Morning sunlight filtered through the academy windows like paint spilling over glass. Elena stood in front of the mirror, brushing her silver hair and still adjusting to the feeling of… being alive again.
Every breath felt like a miracle — and a warning.
A gentle knock sounded."Elena? Are you ready?" It was Liora, cheerful as always.
Elena forced a smile and opened the door. "As ready as I'll ever be."
The hallway buzzed with noise — students rushing to classes, gossip floating like perfume.
"Elena came back from the dead… literally."
"I heard her magic exploded."
"Kael and Lucian fought because of her."
Elena ignored every whisper.She wasn't the same girl who used to crumble under judgment.
But even she wasn't prepared for what came next.
As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, Kael was already there — standing with arms crossed, shadow magic faintly shimmering around him like frost.
"We're late," he said coldly.
Liora blinked. "We're early."
Kael didn't look at Liora — he only looked at Elena.
"You have evaluation training today. I'll escort you."
Elena raised an eyebrow. "And why would you do that? You hate me."
The smallest flicker of emotion crossed his eyes. "If something happens to you again, the responsibility will fall on me."
Before Liora could protest, someone landed directly in front of them — literally jumped from the balcony.
A swirl of white hair and confidence.
Lucian.
He landed perfectly on his feet, dusting off his uniform jacket — not even out of breath.
"No need to worry, Kael. I'll escort her instead."
Kael stepped forward instantly. "You're not a student OR a teacher. You don't belong here."
Lucian smiled lazily. "Yet here I am."
Elena sighed dramatically. "I don't need an escort parade."
Both men froze — and then spoke at the same time:
"I'm not doing this for you."
"I'm only doing this for your safety."
They glared at each other.
Liora whispered to Elena, "This is… kind of cute. Terrifying, but cute."
Elena rubbed her temples. She had no idea how to deal with this rivalry — especially on her second day of reincarnated life.
To break the tension, she walked past both of them.
"If you want to follow me, fine. But I'm not choosing either of you."
Kael and Lucian exchanged a death stare — then followed.
🔥 Training Arena — Evaluation Test
The arena smelled like steel and magic. Students formed a circle to watch, whispering excitedly.
At the center, the instructor announced:
"Elena Voss will demonstrate her elemental alignment."
Elena's stomach twisted — the original Elena had dangerous power she didn't understand yet.
She placed her palm over the crystal orb on the pedestal.
Nothing happened.
The crowd laughed softly.
"She really lost her magic."
"She's just normal now."
Elena tried to pull away — but her hand stayed stuck to the crystal, as if magnetized.
Her heartbeat accelerated.
The crystal pulsed once.
Then again.
Then it shattered.
A shockwave tore through the arena — wind and light swirling around her. Symbols burst from her body like wings made of ancient runes.
Students screamed and fell back. Teachers threw spells of protection.Kael raised his sword.Lucian summoned demonic sigils in the air.
And Elena — floating inches above the floor — heard a voice in her head:
"Soul of Asterra… awakens."
The magic flash faded. Elena collapsed — Kael caught her instantly, cradling her carefully despite the chaos.
Lucian approached, eyes sharp and breath unsteady. "That wasn't elemental magic. That was… soul magic."
The instructor stared at Elena like she was a miracle and a catastrophe.
Students whispered with a new tone — not mocking anymore.
Fear.
"A Soulbearer… that means she's the key to the prophecy."
"If she loses control, the world ends."
Elena pushed herself away from Kael, trembling. "I'm