Chapter 5 : Behind Me, Someone Whispered

Lyla, Nova, and Livra were walking through the corridor, chatting softly as their footsteps echoed against the stone floor. As they entered the grand hall, their eyes sparkled with excitement. The room was filled with the hum of voices and clinking cutlery. Without hesitation, they made their way to the long, enchanted table that belonged to their house Solburn and settled into their seats among the other first-years.

Lyla smiled brightly and said, "I'm so happy today! I still can't believe I'm in Thornwick. It feels like a dream."

Nova looked down at her plate thoughtfully. "I wonder what Mom, Dad, and Aunty are doing right now…"

Livra nudged her gently. "Come on, Nova, it's okay. I miss my mom and dad too. But they want us to become great sorceresses. That's why they sent us here. So cheer up, be happy."

Just then, Mona walked over to their table and greeted Livra warmly. "Hey, Livra! How are you?"

"I'm okay," Livra replied with a smile. "What about you?"

"As always," Mona said with a grin, "fit and healthy."

Her eyes then fell on Nova. She stared, her expression slowly turning into confusion. "Wait… who are you? You look exactly like me!"

Nova replied calmly, "I'm your twin sister."

Mona blinked. "Impossible. Dad never told me. If I had a twin sister, he would have told me. He always tells me everything."

Lyla looked at her and said, "Hi Mona. How's Dad?"

Mona's expression changed immediately. "Why are you calling my dad your dad?"

Lyla answered gently, "Because Thorne Emberfell isn't your real father. He's your godfather. When you were born… he took you with him."

Nova continued softly, "Your real parents are Zara Moonhart and Leo Moonhart. Just like mine. You're not Mona Emberfell. You're Mona Moonhart."

Mona's face flushed red. Her voice trembled with anger and disbelief. "My name is Mona Emberfell! And I don't believe you. My dad would never lie to me. Never!"

Tears welled up in her eyes, and without another word, she turned and ran away.

Rive, who had seen her leave in tears, quickly approached Lyla, Nova, and Livra. "What did you say to her? She was crying! Doesn't anyone care how she feels?" he said sharply and then rushed after Mona.

He found her sitting near the lake, her back turned, shoulders trembling.

He sat beside her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't cry. What did they say to you?"

Mona sniffed. "They told me… I'm not Thorne Emberfell's daughter. That… he took me from my real parents…"

Rive was quiet for a moment, then said softly, "If you really believe your dad would never lie to you, then just write him a letter. Ask him yourself."

He smiled slightly. "And remember, your surname doesn't decide who you are. Let people say what they want."

He continued, "If Lyla really is Thorne Emberfell's daughter, even she was sorted into Solburn, not the House of Black Magic. So be happy, okay?"

Mona looked up at him, still unsure.

"Now come on," he added. "Let's go eat something. It helps."

Later, the students gathered in the Spellcraft classroom. Professor Elion Vexthorn stood at the front, his voice firm but kind.

"Today, you will learn how to properly hold your magical wand," he announced. "No matter what subject of magic you study, without Spellcraft, your magic is incomplete."

He lifted his wand with a flick. "Today, I'll teach you a spell that allows you to lift heavy objects using your wand. The name of the spell is Baskar. Everyone, try it!"

Lyla focused and successfully lifted a book.

Nova concentrated and lifted a pen into the air.

Livra, however, struggled. Her wand shook, but the object didn't move.

Some girls at the back giggled.

Before Livra could feel embarrassed, Ilisha stepped forward. "Here, let me help."

She corrected Livra's grip and quietly encouraged her. With a second try, Livra performed the spell correctly.

Professor Elion smiled. "Excellent teamwork. Ilisha, you've earned 25 House Points for Solburn."

After class ended, everyone started heading to their next subject.

As Lyla walked alone down a quiet corridor, she suddenly heard a soft voice behind her.

"Lyla…"

She turned. No one was there.

She walked a few steps forward. The whisper returned.

"Lyla…"

She turned again. Still no one.

With a nervous glance around, she finally said in a firm voice, "Who's there?"

Meanwhile, in the training yard, Rive was walking Livra back from class.

"Baskar! Ugh, I couldn't even pronounce the spell," Rive grumbled. "And I didn't even know you were in my class! Blame Adien—he never tells me anything."

Livra sighed. "He's always like that."

Ilisha joined in with a chuckle, "But he means well… sometimes."

Later that evening, in the Solburn common room, everyone was busy.

Rive, Adien, and Lucian were chatting. Celestia was reading a book. Nova practiced her spells with sharp focus. Ilisha, Livra, and Aurelia were studying for the next day's class.

Then, the common room door opened.

Lavya walked in with Keal, carrying a small wrapped package.

"Lyla," Lavya said, "Mom sent this for you. And this one is for your mom."

Keal's eyes wandered and landed on Ilisha.

He stared for a full eight seconds, completely silent.

"Who's she?" he whispered to Lyla.

Lyla smiled. "That's Ilisha."

Without another word, Keal and Lavya left.

That night, Lyla opened her diary and began to write.

Diary #3

Today was a good day. I learned a new spell—Baskar. Everything was going so well until Mona started crying. I didn't mean to hurt her. I only told her the truth… but she took it badly. It felt awful.

And something strange happened today…

While I was walking alone near one of the quiet corridors, I heard a voice behind me say my name:

"Lyla."

I turned, but no one was there.

Maybe I imagined it… but it didn't feel like my imagination.

Something is happening.