Cursed By Fate

Magic lesson

Chapter 8: Magic Lessons Begin

At the Academy, the atmosphere shifted as the first official lessons in magic began. Every student knew that mastering the elemental and mystical powers bestowed upon them by the gods was crucial. Aria had already been marked as someone dangerous, but now her peers were even more wary. The whispers grew louder as rumors spread about her abilities, and none of the students dared to approach her.

Aria, however, was unaffected. Her cold, indifferent demeanor kept people at a distance, and she preferred it that way. After years of being mistreated by her stepmother and sister, she had learned to trust no one. All she needed was herself and the powers she was determined to master.

The Academy’s magic lessons took place in the ancient stone courtyard, a place filled with powerful energy. The ground was marked with intricate runes that resonated with the students' latent abilities. Today’s lesson would focus on summoning and controlling elemental forces, a critical skill that every student needed to master.

The head instructor for magic, Master Silas, was a formidable sorcerer with sharp features and eyes that glowed faintly with power. He stood before the gathered students, his voice booming across the courtyard.

“Magic is not just a gift; it’s a responsibility,” Master Silas began, his eyes scanning the crowd. “The gods may have chosen you, but your power is raw, undisciplined. Here, we will teach you to control it. Fail to do so, and you’ll destroy yourselves—and those around you.”

He paused, letting his warning sink in, before demonstrating his own magic. With a flick of his wrist, fire ignited in his palm, swirling in a controlled sphere before transforming into a snake made of flame. The students watched in awe as the fire snake coiled around his arm, then dissolved into nothing.

“Now, let’s begin,” he said, turning to the students. “Form your circles, focus on your inner power, and draw it out.”

The students obeyed, nervously stepping into their designated positions on the rune-marked floor. Some immediately summoned their powers—flames flickered, water swirled, and the wind howled around them.

Aria stood still, watching the others. She could feel the dark energy within her, the curse she hadn’t fully understood yet. Her connection to the cursed gods was different, darker, and more dangerous. But she wasn’t afraid. She closed her eyes and began to focus, reaching deep into herself, where the power pulsed like a dormant storm.

As she summoned her energy, a shadowy mist began to form around her, crackling with cursed energy. The runes on the ground beneath her feet glowed a deep crimson, unlike the soft gold or blue of the other students. Her power was raw and fierce, like a caged beast desperate to be unleashed.

The other students paused, staring in shock. Even Master Silas raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the unique magic Aria was channeling. But Aria remained calm, her face betraying no emotion as she continued to summon the dark force within her. A thick, swirling vortex of cursed energy enveloped her, darker and more intense than anything the other students had seen.

When she finally opened her eyes, the magic pulsing around her quieted. She had learned to suppress it, just as she had learned to suppress her emotions. But the display was enough to send a clear message—Aria’s power was nothing to be taken lightly.

Master Silas approached her, his gaze sharp. “Impressive,” he murmured. “But you’re not fully in control yet. Power like that… it can destroy you if you’re not careful.”

“I’m not afraid,” Aria replied simply, her voice steady. “I will master it.”

Silas studied her for a moment, recognizing the resolve in her eyes. “Good. You’ll need that confidence. But remember, your power is not like the others. It’s tied to the cursed gods, and such power comes with a price.”

Aria didn’t respond. She knew the risks, but nothing would stop her from mastering her abilities.

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Meanwhile, in the palace, Prince Ryker trained in his private courtyard, honing his own god-given abilities. He was the strongest in the royal family, chosen by three gods, and his power was unmatched. His swordsmanship was deadly, and his magic—both elemental and divine—was feared by all who faced him.

His younger brother Kael, known for his charm and flirtatious nature, leaned casually against a pillar, watching Ryker spar with the royal guards. Kael, though chosen by only two gods, was still powerful in his own right. His control over air and lightning made him a formidable opponent, but his carefree attitude often masked just how dangerous he truly was.

“Still brooding over the cursed girl, I see,” Kael said, smirking as Ryker brought his sword down on his sparring partner with a swift, precise strike. “You really ought to relax.”

Ryker shot his brother a glare, wiping the sweat from his brow. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Oh, I understand,” Kael said, twirling a dagger in his hand lazily. “But I think you’re overthinking this. She’s just one girl with power. You’re acting like she’s a threat to the entire kingdom.”

Ryker sheathed his sword, his eyes cold and calculating. “She is a threat. Power like hers is unstable. And if the cursed gods chose her, there’s no telling what kind of destruction she could bring.”

Kael shrugged. “You always think everything is a threat. Relax, Ryker. Not everything is a battle.”

Ryker ignored him, his mind already turning to strategy. He didn’t trust the cursed gods, and he certainly didn’t trust Aria. He would keep an eye on her, ready to act if she became a danger to the kingdom.

For now, he would wait. But when the time came, he wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate the threat.