Vanessa has spent her life believing she was abandoned, shuffling between neglectful foster homes and haunted by strange nightmares. When her suppressed magic resurfaces, she is thrust into the mysterious world of Alfea, a school for fairies. There...
Vanessa had always felt like she was living in two worlds-one real and the other just out of reach. The real world was predictable, even mundane: classes, training sessions, and the endless cycle of trying to blend in at Alfea. But the other world, the one that lingered on the edges of her dreams, was something entirely different.
It had started weeks ago. At first, the dreams were fleeting, like the half-remembered remnants of a story told long ago. She'd see flashes of faces, never quite clear, and feel emotions that weren't hers-anger, protectiveness, warmth, and something deeper, something she couldn't name. Lately, though, the dreams had intensified. The faces in her mind were sharpening, becoming more distinct. One man had piercing green eyes and a brooding intensity, while the other had a steadiness in his gaze, his blond hair catching the light like gold.
Each night, Vanessa woke up drenched in sweat, the echoes of the dreams clinging to her skin like static electricity. She didn't know what they meant, but they left her feeling raw, exposed. It was as if her very being was vibrating with some unseen force, and no amount of distraction could dull the sensation.
Today, the feeling was worse than ever. She could feel it under her skin-a pulsing hum that made her jittery and unfocused. The morning had been a blur of poorly executed spells in Elemental Magic and stumbling through her assignments in Combat Magic. Even Terra had noticed.
"You're really off today," Terra said, frowning as they walked back from the cafeteria. "Is everything okay?"
Vanessa shrugged, hugging her arms to her chest. "I don't know. I've just... felt weird lately."
"Weird how?"
"It's hard to explain," Vanessa said, her voice trailing off. She didn't want to burden Terra with her confusion, especially when she didn't fully understand it herself.
"Well, if you need anything, you know where to find me," Terra said, her concern genuine.
Vanessa smiled faintly, appreciating Terra's kindness. But deep down, she knew this was something she had to face alone.
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After lunch, Vanessa found herself wandering the training fields, her feet carrying her to the one place she thought might help. The hum under her skin had grown louder, more insistent, and she hoped that physical activity might quiet it. She hadn't planned to run into anyone, but when she entered the sparring room, someone was already there.
Alexander was practicing with a sword, his movements precise and calculated. He wore the Specialist uniform with a natural ease, his dark brown hair damp with sweat. Vanessa hesitated in the doorway, unsure whether to interrupt. But Alexander noticed her before she could decide.
"Vanessa," he said, lowering his sword. His green eyes met hers, and she felt a flicker of something-recognition? Familiarity? She shook the thought away.
"Sorry," she said quickly. "I didn't mean to interrupt."
"You're not interrupting," Alexander said, his tone even. He gestured toward the rack of training weapons. "Looking to practice?"
