Morning came faster than I expected.

Sunlight streamed through the large window of my room, casting a golden glow on the walls. I groaned as I sat up, my body still sore from the tension of the previous day. Rue was already awake, leaning against the window in the common area, arms crossed. His face was unreadable, as usual.

"You’re up early," I muttered, rubbing my eyes.

"I’ve been up," he replied without looking at me.

I sighed and got up, stretching my limbs. Today was the start of our training, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready. The memory of my father being taken haunted my mind, and the strange vision I had still left me confused. I didn’t understand what had happened or how I had seen that glimpse of the fight before it even took place. Was that my ability? If so, how did it work?

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Wake up! Breakfast at the cafeteria!" Sym’s voice rang from the hallway. "It’s your first day, so don’t be late."

I rolled my eyes. "So this elite academy still has time for meals, huh?"

Rue didn’t respond and simply grabbed his jacket. I followed him outside, where Sym was already waiting, dressed in his uniform—black and gold with the Academy’s insignia embroidered on his chest.

"Ready for your first taste of hell?" he asked with a smirk.

I raised an eyebrow. "You’re exaggerating."

He chuckled. "We’ll see."

The cafeteria was massive, filled with students of different ages and backgrounds. Some were already eating, while others sat in groups, whispering and occasionally glancing at us. The room buzzed with a mix of conversations, laughter, and the clinking of utensils against trays.

I felt an odd sense of paranoia settle over me. Were they really staring at us, or was I just imagining it?

"News travels fast," Sym muttered, noticing my discomfort. "You just arrived yesterday, but look at this—everyone already knows."

"Let me guess," I said. "Because of Aunt Luna?"

"Bingo."

We grabbed our food and found an empty table. Just as I was about to sit, a voice called out.

"So you two are the new ones."

A girl approached us, arms crossed. She had long, dark brown hair tied in a ponytail and sharp, calculating eyes.

"Sue and Rue, right?"

Sym tensed slightly but forced a smile. "Relax, Selena. They’re still adjusting."

"That’s exactly why they need to adjust quickly," she said, looking us over.

I frowned. "What’s your problem?"

"No problem," she said with a smirk. "But if you’re weak, you’ll be a problem for us."

Rue met her gaze, unbothered. "Then don’t bother with us."

Selena let out a short laugh. "Fine. We’ll see how you handle training. Good luck." With that, she walked away, her presence leaving an odd tension in the air.

"Wow, okay," I muttered. "What’s her deal?"

Sym sighed. "She’s… intense. One of the best students in the Academy. That’s why she’s arrogant."

"Yeah, I could tell," I grumbled, stabbing my food with my fork. "I don’t like her."

Rue stayed silent, his eyes following Selena as she sat down with another group. Something about her made me uneasy.

After breakfast, we were led to the training grounds. The space was massive, with different areas for physical combat, ability control, and strategic exercises. Other students were already there, warming up or testing their abilities. The air buzzed with energy—some students sparred with weapons, others practiced hurling fire or manipulating water. It was overwhelming.

A tall man in a black uniform stood at the center. His gaze was sharp, commanding instant attention.

"Welcome, students," he began. "I'm Instructor Navarro. Today, we’ll assess your abilities and determine where you belong. At Taliba Academy, there is no favoritism. The weak… will face punishment."

I swallowed hard. No pressure, right?

"First test—combat assessment," Navarro continued. "Let’s see how well you handle yourselves."

One by one, students were called forward to spar. I watched as gifted individuals showcased their strengths—some manipulating elements, others using sheer physical skill.

Then, they called Rue.

I turned to look at him, surprised. Rue? He never mentioned anything about having an ability. My heart pounded as he stepped forward, facing an upperclassman who wielded enhanced speed.

The match began, and Rue barely moved, his eyes calculating his opponent’s movements. Suddenly, the upperclassman lunged, but Rue sidestepped effortlessly, his movements eerily precise. He avoided every attack as if he already knew where the next strike would land.

Then, with one swift move, Rue extended his hand slightly—his opponent’s foot suddenly locked in place, as if held by invisible strings. My breath caught in my throat. What was that? Before the upperclassman could react, Rue countered, his fist connecting to his opponent’s stomach, sending him stumbling back. The match ended instantly.

A few students murmured in surprise.

"Damn," Sym whistled. "Your brother’s got a sharp mind."

I stood frozen, staring at Rue. This was the first time I had ever seen him use his ability. What else had he been hiding from me?

Then, it was my turn.

My opponent was a girl with telekinesis. The moment the match began, I felt an invisible force pushing against me. Panic surged in my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm. I had no idea how to use my ability—or if I even had one.

Then, instinct took over.

I saw it.

A flicker of another reality—a split-second glimpse of a different version of the fight. In that version, I sidestepped at just the right moment and used my opponent’s own momentum against her.

I followed the vision.

The moment she launched another attack, I moved exactly as I had seen. She overextended—just as predicted—and I lunged, knocking her off balance. She fell, her concentration breaking.

Silence followed.

Then, Instructor Navarro nodded. "Interesting."

I stepped back, my heart pounding. What the hell was that?

Sym clapped me on the back. "Not bad, newbie. Looks like you’ve got some talent too."

I wasn’t so sure.

Across the field, Selena watched me closely, an unreadable expression on her face.

That night, I lay awake in my room, staring at my hands.

My ability wasn’t exactly clairvoyance—it was something deeper. I didn’t just see the future.

I changed it.

And for the first time, I realized just how dangerous that could be.