~YULIA
I stood in the heart of Canis Academy, watching the students swirl around me, each occupied with their own world.
The campus was nothing short of impressive, with imposing gothic towers and sprawling green lawns that seemed to stretch endlessly. This place was built to house and mould creatures of power, and I was about to become a part of it.
I took a slow, deep breath, willing my heart to calm. Today was the start of something I could barely wrap my mind around, and I felt a strange, hesitant excitement buried under layers of worry. It wasn’t just the pressure of the unknown; it was the people, the stares, the whispers. I knew I wasn’t exactly welcome here, but I had to push that aside, at least for today.
The main building loomed ahead, its colossal structure seeming to breathe with an eerie energy. As I walked toward it, I let my gaze fall across the intricate designs that lined the stone walls-runes and symbols that were strange yet familiar. The door creaked as I opened it, and the faint scent of old parchment and polished wood greeted me. Every step I took echoed through the empty hall as I made my way to the Dean’s office.
“Just breathe,” I whispered to myself as I stopped in front of the heavy oak door. The ominous, dark wood only added to my nerves, and I inhaled and exhaled slowly, three times, trying to calm my racing heart. I was about to knock when, without warning, the door opened.
Davina Crow stood there, her eyes piercing and cold, like she could see right through me. “You’re late,” she said, her voice calm but sharp.
I blinked, confused. I had arrived ten minutes early. “I… didn’t realise there was a specific time,” I replied carefully.
Davina’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “I expected you to be punctual.” She stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter, and I took a step into her office, feeling her gaze boring into me.
The room was everything I expected and more-dark, elegant, filled with shelves lined with books that looked ancient, their spines cracked and faded. A large desk sat in the center, a faint purple glow emanating from a crystal ball resting on one corner. I couldn’t help but feel like I was being scrutinised by every object in the room.
“Sit down,” she commanded, taking her place behind the desk.
I did as instructed, perching on the edge of the chair. It felt like she was preparing to interrogate me rather than welcome me to the academy. Her eyes held mine, her gaze unwavering.
“Tell me, Yulia,” she said, her tone giving nothing away, “are you ready for the test?”
My brows knit together as I looked at her, unsure how to respond. “I-I don’t even know what the test is,” I admitted, feeling an edge of frustration creeping into my voice despite my attempt to stay composed.
Davina didn’t smile, didn’t even blink. “Good. Uncertainty breeds caution, which keeps you alert.” She folded her hands, studying me like a hawk watching its prey. “The test you’re about to take will determine if you’re fit to be here.”
My stomach twisted at her words. I could feel my palms growing clammy, but I kept my expression as neutral as I could manage. “What kind of test is this?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.” Her gaze sharpened. “Tell me, Yulia, do you believe you belong here?”
Her question caught me off guard, and I searched her face, trying to gauge her intentions. “I… I’m not sure. I’m here to find my place, to learn.” I paused, willing my voice to stay steady. “And to survive, if that’s what it takes.”
A faint smirk curved her lips, but it was cold, devoid of any warmth. “Survival,” she repeated, almost as if tasting the word. “You may find that survival at Canis Academy requires more than you’re ready to give. There are forces here that you cannot imagine, powers that demand respect and obedience.”
I swallowed, sensing an edge of warning in her words. “I’m willing to learn, to adapt. Isn’t that why I’m here?”
Davina’s eyes narrowed. “Careful, Yulia. Confidence without caution is a weakness. Overconfidence will be your downfall if you’re not careful.”
I clenched my hands in my lap, forcing myself not to react. “I understand.”
Her gaze softened ever so slightly, though her expression remained calculating. “You may think you do, but we shall see.”
She reached under her desk and pulled out a small, ancient-looking book, bound in cracked leather and adorned with unfamiliar symbols.
She set it down in front of me. “Your task is simple,” she said. “Translate the first passage.”
I stared at the book, my heart thudding. “Translate?” I echoed, uncertain. “I… don’t know this language.”
Davina’s lips quirked in a slight smile, though there was no humour in it. “Precisely. That is part of the challenge.” She watched me intently, her gaze unyielding. “Begin.”
With a deep breath, I opened the book, my eyes scanning the strange symbols that danced across the page. They seemed to shift and writhe, like they were alive, and for a moment, I felt an unsettling sensation crawl over my skin. I blinked, focusing, and something tugged at the edges of my mind, a faint whisper of familiarity.
The symbols… they weren’t entirely foreign. I didn’t know why or how, but there was a part of me that recognized them, like a distant memory trying to resurface. Hesitantly, I began to trace the lines with my finger, feeling each stroke resonate within me. Words began to form in my mind, fragments of meaning that felt like they were just out of reach.
I took a deep breath, daring to speak. “This… it speaks of light… and of binding,” I said slowly, my voice barely a whisper.
Davina’s eyes widened, just a fraction, but it was enough for me to notice. “Go on,” she urged, her voice sharper than before.
I pressed forward, struggling to pull the meaning from the shifting symbols. “It says something about… the chosen one… the one who walks in light yet is born of shadow.”
The room seemed to grow colder, a strange tension filling the air. Davina’s face was unreadable, her gaze fixed on me. “Enough,” she said, her voice low. She reached forward, closing the book with a snap.
I looked at her, my heart pounding, feeling the weight of what I’d just uncovered-even if I didn’t fully understand it. “What… what does it mean?” I dared to ask.
She held my gaze for a long moment, her expression guarded. “That, Yulia, is for you to discover,” she replied. “But know this-there are those here who would do anything to prevent you from learning the truth. And there are those who are waiting, watching, eager to use you for their own ends.”
The words sent a chill down my spine, but I forced myself to meet her gaze. Issa had said that I was going to be safe here but according to Davina, it seemed as if I was walking myself into another chain of trouble. But I could not back down now. It was too late for that.
It was time to take charge of my life.
“Then I’ll be ready,” I said, my voice steady. “Whatever it takes.”
Davina’s lips curved into a smile, but it was as cold as ice. “We shall see.”