The cold wind of dawn still blew through the academy gardens when Eveline, back in her room, couldn't sleep. The scene of her encounter with the hooded figure replayed in her mind, like a painting etched into her soul. The whispered words—"You will be called soon"—echoed in her thoughts.
The next morning, after only a few hours of sleep, Eveline felt restless but knew she had to maintain a façade of normalcy. The academy was in full swing, with the fencing festival just days away, and all the students were busy with their training.
However, Eveline felt that, despite all the preparations, the real challenge was not the tournament. Something more sinister was approaching.
---
In the following days, while she dedicated herself to swordsmanship and magic training, Eveline sensed a subtle shift in the atmosphere. It was as if the academy was being watched from afar, an invisible presence constantly surrounding her.
The whispers began slowly, murmured in the hallways and classrooms. "Did you see Eveline's fight against Cedric?" "She mastered light and shadows!" "Is she really the prodigy they say she is?" The words spread like wildfire, and within a few days, Eveline found herself under the watchful eyes of everyone at the academy.
Even Cedric, once seen as the most talented swordsman, now seemed hesitant when crossing paths with her in the hallways. The looks from other students, which had previously been mere curiosity, now held a mixture of admiration and fear.
Aria, always by her side, tried to downplay the impact of the unwanted attention. "You've always been a leader, Eveline. This just reinforces what we all already knew. You're strong, and now they see that."
"It's not just that, Aria," Eveline replied seriously. "Something changed since that fight. I'm no longer seen just as a talented student. They're treating me like a... weapon."
Aria frowned. "What do you mean?"
"It's hard to explain. But I feel that since that duel, my connection to magic has shifted. It's more intense. And the hooded figure I saw the other night... they warned me that something greater is at play."
"You never mentioned this before," Aria said, her eyes narrowing. "A hooded figure? What did they say?"
"They spoke of an ancient power, something that can only be awakened by those who can balance light and shadows. It feels like I'm being watched by forces beyond the academy."
Aria fell silent for a moment, contemplating Eveline's words. "Do you think this is related to the festival?"
"I don't know. But the feeling of being watched... it's getting stronger."
---
The day of the fencing festival finally arrived, and the academy was more bustling than ever. The gates were open to visitors from across the realm—nobles and commoners alike, all eager to witness the demonstrations of skill and the anticipated tournament.
The stands of the arena were packed, and applause erupted every time a student showcased their abilities. However, Eveline could hardly concentrate on the festivities. Her mind was divided between the present and the mystery of the hooded figure's words.
When it was time for Eveline to enter the arena, silence fell over the crowd. Everyone wanted to see what she would do. Her skills had become legendary, and rumors of her mastery over light and shadows circulated endlessly.
Eveline stepped into the arena with her sword in hand, her heart racing but maintaining an impenetrable calm exterior. Her opponent, a young man from one of the noble houses, was already prepared, a nervous expression on his face. He knew that, although he was talented, his chances against Eveline were slim.
The gong sounded, and the duel began.
As soon as the first blow was exchanged, Eveline sensed something was off. The opponent was skilled, but she felt an unsettling lightness in his movements, as if he wasn't giving it his all. Within minutes, Eveline had complete control of the fight, and her opponent, sweating and panting, was defeated without much difficulty.
The crowd cheered, but Eveline felt no satisfaction. Something was out of place. She scanned the faces in the stands, searching for any sign of the strange presence she had felt since that night in the gardens.
And then she saw him.
In the last row, a hooded figure stood watching her with eyes that seemed to glow beneath the hood. It wasn't the same person she had spoken to, but there was something similar in the aura emanating from him—a dark power, almost suffocating.
Before she could react, the figure disappeared into the crowd.
Eveline exited the arena, her heart racing. She knew something greater was approaching, something she couldn't avoid. The pieces were moving, and the fencing festival, which seemed like the main event, might just be a distraction for something much more dangerous.
---
That night, Eveline retreated to her room, unable to shake the feeling that the shadows around her were closing in. As she prepared for sleep, she heard a soft knock at the door.
"Come in," she said, her voice tense.
It was Varian. He entered quietly, closing the door behind him. "We need to talk."
Eveline raised an eyebrow. "About what?"
"About what is coming," he said, his voice low and serious. "There's something you need to know about the power you've manifested. Something that hasn't been told to you."
Eveline felt a chill run down her spine. "What do you mean by that?"
"A long time ago, there were those who could control both light and shadows," Varian began, pacing slowly around the room. "These individuals were called *Guardians of Balance*. They possessed a power capable of shaping the destinies of realms. But over time, that power was sealed, deemed too dangerous. The guardians vanished... or so we thought."
Eveline felt her heart race. "Are you saying I'm one of those guardians?"
"I'm not sure. But the power you've demonstrated... it's the same that the guardians used. And those who wield this power are sought after by ancient forces."
Eveline remained silent, processing Varian's words.
"You're not alone, Eveline," Varian continued. "But you need to be prepared. The forces that are watching you are not benign. They will try to use you. And when the moment comes, you'll have to choose which side you're on."
His words echoed in Eveline's mind, blending with the whispers of the shadows surrounding her. The destiny she had begun to uncover was revealing itself more quickly and dangerously than she could ever imagine.
And she knew that the choice she would have to make could change everything.