The Whispering Walls

The days dragged on, one blending into the next. The academy's usual vibe was just a mix of the same lectures, assignments, and late-night cramming. But for Seraphina, the weight of what she'd discovered and the shadows lurking around made everything feel… different. The air was thick with tension, and the once-familiar halls seemed to be watching her, whispering secrets just out of reach.

By the third week of the semester, the first clue finally appeared.

Seraphina spent hours in the academy library, digging through texts most students had forgotten. The ancient tomes in the restricted section became her obsession. She couldn't quite explain it, but those dusty pages drew her in like they held the key to something important.

Her fingers brushed over a weathered scroll she found that morning—a record of past ceremonies, royal rituals, and events that were hidden from the public. The more she read, the more she stumbled upon mentions of "The Bound Circle." It was a mysterious term, never fully explained, but always tied to the royal bloodline. Each mention was more cryptic than the last, but the importance was clear: The Bound Circle was connected to an ancient power that had been passed down through generations.

That term kept popping up again and again. It felt like a riddle, teasing her with its hidden meaning.

"Seraphina?"

She looked up, jolted from her thoughts. Leandro stood at the entrance, looking unusually serious. The usual mischievous sparkle in his eyes was gone, replaced by a quiet urgency.

"What's the matter?" she asked, pushing the scrolls aside.

Leandro stepped closer and lowered his voice. "I heard something… about the Bound Circle. It's not just some term, Sera. It means a lot more."

Seraphina's heart raced. "You've heard of it?"

He nodded. "I overheard some older professors talking about it in the courtyard yesterday. They seemed really worried. I don't think they realized I was listening."

Her pulse quickened. This was it. This was the confirmation she'd been waiting for. The Bound Circle wasn't just some outdated story; it was real—and it had to be dangerous.

"Do you know what it means?" she asked, hardly above a whisper.

Leandro hesitated, glancing over his shoulder as if he was expecting someone to show up. "I didn't catch everything, but it sounds like a kind of ritual. A binding that connects a royal family member to the land's power. Some sort of sacrifice to keep the kingdom thriving. But the way they talked about it… it seemed like something that shouldn't be kept secret."

Seraphina stood up as the gravity of the discovery hit her. "The land's power? You mean the magic the royal family has hidden for years?"

Leandro nodded. "I think so. But what I don't get is why they're discussing it now. This isn't just an ancient tradition; they're planning something. And it looks like it's about to happen again."

Seraphina's mind raced. She had felt for a while that something was off in the academy, but this confirmed her worst fears. The Bound Circle was more than just an old legend; it was a ritual linked to the kingdom's core. If it was happening again, the royal family was getting ready to perform something that could change everything.

"We need to dig deeper," Seraphina said, determination rising within her.

Leandro's expression turned serious. "Be careful, Sera. You don't know who else is hunting for this info. And you can't be sure who you can trust."

She met his gaze, her determination unwavering. "I know. But if they're planning to bring this ritual back, I need to figure it out. I need to stop it if it's dangerous."

Leandro hesitated, then nodded. "I'm in. Always."

Seraphina smiled faintly, grateful for his support. She had always known she wouldn't be alone on whatever path lay ahead. But as they stood together, a sense of unease settled over her. The more she learned, the more questions popped up. With every new piece of information, the stakes got higher.

Later that evening, after leaving the library, Seraphina wandered through the familiar corridors of the academy, her thoughts racing. The academy was quiet now, with most students off to their rooms for the night. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't alone. It was like the walls were watching her, waiting for her to uncover the truth.

She passed by an old statue of the academy's founder, its stone eyes seeming to follow her every move. It was a creepy feeling, something she had never experienced before.

"Seraphina…"

Her breath caught. The voice was soft, almost too faint to hear, sending chills down her spine. It came from the shadows at the end of the corridor.

She turned, her heart racing, but there was no one there.

"Hello?" she called out, her voice trembling a bit.