Episode 4: The Lowest Rank
1069 Words
Aurelia Vale's POV
The first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was the silence.
It took me a moment to regain awareness of my surroundings.
Blackthorn Academy.
The Awakening Ceremony.
The crystal.
The silence.
My hand was pressed against my chest as I stared blankly at the ceiling.
A part of me was hoping that when I opened my eyes this morning, things would be different.
That yesterday never happened.
That perhaps my wolf was awakened in the night.
But none of it had changed.
I was still Aurelia Vale, daughter of Seraphina Vale, and the girl without a wolf.
I sat up slowly and glanced around the room.
Maya was already awake, getting ready for the day.
Her expression softened as she noticed me and offered a smile.
"Good morning."
I gave her a small, stiff smile in return.
"Good morning," I replied.
She studied me for a beat before asking, "How did you sleep?"
I looked away.
"Not well."
She nodded as if she expected that answer.
I expected her to say something reassuring, but instead, Maya got up and handed me my uniform.
"Then today, we survive your first day at Blackthorn."
I looked at her.
She gave me a small smile.
"One day at a time."
For some reason, that was enough.
The academy didn't look as intimidating in the morning.
Last night, I saw Blackthorn for what it was, a gateway to possibilities.
But today, I saw the differences between us.
Students filed past us in the hall, wearing their respective insignias that marked where they stood in Blackthorn's hierarchy.
The higher ones walked with confidence, and others made way for them.
They were respected, feared.
The New Blood students walked with pride, their awakened wolves a symbol of their power and entry into the academy.
Iron Fang and Silver Fang students held their posture high, knowing their status and reputation in the world.
And then there were students like me, the Omegas.
The ones who hadn't earned anything yet.
Maya followed my gaze as I watched different students walk past us.
"Don't let it get to you," she said.
I glanced at her.
"Easy for you to say," I muttered.
She gave me a small, sad smile.
"I know."
That honesty surprised me.
She didn't pretend to understand what I was going through better than I did.
She only stood by me.
Our first class was held in one of the main buildings.
When I entered the room, I realized that the first order of business was to see how students interacted with each other.
The stronger ones grouped together while the weaker ones kept to themselves.
It was a silent pact, as if no one wanted to associate with those who could not hold their own.
I found my seat beside Maya as a few minutes passed before the instructor arrived.
The moment he entered the room, everyone fell silent.
"Welcome to Blackthorn Academy," he said, his eyes scanning over our group.
"Let me dispel any misconceptions about this institution."
Several students exchanged glances at his words.
"Blackthorn does not exist to cater to your needs," the instructor continued.
"It exists to prepare you for the world beyond these walls."
He tapped the podium at the front of the room.
"Your abilities are nothing more than tools. A tool is only as good as the person wielding it."
The lesson carried on, discussing everything from combat tactics to ability control.
It was all about survival.
Everything at the academy was about survival.
During lunch, Maya and I went to the dining hall where the divide between students was even more apparent.
The higher-standing individuals had their own areas, and the President's table was at the far end, completely separate from the rest.
Xavi Blackwood, the President, was an enigma even when he was among other strong fighters.
He did not have to raise his voice or announce his presence.
People automatically gave him space.
Maya followed my line of sight.
"That's the President," she said.
I nodded.
"I know."
She lowered her voice.
"Everyone wants to be him, though."
I looked at Xavi for a long time, taking in the cold, emotionless mask he wore.
He seemed untouchable, unbreakable.
As if no one in this world could cross him or bring him down.
I turned away after a while, pretending not to be interested.
I had more important things to worry about than the President.
After lunch, we were brought to the training grounds where we were split into groups based on our standing.
The New Blood, Iron Fang, and Silver Fang students were all training with instructors while the Omega students were in a separate area.
Our training was much different, though.
We were not learning combat techniques.
Instead, we were learning control, balance, and strength.
The basics.
It was embarrassing, really.
The other students saw how low we were and looked down on us, but it only made me want to work harder.
Proving them wrong had become my goal.
The instructor gave us basic exercises for practice, nothing that would make us stand out or impress anyone.
However, I gave it my all because I had spent eighteen years being told what I could and could not do.
It was time to stop listening.
By the end of training, I was sore, but I felt a sense of determination within me that I hadn't felt before.
It wasn't happiness or excitement or even confidence, but a feeling of sheer determination.
Perhaps I did not have a wolf, and perhaps everyone thought I wasn't worthy of being at Blackthorn, but I had survived eighteen years without the thing that supposedly made me complete.
That had to mean something.
That night, I stood in front of the mirror once more, staring at the same face that had always been there.
The same face that people judged.
But somehow, I saw a reflection of a woman that was determined rather than defeated.
Blackthorn Academy was trying to crush me, and that was fine.
Let them.
I was at the lowest point, and I would climb my way back up.
I would train, and I would learn, and I would grow stronger.
One day, they would look at me and not just see Seraphina Vale's daughter.
They would see Aurelia Vale, and they would remember my name more than disappointing her.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD