Starless Reincarnation

In the expansive office, Thalia stood by the window, the moonlight casting a silver glow across her sharp features. Alden leaned casually against the edge of the desk, arms crossed, his expression a mix of amusement and seriousness. Raven stood between them, her small frame dwarfed by the gravity of their presence.

"I heard about your magic affinity," Thalia began, her tone light but with an undercurrent of intrigue. "I have to say, I'm not entirely surprised."

Raven tilted her head, her brows knitting in confusion. "You're not?"

Thalia turned, a faint smile gracing her lips. "From the moment I picked you up, I knew there was something... unique about you. But I'll admit, dark magic is rare enough that it caught even me off guard. It's not a power to be taken lightly."

Alden stepped forward, his deep voice carrying a note of caution. "Dark magic is exceptionally rare. It's been almost a decade since the last recorded case. And when a child is born with dark magic, there's always another born with light magic. The two are opposites but intrinsically linked. This means somewhere in this city, there's another child with an affinity for light."

Raven's eyes widened slightly. "So... what does that mean for me?"

Thalia's expression hardened slightly. "It means you train. For the next six months, I'll dedicate myself to helping you understand your magic, honing your skills, and preparing you for what's to come. After that, you'll join Celia at Eldoria Academy."

Raven froze as if struck by lightning. "Wait. What? Six months? You're training me? Academy? Celia? Arcanum? Aren't I too young for this?"

Thalia's melodic laughter filled the room, breaking the tension. "Children younger than you have attended the Academy. While there are strict conditions for entry, with my recommendation, you'll be accepted without issue. That said, you'll still have to pass the trials. No exceptions."

"Trials?" Raven echoed, her voice skeptical.

Alden smiled, stepping in. "Don't worry about that just yet. Focus on your training. I can sense you have a natural talent, Raven. You're quick to adapt, and that's more valuable than any affinity or skill. The trials will be a mere formality for you."

Raven frowned, her skepticism not entirely abated. "How can you be so sure?"

Alden let out a low chuckle. "Call it intuition. It's the same instinct that told me Celia would grow into the exceptional young woman she is today."

Thalia raised an eyebrow at him, smirking. "Aren't you just doting on your daughter?"

Alden laughed heartily. "Perhaps. But that doesn't make me wrong." His tone grew serious again as he looked at Raven. "Change is never easy, Raven. But it's often necessary. So, what do you say? Are you ready for this?"

The weight of their words settled on Raven's shoulders. Everything was moving so fast, but there was no point in resisting. Life in this world demanded adaptability, and if she wanted to regain her strength and forge her path, there was no time to waste.

She took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah. I'll do it."

Thalia's smile turned predatory. "Good. Then let's begin."

Six Months Later

The past six months were grueling—a relentless cycle of physical conditioning, magical training, and combat practice that left no room for rest or complacency. Each day began before dawn and ended long after the sun set, leaving Raven exhausted yet sharper with every passing week.

Thalia's training was nothing short of brutal. She pushed Raven to the edge of her limits, and then beyond. Raven was forced to face her weaknesses head-on, stamina, mana control, precision. Any mistake was met with correction, any hesitation with merciless critique. Yet Thalia's methods worked.

Under her guidance, Raven's mastery of dark magic grew exponentially. She had learned to wield her dark magic even if there was a lot left to master. She experimented with her secret sword techniques from the past, adapting them to incorporate dark mana, and discovered entirely new applications of her skills.

By the time the six months had passed, Raven was no longer the same uncertain girl who had first held a wooden katana. Her body was leaner, stronger; her movements were sharper and more precise. Her dark magic, once wild and untamed, now pulsed through her veins like a second heartbeat, responding to her will with precision.

Standing in the courtyard one evening, Raven stared at her reflection in the blade of her katana. The faint purple glow of her mana shimmered along its edge, casting eerie patterns in the dim light. The girl in the blade's reflection was no stranger to her. She had become exactly what she was before—no, something more.

"Raven," Thalia's voice called from behind her.

She turned to see her mentor, arms crossed, a rare smile of approval on her face. "The Academy trials are in two days. You're ready."

Raven sheathed her katana, her eyes burning with determination. "Let them try me."

Thalia chuckled softly, her arms crossed as she observed Raven. "That's the spirit. But remember, this is just the beginning."

Raven nodded, her grip tightening around the hilt of her katana. Deep down, she knew Thalia was right. The Academy wasn't the end—it was only the first step of what would undoubtedly be a long and arduous path.

She let her gaze drift toward the horizon, the darkening sky reflecting the weight of her thoughts. Her past life had been harsh—violent, unforgiving. Back then, nothing came without a fight. Every meal, every victory, every moment of survival was earned with blood and sweat. There was no one to offer her opportunities, no hands reaching out to help her. It was a life where strength was the only currency that mattered.

But here, things were different. Too different. Opportunities were handed to her, doors opened where she hadn't even knocked, and people—like Thalia, Alden, and even Celia—believed in her. At times, it felt like too much, as though she hadn't earned any of it. There was a voice in the back of her mind telling her to hold back, to keep her true abilities hidden. They were her ace, her safeguard, and she would only reveal them when the situation was dire enough to demand it.

Lost in thought, Raven didn't notice the fast-moving figure until it was too late.

"Raven!"

Thud.

Before she could react, Raven found herself tackled to the ground with a force that knocked the air from her lungs. She blinked up at the grinning face above her, strands of dark crimson hair shimmering in the evening light.

"Your older sister is here!" Celia declared cheerfully, straddling Raven with an exuberant grin. "I've been seeing you less and less these days. Do you not miss me? Or is my little sister becoming a hermit already?"

Raven let out a groan, attempting to pry Celia's hands off her shoulders. "C-Celia, get off! What is wrong with you?"

Celia ignored her protests, her violet eyes sparkling with excitement. "But then I heard the news! You'll be joining me at the Academy! Aren't you excited? We're finally going to school together!"

Raven froze, her mind still processing the sudden ambush. "Wait... how do you even know I'll get in? And how are you so sure you'll stay in?" she shot back, scowling as she rubbed her sore shoulders.

Celia's grin widened mischievously as she flicked Raven's forehead with a practiced ease.

Flick.

"Don't be silly," Celia said, giggling when Raven flinched and glared at her. "You're my younger sister. Of course you'll get in. You've been training under Thalia of all people—no one gets through her program without becoming a monster."

Raven blinked, momentarily stunned. For a moment, Celia's confidence in her washed over her like a wave. There was no hesitation, no shred of doubt in her sister's voice. Celia believed in her—completely and unshakably.

It was a strange feeling. Back in her old life, no one had ever looked at her like that, with so much unwavering trust. Her chest tightened, and she didn't know if it was warmth or discomfort that she felt. Maybe it was both.

"You sound awfully sure about yourself," Raven muttered, trying to regain her composure. "You're not even worried about the trials?"

Celia shot her a teasing wink. "That's because I'm already in the Academy. This is my second year, you know. Once you enroll, you'll be a first-year, which makes me your senior. Your mentor."

Raven's eyes narrowed. She didn't miss the smug undertone in Celia's voice or the way she looked far too pleased with herself.

"Mentor?" Raven echoed suspiciously, brushing dirt off her sleeves as she stood. "Is that what you're calling it? Sounds like you're just waiting to boss me around."

Celia gasped dramatically, clutching her chest as if wounded. "Boss you around? Me? I would never!"

Raven raised an eyebrow, unconvinced.

Celia finally broke into a smirk, unable to hold back any longer. "Okay, maybe just a little. But only because I know you can handle it."

Something in her tone softened Raven's annoyance. Celia didn't say it outright, but there was genuine pride and affection hidden in her words. Raven found herself staring at her sister again, trying to reconcile this strange, bubbly force of nature with the siblings she had known in her previous life—selfish, manipulative, and cruel. Celia was different. This world was different.

"Whatever," Raven mumbled, turning her back on her sister as if to hide the faint smile tugging at her lips. "Just don't get in my way."

Celia laughed, running up to sling an arm around Raven's shoulders. "Oh, I'm going to enjoy this. You and me at the Academy—just wait. It's going to be fun."

Raven let out a sigh, though she couldn't deny that a small part of her was looking forward to it. Celia's energy was infectious, and for all her dramatics, she meant well.

As the two walked back toward the mansion under the deepening twilight, Raven glanced up at the sky. The stars still refused to show themselves, hidden behind a blanket of darkness. She didn't mind it, though. After all, she was learning to embrace the darkness.

And with Celia by her side, perhaps the Academy wouldn't be so bad after all.