Page 159 of Magical Melee

I stood, clutching the book tightly. “I’m ready now. Tell me everything.”

But Elira shook her head. “There are still pieces of the puzzle you must uncover for yourself. The answers are here,within these walls and along the sidewalks of Stonewick, but the path to them will not be straightforward.”

Frustration brewed hotly. “I don’t understand. Why can’t you just tell me how he died?”

Her expression grew somber. “Because the how is not as important as the why. Your father’s absence was a catalyst, Maeve. It set events into motion that are still playing out today. Understanding the full scope of his sacrifice will take time.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but the words caught in my throat. As much as I wanted immediate answers, I could see in her eyes that she wouldn’t give them to me.

Not yet.

Maybe never.

“You’ve already begun to uncover the truth,” Elira said gently. “Trust in the process. Trust in yourself.”

I exhaled slowly, the weight of her words settling over me. “And what about the shifters? Will they ever come back?”

“That depends,” she said. “The curse drove them away, but it did not destroy the bonds entirely. If the curse can be broken, there is hope for reconciliation.”

I nodded, though my mind was still spinning. The logbook in my hands felt heavier now, a symbol of the burden my family had carried for generations. But it was also a beacon, a guide that could lead me to the truth.

Elira rested a hand on my shoulder, her touch light but grounding. “You are stronger than you know, Maeve. The answers will come in time. For now, focus on what lies ahead.”

I glanced back at the shelves, the endless rows of books and scrolls filled with centuries of wisdom. There was so muchto learn, so much to uncover. And though I felt the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me, I also felt a spark of determination.

I would find the truth.

About the curse,

About my father,

About my role.

Elira stood at the library's grand window with her silver hair shimmering softly in the ambient light of the magical orbs. The vast expanse of the Academy grounds stretched out below, veiled in a gentle snowfall that sparkled faintly under the moonlight.

She turned to face me, her expression a mixture of pride and solemnity.

“The Academy is a living entity,” she began, her voice steady but tinged with something deeper. “It knows its students, its guardians, its enemies. Its doors remain closed until the right soul is ready to enter, to accept not just the power it offers but the responsibilities that come with it.”

I nodded, my hands gripping the butterfly pendant around my neck. “I feel it, Elira. Every step I’ve taken here, it’s like the Academy has been testing me, waiting to see if I measure up.”

Elira smiled softly. “You do. But it’s not just about strength or skill. The Academy’s doors are ready to open for you, Maeve—but only if you’re prepared to make a vow.”

I blinked, her words catching me off guard. “A vow?”

“A commitment,” she said, stepping closer. “This is more than learning spells or wielding magic. This is about dedicating yourself to something greater, to protecting not just Stonewickbut the balance of magic itself. The vow is binding, Maeve. It’s not something to take lightly.”

Her words settled over me like a heavy cloak. The weight of what she was asking wasn’t lost on me. “What happens if I break it?” I asked quietly.

Elira’s gaze darkened, though her voice remained calm. “Breaking a vow to the Academy comes at a cost. To yourself, to those you love, and to the magic that sustains this world. It’s not just a promise—it’s a tether, a bond that cannot be undone.”

I swallowed hard, the gravity of her words sinking in. “And if I refuse?”

“The doors will remain closed,” she said simply. “Your path would end here, Maeve. The Academy doesn’t allow half-measures.”

I looked down at the pendant between my fingers, the intricate butterfly wings catching the light. The warmth it radiated felt like a quiet reminder of everything I’d faced to get here, everything I still didn’t fully understand but wanted to.

Elira placed a gentle hand on my shoulder while her touch grounded my soul.