The bond between Lior and her friends with the royalties comes from an enemy to becomes a good friend. They always go together, share smiles, laugh, and tell jokes. Didn't bother about the surroundings
Just like now, they are sitting together, laughing at the back of the chair in the classroom. Talking about life, and the struggle of what their titles
"Since I was a child, my mother has always taught me how to act gracefully. They said as a princess, I should act one. But I don't really feel to act to being a princess…" Thalmyra shared, "When I was like 5, I had an etiquette lesson, but I skipped and I went to the falls to play water. As a water princess, I really love to spend my time under the water to discover things. But when my parents found that I skipped my lesson, they grounded me for weeks, and that was the disaster of my life." They let out a small laugh at Thalmyra's story
Lior was mesmerized by how they shared their unforgettable moments
Lior leaned back, her eyes soft as she watched her friends speak. The way they laughed, teased, and shared their past—it felt like magic. Not the kind with spells and crowns, but the kind that made people feel seen.
Quirel, the prince of Air, grinned and raised his hand like he was about to tell a joke. "Okay, okay, my turn," he said, eyes sparkling. "When I was six, I thought I could control the wind just by yelling at it. So I climbed the roof and shouted 'Fly!' while jumping off."
Everyone gasped.
"Don't worry, I landed in a haystack. But I broke my uncle's favorite scarecrow. He said I ruined the harvest. I said I was testing my powers," he continued
They all burst into laughter, even Thalmyra wiped a tear from her eye.
Then Thorne spoke, his voice calm but with a little smirk. "My parents were strict. Like, really strict. They thought emotions were distractions. So when I cried after falling off a chair, they gave me a book called 'How to Be Strong.'"
He paused. "I used it to fix the wobbly table in my room. That was the strongest thing I did that week."
The group laughed again, this time softer, more tender.
Lior smiled, her heart full. These weren't just royals. They were people with silly stories, painful memories, and the courage to laugh about it. And somehow, she was part of it now.
As the group shared stories, laughter filled the back of the classroom like warm sunlight. Lior smiled, letting herself enjoy the moment. But then, she felt a stare—sharp and quiet. She looked around and met eyes with Yrion.
He was sitting three seats down, on the left side. His gaze didn't blink, didn't soften. Lior tilted her head and gave him a sweet smile, the kind that made Yrion's frown deepen. She could almost hear his thoughts, even without words. She smiled again, softer this time, then turned her attention back to Terren, who was now sharing his story.
Terren spoke with pride, his voice full of energy. Lior listened, but her thoughts drifted. Since they all got closer, she had almost forgotten her own problem—her weakening power. The laughter, the stories, the teasing… it made her feel normal again. But deep down, she knew something wasn't right.
These royals—Thalmyra, Quirel, Thorne, Terren—they were kind, yes. But Lior could feel it. They were up to something. Maybe they wanted something from her. Maybe this friendship was just a way to get close.
Before she could think more, the door opened. The archmentor stepped in, robes flowing, book in hand.
"Hello, dear students," he said, placing the book on the table. "Welcome to my class again…"
Lior leaned back, ready to tune out. She didn't care much for history. Her eyes were already half-closed when the archmentor continued.
"Before we talk about the war that happened long ago… today, we'll begin with the history of the world with the gods and goddesses."
Lior sat up straight. Her heart jumped. That topic—gods and goddesses—was something she cared about deeply.
"I think I heard a story, Archmentor," one student said. "About a punished goddess?"
"There is?" another asked, eyes wide.
The classroom buzzed with excitement. But Lior stayed quiet, waiting. That story… it wasn't just a tale to her. It felt personal.
"Shhh, shhh… enough students," the archmentor said, raising his hand. "Yes, there was a goddess who was punished. But that's not our main topic today. We'll focus on the history of our worlds and the gods before."
Lior's face dropped. Her chest tightened. That was the story she needed. That was the one she wanted to hear.
She slammed her back against the chair, loud enough to make her friends turn and stare. Confused, they watched as she crossed her arms, lay her head down on the table, and closed her eyes.
She didn't want to listen anymore. Not today.
Lior felt something that was shaking her, she open her eyes then saw kira on her side. She stretch and sat down, sleepy
"Did the class finish early?" Lior ask, wondering because she just felt that she just slept a minute ago
"No. You just happen to sleep peacefully" kira said
"What happen to you? You seems you don't have enough sleep" Lior take a glance at Jex who seems worried about her situation
"I'm fine…" she said and stand up
Lior doesn't always have enough sleep, dreams after dreams. She woke up panting, chasing her breath every time she woke. And when she woke up she couldn't remember her dream, that make her overthink until morning comes
She keep it to herself, because she doesn't want that her friends would think that she is a burden
She walked past to the royalties, who's confused at her. This is isn't her usual. But the royalties just shrugged their shoulder at the behavior of Lior
But Lior's friends was worried because they something was not right
Lior goes directly at their dormitory. As she passed by with the other black magic user students, the immediately give a way as they saw her dark aura walking seriously
They look at her as if they something in her that supposed not to be seen. But Lior didn't mind their stares she just walk directly to the dorm
When she arrive there, she goes to her room. She put her book at the table and about to go to her bed, but she stop in her step near to her bed when she saw the book that was open and top in her bed
Lior reach for it and look for the open page. It was about the Earth elements. The spell book of earth magic that they stole at the archive
She stares at the open page, on the spell written on the book. She look at her table and spot another book. She close the book that was in her hands and reach for the book that was in her table
It was about air. She open the book and saw the image of pattern of how to control the air. She scanned and study the movements and as she stared at it, she saw it moving, teaching her how to control the hand movement
She just keep on staring at it, trying to memorize the moving image. Then a wind blow in her. She look at the open window. She immediately found an idea
She get her back and put the book inside of it. She left her room using her disappearing power. She goes to the back of the school. Where no one can see her. She start to walk, to deep forest
She don't know how many hours she walk but she just keep on walking, until she reach a cliff that the wind is strong
"This is good for practice…" she whispered and look back, knowing she is far from the Academia
The sun hung high above the cliff, casting golden light across the jagged rocks and wild grass that danced in the wind. Lior stood at the edge, her skirt of her dress fluttering behind her like a shadow trying to catch up.
The book lay open on a flat stone, its pages glowing faintly, the animated diagram pulsing with rhythm and grace.
She took a deep breath, letting the wind fill her lungs. It was strong here—untamed, alive. The perfect place to learn the language of air.
Lior raised her hands slowly, mimicking the swirling patterns shown in the book. Her fingers curved, wrists rotated, elbows bent in fluid arcs. The image in the book shimmered, guiding her like a silent mentor. She moved with it—hesitant at first, then more confident, her body learning the rhythm of the wind.
The air responded.
A soft breeze curled around her fingertips, playful and curious. She smiled, eyes locked on the book, repeating the gesture. This time, the breeze grew stronger, lifting strands of her hair and tugging at her sleeves.
She stepped back, widened her stance, and tried again. Her hands sliced through the air in a spiral, and the wind followed, swirling around her in a loose vortex. It was working. She could feel the connection—not just physical, but something deeper, like the wind was listening.
Time blurred. The sun shifted across the sky, shadows stretching and shrinking as Lior practiced. She moved through the patterns again and again—twisting, turning, leaping, kneeling. Her body became a conduit, her breath syncing with the rhythm of the wind.
She stumbled. The wind faltered.
She tried again, sweat glistening on her brow, her arms aching. The book's image looped endlessly, patient and persistent. She followed it, even as her legs trembled and her fingers grew numb.
A sudden gust knocked her off balance. She fell to one knee, panting, the wind roaring around her like a challenge. She gritted her teeth, stood up, and raised her arms once more.
This time, she didn't just mimic the image—she felt it. Her movements became instinctive, her body flowing like water, her spirit rising like air. The wind surged, lifting leaves and dust into a spiral around her. She was no longer practicing. She was commanding.
By late afternoon, the sun had dipped low, casting amber light across the cliff. Lior collapsed onto the grass, chest heaving, limbs sprawled. The book lay closed beside her, its glow dimmed, as if satisfied.
She stared up at the sky, the wind still whispering through the trees. Her body ached, but her heart was light. She had danced with the wind, wrestled it, learned from it. And though she was exhausted, she knew she had taken the first step toward mastery.
She smiled faintly, brushing a leaf from her cheek.
"I'll come back tomorrow," she whispered.
And the wind, as if in reply, rustled the pages of the book gently.
She's back at the dorm, it was already dark. When she arrive, she found her friends, anxious waiting in the living room of the dormitory. She was confuse when she saw them
But her friends look at her with anger and worried at the same time. They immediately run to her as they saw her
"Where were you?" Kira ask in high tone, angry but her eyes shows worried and scared
She give smile and let go of the hug "I am fine. Don't have to worry" she assured them
She face the others "I'm tired I want to rest" she said, she didn't wait for their response but she just go directly in her room
Put the bag on the top of the table, change her clothes and lie down in her soft bed. She groan as her body felt the soft and comfortable bed
It didn't take long for Lior to fall asleep. Her body gave in quickly, worn out from everything she had done that day. The moment her head touched the pillow, she drifted off—hoping for a peaceful rest.
For a while, it felt like she had found it. Her breathing slowed, her body relaxed, and the quiet wrapped around her like a soft blanket.
But peace never stayed long.
Just as she thought she was safe in sleep, the world shifted again.
She was pulled back—back into that strange, haunting place. The other world. The one that waited for her behind closed eyes.
Her body twisted from side to side, restless and tense, as if searching for a way out of a place she couldn't escape. Soft groans escaped her lips, followed by quiet, broken moans. Her breathing was uneven—fast, shallow, desperate.
Sweat clung to her face and trickled down her neck, soaking into the pillow beneath her.
She gripped the bedsheet tightly, her fingers curled like claws. Her legs kicked against the mattress, as if trying to run from something chasing her in the dark.
Then came the voice—low, trembling, and full of fear.
"No…"
It was the same word she always cried out in her sleep. A sound of pleading. A cry for help. A voice that carried helplessness and pain.
Lior woke up suddenly, breathing hard, her chest rising and falling like she had been running in her sleep. Her heart was racing, and she felt like the air around her wasn't enough.
She looked around the room, still shaken. The soft light of the moon came through the window, casting a pale glow across the walls.
She tried to stand, but her legs were weak. Her knees shook, and before she could steady herself, she fell to the floor with a thud.
For a moment, she stayed there, catching her breath.
Then her eyes turned to the window.
The moon was full—big and golden, glowing quietly in the night sky. It looked peaceful, but Lior didn't feel that way. Her body was tired, her mind still trapped in the dream she couldn't escape.
Lior stayed on the floor for a moment, waiting for her breath to calm and her body to stop shaking. When she felt a little better, she slowly stood up, using the window frame to steady herself. Her hands pressed against the cold surface, as if the window was the only thing holding her up.
She looked up at the moon. It was full and bright, glowing yellow in the night sky. A cold breeze blew through the open window, brushing against her skin and making her shiver.
She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to stay warm. Then she looked down—and froze.
Someone was standing on the starwalk below, staring straight at her.
Her heart jumped.
Without thinking, she climbed onto the windowsill and leapt.
It was a high fall—dangerous for anyone else. But Lior knew the air. She let the wind carry her, landing softly on the ground like a feather.
She chase the shadow but as she arrive at the middle of the starwalk where she saw the shadow of a man, it's was gone
Lior look around like a mad man looking for a missing person. When she didn't find any trace of it. She feel pain in her heart as if it was crash and tears starting to fall in her eyes
"Where are you?..." she whispered in despair "Please show who you are…" she sobs begging to be seen that man
It happen every night. Standing in the same spot. And when she go find it, it's gone without trace like it never been there. And now Lior couldn't take it. She is disturb, and her peace is gone
Lior stood alone on the starwalk, the wind brushing past her like a whisper she couldn't catch. The moon above glowed softly, watching her like an old friend who couldn't speak.
Her tears had stopped, but the ache in her chest remained.
She looked around one last time, hoping the shadow would return. But the night stayed silent.
Slowly, she turned back toward the dormitory. Her steps were heavy, her heart even more so. The laughter from earlier felt far away now—like a dream she couldn't hold onto.
Inside, her friends slept, unaware of the storm inside her.
Lior climbed back through the window, curled into her bed, and stared at the ceiling. She didn't cry again. She just lay there, waiting for sleep to take her.
But even in sleep, she knew the figure would return. The dreams would come. And the questions would stay.
Something was changing. Something was coming.
And Lior could feel it—in the wind, in the moonlight, and in the quiet spaces between her breaths.
That the truth is out there.
And Lior is ready to chase it.