The immortal's queen

Chapter 2: Through the portal

The portal spit me out like I was a piece of bad meat.

I stumbled forward, my feet catching on uneven ground, and barely managed to catch myself before I face-planted into a patch of flowers. My arms flailed. My bag flew off my shoulder. I heard something rip—probably my dignity.

Great first impression, Celine. Really graceful.The magical academy just witnessed you almost eat dirt.

I straightened up, brushing dirt off my jeans, and took a moment to breathe. The air was different here. Cleaner. Sharper. Like I'd stepped into a world that had been scrubbed of all the pollution and noise I'd grown up with. It felt strange. Almost too perfect.

Then I looked up.

And my brain stopped working.

Alpha Royals Academy was massive. Ancient stone walls stretched toward the sky, covered in ivy that seemed to glow faintly in the morning light. Towers rose like fingers reaching for the clouds, their spires disappearing into a sky that was impossibly blue. Gardens sprawled in every direction—roses in colors I'd never seen before, fountains that sparkled like diamonds, paths lined with trees that seemed to whisper secrets as the wind passed through their leaves. The architecture was a mix of gothic cathedrals and something older, something that felt like it had been standing for centuries, maybe millennia. Every stone seemed to hum with history.

And the energy. The air hummed with it. It prickled against my skin, alive and electric. It made my hair stand on end. It made my heart beat faster. I felt like I'd stepped into a different world.

Because you have, Celine. Welcome to the magical school for superpowered freaks. Hope you packed a change of underwear.

I looked down at myself. Jeans. A t-shirt. Sneakers. My hair was a mess—I hadn't bothered to brush it before we left. I probably looked like I'd just rolled out of bed and stumbled through a portal. Which, to be fair, was exactly what had happened.

Students walked past me in crisp white and gold uniforms. They moved with purpose, their gazes curious, sometimes judgmental, sometimes hostile. Some had wings folded against their backs. Some had glowing eyes that flickered with strange colors. A girl walked past with a fox tail swishing behind her like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I stared. Okay. That's new.

"Excuse me, are you lost?"

I spun around. A tall woman stood behind me, her hair pulled into a severe bun so tight it looked painful. She wore a tailored black suit and glasses that seemed to float on their own, hovering just above her nose. Her expression was cold, clinical, like she was examining a bug under a microscope.

*"Another newbie. They always look so lost. Pathetic, really." *

I blinked. The thought was clear as day, crisp and sharp in my head. I can still hear thoughts. Good to know. Also, rude.

"I'm Celine," I said, forcing a smile. "New student."

The woman's expression didn't change. "I'm Professor Vance. Follow me. You're late."

Late? I just got spit out!

"Late for what?" I asked, falling into step beside her.

"Registration," she said flatly, her heels clicking against the stone floor. "You were supposed to arrive at 8 AM. It's now 9:15. You're already behind."

Behind. I've been here fifteen minutes and I'm already failing. This is a new record, even for me.

I opened my mouth to make a comment—about time zones and portal delays—but one look at Professor Vance's face made me reconsider. She looked like she'd bite my head off and enjoy it. So I shut my mouth and followed her through the massive stone archway into the main building.

The hallways were breathtaking. Tall ceilings arched above us, covered in ancient murals depicting battles and heroes I didn't recognize. Stained glass windows cast colorful patterns on the floor. Portraits of stern-looking figures lined the walls, their eyes following me as I walked. I could have sworn one of them winked at me.

.That's creepy.

Students moved around us, their conversations blending into a low hum. I caught snippets here and there.

*"Did you see the new girl?" *

*"She's pretty..." *

*"I heard she's a mind-reader..." *

*"Better stay away from her..." *

I pressed my hands to my temples. The thoughts were everywhere, brushing against my consciousness like whispers I couldn't quite ignore.

************

The registration process was a nightmare.

They poked me with needles. Scanned my eyes. Made me sign my name in triplicate. Asked me about my powers, my family history, and whether I'd ever had a "power surge" that nearly killed me.

Define "nearly."

"Your power," the administrator said, not looking up from his clipboard. He was a small man with a receding hairline and a mustache that looked like a caterpillar had died on his lip. "You said mind-reading?"

"Yes." I hesitated. "And visions.

"Interesting." He scribbled something on his clipboard. "You'll be placed in Bronze class. Don't expect to move up anytime soon. Most newbies don't."

Wow. Really making me feel welcomed. Thanks for the vote of confidence.

I took my schedule and walked out of the office, completely lost. The hallways were massive—tall ceilings, stained glass windows, ancient portraits that seemed to watch me as I passed. Students chatted, laughed, occasionally shot me curious glances.

And the voices. The thoughts. They were everywhere.

*"Who's the new girl?" *

*"She's pretty..." *

*"I heard she's a mind-reader..." *

*"Better stay away from her..." *

I pressed my hands to my temples. Okay. This is going to take some getting used to.