Whispers in the Halls

The exam hall buzzed long after the shattered magic circle had been replaced. Professors scribbled frantic notes, their brows furrowed. Students whispered, some in awe, most in suspicion.

And at the center of it all, Serenya Arclight strolled back to her seat, calm as if she hadn’t just broken the academy’s most sacred artifact.

She could feel their eyes on her—dozens of stares dripping with curiosity, contempt, even fear, maybe. But she didn’t bow her head. In her past life, she had been invisible—overworked, ignored, dismissed. But here? Here she refused to vanish. She would not endure for family recognition, nor to fit into a cage built by others. This time, she would become unforgettable—for herself, and only herself.

After that, her admission to Arclight Academy of Sorcery was now solidified.

✦

The next morning, Serenya found that her reputation had spread like wildfire.

In the lecture hall, students turned in their seats, their voices not-so-quiet whispers.

“They say her magic isn’t even real.”
“I heard she tampered with the circle—cheated, probably.”
“No, no, my brother’s a second-year. He says that kind of magic is dangerous. That she’s cursed.”

She didn’t deny or correct those words because she knew that whatever words would come out of her mouth would be lies and only lies on their ears. Arguing with these people is irrelevant. But that thought is only applicable to the old Serenya. The Serenya now is different.

She placed her books down with deliberate care. “If you’re going to gossip,” she said coolly, “at least get the story straight. It’s embarrassing.”

A ripple of laughter followed, though most of it was mocking. Serenya knew that these try hards won’t have the guts to talk back to her because even though she was labeled as a failure, she was still part of the Arclight family, and the granddaughter of headmaster Lucius Arclight.

✦

The real trouble began during Elemental Fundamentals, the class taught by the notorious Professor Halbron.

“Today,” he barked, “you will conjure flame. Even the most hopeless should be capable of this.” His gaze lingered on Serenya, lips curling in disdain.

Serenya had read some books about the magic system of this world. There are four great elements according to the book she’d read: fire, water, wind, and earth. And there are four archmage families who control the foundation of magic of each element.

Starting with Fire, which the House Arclight has, a symbol of destruction, passion, energy. Second is Water, from House Lunaris, a symbol of healing, adaptability, and preservation. Wind from House Dawncrest which is a symbol of speed, precision, foresight. Lastly, Earth of House Thorneveil, symbolizes strength, barriers, permanence.

But even though these houses are formidable and the center of the elements they embodied, anyone can still wield these elements. Lower class families, commoners, or even slaves. That’s why adoption has always played the role of each of these noble houses to strengthen their lineage, and House Lunaris was one of them.

One by one, students produced neat little sparks of fire. Some summoned blazing torches, others delicate candle flames. When Serenya’s turn came, the room went silent, eager for the spectacle of her failure.

She raised her hand, calling the same void-like silence she’d felt before. But the flame didn’t come. Instead, the air around her warped, the torches on the walls guttered, and for an instant, every fire in the room went out.

Darkness swallowed the hall.

Then after a minute, the torches flared back to life, sputtering nervously.

A stunned pause. Then, snickers.

“She can’t even make a candle flame!”
“She’s not a mage—she’s a nuisance.”
“Failed heir indeed.”

Professor Halbron’s sneer cut deeper than the jeers. “How… unfortunate. You see, Lady Serenya, this is why talent cannot be faked.”

Serenya tilted her head, the corners of her mouth twitching. “Hmm. Perhaps. But isn’t it odd, Professor?” Her tone was light, almost bored. “Seems like talent tends to recognize its own.”

Halbron froze, then narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean by that?”

She only gave a small shrug.

“Are you—” his face flushed, “—are you saying I lack talent?!”

Now, he’s putting words in my mouth now, Serenya mused, but not quite quietly enough.

“I heard that!” Halbron’s voice rose.

She smiled sweetly. “Well, if you believe it’s true…” Her words dangled in the air, daring him.

Gasps rippled through the class. The professor’s wand cracked against the desk like thunder. “Enough! To the headmaster’s office—now!”

Serenya rose gracefully, unbothered by the order. As she crossed the room, she caught Celestia Dawncrest’s gaze. The girl’s perfect composure faltered a bit, as confusion flickered in her eyes. Serenya gave a playfully winked.

Celestia’s lips parted in shock, her flawless mask cracking for a split second before composing herself, and Serenya had to fight the urge to laugh.

✦

The oak doors slammed shut behind her, muffling the academy’s bustle.

Headmaster Lucius Arclight sat at his grand desk, framed by shelves of ancient tomes and the faint glow of enchanted lanterns. His robes were crimson and gold, his posture so rigid it seemed carved from stone.

“Sit,” he ordered.

Serenya obeyed, slipping into the chair opposite him with deliberate grace.

For a long moment, he said nothing—just stared at her with those molten-red eyes that had made nobles quail and professors fall silent.

Finally, his voice cut through the heavy air. “You humiliated a professor today.”

Serenya raised a brow. “I didn’t humiliate him. He humiliated himself. I only supplied…,” she shrugged nonchalantly, “...encouragement.”

The faintest twitch flickered in Lucius’s jaw. “Professor Halbron is an accomplished mage of this academy. When you undermine him, you undermine me. You bear the Arclight name, girl. Every word you speak, every glance you give, reflects on this family.”

Serenya leaned back, unbothered. “So I should let him insult me, then? Play the failure everyone expects? That would be less embarrassing for the family, wouldn’t it?”

Lucius’s hand slammed down on the desk. The wards etched into the wood flared faintly from the impact. “Do not mistake insolence for strength! An Arclight commands respect with power, not childish provocation. You made yourself look petty. Worse—you made us look petty.”

Serenya’s smile thinned, but her eyes didn’t waver. “If they’re laughing at me, Grandfather, at least they’re finally paying attention. That’s more than the ‘failed heir’ ever got.”

Silence fell.

Lucius studied her for a long while, his stern expression carved deep. At last, he leaned back, folding his hands. “If you insist on drawing attention, then you had better earn it.”

She never wanted attention. But she’s also not gonna let other people look down on her. She is an Arclight, prideful and stubborn, just like her grandfather. Sure, he can be overbearing, but he is fair. Insulting the professor was quite petty, she agreed, but she had no regrets.

“Do not come before me again with schoolyard wit. Bring me results—or bring me nothing.”

His dismissal was cold and sharp.

Serenya stood, smoothing her skirt. At the door, she glanced back, her lips quirking. “Then I’ll give you both.”

The oak doors groaned shut, leaving Lucius alone in the silence, his pride wounded—but just faintly intrigued.