Inkbound realm

UntitledChapter 7: A Day in the Life of Serena

The sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. I blinked awake, taking a moment to orient myself. The unfamiliar surroundings of Crestwood Academy were slowly becoming my new normal, and each day brought its own set of challenges and surprises.

I glanced over at Lily, my roommate, who was still curled up under her blankets. Her breathing was steady, and she looked peaceful. We had become fast friends since my arrival, her bubbly personality a comforting contrast to the intensity of the academy.

I quietly got out of bed and dressed, choosing a simple outfit of jeans and a fitted black top. Today was going to be another long day of classes, training, and navigating the complex social dynamics of Crestwood. As I slipped on my boots, Lily stirred a nnj m nnd stretched.

"Morning, Serena," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

"Morning, Lily," I replied with a smile. "Ready for another day of adventure?"

She groaned dramatically. "As ready as I'll ever be. What do we have first today?"

"History of Magic, then Combat Training," I said, checking our schedule. "And I heard there's a guest lecturer coming in for Magical Ethics."

Lily's eyes lit up at that. "Ooh, I hope it's Professor Ashford. He's amazing!"

We finished getting ready and headed to the dining hall for breakfast. The hall was bustling with students, and the air was filled with chatter and the clinking of silverware. As we joined the line, I couldn't help but notice Sebastian at a nearby table, deep in conversation with a group of students. His presence was magnetic, and I felt a strange mix of emotions whenever I saw him—curiosity, wariness, and something else I couldn't quite identify.

We found a spot at the edge of the hall, and I started to dig into my food. As I ate, I felt a pair of eyes on me and looked up to see Sebastian watching me from across the room. He quickly looked away when our eyes met, but the moment lingered in my mind.

"Serena? Earth to Serena!" Lily waved a hand in front of my face, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Sorry, what did you say?" I asked, focusing back on her.

"I was just saying that we should team up for the combat exercises today. I could use your help perfecting my defense spells," she said with a grin.

"Sure, sounds like a plan," I replied, pushing thoughts of Sebastian aside.

Classes that morning were intense. The History of Magic lecture covered ancient conflicts between realms, and I couldn't help but think about the ongoing tension between Avalon and the Shadow Realm. Professor Aldridge's voice droned on about treaties and wars, but my mind kept drifting to Alex and Sebastian. Both of them were entangled in this history, and somehow, so was I.

Combat Training was a welcome distraction. Lily and I paired up, and I found solace in the physicality of the exercises. Blocking her spells and countering with my own required full concentration, and for a while, I was able to push all other thoughts from my mind.

"Nice block!" Lily exclaimed as I deflected her energy bolt with a shimmering shield.

"Thanks," I said, panting slightly. "You're getting better at your attacks."

We practiced for another hour, the camaraderie between us growing stronger with each passing minute. By the end of the session, we were both sweaty and exhausted, but in good spirits.

"Let's grab some lunch," Lily suggested as we left the training grounds.

The dining hall was crowded again, but we managed to find a table. As we ate, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Alex standing there, his usual confident smile in place.