You Really Do Have Beautiful Eyes

As Julian had anticipated, I was summoned by the six headmasters for questioning, brought into a vast, imposing hall, where the very air felt heavy with ancient authority. The room stretched endlessly, its high, vaulted ceilings vanishing into shadow, as if the space itself was swallowed by darkness. Only a single, harsh light hung overhead, cruelly spotlighting me in the center of the vast expanse. Its cold brilliance cast elongated shadows, stretching across the cold marble floors and stone walls, which seemed to echo with an oppressive silence. The weight of the room, of the space that surrounded me, pressed in from all sides, suffocating any sense of escape.

Behind me, the twin doors loomed—tall, heavy, and imposing. With a resounding thud, they slammed shut, the sound swallowed by the vast emptiness, sealing me in. The silence that followed was deliberate, suffocating, a pact made between the walls, as though the hall itself was a tomb for secrets, and nothing that transpired within it would ever leave.

A cold sweat broke across my skin, and despite the chilling air that filled the room, I could feel the heat creep up my spine, like invisible flames licking at my nerves. My fingers twitched in a nervous dance, desperate for some small semblance of control. The pounding of my heart reverberated in the hollowness, its rhythm echoing as though the pulse of the hall itself were in time with my terror. The six headmasters sat in their towering chairs, arranged in a circle around me, their presence as imposing as the stone pillars that framed the hall. Their gaze, unwavering and cold, bore into me, their eyes like sharp knives waiting for any sign of weakness.

Though the hall stretched far and wide, it felt suffocatingly small, as if the distance between me and the headmasters shrank with every passing breath. The stillness—so thick, so complete—pressed against my chest, building in pressure, threatening to crush me beneath its weight.

Say something. Please, just say anything.

"Lady Seraphina," Housemaster Arthur of Fire intoned, his voice ringing through the grand hall, "in light of recent disturbances within the academy, we require your testimony. You are bound to speak truthfully, for should you fail to do so, I fear we shall be compelled to employ more... persuasive measures."

"First, we have been informed by both your father and His Majesty the King that you wield the magic of Darkness," Housemaster Edward of Dark continued, his voice laced with accusation. "Yet, on this very day, you summoned the power of Wind. Did you and your father conspire to deceive both the Crown and the academy regarding your true ability?"

I lifted my chin, keeping my expression calm even though my heart raced beneath the weight of my royal garb. "In truth, Housemaster Edward," I began, my voice steady but soft, "when I first demonstrated my magic, I was just a child, too young to fully understand its nature. My father, in his wisdom, believed it to be Dark magic. But, alas, I believe he was mistaken in his judgment."

Housemaster Henry of Wind scoffed, his sharp tone cutting through the air. "A mistake? How does one mistake the manipulation of Wind for Darkness? The two are worlds apart."

I faltered for a moment, but I quickly regained my composure. "I was told that my father wasn't there when I first manifested," I lie hoping they want notice. "It was a servant who witnessed it and reported to him. Perhaps the error lies in that account."

"Let us turn to the incident today. How do you explain the creation of a violent tornado? A feat deemed impossible for someone of your supposed abilities." Housemaster Henry of fire states.

I swallowed hard, my voice barely a whisper. "I... I do not know."

"How can you not know?" Housemaster Henry demanded, incredulous. "Are you not a wielder of magic?"

My breath quickened, and I shrank back under the weight of his harsh words. But before I could speak again, Housemaster Gilbert intervened, his presence a calming force.

"Let us proceed with reason, Master Henry," he said smoothly. "I have conducted my own investigation into Lady Seraphina's abilities. After witnessing her first duel, I noted her remarkable strike despite never having held a sword before. It was clear to me that magic was at play. I consulted Professor Joseph, who confirmed that she had none. Thus, I resolved to observe her more closely."

He then gestured toward a shimmering orb that hovered beside him, the magic within it pulsing softly. "I recorded a conversation between Lady Seraphina and Prince Julian, during which she said, 'How can I prove my strength when I cannot use my magic?'"

My heart skipped a beat as the sound of my own voice filled the chamber. How had he managed to capture our private exchange?

"If you are wondering how I came by this recording," Housemaster Gilbert continued, his eyes glinting with an unsettling calm, "it was through my light magic. While I attended to your injuries after the sparring match, I was... suspicious. I apologise if my methods were intrusive."

My mind raced, my brow furrowing as I considered the implications. Had he been watching me all along?

"Does this mean you have been listening to everything I have said?" I ask, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to remain composed.

Housemaster Marcus of Water, a towering figure draped in blue and silver, struck the stone floor with his staff. "Silence unless questioned, Lady Seraphina!" he barked.

Ignoring the interruption, Housemaster Gilbert pressed on, unruffled. "Let us return to the matter at hand. The recording further reveals your confusion. You were in a trance, unaware of your actions, and yet you still managed to create a destructive tornado. This audio proves that Lady Seraphina unintentionally used magic to harm her fellow students, and she herself does not understand how she was able to surpass the limits of Wind magic."

As the recording played, Julian's voice rang out: "Seraphina! Seraphina, snap out of it! Seraphina! Are you alright? You're safe now."

I squeez my eyes shut, as if trying to block out the painful memory. I bent forward, my hands pressing against my ears, desperately trying to shield myself from the harsh reality of what I had done.

Did I do this? The recording continued with my own voice, small and fearful: "What happened? How did I do this?"

Housemaster Gilbert allowed the audio to play out, his tone now heavy with finality. "This, too, is proof of your uncontrolled abilities. It seems you have no mastery over your magic—magic which you cannot even fully comprehend."

The other housemasters exchanged quiet murmurs, their eyes narrowing as they deliberated.

"We have come to a conclusion," Housemaster Marcus said, his voice cold and authoritative. "You possess a dangerous power, Lady Seraphina, one you cannot yet control. Do you deny this?"

I stood there in silence for a moment, my heart weighed down by the burden of their judgment. I closed my eyes, feeling the truth settle deep inside me. "No," I finally whispered.

"Very well," Housemaster Marcus declared, his voice unwavering. "For the safety of the academy and its students, Housemaster Gilbert will oversee your training. You will receive private lessons to control your abilities.You are hereby dismissed."

With that, I was left to leave the chamber, my mind swirling with uncertainty and the heavy weight of the unknown pressing down on me.