✨ Chapter 2 – The Ceremony of Light**
Elmwood Academy had always expected Ariana Sterling.
For three years, the school sent invitations, recommendations, and personal letters.
And for three years, she ignored all of them.
But today—
Not because she wanted to—
Not because she felt ready—
but because her *father* insisted—
Ariana finally stepped through the academy gates.
Her brothers surrounded her like a royal guard. Cassian, Landon, Luca, Adrian, Theo, and the twins Max and Mason. Seven Sterlings in one line. It was impossible to ignore them.
Whispers rippled through the courtyard:
"The Sterling family…"
"The brothers are back."
"Is that their little sister?"
"She's finally here?"
"I heard she's powerful."
"Obviously—she's a Sterling."
Ariana huffed. "They're acting like I came to burn the school down."
"Well…" Mason began.
"Mason," Cassian warned sharply.
They reached the center of the courtyard where the magical **Placement Circle** glowed, waiting for the new students.
The Headmaster stepped forward.
Tall. Severe. Silver-eyed.
He stood like someone who had seen centuries pass.
"New students," he declared, "today you will demonstrate a portion of your abilities. Your showing will determine your category and your curriculum."
Students went before her—fire users, air controllers, kinetic manipulators, beast-callers. Each demonstration was impressive, flashy, dramatic.
Ariana tried not to panic.
She had three powers she could control:
✅ **Light manipulation**
✅ **Telekinesis**
✅ **Aura sensing**
These she could show safely.
The wolf?
Never.
Not here.
Not again.
---
## **Her Turn**
"Ariana Sterling."
The entire courtyard fell silent.
Her brothers stiffened instantly.
Her father squeezed her shoulder "You'll do well, princess."
Ariana breathed in and stepped into the glowing center.
The Headmaster nodded. "Show us your gifts."
She lifted her hand.
A soft sphere of **light** blossomed above her palm—golden, warm, and steady. The air shimmered faintly.
Murmurs erupted.
"She's so calm…"
"That's high-level control."
"A light caster—rare!"
She flicked her fingers and the sphere separated into smaller lights, forming an orbit around her body like stars.
Next—
She raised her other hand.
The platform stones rose into the air—telekinesis smooth and controlled. She shaped them into a floating ring around her lights.
More whispers:
"She's Mystic class!"
"No—Mentalist-Mystic hybrid!"
Finally—
She opened her aura senses.
Colors spread across the courtyard—pink excitement, blue nervousness, gold pride, purple curiosity. All visible to her eyes only. She allowed a faint shimmer of the ability to appear so the judges knew what she was using.
The Headmaster pressed a hand to his chin, impressed.
"Very rare combination," he murmured.
Ariana bowed slightly, signaling she was done.
There was no flicker.
No tremor.
No wolf.
She stepped back with relief.
Cassian exhaled.
Theo grinned.
Max and Mason high-fived.
Her father looked so proud his eyes softened.
---
## **After the Ceremony**
Students were dismissed for classification processing, but before Ariana could leave, the Headmaster approached her quietly.
"Ariana," he said calmly, "a moment."
Her brothers tensed, but he held up a hand.
"I merely want to ask one question."
Ariana kept her expression neutral.
He lowered his voice.
"I am aware of the… other incident. The one from last year. The power that wasn't shown today."
Her stomach tightened.
"Headmaster," she said gently but firmly, "I'd rather not discuss that."
He studied her face for a long moment—then nodded.
"As you wish. Your visible abilities place you in the **Mystic–Mentalist Hybrid program**. You'll need a student guide for the first two weeks."
He gestured for someone to step forward.
A tall boy, maybe sixteen, walked toward them.
Black hair that fell slightly into his eyes.
Sharp jawline.
Shoulders broad.
Uniform immaculate.
And half the girls in the courtyard nearly fainted.
Whispers exploded:
"That's **Kai Vesper**!"
"The strongest student in the academy!"
"He's the top-ranked hybrid!"
"And he's so handsome—"
"Why is he guiding *her*?"
"She's so lucky—"
Ariana stared in confusion.
Kai's violet eyes met hers—calm, unreadable.
The Headmaster spoke:
"Kai, as the top senior apprentice in the Hybrid division, you will serve as Ariana Sterling's guide."
Kai nodded once.
"I understand."
Ariana blinked.
"…Wait. Him?"
Kai extended a hand politely.
"Welcome to Elmwood Academy, Ariana Sterling," he said, voice low and smooth.
"I'll be responsible for you."
Her brothers glared instantly.
All six.
In perfect synchronization.
Kai didn't even flinch.
Ariana sighed mentally.
This year was about to be very, very complicated.
What do you think about this chapter?