Cerulean Chapter 1

Witch

"Up, Princess! Time waits for none!" Preceptor Mirriam's stern voice cut through the quiet morning air as she yanked the covers from the youngest Carian princess. Ranni groaned in protest, her red hair splayed across the pillow. The sunlight crept through the curtains, reaching her still-sleepy eyes, and she buried her face deeper into the softness of her pillow, only to feel it taken away as well.

"Just five more minutes, Mirriam..." Ranni pouted, curling into a tight ball, pulling her knees to her chest as though she could block out both the light. She knew Mirriam's patience was wearing thin, but all Ranni wanted was just a few more precious moments of sleep. After all, the induction ceremony seemed so trivial to the twelve-year-old girl compared to her warm bed.

"You'll have no more minutes, Princess. Your mother awaits your presence, and so does the academy staff. It's time to wake yourself, Ranni." At the mention of her mother, Ranni's eyes snapped open, the dull weight of sleep quickly lifting.

"Mother's going to be there?" Ranni asked eagerly, her tone shifting from reluctance to excitement. She shot up from the bed, her feet hitting the cool floor as she rushed to the ornate closet. Throwing open the wooden doors with a forceful swing, she rummaged through the robes meant for the ceremony. The attire wasn't anything special, a simple blue garb like the other students of Raya Lucaria wore but it came with a crimson ceremonial sash that set it apart.

Mirriam, ever the patient caretaker, helped Ranni slip into the robes, guiding her small arms through the sleeves. "Of course, your mother is the headmistress. She will preside over the ceremony," Mirriam explained, smoothing out the folds of the robe.

Ranni's shoulders sagged slightly at the news. "Oh... so she's just there as headmistress," she muttered. The brief excitement drained from her as quickly as it had come. She wanted to see her mother not just as the distant headmistress but as someone who would celebrate her moment. She glanced up as Mirriam adjusted the sash. "Do you think Father will come?" There was a hopeful note in her voice, though it was laced with doubt, as her father was quite inconsistent in his appearances.

Mirriam paused, her brow furrowing slightly. "Perhaps he will. It is the beginning of your formal education, after all." But Ranni knew better. Her father, Radagon, had been absent for much of her life, caught between the duties of scholar and counselor to Queen Marika and the Golden Order.

"He hasn't visited since I was seven." Ranni pulled the fabric tighter around herself. She barely remembered his face now—his visits had grown fewer and fewer since he left for the north on some mission, accompanied by her aunt Rellana.

"I'm sure they'll both be proud of you, Princess." Mirriam's voice held a gentle warmth as she patted Ranni's vibrant red hair. She opened the door to the hallway, motioning Ranni through with a quick gesture. "Now, run along to the courtyard. The ceremony won't wait, and neither will the rest of the academy."

Ranni huffed softly, puffing her cheeks in an exaggerated pout as she trudged forward. Everything was moving far too quickly for her liking. Mirriam vanished as soon as Ranni passed through the doorway, leaving behind only a shimmer of ethereal light where the preceptor once stood.

Despite her youth, Ranni wasn't overwhelmed. She'd spent her childhood at Caria Manor, raised mostly by Mirriam and her aunt Rellana before her aunt's duties pulled her away to Leyndell. She had visited the academy a few times but never stayed long enough to feel at home within its stone walls. The grand halls, the floating candles, the ever-watchful statues of ancient sorcerers, all seemed slightly foreign to her.

Her footsteps echoed in the empty hallways as she made her way toward the courtyard. This place had always seemed more her brother's domain. Radahn, her older brother, had begun his education two years prior. Even though she had only heard stories of his struggles with glintstone magic, she imagined him walking these halls with the same giddy expression he always wore during their time at Caria Manor, and now, it was her turn.

Ranni crept quietly around a corner, her small form hidden by the grand bookcase-filled walls of Raya Lucaria. Voices echoed softly, catching her ear. Curiosity flickered in her golden eyes as she peeked out, careful not to make a sound.

Ahead, she saw a young man with brown stubble on his face, dressed in the familiar garb of the Carian knights. His hazel eyes were soft as he spoke to a girl standing beside him—a girl about Ranni's age. The girl was a head shorter than Ranni, with sleek black hair that shimmered with a purplish tint under the morning light. Her skin was olive-toned, and she wore robes identical to Ranni's, though they seemed to fit her differently, more unnaturally, almost as if the girl was uncomfortable in human garments.

Ranni watched the tender interaction between father and daughter. The knight smiled warmly, patting his daughter's head who nuzzled against it, and the two began walking together toward the courtyard. But as they strode, the girl's gaze suddenly shifted backwards, meeting Ranni's spying eyes. Ranni's heart skipped. The girl's emerald eyes, with irises slit like a reptile's, stared right at her. Ranni quickly ducked back, pressing herself against the wall, breath held in her chest. She waited a moment, listening to their footsteps fade before she continued down the hallway, slower this time, cautious not to cross their path again.

When she finally reached the courtyard, Ranni stepped onto the wet grass, feeling the morning dew soak through her slippers. The air was cool, carrying the fresh scent of damp earth, and the grand expanse of the academy's heart sprawled before her. Wooden chairs had been set out for the incoming students, a few were already occupied.

Ranni noticed the girl from earlier sitting in one of the chairs, her reptilian green eyes now turned elsewhere. Ranni's gaze moved to the two boys seated nearby. One had striking long white hair, streaked with strands of black, and wore a stern, almost irritable expression. His pale yellow eyes met hers briefly before he returned to the book in his lap, his focus as intense as his demeanor. Ranni frowned slightly; his seriousness bothered her, though she couldn't quite explain why. The other boy, however, smiled at her—an easy, welcoming smile. His black eyes shone against his pale face, the same as his greasy black hair, his skin seemed almost unnaturally delicate, as if he had never once stepped outside.

Ranni took a seat next to him, glancing around the courtyard. Stone stairs connected the open space to various hallways of the academy, and a grand bridge spanned from the dormitories to the teaching hall. In the distance, she could see the lift that led to the Grand Library. The entire place felt vast, but not unfamiliar.

"It seems we shall be peers soon," the boy beside her said, his voice carrying a nasal tone with a slight sneer. "I'm Seluvis, and that's my brother Gideon," he added, nodding toward the serious boy with the book. "You're Princess Ranni, correct?"

Ranni tilted her head slightly, her posture cool but polite. "You are correct. It's a pleasure to meet you," she said, though her voice was restrained, careful not to invite too much familiarity. As she spoke, two more children took the seats beside her. One was a girl with pitch-black hair, her pale face dotted with freckles. She smiled shyly, her light blue eyes shimmering. The other was a boy, who seemed nervous, his features plain, brown hair, and brown eyes, he sniffed loudly as he sat, looking jittery, Ranni barely spared him a glance.

Seluvis grinned at her, though there was something unsettling about his smile. Ranni returned a brief, hesitant smile in response, but her attention quickly drifted. Her gaze caught the tanned girl from earlier, sitting an empty seat away from Gideon to Ranni's left, side-eyeing her with a curious intensity. Ranni's lips tightened, and she returned the stare with a glare of her own before turning her head back to the stage, where the ceremony would soon begin.

The teachers filed in, one by one. First came the renowned Professors Azur and Lusat. Ranni knew well of Azur, the primeval sorcerer whose name echoed through the annals of magical history alongside names like Rabbath and Chelona. Lusat was lesser known, at least to her, but his reputation as a skilled sorcerer from Selia preceded him, apparently he was well versed in gravity magic; she had received letters from her brother praising his curriculum. Following them was the brown-haired knight Ranni had seen in the hallway. He settled into his seat with a wave to his daughter, who responded with a vigorous wave of her own. Next came Preceptor Mirriam, slipping in quietly to take her seat beside the knight. Four more educators followed, sitting on the other side of the headmaster's chair, each wearing Glintstone crowns indicating their respective conspectus. Ranni didn't recognize them, and they appeared to be recent additions to the staff.

A large wooden table was set before the faculty, and various objects—scrolls, artifacts, and books—were placed atop it in preparation for the ceremony.

Finally, Ranni's heart fluttered as Rennala appeared, gliding onto the stage with effortless grace. Her flowing robes trailed behind her, and the curved crown atop her head made her seem taller, more imposing, than anyone present. Ranni's face brightened with a smile, and she gave a small wave, hoping her mother would see. To her joy, Rennala noticed, smiling warmly as she waved back. Ranni's chest swelled with pride, and she slowly lowered her hand, returning her focus to the ceremony.

Yet something puzzled her. She noticed an empty chair beside her mother, positioned between Rennala and the brown-haired knight. It struck her as odd. All the teachers should have been present by now, and the absence of one felt like an insult to the academy and its students. Ranni clenched her fists slightly, deciding that if she ever met this teacher, she would give them a stern piece of her mind.

"Students, welcome. I am Rennala, Headmistress of this academy, and it is Raya Lucaria's honor to have you," her mother began, her voice clear and authoritative. "Amongst you today is my very own—"

Before she could finish, Preceptor Mirriam appeared beside her, whispering something in her ear. Ranni noticed the subtle shift in her mother's expression—a blink of surprise, followed by a change in focus. Rennala's eyes moved past the students, toward the entrance to the courtyard. A hush fell over the crowd, and everyone followed her gaze, anticipation heavy in the air.

Ranni felt the mood shift around her, and despite the cold breeze that blew past, she kept her eyes fixed on the entrance. The tension was palpable. Many of the teachers instinctively drew their staves, standing at the ready, all except for the brown-haired knight, who remained seated, unmoved by the sudden shift in atmosphere.

Ranni heard a sudden scream from two seats down—a scream not of fear, but of joy. Startled, she turned her head to see the emerald-eyed girl from earlier embracing a boy who had appeared beside her. The boy was pale, almost ghostly in appearance—his skin paper-white, his hair just as bleached, and his eyes an eerie shade of white that seemed to reflect the light like freshly fallen snow. He waved his hand in apology for the commotion, his voice soft, almost like the breath of a winter wind, as he bowed his head.

"No need to apologize, we are welcome here, are we not?" came an unfamiliar high-pitched voice from the teachers' table. Heads turned toward the speaker, revealing a pair of white slippers resting on the table's edge. The owner of those slippers, a shorter woman, who wore white robes, placed her feet on the ground with a silent grace as she stood with a modest grin on her face. Ranni narrowed her eyes, studying the newcomer, there was something about her that felt…familiar. Her sharp blue eyes, her regal bearing—it wasn't long before Ranni realized that the woman shared traits with her very own mother.

The mystery was quickly solved when the young woman grinned widely and introduced herself. "Hello! I am Princess Renna, sister to Rennala. After a brief leave of absence, I've returned to teach here once again. I'll be working alongside Moongrum!" Renna threw an arm around the brown-haired knight from earlier, who now had his head buried in his hands, clearly embarrassed. She gave him a playful side-hug, her giddiness was palpable, while Rennala looked down at her younger sister with a mixture of irritation and reluctant amusement.

"Seat yourself, Renna," Rennala said, her voice carrying both authority and mild exasperation. Renna bowed, still smiling, before finally sitting down.

With her sister settled, Rennala resumed her role, her regal voice echoing across the courtyard. "Students, these shall be your teachers. They will guide you through the various subjects: Medicine in magic, Magical history, Magical theory, and the four Conspectus subjects of magical combat." She paused, allowing her gaze to sweep over the young faces before her. "Now, each of you shall introduce yourselves to your peers and your teachers." She gestured to the pale boy who had caused the earlier excitement. He rose from his seat gracefully and bowed, first to the teachers, then to the other students.

"Hello. I am Borealis, son of Lady Renna. I look forward to studying with you all." His voice was as cold as his appearance, and after bowing once more, he quietly sat down.

Next, the olive-skinned girl stood up, though with much less grace. Her chair clattered to the ground behind her as she rose, drawing several pairs of eyes to the commotion. "Adula," she said bluntly, offering no further explanation or pleasantries. She bent down to retrieve the fallen chair and sat back down with a thud.

Ranni found herself irritated by Adula's lack of decorum. There was a recklessness, a disrespectful air to her, and it rubbed Ranni the wrong way. She resolved, in that moment, to avoid her.

Next came the boy with the long, unkempt hair—Gideon, Seluvis's brother. He stood, pushing his hair back with a deliberate motion so that his pale yellow eyes could be seen. But when he spoke, he addressed only the teachers, his voice soft and reserved. "I am Gideon. I like to read." He said no more, and with an air of disinterest, he slowly lowered himself back into his seat, letting his hair fall once more to obscure his face.

Seluvis stood with a confident smile. He turned his back to the teachers and faced his classmates, making a grand show of it. "Seluvis," he declared with a flourish. "May our studies guide us to great heights." He spun on his heel and bowed to the teachers as well, his actions flamboyant and exaggerated.

Ranni heard a faint scoff beside her—the girl with the freckles was clearly unimpressed by Seluvis's theatrics. Ranni herself found him intriguing, but before she could dwell on it, it was her turn to stand. She felt her knees steady themselves as she rose to her feet, all eyes turning to her.

"I am Ranni, second-born of the Carian lineage. I expect great things from you all," she said firmly, her voice carrying the regal tone she had practiced countless times. Her mother nodded approvingly, while Renna offered a mischievous smile, as if amused by her niece's formality. Ranni sat down, feeling the weight of her family's expectations even more acutely now.

The next to stand was the girl beside her. She rose gracefully, curtsied, and said simply, "Sellen." No more, no less. Ranni appreciated the brevity, though something about Sellen's cold smile left her unsettled. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, it was as though a silent challenge passed between them. Ranni returned the smile, but her guard was already raised.

Finally, the sniveling boy at the end of the row stood up, trembling as he tried to speak. His voice came out as a squeak. "Th-Thops," he stammered before quickly sitting down, his face flushed with embarrassment.

With the introductions complete, Rennala took the floor once more. "You will all share a hall within the academy," she explained, her voice authoritative. "The boys on one side, the girls on the other. Meals will be taken together, and you are encouraged to bond with your peers as these next years will be long and filled with memories."

Ranni half-listened as her mother spoke, her mind already wandering. Her golden eyes scanned the courtyard, searching the crowd of sorcerers. She was looking for one face in particular—her father's. But, as expected, he was nowhere to be seen. It was a familiar disappointment. Radagon was always absent, off attending to duties she was never privy to. Unlike her brother, Ranni had long since grown used to it.

As the ceremony ended and the students were dismissed, some began to move their belongings into the shared rooms, while others stayed behind to say their goodbyes. Seluvis, Gideon, and Sellen quickly made their way to the dormitories, uninterested in farewells. Thops remained, still sobbing in his mother's arms. Borealis and Adula lingered in their seats, seemingly lost in their own world.

Ranni was about to seek out her mother when a sudden, bounding figure appeared in her path. Renna, her aunt, had leaped over the teacher's table with a broad grin on her face to block Ranni's path, her exuberance almost overwhelming.

"So, you're my niece!" Renna exclaimed, her excitement practically bubbling over. She circled Ranni like a playful cat, bouncing with uncontainable energy. "You're just the cutest little thing! You must be Radagon's daughter—with that red hair, who else could be your sire? It suits you so much better than it does him!"

Ranni stared at her aunt, her expression cool and unamused. She found Renna's behavior undignified—nothing like what she had come to expect from her family. She much preferred the quiet, reserved nature of her aunt Rellana to this erratic whirlwind of energy.

"Indeed, I am the child of Radagon," Ranni replied, her tone slow and deliberate, each word chosen to subtly chastise her aunt's lack of decorum.

Renna either missed the hint or chose to ignore it. "Well, anyway, I'm your Aunty Renna! I'm sure Rennala and Rellana have told you all about me!" she said proudly.

"They have never mentioned you," Ranni said flatly. "Perhaps they saw no reason to."

Renna clutched her chest in mock offense, her smile widening. "Your words sting, child! But I suppose I'll forgive you. I have my own children to attend to." She turned her attention away from Ranni and pounced on Borealis and Adula, enveloping them both in a bear hug as she squealed about how much she had missed Adula. Moongrum stood nearby watching the three embrace before Renna dragged him into the group hug.

Ranni watched the scene with a strange, unfamiliar ache in her chest. She had never been embraced like that—never had someone express such unrestrained motherly affection for her. The only physical affection she had received was the crushing embrace of her brutish brother, which she did appreciate although he did not control his strength well.

She turned away, steeling herself against the feeling and making her way toward the oak table where her mother sat, deep in conversation with the remaining teachers. Ranni stood at the foot of the stage, waiting patiently for her mother to notice her. The wait was long and uncomfortable, but Ranni refused to leave. She needed to speak with her mother—to be acknowledged, if only for a moment.

At last, Rennala stood, her eyes finally falling on her daughter. She motioned for Ranni to approach.

"Little Ranni, I've missed you so much." Rennala's voice was soft, yet it carried a warmth that Ranni had craved for what felt like years. The headmistress extended her slender hand across the oak table, inviting her daughter to take it. "I apologize for my absence at the manor. Radahn has needed private tutoring of late."

Ranni, blinking in surprise, reached out and squeezed her mother's hand. The sudden affection caught her off guard. "Will we be seeing more of each other now that I'm a student at the academy?" she asked, her voice filled with hope. Her golden eyes sparkled as she met her mother's gaze. "I've always known how much you love this place, Mother."

Rennala's expression softened, and a fond smile graced her lips. "Indeed, we shall," she promised, her fingers lightly brushing over her daughter's as she spoke. "This academy... one day, it will all be yours. I hope you will come to cherish it as I have."

Ranni hesitated. "Is Radahn not your heir, Mother?" Her brow furrowed in confusion. The question felt necessary, for as far as she knew, her elder brother should inherit Caria, as was the tradition in many monarchies where the firstborn typically held the birthright.

Rennala let out a quiet, almost wistful sigh as she released Ranni's hand and rose gracefully from her seat. "Radahn and I have already spoken on this. We both wish for Caria's future to pass through you. Since its founding, I have always envisioned Caria being led by a queen. After all, is not the moon—our very symbol—a reflection of womanhood, my dear child?"

A flutter of joy spread through Ranni's chest. For the first time, she felt seen, truly appreciated by her mother. She had lived so long in the shadow of her elder brother, but now she saw a future where she could finally step into her own light. She nodded eagerly, her heart full. "I will do my best to make you proud, Mother."

Rennala's smile widened. "There is no doubt in my heart that you will." Her voice held a note of finality as she placed a gentle hand on Ranni's shoulder, guiding her forward. "Now come, I shall take you to the girls' dormitory, where you will be sharing quarters with your cousin Adula and the young Sellen."

They walked together in companionable silence, leaving the grand courtyard behind as they crossed the stone bridge that led toward the dormitories. Ranni had to quicken her pace to match her mother's long strides, her small slippers tapping lightly against the white brick path. Several times she stumbled, only for Rennala's steady hand to catch her before she could fall. Each touch from her mother felt like a reassurance, a confirmation that she was exactly where she belonged.

At last, they arrived at the dormitory hall, a corridor lined with ornate doors. Rennala pointed out various rooms along the way—the dining hall, the study quarters, each furnished with rich materials fit for scholars of the highest order. Bookshelves and elegant rugs filled the space, making it feel more like a noble estate than a simple student residence.

They stopped in front of one of the larger doors, which bore a painted portrait of the Carian Queen herself hanging beside it. Across the hall, another door bore a portrait of Radagon, Ranni's father.

"These are the girls' quarters," Rennala explained, her voice soft but authoritative. "Adula should arrive shortly. I imagine the two of you will become good friends. She, like Renna, was adopted into our family and has found a home here at the academy. I've asked her to help you learn the layout of this place."

Ranni's face tightened ever so slightly, though she tried to hide her distaste. "I appreciate the gesture, Mother, but I will learn to navigate the academy on my own. I prefer no assistance." Her words were spoken with a formality that belied her young age.

Rennala frowned for a moment, her fingers pausing in midair before she gently stroked Ranni's red hair. "Very well, but should you ever find yourself lost, call for me. I will come for you, sweet daughter."

A small smile crept across Ranni's face as her mother continued to run her fingers through her hair, a rare display of affection. "Thank you, Mother."

"Make an effort to speak with your classmates," Rennala added, her eyes gleaming with pride. "They are a unique bunch, and I suspect you'll find some among them who share your interests." With that, she released Ranni's hair and took a step back. "Now, I must tend to the courtyard. Such tasks are not beneath the headmistress, after all." Her smile softened. "I love you, Ranni. We'll speak again soon."

Ranni watched as her mother glided gracefully away, leaving her with a warmth in her chest she hadn't felt in what seemed like forever. Her mother's approval, her love—it was all she had ever wanted. Feeling buoyant, she turned the handle to the dormitory door, expecting to enter a peaceful new chapter of her life.

Instead, she was met with chaos.

Sellen and Adula stood in the center of the room, glaring at each other with such intensity that Ranni could practically feel the sparks flying between them. There were three beds in the room, all identical, but one was positioned near the air vent—clearly the best spot for the upcoming winter. The tension was palpable, near the furthest bed there was a large window overlooking the academy, it was partially open.

"That bed is mine," Sellen declared, her tone sharp and cold. She took a step forward, attempting to claim the coveted spot, but Adula was quicker. The smaller girl darted in front of her, blocking Sellen's path with a stubborn determination that Ranni could tell would not be easily swayed.

"It's better for me to have that bed," Adula countered, her hands curling into fists, clearly ready to fight. "In the winter, I can barely move if I get too cold."

Sellen sneered, her eyes narrowing with disdain. "You crawled in through the window, and now you want to start a fight over a bed? You have a freakish air about you. Move aside. The bed is mine."

Adula snorted, a sly grin creeping onto her face as she turned towards the contested bed. "If you want the bed so much, then you shall have it," she said coolly, her voice low and almost mocking. "But I'll take the spot with the heat."

With that, the small girl raised one arm high above her head. There was no warning, no hesitation. In one swift motion, she brought her arm down with monstrous force. The mattress should have absorbed the impact, but instead, the entire bed frame exploded with a deafening crack, causing Ranni to clasp her hands beside her ears. The wood splintered into pieces as Adula's hand tore straight through the mattress, punching into the frame below and splitting it in two as easily as breaking a twig.

Sellen screamed, her harmonic voice echoing through the room, and she leapt back in shock, her eyes wide with disbelief. The sight of Adula—small, almost dainty in appearance—displaying such raw, terrifying strength was enough to send a chill down anyone's spine especially with the look upon her young face.

"What is wrong with you?!" Sellen shouted, her voice high-pitched and frantic. "Now neither of us can sleep in that space!" Her composed demeanor was shattered, replaced by sheer outrage and a flicker of fear.

Adula slowly rose from the debris, dusting off feathers and splinters that clung to her robes, her draconic eyes locked onto Sellen's with a cold, almost reptilian intensity. "Incorrect," she said with a wicked smile that only deepened the unsettling aura around her. "I shall sleep on the floor once I remove this bed from our living quarters."

Without breaking eye contact, Adula bent down, effortlessly hoisting the two halves of the shattered bed above her head. The sheer impossibility

of the act—a girl of her size lifting something so heavy—left both Sellen and Ranni in stunned silence. With an almost casual air, Adula turned and carried the broken bed out of the room, as if it weighed nothing more than a pile of laundry. Her footsteps faded down the hall, leaving the wreckage behind.

For a moment, neither Sellen nor Ranni moved. The air was thick with tension, and the room felt strangely empty after Adula's abrupt exit. Sellen, still wide-eyed, stared after her, as though she couldn't quite process what had just happened.

Ranni, however, shrugged off the lingering shock with a small sigh. The absurdity of the situation was already settling into her mind, and she approached Sellen, who was still visibly shaken.

"I shall take the bed by the window," Ranni said softly, her tone careful but firm. "I wish not to cause either of you any trouble."

She walked toward the farthest bed, the one closest to the window, her measured steps betraying none of the turmoil she felt inside. The chilly breeze from the open window brushed against her skin, a welcome contrast to the heated tension that had filled the room moments before. As she sat down, Ranni cast a sidelong glance at Sellen, who was still seething from the encounter.

"Thank you," Sellen muttered, barely managing to regain her composure as she adjusted her robes, though the indignation in her voice lingered. "That girl… she's different."

Ranni simply nodded, her mind already turning over the events of the day. Between the strange introductions and her first impressions of her classmates. "Many of our peers seem to be, perhaps being different is what defines us." Ranni said. Ranni sighed deeply before saying her opinion of her observations of her future classmates, "We are all just as special as the next. Now, our only duty is to study harder and work faster than the others, the way I see it we are all rivals and peers in one way or another."

"I see now…" Sellen said composing herself as she put her hand on her chin, a light grin on her face as she reached into her bag, unpacking her possessions which were few and far between, no family photos, nor objects other than notebooks and writing quills, or at least from what Ranni noticed as she made her way towards the window to close it. Ranni smiled as she new the next few years of her life would be quite interesting.