Chapter 2 Double Trouble
1630 Words
Mia's Pov
The closer I got to the principal's office, the more nervous I became. My mind kept coming up with different possibilities, and none of them were good. Maybe I was being expelled or I had broken some academy rule without realizing it. Whatever the reason was, being called to the principal's office on my first day couldn't possibly be a good sign. I had a bad feeling about this.The moment I got close to the door I let out a breath before knocking.
“Come in.” She answered.
The office looked so unreal. Like I was in another dimension entirely. Books floating and rearranging themselves, a moon shaped crystal glowing behind the desk and portraits whose eyes followed me. But that didn't scare me that much, I've seen worse on tv.
She stared at me for a while.
“How are you doing today?” She asked in a surprisingly gentle tone.
"I'm fine," I answered, trying to sound calm even though my heart was still racing.
“Relax, you're not in trouble.”
Hearing that made me feel relieved because for a minute I thought my heart was going to fall out of my chest. Before we could proceed with the conversation, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in.” She uttered.
A student walked in and judging from the badge on his uniform, he wasn't an ordinary student. He walked towards us, but he didn't even look me in the eyes. Rude.
"Normally first year students remain at Bronze Rank until their first evaluation.” The principal began to speak.
"However, after today's test, the academy has decided to make an exception.”
The badge on the top side of my uniform glowed and the rank increased. I wondered what this meant. Doesn't that mean I failed?
"From today onward, your training will be supervised personally.” She added. " And this is your assigned trainer.”
I was genuinely so confused about everything that has been happening for the past hours.
“And training starts tomorrow."
I had no idea what I was being trained for. I left the office with more questions than answers. After leaving the office I walked towards the hallway. Ava and Elena were waiting for me.
“Elena, we were worried sick about you.”
“How did it go?”
“I was so scared you were going to get suspended or something.”
“Why aren't you saying anything?”
I didn't even know how to answer those questions because before I left she told me not to utter a word to anyone.
“It wasn't as bad as I expected.” I finally replied.
“Wait Mia your badge is glowing.” Elena exclaimed.
“Shh you don't have to be so loud about it.” I whispered.
Students passing turned towards our direction and started looking at me like they've seen a ghost or something. I really didn't know what the big deal about this badge was. Just as we were about heading back to our dorms, three girls walked towards us. “So this is her?”
“The girl who broke the test and got rewarded?”
“Interesting system this academy has…” The girls made side comments.
“How can we help you?” Ava asked.
The girl in the middle stared at her for a while before looking back at me.
“Nice to meet you.” she brought out her hands towards my direction and attempted to shake me.
“I'm Lian.”
I wasn’t even out of the office for five minutes. Things had already started happening. The handshake lasted a little longer. Like she was trying to read through me. Today was supposed to be my first normal day…but nothing about this place felt normal.
“And you must be Mia.” She added before I could even respond.
“ We've heard so much about you.” The other girl laughed.
It was just the first day and my name was already flying around. Could the day get any worse.
Before they left Lian walked beside me. “Don't let that badge attract attention.”
What did she mean by attention? I literally just got here, failed a test, my rank got increased for no possible reason and I'm starting a training session with a hot boy. That was my only favorite part about it.
“Let's go.” Elena said while she walked towards the doorway.
Immediately we were about to leave, a bell sounded across the academy. All the students stopped moving. A projection appeared in the hallway screens.
“Rank changes have been recorded for first year students, night protocol begins immediately and all students must return to their dormitories immediately.”
On our way going I noticed the boy from the principal's office. I stared until I realized he was looking back, I quickly turned my head and walked towards the door. Then I noticed he was coming towards us. He stopped directly in front of me.
“I'm Rowan.”
Things were already getting complicated and he decided to make it worse by talking to me publicly.
“I'm Chia..Bia…Mia” I accidentally stuttered.
It wasn't my fault the tension was too much. I felt second hand embarrassment, because that was his first impression of me.
“ Well nice to meet you, Bia.” He said jokingly while walking away.
"Looks like you've made quite an impression.” Elena teased me.
“Oh please.” I laughed. “We just met at the principal's office.”
“ Mister Mysterious is kind of cute though.” They both started laughing.
I started walking faster so they would stop teasing me. When we finally got to the room Ava jumped on her bed. Elena locked the door and they both immediately started questioning me.
"So... what really happened at the principal's office."
" Did she marry you off to Mr mysterious.”
“No but he told me to ask for your hands in marriage on his behalf.” I replied sarcastically.
“Guys, be serious for once.” Ava insisted.
I tried changing the topic, but neither of them looked convinced. Ava and Elena weren't going anywhere until they got answers. For a moment, I felt guilty. They were my best friends. Keeping secrets from them felt wrong. They had been there for me when nobody else was. The least I could do was tell them something. Ava sat crossed leg on her bed and Elena stared at me with her folded hands.
“Okay fine.” I replied.
“But it was nothing really serious.” I added.
“We’re listening.” They both looked at me with seriousness on their faces.
"All I know is that my rank got upgraded."
"After you broke the vase?" Ava blinked.
"Exactly."
"Okay, now I'm convinced this academy is insane.”
She suddenly grabbed my shoulders.
"Promise me one thing."
"What's that?"
"If you suddenly become rich and famous, don't forget us."
Elena rolls her eyes. "She's had that badge for less than an hour."
"I'm planning ahead.”
“But just know whatever is happening, we're with you."
"Always."
For the first time all day, the knot of worry that had been sitting in my chest since morning loosened. No matter how confusing this academy was or how many secrets seemed to be hiding around every corner, I still had Ava and Elena. Knowing they were beside me made everything feel a little less terrifying.
“Enough with the sad moment.” Ava said standing up. “Let's try our powers out.”
" Bet I can keep this floating longer than you." Elena said, lifting the pencil up with her left hand.
"You couldn't even keep your room clean for five minutes."
I just sat there watching them and being the judge. Because I knew if I tried anything could go wrong and I didn't want to be summoned to the principal's office again.
"Mia just try, trying one more time isn't going to hurt." They both insisted.
I received a text message on my phone from an unknown number. The beginning of the texts said I should open alone.
"I'd be right back."
I went into the toilet and opened the message. It was from Rowan, how did he even get my contact?
"Training starts before dawn." He sent a picture of a map.
When I looked down. Training Grounds 13 was highlighted. In our manual it was stated that not under any condition should we first year students train there. I got scared for a moment, but I realized it might not be as bad as I was thinking.
I put my phone in my back pocket and went back into the room.
“What took you so long?”
“Nothing.” I replied.
Elena narrowed her eyes suspiciously but thankfully didn't push further.
“Your turn.” She said, pointing at the pencil.
I stared at the pencil lying on the desk. Part of me wanted to refuse but the other part wanted to know why everyone seemed to believe there was something special about me.
“Fine. But if something explodes, I'm blaming both of you.”
“That sounds fair.” Ava grinned.
I took a deep breath and focused on the pencil.
Nothing happened. I mean I didn't even expect anything to happen.
“See?” I said.
“Try harder.”
I rolled my eyes and focused again. The pencil trembled and then it lifted just a little
“So you can do it!” Elena exclaimed.
All of a sudden every light in the room went out. Darkness swallowed the dorm.
- Writer
