The night before the Academy, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, the weight of the coming day pressing down on me like a heavy cloak. Tomorrow would mark the beginning of a new chapter in my life, and despite all the preparation, the training, the lessons learned, I still felt the weight of uncertainty.
The soft rustling of the wind outside my window was the only sound in the room. It had grown late, but I couldn't sleep. My mind kept drifting to the idea of the Academy—its towering spires, its rigorous curriculum, its walls lined with the best of the best. Would I be able to prove myself there? Could I truly live up to the legacy of my bloodline, cursed or not?
Beside me, Cassandra lay on her own bed, the flickering candlelight casting shadows on the walls. She was already asleep, the rhythmic sound of her breathing a reminder that she had faced this moment a year ago. Tomorrow, she would be there as a senior, watching over me, but I knew better than to lean on her completely. The Academy was a place where everyone had to stand on their own, no matter who they were or who their family was.
I turned to glance at her, the thought of her reassuring presence settling my nerves, just a little. She had always been my guide, my protector. But tomorrow, we would both be students. The playing field would be level, and I'd have to prove I was more than just the Duke's son, more than the boy with a cursed past. I had to show them I was capable of standing on my own.
My hand instinctively reached for the wooden sword that lay beside me, my fingers brushing over the hilt. It felt different now. No longer just a training tool, but a symbol of what I had learned, of the power I had learned to harness. It wasn't as strong as Excalibur, but it was mine, and that was enough.
I closed my eyes, focusing on the steady pulse of energy within me. I had come a long way from the boy who first arrived here, filled with doubt and fear, unsure of how to control the power that burned within. I had learned to listen to it, to feel it, and now, I would use it to protect myself. To prove I was more than the mistakes of my past.
I heard Cassandra stir beside me, her voice soft as she mumbled something in her sleep. It was rare to see her vulnerable like that, but it reminded me that no matter how strong she was, no matter how confident, she too was walking a path that would challenge her. Being a senior wasn't an easy position, after all.
A knock at the door startled me, breaking my thoughts. I sat up quickly, my hand instinctively going to the dagger at my side. But it was only Cassandra, sitting up in bed, rubbing her eyes.
"Can't sleep?" she asked, her voice hoarse with sleepiness.
I shook my head. "No. Too much on my mind."
She yawned and stretched, her face softening. "I know the feeling. I had the same thoughts last year, you know. And look at me now. I'm still here."
I couldn't help but smile at her attempt to reassure me. She had always been the one to keep me grounded.
"You're right," I said softly. "But it's different this time. It's my turn to step up."
She raised an eyebrow but didn't comment further, sensing the seriousness in my tone. Instead, she reached over to the small chest by her bed and pulled out a small pouch. She tossed it to me.
"Here," she said. "For luck."
I caught it easily, curious. "What's this?"
"Just a little something from me," she replied with a smile. "A small charm. It's supposed to keep you focused, grounded. I don't know if it'll work, but I figured it couldn't hurt."
I opened the pouch, finding a small, smooth stone inside, its surface etched with a symbol I didn't recognize. It was cool to the touch, comforting in a strange way.
"Thanks, Cassandra," I said, slipping the charm into my pocket. "I'll keep it with me."
She nodded, her expression turning serious for a moment. "You've got this, Caelum. I've seen the way you've grown. Don't doubt yourself. The Academy is tough, but so are you."
I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me at her words. "I'll make you proud."
Cassandra leaned back against her pillow, her eyes closing once more. "I know you will. And remember, I'll be there. You're not alone."
The room fell silent again, save for the soft sound of our breathing. I turned back to the ceiling, the weight of the coming day pressing against me once more. But this time, it wasn't fear I felt. It was anticipation.
Tomorrow was the first day of the rest of my life. I would face whatever challenges the Academy threw at me, not as the boy who had failed before, but as someone determined to carve their own path.
With that thought in mind, sleep finally came, and I drifted off into the night, ready to face whatever awaited me at the Academy.
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