Moonviel Academy

an'

falling from exertion. There's a fire in her eyes now-something new, somet

ic still lingers in the air, like an electric charge that refuses to di

flicker beneath the surface. She's still coming to terms with the power

my tone even, though there's so

re's a quiet pride in her stance, a glimmer of

t... like the magic was inside me, but also... outside of m

it is. Magic isn't something you wield. It's something

don't like not b

t that's the nature of power.

it's a double-edged sword. She'll have to harness it before i

atching her closely. "But don't get

lenges?" she asks,

n watching from the sideline

I say. "They'll test you. See if you're wo

sting my words. Then, with ste

going a

ng the fire in her ex

time, I find mys

omething that's been building since our first en

s," I murmur, unsure if I mean it as

doesn't

should

ne's

ng to hate

essure to perform, to prove myself. To li

ty. But the more I learn about myself,

not just

the p

m some enigma they can't figure out. Like I'm

dorm, I feel their eyes on me

special

e really c

silence is comforting, wrapping around me li

he knoc

inding Astra standing in the ha

to talk,"

letting her in

Academy grounds below. "You're gaining at

my arm

ns sharp. "Not ev

m not afraid o

ething almost pitying in

ords settles in my

, voice dropping to a whisper. "But

uns down

me since arriving at

f I'm trul

an'

at feels like an eternity, the sun warm a

s h

le

t's different. It's not just magic. It's

dang

I keep wa

oticin

fford distractions. Attachment is a weakness. Getting clo

th Sel

diffe

t it to be,

I glance up to see Astra standing over me, arms cr

g on with yo

, exhaling.

othing. Except you can'

his isn't y

cts your judgment. You're getting too close, Ronan.

jaw tightening.

e last time you let yourself care about someone

harder than I

ap. "And I'm not the one y

say anything else, my tho

is no

to be n

se my eyes, al

ne's

against the wooden desk. The day's training is stil

espite eve

op thinkin

me in, one I don't underst

ifies me more