Sitting on a hill, one can glimpse a beautiful witch with dark skin, long wavy hair, and strikingly stunning blue eyes as deep as the night sky. The sun shines brightly on a cloudless morning, with a light and refreshing breeze that tousles the witch's curls. The young sorceress is intently focused on writing a book, her joy, happiness, and inspiration evident as she writes the following narration: “Behold the Purple-Eyed, a girl so sweet and gentle, cheerful, optimistic, and full of energy, her kindness is astonishing, her smile can enchant even the greatest enemies, this is Aelin! The greatest witch this world has ever seen!” Upon finishing, she hugs her book and smiles with pride, saying:
- - Aelin is truly... Extraordinary! - She declares, lying down on the grass for a moment. - It’s a pity she can’t exist; she’s just fiction. - She reflects for a moment, suddenly sitting up and giving herself a pat on the face. - NO! She can exist, she will exist, one day! And she will be my daughter... Oh, I would be so happy to have a daughter like that.
The witch closes her eyes and begins daydreaming, imagining fantastic adventure stories involving her beloved character “Aelin.” Suddenly, she is jolted out of her enchanted world by a stone hitting the back of her neck. From a distance, atop a 4-meter tall rabbit statue, another witch, albino, with straight hair, golden-pupiled eyes, and elegant, charming bourgeois attire, stands confidently, as if destined to be a great leader. She is the one who threw the stone and now shouts:
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- ARIELA! What are you doing there?! You’re going to be late! - The albino witch yells with irritation.
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- Oh, oh! What’s up, Luzian, that hurt! - Ariela grumbles, holding her forehead and giving her friend a sulky look.
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Luzian descends from the statue and approaches Ariela, saying: - The class is about to start!
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- Oh, class! WHOA! - Ariela stands up immediately. - THERE REALLY IS A CLASS!
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- Did you really forget?! - Luzian asks incredulously. - You really are clueless!
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- I TOTALLY FORGOT! Oh... I was so focused on writing my story that I lost track of the world around me. Is there still time for us to get there? If I’m late again, I’m screwed... It’s the third time this week!
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- If there wasn’t time, I wouldn’t have come to get you. - Luzian advises, grabbing Ariela’s hand and pulling her, starting to run across the field with her friend.
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- Luzian, why did you come after me? You could have just... gone to the class! - Ariela says.
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- I noticed you were missing and thought you might be late again, so I decided to look for you. - Luzian explains. - You need to stop being so lost in your head, Ariela, focus on the real world, focus on what is real!
The two start climbing a 15-meter staircase that leads up to a massive and impressive palace, actually a witchcraft school. Its facade features enormous signs that read “Carrot Coelhart Academy.” It’s an enormous school, impossible to estimate how many classrooms it has. This year, the institution reached the staggering number of 13,300 enrolled students, which is why the place is packed with sorcerers. Upon entering the school, it feels like stepping into a real city, full of motivated people committed to studying the basics of magic. They are walking around, chatting, practicing sports in designated areas, casting spells, and flying on broomsticks. All focus suddenly shifts to Luzian, and everyone starts gossiping, saying things like “Look, it’s Luzian! Yes, it’s her, the great Luzian Coelhart!” Many express admiration, but some envious ones whisper, “Isn’t she a bit late for class? Maybe she’s not all that.” Luzian gets irritated by these comments and changes her mind, using a spell to summon her flying broomstick, and takes off, flying with Ariela again outside. She ascends dozens of meters, speeding up, aiming to cut across to the upper floors until finally reaching the floor where her classroom is, entering through a window. She still has a long corridor to navigate, flying at high speed, and in the middle of the corridor, she collides roughly with a boy, knocking the poor sorcerer over, with all three, including Ariela and Luzian, falling and rolling on the corridor floor.
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Luzian’s face is red and burning from skidding across the corridor floor. She grunts and begins to grumble, then gives an angry look to the sorcerer she collided with, grabbing him by the collar with a look full of hatred: - HYUCHU! ONLY YOU COULD HAVE BEEN IN MY WAY!
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- W-who me?! I wasn’t the crazy one flying into the school on a broomstick!
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- You appeared out of nowhere in front of me! - Luzian insists, growing even more irritated.
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- It looks like I’m not the only one who’s late, which is somewhat relieving! - Hyuchu concludes, getting up.
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- I’m not late! - Luzian explains, standing up. - I was just going after this one. - She says, pointing to Ariela still on the ground.
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- Wrong, you’re in the same boat as us! - Hyuchu explains provocatively. - If the professor notices your tardiness, you’re screwed along with us, “rich girl”! Besides, flying on a broomstick outside designated areas is strictly prohibited; you could have really messed up if caught.
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- BLEH! - Sticks out her tongue. - I’m not the one with negative grades in class. - Hyuchu shows surprise upon hearing Luzian’s last remark, so Luzian clarifies: - I saw your last report card.
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- Look at that, the rich snobby witch thinks she’s superior because she got good grades. - Hyuchu grumbles.
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- Grades I earned through my own merit and effort, unlike some people who waste their study time gossiping about others’ lives. - Luzian retorts, approaching Hyuchu in a provocative manner.
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- Born into one of the most powerful families in the magical society, it’s easy! - Hyuchu insinuates, coming closer to Luzian in a threatening manner.
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- Everything I’ve achieved is through effort and hard work! - Luzian counters again.
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Ariela gets up and then interrupts both: - Shouldn’t we go to class? We’re late...
- AH! - Hyuchu and Luzian exclaim. - THE TIME! - Each grabs one of Ariela’s arms by the wrists and rushes her down the corridor.
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WHY DO I STILL WASTE MY PRECIOUS TIME WITH YOU?! - Luzian exclaims.
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- I ask myself the same question... - Hyuchu responds sarcastically.
The three push the door to Room 13 with force, nearly breaking it down, making a commotion and attracting the attention of the entire room, including the professor, who looks at them with disdain. Laughter can be heard from some students. Luzian and Hyuchu feel embarrassed, but Luzian brightens up when she looks at the clock.
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- LOOK! THE CLOCK! - Luzian shouts excitedly. - I arrived exactly on time; I’m truly a great example of a responsible student who fulfills her duties in the most perfect and cohesive way possible.
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- Good morning, Miss Coelhart. I’m sorry to inform you that this clock is 15 minutes behind! - The professor explains with a slightly ironic and monotonous tone, maintaining a look of disdain focused on Luzian.
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Oh... - Luzian responds timidly.
Hyuchu mocks Luzian with a pat on the shoulder.
- The professor merely says: - I’ve already wasted enough time with the commotion you caused earlier; I won’t waste more. I want to discuss with you, but I’ll leave it for after class, so please sit down and try not to cause any more chaos and disorder. I thank you in advance.
Luzian turns completely red with anger, embarrassment, and every negative emotion mixed. She takes great pride in her social status and feels very demeaned to be treated this way by a professor. Outraged, she simply marches to her desk and sits down, with Hyuchu and Ariela doing the same. Ariela sits close to the window and becomes disconnected from reality, admiring the view outside. From the height, it’s possible to see a large part of the city of Carrot, an impeccable view of a grand, rich, luxurious, dense, and populous magical region, filled with splendid and modern buildings and constructions.
- - So... - The professor begins, resuming the class after regaining control of the room. - I was saying that today’s class focus will be “Affinities”.
The term “Affinities” quickly grabs Ariela’s attention, who immediately starts paying attention to the lesson with a curious look.
- - Affinities... - The professor continues, reflecting before explaining. - It’s not an easy topic to discuss; we know that Magical Affinity exists, but we don’t fully understand its true nature. However, many things and characteristics have been noted, and I will touch on some of them with you.
The professor continues his lecture as usual. At the end, he calls Ariela, Luzian, and Hyuchu to have a talk, giving them a stern lecture.
During the break, Ariela, Hyuchu, and Luzian are spending time in one of the school’s towers. Ariela is admiring the view, Luzian is reading a book, and Hyuchu is bored, watching the time pass on his pocket watch.
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