The Rogue’s Redemption: Rise of the Cursed Luna

Lunara Veyne’s POV Immediately I pushed the great oak doors open and walked inside, every head turned to stare at me. No, not just turned. They tracked me like a hungry pack of wolves scenting a new prey. When I kept walking, it seemed as though the halls of Saint Ophis Academy seemed to stretch forever, I saw as the chandeliers swung above me, their bright, sparkling lights pulsing with magic. Long school banners hung at some corners, shimmering and swaying like long, thick fur against the wind, their large crests banging against the stone walls. And when I walked past some group of students to my left, I heard a mocking sneer. Someone laughed a little too loudly despite the headmaster standing in front of the assembly. And when I shifted to my right, a thick, almost suffocating of clove wine, roasted venison and something I dared not mention out loud….metallic, like blood, I couldn't tell. I hung my head low, trying not to gather much attention towards me, my golden, huge wings tucked tightly behind my back, it's feathered, bony edges scraping against my spine, almost bruising my skin as though they wanted to burst out of its enclosure. And with each step I took, my boots clicked a little too loudly on the smooth, marble floor, echoing. And although there were whispers as I passed, the heavy pounding of my heart seemed to muffle the noises. “Hmm….” I heard another person sneer again. “Who the hell is that?” “She looks so weird,” another said, chuckling. “And she's so late,” another scoffed. “Look at her….” I heard another voice ring out. “I bet on my mama's head she wouldn't last a day in this academy” I gulped hard, forcing myself to corner to my seat. It was empty, at the front of the hall where everyone could literally see me, including lecturers and the headmaster. I slid in almost immediately, my head still lowered, trying to avoid the peering eyes of literally everyone in the hall, but it was almost impossible, not when I could feel their stares right at the back of my neck. I had barely made myself comfortable on my seat when suddenly, a goblet on the table beside me doubled over towards me. It definitely didn't look like an accident. The scarlet, cold wine spilled into my laps, soaking through my pale, white dress within a split second, so fast before I had the chance to react. “Oh…goddess” I whispered under my breath, my breath hitching as the cold spread down my spine. And just behind me, I heard it. Echoes of laughter ringing out, their voices sounding like glasses scraping against the wall. A frown formed on my forehead as I slowly turned my head slightly, just enough to make whoever did it understand I knew exactly who it was. And at the seat just behind me, I saw someone I recognised. The almighty Serathine Veyra, the top girl or bimbo of the school. She was clad in a black dress that hugged every curve of her body, which I didn't think was part of the school's dress code. And when she stared at me I saw a flicker of something mischievous in those orbs of hers. And instead of apologizing, she leaned in close to her minions of girls, whispering just loud enough for me to hear them. “Girls” she sneered. “Did y'all smell that?” She asked sarcastically, her voice dripping with mockery. “I think the kitchen's chef let something rotten in….pathetic” Her friends all stared at me, chuckling at her words. I pursed my lips, my cheeks turning red in embarrassment as I shifted my attention back in front, my hands folded in my laps. I took a deep breath, trying not to make the trembling of my body obvious. No one offered any help whatsoever. I stared at the wooden table for what felt like an eternity until my vision blurred. And deep down, I silently prayed that the ground literally opened and swallowed me whole. Just then, I noticed as the air in the hall shifted in an instant, the ongoing conversations around me went dead, as though someone had stolen their voices. Even without turning, I already knew why. The famous Draith Morrick had arrived. I slightly turned my head, peering behind me with the corner of my eyes as I saw as he strode in with some students walking behind him. Their auras were unmatched, but his was more deadlier than all of them combined. He walked in unbothered, his head held up high, his dark coat trailing behind him like his shadow. And even when I scolded myself for looking, I just couldn't get my eyes off him. For a split second, I saw as his eyes glanced through the crowd without stopping, but when they met with mine…..he seemed to halt. I didn't think it was attraction…not exactly how it would be described. But it felt like the moment you realized you've been targeted by the top dogs, people you shouldn't mess with. My eyes flew open, my breath hitching as I saw as Serathine shifted her gaze towards him, then to me, her eyes filled with hate and disdain. The headmaster stood up, his red robes spreading out at his feet, and the crowd turned. His voice echoed through the hall, sharp and cold, listing the year's challenges. He didn't waste time on warm welcomes or long speeches. Words like "fighting rank" and "blood worth" sounded more serious than the rest. Around me, students moved in their seats. Older ones looked at me like I was a mystery they wanted solved. A boy next to me leaned in, his breath warm on my ear. “Hope you're not paired with me tomorrow.” I forced a polite smile. “I'll take my chances.” His smirk showed he didn't believe me. My hands shook under the table. The headmaster's voice rose again for the final announcement, but before I could understand it, a wave of magic swept through the hall. It hit like a sudden gust of wind, testing, feeling, wrapping itself around every student. Most took it easily, their magic flowing in smooth, confident waves. Mine flashed once, hard, then stopped completely. The whispers started right away. A laugh came from behind me. “Prey,” Serathine mouthed, her smile showing all her teeth. I stared at my empty hands. My wings twitched, wanting to spread, but I kept them still. Across the room, Draith watched….not with pity, but with the kind of interest you give something that might not make it through the night. When the speeches ended, everyone stood, scraping benches and gathering bags. I stayed seated until the crowd thinned, my dress still wet with wine. The last of the crowd pushed through the doors, voices fading into the hallway. I thought I was alone until a shadow moved beside me. “You won't last a week here.” Draith's voice was low, almost a growl. He didn't slow down. Didn't look at me again. Just kept walking toward the doors. I stayed still, feeling heat spread across my skin….not just from embarrassment. For the first time since I arrived here, someone had noticed me. And I couldn't decide if that was worse than being ignored.