Chapter 7

Blades of Magic

The air beyond the Academy grounds was thick with power, each breath Elara took filling her lungs with something ancient and alive. It wasn't like the controlled magic inside the classrooms—this was wild, raw, untamed. The very ground hummed beneath her feet, as if the land itself pulsed with latent energy.

She followed Astra along a winding stone path, torches flickering with blue flame as they lit the way. The farther they walked, the more the Academy revealed its hidden secrets—open courtyards where students sparred under the moonlight, whispering statues that moved when no one was looking, and floating bridges that connected different sections of the school.

Astra seemed completely at ease, leading the way with a careless grace, her deep violet robes trailing behind her. "This is the part of the Academy most first-years don't bother exploring," she said. "They're too busy being scared or overwhelmed."

Elara arched a brow. "And what about you?"

Astra smirked. "Oh, I'm always overwhelmed. I just hide it better."

They passed by a massive domed structure, its silver runes glowing faintly in the darkness. Students clad in black and crimson robes stood in formation, their wands raised as they practiced precise combat spells. Sparks of lightning and fire clashed in midair, illuminating their determined faces.

Elara paused, drawn to the intensity of it.

Astra followed her gaze. "Ah. The Duelist's Coven."

The words sent a shiver of excitement down Elara's spine. A dueling class. A real one.

A massive banner hung near the entrance, its dark fabric rippling in the night breeze.

DUELIST'S COVEN – ENROLL NOW. ARE YOU STRONG ENOUGH?

Her heart thudded against her ribs.

Astra studied her expression. "You're thinking about joining, aren't you?"

Elara hesitated. "Maybe."

"You should," Astra said. "Dueling isn't just about fighting—it's about control. If you can't handle your own magic under pressure, you'll never truly master it."

Elara took a deep breath. She still struggled with her broom. Her wand barely listened to her. Maybe this was exactly what she needed.

Before she could second-guess herself, she stepped forward and signed her name on the enrollment sheet.

Trial by Fire

The Duelist's Coven wasted no time throwing her into the deep end.

The moment she enrolled, she was paired against a second-year duelist—Cassius Vale. He was effortlessly confident, his silver hair tousled and eyes gleaming with amusement.

"A first-year?" he mused, twirling his wand between his fingers. "Alright. Try not to cry when you lose."

Elara gritted her teeth. "Try not to cry when you don't win."

Cassius's grin widened. "Oh, this'll be fun."

The instructor, Professor Ryven, stepped forward. She was a tall, imposing woman dressed in midnight-blue robes, her eyes sharp as cut glass. "Wands ready."

Elara raised hers, but already, she felt the wrongness in it. The unresponsiveness.

Cassius, on the other hand, looked perfectly at ease.

"Begin."

Cassius moved instantly, flicking his wand in a precise arc. A burst of crimson energy shot toward Elara.

She barely had time to react. She dove aside, rolling across the stone floor as the blast scorched the air where she had been standing. The watching students snickered.

Cassius tilted his head. "Are you sure you're in the right class?"

Elara's pulse pounded. Damn it—why wasn't her wand working?

She tried to cast a simple shielding spell, but the magic fizzled out, barely forming a flicker of blue light before vanishing.

Cassius sighed dramatically. "Alright, this is getting embarrassing. Maybe I should just—"

He flicked his wrist, sending another wave of force toward her.

And then—

Her broom vibrated.

A sudden rush of energy coursed through her body, sharp and electric.

And before she even realized what was happening—

She was flying.

Gasps echoed around the arena as her broom ignited beneath her, launching her into the air with impossible speed. Elara twisted mid-air, the magic thrumming through her veins like a second heartbeat.

Cassius barely had time to react as she descended like a blade, her wand suddenly blazing with power.

She didn't know how, but she felt the spell before she cast it. It coiled inside her like a storm, waiting to be unleashed.

She snapped her wrist, and a wave of raw energy burst from her wand.

Cassius's eyes widened. He barely had time to raise a shield before the force slammed into him, sending him skidding backward across the stone floor.

The watching students went silent.

Cassius sat up, blinking. Then he let out a breathless laugh.

"Well," he muttered. "Didn't see that coming."

Elara landed, her broom still humming with power beneath her grip. She stared down at her wand, breathing hard.

It had worked.

Her broom. Her magic. It had finally worked.

Professor Ryven studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "You'll be training with the advanced duelists from now on, Nightshade."

Elara's chest tightened with pride.

This was only the beginning.

Breaking the Chains

After the duel, Astra practically dragged her to the nearest tavern in the Academy's town.

"I'm buying you a drink," Astra announced. "You just kicked Cassius's ass. That's worth celebrating."

"I didn't exactly win," Elara pointed out.

Astra waved a hand. "Details."

The tavern, The Witch's Hollow, was alive with energy. Students and professors alike filled the space, the scent of spiced mead and burning incense thick in the air. Magic flickered above the bar, where floating bottles poured drinks on their own.

Elara settled onto a barstool, still feeling the adrenaline buzzing beneath her skin.

She had done it.

She had controlled her magic.

For the first time, she felt like she belonged.

Astra nudged her with a grin. "You realize this means you're officially on Cassius's radar now, right?"

Elara rolled her eyes. "Oh, joy."

Astra leaned in, her voice dropping to a mischievous whisper. "And he doesn't like losing."

Elara smirked. "Then he better get used to it."