Chapter 5 Holy Crystal
1383words
Lily looked back at me and smiled, "Oh, Moon. This academy has stood here for hundreds of years. This grandeur and our city," she gestured around, wrapping the cityscape within her arms, "has existed beyond the ages. Welcome to Undermoon Academy, Moon."
Staring up at the towering edifice representing Undermoon Academy, my breath was taken away by its glorious grandeur. This was not Rosepion; it was another world I was just beginning to explore.
As we looked out on the sprawling expanse of the Academy, Lily's vibrant eyes glowed under the ghostly illumination. The courtyard below swarmed with creatures that might have been picked straight out of fairy tales, their aura whispering tales of potent magic and inexplicable enchantment. Wizards sparred in the ancient art of spell-casting, werewolves engaged in primal brawls, and vampires, noble creatures of stun and starlight, roamed the dark halls of their pristine clans.
"No need to be shy with me," said Lily, her gaze flashing playfully, "You can ask anything about this place. It's quite a different world here, but at its core, it's not so different from yours."
"Is all this real?" I asked a skeptic's question, struggling to digest the scenes unfolding before my eyes. It felt like reality had collided with a dream I had yet to wake up.
Her laugh echoed. "Oh dear! You have woken up from your sleep. Now, this isn't a dream. We exist, even if your world refuses to acknowledge it."
"How could something like them be in this place? Mythical creatures like Medusa?" The thought of coming face-to-face with the snake-headed woman from Greek mythology left a chill crawling down my spine.
Her smile didn't waver. "Of course! Medusa's here. But there's no need to worry. She won't hurt anyone, as long as you don't provoke her. Mutual respect keeps peace here."
"I know it's weird! But it feels like I'm the only ordinary person here, without a trace of magic or power. Just a human trekking through tales where I don't belong," I said, echoing the stray thought that had been dancing in my mind.
Lily's contemplative gaze was unnerving. "You may not know yet, but no human being can enter this world by chance. You may very well possess abilities you're unaware of," she ventured, a light sparking in her eyes. "There's a test we can do. By examining your palm, we can reveal the hidden trails of your power."
"Ability? Obviously I don't have one! I'm just an ordinary person!" My words were fierce, but my heart pounded with the prospect of hidden potential.
"That's what all humans say, before the magic awakens," said Lily. "Don't worry, we only need the palm of your hand to prove your abilities."
Lily took my hand, her grip firm and reassuring, as she led me through the grand entrance of Undermoon Academy. My heart raced excitedly as I took in the awe-inspiring sights before me. It was unlike anything I had ever seen - a place where the extraordinary became ordinary, where the impossible came to life.
The academy was divided into two distinct worlds. On one side, the majestic vampire clan reigned, their elegance and grace enveloping the halls. On the other side, the wolf clan roamed, their presence exuding an air of coldness and selfishness. It was a stark contrast, like fire and ice existing side by side.
As we made our way towards the reception desk, Lily's confidence never wavering, my eyes fell upon a woman seated there. She exuded warmth and kindness, her smiles forming gentle ripples across her face. Lily approached her with a sense of familiarity as if they had known each other for years.
"Excuse me," Lily spoke softly, her voice carrying an air of respect, "may I borrow a holy crystal?"
The woman raised an eyebrow, her eyes scanning the both of us curiously. "Yes, of course," she replied, her voice tinged with intrigue. "But who is this young girl with you?"
Lily cast a gentle smile in my direction before turning towards the receptionist. "This is Moon. I found her alone on the streets, and I invited her to join us here."
The receptionist's smile grew wider, beams of warmth emanating from her. "Well then, it seems she shall be your responsibility, Lily!"
Lily nodded, her eyes never leaving mine. I smiled back, feeling a sense of belonging in this strange and magical place.
The woman turned her attention to a drawer under the desk and retrieved the holy crystal, placing it on the table before us. "This sacred crystal will reveal who you truly are," she explained. "Strength or weakness holds no importance here. Everyone is equal in the eyes of the crystal. Shall we give it a try? Place your hands upon it."
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of the outcome. Lily's encouraging gaze, however, gave me the courage to proceed. Placing my hands upon the excellent, polished surface of the crystal, I felt a surge of anticipation ripple through my body.
Seconds turned into minutes as we waited anxiously for the crystal's reaction. To our surprise, nothing happened. No radiant light, no flicker of colors, only a milky whiteness remained within the sacred crystal.
Lily's brows furrowed in frustration, a tinge of annoyance creeping into her voice. "Is this crystal broken?"
The receptionist, taken aback by the lack of response, shook her head. "No, it can't be. This crystal is relatively new," she murmured, more to herself than to us.
With an embarrassed face, I withdrew my hands from the holy crystal. My cheeks flushed with a mixture of disappointment and embarrassment. We weren't alone, for several students of Undermoon Academy had witnessed our failed attempt, their curious eyes watching the scene unfold.
'Sorry, I didn't expect this either. Thank you for helping me get here," I said, immediately walking away from this place.
'Eh! Moon! Don't go, Moon? Wait!" said Lily. "Thank you for the holy crystal," said Lily to the receptionist, then left immediately following Moon in a hurry.
I immediately ran away from Undermoon Academy, accidentally crossing two hostile groups.
'I can't afford to lose to this stupid team! The vampire clan will win that match!" said a vampire group leader.
"Hah! I will praise you sincerely if you can snatch that victory from me. Send your best men or even yourself to compete with me in the match. "The wolf group will fight the vampire group in that match," said a leader of the wolf group.
As I ran past them, I couldn't help but overhear their conversation. There was some sort of competition between the vampire and wolf groups, and it would be fierce.
I had heard rumors about these groups before but never thought I would witness their rivalry firsthand. As I continued running, I realized I needed to figure out where I was going.
'Sorry, I didn't expect this either. Thank you for helping me get here," I said, immediately walking away from this place.
'Eh! Moon! Don't go, Moon? Wait!" said Lily. "Thank you for the holy crystal," said Lily to the receptionist, then left immediately following Moon in a hurry.
I immediately ran away from Undermoon Academy, accidentally crossing two hostile groups.
'I can't afford to lose to this stupid team! The vampire clan will win that match!" said a vampire group leader.
"Hah! I will praise you sincerely if you can snatch that victory from me. Send your best men or even yourself to compete with me in the match. "The wolf group will fight the vampire group in that match," said a leader of the wolf group.
A passing girl gets into an argument, and their hostility quickly escalates. After the girl left, Lily came walking past, making the two hostile groups look at Lily.
'Isn't that Lily? Who is She chasing?" asked the leader of the vampire group.
'She might be a newcomer to Undermoon. Lily, my beautiful girl!" said the wolf pack leader.
"What? Stay away from Lily! Lily and I are more compatible," said the leader of the vampire group.
"Hah, Lily certainly prefers my group!" said the wolf pack leader.
