Eloise

Eight months later...

In a dimly lit hospital room, the air filled with a mix of anticipation and exhaustion. A weary but radiant woman lay on the bed, her eyes sparkling with joy and relief. The doctor, a middle-aged man with a warm smile, gently cradled a bundle in his arms.

"Congratulations, ma'am. It's a girl," he announced, his voice filled with a sense of reverence.

A surge of love and tenderness filled the woman's heart as she looked at her newborn daughter. She delicately caressed the baby's cheek, marveling at the tiny features. Her voice was filled with affection as she whispered, "What a beautiful girl. I'm going to call her Eloise." A sense of determination filled her eyes. "I'm going to take really good care of her now, my little Eloise."

Three years later...

Eloise, now a young girl of three, possessed a striking appearance. Her vibrant purple hair cascaded down her shoulders, reminiscent of her mother's own locks. Her eyes, a deep shade of red, sparkled with a mischievous energy. She was a bundle of contradictions, alternating between moments of calmness and bursts of boundless energy.

They resided in a quaint house in the human world, surrounded by a sparsely populated neighborhood. The area was adorned with trees that stood majestically, providing a sense of tranquility. Their humble abode, a classic and modest dwelling, reflected the limitations imposed by financial constraints.

"Mommy, look! Look at me!" Eloise exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. Her small hand extended in front of her, and to her amazement, purple flames flickered to life. A magical display that was entirely her own.

Her mother watched with a mix of surprise and curiosity. It puzzled her that Eloise hadn't inherited either her own or Alana's magical abilities. It was a peculiar circumstance, as most individuals discovered their magical prowess at the age of three. While magical aptitudes could evolve over time, they typically settled into their final form by the age of ten.

"Yes, bravo, my dear. I'm so proud of you," her mother encouraged, masking her concern with unwavering support. She understood the importance of nurturing Eloise's self-confidence and belief in her own abilities.

Eloise's eyes sparkled as she declared her dreams. "When I grow up, I will become a captain, and then we will be rich and have a very big house, Mom."

Her mother offered a sad smile, well aware of the financial limitations that plagued their lives. She longed to provide her daughter with the world, but for now, she focused on the present. "It's time for lunch, Eloise. Let's go eat," she gently redirected.

"Yes, Mom!" Eloise eagerly replied, dashing off towards the kitchen with unbounded energy.

One week later...

As the morning sun rose, casting a warm glow over the world, Eloise prepared for her first day of school. The excitement in her eyes was palpable as her mother readied her for the day. A mother's love was evident in every gesture, every word of encouragement.

"Have a good day at school, Eloise. Don't forget that I love you, my princess," her mother spoke softly, her voice filled with affection and pride. She had sacrificed much to ensure Eloise had the opportunity to receive an education, pouring her limited resources into this pivotal moment.

"Thank you, Mom. I love you too!" Eloise replied, her voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and excitement. With those parting words, she eagerly set off, her small backpack slung over her shoulder, ready to embark on her educational journey.

At the end of the day...

Eloise's mind buzzed with anticipation as she approached her home. The day had been filled with new experiences, and she couldn't wait to share them with her mother. But as she neared the house, a sight that would forever alter her life unfolded before her eyes. Flames licked the air, consuming the place she called home.

Without hesitation, Eloise rushed toward the blazing inferno, her heart pounding in her chest. Amongst the chaos, a chilling sight met her gaze—a woman, armed with a gun, fleeing the scene. Fear coursed through her veins, but she remained resolute in her pursuit of her mother's safety.

"Mom, are you okay? Please answer me," she cried out, her voice filled with anguish as tears streamed down her face.

Her mother lay wounded, her body ravaged by the gunshot. The pain in Eloise's heart was unbearable as she desperately clung to the hope that her mother would survive. She wept uncontrollably, pleading for her mother's presence and comfort.

An elderly woman, hidden in the shadows, observed the harrowing scene unfold before her. Moved by compassion and wielding her healing magic, she emerged from the darkness. With a wave of her hand, she channeled her powers, mending the wounds inflicted upon Eloise's mother.

"Thank you, ma'am. How can I ever repay you for your help?" Eloise's mother expressed her gratitude, her voice tinged with both relief and awe.

The elderly woman smiled warmly, her eyes gleaming with kindness. "Well, first of all, call me Grandma. I wanted to help, and now that your house is burning down, you can come to my house. I will gladly welcome you both."

Overwhelmed with relief and gratitude, Eloise clung to her mother, a surge of emotions coursing through her. "Mommy, you're safe now," she whispered, her voice filled with both love and relief.

"Thank you so much, Grandma. Your kindness means the world to us," Eloise expressed her appreciation before embracing the newfound benefactor.

"Yes, from now on, we will live with you," Eloise's mother confirmed, her voice filled with determination.

"Grandma, please teach me magic so I can become stronger and protect my mother," Eloise declared, her voice laced with unwavering determination.

"Of course, I will teach you magic," Grandma replied, her voice carrying the weight of experience and wisdom.

From that day forward, Eloise delved into the study of magic with unwavering dedication. With tireless effort and an insatiable hunger for knowledge, she expanded her abilities and honed her skills. Yet, despite her progress, she struggled to fully control her fire magic.

One day, while training alone in the depths of the forest, Eloise encountered a wounded dragon. Driven by compassion and empathy, she nursed the creature back to health. To her astonishment, the dragon revealed its true form—a human. This enigmatic figure offered her a unique opportunity: to learn the ways of dark dragon magic.

Twelve years later, Eloise stood on the precipice of a new chapter in her life. As a student in the prestigious primy high school, her intelligence and dedication had earned her a place amongst the elite. However, she remained a solitary figure, finding solace in her studies and the pursuit of perfection. The world around her, however, seemed determined to alienate her. She faced constant harassment and bullying, leaving her isolated and withdrawn.

Though her social skills suffered, Eloise's magical prowess flourished. Through countless hours of practice and unwavering determination, she had attained near-perfect control over her magic. Her unique flame magic manifested in four distinct stages, each represented by a different color. Yellow symbolized reinforcement, while orange enabled her to craft fire-based weapons. Red wielded controlled burns, granting her the ability to fashion weapons of her choosing. Purple, however, remained unpredictable and dangerous, consuming everything in its path and altering her personality along with the hue of her eyes. Additionally, she possessed a hidden power—an anti-dragon magic that she chose to keep concealed.

Today marked the entrance exam for the elite class—a crucial step toward securing a brighter future. Eloise found herself amidst a sea of aspiring students, gathered in a grand gymnasium. Nervous energy hung heavy in the air as they awaited the principal's address.

"Welcome, dear students, to this highly esteemed institution. Today, you stand on the precipice of a coveted future. I wish you all a successful journey. But first, we shall test your magical aptitude to determine those worthy of entering the elite class," the principal announced, his voice resonating through the room. He passed the microphone to his assistant, who would guide them through the examination process.

As Eloise stood amidst the crowd, her heart raced with a mixture of hope and trepidation. The weight of her past and the burden of her dreams bore down on her slender shoulders. But she stood tall, eyes focused on the challenges ahead. She had come so far, endured so much, and today, she would prove her mettle.

Eloise's heart raced as she stood among her fellow students, waiting for her turn to be assessed. The grandeur of the gymnasium engulfed her, the high ceiling adorned with intricate chandeliers that cast a soft, golden glow. The room buzzed with a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation, the air filled with a sense of possibility and determination.

The assistant called out Eloise's name, and she stepped forward with a mix of eagerness and trepidation. Her gaze settled on the device before her—an apparatus designed to gauge her magical power. The instructions were clear: anyone scoring under 400 points would be placed in a regular class, while those below 100 points would be sent back home. To secure a spot in the elite class, a minimum of 500 points was required.

Taking a deep breath, Eloise focused her energy, summoning her magic. She formed a small ball of fire in her hand, aiming it carefully at the device. But to her surprise, her magic surged with an intensity beyond her control. The ball of fire exploded upon contact, engulfing the machine in a blaze. As the flames subsided, the remnants of the device displayed an astounding score of 999,999 points.

The onlookers gasped in astonishment, their expressions a mixture of awe and curiosity. The principal himself was taken aback by the extraordinary display. Conversations buzzed around Eloise as whispers of admiration filled the room.

"It's amazing, Principal. No one has ever been able to blow up that machine before. What do we do?" one of the staff members exclaimed, clearly impressed by the spectacle.

A smile crossed the principal's face as he contemplated the unprecedented outcome. "Put her in the Elite class. This girl will be a truly exceptional asset for our institution," he declared with conviction.

The news rippled through the crowd, and applause erupted, mingled with shouts of congratulations. Eloise's cheeks flushed with a mixture of pride and disbelief. She had exceeded all expectations, propelling herself into the realm of the elite.

"Thank you, everyone. I'm truly honored," Eloise humbly expressed her gratitude, her voice resonating with a sense of accomplishment. She couldn't wait to share the news with her mother and grandmother, their support and love guiding her every step of the way.

With excitement bubbling inside her, Eloise left the gymnasium and headed home, eager to celebrate her achievement. As she arrived, a note greeted her, revealing that her mother and grandmother had gone for a walk and would return later. Undeterred, Eloise decided to take matters into her own hands and prepare a meal for herself.

However, her solitude was interrupted by the unexpected presence of a stranger inside her home. A woman named Alana sat at the table, having helped herself to the enticing aroma emanating from the kitchen. Eloise's guard went up momentarily, cautious of this intruder.

"Who are you? And how did you find my house?" Eloise inquired, her voice tinged with a hint of suspicion.

Alana offered a warm smile, attempting to ease the tension. "Excuse me, my name is Alana. I happened to be passing by when the scent of something delicious led me here."

Eloise's initial wariness softened, her curiosity piqued by Alana's unexpected presence. She cautiously offered Alana a seat, her mind filled with conflicting thoughts.

"Please, if you simply came to eat, then sit and enjoy the meal," Eloise invited, a flicker of uncertainty still present in her voice.

Grateful for the hospitality, Alana accepted the invitation and began to eat, savoring each bite. The silence between them grew palpable., a sense of intrigue and mystery filling the air.

After the meal had concluded, Alana broke the silence, her voice gentle yet resolute. "There is something I must tell you. I didn't come here merely to satisfy my hunger. I watched you during the exams, and I believe there is potential within you. I want to offer you an opportunity—a chance to train under me, to master your magic."

Eloise's eyes widened in surprise and curiosity. She had always yearned for guidance and honing her abilities, but the suddenness of Alana's proposal left her slightly taken aback.

"I appreciate the offer, but you'll have to discuss it with my mother or grandmother first," Eloise responded, her voice tinged with caution.

Alana reassured her, her gaze steady and reassuring. "Don't worry, I'll handle the conversation with them. But before that, tell me, Eloise, what is your dream? What is it that you wish to achieve?"

Eloise took a moment to reflect, her eyes shining with determination. "I want to become a captain and protect all my loved ones," she declared, her voice brimming with conviction.

A smile played across Alana's lips as she nodded. "Then, Eloise, I will help you realize that dream. From this day forward, consider yourself my disciple. I will teach you everything I know about magic."

Eloise's heart soared with a mix of excitement and gratitude. She had found an unexpected mentor, someone who believed in her potential. Little did she know that this encounter would mark the beginning of an extraordinary journey—one that would shape her destiny and forge her into a formidable force to be reckoned with.

" I'm home, Eloise." said someone.