Bellcrest Academy sounded bougie on the brochure, but in real life it was just a glorified prison with homework… except everyone here could do magic.
Morning sunlight sprawled across the courtyard like a lazy cat, glittering off spell orbs and floating textbooks. Everyone flexed their power — fireballs, wind bursts, shapeshifting — all that "look at me" energy. And right in the middle of the chaos stood Kai Velorien, hoodie up, eyes down, doing everything possible to not stand out.
He hated this school. He hated magic. He hated attention more than unripe plantain.
But fate has terrible aim.
Kai wasn't just any student. He was the kid from the old prophecy — the one destined to either save or destroy the magical world. Too bad nobody told him directly; the prophecy just floated around like a rumor, and everyone kept side-eyeing anyone remotely mysterious.
He was trying to blend into the cafeteria line when BOOM!
A spell duel erupted nearby — two ego-inflated seniors fighting over who had the best elemental affinity. Tables shook. Ceiling cracked. People screamed. The teachers were too slow.
Reflex kicked in. Kai raised one hand, not even thinking. A wave of pure, silver energy blasted out — soundless, effortless — freezing the entire explosion like time was paused.
Silence swallowed the hall.
Every student stared. Forks mid-air. Eyes popped. Someone dropped their juice and didn't pick it up.
Kai swallowed hard.
"Great," he muttered. "So much for staying low-key."
Before he could dip, the headmistress stormed in — robes blacker than midnight, eyes sparkling like she already knew something.
"Kai Velorien," she said, voice echoing. "My office. Now."
And just like that, every rumor turned into certainty.
The chosen one had just revealed himself…
and Kai wished the ground would open and swallow him whole.