Page 7 of The Blackened Blade

She shoves me back and I hit the ground hard, my head spinning and pain slicing through me before everything goes dark around me, only the fading sound of Seria’s heels moving further away from where I lie.

I loosen the grip I have on the window sill, my knuckles white with my hold on it.

I gaze once again toward the main academy building, a small grin pulling at my lips.

“Enjoy it while you can, because this time…I’ll be the one to give you all a taste of real misery.”

CHAPTER3

Idon the traditional navy and black uniform, brushing my hand down over the gold embroidered academy crest of the fitted blazer and toward its matching pleated skirt. Fixing my white shirt collar, I take the red tie from on top of the dresser. It was a helpful indication of what year I was in at least.

The academy was broken up into five years; from the ages of fifteen and sixteen to twenty and twenty-one. It was supposed to be for supernaturals to learn how to control their abilities and powers better, and to learn about the world and its history at a grander scale.

But mainly it was just a hierarchical breeding ground for students to form connections that they would later benefit from after the academy.

Prestige and power was everything, even in the supernatural community.

Who you were and what family you came from was what determined your position. Whether you were feared, admired, or an outcast, it was all decided by your blood or supernatural abilities.

Unfortunately for me, even though I had come from a powerful clan,one of the oldest clans in the Realm,my lack of power left me a pariah, even in my own family.

Which made me an easy target.

I grab the tie and loop it around my neck, securing the crimson knot.

The academy had a colour system for each year; Ivory for First years, Emerald for Second years, Crimson for Third years, Navy for Fourth years and Black for Fifth years.

Thankfully with this, I was able to figure out that I was in my third year. Which meant I was either seventeen or eighteen years old depending on the month.

My hand stills as I’m smoothing out my tie.I had gone back almost ten years.

I shake my head before adjusting my white shirt collar once again. Brushing my fingers through my long rosy strands, it felt soft and smooth to touch, so different from the tight cut they had given me for years at the facility.

My fingers catch on a small knot at the end of my long strands. I wasn’t used to taking care of such long hair. As pretty as it was, it would still be difficult to maintain. I’d have to do something about it later.

I take one final look in the small mirror on the dresser and brush my fingers over the reflection I see there, a small smile embracing my lips as I make my way to the door.

No matter what happens from now on, I will be free. Freer than I ever was before.

I would choose my own path, no matter what that meant or where it would lead me.

I’ll fight for the second chance I’ve been given.

I make my way down the dormitory stairs as another loud bell rings from the main academy, signalling the start of school.

From what I remember, classes would start about ten minutes later.

I open the door and take a step out of the dormitory building. The sun shines brightly in the sky as the scents of pinewood and wildflowers drift from the forest to me. A light breeze brushes through my hair as it properly hits me.

I was free.

Physicallyfree.

How long had it been since I had seen the sun in the sky, or smelled fresh air? How long had it been since I was able to move around as I please, and outside at that?

My breath catches in my chest, as a realisation dawns on me.

I could never have this taken from me again. This freedom.

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