.

As she sat down on the bed, she knew things were only going to get harder from here. But for now, she let herself relax, just for a moment, and enjoy the quiet.