The bell rang across Eclipse Prowess Institute, echoing through the tall marble halls. Students hurried between classes, laughter and footsteps filling the corridors. Yet, for Leon, the sound meant nothing.
He walked with long, heavy strides toward the headmistress's office, his expression unreadable. The air around him carried that quiet authority that made people step aside without a word. Raul caught up with him near the east hallway, slightly out of breath.
"Leon," Raul said, "you're really going to see her again? You already asked two days ago."
Leon didn't answer. His eyes were hard, his jaw tense.
Raul sighed and scratched the back of his neck. "You've been restless since morning. This is about Mia, isn't it?"
Leon stopped walking for a second. "Her suspension was lifted last week," he said in a low voice. "She should have been back by now."
Raul frowned. "Maybe she doesn't want to come back. After what happened—"
"No! She belongs here," Leon cut in sharply, then turned and continued walking.
Raul watched him for a moment before following. He's not just worried, Raul thought. He's scared.
When Leon reached the headmistress's door, he didn't bother knocking twice. "Come in," Orla's voice called from inside.
He entered, his presence immediately filling the large office. Orla looked up from a pile of papers, adjusting her glasses. She was used to his silence, but today, his tone carried a weight that made her straighten in her seat.
"Why hasn't Mia Ashford returned?" he asked.
Orla blinked, slightly taken aback. "Prince Leon—her suspension was lifted, yes, but she hasn't responded to the reinstatement letter."
"What letter?"
"The one I sent two weeks ago," Orla said, searching through her desk. She pulled out a copy, the academy's golden seal pressed neatly on the envelope. "Her family was informed that she could resume studies immediately. We received no reply."
Leon's eyes narrowed. "You're sure it was sent?"
"Through the usual channel," Orla replied. "By royal courier. It should have reached her."
Leon's fingers twitched slightly — his only visible sign of frustration. "Send another one. And she will be staying in the dormitory from now hence forth, like any other student." He ordered.
"Prince Leon," Orla began carefully, "I understand your concern, but the school cannot—"
He stepped closer, his voice low and sharp. "Then consider this an order, not a request."
Orla's lips parted slightly, and she nodded quickly. "Of course, Your Highness."
It was against Eclipse prowess Institute's rules to allow Scholarship students to stay at the dormitory. The school is full of nobles and elites. Sharing classrooms with the scholarship students is already an issue. Allowing Mia to stay there will be breaking the rules. But who made the rules?
Raul cleared his throat from near the door, trying to lighten the tension. "Headmistress, it's probably just a mix-up. Maybe her mother didn't get it."
Orla sighed. "Perhaps. I'll have another message sent to them immediately."
Leon gave a short nod and turned to leave, his cloak that he hardly wear brushing the floor behind him. But before he stepped out, he said quietly, "If she doesn't return in three days, I'll have to find her myself."
Orla didn't doubt he meant it.
That evening, far from the academy, the little house in the southern woods glowed under the soft touch of sunset. The scent of baked bread filled the air, but Laura's mind was elsewhere. She had been cleaning the small desk near the window. Suddenly, she noticed a letter that has not been there before.
Her fingers froze. The seal on it — the golden crest of Eclipse Prowess.
"Oh no," she whispered, quickly reaching out and taking the letter. While taking the letter, she saw another one beneath a stack of unpaid bills. She collected the two, breaking each of the seals quickly.
Her eyes scanned through the papers, one after the other, and her heart dropped. "Mia!" she called.
Mia came running from the back room, a towel in her hand. "Yes mom." She answered as she approached where Laura was standing. "What's wrong?" She asked after seeing the look on her face.
Laura turned to her, guilt heavy on her face. "These—these letters were from your school. One was from yesterday and the other from two weeks ago. The first one was lifting your suspension, and the other was a follow up. They've been waiting for you to come back. And now they want you to stay there."
Mia blinked. "Two weeks ago? And they want me to stay there. You mean in the dormitory?"
Laura nodded. " The first one must have gotten buried under the pile when I was sorting things. Oh, Mia…" She ran a hand through her hair, clearly upset. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart."
Mia sat down slowly, reading the letter. Her chest tightened. For days, she had been wondering what her life would be now that she knew who she was. But now, the reality was right in front of her again — the world she left behind, waiting for her return.
"What should I do, Mom?" she asked softly. "Should I even go back?"
Laura sat beside her. "You could stay. You could learn to control your powers first. It's safer that way."
"But then what?" Mia whispered. "Keep running? Keep hiding? That will affect my studies. I don't want to live afraid forever. I want to study hard, and make our lives better"
Laura's eyes softened. "Oh sweetheart. I know. Believe me. I just… I don't want to lose you."
Mia reached for her hand. "You won't mom. You won't!"
The room went silent for a long moment. The sound of crickets outside grew louder as the sun sank lower. Finally, Laura sighed and squeezed her hand.
"Alright," she said quietly. "You'll go back. But I have to inform Elder Rowan, I hope he will agree to train you during the school breaks."
Mia smiled faintly. "Deal."
Laura's lips curved into a tired smile. "You are really your father's daughter. You are just like him. Always stubborn."
Mia looked away, her eyes catching the silver glint of the pendant on her wrist. "I wish I knew him."
Laura's gaze softened even more. "He would have been proud of you my dear."
Two days later, they prepared to leave early in the morning. Mia wore her uniform again, her hair tied back neatly. She looked in the mirror and saw a girl who was both familiar and strange — the same human she always was, yet not entirely human anymore. She was having mixed feelings, especially now that she knows about Leon's parents being involved in her people's wipe out. She doesn't know how she feels about him now. Yes she had started developing feelings for him before. But she can't continue, she has to atleast respect her deceased father life. And for Rachel, she just hoped the girl will let her breathe.
"Ready?" Laura asked, holding the travel bag.
Mia nodded. "Ready."
They stepped outside, the forest air crisp and cool. A carriage waited near the dirt road — one of the academy's transport vehicles, sent after Leon's request.
As they began their journey, Laura reached over and squeezed Mia's hand. "We'll stop near the river before we reach the main road. I want to make sure you eat before you get to school."
Mia smiled faintly. "Okay, Mom."
The ride was quiet but peaceful. The sky was turning a soft shade of gold, the morning light breaking through the trees. Birds sang in the distance.
Mia closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the soft hum of power still resting beneath her skin. It was faint, but alive — waiting.
Then, suddenly, the horses neighed loudly.
The carriage jolted to a stop.
Laura grabbed Mia's arm. "What's happening?"
The driver shouted from outside. "Road's blocked!"
Before anyone could react, a dark figure appeared in front of the carriage — followed by two more.
Rogues.
Laura's eyes widened. "No…"
The door burst open. The driver tried to fight, but was overpowered, he was thrown aside easily. One of the rogues reached for Mia, but Laura pushed her behind.
"Run!" she screamed.
Mia tried to fight back, remembering the light — but fear clouded her focus. The energy refused to rise. One rogue charged at her, grabbing her arm roughly, while another struck Laura across the face, sending her crashing to the ground.
"Mom!"
"Mia!" Laura screamed, crawling toward her. But before she could reach, the rogues swiftly dragged Mia backward into the woods.
"Let her go!" Laura shouted, trying to pull free, but their grip was iron strong.
Laura could only watch helplessly as her daughter was taken away, into the forest, to the unknown. Her voice was breaking as she cried out her name again and again.
Then — silence.
The trees swallowed Mia whole.
The only thing left on the road was Laura, kneeling beside the overturned carriage, blood on her lip, and the faint silver light of Mia's pendant lying shattered beside her.