The Hidden Legacy of Malia

A class divided

Chapter 7: A Class Divided

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the high, arched windows of the grand palace, casting intricate patterns on the stone floors. Nelly and Nadia stood at the entrance of the magical school inside the palace, their eyes wide with awe. It was like nothing they had ever seen before—massive stone walls adorned with shimmering tapestries, chandeliers that floated unaided, and students draped in elegant robes, their eyes sparkling with excitement.

The girls, however, stood out in their simple attire. They had been given enchanted cloaks to blend in, but they still felt different, like they didn’t quite belong. Today was the first day of classes, and both girls were filled with a mixture of excitement and anxiety.

“This is it,” Nadia whispered to Nelly, her voice trembling. “Our first day at the magical school. Can you believe we’re actually here?”

Nelly nodded, though her stomach churned with nerves. She had never been in a place like this. The other students were all from noble or royal families, and the air was thick with the unspoken hierarchy that came with their status. Even though Joshua had vouched for them, she could feel the curious—and at times, judgmental—gazes of the other students on her and Nadia.

They walked through the hallways, following the flow of students towards the main courtyard where orientation was being held. The courtyard was enormous, with tall pillars and an open sky, where birds dipped and soared, guided by invisible threads of magic. In the center stood a platform where a few older professors had gathered, including Clara, Nelly’s aunt, who gave her a small, reassuring smile.

“Welcome to the Royal Academy of Malia,” one of the professors began, her voice amplified by magic so that it echoed throughout the courtyard. “You have been chosen to attend this prestigious institution because of your potential. But make no mistake—power alone will not guarantee success here. You will be tested, pushed to your limits, and only those with true determination will thrive.”

Nelly swallowed hard. Her invisibility powers were still weak, and she hadn’t even begun to understand what else she might be capable of. Nadia stood close to her, her pink hair a bright contrast to the darker hues around them. They both felt like outsiders in a world that was not their own.

After the orientation, the students were guided to their first class—a lesson on basic magical elements. The classroom was vast, with rows of seats that curved around a central platform where the professor demonstrated the different types of magic they would be learning. Nelly and Nadia found seats near the middle, trying to remain inconspicuous.

As the lesson began, the professor waved her hand, conjuring a swirl of fire, water, air, and earth into a magnificent display. “These are the elements of magic that form the foundation of all other spells. Today, you will attempt to summon one of these elements. Focus your mind, channel your energy, and let the magic flow.”

Nelly’s heart pounded. She had never done anything like this before. Around her, students were already practicing, their hands glowing as they summoned tiny sparks of fire or small gusts of wind. Even Nadia managed to summon a flicker of light in her palms, though it quickly fizzled out.

Determined not to fall behind, Nelly concentrated, trying to summon the element of air. She imagined a gentle breeze, the way it felt brushing against her skin. But no matter how hard she focused, nothing happened. Her palms remained empty, and a few of the other students glanced her way, their expressions filled with mild amusement.

One of the noble girls sitting nearby sneered. “Looks like the non-nobles can’t handle a simple spell,” she muttered to her friends.

Nelly’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. She lowered her head, wishing she could disappear—literally. But even her invisibility was unreliable at best. She clenched her fists, frustration bubbling inside her. Why did Joshua insist on her attending this school when she clearly didn’t belong?

Joshua. Just thinking about him made her feel slightly better. She knew he believed in her, even if she didn’t fully believe in herself yet. But that didn’t stop the feelings of inadequacy from creeping in. She could feel her classmates’ eyes on her, the whispers behind her back.

As class ended, Nelly and Nadia gathered their things in silence. Nadia, sensing her friend’s discomfort, nudged her playfully. “Hey, don’t let them get to you. It’s just the first day. We’ll get better.”

Nelly forced a smile, though doubt still gnawed at her. “I hope so. I just feel...out of place.”

“You and me both,” Nadia replied, her tone light. “But we’ve survived worse, right? Like that time we tried to sneak into the city festival without tickets.”

That memory made Nelly laugh despite herself. “We got caught in less than ten minutes.”

“And we still managed to see the fireworks from the top of that building!” Nadia grinned. “See? We always find a way.”

As they walked through the palace halls, heading toward the courtyard, they heard footsteps behind them. Turning, they saw Prince Joshua approaching, his royal robes flowing elegantly behind him. Nelly’s heart skipped a beat. Joshua smiled as he reached them, his eyes warm as they met Nelly’s.

“I saw your class. How did it go?” he asked, his voice full of genuine curiosity.

Nelly hesitated, not wanting to admit her failure. “It was...fine.”

Joshua raised an eyebrow, clearly sensing her unease. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. Everyone struggles at first. You’ll get the hang of it.”

Before Nelly could respond, a group of noble students walked by, their eyes flickering with disdain as they saw her talking to the prince. One of them—a girl with dark hair and piercing blue eyes—gave a cold smile. “Careful, Your Highness. You wouldn’t want to be seen with the commoners.”

Joshua’s smile faded, and he shot the girl a sharp look. “They are my guests. You would do well to remember that.”

The girl flinched, but quickly recovered, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she walked away. Nelly felt a surge of gratitude towards Joshua, though a part of her wondered if his support would only make things harder for her and Nadia.

“Don’t let them get to you,” Joshua said softly. “You belong here, Nelly.”

His words warmed her heart, but the doubt remained. Could she truly belong in a place like this? And what about the strange dreams she had been having—the ones that hinted at powers she didn’t even understand?

As they walked toward the courtyard, a new announcement rang through the air. The headmaster’s voice echoed, full of anticipation. “Students, prepare yourselves. In two weeks, the Grand Competition will begin. This is your chance to prove your worth and showcase your abilities. Prepare wisely.”

Nelly’s stomach twisted with nerves. A competition? How could she possibly compete with these students when she could barely summon a gust of air?

Joshua turned to her, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “This is it, Nelly. Your chance to show them what you’re made of.”

Nelly nodded, though her heart raced with fear. The dreams, the strange feelings inside her—they all pointed to something greater, something she hadn’t yet unlocked. But could she rise to the challenge before it was too late?

As the day ended and the palace fell into the soft glow of twilight, Nelly couldn’t shake the feeling that her journey was just beginning, and that whatever lay ahead would change her life forever.

End of Chapter 7