I woke up feeling more exhausted than ever. My dreams had been plagued with flickering lights and crackling energy, a relentless reminder of the chaos from the day before. The room was dim, lit only by the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. As I sat up, the events of yesterday rushed back—my powers, the strange car, and Aegis Academy. It all felt surreal, like I was still caught in a whirlwind of confusion and fear.

I rubbed my eyes and glanced at the clock on my nightstand. The school day had already begun, but I was too unsettled to care about being late. I tried to piece together what had happened at the academy, my thoughts scattered. The academy was supposed to be a place for people like me, but I couldn’t shake the anxiety of being thrust into such an unfamiliar world. I knew I had to learn more about my abilities and the new environment I was in, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still very wrong.

After a quick breakfast, I headed down the stairs, my mind racing with questions about Aegis Academy and my own powers. The excitement from yesterday had faded into a heavy uncertainty. I knew that today would bring new challenges, but the thought of facing them was daunting. As I stepped outside, I tried to steady my nerves. With a deep breath, I prepared myself for whatever the day might bring.

Celestia breezed into the room, her presence almost as captivating as the stardust she wielded. Her hair shimmered like a constellation, and she greeted me with a warm smile. "Hey, Gia. The principal has decided that I’ll be your new roommate starting tonight," she said, her voice light and reassuring. "I think we’ll make a great team. I’m excited to show you the ropes and help you get settled in."

I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease with her friendly demeanour. The idea of having Celestia as a roommate was comforting, especially with all the strange newness around me. Before I could respond, the school bell rang, signalling the start of the day’s classes.

Celestia led me to the first class, which was called "Power Dynamics and Enhancement." As we walked in, the room was filled with students already buzzing with energy. The instructor, a -tall woman with a commanding presence, explained that this class was all about demonstrating our powers, understanding their full potential, and learning ways to enhance them.

Celestia turned to me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "This is where you’ll learn how to harness your abilities, Gia. It’s not just about control; it’s about growth and understanding your strengths. I’m sure you’ll do great."

As the instructor began to demonstrate various exercises, from controlling elemental forces to creating energy shields, I felt a surge of anticipation. Today was going to be the beginning of a new chapter, not just in my life, but in my understanding of who I was and what I could become.

As Celestia and I chatted, the instructor, Ms. Skye, called me up to the front. “Gianna, why don’t you come up and show us what you’ve got?” she asked, her tone encouraging but firm.

I made my way to the front, my nerves starting to get the best of me. I closed my eyes, trying to summon the electricity that had been so erratic since I got here. My hands felt tingling, but the power wouldn’t quite manifest. The classroom erupted in snickers-

and whispers. “Looks like she’s not so powerful after all,” someone said, and the laughter grew louder.

My face flushed with embarrassment and anger. I hated feeling weak and judged, especially in front of everyone. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus, determined to prove them wrong. Ms. Skye noticed my struggle and spoke up, her voice cutting through the noise. “Come on, Gia. Show them who you really are. Don’t let them define your limits.”

Her words were a catalyst. I clenched my fists, and as I concentrated, I felt a surge of energy building inside me. The room went quiet as I finally unleashed my power. Brilliant arcs of electricity danced around my hands, crackling with intensity. The air itself seemed to hum with the force of my abilities. The lights flickered and dimmed, reacting to the energy I was generating.

The laughter ceased, replaced by stunned silence and wide eyes. Slowly, applause started to build, and the entire class was clapping and cheering. I could feel the electricity coursing through me, strong and controlled. The validation and the applause were a powerful boost, affirming that I wasn’t just a weak link in the chain but a force to be reckoned with.

As Celestia and I walked down the hallway, still talking about everything that happened in class, we nearly collided with a tall guy coming around the corner. He had dark hair and a laid-back expression, like nothing ever fazed him. Just as I was about to apologize, he did something that made me stop in my tracks—he walked right through the wall next to us, like it wasn’t even there.

My jaw practically hit the floor. "What just happened?" I muttered, staring at the spot where he vanished.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

He reappeared on the other side of the wall, completely nonchalant, as if phasing through solid objects was an everyday thing. "Hey, didn’t mean to freak you out," he said with a small, friendly smile. "I’m Dexter Adkins. That’s just one of my tricks. I can phase through stuff. They call it Intangibility—basically, I can pass through solid objects like they’re made of air."

Before I could even wrap my head around that, a girl with striking platinum blonde hair and piercing blue eyes joined us. She had this cool, calm vibe, and I noticed that the air around her seemed a few degrees colder. "And I’m Fiona Frost," she said, offering her hand with a reassuring smile. When I shook it, her touch was icy, but not in a bad way—it was almost soothing, like a breath of fresh air on a hot day. "Dexter loves showing off, but he’s harmless. Intangibility is just one of the perks of being around here. We all have our own thing."

I looked between them, feeling a mix of awe and relief. Here were two people who clearly understood what it was like to be different, to have powers that set them apart from the rest of the world. And they didn’t seem to care that I was new or still figuring out what my abilities even meant.

"It’s nice to meet you both," I said, trying to play it cool, even though my mind was still reeling from what I’d just seen.

Fiona gave me a warm smile. "Don’t worry, Gianna. You’ll get the hang of everything here. And if you ever need help, we’ve got your back."

Dexter nodded in agreement. "Yeah, no one gets left behind at Aegis. You’ll fit right in."

As we walked to Elemental Mastery, Celestia and Dexter filled me in on what to expect. Celestia explained that the class was all about understanding and honing our elemental powers, learning how to control and amplify them. “It’s basically where we figure out what we can do and push our limits,” she said, her voice full of excitement.

Dexter nodded. “It’s one of the most challenging classes, but also the most fun. We get to experiment with our abilities and even duel with each other sometimes—just for practice, of course.” He gave a casual shrug, as if duelling with powers was no big deal.

Fiona chimed in, her voice cool and calm, “My power is ice control. I can manipulate ice in any form, create it out of thin air, and even lower the temperature around me.” She gave a small smile, almost as if she was used to the surprised looks people gave her when they heard about her abilities. “But it’s more than just creating snowflakes. It’s about mastering the element, learning how to use it in ways that most people wouldn’t even think of.”

Hearing them talk made me wonder just how much more there was to my own powers that I hadn’t discovered yet. I felt a mixture of anticipation and nervousness as we reached the door to the classroom. This was where I’d find out just how far I could push myself.

As we entered the Elemental Mastery class, the air crackled with excitement and a bit of tension. It was clear that this was where students honed their control over their elements. Dexter and Celestia explained that this class wasn’t just about practicing powers but also about learning how to use them effectively in various situations. Fiona mentioned that her ice control was great for creating barriers or weapons, but it took a lot of concentration and energy.

Just as I was starting to feel more at ease, a new figure walked in—a girl with strikingly green eyes and an air of arrogance that seemed to follow her like a storm cloud. She was Marina Brooks, and it didn’t take long for me to sense trouble. As Marina glanced around the room, her gaze settled on me with an unsettling intensity. There was something cold and calculating in her expression. I couldn’t help but notice the way she subtly manipulated the water in the room, making the air feel damp and heavy.

It didn’t take long for Marina to start showing off her water manipulation skills. With a flick of her wrist, she made the water in the air swirl around her like a controlled storm. Her power was impressive, but the way she used it to mock and taunt others made it clear she enjoyed being the centre of attention. It wasn’t long before she started targeting me, throwing barbed comments my way while effortlessly manipulating the water around us. The tension in the room grew thicker with every sneer and every ripple of water that seemed to follow her command.

As the class continued, Marina’s taunts grew more personal. She started with subtle digs, but it didn’t take long for her to zero in on me. “So, the new girl thinks she can just waltz in here and make a splash?” she sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Let’s see how well you handle yourself when things get a little... heated.”

I tried to ignore her, but Marina wasn’t finished. She pushed her comments further, mocking my powers and insinuating that I was out of my depth. My anger flared, a crackling surge of electricity sparking at my fingertips despite my efforts to keep it under control. I could feel the energy building inside me, and Marina’s smirk only made it worse.

Suddenly, she waved her hand, and a burst of water shot toward me from the corner of the room. Instinctively, I raised my hand, and a shield of electrical energy formed in front of me, deflecting the water. The room gasped as the water droplets sizzled and evaporated upon contact with the electricity.

Marina’s eyes narrowed, and she glided forward, manipulating the water to form a swirling vortex aimed directly at me. My heart raced, and I let the electricity crackle more intensely around me, feeling its power and potential. I stepped into the vortex, my energy thrumming with intensity, and with a focused thrust, I unleashed a powerful bolt of lightning that shot through the water, dispersing it into a dazzling spray.

At that moment, Mr. Ian Ivy, our Elemental Mastery teacher with the power of plant manipulation, intervened. He stepped between us, vines erupting from the floor to create a barrier. His face was flushed with anger as he addressed Marina. “What do you think you’re doing, Marina? You’re messing with a new student for no reason. This is unacceptable!”

Marina recoiled, her defiant expression faltering as she realized she’d crossed a line. The room fell silent, everyone watching in awe as I stood there, catching my breath, the remnants of electricity flickering around me. It wasn’t just a win; it was a declaration that I wouldn’t be easily intimidated.

As the tension eased, my friends, Fiona and Dexter, came up to me, their faces lit up with admiration. “That was incredible!” Fiona said, her eyes wide. “You really showed her.”

Dexter nodded, giving me a supportive grin. “Yeah, that was something else. You’ve got some serious power.”

I managed a tired smile, feeling a mix of relief and triumph. As the class resumed, I could feel eyes on me—some impressed, some sceptical—but I knew one thing for sure: I had made a powerful statement.