There was something lurking in the darkness, watching, observing, and pacing in the shadows. It was ancient, cold, and malicious, stalking along the edges of some invisible barrier that separated it from the prey it sought.
It knew, it had no chance of reaching it's hunt at moment. It had to wait. Wait until the prey left its nest, its shield. Wait until it was beyond the invisible barrier. Only then, would it accomplish its task, achieve its aim.
So, it lurked in the darkness, watching, observing, and pacing in the shadows as it waited for its prey.
*
Princess Qamari followed behind the academy elders into the green-blue crystal palaces of the Sealand Academy. Hundreds of magicians flew on sea creatures, giant sea shells, and giant clams as they rushed towards a giant stadium in front of the largest palace of the academy.
The palace was made of blue-green crystal with mighty red pillars that stretched towards the domed purple ceiling, exuding majesty and ancientness as it towered above the crystal buildings below. White pearls swirled around it, releasing bursts of white light, as iridescent corals glowed beneath, heightening the mesmerizing beauty of the underwater academy.
"Every time new students are admitted, a welcoming ceremony is held. As an old custom of the academy, all second year students are required to be present at the welcoming ceremony. That is why the second years are rushing towards the stadium. They will be acting as your guides after the conclusion of the ceremony." Elder Wu saw her gaze fall on the racing students and patiently explained.
"They also have the responsibility to help you get settled. However, since you are a prospective Marikeen and the Great Magician's future apprentice, your dwelling will be closer to the Main Academy Building." He pointed towards colorful whale shaped crystal buildings on the tail end of the giant crystal palace, the blue-green gems decorating its exterior glowing with soft green lights.
"Wow!"
"They are so beautiful!"
"I wonder where we will be staying."
The female apprentices behind gasped in astonishment as they followed Elder Wu's hand to the colorful whale buildings, their jaws dropping in amazement as they took in the splendid and exquisite giant structures.
As they proceeded towards the giant green stadium, Princess Qamari and the new apprentices encountered sea lions, red eels, lighting jellyfishes, and pink seahorses floating above their heads or swimming along side them. Whenever the creatures neared, Princess Qamari was able to feel the vibe of magic pulsing through the white sand.
Rich and pure, it provided the magical lifeforms inside the purple dome with power and life.
'So happy and free.' She internally thought as she watched a giant turtle casually float beside her.
By the time they arrived at the verdant stadium, they had grown numb to the numerous wonderous sights, only quietly sighing in acceptance.
"New students, please get seated. Our Great Magician Iiam will be here shortly to personally welcome you." A purple haired elder with blue clothes immediately spoke the instant the recruitment elder led the new magicians forward.
"Go on, get seated. It is not everyday that students of the academy get to meet the Great Magician, so it will get a bit crowded in a few moments." Elder Wu motioned for Princess Qamari to sit at the centermost seat and left with the rest of the elders.
He completely ignored the rest of the new apprentices, including the other two prospective Marikeens, as if they did not even exist.
Ignoring the glares from the other two Marikeen prospectives, Princess Qamari gracefully walked to the center and sat on the green intricate conch shell. It was smooth and soft, making her sigh in comfort as her body relaxed. Crossing her legs, she leaned back on the soft cushions and focused on the platform.
"Not even a Marikeen yet, and she is already acting like the leader." The blue haired girl snorted in disdain, sitting on the other side of the princess.
"If this keeps up, she will soon be riding over our heads! We have to do something to disgrace her before the whole academy, otherwise, we will turn into her props. Before it is too late, we have to take action." Marui said to Aarya Quime, gushing her teeth hatefully as she watched Princess Qamari act like a queen.
During their entrance into the academy, she saw how much Elder Wu favored the wench. He went so far as to even introduce every building and explain every activity to her as he led them towards the stadium. And once they reached the stadium, he directed her to the centermost seat.
Is that not indirectly declaring Princess Qamari as the leader of their group and the one most likely to become the Marikeen?
The elder did not even know the wench, and yet, he was already supporting her as if she was above them all.
How could she accept such insult and humiliation? Accept being placed behind someone else?
"No, I have to do something! I will do something" she hissed darkly, her violet eyes flashing malevolently.
Aarya Quime indifferently watched Marui Osklain seethe with hatred and jealousy. She did not say anything in response to the other's proposal nor made any commitment to working together. Working with others was the last thing on her list. She had her own goals and her own methods in achieving them.
As for other people, sooner or later, she would leave them in the dust.
Her gaze swept over Princess Qamari's leisurely figure and she smirked.
'You can relax all you want right now. When I become the Marikeen later, let us see if you will still be able to maintain that carefree attitude.'
Turning, she sat on the left of the stadium, close to the Main Academy Building's door.
Marui watched her departing back and snorted. Turning, she took her own seat, close to the blue haired girl.
The other apprentices, seeing the main leads seated, slowly took their own seats, sounds of comfort and pleasure passing through their lips.
"This is great! I have never experienced so much excitement and wonder in one day before."
"I know. It was worth entering that dark forest to gain the chance to enter the Sealand Academy. I can now study magic in a beautiful and serene environment."
"I will no longer have to struggle for survival."
As the girls happily expressed their feelings, the excitement and expectation in their hearts soared. Their energetic vibe infected the arriving second years as they recalled their own entrance into the academy.
"Brother Rong, we were once just like them. Filled with awe and wonder as we walked through the academy. The mesmerizing beauty of the sea and the magical vibe in the land, carrying our hope and ambitions for the future." The group of second years, dressed in red, sat on the side of the platform.
Led by two men, both tall with dark brown hair, they watched the enthusiastic females with understanding smiles.
"We were not like that once. We are still like that. Every day, we are filled with the ambition to learn new magic and spells to help us get stronger, to get us closer to our dreams. The year passed, but our ambitions and hope never changed." The speaker was one of the tall man with brown hair, leading the group of second years, Brother Rong.
"Brother Rong, what do you think the new junior sisters expectations and ambitions are? Seeing their expressions, they are happy to be here, but they do not seem that ambitious about achieving great things." The other tall man with brown hair commented in passing, his light voice drifting through the sea into the ears of the new apprentices relaxing on the conch shell seats.
Immediately, the girls looked over, and froze.
The men across from them were dressed in red, with their hair tied above their heads. A long gold sash wrapped around their waist, keeping their robes held together. With their mature aura and faint smiles, they gave off a gentle light that vibrated with magic.
But what had them frozen in shock were the two young men in front. Their red robes set off the lustrous glory of dark brown hair freely flowing behind their backs. Combined with their blue eyes and chiseled features they immediately captured the unguarded females hearts.
"Why are they staring at us like that, Brother Rong? Are they okay?" A green haired guy behind the two tall brown haired men, concernedly asked.
"They should be?" Brother Rong uncertainly replied. He too, was baffled by the apprentices reaction.
"Fools, of course they are okay. They are only smitten with our looks." The other tall guy said confidently.
"Brother Teng, do not fool around. We have specifically been sent for by the Great Magician to guide the new apprentices through the academy. If you commit any blunder, it will get every one present here in trouble." Brother Rong sternly reprimanded in warning.
"Okay, man. cool down. I will not do anything that will get everyone in trouble." Brother Teng flung his arm around Brother Rong's shoulder as he swept his gaze over the new magicians.
At this moment, his gaze fell on a purple-red clad girl with a veil over her face. But even with her face covered, her beauty was hard to hide, the veil only adding a mysterious vibe to her façade.
"Oh? Who is she?" Heart racing, Brother Teng dazedly straightened his posture, his eyes fixed on the mysterious girl.