THE CROWN THEY HID FROM ME

Chapter 3 — The First Lesson

Aera followed Kael, trying not to stumble, her heart thudding like a drum. Every student’s gaze felt like a weight pressing on her shoulders. Whispers trailed her as they entered:

“Did you see her sigil?”

“She’s the Chosen One…”

“Is that even possible?”

Kael leaned close, his voice low. “Ignore them. Focus on yourself. This is just the first test.”

Aera nodded, though doubt gnawed at her. A test? She could barely make sparks appear in her village.

The instructor, a tall man with silver hair and eyes that seemed to pierce through thought, stepped forward. “Welcome, students, to your first practical magic lesson. Today, you will summon your familiar energy.”

Aera blinked. Familiar energy? She had no idea what that meant.

Other students raised their hands, chanting incantations with precision. Light shot from their fingers—sparks, fire, orbs of color. Aera tried to mimic them, but nothing happened.

Her cheeks burned. She felt the eyes of every student on her. Even Kael’s calm gaze felt like pressure.

Then it happened.

Aera closed her eyes, frustrated, whispering the words without really thinking. A tiny flicker of blue light appeared in front of her hand.

But it wasn’t small for long.

The flicker swelled, expanding into a glowing sphere that hovered in midair, humming with power. The other students gasped. Their careful orbs of light paled next to hers.

The instructor’s brows knitted. “Impossible…” he muttered.

Aera froze. Her magic didn’t just respond—it moved on its own, like it recognized her command without effort.

The orb shuddered, then split into smaller orbs, dancing around the classroom. Desks rattled. Papers flew. Students stumbled back, eyes wide with fear and awe.

Kael stepped closer, gripping her arm. “Control it,” he whispered.

Aera tried, but the orbs ignored her attempts. They swirled faster, forming a glowing tornado in the center of the hall.

“Enough!” the instructor shouted, raising his hands. The orbs shivered, then vanished—but not before leaving a faint glow etched into the floor, almost like a sigil forming under her feet.

The students stared at her. Whispers grew louder.

“She’s… different.”

“She’s not just a Chosen One. She’s… something else.”

Kael’s face was pale, eyes flicking nervously between Aera and the instructor. “Stay calm,” he murmured. “They’ll be watching you closely from now on.”

Aera’s heart pounded. Watching me? Why?

Then she heard it—a soft, almost imperceptible voice in her mind:

“You are mine. Do not fail.”

She jerked back, looking around. No one met her eyes.

The instructor approached slowly, his expression a mix of fear and fascination. “Step outside,” he said, voice low. “Now.”

As she walked past the floating lanterns, she realized Kael wasn’t following. He stopped a few steps behind, his expression unreadable.

And then, from the corner of her eye, Aera saw a figure slip into the shadows of the classroom—someone watching her closely, hiding, waiting.

Her stomach dropped. Whatever had noticed her magic today… it wasn’t friendly.

And she had a sinking feeling… the real lesson was only beginning.