There have been tales of dragons destroying the kingdom of  Vuthiel. These huge, bat winged creatures attacking villagers, knights, even the castle itself. It was said that at year X100 the land was conquered, no human survived. But those are legends. I don't think I can live in such world. It frightens me. It's reality, that can be changed. For the greater good.

My destiny is unclear, but it's certain that I'll have a role. No use avoiding it. I stared at my room, specifically the shelves, where I would keep my memories from last year, back at Clayshore. A golden pin from my mother, a book of spells from my brother. A bow and a sheath of arrows, and other weapons I considered useless.

"How come our family has to work over the weekend while the other kids are outside?" I walk
downstairs, careful to avoid my mother's gaze.

"Cecelia, we had to work hard for a better life here at Amberwood. You should be thankful, or else we would've ended up worse," She says in a comforting tone, her words careful, almost rehearsed.

"You don't understand, there's this feeling on my chest..."

"What feeling?" Aaron interrupts.

"Aaron, this isn't a conversation you should be involved in." When mother says phrases similar to this one, it's not the best time to persuade her. Disobeying orders, my brother walks towards the stairs to who knows where.

"Okay," I headed to see if one of my letters arrived to forget the recent conversation. Nothing. Come on! I just want something! Isn't it difficult to ask?

My head was filled with thoughts, I couldn't even force myself to sleep, like I usually do. The next morning, I was tiptoeing while I noticed some documents on the table.

Please, let it be mine.

Being the curious girl I am, I take the scroll and read it to myself upstairs.

Cecelia Lockridge

Yes!

I couldn't believe my eyes. Waxonia Institute of Magic? This is crazy! No, there must be something going on. Why would I receive such thing? They don't accept underage children. Guess the law here has been changed. Well then... I really wouldn't know what would it be like if I was gone.

You have to, Cecelia. Go to the Institute, you'll know to defend yourself. Stay strong.

I can't let anybody know about this. The age has been lowered to twelve years. Crazy, yet necessary?

"Hey Ce, trying to sneak off again?" Aaron stares at my hand, the one which I have the scroll. His brown eyes take a second glance. "I must be imagining things..."

"No," my voice cracks, something that happens every time I lie. "I wasn't."

"If you say so." I place the scroll on the floor, take a strand of my hair, twirling it around and around, not knowing what else to say. When everybody was gone, I searched for knives in the kitchen. Once I could find what I was looking for, I take the same piece of hair, and cut it shorter. I keep doing that until it becomes shoulder length.

"Hey everyone! There's something going on in the kitchen, I don't know what," I imitate my best panicky voice. Both my mother and Aaron were startled, already in here before I even finish.
But they were no fools, and realized it was only a joke.

"Sorry, I don't know what I was doing," I storm off to my room, closing the door shut. My little act won't last long. The knocks force me off the floor, revealing my mother. "Cecelia, May we talk?"

"Sure. Go ahead." I opened the door. "Make it quick."

"Listen, I know you're upset and all, but if you really want to go to the Waxonia Institute of Magic, then I won't stop you. I'll help you with anything you need. But please, do me a favor."

"What?"

"Stay alive, for all of us." Did I heard that right? She's doing this for me?

Time passes, and I look alright, almost as if I was someone else entirely. I take a step on the front door,  and wave goodbye. The scroll has been signed, and I have almost everything required to attend. 

A horse carriage ride. I've never been on one before, but it's interesting. New experiences. I glance at the village for one last time, and I could feel pity. Pity for those who couldn't make it. Two other  girls and a boy sit near me, which makes matters worse.

X1156 is a really strange year.

"Hello, I'm Selina." Something noticeable about this girl was her auburn hair. The tone of Selina's words, casual, no resentment. "Mines Cecelia."

Today's hours of exhaustion led to something enjoyable. Hidden in Duncmont, a region known for its advances in magic and medicine, was a castle. Let me rephrase that, it seems like one, but when we walk to the entrance, everything's so marvelous.

"Why did the kingdom decide to enroll us?" Selina asks.

"I don't know," another girl, one I don't know very well, responds.

Blah, blah, blah. Rooms, classes, books. Everyone else was excited. Meanwhile I was, just not enough to start getting too cheerful.

What useful skills I'll learn on my journey?