A fading past, A rising flame

As the voice faded into the void—boom! The alarm clock jolted her awake. Monday morning.

Was it all a dream? Melly questioned herself. But… she didn't remember going to bed either.

"Why does this feel so real?" The thought lingered in her mind, leaving behind a dull headache as she prepared for school.

The driver dropped her off at the school gate, and as she stepped out, a little girl approached, crying.

"Please… can you give me a flower?" the girl pleaded, tears streaming down her face.

Melly hesitated. How can I use magic in front of the school? But the child's sobs didn't stop. She glanced around cautiously, ensuring no one was watching, then whispered, "Close your eyes."

With a discreet motion of her hand, she cast the spell. A delicate flower bloomed from her palm. It worked! It's been a while since I used magic, she thought in amazement. She handed the flower to the girl, but as she did, the child looked up at her with knowing eyes.

"Medile," the girl said softly. "I know you haven't forgotten who you are. You're Medile, and so shall it be."

And just like that, she vanished into thin air.

Melly stood frozen. Medile? Only the dead knew that name. Who was this mysterious child?

At school, excitement buzzed through the classroom. A new student had arrived.

"I'm Arkins," he introduced himself.

He was strikingly handsome, and the girls couldn't take their eyes off him. But there was something mysterious about him—something unsettling.

"Can't believe this Arkins guy is so handsome and intelligent," Taemoo muttered.

"Are you jealous or something?" Kang teased.

"No, but he better stay in his lane," Taemoo scoffed. "Any wrong move on Melly, and I'll be at his back."

"Of course," Kim and Kang chimed in. "Or else, he's picked the wrong fight."

Though not related by blood, Taemoo, Kim, and Kang had been by Melly's side since childhood, guarding her like a sister.

During lunch break, the teacher asked Melly to help Arkins catch up on lessons. They headed to the library, where Kim and the others saw them together and nearly attacked Arkins, mistaking his presence as a threat.

"This has just begun," Kang muttered. The boys already despised him.

Later, Melly invited Arkins to join their usual after-school hangout. Though reluctant, her friends agreed—only to keep her happy. But deep down, they resented him.

As they ate, Melly noticed something odd. Arkins pretended to drink his juice but never took a sip.

"Maybe he just doesn't like juice?" she wondered.

After their meal, they decided to visit the arcade. These simple moments brought Melly happiness—time spent with her friends, her found family. But she knew the truth: they shared everything with her, but she shared nothing with them.

Her secret—her magic—was a burden she carried alone.

A Heart Consumed by Vengeance

That night, Melly sat alone in her room.

"How long can I keep lying?"

How long could she pretend her family died in a car accident? How long could she suppress the truth—that they were murdered?

Tears welled in her eyes.

"How long can I act like everything is okay? How long?!"

Her voice trembled, her breath ragged, her body shaking.

A servant knocked on her door. "Miss Melly? Are you alright?"

She didn't answer. She couldn't.

No one could carry this pain for her. It was hers alone to bear.

Memories clawed at her mind—the tragic night when her family was burned alive. Her mother's desperate pleas, her little cousin's screams, her siblings—Tanny, Dean, Maddie—calling out for help.

And she, a powerless child, hiding behind a tree, watching them die.

Hatred burned through her veins. Only one name echoed in her mind—Mr. Nim.

"I'll hunt you down."

"I'll kill you like you killed my family."

"I'll make sure your family suffers tenfold."

Her grief twisted into rage, her tears turning into fuel.

The time for silence was over.

The daughter of sorcerers had awoken.

And she was ready for war.

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