The afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows of the academy, casting warm streaks across the polished floors as Lina and Tessa walked back to their dormitory. The day's magic classes had ended, and Lina felt both exhausted and exhilarated. Spells had gone well, mana had flowed smoothly through her hands, and she had even surprised herself with the control she managed over her Water Magic.
Yet, as they entered their room, Lina's heart felt an unexpected emptiness. The familiar chatter of the dormitory and Tessa's cheerful comments did little to fill the quiet ache within her. She set down and stared out the window at the sprawling academy grounds. For the first time since arriving, she realized what was missing the presence of Rayan.
A soft sigh escaped her lips. She remembered the days they had spent together, the small moments of laughter and support, the quiet evenings where he had patiently helped her practice magic or shared simple meals with her. That warmth, that sense of security, seemed absent here, replaced by the distant hum of a new routine and the murmur of strangers.
Lina sank onto her bed, hugging her knees. Thoughts swirled in her mind, and after a long pause, clarity emerged from the tangle of emotions. I… I miss him. More than I thought. I care about him. I… I think I love him.
Her cheeks warmed at the admission, and she buried her face in her arms, feeling the weight of longing and affection. As evening shadows crept across the room, her eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted into a deep, restless sleep, dreams filled with memories of Rayan's steady presence and quiet encouragement.
Morning arrived with a gentle golden light spilling over the academy towers. Lina rose early, brushing her hair and donning her academy robes with quiet anticipation. Today, she thought, she would focus on magic, on improving herself, on mastering the lessons that Rayan had encouraged her to pursue.
As she walked through the courtyard toward her first class of the day, she noticed a commotion near the training grounds. A group of students had gathered around a girl, laughing cruelly as she stumbled under their jeers. The girl was chubby, clutching a worn book to her chest, and tears glistened in her eyes.
Lina's chest tightened. Without hesitation, she rushed forward. "Hey! Stop it!" she called, her voice firm and commanding. The crowd's laughter faltered as they turned to her.
"And who are you?" one of the bullies sneered. "Think you can stop us?"
"I said stop it," Lina repeated, her tone unwavering. She stepped closer to the girl, placing herself between her and the bullies. "Leave her alone, now."
The students hesitated, surprised by Lina's sudden courage. The girl glanced at her, hope flickering in her eyes. Lina reached out gently, guiding the girl away from the group.
"You're safe now," Lina said softly. "What's your name?"
The girl blinked, her lips trembling into a shy smile. "I… I'm Kiri. Thank you… thank you so much."
Lina smiled warmly. "You're welcome, Kiri. Don't worry about them they're not worth your time."
Tessa, who had followed at a distance, arrived and nodded approvingly. "Looks like you've already made a friend, Lina. That's some impressive courage."
Kiri's eyes lit up with relief. "Really? You mean it?"
"Of course," Lina replied, her hand brushing lightly over Kiri's.
From that moment, a small bond formed between the two girls. Kiri's timid demeanor began to relax as Lina shared tips for managing magic classes, handling bullies, and navigating the academy's routines. For Lina, helping Kiri reminded her of the ways Rayan had always been there for her supportive, patient, and encouraging.
By the time their class resumed, Kiri had joined Lina and Tessa, feeling more confident and welcomed. Lina glanced at her new friend and thought of the journey ahead, knowing she wasn't just learning magic for herself, but also to protect and support those she cared about.
As the morning lessons commenced, Lina felt a renewed sense of purpose. The Academy was no longer just a place for study it was a place to grow, to form bonds, and to stand up for what was right. And somewhere deep inside, she knew that her heart's truth her love for Rayan would continue to guide her every step of the way.