The bell rang like it was mocking me, sharp and cold, cutting through the chatter in the grand hall of Faudervolt Academy. Everyone else moved like they belonged here, skinny waists swaying, perfect hair flipping, voices light and laughing. I just... shuffled. My robes pulled tight across my chest, the fabric straining over my breasts, then bunching up again around my belly. The ass part? god, it always rode up, making every step feel like I was dragging half my body behind me. Sweat already prickled under my arms. It was only morning.
I kept my head down. Always do. Eyes on the marble floor, counting cracks so I wouldn't have to see their faces.
But they saw me.
"Shitcake's here," someone hissed from the left. A giggle followed, high and mean. Stellite's giggle. I knew it without looking ice-sharp, the kind that makes your skin crawl before it even touches you.
I tried to keep walking. Toward the Shield Array wing. My place. The corner where the real mages dump their injured and pretend we're useful. Supporters. Buffers. Human shields who can't even cast a spark.
A foot shot out.
I tripped. Hard. My knee slammed into the stone, pain shooting up my leg. My bag spilled, notebooks, a cracked mana crystal, the stupid little pouch Mom made me carry "just in case." Papers fluttered like dying birds.
Laughter exploded around me.
"Clumsy much?" Stellite's voice now, right above me. I looked up despite myself.
She was perfect. Silver hair cascading like frozen water, lips painted pale blue, eyes the color of glaciers. Her uniform hugged every curve exactly right, tiny waist, perky tits, ass that looked sculpted. Level 3 Ice already, and she wore it like a crown. Her friends flanked her, all smirking, all beautiful.
I pushed myself up. My palms stung. My tummy jiggled as I stood, and I hated how loud my breathing sounded.
"Watch where you're going, cow," one of them said. Delan this time. Golden boy, Light affinity Level 4, rich parents, always smiling like the world owed him teeth. He leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, watching like it was entertainment.
I clenched my fists. Said nothing. Never do. Words just make it worse.
Stellite stepped closer. Too close. I could smell her perfume, something crisp, like winter mint. Made me feel even sweatier.
"You know," she said softly, almost sweet, "they should really have a separate entrance for... support staff. This hall's for actual talent." Her eyes dragged down my body, slow, disgusted. "Not walking disasters."
My throat burned. I wanted to scream. I wanted to shove her. I wanted...
But I just stood there. Fat. Tall. Useless.
Someone bumped my shoulder as they passed. Deliberate. I staggered again.
"Move, Shitcake. You're blocking the light."
More laughter.
I bent to gather my things. Hands shaking. Tears pricking, but I blinked them back. Not here. Not in front of them.
As I reached for the last notebook, a small folded paper slipped out from between the pages. Not mine. Cream-colored. No name.
I froze.
My heart thudded stupidly loud.
I snatched it, shoved everything else in my bag, and hurried away half-running, half-waddling toward the side corridor. Their laughs chased me, but I didn't stop until I was around the corner, back against cold stone, alone.
Breath ragged.
I unfolded the note with trembling fingers.
Small, neat handwriting.
*You're stronger than they know.
Don't let them make you small.
Your weight is power.
One day they'll kneel because of it.
Someone who sees you*
Heat rushed to my face. My chest. Lower.
Who...?
I pressed the paper to my lips without thinking. Then lower, against my collarbone, feeling my own sweat soak through.
My thighs clenched.
For the first time today, I didn't feel quite so broken.
I slipped the note into my bra, right between my breasts. Safe. Warm. Mine.
Class was starting soon. Shield Array drills. More humiliation waiting.
But now... now there was this.
This tiny, secret thing.
I straightened my back. Wiped my face.
Let them laugh.
One day.
One fucking day.
They'd choke on it.
I walked into the training hall, head a little higher.
The note burned against my skin like a promise.