Chapter 20

Elara and Maya sat in the academy library, the quiet hum of students whispering around them a sharp contrast to the chaos in their minds. The stack of assignments in front of them felt insurmountable, forty in total, all due in a week. Both of them knew that failure wasn't an option.

"We'll tackle this in batches," Maya said, her voice steady. "Divide and conquer. Prioritize the complex ones first and use breaks to handle the lighter tasks."

Elara nodded, though her mind buzzed with anxiety. "Right. No distractions."

But distractions came faster than expected.

The second-year students seemed to have made it their mission to interrupt the pair. As Maya carefully annotated a diagram, a second-year boy walked past and deliberately bumped the table, scattering her papers. Another group giggled from the corner as Elara's concentration faltered.

Their laughter intensified when a strange incident occurred. Elara reached for a glass of water, but as soon as her fingers brushed its surface, the glass began to hover. Her eyes widened in alarm, and she instinctively tried to grab it, but her attempt only made the glass shoot higher. It floated erratically across the room, narrowly missing shelves and heads.

"Hey, watch it!" someone called out, ducking.

The second-years roared with laughter, their taunts ringing through the library. "Nice control, Elara! Maybe you should try a leash next time!"

Elara's face flushed with embarrassment and frustration. She clenched her fists, her powers flickering uncontrollably around her like static electricity.

"Elara, look at me," Maya said firmly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Breathe. Just breathe."

Taking deep breaths, Elara focused on Maya's calm presence. Slowly, the glass floated back down, wobbling before landing softly on the table. The laughter faded as the second-years lost interest.

"They're just trying to mess with you," Maya said. "We can't let them get to us. This workload is tough enough without their nonsense."

Elara nodded, her determination returning. Together, they refocused on the assignments, tackling each with unwavering persistence.

Unbeknownst to them, the assistant to the principal had been observing their progress from a distance. A stern woman with piercing eyes, she stood in the shadows, her notepad in hand. She marked their resilience and teamwork but also noted Elara's struggle to control her abilities.

During one of her rounds, she overheard a hushed conversation among a group of second-years in the lounge.

"The portal to the next parallel world opens next week," one of them whispered. "Not for the first-years, though. This time, it's ours. No punishment, no restrictions."

The assistant's ears pricked at the mention of a parallel world. She lingered, her pen poised over her notepad.

"Did you hear about Kade?" another said. "His telekinesis finally developed. Turns out he's got connections with the vampire clan. They've been using him as a bridge to track other worlds. Rumor has it, he's leaked intel about Earth and Arcanian."

The assistant's brow furrowed. A connection to the vampire clan? This was more than just a matter of academic rivalry. If what they said was true, Kade's actions could have dire consequences, not only for the academy but for Elara's home planet as well. The Dhampir Draycen, always hunting for vulnerabilities, would undoubtedly seize this opportunity.

Her gaze shifted back to Elara and Maya, still engrossed in their assignments despite the odds stacked against them. She made a mental note to report this development to the principal. For now, though, she would keep watching, her instincts telling her that these two first-years were pivotal to what lay ahead.

That evening, as Maya and Elara prepared for yet another late night of work, Elara paused, her expression troubled.

"Something feels off," she admitted. "Like we're being watched. Not just by the second-years. Something bigger."

Maya's eyes narrowed. "If that's true, we need to stay alert. Whatever's coming, we'll face it. Together."

Their words hung in the air like a quiet vow, the weight of their assignments momentarily forgotten. Little did they know, the week ahead would test not only their academic skills but their courage, loyalty, and resolve in ways they couldn't yet imagine.