The night was still too still.
The silence in the inner court felt weird pressing against my skin. I was having trouble sleeping, and my brain wouldn't shut up. The energy here was silent, maybe I was feeling this emptiness cause I had been around the power duo of Rhyse and Celvia. I wondered what they were up to.
Just then, I heard a sound. a sound of footsteps
I sat up with my curiosity piqued, crept to the window, and pushed the curtain aside.
It was Rhyshe and Celvia. On the balcony. Bathed in moonlight, but should they not be in their rooms, talking low and urgent, I couldn't hear what they were saying.
But then they jumped. And a second later, my heart nearly left my body.
Wings. They had wings. Shimmering like woven light. They soared into the garden like it was nothing. Those were actual wings made of magic.
I just stared. What the heavens were going on—
Where were they going? Were they sneaking out? But the Curfew was strict. No students were allowed outside at this hour. But they just... flew off.
I have to know.
I looked at the books on my desk, and I searched through the pages of Teleportation Magic. If I could get past the barrier... ahh, here it is
I traced the incantation from the book. The words felt weird on my tongue. The symbols glowed faintly. I began chanting
Reinatels Servia.
Nothing happened. I tried again.
Reinatels Servia.
The letters glowed on the page. I whispered it, feeling the magic gushing into my veins and twisting in the air.
The space rippled. A glowing portal swirled open. It was magic, my spell had actually worked.
I stepped through there was a gush of Wind. A pull from everywhere and then—
I was outside. Standing in the Inner Court gardens.
It worked?
It was so fast, but something felt off. The air was dense, I almost felt that I was committing a crime, but thank god no one saw me. I looked at myself, and my badge was glowing; it was a flicker of golden light. I looked down. My badge—the one from the receptionist—was glowing. Runes shifting across it.
So that's why.
The teleportation should have failed. No normal student could bypass the barriers. But my badge had the Seven Devils mark on it. ah i see
What else can this thing unlock?
What about flapping wings above? Rhyshe and Celvia were flying over the gardens. I need to know where they were going. No time to waste.
I clenched my fists. Then I'll fly.
Placium Tha Urnowill.
Magic surged through me. The ground fell away. I was rising.
Okay, this is actually incredible—
The wind rushed past it was fast. I felt so light again, I was weightless—the power inside of me was flying. I got too lost at the moment that I lost it.
I lost control of the magic in my veins, which was overflowing.
I was flying too fast.
The magic slipped. Wind howling. World tilting. I was falling. I could not think of anything that went wrong in the last moment I was flying. It was a high sky and gardens, and now it has all gone wrong.
No no no—
I started panicking; my head was not clear. my Stomach lurching and ground rushing up. I could see trees, marble paths, everything blurring.
Focus Mira! focus
But I still couldn't steady myself. Gravity was a jerk.
A fountain came into view. Shimmering water. And beside it—a boy.
Oh no.
"Hey, boy, move."
I started signaling, but he did not hear, just looked at me blankly
I wanted to scream for him to move. Words stuck in my throat now. It was too close
CRASH!
"agh"
Cold water everywhere, even in my mouth; I was completely drenched. The impact rattled my bones. Tangling, struggling, gasping.
I broke the surface and shoved hair out of my face.
And I met his gaze. Looking at me coldly, it was the same boy from the class and from the grandmaster's cabin.
He was Cool. Unreadable. Smirking.
"Nice landing, sky princess."
I was gasping for air. Drenched. I felt humiliated.
Just then, I heard a slow clap. He was actually slow clapping.
"That," he said, voice smooth and lazy, "was spectacularly embarrassing."
"Shut up," I snapped, trying to climb out of the fountain with whatever dignity I had left.
He crossed his arms. "Was that supposed to be a grand entrance? Or were you just hoping to make a splash?"
"I didn't plan to fall, you idiot!"
"Clearly."
I shoved myself out. Dripping. Furious.
Why him? Of all people?
"I was following my friends," I said. "Not that it's your business."
"Friends? You mean the ones who just left you behind?"
That stung. More than I wanted to admit.
"They didn't leave me. I just lost control."
"Oh, that was obvious."
I clenched my fists. "I don't need your commentary."
"But it's entertaining," he shrugged. "Watching you flail? Best thing I've seen all night."
I wanted to punch him. So bad.
Instead, I stepped closer. Chin up. "And what about you? Standing here alone? What's your excuse?"
His smirk faltered. Just for a second.
Then back. "I enjoy quiet. And watching fools drop from the sky."
I was about to snap back—
White House doors slammed open.
Akira. Rhyshe. Celvia.
They froze. Staring at me, the boy, the fountain.
Rhyshe blinked. "Uh… are we interrupting something?"
Celvia crossed her arms. "Mira, why are you—soaking wet?"
Before I could answer, the boy gestured dramatically. "She wanted to test gravity."
Akira pinched her nose. "Oh, gods."
I turned back to him, voice low. "You're enjoying this way too much."
He grinned. "Immensely."
Rhyshe leaned to Celvia. "Who is he?"
Celvia sighed. "Ren."
Ren.
So that was his name. Fit him. Arrogant. Overconfident. Smug.
I just wanted to dry off and forget this happened.
But something told me I'd see him again.
Ugh.