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...
The morning began like any other. The sun cast a warm glow over Alfea's sprawling grounds, students bustled to their classes, and the hum of magic in the air was as steady as Vanessa's heartbeat. But even as she sat in her Elemental Magic class, the bond prickled at the edges of her consciousness.
It wasn't unusual to feel Sky's calm resolve or Alexander's quiet intensity throughout the day. But today, their emotions felt sharper, heavier, as if they were bracing for something.
"Vanessa?" Professor Harvey's voice broke through her thoughts.
She blinked, realizing she'd been staring at her untouched spellbook. "Sorry. What were you saying?"
Professor Harvey studied her for a moment, his stern expression softening. "We were discussing elemental synchronization. Care to demonstrate?"
Vanessa hesitated but nodded. She stood and stepped forward, closing her eyes to focus. The air around her shifted, responding to her call. A faint breeze swirled, carrying the scent of earth and ozone, followed by a ripple of water pooling at her feet. Sparks danced at her fingertips as the elements converged, creating a delicate balance of power.
"Well done," Harvey said, nodding in approval. "Synchronization is no small feat. Keep practicing, and you'll refine your control."
Vanessa returned to her seat, her cheeks warm from the praise. But the bond still nagged at her, a low hum of unease that she couldn't shake.
The answer came later that afternoon when Dowling summoned Vanessa, Alexander, and Sky to her office. The headmistress looked as composed as ever, but her sharp eyes betrayed a hint of worry.
"There's been an incident," Dowling began, her tone clipped. "A group of Specialists encountered a Burned One on the outskirts of the forest this morning."
Vanessa's stomach tightened. Burned Ones were rare but deadly, remnants of ancient magic twisted into monstrous forms.
"Was anyone hurt?" Sky asked, his voice steady but laced with concern.
"Fortunately, no," Dowling said. "But the Burned One escaped, and we believe it's moving closer to Alfea. I've assigned additional patrols, but I need the three of you to be prepared."
"Prepared for what?" Alexander asked, his green eyes narrowing.
"The bond between you is more than emotional," Dowling said, her gaze sweeping over them. "It amplifies your abilities. If the Burned One breaches Alfea's defenses, I'll need you three to face it."
Vanessa's pulse quickened. She wasn't ready for this—not yet. But the weight of Dowling's words settled heavily on her shoulders. This wasn't just about her anymore. It was about them.
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The next few days were grueling. Dowling arranged for specialized training sessions, pushing Vanessa, Alexander, and Sky to their limits. They practiced synchronizing their abilities, learning how to anticipate each other's movements and capitalize on their strengths.
