Semua Bab Aetherion Academia #1: Shadows of Rebirth: Bab 21 - Bab 30

Administrative Manor, Corridor Outside Provost's Office. [Jaxon P.O.V] The obsidian doors loomed like judges that had already reached their verdict. I stood frozen, staring at the empty space where Lumira had vanished. Ozone burned my lungs. My pride lay in pieces at my feet. "You may keep your consolation prize." The words replayed, each repetition driving deeper. The mate bond — once steady, grounding — flared violently, white-hot scream ripping through my chest. Something vital torn out, leaving hollow ache and furious pulse where my heart should be. That wasn't Lumira. The Lumira I knew had been soft, needy, clinging. She waited for scraps of affection like treasures. Followed me, loved me too much, forgave too easily. But this Lumira was none of that. Cold steel and moonlight, razor-edged and regal. And when she looked at me, there had been no grief, no longing — only contempt. A hand closed around my arm. "Jaxon," Selene murmured, voice silk-smooth, tightening like a l

Moments later, [Rina P.O.V] The aftermath of the Sorting Ritual felt like a lingering fever. The Grand Hall emptied, corridors becoming pressurized current of bodies surging toward the Great Refectory for opening banquet. Stone walls, ancient and cold, seemed to sweat with collective anxiety of thousand students. Whispers followed me like physical wake — no longer soft pitying murmurs I had endured as "broken mate." Now they were sharp-edged things vibrating with dread and corrosive shimmering envy. Beside me, Seraphina practically vibrated, golden hair caught in prismatic light of overhead crystals. Her voice cut through oppressive atmosphere in joyful melody. "I still can't believe it, Lumira! Ignis! We're actually in the same house! I was so sure they'd put me in Terra with other hybrids, or maybe Ventus, but the holy fires - they actually chose me. And with you! It's like the Ancients themselves are finally playing fair. Did you see the look on that Earth Witch's face when t

Moments later, [Rina P.O.V] The aftermath of the banquet felt like wading through thick invisible syrup. I moved through crowded corridors, flanked by Elara's radiating heat and Seraphina's buzzing excitement. Part of heavy stream of bewildered freshmen, chaotic river of silks and furs funneling toward House dormitories. I noted with flicker of appreciation that academia's logistics matched its architecture; our luggage had already been magically teleported to female wing of Ignis House dorms. Efficiency was language I understood. At threshold of Ignis common residence - massive fortress-like structure centered around guarded courtyard - senior house officials intercepted us. The air smelled of charcoal and high-grade incense, as a Prefect with face like carved granite handed each of us thick slate-gray tablet and shimmering enchanted student card. "Your magical student IDs," he stated, voice curt metallic rasp brooking no interruptions. "They do more than track attendance. They a

[Rina P.O.V] The quad was a riot of house colors, nervous freshmen in mofti milling in clusters that smelled of fear and fresh linen. I stood at Ignis's edge, my silver hair catching the morning light, ignoring the whispers that followed my unescorted arrival. Seraphina fidgeted beside me, still breathless from our hurried walk. "Do you think he'll -" "No," I cut her off. "He won't." I was wrong. The shadows between two alchemy towers thickened. Coagulated. Became solid. Riven Vorspina stepped from nothing, his black coat settling around him like wings folding. He moved through the crowd without touching anyone, students parting before him with the unconscious instinct of prey scenting a predator. His molten red eyes found mine across the distance, and his lips curved - not a smile, not a threat, but the shape a blade makes when it leaves its sheath. He stopped inches from me. Close enough that his scent surrounded me - winter frost, aged wine, something darker beneath. "Lady

[Rina P.O.V] The clinical chill from Aurel's healing magic still hummed in my marrow as I navigated the sun-drenched corridors. I checked my slate-gray tablet. My first official session wasn't a practical spell lab - those were reserved for the dark of midnight - but an introductory seminar for the Department of Clan, Coven & Court Diplomacy. In the world of the elite, politics always preceded power. I had to know the rules before shattering them. I made my way to the vaulted lecture hall. It was a masterpiece of dark mahogany and emerald velvet, smelling of old ink and heavy secrets. It felt more like a high court than a classroom. Only thirty of us had qualified for this elite track; names that would one day be signed at the bottom of international treaties. I took a seat in the center row, my black leather jacket a sharp, defiant contrast against the green velvet. I wasn't surprised to see Riven lounging in the back; his dark gaze was fixed on the ceiling, looking bored but ent