The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual.
Aunt Elaina had already left the room, leaving me with a table full of snacks and a letter with the family's red seal.
I opened the letter, the morning light shining on the paper, making the ghostly characters on it sparkle as if they were dancing.
"Deuwyn Alyane Endias, based on your latent abilities and noble bloodline, you have been directly admitted to Ax School, one of the four most prestigious academies on the continent. Enrollment period: next two weeks. – Nazoax Royal Education Office"
I sat stiffly.
Ax School?
I had heard this name briefly in the old warrior memoirs that Mabel had read.
An academy famous not only for its knowledge, but also for its combat prowess, magic, and political power. Ax students often lead the future of kingdoms.
I don't know what Deuwyn thought of these things before… but I understood immediately.
This is an opportunity. An opportunity I can't miss.
I put my hand on my chest.
This little body feels weak. But my soul, Mabel Phemlo, is burning.
If I want revenge, if I want to be strong, I have to go this way.
The house is quiet
Aunt Elaina returned while I was still thinking, holding a tray of hot tea.
"I heard you received special news?" she asked, her eyes shining.
I nodded, trying to suppress my emotions.
"Yes… I… was directly admitted to Ax School."
Elaina raised her eyebrows, a smile of surprise and pride appearing:
"It's true that this little girl… even though she's only 14, she has already made the entire Royal Education Office respect her. I guess you don't have to worry anymore."
I smiled lightly, but my heart was still restless.
Ax Academy… means I will have to face ambitious students, both friends and enemies, both politics and power struggles.
But I am not afraid.
Because I was once a captain of the royal knights, standing in the middle of the battlefield with the lives of hundreds in my hands.
A small body, an experienced soul, will now step onto a larger stage, where every mistake is punished with blood or power.
Preparing for the trip
Two weeks is a short time to prepare.
Aunt Elaina helps me practice gently every day, from punches and kicks, the basics of swordsmanship, to the basic magic that this body can tolerate.
I feel every muscle, every heartbeat.
I feel the hidden power in the Endias blood… the power that Deuwyn had never dared to explore before.
I trained with determination: when I entered Ax, I would no longer be the weak Deuwyn… I would be Mabel. I would make the entire academy remember my name.
Departure Day
Early in the morning when I left home, Aunt Elaina led me to the royal docks.
"Are you sure?" she asked. "Ax School… is no place to play."
I took a deep breath. The sea breeze blew my pink hair.
"Don't worry, Auntie. I'm not afraid. I'll survive… and become strong."
Elaina smiled, her eyes sparkling with confidence:
"I know you can do it. Always remember, you're not just learning to survive… but also learning to protect yourself and the people you love."
I hugged her.
A brief hug, but it contained a promise:
"I won't let you down. I'll come back, not just as Deuwyn… but as someone who can change the continent."
On the train to Nazoax
I sat in my private compartment, looking out the window at the endless blue sea.
Ax School—which the continent had praised—would be the new playground.
A place where the weak will be drowned, the strong will rise… and I, Mabel in Deuwyn's body, will stand above all.
"Two weeks before I enter the Ax… I will learn everything, practice everything, and observe everything. No one will be allowed to look down on me."
I clenched my fists, feeling the feeling of power for the first time.
This was no longer the body of a abused child.
This was the body of someone born to stand above all.