Chapter 5: Another Ava
1513 Words
The introductory week had ended, and now it was time to choose our official classes. Naturally, I picked Magic Class.
Unfortunately, so did the twins.
Not that I was surprised—they had no interest in other classes, especially not something like Potions Class. They were too proud, too convinced of their superiority to bother with anything that didn’t involve throwing lightning at people.
Ava, on the other hand, wasn’t in my class. She had chosen Potions because she could also learn Healing Magic there. Apparently, there was a new professor who was a light magic user like her, and she was eager to learn under her guidance.
She had almost—almost—registered for a second class just to be with me, but I shut that down quickly.
She pouted for all five seconds before distracting herself with her true love: potions.
Still, she held up her end of the deal—she baked for me every day.
Darius wasn’t in my class either.
It turned out he had chosen Swordsmanship Magic. I didn’t know why, and we hadn’t spoken since that night at the training grounds. Not that I was particularly bothered.
The classroom was already filled when I arrived. Most of the students had paired up or formed groups. I ignored them and took an empty seat near the window, hoping that was enough to keep people away.
It wasn’t.
A chair scraped against the floor. Someone sat beside me.
I looked out the window.
“Hello, darling,” a voice drawled. Smooth, amused. Too familiar. “You must be the quiet type. Good—I don’t want to sit near those brainless idiots who can’t stop running their mouths.”
I ignored him.
I don't want another Ava.
He didn’t seem to mind my silence, instead placing a hand dramatically on his chest. “Nico in the morning, Nicky at night, but please just call me Nicky.”
Nothing.
“I like you already.”
Still nothing.
For a moment, he was quiet. Then, he gasped dramatically. “Oh, you’re fun. Not a single reaction.” He placed a hand over his heart. “Now I have to befriend you.”
I finally looked at him. He was tall, with mid-length brown hair tied back in a black band. His features reminded me of that flirty guy, Cole, the one who sat next to Darius in Potions.
As if reading my thoughts, Nicky suddenly gasped, looking horrified. “Excuse me!” he said, placing a hand over his heart like I had insulted his entire bloodline. “We are not the same. I’m pretty, he’s not. I’m smart, he’s not. And most importantly, I have taste, which he certainly does not. That fool Cole? Yes, we’re cousins. But please, don’t lump me in with him. I have charm. And intelligence.”
I blinked.
Before I could fully process that, he leaned in, eyes twinkling with mischief. “And yes, darling, I can read minds.”
I stiffened.
“My oh-so-powerful wind magic,” he continued dramatically, flicking his fingers in the air. “It allows me to sense even the smallest vibrations in the air. Thoughts? They’re nothing more than tiny ripples, and with enough skill, I can listen to them like a song.”
He smiled. “And your thoughts, darling? Delightfully icy.”
Before I could ask him how does that work, the twins walked up to my desk.
“Well, well,” Jax smirked, crossing his arms. “Looks like we’re classmates, Devori.”
Jon scoffed, flicking his long blonde hair back. “We still haven’t settled that challenge from last time.”
What challenge are they talking about?.
I barely acknowledged them. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with their inflated egos.
Nicky, however, clapped his hands together. “Oh, how adorable,” he cooed. “Two little boys trying to act like big, strong men.”
The twins turned to glare at him. “And who are you supposed to be?” Jax sneered.
Nicky fluttered his fingers. “Just a gorgeous and intelligent individual, here to keep my darling from wasting her time on the likes of you.”
I stay silent.
Jon rolled his eyes. “Stay out of this.”
Nicky gasped dramatically. “Oh no, did I hurt your precious little feelings?” Then he smirked. “Why don’t you two go practice your lightning magic? Maybe one day you’ll actually learn how to aim.”
The twins fumed but, for once, didn’t have a comeback. With a scoff, they stormed off.
Nicky turned to me, looking pleased. “See? Aren’t I so reliable?”
I sighed. This might not be so bad.. I think..
Nicky’s grin widened. “I knew you’d think that.”
By the time I returned to my dorm, it was already 5:00 p.m.
The moment I opened the door, I saw Ava sitting on the couch, stuffing her things into her luggage with a deep frown.
A freshly baked jar of cookies sat on the table, their sweet scent filling the room.
She looked up at me, eyes full of sadness. “Well, I guess… this is goodbye.”
Then she shot me a pleading look, her eyes wide and desperate. “Unless… you want me to stay?”
I stared at her.
Not going to lie—although Ava was loud, I had gotten used to her constant chatter. And, well… her baking was really good. Almost as good as my grandmother’s.
I shrugged.
That was all Ava needed.
She let out a loud, ear-piercing scream, throwing herself onto the couch like she had just won a battle. “ROOMMATES FOREVER!”
I winced.
What have I done?
Actually, there were two rooms in my dorm. One was supposed to be my walk-in closet, but I never cared much for fashion, so it had remained empty.
Not anymore.
Ever since Ava unofficially moved in, she had filled it with her things. Her bed, her books, her endless amount of clothes. It wasn’t even a guest room anymore—it was her room now.
At this point, I just accepted it.
The couch was big enough for two people to lay on anyway, and she hadn’t caused any actual trouble—aside from her noise.
At least I was lucky.
Even though my family didn’t talk to me, they still provided everything I needed. Maybe because they had to—if only to look like they were taking care of me.
Even if they weren’t.
Ava practically dragged me to the living room, shoving a plate of cookies into my hands.
“We should eat first!” she said with a bright grin. “Oh, and by the way, I already cooked dinner!”
I gave her a blank stare.
She laughed, twirling a strand of her purple hair. “I was planning to beg you with my amazing home-cooked meal if you refused to let me stay. Good thing I didn’t have to use it!”
I sighed, taking a bite of the cookie. It was soft, warm, and melted in my mouth.
It was good. Not that I’d tell her.
Just as I was about to sit down, a blaring alarm echoed through the dorm.
A sharp voice rang through the intercom:
"Attention, all students! A-class monsters have breached the academy! All students are to remain indoors until further notice!"
A loud boom shook the building, followed by terrified screams.
Ava and I rushed to the window.
Our eyes widened.
Towering humanoid monsters stomped through the academy grounds, their grotesque forms illuminated by the shattered remains of the academy's protective magic shield.
Teachers and senior students were already fighting back, spells flashing in the night sky like fireworks. But there were too many.
And they were too powerful.
I didn’t hesitate.
Grabbing my cloak, I ran to the door.
“Ilony, wait!” Ava called out, panic in her voice. “It’s dangerous!”
I ignored her and sprinted outside.
The icy wind howled as I raised my hand, magic surging through my veins. I could feel the chains around my heart tightening, the cursed restraints pulling against me.
But I didn’t stop.
I aimed at the closest monster and unleashed my magic. Ice surged forward, freezing its feet and climbing up its body like vines of frost.
Ava caught up, panting. “Ilony, you’re overdoing it!”
The pain in my chest grew sharper.
Not yet.
I continued casting.
The teachers took advantage of my magic, swiftly striking down the immobilized monsters. The battle raged on for what felt like an hour—spell after spell, attack after attack.
Finally, the last monster fell.
The moment it did—my vision blurred.
Pain exploded in my chest, burning through my ribs like chains tightening around my heart.
I gasped, my knees buckling.
“Ilony? ILONY!”
The last thing I saw was Ava’s terrified face before darkness swallowed me whole.
- Writer
