Kai's voice was smooth, carrying a teasing lilt as he spoke. "Hmmm. You are indeed special, Asher," he mused before letting the sentence drift off, leaving the air thick with anticipation.
Ren, slouched against his chair with arms crossed, scoffed. "She doesn't even know any magic yet," he muttered, his dark blue eyes narrowing in disdain.
The playful air vanished.
Kai's gaze snapped toward Ren, sharp enough to cut through stone. "Enough." His voice was low but carried a quiet authority that made the entire room still.
Then he turned to Mira, his golden eyes steady. "Mira, in the Seven Devils, you are the weakest."
The words stung, even though she expected them.
"I know," she said, forcing her voice to remain firm.
Kai nodded, acknowledging her answer. "We are all Mystic Adepts," he continued, gesturing to the Devils seated around him. "Meanwhile, you are not even at Level One Arcane Novice. The gap is not small—it's vast. And dangerous."
Mira's hands curled into fists at her sides, frustration twisting in her gut. She had just begun learning magic, but that didn't mean she wasn't capable.
"I understand," she said, meeting his gaze head-on.
Kai studied her for a moment before his expression softened slightly. "Training here isn't just about learning spells. It's about survival. The Seven Devils don't train in classrooms—we face real threats. We fight real monsters." His voice lowered, serious. "If you fall behind, you die."
A cold shiver ran down Mira's spine.
But she didn't falter.
"I'm ready," she declared, the words leaving her lips before she could doubt them.
Silence.
Then, slowly, Kai smiled. It wasn't condescending, nor was it mocking. It was genuine. Welcoming.
"Then, from this moment forward, you are one of us."
Cheers erupted.
Rhyshe practically leaped from her seat. "YES! Finally, someone new!" She beamed at Mira, her excitement infectious.
Celvia, ever composed, gave her a small nod. "Welcome, Mira."
Akira stepped forward, her eyes warm yet filled with regret. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "For keeping secrets. For not telling you sooner."
Mira hesitated. The wound of betrayal still ached, but seeing Akira now—genuine, vulnerable—eased the sting.
"No more secrets?" she asked.
Akira shook her head. "No more."
A moment later, they embraced, the tension between them dissolving like mist under sunlight.
When Mira turned, she caught Ren watching from his seat, arms still crossed, smirking. But there was something different in his expression—less hostility, more intrigue.
"I don't trust easily," he said, voice unreadable. "Don't expect me to go easy on you."
Mira crossed her arms. "Good. I wouldn't want you to."
Ren blinked, as if caught off guard. Then, surprisingly, he let out a small, amused chuckle.
Kai clapped his hands once, bringing attention back to him. "Alright, listen up," he said, his voice regaining its commanding tone. "Mira, starting tomorrow, you begin your training with us."
Mira's pulse quickened. "Will I still train in the Inner Court?" she asked.
"No," Kai replied, unwavering. "You'll train here, with us. The Grand Master himself has arranged for you to be mentored personally by Miss Veena."
Mira's breath hitched. The Grand Master was already powerful, but Miss Veena? Her reputation was terrifying.
"Why the sudden change?" she asked cautiously.
Kai smiled. "Because you're special."
The words settled over her like a warm cloak.
Rhyshe linked arms with her, practically bouncing in place. "Enough talk. You're officially a Devil, which means you get your own room in the White House!"
Mira blinked. "Wait—I'm staying here?"
Celvia chuckled. "Of course. The Seven Devils live together."
A small thrill ran through her. Staying in the same house as the strongest students in the academy? The thought was daunting, but also exhilarating.
"Come on!" Rhyshe tugged her toward the staircase. "Let's go check out your room."
The White House – Second Floor
Mira followed Rhyshe and Celvia through the grand hallways, feeling like she had stepped into a different world. The walls were lined with murals depicting warriors locked in battle, their magic illuminating the dark canvas. The air hummed with energy, thick with the scent of polished wood and something else—magic, raw and unrestrained.
When they reached the second floor, Mira's luggage was already waiting outside a door at the far end of the hall.
"That's yours," Celvia said, nodding toward it.
Mira turned to glance at the door directly across from hers. "And that?"
"Ren's," Celvia answered with a knowing smile.
Mira exhaled. Well, that's going to be fun.
Rhyshe practically shoved her forward. "Go on, open it!"
With a hesitant breath, Mira stepped forward and turned the handle.
The room was… perfect.
It wasn't grand, nor was it overly decorated, but it felt right. The dark wooden floors gleamed under the soft golden light of floating lanterns, and a large window overlooked the vast gardens below. Her bed, draped in deep blue sheets, was positioned against the far wall, and a sturdy desk sat by the window. There was even a small bookshelf, half-filled with texts she had never seen before.
It felt like a place where she belonged.
For a moment, she just stood there, taking it all in.
Then, slowly, she stepped inside, brushing her fingers against the cool wood of the desk. She had expected something overwhelming, something suffocating. But instead, this space felt like a beginning.
Mira lay awake in her new room in the White House, the events of the day replaying in her mind. Despite the acceptance from the Seven Devils, the weight of expectations pressed down on her. She was one of them now, but she wasn't sure if she had truly earned her place.
A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts.
"Mira?"
She recognized Akira's voice instantly. Pushing herself up, she opened the door to find her standing there, holding two cups of tea.
"Can't sleep?" Akira asked with a small smile.
Mira sighed, stepping aside to let her in. "Too much to process."
Akira handed her a cup, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "I know it's a lot. When I first joined the Seven Devils, I felt like I didn't belong either."
Mira looked at her in surprise. "You?"
Akira nodded, staring into her tea. "Everyone here has a history, a name that carries weight. I wasn't sure if I could stand beside them, let alone be useful. But Kai… he sees something in people that they don't see in themselves."
Mira took a slow sip. "So, you trust him?"
"With my life," Akira said without hesitation. "And I trust you, too."
Warmth spread through Mira's chest. She had been angry at Akira, hurt by the secrets, but this moment—this quiet, honest moment—reminded her of why they had been friends in the first place.
Akira smirked. "Besides, I need you around to keep Ren in check. You're the only one who doesn't let him get away with being a complete menace."
Mira chuckled. "I don't think anyone can keep him in check."
Akira grinned. "Maybe not. But if anyone could, it'd be you."
As night settled over the academy, Mira lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
She was here. She had made it.
Tomorrow, she would begin training with the strongest students in the entire academy.
Tomorrow, she would start proving herself.
She closed her eyes, feeling the weight of it all settle over her—but this time, it didn't feel heavy.
It felt empowering.
Tomorrow, she would rise.