A Winged's Blue Heart

CHAPTER ONE - The Academy

"Wait! Kelly! Where are you taking me?" Kelly is pulling my hand that I almost stumbled.

"Cliyan you're walking really slow, we need t hurry!"

Puzzled, I asked her, "Ah? Where are we going?" and then we suddenly stopped. "We're here!" she exclaimed.

Woah! I was surprised that we are already at the Training Garden. What's more astonishing is that currently, Weir Andy and the disciple considered as the strongest in the academy are currently having a match.

"Aah!!!"

Weir-Andy was thrown a ten meters backwards, everything went so fast I wasn't able to follow what happened. One thing is clear though, the one considered as the strongest disciple won the match.

What's his name again? I can't remember...

Suddenlty the crowd began cheering, "Nicolai! You're so cool! We love you!"

Ah, right! Nicolai, that's his name. the one considered as the strongest disciple.

I only entered the academy a few weeks ago so I am not yet familiar with everything around here, I was just lucky to meet Kelly who's been here for a year already. This is not a normal academy; this is where people who have 'unique' abilities gather and learn how to manipulate these abilities.

Just like me.

This is the Nephilaria Academy, sounds weird right? Well I'm weird anyway. I am not like those super cool ability users who can manipulate different elements at will, I'm just an ordinary disciple here. If you're wondering why I said that, it's just basically the truth.

In this academy, there are those who are considered to be strong while the others are weaklings. To be more specific, we are classified according to our abilities and assigned to the league where we belong.

The top three leagues, the Clouts, the Flamers and the Vapors. The Clouts league is considered as the number one league, it comprised of the strongest disciples in the entire academy, especially those who can use two or more 'elemental' abilities. The Flamers league is comprised of the fire element wielders, they can attack at a large scale and even at long range. The Vapors league is comprised of the water element wielders, the disciples in this league can also use healing and barrier manipulation abilities.

The supporting leagues are the Berserkers, the Hovers, the Crucibles, the Sabers and the Flimsies. The Berserkers league is composed of earth element wielders with indomitable strength, they are really suitable for close combats. The Hovers league consists of wind element wielders or the so-called gravity-defiers. The Crucibles league is the league of the metal element wielders. The Sabers league consists of light element wielders. And the last league and considered as the weakest, the Flimsies; those who can't wield any element but can use other minor abilities such as shape-shifting, teleportation, and invisibility belong to this league. Kelly and I belong to this league. Kelly can use teleportation while I can use invincibility.

I was once in a normal school, where we are graded according to our knowledge and physical activities like sports and crafting. But then one night, on my way home, I was discovered by a Weir. I was using my ability to escape from strangers who were following me. And since then, everything changed.

-o-

I am not particularly busy today, I don't have anymore classes this afternoon so I am staying at the canteen with Kelly. This is where I usually stay because I love to eat, especially spaghetti.

"Cliyan, why are you always wearing a jacket?" Kelly suddenly asked me while eyeing my jacket.

I looked at my own jacket, "Do I look weird?" I asked. "A bit." She admitted.

"My skin easily turns red so I cover it up." I really have a sensitive skin that's why I usually wear jackets. Though I think it really seems weird. "Oh, you really have a fair skin Cliyan, unlike me." Kelly has a tan skin, she doesn't know it by I envy her because she can wear anything she likes without worrying about her skin.

"Anyway, I wish we could see the Great Genius again today." Kelly said with her dreamy eyes. She's actually referring to the strongest disciple Nicolai. "He's so handsome and perfect, with that rare talent and good looks, his future wife would really be lucky!"

I can't help but laugh secretly at Kelly, she had a crush on Nicolai ever since she first saw him in this academy. I saw him twice already, during the entrance ceremony and during the match yesterday. I wonder why all the girls are cheering for him when he's not even bothering about them.

I think he's a cold-hearted man and doesn't care about weaklings like us.

Even though I think this way, I can't really say it out loud. When I saw him yesterday, his eyes were so calm and he's not even showing any emotion even during the fight.

"Hey, Cliyan! Are you really going to let me talk to myself? Why aren't you saying anything?"

I stared at Kelly, "I wa-"

I was about to tell her I want to go back to the dormitory when suddenly...

"Cliyan! Kelly! Quick come with me! We are in a state of emergency!" Jade, one of our roommates called out to us, we immediately followed her.

When we arrived at the Royal Hall, the Guardians are already giving instructions. There is an enemy attack!

"Those of the Vapor League, carry the wounded to the Aviary, those proficient in barrier creation, hurry and help the Weirs to reinforce the barrier!"

"Flimsies! Hovers! Assist the Vapor League in bringing the injured!"

"Flamers! Sabers! To the east wing! Focus your attacks on the witches!"

"Crucibles! Reinforce the Berserkers' steel armors and weapons! Hurry!"

When the battle was over, everyone felt so tired. Kelly, Jade and I were currently at the Aviary providing assistance. The Vapors skilled in barrier creation are still reinforcing the damaged barrier while those proficient with healing are helping the Weirs.

We learned that during the battle, the Clouts were the first to be deployed against the enemies and no one among them was injured. Those who suffered injuries were mostly Flimsies and Hovers who were outside the barrier collecting herbs for the Aviary and some Berserkers who went to combat against the enemies.

"I heard there was only one survivor from the enemy this time." One of the disciples who just entered the Aviary spoke.

"What will happen to that survivor?" "Maybe they will kill it too."

"Oh what a pity." "Don't pity that survivor, it's us or them who's going to be killed in this battle. So why pity them?"

As I was listening to their conversation, I really got curious. Will the academy really kill the survivor? During my stay in the academy, this is already the second time we are attacked. Based from what I learned, the academy has been battling the enemy for centuries already. The enemy, the Druid race, is led by the Demoness - the strongest Druid. They have been harboring hatred for the Nephilarians since long ago.

But what bugs me is that, the reason for this war was never explicitly explained. Everytime we ask the Weirs for the details, they would always reply, "The Druids have always been an evil race trying to corrupt the Nephilarians with their barbaric ways."

Evil race? I can't fathom the reason why but it makes me feel that there is more to it than it seems. And I can't shake the feeling of yearning to know the real reason behind it.

--o--