Cursed By Fate

New Beginning

: A New Beginning

The gates of the Academy loomed before Aria, ornate and imposing, a stark contrast to the chaotic life she had just escaped. She took a deep breath, pushing away the remnants of her past and stepping forward into her new life.

As she entered the grand courtyard, students buzzed around her, their laughter and chatter echoing off the stone walls. The sight should have filled her with excitement, but a heavy weight hung in the air—a tension that wrapped around her like a shroud.

Whispers filled the space as students glanced her way, their expressions a mix of curiosity and disdain. “That’s her,” one girl whispered, her voice dripping with contempt. “The one who nearly killed her stepmother.”

“She’s dangerous,” another chimed in. “I heard she was chosen by the cursed gods.”

Aria kept her head high, her expression neutral, even as their words pierced her. She didn’t care what they said; she had long learned to shield herself from the judgment of others. Their opinions were inconsequential, mere echoes of her past life that she refused to let haunt her.

In the shadows of the courtyard, groups of students pointed and laughed, their eyes flickering with a mix of fear and fascination. They avoided her like she was a plague, creating a wide berth whenever she passed. The whispers trailed after her, like phantoms lingering in the corners of her vision.

“Think she’ll actually last here?” a boy snickered, nudging his friend.

“She’s just a freak with a gift,” his friend replied, rolling his eyes. “No one wants to be around her.”

Aria bit back a bitter smile. The labels didn’t bother her; they simply reinforced her resolve. She wasn’t here to make friends or prove herself to anyone. She had a purpose—to master her powers and forge her own path.

She made her way to her assigned dormitory, the heavy door creaking open to reveal a modest room. A single bed, a desk, and a small window greeted her. It was sparse, but it felt like a sanctuary—a place where she could finally be alone with her thoughts.

As she unpacked her belongings, the sound of laughter echoed from outside. A group of girls passed by, giggling as they threw sidelong glances at her window. “Imagine if she tried to use her powers here,” one girl said, her tone dripping with mockery. “We’d all be toast.”

“Or worse,” another added. “I heard she has the power to inflict curses. Who knows what she could do?”

Aria closed her eyes, shutting out their voices. She could feel the weight of their scrutiny, the way they saw her as a threat, but she wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of knowing they affected her. She was stronger than they realized, and she would prove it.

Days turned into weeks, and the initial curiosity about Aria faded into a cold acceptance among her peers. They avoided her in the halls, their whispers growing fainter but no less hurtful. Aria found solace in her solitude, practicing her swordsmanship in secret and honing her powers when no one was around.

One evening, as she trained alone in the courtyard, she felt a shift in the air. A group of students had gathered to watch her, their faces a mixture of apprehension and intrigue. They watched as she moved with grace and precision, her sword glinting in the fading sunlight.

“Maybe she isn’t as weak as we thought,” one boy murmured, his eyes wide with awe.

“She’s just hiding behind her blade,” another scoffed, but Aria could sense the uncertainty in his voice.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting shadows across the courtyard, Aria finished her training session and lowered her sword. She turned to face her onlookers, meeting their gazes with a steely determination.

“Keep your distance if you’re afraid,” she called out, her voice clear and unwavering. “I won’t harm anyone who doesn’t provoke me.”

Their whispers resumed, but Aria was unfazed. She had claimed her space, and she wouldn’t let anyone intimidate her again. The Academy may have seen her as an outcast, but she was determined to forge her own destiny, even if it meant standing alone.

With renewed resolve, she walked away from the curious crowd, her heart steady and her mind focused on the challenges that lay ahead. She had the power of the cursed gods within her, and she would use it to carve a place in this world, no matter how daunting the path might be.

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