Starless Reincarnation

The day had finally arrived—Raven was heading off to Eldoria Academy with Celia.

Thalia stood in the grand entry hall, her long crimson hair shimmering in the sunlight streaming through the tall windows. She gently stroked Raven's silky black hair, a faint smile gracing her lips.

"Raven, take care of Celia, okay?" Thalia said warmly.

"Hey! What? Mother, shouldn't you be telling me to take care of her?" Celia protested, her darker crimson hair swaying as she crossed her arms in mock indignation.

Thalia didn't answer, her smile widening instead, a silent reassurance in her gaze.

"Both of you stay safe," she said finally, her tone soft but firm. "I'll visit when I can, but things are getting busy around here. Try to stay out of trouble—and don't set Eldoria on fire."

"Okay!" Celia chirped, practically bouncing with energy.

"Yes, Mother," Raven replied with calm composure, her tone carrying a quiet warmth.

"Good." Thalia stepped back, her orange eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and longing. "Now go on—the carriage is waiting."

The sisters made their way toward the ornate carriage waiting outside, their luggage already packed and secured. As they walked, Raven glanced back one last time, catching a glimpse of Thalia waving them off.

Over the past six months, Raven's bond with Thalia had deepened significantly. At first, Raven had been hesitant to see her as anything more than a temporary guardian. But over time, Thalia's unwavering support and gentle guidance wore down her walls. Slowly but surely, Raven began to see her as a true mother.

Thalia, in turn, treated Raven as her own, with no favoritism between her daughters. Still, she couldn't help but notice how different they were.

Celia was like a blazing flame—bright, eager, and full of boundless energy. She was endlessly curious, always wanting to explore and experience everything the world had to offer.

Raven, on the other hand, was more like a shadow—reserved, focused, and quietly intense. She kept her thoughts and goals close to her chest, her quiet determination speaking volumes where words didn't.

Despite their contrasting personalities, the two complemented each other perfectly, their bond as sisters growing stronger each day. Fire and dark magic—a pairing no one would have predicted, yet it worked seamlessly.

Of course, Thalia harbored concerns about Raven's dark magic. The power carried a weight of responsibility and danger, but in those six months, Raven had shown remarkable growth. She not only honed her abilities but also developed a deeper understanding of herself and the world around her.

"Hey! Don't close your eyes yet! It's still morning, and we've got a long way to go!" Celia teased, shaking Raven's shoulder lightly.

"Alright, alright," Raven said, setting her katana carefully beside her. "Is there something you want to talk about?"

Celia's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Well... I've been meaning to ask about your training with my mother. I trained with her too, but not nearly as long as you. Also, that katana looks brand new. Where'd you get it?"

Raven's mind wandered briefly to the grueling sessions with Thalia—the countless times her head met the unforgiving smack of a wooden sword.

"It was fine. Just normal training," Raven replied nonchalantly, though the memories of her aching muscles and bruises said otherwise. "I'm surprised Alaric didn't step in to help me during those times."

Celia chuckled, rubbing her arms as if remembering her own training pains. "Alaric? He's always busy. He only drops by when he's got a rare free moment. You're lucky, though. My mother trained me for a month, and I still get chills thinking about it."

"I see." Raven's gaze shifted to the katana resting beside her. "Mother asked the blacksmith to craft this for me. The blade's forged from some rare, durable metal. It's incredibly sharp."

"Ah, you mean Thorden? That big, burly blacksmith with arms thicker than tree trunks?" Celia asked, her tone exaggerated.

Raven nodded. "Yes, him."

Celia grinned. "He's a legend! He crafts most of the weapons used in the city. They say he's the best blacksmith around. There's even a wild rumor that he's been forging swords since he was born."

Raven raised an eyebrow, her voice dry. "That's ridiculous."

Celia shrugged with a playful grin. "Hey, you never know! Anyway, aren't you excited? You'll be joining Eldoria Academy with me! You're going to learn so much."

"Hmm," Raven murmured, glancing out the window of the carriage.

The idea of an academy still felt foreign. In her past life, there had been no such thing. There was only one path, a school of martial arts where survival meant fighting your way to the top. Eldoria seemed like an entirely different world.

"Yeah, I guess I'm a bit excited," Raven admitted. "But what about the tests? I heard there's something like that before you're officially accepted."

"Oh, the tests?" Celia tapped her chin, pretending to think. "They're easy enough. There are only two. The first one tests your knowledge of mana and monsters. The second tests your strength. If you do really well, you might even skip a grade!"

Raven absorbed the information silently. Monsters—or Mana Beasts, as they were called—were common in this world. They roamed forests, dungeons, and even appeared unpredictably in towns. Those who wielded mana were tasked with dealing with these creatures.

Celia poked Raven's cheek suddenly, breaking her thoughts. "Don't tell me you're nervous, little sister."

Raven brushed her hand away. "I'm not. I was just thinking about how I'll have to take care of my older sister, who's sometimes careless and clumsy."

"Hey! Watch your mouth," Celia shot back, grinning as she caught Raven in a playful chokehold. "You know, I've been wondering just how much stronger you've gotten in the last six months. Your dark magic must've improved a ton, right?"

Raven easily lifted herself free from Celia's hold. "I've improved a lot, but I'm still nowhere near your level."

"Pfft, don't be modest. I can tell you've grown so much stronger," Celia said, leaning her head back and relaxing. After a pause, her tone softened. "Raven, I'm really happy that you're my little sister."

Raven glanced at her and, for once, let her guard down. She leaned her head on Celia's shoulder and closed her eyes. "I'm happy too."

For a moment, the two sat in comfortable silence as the carriage rattled along the path.

The carriage rattled to a gentle stop, and Raven gazed out at the towering spires of Eldoria Academy. Its majestic stone walls glimmered faintly in the sunlight, the sprawling campus bustling with students clad in various shades of the academy's emblematic colors—deep sapphire and gold. Some walked confidently, others seemed as wide-eyed and awestruck as Raven felt.

"Come on," Celia said, already stepping out of the carriage with a graceful leap. "I'll show you where to go for your enrollment and testing. This way, little sister!"

Raven followed, clutching her katana carefully. The weight of it felt comforting—a reminder of her hard work and training. She stepped onto the polished stone path, her boots clicking softly. Around her, the sheer grandeur of the academy took her breath away. Grand archways adorned with intricate carvings of mythical beasts framed the entrance, and banners bearing the academy's crest fluttered in the gentle breeze.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Celia said, noticing Raven's lingering gaze. "It's more than just a school—it's a fortress of knowledge and power. Eldoria has stood here for centuries. The strongest mages and warriors all trained here. Who knows? Maybe one day your name will be etched into one of these walls."

Raven smirked faintly. "That's ambitious coming from you."

"Hey! I'm just saying you have the potential," Celia replied, nudging Raven playfully. "And, okay, maybe a little wishful thinking. I'd like to see both our names up there someday."

They moved through the gates, where several staff members guided new students to different stations. Raven noticed the mix of people—some carrying swords or staves, others radiating an unmistakable aura of magical energy.

As they approached the enrollment station, Celia leaned in, whispering, "You've got this, Raven. It's just a formality to get you registered before the tests. Nothing to worry about."

Raven nodded but kept her gaze sharp, scanning her surroundings. The academy felt alive with energy, a pulsing hub of potential.

"Name?" asked the woman at the desk, her voice brisk but not unkind.

"Raven Vermillion," she said, her tone steady.

The woman glanced up briefly, her eyes narrowing slightly as they lingered on Raven. She jotted something down before handing her a slip of parchment. "This contains your testing schedule and locations. Be punctual. Next!"

"See? Easy," Celia said as they stepped away.

"Sure," Raven replied, tucking the parchment into her pocket. Her thoughts were already racing toward the tests.

As they continued through the academy grounds, Celia spoke animatedly, pointing out various landmarks. "That's the Great Hall. You'll love the food—it's the best part of this place. And over there's the practice arena. You'll probably be spending a lot of time there. Oh, and see that tower? That's where the library is—an absolute treasure trove of knowledge. You'll want to visit it, trust me."

Raven absorbed her sister's words while her mind remained focused on the impending trials. Celia's energy was infectious, though, and for a moment, Raven allowed herself to relax.

By midday, they reached the testing grounds. The area was cordoned off, filled with other first-years preparing for their assessments. Some were practicing spells, while others sparred with wooden weapons. A few sat quietly, reviewing books or scrolls.

"You'll do great," Celia said, squeezing Raven's shoulder. "I'll be cheering for you from the sidelines. But don't get too nervous, the first test is more about what you know than what you can do."

"Right," Raven replied, gripping the hilt of her katana briefly for reassurance.

"And remember," Celia added, leaning in with a mischievous grin, "don't hold back too much, little sister. Show them what a Vermillion is capable of."

Raven smirked faintly. "I'll keep that in mind."

As Celia walked away to join the upperclassmen, Raven took a deep breath. The academy's atmosphere was unlike anything she had ever experienced—both exhilarating and daunting. But despite the unease, something inside her stirred with anticipation.

She adjusted the katana on her hip and stepped toward the testing station. It was time to show Eldoria Academy what she was made of.