Chapter 4:Whispers in the dark

*Chapter 4: Whispers in the Dark*

Seraphina's heart pounded as she walked back from the arena. The whispers of the other students still echoed in her ears—*"That was pathetic." "Does she even know how to control it?"* Those words sliced through her, each one heavier than the last. She hadn't meant to show so little, but her magic had been unpredictable, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't harness it.

"Don't listen to them," Maria's voice pulled Seraphina from her spiral of self-doubt. Maria was walking beside her, her fiery aura still burning bright despite the criticism they had both faced. "You did fine. They don't know anything."

"I didn't even do anything," Seraphina muttered under her breath. She was trying not to show it, but the sting of embarrassment was hard to ignore. "It's like my magic only flickers when I don't want it to. I have no control over it."

Maria tilted her head, her eyes full of concern. "It's not about control. Not yet. You're still figuring things out, Seraphina. It's like—" She paused, clearly thinking, "—like learning to walk again. Sometimes you stumble, but you'll find your feet."

Seraphina wanted to believe her. She really did. But every time she closed her eyes, she saw the sneers of the high-tier students, felt their gaze like a weight on her chest. They were already so far ahead of her. How could she catch up?

Before Seraphina could respond, a sharp voice cut through the air, smooth but laced with an edge of mockery.

"Well, well, if it isn't the *nobodies* trying to make a splash."

Seraphina turned, startled, to find *Alistair* standing with his group of friends. They were all dressed in the finest magical robes, their power radiating from them like an invisible force. His smirk was one of a predator, eyes glinting with superiority.

Maria's eyes flashed with irritation, but she didn't let it show too much. "Go away, Alistair."

Alistair laughed, taking a step closer. "Oh, I think we'll be seeing a lot more of each other, won't we? I'm sure it's tough, coming to a school like this and realizing that you'll always be second-rate. Some of us were born with *talent*, while others just… struggle." His gaze slid over Seraphina with contempt, then back to Maria. "I'm sure it's *charming* to be so deluded, but really, it's just embarrassing. You should both know your place."

Seraphina felt her fists clench at her sides, her pulse quickening. It wasn't just his words. It was the way he looked at them—like they didn't matter. That *they* didn't belong.

Maria stepped forward, standing tall. "You're the one who doesn't belong here, Alistair. You think being born into a powerful family makes you better than everyone else? You're wrong."

Alistair's smile faltered for just a second before he regained his composure. He leaned in slightly, voice low and mocking. "Maybe you're right, Maria. Maybe it's not about *birth* after all." He glanced at Seraphina, his eyes narrowing. "I'll be curious to see how long you last here. The *weak* don't stay long in *Aeloria*."

His friends snickered, clearly enjoying the show. They all turned and walked off, leaving Seraphina and Maria standing in the middle of the courtyard, both of them seething in their own way.

"That jerk…" Maria muttered, her cheeks flushed with anger. "We don't need to prove anything to him. You're more than capable, Seraphina."

"I don't feel capable." Seraphina's voice was quiet, almost defeated. "I don't even know what I'm supposed to be doing here. Every time I try to use my magic, it feels… wrong."

Maria softened, her usual fiery demeanor replaced with a gentler tone. "Look, Seraphina, I know it's tough. But you don't need to compare yourself to them. You've got your own path. And we're going to figure this out together, okay?"

Seraphina smiled weakly, appreciating her friend's support, though the doubt still lingered deep in her chest. She just wasn't sure how much longer she could stand being the outsider, the one everyone looked down on.

As they continued walking toward their next class, the feeling of being watched never left her. Seraphina couldn't shake the sense that someone—or something—was always just around the corner, waiting.

When they entered the classroom, Seraphina took her usual seat at the back, trying to ignore the eyes of the other students. But as she sat down, a soft voice interrupted her thoughts.

"You're Seraphina, right?"

Seraphina looked up, startled to see *Kael* standing by her desk, his usual smirk replaced by an expression of curiosity. He was a bit of an enigma—always hanging around but never quite fitting into any one group. He had a sharp mind and a knack for reading people, and she'd always found his presence oddly comforting.

"Yeah, that's me," Seraphina said cautiously, not entirely sure why he was approaching her now.

Kael leaned against the desk, eyes flicking toward the front of the class. "You're still feeling the sting of the competition, aren't you?"

She bit her lip, unwilling to answer at first, but the truth slipped out before she could stop herself. "I feel like I'm… failing. Like my magic is just a flicker, not something real. I can't control it, and I don't know what to do."

Kael studied her for a moment, then leaned in a bit closer. "You know, Seraphina, it's not about control. Not yet, anyway. You can't expect to master something this big overnight."

He paused, and Seraphina looked up at him, confused. "Then what's it about?"

Kael gave her a small, mysterious smile. "It's about *embracing* what's inside you. What makes you different from the others. You have something that they don't—it's just hidden. And when it comes to light, it'll be stronger than anything they could ever imagine."

Seraphina didn't know why, but there was something in Kael's voice that made her feel like he wasn't just talking about magic. He was talking about her—her strength, her potential.

Before she could respond, the bell rang, signaling the start of class. Kael turned away, but not before giving her one last look, a silent promise that he wasn't done talking to her.

Seraphina sank back into her seat, her mind racing. Was there more to this magic than she knew? And if she could uncover it, what would it mean for her future at *Aeloroa academy*