PEOPLE were arriving from all directions, the gates of Celestial Castle bustling with activity. Each student wore different clothing—some dressed in simple robes, while others wore extravagant outfits adorned with symbols of their elemental heritage. Some rode in elegant, enchanted carriages pulled by mystical beasts, while others chose to walk on foot, their eyes gleaming with excitement. Laughter, chatter, and greetings filled the air.
Today marked the first day of the new academic season at Celestial Castle, and after a month-long break, the return brought a wave of energy and anticipation. Students were eager to deepen their knowledge of magic, mythical beasts, and ancient history. The aura of the castle shimmered with renewed purpose.
But in a quiet chamber on the far side of the castle—far from the joyful noise—a very different energy lingered.
Luna sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at her reflection in the mirror. Her silver-white hair cascaded over her shoulders like moonlight, and her pale, moonlike eyes were filled with hesitation and fatigue.
"Another school year…" she muttered under her breath, sighing deeply. "Another cycle of pressure, expectations..."
Her room was elegantly decorated—a large canopy bed, silk curtains, and shelves filled with ancient spellbooks and scrolls. But despite the grandeur, the atmosphere felt heavy, suffocating even.
Luna was the daughter of the High Enchantress—the most powerful and respected figure in the entire Celestial Castle. Her mother was not only the headmistress but also the ruler of the sacred academy. People expected greatness from Luna. They assumed that power ran in her blood.
But the truth was painful.
Unlike the other students—especially the Elites—Luna did not possess the ability to control the elements. She could not command fire, water, earth, or air. Her magic was weak, barely enough to shield herself from minor harm.
"What kind of power is this?" she whispered bitterly. "Why am I so different? My mother is revered, feared even... and all they do is stare at me with pity or disappointment because I'm not like her."
Her voice trembled with frustration as she lowered her head.
Her quiet self-reflection was suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Luna! The bell's about to ring! You'll be late for class!" a voice called from outside.
She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, trying to summon the energy to face the day. Slowly, she stood and walked to the door.
It was Hurieya—a knight of the castle and one of the most loyal companions of her mother. Hurieya had served the High Enchantress since her youth and had never married, dedicating her life entirely to protecting her mistress. Her face bore the marks of wisdom and experience, and though she spoke with firmness, her eyes were kind.
Luna offered her a tired smile. "You should go back now, Aunt Hurieya. Mother might be looking for you."
"She's the one who sent me," Hurieya replied gently.
Luna groaned softly. That sounded exactly like something her mother would do.
"Fine… I'll go to the Lecture Hall," she sighed in defeat, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Hurieya smiled but said nothing more, simply watching Luna walk away down the hallway. She didn't follow, nor did she call out again. Luna could feel her gaze from behind but didn't turn back.
The long corridor was quiet. Luna walked alone, her footsteps echoing slightly against the enchanted stone floors. The castle walls were carved with ancient runes that glowed faintly in the morning light. But she barely noticed them.
What more could I possibly learn today? she thought gloomily. Everything they teach, I've memorized a dozen times over. And still... my powers haven't grown. Not even a little.
She was lost in thought when suddenly, someone draped an arm around her shoulders from behind.
"How was your vacation, Luna?" came a familiar voice—light and cheerful.
She turned to find Pierro, flashing her a smile so bright it could rival the morning sun.
Just seeing him made her heart feel lighter.
"As usual," she replied, her tone flat but honest.
Pierro tilted his head slightly, sensing her mood. His ruby-colored eyes sparkled with curiosity and concern.
"It was boring, Pierro," she admitted with a sigh. "I did nothing but lock myself in my room, trying to train and strengthen my magic… but no matter what I did, nothing changed."
Her voice was edged with frustration and defeat.
Pierro's expression softened. Without hesitation, he offered, "Next vacation, come stay at our kingdom. I'll train with you myself. Maybe… I can help you."
Luna blinked in surprise. "Really?" she asked, her voice suddenly alive with hope.
"Yup!" he grinned. "I'll talk to Father early so I can get permission."
A smile tugged at Luna's lips, genuine and full of anticipation. "I'll wait for that day, Pierro. And don't go back on your word, okay?"
Pierro laughed softly, amused by the way her brows furrowed in mock seriousness. "I promise."
As they continued walking side by side down the hallway, the shadows of Luna's doubts faded just a little—thanks to the one person who always made her feel like she belonged.
****
EVERYONE inside the Lecture Hall was quietly focused on the professor standing before them. His voice echoed clearly, sharp and steady as he discussed one of the most feared and mysterious places in their world—the Cursed Forest.
All the elite students were present in their section, seated in the front rows—Theara, with her twin Theo, the ever-disciplined Raon, the silent and composed Hierra, and the charming Pierro.
At the very back of the room, separated from the others, sat Luna. Her hands were neatly folded on her desk, but her eyes kept drifting toward the front. A bitter ache tugged at her chest.
She stared quietly at Theara and Hierra, both of whom carried themselves with grace and power. They were among the chosen wielders of elemental magic—representatives of their kingdoms, gifted with abilities the castle revered.
Luna, on the other hand, had none of that. She was not chosen. Her power was barely enough to protect herself, let alone control any element.
She swallowed the lump forming in her throat and lowered her gaze to her notes.
Professor Clint, a tall man with a scar trailing across his left cheek, stood near the enchanted blackboard. His cloak swayed as he moved, and his eyes glinted with the weight of knowledge—and secrets—that most feared to uncover.
"It was eighteen years ago," he began, his voice firm and clear, "when the Cursed Forest suddenly emerged from the ground. No one summoned it. No natural disaster preceded it. It simply appeared... a forest born from darkness."
He paused, watching the students carefully as he walked across the front of the class.
"Mysterious veins spread across its borders like roots of a cursed tree," he continued, "and those veins… they pulse. They live. Controlled by something—or someone—buried deep within its core."
The room remained still, the students frozen in their seats, all eyes on him.
Professor Clint was the only one in the entire Celestial Castle permitted to teach about the forest. Not because the High Enchantress allowed it freely, but because he alone had returned alive.
Others who entered the forest… never came back.
What happened inside remained a tightly kept secret—known only to him and the forest itself.
"I've been studying the Cursed Forest for ten years now," Clint went on, his voice slightly softer, more serious. "And for those ten years… not once did I sense a single drop of life within it."
He looked around the classroom, letting his gaze settle briefly on each student.
Some students were barely paying attention—eyelids drooping, minds wandering. But others leaned forward, curiosity gleaming in their eyes.
"All the creatures that dwell inside," he continued, "are either dead... or something worse. They live, but without a soul."
He stopped. His tone had shifted—darker, heavier.
The air inside the Lecture Hall turned cold, as if the forest itself had stretched its shadow through his words.
Then he said, "But three years ago... something changed. When we entered it again — for the first time in years — I discovered something extraordinary."
The room tensed. Every student, even those half-asleep, perked up. Eyes widened. Breath held. They waited for the next words—a revelation perhaps, a clue to the mystery.
But instead, Professor Clint did what he always did when the truth was on the edge of his tongue.
He fell silent.
He turned toward the board and picked up a chalk, continuing as though he hadn't stopped at all.
And the room, once again, was filled only with questions.
****
THE BELL RANG, breaking the heavy silence that lingered in the room. Chairs scraped against the marble floor as students stood up, disappointed expressions on their faces. Even the elites, usually composed and unfazed, couldn't hide their frustration.
"Why can't he just finish the story?" Theo complained as they stepped out of the Lecture Hall. "He always leaves us hanging, making us wonder what really happened in that place… what he saw, what he discovered!"
The group of elites walked together down the hallway toward the Training Room, where their next class would take place—a session dedicated to refining their elemental control and mastering their abilities.
"That's just how Professor Clint is," Hierra replied calmly, brushing her long hair back. "He's been like that even before we got here."
Pierro chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Yeah. Even the previous Elite said the same thing. They were always irritated after his lectures... because he never finishes his stories."
Their footsteps echoed as they reached a marble arch leading to the spiral corridor that connected to the training grounds. The tension of the previous class still lingered in the air.
But then, Raon abruptly stopped walking.
He turned to face the group, his expression stern. "I believe there's a reason Professor Clint acts that way. So stop thinking ill of him," he said firmly, his golden eyes sharp with meaning.
"Jezz, Raon! We're just sharing our opinions here," Theara snapped, rolling her eyes in annoyance. "No need to go all serious on us again."
Raon shook his head slightly at her response, clearly unimpressed. Without another word, he turned and walked ahead of them, his cape fluttering behind him with each step.
"You annoyed him again, Theara," Theo scolded in a low voice, nudging his twin sister lightly.
Theara shrugged, pretending not to care—but a small pout formed on her lips as she watched Raon's retreating figure disappear down the hallway.
Back in the empty Lecture Hall, Luna was still seated in the far corner. Everyone else had already left, but she remained where she was, staring at the chalkboard.
The white chalk marks glowed faintly under the magical lights.
"Cursed Forest… Veins… Protecting the Place…" she whispered, reading the last few words Professor Clint had left behind.
She stared at the message for a while, her brows furrowing. A part of her, though often quiet and uncertain, was growing more curious. She too wanted to know—what really happened inside that place? Why was Professor Clint the only one who came back alive? And who… or what… helped him escape?
Silence settled once more around her, but in her heart, something had been stirred.
A question that refused to be forgotten.
To be Continued...