Ava's POV
A sharp gust of wind knocked me off balance as a spell—someone else's—exploded a few feet away. My heart jumped. I hadn't even crossed the stone archway into the training grounds before Mira barked her first command.
"Rule one," she said, her voice cool and clipped. "Magic is tied to emotion. If you can't control yourself, you won't control it."
I was still catching my breath from the walk here. Still unsure if this whole thing—me, a witch, the Lunar Key—was a mistake. But Mira didn't care.
None of the witches did.
They circled the field like ghosts in dark cloaks, whispering in a language I couldn't understand, eyeing me like I was an outsider—and worse, a risk.
You will not be coddled here," Mira said, her voice clear and sharp. "My people do not tolerate weakness, and neither do I."
I didn't respond. I just tried to breathe.
"Ground yourself," Mira instructed. "Draw the magic in, hold it steady, and release it with intention. Try now."
I closed my eyes. Slowed my breath.
This would be easy, Selena had thought me the basics
I imagined roots beneath my feet, imagined drawing power from them like water. I found the thread of warmth curled inside me and reached for it gently.
A ball of fire appeared on my hand, I looked at Mira.
"Atleast you know how to summon it, now let's see how you do against this."
A shadow rose from the ground and stood beside Mira.
"We sent this to you when we found about you and the prophecy. You remember it right? It is a Shadowsworn," Mira continued. "We need to see how you respond to real danger."
I swallowed hard. This was the shadow with the chains that attacked me at the gym. The last time I fought with it Dante had to save me.
The duel began without a countdown.
The Shadowsworn moved like smoke—silent, fast, lethal. He hurled it chains toward me. I rolled sideways, barely dodging. I threw a ball of fire but it was too early, fizzling into ash before it got to him.
He came again—closer this time. He slashed his hand downward, sending a black curse spiraling toward her feet. I blocked it with a wall of flame.
It wasn't perfect. But at least it held him for now
At Umbra, Selene had told me that huge creatures always underestimate the little ones, so I always had the element of surprise,
I steadied my breath and reached out to the power surging in me. This time, a bolt of lightning struck it
He stumbled. Then snarled and charged again. I spun her hands in a figure-eight, weaving fire and wind into a spiraling spear.
It hit his chest with a sharp crack of power.
The shadow fell. But I could tell it wasn't done.
"Enough!" Mira called, stepping into the arena.
The Shadowsworn rose slowly, giving her a nod of acknowledgment before vanishing into mist.
My pride shattered. I didn't want it's acknowledgment. I needed to defeat it
Snickers echoed from somewhere behind me.
"She lacks control," one muttered.
"She's dangerous," another added. "Even to herself."
"Who said that?". Mira asked
Freya, a senior apprentice and one of the fiercest witches under Mira, entered the circle.
"I did, she couldn't even defeat a common Shadowsworn, I think the goddess chose the wrong person."she said
Who made you the judge do you think you can defeat her? Mira asked her
Freya smiled. "She'll be lucky if she can cast anything at all."
Mira turned to me, "Take this as part of your training."
"This is a lesson," Mira warned. "Not a duel. No fatal spells."
The match began.
Freya struck first—an arc of water magic that slammed into my shoulder and soaked through my robes. I stumbled but didn't fall.
I called fire.
It came too fast, nearly burned my arm, but I sent it forward anyway. It caught the edge of her cloak.
She sneered, and retaliated with a burst of lightning.
I managed to block half of it—but the rest hit my ribs and knocked the breath out of me.
My knees hit the ground.
"Get up!" Mira barked.
The world spun.
I dug my fingers into the dirt, sucked in the pain, and forced myself upright.
Freya charged again.
But this time I was ready for her, she had belittled me, all I saw was pure rage.
My power erupted in a raw, furious wave—wind, fire, and earth colliding around me. The stone cracked. The torches blew out. Witches shielded themselves as the courtyard lit up with raw energy.
And in the eye of the storm, I stood—burning, trembling, barely holding it all in.
Freya froze. Her expression was no longer smug.
She was afraid.
When the dust settled, Mira stepped forward, eyes locked on me.
"You still have no control," she said.
"I'm learning," I replied, chest heaving.
"You're a danger to yourself and everyone around you."
"Then teach me better."
A long pause.
Then Mira turned away, robes sweeping behind her. "We'll see if you survive the next trail. You'll return at dawn. Wear thicker gloves."