Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series - Chapter 88

Chapter 88: New Student Chapter 88: New Student The classroom of Mystical Botany was filled with the soft hum of nature: the rustling of enchanted leaves, the faint scent of blooming flowers, and the quiet chirping of the small Divatas that fluttered around Professor Ylang-Ylang.

The usual warmth of the greenhouse-like space was tempered by the overcast sky outside, casting a greyish light through the crystal dome above.

The first years sat at their desks, some lazily resting their chins on their hands, others idly twirling quills or murmuring to one another.

Then Professor Ylang-Ylang clapped her hands, her golden eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Class, today we have a new student joining us,” she announced from her usual perch atop her stool.

Murmurs rippled through the students.

Aiden, seated next to Sevan and Adrian, lifted a brow.

Another new student?

It was rare for students to transfer into Genvah Academy once the academic year had begun.

The professor turned towards the door, where a tall boy with dark brown curls and pale skin stepped inside.

His eyes, a deep shade of blue, carried an intense weight, like he had seen more than his fair share of hardship.

His shoulders were squared, his posture stiff with an air of quiet determination.

Professor Ylang-Ylang smiled warmly.

“Introduce yourself, dear.” The boy took a deep breath, scanning the room as though he were about to deliver a grand oration.

“My name is Lazarus Aurelian.” His voice was smooth, yet heavy with an unmistakable sense of theatrics.

He lifted his chin slightly, his expression solemn.

“I hail from a family that has suffered greatly.” A few students exchanged glances.

Sevan sat up a little straighter.

Adrian tilted his head, already sensing where this was going.

“I was born into misfortune,” Lazarus continued, stepping forward with the deliberate grace of someone who had rehearsed this moment a thousand times.

“My mother, a noblewoman of great kindness, perished when I was but an infant.

My father, once a powerful scholar, lost everything in a single night of betrayal.

My siblings?

Scattered to the winds, victims of cruel fate.” A hush fell over the room.

The boys stared at him with a mix of confusion and secondhand embarrassment, while the girls- perhaps enchanted by the weight of his tragedy- looked close to tears.

Of course, except for Emmeranne and Ivara.

Professor Ylang-Ylang blinked.

Lazarus let out a heavy sigh, pressing a dramatic hand to his chest.

“But I endured.” His voice dropped, thick with emotion.

“Even when I was cast into the depths of despair, abandoned by those who swore loyalty, I rose.” Adrian let out the quietest of snorts.

“I have seen darkness,” Lazarus continued, now pacing slightly.

“I have felt its grip, heard its whispers, but I have never allowed it to consume me.

I have fought.

I have struggled.

And now, here I stand, determined to rise above the ashes of my past and claim my rightful place among the greats.” One of the girls near the front of the class let out a small gasp.

Another clutched her chest, clearly moved.

Aiden, meanwhile, pressed his lips together to keep from sighing aloud.

“My suffering has shaped me,” Lazarus pressed on.

“I have known loneliness.

I have felt the cold grasp of loss.

And yet, I have not faltered.

No matter what, I will become the best.

I will surpass them all.” Sevan furrowed his brows.

Adrian leaned back in his chair, folding his arms.

“…This is still an introduction, right?” he muttered under his breath.

Lazarus, seemingly unfazed by the mixed reactions around him, finally reached his grand conclusion.

“I will be just like Headmaster Kairos.” Silence.

Professor Ylang-Ylang, still standing on her stool, blinked as if uncertain how to respond.

Aiden finally let out a quiet breath.

Sevan tilted his head.

“That’s… quite the introduction.” Lazarus turned to him, nodding solemnly.

“It is the truth of my existence.” Adrian let out a low whistle.

“Well, that was the longest introduction I’ve ever sat through.” Sevan cleared his throat.

“And the most dramatic.” Aiden exhaled.

“And here I thought my life was complicated.” Lazarus ignored their remarks entirely, his focus shifting back to Professor Ylang-Ylang.

“I will study diligently, Professor.

You have my word.” The tiny woman, still standing atop her stool, clapped her hands together.

“Well!

Such dedication!

I look forward to seeing you flourish, dear.” She gestured for him to take a seat.

As Lazarus walked past, Adrian leaned toward Aiden and murmured, “That boy just trauma-dumped his entire life on us in the first five minutes.” Aiden gave him a look.

“And somehow made it sound like he’s the protagonist of a tragic novel.

You think he’s the protagonist of the novel or just an extra who dies ten minutes into their introduction?” Sevan sighed.

“I think he might actually be serious about the whole being like Kairos thing.” Adrian smirked.

“Well, he’s got the cryptic monologues down.

He just needs a little more mystery.” Aiden ran a hand through his hair.

“Let’s just hope he doesn’t start speaking in riddles next.” As the students settled into their assigned tasks, tending to the various enchanted plants in the greenhouse, Professor Ylang-Ylang clapped her hands to get their attention.

“Now, my dears, today we will be observing the interaction of two different alchemical solutions on our dear Lumia Verdana- a plant that reacts dramatically to magical influences.

Each group will receive two vials.

Be mindful!

You must pour them one at a time, and never at the same time.

Do you understand?” A chorus of nods followed, though Adrian exchanged a glance with Aiden and Sevan, already suspecting something interesting was about to happen.

Professor Ylang-Ylang waved her hand, and the vials floated gently to each group’s table, landing neatly beside the potted plant in front of them.

Aiden picked up one of the vials, tilting it slightly.

The liquid inside shimmered faintly, a soft blue hue that reminded him of moonlight on water.

“What does this one do?” Professor Ylang-Ylang smiled as she passed by.

“That, dear Aiden, is the Lustra Elixir.

It enhances the plant’s magical properties, encouraging it to grow stronger and brighter.

However, on its own, it may cause uncontrolled expansion.

That is where the second vial comes in.” Sevan lifted the second vial.

This one contained a golden, slightly viscous liquid that gleamed under the greenhouse lights.

“And this?” “That is the Solaris Infusion.

It stabilizes the plant’s growth, ensuring it doesn’t spiral out of control.

However, if it is poured before the Lustra Elixir, it suppresses magic instead, causing the plant to wither.” Adrian snickered.

“So, pour it in the wrong order, and we kill it?” Professor Ylang-Ylang smiled, her golden eyes twinkling.

“Indeed.

And pour them at the same time…” She trailed off with a dramatic pause before smiling sweetly.

“Well, let’s just say you’ll see why that’s forbidden.” Aiden and Sevan immediately eyed Adrian.

“Don’t even think about it.” “I wasn’t thinking about it.” With careful precision, Aiden uncorked the blue vial and poured it into the soil.

Immediately, the plant reacted- the leaves quivered, a soft glow pulsing from its veins.

Within seconds, the Lumia Verdana began to grow, its vines stretching outward as if reaching for unseen sunlight.

The glow intensified, and the plant’s size doubled within moments.

Aiden hastily grabbed the second vial.

“Alright, that’s enough-” Sevan took the golden vial and carefully poured it over the base of the plant.

The moment the Solaris Infusion touched the soil, the rapid expansion slowed.

The glow dimmed slightly, settling into a warm, steady radiance.

The plant now stood taller, its flowers blooming with vibrant luminescence.

It swayed gently, its movements almost resembling a peaceful sigh.

Professor Ylang-Ylang beamed.

“Very good!

A balanced application ensures the plant reaches its full magical potential without losing control.

It is a lesson in harmony, dear ones- too much unchecked magic, and we lose control.

Too much suppression, and magic withers before it can flourish.” Aiden nodded, understanding the meaning behind her words.

Adrian, however, had a different thought.

He leaned toward Sevan, whispering, “So… what do you think happens if we pour both at once?” Sevan deadpanned.

“Professor Ylang-Ylang literally told us not to.” Adrian smirked.

“Which makes me even more curious.” Professor Ylang-Ylang, flitting from table to table, made sure everyone was following the instructions carefully.

That was, until the new student raised his hand dramatically and shouted, “Wait!

What exactly are we supposed to do again?” Professor Ylang-Ylang turned to him with a sweet smile.

“Oh, my dear, I did say it already, but I shall repeat it once more.

You must pour the vials one at a time.

Never- and I must emphasize- never pour them at the same time.” The new student blinked at her, looking back at the two vials in his hands.

He tilted his head.

“Oh!

You mean like this?” Before anyone could stop him, he tipped both vials over the plant simultaneously.

The moment the blue Lustra Elixir and the golden Solaris Infusion mixed in the soil, an ominous hiss filled the air.

The plant convulsed violently.

Its glowing veins flared brighter than ever, pulsing erratically as if something unnatural had been forced upon it.

Then….