As Anna lingered near the edge of the sparring field, her gaze tracing the arcs of magic through the air, a commanding voice cut across the training grounds.
"Careful standing that close, Princess."
The sparring stopped instantly. Both combatants straightened, their practice staves lowering as a tall man approached from the center of the field. His dark hair was streaked with silver at the temples, and his cloak bore the embroidered crest of the Celestara Battle Division—a roaring phoenix entwined with a sword.
"Instructor Kael Draven," Talia murmured, inclining her head slightly. "Head of Field Training."
Anna blinked, startled. "You know me?"
Draven smiled faintly, though his presence carried a weight that made even upperclassmen stand straighter. "Word travels fast when two of my finest students have a little sister joining the academy." His sharp gray eyes softened just a touch as he looked her over. "And I'd know those eyes anywhere. Your family's hard to miss, Princess Anna."
Anna flushed. "Oh… I—I wasn't trying to interrupt. Everything here is just so amazing."
Draven chuckled, folding his arms. "Curiosity's not a crime, especially in a mage. Just be careful—this field has a way of testing more than your reflexes."
Elara rolled her eyes. "You mean like that time Talia shattered your practice barrier by accident?"
Talia frowned, muttering, "Once. It happened once."
Draven grinned. "And the scorch mark is still there, Lady Talia."
The surrounding students laughed softly before returning to their drills. Draven turned back to Anna, his tone warmer now. "If you've inherited even a fraction of your sisters' talent, I imagine I'll be seeing you here soon enough."
Anna smiled shyly, glancing at her sisters. "I'd like that."
"Good." Draven gestured to the training field around them. "Celestara's halls may teach theory, but out here is where we learn who we truly are. Welcome to the heart of the academy, Princess."
Draven led them across the expanse of the training field, answering Anna's endless stream of questions with amused patience.
"So… all the divisions train here?" she asked, craning her neck to watch a group of students shaping light shields.
"Most of them," Draven replied. "Battle Division, Resonance Studies, Aether Control, even a few from the Engineering Wing when they need to test new equipment. This place has seen more magical breakthroughs—and disasters—than any lab in the city."
Elara smirked. "Mostly disasters."
He gave a knowing laugh. "True enough."
As they walked, Anna's attention drifted—her gaze snagging on a strange, metallic orb lying a few yards away on the sand. It shimmered faintly under the morning sun, etched with glowing runes. To her, it looked like some oversized toy left behind after class.
"Ooh! A kick ball!" she chirped, darting away before anyone could stop her.
"Wait—Anna, don't—" Talia started, but it was too late.
Anna reached the orb, crouched down, and with an easy motion, scooped it up into her hands. It was perfectly balanced—surprisingly light. Smiling, she hoisted it high above her head. "Why do you have a ball this big?!" she asked, laughing.
The sound of sparring stopped. Every head on the training grounds turned toward her.
Draven's eyes widened. "By the Stars…" he whispered.
Elara's mouth fell open. "That's not a ball, that's a—"
Talia finished flatly, "—a weighted core sphere. Two hundred pounds of condensed aether steel."
Anna blinked, looking up at the orb still held effortlessly in her hands. "Wait. What?"
A ripple of stunned murmurs spread through the students. One of them dropped his staff with a clatter. Another whispered, "She's just… holding it?!"
Draven stepped forward, half in disbelief, half in awe. "That sphere was designed for upper-year strength mages. Most can't even lift it without a channeling focus."
Anna looked between them, suddenly realizing what she'd done. "Oh… um—should I… put it down?"
Draven's lips twitched into a stunned grin. "Yes, Princess. Carefully."
She crouched and gently set the orb back down. The ground cracked faintly beneath it.
Elara rubbed her temple, muttering under her breath. "Of course. First day, and she's already breaking records."
Draven's eyes gleamed with a sudden spark of mischief and curiosity. "Hmm…" he muttered, glancing toward a small shed tucked near the edge of the training grounds.
He led Anna and her sisters over, swinging open the weathered double doors to reveal an even larger orb, resting on reinforced runic supports. The metal surface shimmered with faintly pulsing runes, and a small placard read: Core Sphere—Two Thousand Pounds.
Anna's eyes widened. "Wha—what's that?"
Draven crouched slightly, keeping his voice calm but teasing. "Think you could give it a try?"
Anna tilted her head, grinning. "Sure! I think I can handle it."
Before Talia or Elara could protest, Anna crouched, wrapped her arms around the massive orb, and—effortlessly—lifted it above her head. The runes along its surface flared faintly, as though acknowledging her, but the orb didn't budge or falter under her control.
For a moment, the world seemed to stop. Draven staggered back a step, mouth hanging open, then let out a low, incredulous laugh. "Two thousand pounds… like it's nothing!"
Elara's jaw dropped. "She's—how?! That's… that's insane!"
Draven wiped a hand over his face, shaking his head in disbelief. "This is… unprecedented. I've trained upper-year strength mages for decades. Never—never—have I seen someone handle this like it's a toy."
The students nearby whispered excitedly, a ripple of astonishment spreading across the training grounds. Even the floating elemental sigils seemed to pulse a little brighter, as if reacting to Anna's presence.
Draven blinked, rubbing his temples in disbelief before a grin spread across his face. "Alright, Princess… just one more test." He gestured toward the open field. "Think you could throw that?"
Anna's eyes lit up with excitement. "Throw it? Of course!" She crouched slightly, gripping the massive orb. For a moment, the runes along its surface seemed to shimmer in anticipation. Then, with a smooth motion, she heaved it over her shoulder and let it fly.
The orb sailed through the air effortlessly, glinting in the morning sun. A faint pulse of resonance trailed behind it, and the students on the training grounds froze, mouths agape.
Two thousand pounds—or what should have been impossible—vanished in a clean, arcing flight. It landed a full five hundred feet away, settling with barely a tremor in the earth.
Gasps and murmurs erupted from every corner. Students ran toward the landing spot, wide-eyed, some stumbling over each other in amazement.
Draven leaned against a post, laughing in disbelief, his gray eyes sparkling. "Five Hundred Feet! And she barely broke a sweat!"
Elara's jaw practically hit the ground. "How is that even possible?!"
Talia, though trying to keep her composure, couldn't hide the pride in her gaze. "She really is… something else."
Anna landed gracefully, brushing her hands on her skirts. "Was that far enough?" she asked innocently, looking up at them with a bright smile.
Draven shook his head, chuckling. "Princess Anna… I think Celestara just found its new upcoming star pupil."
Draven straightened, his grin widening as he gestured toward the open field, now buzzing with whispers and astonished students.
"Princess Anna," he said, his tone half-commanding, half-exhilarated, "I think it's time you earned a proper introduction to Celestara's most… selective group."
Anna tilted her head, curious. "Selective group?"
Draven's eyes glinted. "The Obsidian Circle. The academy's elite. Only the most skilled, most capable students earn a place. And, as you may have noticed…" He nodded subtly toward Talia and Elara, who were standing just a step behind her, a faint smile tugging at their lips. "…your sisters are already members."
Anna's eyes widened. "Really? Me? I mean… I don't know if I—"
Draven held up a hand, cutting off her protest. "Enough hesitation. You've already proven extraordinary aptitude today. Strength, control, resonance… and something else I can't quite put into words. That, Princess, is why I'm offering you a spot."
Elara smirked, nudging Anna gently. "Looks like you're officially one of us now."
Talia's expression softened, pride clear in her gaze. "You'll fit in perfectly. Don't doubt it."
Anna blinked, the reality sinking in. "The Obsidian Circle… I… I get to train with you both?"
Draven chuckled. "Exactly. But don't get too comfortable. The Circle pushes its members further than anyone else. Only the strongest and most disciplined survive. Are you ready for that?"
Anna's grin spread, radiant and determined. "Yes! I want to do it—I'll work hard!"
Draven's eyes gleamed. "Good. Then welcome to the Obsidian Circle, Princess Anna. Let's see just how far you can go."
Draven straightened, his grin softening into a more measured expression. "Details about the Obsidian Circle—training schedules, privileges, responsibilities—we'll hash all of that out later. For now, enjoy your first day, Princess."
Anna nodded eagerly, still glowing from the excitement of the offer.
Draven clapped his hands together lightly. "Now, I suggest we continue your tour of the academy. Plenty to see before classes start, and you don't want to be late for introductions."
Talia and Elara flanked Anna as she bounced along beside them, eyes darting from one wonder to the next. "Lead the way," Talia said quietly, a hint of pride in her voice.
Elara smirked, her tone teasing but gentle. "And remember, little sister… don't get yourself into too much trouble before lunch."
Anna giggled, spinning slightly as she followed her sisters through the sprawling grounds. The academy stretched before them like a city of magic, towers catching the morning light, courtyards alive with students practicing spells, and the faint hum of resonance threading through the air.
The sisters led Anna through the rest of the academy, the morning slipping by almost unnoticed.
They passed the Alchemy Wing, where students bubbled over with mixtures that fumed and sparkled in delicate glass vials. Anna's eyes widened at every colorful reaction, leaning close to peer at each experiment.
Next came the Arcane Library, its towering shelves stacked with ancient tomes and scrolls that seemed to hum faintly with magic. Anna's hand brushed along the spines, awed by the sheer weight of knowledge surrounding her.
They wound through the Crystal Gardens, where floating orbs of light danced above carefully pruned shrubs, resonating softly with the ley currents. Anna reached out instinctively, and the lights shimmered in response, causing her to giggle with delight.
The tour continued through the Practice Halls, where spell circles glowed faintly under the feet of students honing their craft. Anna paused for a moment, watching a group conjure a miniature elemental storm, before racing on to keep up with her sisters.
Finally, the group approached the Grand Dining Hall, the smell of freshly baked bread and spiced stew wafting through the air. The sun shone through stained-glass windows, painting the long tables in warm, kaleidoscopic colors.
Talia glanced at her pocket watch. "Just in time," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Elara nudged Anna forward. "Race you to the front of the line?"
Anna grinned, sprinting ahead with a laugh. "You're on!"
As the sisters followed, Lyssandra's earlier warnings about keeping Anna's condition secret echoed faintly in their minds—but for this moment, the youngest princess could simply enjoy the wonders of the academy, the hum of magic, and the joy of being with her sisters.
As Anna plopped onto the bench, her tray clattering slightly as she tried to balance the assortment of food before her. Talia and Elara slid in on either side, exchanging amused glances as Anna's eyes darted from plate to plate, her fork hovering uncertainly over the steaming stew.
"You'll like the stew," Talia said, nudging a piece toward her. "Try a little first—it's not going to bite."
Anna laughed, digging in carefully. "It's all so good! I've never seen so many kinds of bread…" She paused mid-bite, her gaze wandering around the bustling hall. Students whispered and glanced toward her, some craning their necks to get a better view.
Elara leaned closer, her voice low but teasing. "Looks like you've already caught their attention, little sister. Not just because you're eating like you haven't seen food in weeks."
Anna giggled, chewing quickly, but she couldn't ignore the quiet murmurs floating over from nearby tables. Words like "The Obsidian Circle…", "First-year…", and "Princess Anna" drifted across the room.
Talia's eyes narrowed slightly, protective yet proud. "Already talking about her? Not even half a day in, and they've heard the news."
Elara shrugged, smirking. "Well, she did throw a two-thousand-pound core sphere like it was a toy. I'd be talking too."
Anna's face lit up, unaware of how monumental her first day had become. She took another bite of stew, eyes sparkling. Around her, the dining hall buzzed with speculation and awe. Whispers grew into quiet discussions as students wondered about the first-year who had already been offered a spot in The Obsidian Circle—the academy's most elite, secretive group.
Even from across the hall, a few students exchanged astonished looks, recognizing that the youngest princess wasn't just another new student—she was a force in her own right.