The dorm room buzzed with laughter that evening.
Sarah flopped dramatically onto her bed. "If Instructor Kai makes us run one more lap, I'm going to pretend I've mastered teleportation."
Mia laughed. "You'd teleport straight into detention."
Stella tossed a pillow at her. "You already live there."
Wendy smiled softly. "At least training ended early today."
Ferah leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Barely."
Alexa sat on her bed listening, trying to relax — though her mind still wandered.
Suddenly —
"Oh!" Ferah said, reaching for a book — her hand accidentally tugged Alexa's wig.
It slipped slightly.
Alexa gasped and grabbed it quickly. "It's fine — I've got it."
Sarah tilted her head gently. "Alexa… why are you hiding your hair?"
"It's just… personal," Alexa said quietly.
Mia leaned forward. "We're your friends."
Stella nodded. "You can trust us."
Wendy smiled. "Please?"
Alexa hesitated… then sighed.
"…Okay."
Slowly, she removed the wig.
Her hair fell free — pure red, glowing softly like flickering flame.
The room went silent.
Sarah whispered, "Whoa…"
"That's stunning," Mia said.
Stella grinned. "You look like magic itself."
Wendy clasped her hands. "It's beautiful."
Ferah nodded approvingly. "Very rare."
Alexa smiled shyly. "Thanks…"
Just then —
Knock.
The door opened.
Headmistress Seraphine stepped in — and stopped mid-step.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Alexa," she said softly, "your natural hair…"
Alexa stood nervously. "Yes, Headmistress."
Seraphine smiled warmly. "You should never hide it."
Alexa blinked. "Really?"
"Yes," Seraphine said. "May I have the wig?"
Alexa handed it over.
Seraphine placed it on a small table, poured a vial of clear liquid — the wig dissolved with a faint hiss.
Sarah whispered, "That was satisfying."
Seraphine chuckled softly. "You are far more yourself this way."
"Thank you," Alexa said.
Seraphine nodded and left.
Sarah beamed. "Official approval from the boss."
Alexa laughed quietly.
—
The next morning…
Tedros approached her at training.
"Good morning, Alexa," he said gently.
"Morning," she replied, suddenly shy.
He smiled warmly. "Your hair… it's beautiful. Truly. No one here has natural red."
Alexa blushed. "Thank you."
"I think it means something," Tedros said quietly. "You feel… different."
Before she could respond —
"Well, isn't this sweet."
Valerina arrived with her friends.
She rolled her eyes at Alexa. "Trying to stand out now?"
She leaned and lightly kissed Tedros on the cheek.
Tedros stepped back. "Valerina, please."
She smirked at Alexa. "Try not to burn anything today."
They walked off laughing.
Alexa's stomach tightened.
Tedros said softly, "Ignore her."
Alexa nodded.
"I just need some air," she said quietly.
—
Later…
Alexa wandered toward the edge of the academy — toward the forcefield.
She muttered under her breath, "Why does everything feel so confusing…"
Then she noticed —
A thin tear in the shimmering barrier.
"…What is that?"
Curiosity pulled her forward.
She slipped through.
Beyond lay a vast forest — ancient, silent, breathtaking.
"Wow…" she whispered.
She walked slowly among towering trees.
Suddenly —
A blast of freezing water slammed into her.
She cried out as she fell.
"What was that?!"
She looked up.
Standing before her —
A girl.
Same face.
But blue hair shimmering like frost.
They both screamed.
"Aaah!"
Alexa scrambled up, grabbing a fallen branch.
"Who are you?!" she shouted.
"You first!" the girl shouted back.
They stared.
Alexa whispered, "Why do you look like me?"
The girl frowned. "Why do you look like me?"
Together they said, "We look alike."
The girl spoke slowly. "I'm Ariella… your twin."
Alexa shook her head. "No — that's impossible. I have a sister."
Ariella stepped closer. "Our mother… is not who you think."
Alexa's voice shook. "What are you saying?"
Ariella lifted her hand — turning it to reveal the back.
A glowing dragon mark shimmered faintly there.
"Do you have this?" she asked.
Alexa hesitated — then turned her own hand.
At first nothing…
Then heat surged.
A glowing red dragon mark appeared on the back of her hand.
Alexa gasped. "What is happening?!"
Their hair began to glow — fiery red for Alexa, icy blue for Ariella.
Ariella whispered, "It reacts when we're together."
Alexa stared. "You're really my twin…"
Ariella nodded softly. "Yes."
Alexa whispered, "My parents… they never told me…"
Ariella sat on a fallen log. "I don't like what our mother does. She wants power… control."
Alexa swallowed. "She's dangerous?"
"Very," Ariella said quietly. "I come near the school sometimes… just to watch."
Alexa sat beside her. "I feel like everything is changing."
Ariella smiled faintly. "You're not alone anymore."
Alexa asked softly, "Will we meet again?"
Ariella nodded eagerly. "Of course."
She grew serious. "Mother knows you're here. The barrier crack… is only the beginning."
Alexa's heart pounded.
They stood.
"Be careful," Ariella said.
"You too," Alexa replied.
They parted.
—
That night in the dorm…
Sarah laughed about something.
"…and then he tripped over his spell!"
Everyone laughed.
Alexa lay quietly, staring at the ceiling.
My real mother is dangerous…
I have a twin…
And nothing is what I thought.
Sleep came slowly — heavy with questions.