✨ Chapter 38 – The First Strike
By morning, the academy felt like a military barrack.
Students marched in formations.
Professors positioned protective crystals along walkways.
Magical shields shimmered faintly over dormitories.
Whispers filled the air:
"Three nights till the full moon…"
"Rebirth has already started moving…"
"I heard they're planning a mass siege…"
Ariana walked across the courtyard with Kai and the Pillars.
The cold morning wind carried the scent of metal—fear, magic, tension.
Headmaster Solarin and three senior instructors stood near the center fountain, scrolls in hand.
The moment Ariana approached, Solarin looked up.
"Sterling," he said, as if expecting her.
"Good. You're here."
Ariana blinked.
"Yes, sir?"
Vayne stepped forward, holding a small silver pin shaped like a crescent moon.
"Due to your abilities and strategic contributions, you're being assigned an official role."
Ariana's heart stopped.
"What… role?"
Solarin smiled faintly.
"Junior Combat Coordinator."
Ariana's eyes widened.
Kai choked.
"What—she—what?"
Rylan burst out laughing.
"Little sis is in charge now."
Calen smirked.
"Told you she was going to outrank us."
Ariana stared at the pin.
"I don't… I've never led anything—"
Solarin shook his head.
"You have instincts students twice your age lack."
He pinned the crescent emblem to her uniform.
"You will guide the hybrid units and coordinate with the elemental vanguard."
Ariana's hands shook.
Kai stepped close.
"You don't have to do this if you're scared."
Ariana looked up at him.
"I'm scared. But I can do it."
Kai froze.
Ariana turned back to Solarin.
"I'll help."
Solarin nodded and handed her a map.
"Your first task: organize the younger hybrid students. Teach them stabilizing spells and defense towers."
Ariana blinked.
"Defense… towers?"
Calen leaned over her shoulder.
"They're magical structures that boost group spellcasting. You can build them with your stabilizer magic."
Ariana nodded slowly.
"Okay. I'll try."
Kai watched her with something like awe.
But before she left, Solarin said:
"One more thing. You'll have a personal guard."
Ariana blinked.
"A guard?"
Kai immediately stepped forward.
"I volunteer."
Solarin smirked.
"I assumed."
Ariana flushed.
Kai crossed his arms smugly.
"It's my job to keep you alive."
Ariana rolled her eyes—but she smiled.
Training the Juniors
Ariana stood before a group of nervous first-year hybrids on the practice field.
Some had trembling hands.
Some clutched books.
Some looked like they wanted to run away.
Ariana swallowed.
"Hi," she said softly.
"I know this is scary. But you're stronger than you think."
A boy with vine magic raised his hand shakily.
"Wh-what if the corruption pulls us into dreams? Like the other kids?"
Ariana knelt down, meeting his eyes.
"Then we'll pull you back. You're not fighting alone."
She stood and took a steadying breath.
"Okay. Let's start with basic mana shields. Hands out."
They obeyed.
Ariana extended her hand, stabilizing their spells like she'd practiced with Kai and the Pillars.
A shimmering shield formed—weak at first, then stronger, brighter.
The little hybrids gasped.
"You did that?" one girl whispered.
Ariana shook her head.
"No. You did."
The girl bowed her head, smiling shyly.
"Thank you… Coordinator Ariana."
Ariana nearly melted.
Kai watched from the fence rail with a soft smile—
until one older hybrid boy walked over to Ariana.
He was tall, confident, too confident.
"Coordinator Sterling," he said, stepping close.
"Could I train directly with you? I learn better one-on-one."
Kai's smile vanished instantly.
Ariana blinked.
"Oh—I—well—maybe? If you need help—"
Kai cut in sharply.
"She's busy."
The boy raised an eyebrow.
"You're not in charge of her schedule."
Kai stepped closer, voice low.
"I am in charge of her safety."
Ariana turned bright red.
"Kai—!"
The boy scoffed and walked off.
Ariana smacked Kai's arm.
"You can't do that!"
Kai shrugged.
"He was flirting."
"He was asking for training!"
"He was breathing too close."
Ariana groaned loudly.
"Your jealousy is ridiculous."
Kai leaned in slightly, whispering:
"Only around you."
Ariana's heart nearly exploded.
Aster's Warning
That evening, Ariana hurried back to the infirmary. Aster was sitting up in bed, hugging her knees, eyes pale with exhaustion.
Ariana rushed to her.
"Aster? Are you hurting?"
Aster shook her head.
"No. But the bad voices are louder."
Ariana sat beside her.
"What did they say?"
Aster shivered.
"They're trying to find a way in before the full moon."
Ariana's eyes widened.
"But… why?"
Aster closed her eyes tightly.
"Because moon-sister is getting too strong."
Ariana froze.
Aster whispered:
"They're afraid of you."
Ariana's blood ran cold.
Kai, who had been guarding the door, stepped inside immediately.
"Aster, what else did you hear?"
Aster shook her head, breathing fast.
"I heard… testing. They're testing the barrier tonight."
Ariana stood abruptly.
"Testing? How?"
Aster pointed to the wall.
"Outside. On the east side. They're coming now."
The First Strike
Alarms blared through the academy.
Red lights flashed across the halls.
Students ran to defensive stations.
Ariana grabbed Kai's arm.
"East barrier. Let's go!"
Kai nodded and sprinted with her.
They burst out into the cold night air.
The east side of the academy glowed faint red—
and small, writhing creatures pressed against the outside of the barrier like insects against glass.
Dozens of them.
No—
hundreds.
Loren hissed sharply.
"They're pushing the barrier!"
Calen stepped forward, frost spiraling around his fingers.
"They're not strong enough to break it—"
Zane interrupted him.
"They're not trying to break it."
Ariana's wolf snarled loudly in her chest.
"Testing. Measuring. Learning."
"They're analyzing its strength," Ariana whispered.
Kai clenched his fists.
"They're mapping the weak points so they know where to strike on the full moon."
Ariana felt her fear spike—
but alongside it, a strong, burning determination.
"Then we fight them NOW," she said.
Kai smirked.
"Thought you'd never say it."
Ariana took a deep breath.
Her bracelet glowed.
Her wolf howled silently.
She lifted her hands.
"Hybrids! Elementals! Guardians! Everyone—FIRE!"
The students unleashed a coordinated wave of magic.
Light.
Fire.
Frost.
Wind.
Shadow.
Psychic force.
The creatures shrieked and scattered—
melting away into smoke.
But not before one final whisper passed through Ariana's mind:
"Three nights… Moonborn… prepare."
Ariana's eyes narrowed.
"We will," she whispered back.
But she did not speak the words aloud.