Catherine( The Chosen One)

Chapter 8: Secret of the Hall

The Hall of Magic 🪄

------Catherine Pov.

The echoes of footsteps filled the grand corridor as we followed Lady Owen to our new training room. The air felt different here, charged with a magical energy that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. This part of the academy was reserved for the most advanced students-the alpha Level -and I could feel the weight of that responsibility pressing down on me for unknown reasons. Lilibet walked beside me; her usual confident stride, now tempered with a sense of purpose, made me proud of her. She had been appointed as our supervisor, and though she was my cousin, I knew she would not go easy on any of us. We reached a set of massive doors, intricately carved with symbols I didn't recognize. Lady Owen paused in front of them, turning to face us."This is the Hall of Magic," she said, her voice echoing slightly in the vast space. "It is where you will train, where you will be tested, and where you will face challenges that will push you to the limits of your abilities."With a wave of her hand, the doors swung open, revealing a room unlike any I had ever seen. The walls shimmered with light, shifting in colours as if the room itself were alive. In the centre centred a large circular platform, surrounded by arcane symbols glowing faintly."This place is ancient," Lady Owen continued, stepping into the room. "It has existed since the founding of the academy, and only those with the highest potential are allowed to train here."We all entered the room, the atmosphere heavy with anticipation. Lady Owen gestured for us to gather around the platform.

As the class continued, The Hall of Magic, though ancient and mysterious, began to reveal itself to us in subtle ways. The platform's energy was not just a test of power but of endurance and resilience. One by one, we each took our turn, trying to synchronize with the hall's powerful magic.

But as the session drew to a close, it became clear that not everyone had been successful. The Hall of Magic seemed to accept only a few of us-Edward, Lady Arabella, Lord Theodore, and me-while others struggled, their attempts falling short of the hall's expectations.

Lady Owen, ever observant, noticed the strain on our faces. Her sharp eyes softened slightly as she surveyed the room, understanding that the challenge had taken its toll. She gave a brief nod, signalling the end of the class.

"That will be all for today," she announced, his voice firm but with a note of compassion. "The Hall of Magic has spoken. Rest and prepare yourselves, for this is only the beginning."

The room buzzed with a mix of relief and disappointment as the students began to pack up their things. The energy was still humming faintly, a reminder of the power we had just encountered.

As Lady Owen turned to leave, she paused by the door. "Lilibet," she called out, her tone commanding yet familiar, "see to it that everyone returns safely to their dorms. I have already arranged for the chauffeurs to wait."

Lilibet stepped forward, her authoritative demeanor slipping into place as she took charge. "Yes, Lady Owen," she replied. "Students, please make your way to the exits. Your assigned chauffeurs are waiting outside."

The students moved toward the door, their exhaustion evident, but as they passed by Lady Owen, there was a quiet respect in their eyes. She had pushed them, but she had also recognized their limits.

As I gathered my belongings, ready to follow the others, Lilibet's voice caught my attention.

"Catherine," she called softly, just as I was about to step out of the room. "Stay behind for a moment."

I hesitated, curiosity mingling with apprehension. The other students glanced back at me, but no one lingered. As the last of them exited, the doors closed with a heavy thud, leaving just Lilibet and me in the vast, echoing space.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice steady, though my heart raced with anticipation.

Lilibet approached me, her expression serious but not unkind. "There's something I need to discuss with you," she said quietly. "But not here. We need to talk in a more secure place."

A chill ran down my spine at the implication. I nodded, not entirely sure what to expect but knowing that whatever it was, it was important.

Before I could say more, Lilibet glanced around the room, her eyes narrowing as if she could sense something unseen. "Come, let's go," she urged. "We'll talk on the way back to the dorms."

With that, we exited the Hall of Magic, the heavy doors closing behind us. As we walked down the corridor, the grandeur of the academy's architecture seemed to press in on me, the weight of its history and secrets feeling almost tangible.

As we neared the exit, Lilibet's pace slowed, and she turned to me, her voice low. "The Hall of Magic... it didn't reveal everything today. There are forces at play here that go beyond what we've been taught. And I have a feeling you're at the centre of it all, Catherine."

Her words lingered in the air, filled with implications I couldn't yet grasp. We continued to walk, the tension between us thickening with every step.

Finally, as we reached the academy's grand entrance, Lilibet stopped me once more. "Your chauffeur is waiting outside," she said. "But before you go, know this: your journey here is just beginning. The Hall of Magic has accepted you, but it will test you in ways you can't yet imagine."

As the other students made their way to the waiting cars, Lilibet leaned closer and whispered, "You have the potential to change everything, Catherine. Don't let the academy's traditions hold you back. Embrace who you are."

With that, she stepped back, allowing me to leave. But as I walked out to where the chauffeurs were lined up, I couldn't shake the feeling that today had only scratched the surface of what was to come.

Just as I was about to get into the car, Lilibet's voice called out one last time. "Catherine, wait."

I turned, surprised. "Yes?"

"Stay behind a moment," she said, her tone firm but gentle. "There's something else we need to discuss, something that can't wait."

As the others drove away, I found myself once again alone with Lilibet, standing on the steps of the academy. The evening air was cool, but the weight of what she was about to reveal felt heavy.

"Let's talk," she said, gesturing for me to follow her back inside.

As we reentered the academy, I knew that whatever Lilibet had to say was to make me calm and not anxious.
"Deep down, I honestly couldn't wait for the day to end because I was tired. After having a short talk with Lilibet about her upcoming wedding, she made a hilarious joke that cracked me up, despite my exhaustion."

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From the Author.........

What do you think would become of Edward and Catherine after unlocking their powers?
Will they become closer or distant