Chapter 1 The Last Ordinary Morning

→ ROWENA ←

“Rowena!”

I heard my name drifting through the haze of sleep, soft and faraway, like it was part of some pleasant dream I didn’t want to leave behind.

“Rowena…!”

I burrowed deeper under the thick blanket, mumbling something incoherent even to myself. Just five more minutes. That was all I needed.

“ROWENA!”

Colette’s voice echoed louder this time, loud and urgent. My eyes snapped open, and I blinked against the morning light streaming through the window.

“Five more minutes,” I groaned, my voice heavy with sleep as I tried to pull the blanket back over my head.

“Five more minutes?!” Colette’s tone shot up with pure disbelief. I could practically hear her hands landing on her hips. “Do you see the time? We’re going to be late for orientation!”

“Orientation…” The word finally cut through my sleepy brain. My eyes flew wide open, and I bolted upright so fast that the world spun for a second. “It’s today?!”

Colette stood beside my bed, already dressed in her simple white academy uniform with its subtle silver-gray accents. Her dark hair was neatly braided, and she looked far too composed for this ungodly hour.

“Yes, it’s today! I’ve been trying to wake you for the past twenty minutes, you blockhead!”

I scrambled out of bed in a panic, my long ice-blue hair a wild mess around my shoulders. My foot caught on the edge of the trunk at the foot of the bed, sending me stumbling forward.

I grabbed the bedpost to steady myself, muttering a string of curses under my breath as I hopped on one foot.

“Why didn’t you wake me up sooner?” I complained, yanking open the wardrobe and pulling out my own uniform.

“I did! Three times!” Colette shot back, exasperation clear in her voice. “You sleep like the dead when you want to.”

I did my morning routine and as I was back in the room, I struggled into the elegant white jacket with its glacial-blue embroidery and silver trim, the crystalline motifs catching the light.

The fabric was finer than anything I’d worn before, but right now it felt like it was fighting me. I nearly knocked over the bedside lamp while trying to button it and brush my hair at the same time.

Downstairs, Mother and Father were waiting in the sitting room. Mother’s eyes were a little misty as she adjusted the collar of my uniform, while Father stood tall, trying to look proud despite the worry lines etched into his face.

The Vale family had once been respected, but the birth of twin daughters had brought nothing but whispers and shame for years.

“You two be careful,” Mother said softly, pulling us both into a tight hug. “The academy is a different world. Stay together.”

“We will,” I promised, squeezing her back before turning to hug Father. “We’re going to make you proud. We’ll show them that the Vale twins aren’t cursed—we’re going to be legends.”

Father smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Just… look out for each other.”

We stepped outside into the crisp morning air. Our horse-drawn carriage waited on the gravel drive, the family crest gleaming on the side. The driver gave us a respectful nod as we climbed in.

The moment the carriage lurched forward toward Asterion Academy, I went back to attacking the knots in my hair with a brush, wincing every time I hit a particularly stubborn one.

Colette had already settled into the seat across from me, her nose buried in one of those thick, dusty old books she’d somehow gotten from the Academy archives.

I glanced at the heavy volume in her lap, curiosity getting the better of me.

“Why do you keep reading those books you got from the Academy? I still can’t believe they let you take them from the archives. I thought those were only for already admitted students.”

Colette didn’t look up right away, her finger slowly tracing a line of faded text. “I only got lucky and gained access. That’s all.”

“It’s been three months,” I said, tugging harder at a knot. “You’ve been reading that thing nonstop.”

“I haven’t found what I'm looking for yet.” She turned another page, still focused.

I lowered the brush, studying her quiet expression. “What exactly are you looking for, Colette?”

She finally glanced up at me, her gaze calm but firm in that way I knew all too well. “Don’t ask.”

I wanted to push. I always wanted to push when it came to Colette. But I knew that tone. When she decided something was hers to carry alone, even I couldn’t pry it out of her.

I settled for a dramatic sigh and went back to fixing my hair, though my mind kept wandering. She was brilliant, my sister. Always had been.

The fact that she had no magic never stopped her from chasing knowledge with a hunger that sometimes worried me.

The carriage ride stretched on, the scenery changing from our family estate to the bustling outskirts of the City of Elaris. By the time we passed through the grand gates of Asterion Academy, my heart was pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves.

The academy was breathtaking. Towering spires of white stone rose toward the sky, connected by arched walkways. Students in crisp uniforms hurried along the paths, and magic hummed in the air like electricity.

And above it all, the massive Celestial Tower loomed, majestic and imposing, as if watching over everything.

“Stay beside me always,” I told Colette as we stepped down from the carriage, my hand instinctively reaching for hers.

She gave my hand a gentle squeeze before letting go, smiling softly. “I’m not a child, Rowena. I can take care of myself.”

We joined the flow of new students heading toward the main hall for orientation. As we walked, a new carriage arrived, drawing excited whispers from the crowd.

A tall, athletic boy with dark hair stepped out, carrying himself with natural confidence. The whispers grew louder around us.

“Who’s that?” I asked, nudging Colette.

“Killian Ashbourne,” she whispered back, leaning closer. “Eldest son of the Ashbourne Clan. One of the strongest fire sorcerers in our year. His family is incredibly influential.”

I watched him for a moment as he strode past, then shrugged. “There’s nothing special about him.”

Colette gave me a knowing look but didn’t argue.

The orientation ceremony was held in the grand central hall, a massive space with vaulted ceilings and banners displaying the academy’s motto: Ad Astra Per Arcana* — To the Stars Through Magic.

We found seats near the middle as the Headmaster stepped onto the stage as he welcomed the new first-year class.

He spoke at length about the proud history of Asterion Academy, how it trained the greatest sorcerers and witches in the world.

He painted vivid pictures of the glory that awaited those who excelled, particularly those chosen to ascend the Celestial Tower and become protectors of Elaris.

The entire hall seemed to hold its breath at the mention of the Tower.

My chest tightened with determination. This was it. This was our chance — mine and Colette’s. We would climb those ranks together. We would prove every cruel whisper about the Twin Curse wrong.

We would stand at the top of that Tower as heroes, and no one in Elaris would ever look down on us again.

When the long ceremony finally ended, the hall filled with chatter and movement as students began filing out. Colette walked close beside me, still clutching her book, when she accidentally bumped shoulders with a girl a little ahead of us.

“Oh, I’m so sorry—” Colette started, steadying herself.

The girl turned sharply, her elegant features twisting into annoyance. Without warning, she shoved Colette hard in the chest.

My sister stumbled backward and fell onto the stone floor with a startled gasp, her book skidding across the ground.

The restraint in me snapped.

I was between them in an instant, positioning myself protectively in front of Colette as she started to get up. I looked at the girl’s uniform badge.

“Lysandra. My sister already apologized. There was no need to push her like that.”

Lysandra’s eyes narrowed as she looked us up and down, a cruel smile slowly spreading across her face.

“Twins?” She huffed. “You should know that the bane of your existence is cursed. Do this academy a favor and get your sorry excuse of selves out of Asterion.”

My blood turned to ice, then roared into fire. My hands clenched at my sides.

“What did you say?” I demanded, my voice low and dangerous.

“I said,” Lysandra repeated slowly, clearly enjoying the audience we were drawing, “..You cursed twins should do this academy a favor and leave.”

My palm shot up and connected sharply with her cheek, the sound cracking through the suddenly silent hall like a whip.

Lysandra’s head snapped to the side. Gasps rippled through the crowd of students around us.

“Rowena….what have you done!” Collette whispered behind me.