[CHAPTER-3] The mirror of blood

The city woke in layers—shutters creaked open, merchants dragged crates into the streets, and bakers filled the air with the smell of bread still steaming from the oven. 

In a narrow little house at the edge of the market district, a nineteen-year-old girl slept so deeply that not even the bells could touch her.

Eva Lafrost lay tangled in her blankets, one arm hanging limp over the side of the bed. A line of drool gleamed at the corner of her mouth, her lips curved in a goofy smirk. If anyone could see into her dream, they’d have found Eva halfway up a mountain made entirely of cake. She was climbing happily, tearing off chunks of sponge and cream with both hands, cheeks bulging like a chipmunk. She had almost reached the summit when a meteor the size of a house screamed down from the heavens.

BAAAM! The mountain of cake exploded, and Eva jolted awake with a shriek—because her mother had launched herself onto the bed like a wrestler. “Up! Up! Up! First day of academy!” her mother sang, flexing her biceps in triumph as if she’d just defeated a demon lord.

“Mooom!” Eva groaned, shoving at the heavy weight on her chest. “I told you to stop waking me like this. I’m not a kid anymore!

”Her mother ignored her protests, turning sideways to show off the curve of her back muscles. “Look at this, huh? Not bad for forty. ”“You’re impossible,” Eva muttered, dragging herself upright.

“Breakfast in five. Don’t be late! ”Eva stumbled into the washroom, hair sticking out like a nest of twigs. She splashed her face with cold water and bared her teeth at the mirror, eyes half-closed. The reflection that blinked back was an exhausted girl with skin like pale cream, blue-gray eyes, and the look of someone who desperately wanted to go back to sleep.

She brushed her teeth in a daze, muttering to herself. After a quick bath she struck a ridiculous pose, flexing her thin arms. “Not bad, Eva Lafrost. Maybe a little muscular, even. Yay!” She laughed, shaking her head at her own foolishness.

 She dressed, she pulled on the new uniform of the Gloria Magical Academy. The outfit was formal but strict: a crisp white shirt buttoned up to the collar, a black jacket with silver trim, and a pleated skirt that brushed her knees. A sash hung loose at her waist—plain gray for now, though she knew it would change to her assigned color once her attribute was revealed. Black stockings and polished shoes completed the look. 

For the first time she truly felt like she was about to step into a different world. Downstairs, her father was already shoveling food into his mouth.

“Good morning!” Eva chirped. “Gffu—fmrf—” her father tried to reply, face bulging with bread and sausage.

He choked, coughing violently. “Dad!” Eva cried.

Her mother appeared behind him and smacked him so hard on the back that he flew across the table, landing in a heap among the dishes. 

Eva screamed, “FATHERRR!” Silence hung for a moment.

Then, with all the calm of a man used to such mornings, her father sat up, rubbed his head, and reached for the newspaper. 

The bold headline read: MASSACRE IN THE SOUTHERN TOWN Raven commander leads attack. Entire population lost. 

Eva swallowed hard. Her parents were quiet too, eyes dark. 

Around the city everyone whispered of demons, of death, but also of faith—that the Holy Kingdom and the god they worshipped would protect them. That was the only comfort left. 

After breakfast, Eva slung her satchel over her shoulder and stepped to the door. 

“I’m going!” “Good luck, sweetheart!” her mother said.

The streets of Gloria were alive with motion. Shopkeepers lifted shutters, children carried water buckets, guards marched past in polished armor. But the joy of an ordinary morning was cracked by the shadow of the news. Every corner buzzed with hushed conversations. Faces were tight, scared. People glanced south as if the demons might come striding into the capital at any moment.

Eva walked quickly, heart racing. Ahead, the Gloria Magical Academy rose above the city like a fortress built for gods.

Two monstrous gargoyles crouched at the gate, jaws wide, wings spread. Their eyes followed her as she passed beneath them, and Eva shivered. The gates themselves were enormous double doors of black steel inlaid with silver veins. As they opened, the sound was like a beast drawing its first breath.

The floor was polished so perfectly that it reflected her from every angle—beneath her feet, above her head, on both sides, until she felt like she was walking inside a mirror. For a dizzy second, she wasn’t sure which way was real.

Stained glass windows stretched from floor to ceiling, glowing with holy light. They showed humans defeating elves, aquarians, and ravens—bloody battles painted as glorious victories. The coloured light fell across Eva’s skin like a brand.

 She swore the embroidered warriors shifted slightly when she wasn’t looking, eyes glimmering like they were alive. Above, the ceiling curved high into arches painted with grand frescoes of light magic. But cracks ran through the plaster, and in the gaps she saw veins of red crystal throbbing like organs.

She walked deeper, shoes clicking against the onyx. The corridors branched in every direction. Long and curved, they seemed to stretch forever, lined with torches of cold blue flame. The fire gave no warmth, only whispered faint voices that made her skin crawl. The dark basalt walls were etched with swirling patterns that made her dizzy if she looked too long. 

She turned a corner—and froze. A tall man stood at the far end of the corridor, half-hidden in shadow.

He was speaking to someone… but that “someone” had no clear body, only a half-formed human face floating in the dark.

The man turned. His eyes caught hers, and a chill slammed down her spine. Eva couldn’t move. The shadow vanished like smoke. 

The man began walking toward her. Step. Step. Step. Her breath caught—until a voice called behind her.

“What are you doing here, girl?” Eva spun. A woman stood in the corridor, maybe in her forties, sharp-eyed but smiling kindly. Relief hit like a wave. When she turned back—the man was gone.

“Never follow the blue flames,” the woman warned gently. “Or you might never return.”She guided Eva through the winding halls until finally they reached the Grand Hall.

Lightning cracked inside, flashing white across the faces of hundreds of students. On the obsidian floor, ten vast ritual circles gleamed, all connected by thin channels etched into the stone. If blood were spilled, it would flow toward the center no matter what. Students filled the seats, whispering, fidgeting. Professors stood on balconies above like silent judges. One enchanted suit of armor clanked back and forth along the wall, muttering to itself: “Left. Left. No, the other left.” It promptly walked into a pillar and fell over with a crash.

 Nervous laughter rippled through the crowd. Then silence fell as a woman stepped into the center.

“Welcome, students of Gloria. Today you begin the path of truth. This world is vast, filled with wonders and horrors you cannot yet imagine.

 Magic is not a gift—it is a burden, a blade, a promise written in your blood. You will learn discipline. You will learn fear. And if you endure, you will become shields for humanity against the darkness that hunts us.

”She let the words sink in, her gaze sweeping the room like a blade. “Some of you will thrive. Some of you will break. But all of you will be tested.

”Her eyes narrowed slightly, and her smile was both warm and sharp. “May your marks reveal who you truly are.”

Erina ’s voice tightened. “Dame Lilith… perhaps you could honor us with sobriety for once?

”Lilith grinned, raising the flask. “What? I’m just hydrating. Important to keep the body supple.”

“Hydrating,” Erina repeated flatly. Lilith leaned forward conspiratorially.

 “Want a sip? Calms the nerves before speeches.

”Erina sighed. “If you pass out in the middle of the ceremony again, I will personally drag you to the infirmary.”

“See? That’s why I like you, Erina. Always so caring.” Lilith winked and took another gulp. The students snickered, tension breaking for a moment.

Luna Arius, a short, fiery-eyed girl, was first. She sliced her palm, letting blood drip into the mirror. Ripples spread, deep blue light glowing within. Black threads erupted, wrapping around her wrist, then engraving a symbol of Ignis (fire attribute) at her neck. She yelped, clutching at the burning mark.

 “Owww! Are you kidding me?!” She stomped back to her seat, muttering furiously. Next came Aqua Veyra, tall and trembling. She cut her hand, and the mirror drank deep. Threads slithered up her arm and carved a delicate teardrop-shaped mark encircled by tiny wave lines across her shoulder Hydric (water attribute). She touched it in wonder, relief softening her anxious face. One after another, students revealed their attributes. Marks glowed on arms, necks, cheeks and some questionable places too. The hall buzzed with excitement. Then came Eva’s turn. 

She stepped onto the mirror, palms sweaty. She cut her finger and let the drops fall. Ripples spread… and then stopped. Silence filled the hall. No threads, no mark. Nothing. Whispers rose. Confusion. 

Lilith leaned forward, interest sparking in her scarred face. “Well, well. Been a long time since I’ve seen that. 

”The mirror rippled again, harder. A deep vibration shook the hall. Then—two enormous eyes opened beneath the surface, staring up at Eva with inhuman hunger. Gasps tore through the students. 

Erina’s voice cracked with sharp command. She raised her hands, chanting a spell. Light blazed, and the eyes vanished. The mirror stilled. Silence. Then the hall erupted in murmurs, fear, excitement. 

Eva stood frozen, heart pounding, surrounded by stares. From the side, Dame Lilith let out a low, amused laugh.

“Oh, this year’s going to be fun.”