From that day forward, Instructor Kai Sauline watched Alexa closely.
Every training session… every mistake… every reaction.
"Focus, Alexa," he would say calmly. "Try again."
"I am trying," Alexa replied one afternoon, frustration clear in her voice.
Day after day she struggled — sometimes freezing, sometimes stepping away, sometimes simply standing quietly while others demonstrated impressive control.
Whispers followed her.
"I don't think she has powers."
"Why is she even here?"
—
One afternoon during training, Instructor Kai called out, "Valerina — demonstrate precision strike. Target the rod."
A tall metal rod stood planted firmly in the ground.
Valerina stepped forward with confidence.
"Watch carefully," she said smugly.
Blue lightning crackled across her fingers.
But instead of aiming at the rod — her hand shifted slightly toward Alexa.
A sudden bolt shot out.
Alexa was thrown to the ground.
Gasps echoed.
"Valerina!" Kai's voice thundered. "What was that?"
Sarah rushed forward. "Alexa! Are you okay?"
"I… I think so," Alexa said, wincing.
Valerina shrugged casually. "It slipped."
"It did not slip," Kai said sharply. "Apologize."
Valerina crossed her arms. "No."
Her friends snickered.
Kai's jaw tightened.
Inside, a thought lingered — she is not ready to be here.
—
Meanwhile…
At the Richardson home…
The family sat at the table, one chair empty.
Seylah sighed. "Dinner feels weird without Alexa."
Tyler nodded. "Yeah… she usually complains about vegetables."
Daniel gave a small smile. "She does."
Suddenly —
A strange wind swept through the room.
"What was that?" Tyler asked.
A portal shimmered open.
Headmistress Seraphine Vale stepped through.
"David. Olivia," she said urgently. "We must speak."
Olivia frowned. "Can we finish dinner?"
"I'm afraid not," Seraphine replied. "This is important."
Tyler whispered excitedly, "Are we going to the magic school?"
Seraphine gave a small nod. "Yes."
They stepped through.
—
They appeared in a large office within Arcadia.
Behind a carved desk stood the principal — Principal Elowen Maris — a composed woman with silver-streaked dark hair and calm, intelligent eyes.
She stepped forward with a warm smile.
"David," she said.
Daniel laughed softly. "Elowen."
They embraced.
Olivia blinked. "You know each other?"
Elowen chuckled. "We go back a long way."
Seraphine raised an eyebrow slightly.
Elowen turned kindly to the children. "You must be Seylah and Tyler. Welcome."
"Hi," Tyler said excitedly.
Elowen smiled. "Would you mind waiting outside for a moment?"
They nodded and left.
—
Inside, Seraphine spoke first.
"Alexa is struggling," she said. "She shows no consistent ability."
Kai added, "She disrupts training. I question her admission."
Elowen looked toward Daniel. "David?"
Daniel took a slow breath.
"There is something you must know," he said.
Olivia reached for his hand.
Kai frowned. "What is it?"
Daniel spoke quietly. "Alexa is not our biological daughter."
Seraphine's eyes widened. "What?"
Kai stiffened.
Elowen nodded slowly. "Go on."
"She is the daughter of the Duchannes," Daniel said.
Kai whispered, "The Duchannes… as in Isolde Duchannes?"
Elowen's expression grew serious. "Yes."
Seraphine stepped closer. "Explain."
Daniel said softly, "Isolde once threatened this academy. She destroyed part of the grounds."
Elowen nodded. "That is why the barrier exists."
"She commands shadow forces," Olivia added. "Immense power."
Daniel continued, "She had twin daughters — Ariella and Alexa."
"Twins?" Seraphine repeated.
Kai blinked. "You're serious?"
Olivia nodded. "Yes."
Elowen spoke gently. "I asked David to take one child — Alexa — and raise her away from her mother."
Kai asked, "Why?"
"So she might grow toward the light," Elowen said.
Daniel added quietly, "The Duchannes plan to dominate the magical world."
Kai scoffed slightly. "Yet she shows nothing."
Daniel lifted his palm. "The Duchannes bear a dragon mark here."
Olivia continued, "We suppressed Alexa's mark — sealed her power."
Seraphine whispered, "That explains her instability."
Kai muttered, "Or perhaps she carried a device."
Olivia calmly took out her phone. "Watch."
She played the footage — a red flash — explosion.
Kai stared. "That… was magic."
Daniel said quietly, "Alexa possesses fire… and potentially more."
Olivia added, "Ariella wields water that freezes."
"They are sixteen," Daniel said.
Seraphine asked softly, "Does Alexa know?"
Olivia shook her head. "No."
Elowen folded her hands thoughtfully. "How will she react when she learns?"
Daniel sighed. "We don't know."
Seraphine said quietly, "We are sheltering immense power."
Elowen nodded. "And perhaps our greatest protection."
Kai asked, "What do you want me to do?"
Elowen replied firmly, "Observe her. Closely."
Seraphine nodded. "We will all watch."
Elowen added, "And this remains confidential."
They agreed.
—
Daniel spoke softly, "May we see Alexa?"
Moments later, Alexa entered.
"Mum? Dad?" she said in surprise.
She ran forward, hugging them.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"We wanted to see you," Olivia said warmly.
Tyler grinned. "Your school is amazing!"
Seylah hugged her tightly. "We miss you."
Alexa smiled softly. "I miss you too."
Behind them, Seraphine, Kai, and Elowen exchanged quiet glances — aware of the storm hidden beneath the surface.
After a while, the family prepared to leave.
"Take care," Daniel said gently.
"I will," Alexa replied.
They stepped through the portal.
Alexa was guided back to her dorm.
As she walked, unaware of the truth…
Principal Elowen Maris watched thoughtfully from the window.
"Let us hope," she murmured softly, "that she chooses the light."