• Ereya Chloris, a seventeen year old girl from Galia, a small town dreams of exploring the realm she lives on, Teruma. But, because of her curiosity, she ends up getting her wish the wrong way. Now, she's off to explore the whole of Lire. And to the vanquished golden city of Iona.

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    I was standing there with my best friend, Talia watching Sabrina's posse shake their little rears, flouncing their hair. It wasn't such a pretty sight. See, the tallest one of them is probably only 5 feet tall. And when you see little elementary girls show off like that, you can't help but shudder.

    Destiny is in another class, up where the college-leveled students are. As I have already told you, Destiny is Ms. Smarty Pants. I don't do bad at school, but I'm not where my sister is. The oldest is always better they say. Yet, Destiny's scared of a tiny dog. We were different with each other, although we held the same appearances as the rest of the town does.

    And it's because of my difference did I got myself into big, big trouble.

    Sabrina was there near the door to her classroom, speaking with her friends in a hushed tone. I could hear her saying, "Listen, listen closely. Remember how my father visited Teruma, the capital?" Her friends obediently nodded.

    "He says that the schools there teach elemental magic. Of course, I would want to learn magic but I love this town too much to leave." Sabrina continued and flipped a strand of her hair.

    I rolled my eyes, but knew that I myself was interested. Elemental magic..If I could learn that, I could explore Teruma without worrying about dangers. I'd just be able to protect myself! It was the perfect plan.

    Just then, my history teacher, Mrs. Pratts opened the door and hissed for us to come in. Now..How to describe Mrs. Pratts. Just imagine a 70 year old woman with a wicked look on her face, carrying a meter stick. Got it in your head? Good. Don't be scared. She's not actually scary without the meter stick. I repeat, without the meter stick.

    I took my seat next to Talia and licked my lips. It's practically burning in here. Mrs. Pratts began to take her huge history book out and began to explain the geography of the realm we were a bit connected to, Deria.

    "Deria has a shaping between an oval and a rectangle." She drew it on the board and I raised my eyebrows. Borrriiing.

    "Because it has a simple shape, building defensive walls around it were extremely easy." She continued. I sighed.

    "But the people overestimated the power of their walls, and it fell soon. But of course, that is another lesson altogether." I yawned.

    "Geography is an important part of the lesson. But, I have another announcement to attend to. Now, before you worry, it is not bad news."

    Ooh. It became interesting. I straightened up and stared at her with a look that probably looked eager. I think.

    "I have no idea if you know this, but Teruma the capital is looking for students interested to learn elemental magic. Now, let me tell you, such a thing to learn is extremely difficult. But, it will take your mental and physical being to practice, which is why I am certain that it will give you positive results."

    I turned to Talia, but Mrs. Pratts continued to speak.

    "It is of your choice and of ours. Before Teruma accepts you, you must be accepted by your own school first. We choose only those who are well-behaved, eager, who has a positive attitude, who doesn't slack off and most importantly, one who would represent Galia properly."

    Okay..Maybe I won't get in.

    "Do you understand?"

    All thirty-three heads probably nodded because she gave a shadow of a smile.

    "Good. Now, let us return to the geographic features of Deria."

    Ugh. Here we go again.

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    I went back home feeling a bit excited, but a bit depressed as well. See, I am eager, brave and has a positive attitude, as the requirements say. I think.

    But, I usually slack off and I'm not that well-behaved. And, representing Galia? A pig would do a better job than I would.

    Still. Maybe with a bit of luck, I could get in. I ran all the way home and barged in on my mother making dinner and yelled out, "You would not believe-" I was cut off.

    "Yes, yes. I know all about Teruma accepting students to learn elemental magic." My mother replied, smiling.

    "Huh? How?" I asked with a confused expression.

    "It's all over town. The messenger screamed it out for all to hear."

    "Jeez. What an irritating person."

    "Now, Ereya."

    "I know, be respectful."

    The door opened and my older sister, Destiny came in commenting, "Good luck with that." But a teasing smile was spread on her face.

    "Hi." I greeted her, and slung my bag on my usual chair and sat down, steaming chicken stew simmering in front of me.

    Destiny closed the door behind her and placed her bag on the living room chairs and questioned Mother, "Where is Father?"

    "He assumed that he will be late so he said to eat dinner without waiting for him."

    "Well, that's nice. I'm starving." I grinned, looking at the food that was now on the table.

    "Alright. Go eat up."

    The nice thing about dinner is that you don't care if anything's worrying you. I suppose it's what you'd call relaxing time. After finishing my food, I went up to my bedroom. Technically, it's Destiny's too. But I usually sleep earlier than her because she does her homework after dinnertime.

    I do it at the mornings.

    My sleep didn't go well. The dream that I had gotten wasn't very encouraging to my ideas either. I'll tell you how it went.

    My eyes had drooped to sleep and suddenly, I had found myself at my school. The whole of it was standing in the courtyard, being unnaturally silent. The principal, an elder lady with wispy hair and a scowling face, was announcing names from a piece of paper.

    I asked Talia what was happening and she answered, "They are telling the names of the people who was accepted by Teruma."

    It didn't make sense to me. I hadn't imagined that it would go this way, what with the whole school listening and everything. Things became worse in my dream. After finishing the names, it became clear to me that the only person she hasn't announced, was me.

    Huh? I was the only one in that school who had guts to not be afraid of the creaky old basement. How can I not be accepted?

    And then, suddenly, everybody was gone. And a woman's voice came out of nowhere and said, "You are to go somewhere than Teruma."

    I screamed, "Why?" It didn't make sense to me. The wimps at that school were like..they weren't even explainable.

    "You are to go somewhere else..Somewhere..else."

    Now. This might seem that I am complete failure. I will tell you, I am not. But, it was a bit scary, seeing all the faces I knew gone to Teruma, leaving me behind. It just didn't seem fair.

    I woke up, my heart beating fast, and my quilt with claw marks.

    Now I know what that woman had told me. But I also knew that I was no part of any prophecy. No person could have made me do it. I had chosen to. It was my wish.