THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
935 Words
Chapter 9 : The First Day of School
The grand halls of the magical school within the palace shimmered with gold accents, the very air charged with the energy of powerful spells woven through its walls. Nelly and Nadia stepped hesitantly inside, their hearts pounding with nervous excitement. For them, this world was unlike anything they had ever seen—a world where magic wasn't just a secret, but a way of life. Yet, despite the beauty of it all, there was a chill in the air, a cold reminder that they did not belong.
As they walked through the corridors, curious and disdainful glances followed them. Royals and nobles, dressed in exquisite garments, whispered among themselves. Nadia tried to brush it off, but Nelly couldn’t help but feel small. The enormity of this new world weighed on her, making her question why they had been invited to this prestigious place.
Their first class was "Fundamentals of Magical Mastery," taught by the stern Professor Galen, a tall, commanding figure with sharp features. He wasted no time introducing them to complex magical techniques. Nelly's heart sank further as she watched the other students effortlessly manipulate the elements. Fire, water, air, and earth bent at their will, while her own attempts barely sparked a flame.
The lesson was a disaster for Nelly and Nadia, with their magic faltering and often going awry. Nadia's illusions flickered weakly, and Nelly's attempts at invisibility caused her to shimmer faintly before becoming visible again. The whispers turned into quiet laughter from the back of the class, but they didn’t know who the voices belonged to until a cruel voice broke through the air.
"How pathetic," a girl drawled. Nelly turned to see Esther, the princess of a neighboring kingdom and Joshua’s girlfriend, standing with a group of five girls. Esther was everything Nelly wasn’t—elegant, confident, and powerful, with an aura of authority. Her long green hair flowed like silk as her shadow manipulation flickered playfully at her feet. The other girls stood behind her, smirking as Esther took a step forward.
"You shouldn’t be here," Esther continued, her voice dripping with contempt. "This school is for those with real power. You're just a waste of space."
Nelly’s throat tightened as her cheeks burned with shame. She tried to muster a response, but no words came. The other girls laughed, and Nelly could feel her heart breaking. Esther’s bullying was relentless, each word driving deeper into her insecurity.
Unable to bear it any longer, Nelly ran out of the classroom, ignoring Nadia’s calls after her. She sprinted through the halls, her vision blurred by tears, until she reached her room. The moment she closed the door, she collapsed onto her bed, sobbing into her pillow. The weight of Esther’s words crushed her, and for the first time, she regretted coming to the palace.
Exhausted from crying, Nelly eventually fell into a deep sleep. But in the stillness of her dreams, she found herself standing in a vast meadow, surrounded by glowing light. A figure appeared before her—vague at first, but as the light intensified, the face of the woman became clear. It was her mother.
The realization hit Nelly like a wave. She had never seen her mother so clearly before, only hearing stories from her aunt Clara. But now, standing in front of her, her mother looked regal, with the same white hair that had begun to appear in Nelly’s dreams.
"You are stronger than you know," her mother’s voice echoed through the dreamscape, filled with warmth and power. "Your powers lie deep within you, Nelly. You are not ordinary. You are destined for greatness, but you must be strong. This is not the time to be sad."
Nelly opened her mouth to speak, but her mother continued.
"There will be trials ahead, and problems will arise. But remember this—you have a great destiny, and the competition at this school is only the beginning. You must pass it if you are to stay here and fulfill what you were born for. I will train you in your dreams, but the strength must come from you."
The words resonated deep within Nelly, and she felt a flicker of something—a power that had been dormant for too long. The dream faded, and Nelly awoke with a start, her mother’s voice still echoing in her mind. She sat up in bed, her heart racing. The dream felt so real, more vivid than any she had ever had.
But now, she felt different. Determined.
The sun had just begun to rise when Nadia knocked on her door. "Nelly, are you ready?" Nadia called, her voice light and teasing, as it always was when she wanted to lift Nelly’s spirits.
Nelly let Nadia in and told her about the dream, the figure of her mother, and the strange message about her powers. Nadia, ever the optimist, chuckled and said, "Maybe the dream is just a sign you need to start beating those bullies at their own game."
Nelly smiled weakly, appreciating Nadia’s attempt to lighten the mood. But deep down, she knew the dream was more than just her subconscious. It was a warning, and perhaps, a sign of hope.
As they prepared for the day, Nelly felt a renewed sense of purpose. The palace, the school, Esther’s bullying—it all seemed like obstacles that she was meant to overcome. She didn’t know how yet, but she could no longer afford to doubt herself.
This was the beginning of something bigger.
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End of chapter 9
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- Writer
