The Jump

[Rain's POV]

Gazing down at the water running under my feet, I stood on the bridge. My face appeared to be a blank canvas just waiting for ideas to strike. I had the impression that I was out of place. The earth, sea, and sky weren't meant to go together, but they do so flawlessly, as if they were always intended to be together in a way that only their own small universe—which no one else could comprehend or acknowledge—could.

I noticed clouds moving in from the sea as I peered up at the deep blue sky. The lights of the distant metropolis were just visible. It was exquisite. I didn't want to consider what I would need to accomplish. I didn't want to deal with that tonight.

My gaze strayed to the metropolis. I had stood here and I had not moved. Why did it not differ? There were a tonne of people there, chatting to each other, sitting outside cafés and strolling down pavements. Everything became alive after being abandoned for so long. The cacophony of sounds engulfed me. With wet eyes, I peered down at the lake, which seemed dark against the night sky. I detested how many painful and regretful memories this area brought up. I felt as though the water was restraining me, serving as a constant reminder of my own frailty and vulnerability. Should something untoward occur to me here...

What would occur if I passed away? Would my soul be taken away by the river along with my body? And then what? Would I be admitted to heaven? Did heaven and hell really exist at all? In any case, what was heaven? or purgatory, or hell? All I had ever known was hell, where I had resided from the day I was born. I let the tears roll down my cheeks as I closed my eyes. Despite my large jacket, I was still cold.

I squeezed my fingers around the teardrop sapphire pendant I was holding, holding on to it fiercely as if I wanted to have it with me forever. Ironically, this small item was meant to shield me from harm in the afterlife. The swirling waves of the river were motionless as I peered down into it. The world started to move again as soon as a wave approached me and swept my hair away; it went by so fast that I couldn't see where I was going.

Abruptly, my surroundings shifted and I found myself floating within the river. I could feel my body becoming lighter and lighter until there was only quiet. My breath was short and my heart was racing. I was having trouble breathing. I called out, but nobody picked up. I tried to move my hands and feet urgently, but to no avail. I was slowly lowering myself as I floated on the river's surface.

I was left all by myself with my thoughts after that. I felt terrified. All I could recall was the sound of water running through my ears and the sensation of air rushing past me as I drowned. I had this vivid mental image of my entire life, like it was a film. This was where it would all end when I died. In that very moment. Everything would vanish like a burst of light. I was never going to wake up. Nobody was pursuing me. Now it was just the two of us. And that gave me more of a fear than the actual water.

I attempted to phone my mother and sister, but I was only able to get Ansel Whitaker and Selene Brooks to answer. My vision went completely black. It was difficult to distinguish between the areas of brightness and darkness. I let myself to drown.

[Years Back]

"Rain, would you please stop by and give your dad this lunch box before you head to the academy?"

"Okay, Mom," I replied as I put my magic books and potion vials in my backpack and went outside. My 10-year-old sister Maira was practicing her Tiger's Eye stone magic when I grabbed the lunchbox. With a dismissive gesture, Maira put away her stone and grinned broadly at me.

"Maira, what are you doing?" I patted her head and asked.

With a smile on her face, Maira formed the letter "P" on her non-dominant hand by drawing little circles with her dominant hand. She put her hand on her chest, palm facing inside, and I watched very carefully. Then, as if enchanting someone, Maira made a quick, sweeping gesture with her dominant hand while keeping her fingers flat.

I grinned. "Oh! Putting your magic into practice.

Maira happily nodded, beaming with pride. She gave me a quick flashback, touched my shoulder, and pointed below. Her hands moved quickly and animatedly in the air as I stared. Then, in a lovely arc, she raised her hands to her body and made the "H" hand shape by lightly sweeping them across the side of her face.

I scowled a little. "What made you want me to leave early tonight and head home?" I enquired.

Maira glanced at me, anticipating my response. She raised both hands in front of her, fingers wide, and pointed with her index finger at herself, dragging them towards her as though drawing something in. She gestured at me, then extended her hands outward, as though imparting knowledge from her brain to another person, touching her own forehead with the tips of her fingers. Maira then pointed once more at herself, held her hand flat with the palm facing up, and softly flicked her fingers outward. At last, she used her dominant hand to make a little, circular motion and a letter "S."

I gave her another head pat while grinning. "Learning spells is not that hard, is it?" I grinned as I stated. "I'll do my best to assist you in practicing some of the spells I've been practicing."

Maira's eyes lit up with joy at the idea of me lending a hand. I gave her a big hug and smiled. With her face scowled, Maira grabbed my uniform shirt just as I was ready to walk away. Maira made a "L" shape with her dominant hand and tapped her thumb against her chin. Then, with both hands raised in front of her, she pulled them inward towards herself as though she were drawing something in. I saw Maira use her fingers to form the word "MYSTRAL FRUIT" in the air. At last, she released her body from her dominant hand by opening it into a "B" form.

Of course, how could I overlook your preferred mystral fruit? Grinning, I said. Yes, mystral fruit. Maira gave a nod of consent. I left her with an embrace and made my way to Stoneforge Academy.

My hands in my pockets, I strolled down the street grinning. That my younger sister was getting better at casting spells made me glad. As soon as I arrived to my father's shop, I started to slow down. My father, Mr. Caldwell, was a shardsmith who used fragments and shards to manufacture miraculous stones. His speciality was creating crystals that magus might use to increase the potency of their magic. Usually, the store was bustling, but not today. Mr. Caldwell's decision to take a break following the opening must be the reason. With the exception of a few students' faint footsteps, the entire area was silent.

I cast my spell over my Celestial Mark fast. With a sapphire gem at its centre, it resembles a crescent or moon and symbolises both the calming properties of the stone and celestial might. The lines appeared to be energetic and flowing, with a hint of blue. Before I went in, I spent a few minutes to force a smile under a tough exterior. Even though my father was a hard-working man who only worked hard to earn money for my academy fees, no one understood why I was so afraid of him.

He intended to send me to the mysterious desert-based Petrus Academy. The magical abilities of ancient desert stones, with a concentration on manipulating heat and sand, are the main focus of Petrus Academy. But I wanted to attend Runestone Academy, which is located in a vast magical forest. The use of runic stones and its effects on the natural world and mystical beings are the main topics of Runestone.

It wasn't that I wanted to go against what he wanted. However, knowing that Petrus Academy is among the most expensive institutions for Magistone users, I knew I would not be able to attend. Before enrolling in classes at Petrus Academy, there is usually a very high cost to pay, particularly for individuals with poor spiritual energy. Runic crystals in particular can potentially cost over five million pounds annually in magical crystal purchases. For someone who barely makes enough to get by on their own, that's a substantial amount. A scholarship at Runestone Academy would come easily to me. Scholarships are given out by Petrus Academy, although their selection is predicated on spiritual energy rather than merit.

The highest spiritual energy person can receive a 70% discount, while the lowest spiritual energy person will be required to pay the whole amount. Mr. Caldwell made every effort to train me, but I was unable to perform at a level higher than Flicker. Flicker has the lowest spiritual energy level of all the 10 magic stone users, having little power and a shaky connection to magical realms.

With a sigh, I moved in the direction of my father's office and cautiously unlocked the door. Apart from some leftover paperwork, it was empty. I walked directly to the rear of the store, where a path led into the woods, leaving them behind. A vivid crimson rose petal drifted in the breeze as I strolled along the path. I took it up and gave it a thorough inspection. When I realised it was still alive, my eyes grew larger. I pocketed it and carried on walking. My father was standing there as soon as I got to the wooded clearing.