The morning unfolded with a vibrant energy, the wind carrying whispers of secrets yet to be revealed. As the sun's rays painted the sky with hues of gold and crimson, the footpath beneath my feet seemed to shimmer like a carpet adorned with fragments of shattered dreams. No, it wasn't merely a resemblance — it was a stark reality.

I couldn't help but release a heavy sigh. Everything remained unchanged, trapped in the unyielding grip of an ancient curse. How could I ever hope to break free from its suffocating embrace? How could any of us hope to escape its malevolent grasp?

Beside me, my friends mirrored my despair, their faces etched with a mixture of anxiety, anger, and sorrow. We were powerless to save them. Now, it was our turn to become their successors.

Defeated and resigned, we gazed upon our adversaries, their triumphant smiles mocking our futile resistance.

"Goodbye, our accursed immortals~" Their mocking farewell hung in the air like a bitter reminder of our inevitable fate.

–

I jolted awake from my slumber. What? Another dream? It seems like these dreams are becoming more frequent, huh?

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I wiped the sweat trickling down my neck. What a way to disrupt someone's beauty rest. Ugh.

I sighed and glanced out the open window. I must have dozed off.

Standing up, I closed the window to shut out the chilly morning breeze. Feeling a dryness in my throat, I decided to head downstairs for a drink of water if there was any.

Entering the kitchen, I spotted a pitcher and grabbed a glass, gulping down two glasses of water. I returned to my room afterward, attempting to close my eyes and drift back to sleep, but sleep eluded me. No matter how hard I tried to shut out the world, I remained wide awake. Frustrated, I kicked the bed and sat up.

Deciding to leave my room, I descended the stairs and was about to open the door when I heard someone speak.

"Can't sleep?" My eyebrows shot up at the sound of the voice.

"Can you state the obvious?" I retorted, annoyed.

"Feisty," he commented, earning a frown from me. If he had nothing nice to say, then why bother me?

"Did you know I can't sleep because I had a nightmare about your face?" I snarked back, rolling my eyes at his supposed seriousness.

"I'm serious!" he insisted, but I highly doubted it.

"Seems like you're ready for some early morning fun," Sky emerged from his room, rubbing his eyes.

"What early morning fun?" I asked, bewildered. Was he referring to some kind of activity with ducks or something?

I searched for the supposed duck he mentioned. "I don't see any ducks here, Sky. Maybe you just woke up disoriented," I replied before giving up on going outside. It seemed like everyone was already awake.

"Be ready, guys. Miss Anika's class will start in two candles," Eunice announced, glancing at the candles. What's that? Is that their way of telling time?

I looked at the candle on the stand. Wow, how did I miss that earlier? So that's how they tell time here? That's pretty cool!

I hurriedly made my way upstairs to get ready. Well, not that I was excited about my first day here. But I felt like I needed to learn more about this world, I guess?

"Your uniform is there," Euhonn pointed to the round table. "Someone delivered it last night while you were asleep," he added, probably sensing my confusion before I even asked.

I smiled at him and grabbed the box, taking it upstairs.

"Wait, why are they like this?" I asked as we walked towards the classroom we visited yesterday, eyeing our mismatched uniforms. "Why aren't we matching?"

"Each color symbolizes your ability. You'll learn more about it once we're in class!" Carper explained, giving my shoulder a tap. Could they please stop tapping and hitting my shoulder like that? We're not that close for them to treat me like that. Ugh.

"Ugly ignorant!" I heard Esh-esh click his tongue after saying that. Wow, coming from a guy who loves to gossip!

I was about to retort when we stopped in front of the double door entrance. Lucky him. I just rolled my eyes heavenwards.

"Good morning!" Miss An greeted us as we entered the classroom.

"Good morning, Miss An!" we all greeted back before taking our seats.

"So, let's stop the formalities and get to our lessons!" she said, clapping her hands three times. I straightened up in my seat as Miss An's gaze fell on me.

"Come here, Eunice!" I breathed a sigh of relief when my name wasn't called.

"Since we have our new ones here, let's introduce each one of your abilities!" Miss Anika said eagerly, a wide grin never leaving her lips. Looks like she's more excited than us. Psh.

"Eunice, if you may?" I watched quietly as Eunice raised her index finger. I didn't expect what happened next. Suddenly, flames erupted from her fingertip, and I couldn't believe my eyes. Her eyes even changed color.

"Pyrokinesis ability. The possessor of this ability holds supreme power and complete dominion over flames, heat waves, and magma. It is also a particularly potent and hazardous ability. So, be careful around Eunice, she might scorch you!" Miss Anika chuckled to herself at the front, while I was left staring at the fire on Eunice's finger slowly disappearing.

H-Huh? Am I hallucinating right now? But I don't use drugs or anything, right?

I wanted to slap myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming, but they might think I'm going crazy and side with Eunice, so I refrained. I'll just behave here in the academy.

"Carper, come over here!" Eunice sat down, and Carper followed suit.

Carper didn't say anything, and just like Eunice, his eyes changed color, and to my surprise, lightning filled the entire room, causing me to duck in fear of getting electrocuted! Oh my god!

"Carper!" Miss An scolded angrily, and Carper flashed a peace sign. Wow? Is he trying to kill us?

"Electrokinetic ability. The person who has this ability is capable of producing and manipulating electrical energy psychically. And, Carper, don't scare your new classmates, they're still absorbing this kind of thing!" Miss Anika explained to us, adding a little sermon directed at Carper. He sat down and forced a smile, leaving me rolling my eyes.

Miss An then called Sky, and he approached us. Facing us, he didn't use his power directly. Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the classroom, causing the windows to open on their own. Sky's eyes also changed color as he utilized his power.

"Aerokinesis ability, the user can regulate air particles oscillate at a proportionate amplitude to the air pressure/sound wave proportion. This gives the user the ability to produce and manage hypersonic currents of air." In short, the possessor can manipulate air, wind, and gas!

Miss Anika's explanation was quite lengthy, considering it's just this main point. Psh.

Next up was Euhonn after Sky. He demonstrated how he made the small tree in his palm, which I think is called a bonsai, sway and manipulated the surroundings with a gust of wind. Wait, what? Two? He has two powers? Is that even possible?

"Aegeokinesis ability, the user can manipulate air and earth. There's no explanation of how that came out, but as the elder says, it came from their mother and father," Miss Anika stated before seating Euhonn.

"Jouesh? Can you step in—" Miss An couldn't finish her sentence because someone suddenly interrupted her.

"I'm sorry, I'm late!" We all turned to the door as someone entered.

"Oh, Calvin! When did you get back?" Sky greeted the newcomer.

I watched as Calvin floated and hung upside down at someone's command. "By the way guys, I have the Geokinesis ability, also known as Terrakinesis. This is the ability that can command the earth and all of its components, including rock, silt, wildlife, and the life of plants!" Miss Anika explained as she walked towards the latecomer.

"Now, now, Mr. Calvin. Can you state your valid reason why you're late?" Miss Anika was the one to address him, and her face was turning red as she looked at him.

"The Queen says to escort the late transferee, so I did! Please, Miss Anika, put me down!" And in an unexpected turn of events, Miss Anika immediately complied.

"Why did you use that?" she scolded Calvin.

"I'm sorry, I'm feeling dizzy, Miss An!" Calvin apologized as he adjusted his collar.

Then another girl entered the room. "This is Kesha, the transferee. I accompanied her so she wouldn't get lost."

Gradually, the anger faded from Miss Anika's face, replaced by a wide grin. "Oh! You're such a gentleman, Calvin!" she said, squeezing Calvin's cheeks as if she hadn't just hung him upside down moments ago.

Oh, Beatrice! You're always late to St. Joseph Academy! So, turn over a new leaf now and never be late again so you won't end up like this Calvin, hanging!

"Since you're late, you'll be the first to demonstrate your ability, Miss...?" Miss Anika strutted to the front, leaving the two of them sitting behind me.

"Kesha," the girl introduced herself.

"Come up here, and I'll teach you how to unleash your power!" Miss Anika cheerfully exclaimed, but the transferee seemed dissatisfied, causing Miss An's cheerful smile to fade.

"I'm a fire user, I am trained. I know how to use my ability," Kesha replied curtly before sitting down.

Miss Anika nodded and turned to Esh-esh. He seemed to understand, so he stood up and went to the front.

"Close your eyes, feel the energy that surrounds you. Imagine that you have the power, and when you open your eyes, your door will be opened." Miss An sounded like she was giving a motivational speech to Esh-esh.

Esh-esh closed his eyes, and it seemed like he felt something because I saw his eyes twitch slightly. To my surprise, when he opened his eyes, their color had changed, accompanied by a slight tremor, and a beautiful flower appeared at his feet.

I saw Miss Anika's eyes sparkle when she realized Esh-esh's ability. "Wow! We have the same ability!" Miss Anika exclaimed, giving Esh-esh a playful nudge.

I felt dizzy from what Miss Anika did to him and, at the same time, amused because I knew she felt dizzy from what our teacher did. Pfft...

I heard her fake a cough and turned her gaze toward me. "It's your turn, Miss Beatrice!" she called out to me, so I stood up.

Our shoulders bumped. "Don't embarrass yourself, ugly witch," I heard him whisper.

I shot him a death glare. "Try me!" I mumbled. He chuckled softly at what I said. What's so funny? Psh.

When I was in the middle, my heart suddenly started pounding. I was nervous... Well, who wouldn't be nervous here? I don't even know if I have that ability, do I? And I'm not like them, abnormal, am I?

"You may start now, just do as I said to Mr. Jouesh!" Miss An said while smiling.

I heaved a sigh. As abnormal as it may seem, that's what I did. After feeling the supposedly extraordinary energy, I felt something strange in my body. It's like there's something flowing through my veins for no apparent reason.

I slowly opened my eyes. I looked at my palms. Water came out of my palms, so I examined them closely. Something seemed... off.

"Pfftt— HAHAHAHA!" The room filled with laughter. Even Ms. An wanted to laugh but was trying to hold it back.

"Psh!" I said with a poker face. What's so funny about that? I'm just a newbie, so it's normal, right?

And why are they laughing like they're dying? Well, because, you see, water was supposed to come out of my hands, but it suddenly disappeared, with a sound effect of a "plok" as a finishing touch!

Psh! Looks like it ran out?