“Please, check again! This just can’t be right,” I pleaded for what felt like the hundredth time, barely holding back my anger—and, if I’m honest, a rising wave of panic.
I couldn’t wrap my head around how something like this could even happen. It was simply impossible, wasn’t it?
Yet, for some reason, no one in the admissions office seemed the least bit surprised. Everyone here was as unshakeable as the granite cliffs of the Sharan Ridge. And that, frankly, was driving me up the wall.
A wiry, gray-haired woman with round spectacles and tightly pursed lips shot me a look brimming with irritation. It was the kind of glare my nanny used to give me whenever I said something blasphemous or rebellious. That look was always followed by hours of lectures on proper behavior—lectures that made me want to strangle myself. Maybe that’s why I shrank back and fell silent under her gaze.
“Young lady,” she said, pinning me to the spot with her tone alone, without even raising her voice, “I don’t know what fanciful ideas you’ve cooked up, but I’ve been sorting students into their faculties here for half a century. And I’ve never—mark my words, *never*—made a mistake. If the magical assessment placed you in the Faculty of Necromancy, it’s not a whim or an error on my part. It’s your gift. Your calling.”
Her sharp tone sobered me up a bit. After all, I needed to face the reality that I wasn’t haggling over carrots at a market stall—I was enrolling in the Academy of Magical Arts and Prophecies.
“Fine, but my gift is unstable… there could be errors, couldn’t there?” I said, softening my voice as I realized my entire future was being decided right here. “There’s never been a single necromancer in my family. My father was a renowned fire mage, and my mother was a seer. How could I possibly have a talent for necromancy?”
The admissions mage sighed, removed her glasses, and tapped the earpiece against a stack of papers before responding. She was probably choosing her words carefully, trying not to be too harsh. I appreciated that. With her experience, she must have dealt with disgruntled students for a hundred years.
“My dear,” she began, her tone now gentle, almost maternal, likely sensing my desperation, “you must have learned in school that magical talent isn’t always inherited. Sometimes, mages with dormant gifts give birth to fire or wind mages. And sometimes… well, sometimes a pair of powerful battle mages might have a daughter who’s a seer—or who has no talent at all.”
The mere mention of the Hollows—those without magic—sent a shiver down my spine. Of course, not everyone in the world is magically gifted. Even being born into a magical family is no guarantee of a shining future. That’s why, until I turned fifteen, I didn’t really live—I just existed.
My magical gift had been dormant, showing no signs of awakening. My parents tried to pretend it wasn’t a big deal, and that worked until I was about ten. After that… I did my best to stay out of their sight, to avoid those looks of pain and pity. It was unbearable, feeling like a failure, a disappointment to the people I loved most.
But then something happened. I got overwhelmed, lost control, and… I summoned fire. That day should have been the happiest of my life, but there was a catch. The fire wasn’t normal—it was eerie, cold, and green. Even then, it unnerved me. Truth be told, I was horrified. I lost control completely and reduced a pair of ancient oaks to ash. Strange, right? Not exactly the typical fire of a battle mage. But they reassured me, saying first manifestations can be unpredictable. And after that…
After that, nothing happened again. Every magical gauge went off the charts measuring my potential, but when it came to casting spells—nothing. And no matter how much I pleaded with this woman, deep down, I knew she was right. I wasn’t a fire mage. Not by a long shot. I was a necromancer.
“There’s no changing this, is there?” I asked—or maybe I was just stating the obvious.
My words sounded so tragic that I wanted to curl up in a corner and cry.
I could already imagine my mother’s reaction to this news. From the day I was born, she’d prophesied a grand future for me. I’d always suspected it was wishful thinking, even as a child. Now, I was certain. She’d just wanted it to be true. Or maybe she was trying to encourage me. Either way, it didn’t change a thing.
“Sweetheart… what’s your name?” the woman asked, sliding her glasses back onto her nose and peering at the placement letter before looking at me again. “Adel Black… wait, are you the one who recently refused—”
Oh, great. Just what I needed.
“That’s a different Black,” I interrupted, practically shouting as I realized where she was going with this.
The last thing I needed was for her to draw everyone’s attention in this hall. I still hadn’t recovered from the fallout of that scandal.
Truth be told, it was that very scandal—one that never seemed to die down—that drove me to this academy, the farthest one from the capital and the high society I knew. But… I had a sinking feeling that even here, I wouldn’t get any peace.
“I see,” the mage said with a smirk, leaving a long signature on my enrollment letter before handing it to me. “Congratulations on your admission to our Academy. I hope your studies will be smooth and fruitful, so that one day you may serve our kingdom with pride. Best of luck, Adel Black. And…” she added, reminding me she wasn’t just an admissions officer but a person too, “remember, magic always chooses the one who can wield it. Don’t lose heart.”
“Thank you,” I muttered, practically snatching the letter and stuffing it into my bag. “For everything. It’s been a pleasure.”
I turned to leave the admissions office, eager to ask someone—anyone—what to do next, when my eyes landed on the first person I saw. My eternal problem. My constant headache. Ryan Corn.
And he was staring right at me!
What in the blazes was he doing here?
Apparently, I’d asked that question out loud, because several other applicants and students turned to look at me, then followed my glaring gaze.
Curse it all.
This was one of those moments where I wished I were an illusion mage, able to bend light and vanish on the spot. But talking to him? Not a chance. So, I made the most childish decision possible—I bolted. Fast, without hesitation, and wherever my feet would take me. Maybe, just maybe, he’d disappear. Maybe he’d go off somewhere far away. If memory served, he was supposed to enroll in the prestigious capital university, join the Faculty of Battle Magic, and surround himself with admirers like a lollipop swarmed by flies. He should’ve forgotten all about me. But no. Here he was. Where he absolutely shouldn’t be.
In short, I was panicking. More than ever before. And I was running. With the desperate hope that maybe, somehow, this would all just sort itself out.
These thoughts buzzed in my head as I fled. It’s not easy running from your biggest problem when a crowd of starry-eyed students is streaming toward you, eager to catch a glimpse of the magnificent, inimitable Ryan Corn—son of the king’s first advisor, top graduate of the capital’s premier academy, and future greatest battle mage of our time.
It’s honestly infuriating. But if I’m being truthful with myself, just six months ago, I was one of them—a blind, head-over-heels girl who thought she’d found the love of her life.
What a fool I was. Though… I was genuinely in love. Even now, my heart aches, and my hands go numb at the realization of how close he is. And he? He doesn’t even know what love is.
Slipping through a back door and trying to blend into the crowd of students and applicants returning from practice, I ran aimlessly. I darted between buildings, weaving through narrow paths that cut through the campus park.
Just when I thought I’d lost him, that he couldn’t possibly catch up, a tall, agile figure stepped into my path. So suddenly that I nearly crashed into him, stopping only thanks to reflexes honed by years of training.
Goblin’s… foot.
Ryan Corn, the dream of all my friends—and, admittedly, mine too—stood just a few steps away. For a moment, it felt like déjà vu, as if this had happened almost a year ago when he and his parents attended my older sister’s birthday celebration. Back then, he’d cornered me in the garden where I’d been hiding from my overbearing cousins. Even his outfit was similar: a deep blue suit embroidered with silver thread in the sigils of his family. I must’ve fallen for him at first sight. Is that so surprising?
He was my fairy-tale prince. Big blue eyes, a straight, perfect nose, sensitive lips, and a sharp jawline with a dimple. His chestnut hair was tousled, but it didn’t detract from his charm—if anything, it added to it. And I, like a fool, stood there, unable to tear my eyes away from him.
Just like now, curse him.
Well, Adel, you’ve run yourself into a corner. And still, you didn’t escape. Clinging to one last shred of hope, I glanced around, but all I saw were bushes, a graveyard, and the gray stone wall of some academy building. Nothing else. I realized there was no avoiding this conversation. No matter how good a student I’d been under my mentor, Ryan was faster and more skilled.
He’d been groomed for greatness since childhood, for a brilliant career and all that comes with it. No expense was spared on his teachers and mentors.
The results were obvious. Ryan wasn’t one of those burly battle mages I’d encountered before. But his strength and agility were undeniable. Underestimating someone who held an advantage even without magic was a mistake. And with magic… Have I mentioned what drew me to this guy the most? No? He was a fire mage. Exactly what I’d dreamed of becoming my entire life.
“Where are you rushing off to?” he asked, crossing his arms and raising that familiar left eyebrow, sending a treacherous flutter through my chest. As if he had the right to demand answers. As if he still had any claim over me. Arrogant, self-absorbed peacock.
Damn it. What was I supposed to say? I hadn’t prepared for a confrontation like this. And I certainly didn’t know how to wriggle out of it. Should I even bother? I didn’t owe him anything! Our relationship was over, left far behind. I didn’t tell him that last time, but I sure as heck would now!
Alright, Adel. You don’t need a scene. Starting student life with drama isn’t ideal. So:
“Sorry, I’m in a hurry,” I said with a forced smile. “They told me this was the shortest way to the dorms. So… I’m looking.”
“You’re wasting your time,” Ryan smirked, taking a step closer. I instinctively tensed, barely stopping myself from stepping back. “This area only has training grounds, a graveyard, and the magical menagerie. Definitely no dorms.”
Gods, he knows everything. How? And what’s he even doing here? I’ve got a bad feeling about his sudden appearance. This can’t be good.
“Thanks. I must’ve gotten lost, missed a turn…” I mumbled, already plotting my next escape route.
But it didn’t work. The moment I tried to bolt again, Ryan grabbed my arm just above the elbow, holding me in place. It was pointless to even try moving. Despite the apparent lightness of his grip, I knew I wouldn’t break free. So, the conversation was inevitable. I took a slow breath and looked up, meeting his deep, impossibly beautiful blue eyes that seemed bottomless.
“Ryan, I thought we’d settled everything,” I said wearily.
“You think so? You ran off without a word after I proposed to you. Not even a note, but somehow you’re convinced I should’ve just figured it out on my own?”
“If you’d thought about it for a second, you probably would’ve,” I snapped.
“I’m trying, Adel,” Ryan said, attempting to pull me into an embrace, to kiss me like he used to. As if that would make me lose all sense and believe his words again…
“Sorry, but stop playing dumb and pretending you don’t get it. It’s exhausting, honestly,” I said, breaking free from his hold and stepping back, silencing the part of my heart that wanted to drown out reason. “It doesn’t matter what you didn’t understand or what you plan to do next. I’m studying here now, and you can go back to the capital.”
“That’s unlikely. Because I’m studying here too. In the Battle Faculty, just like you…”
“What?” I gasped, stunned.
I recoiled from my ex-boyfriend, my almost-fiancé. Thankfully, he didn’t try to hold me back. This had to be some kind of joke…
“That’s right,” he said, crossing his arms again and looking down at me with a smug air of superiority. “And we’re going to have to talk eventually.”
“Uh-huh,” I nodded, turning away and heading in the opposite direction to find the student dorms.
Ryan enrolled in the Battle Faculty… here. Why, that’s the question. The answer pulsed in my temples, but I didn’t even want to think it, let alone say it out loud.
Gods, for the first time, I was glad I hadn’t been placed in that faculty. What a nasty surprise it’ll be for my ex when he finds out. I even felt the urge to shout it at him.
But no. Let him think everything’s just as he’s imagined for now.