Serenya Arclight was born into greatness — but was branded as a failure.

As the youngest daughter of one of the Four Great Archmage families, she was expected to inherit a legendary command of elemental sorcery. Instead, her spells fizzled, backfired, or broke apart, earning her the title of the failed heir. In the academy’s history books, her role was already written, to become a laughingstock, a cautionary tale, and a shadow to be compared against her gifted sister.

But when an ordinary woman from another world awakens in Serenya’s body, the story begins to unravel.

At Arclight Academy of Sorcery, Serenya discovers she can wield a strange, “unclassifiable” magic that doesn’t bend to fire, water, wind, or earth. Instead, her spells warp the rules of magic itself — silencing flames, rewriting duels, and threatening to upend the very system that the noble families have ruled for centuries.

Her greatest rival is Celestia Dawncrest, the radiant prodigy of the Dawncrest family, one of the best archmage families. Perfect, brilliant, and beloved, Celestia embodies everything Serenya is not. 
As whispers spread through the academy — of curses, forbidden powers, and a “failure” who refuses to fail — Serenya must fight to carve her own place in a world that has already cast her aside. Rivalries will deepen, alliances will form, and secrets buried in the void between elements will rise again.

For her, this is no longer the story of a failed heir. It is the tale of the girl who dared to shatter magic itself.

Expectations:
Female MC but with Shonen Elements

Republishing it for the 2026 WSA Contest. Welcome! Hope you enjoy!


Author's Note