Maria has waited 18 years of her life for her magic to be awakened. All of her peers had ; it was a tradition . And that day, she was going to discover her magic.

All of her peers had predictions of what their magic would be. They would often inherit some or multiple different types of the magic that their parents had. But for Maria, who grew up in an orphanage and whose parents were complete mysteries, the possibilities were endless. And she was ecstatic .

She had her classmates lined up, most of them discussing their predictions , and other describing the process of magic awakening ., Maria overheard that their parents had experienced a jolt of energy , and some magic had left them involuntarily . That's why, the class always has to stand back , otherwise they could get injured.

The line began winding down, and Maria watched her classmates, one after the other, use their magic for the first time. Some had force fields, other had lightning bolts, and many were the same as their peers magic . Maria wondered for a fleeting moment if her magic would be unique.

After what could have been hours in her mind, Maria's turn had arrived. The teachers gathered around her, still keeping a reasonable distance and suddenly, she felt like she would explode with power.

In an instant, Maria blacked out . As her vision gradually returned, she froze in shock.

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[Prompt Credit -samantha-writes

Originally entered it for Profectus Prompt contest held by  Rose-Gold_Community

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Her eyes could see it so clearly now and yet with every passing second , she found herself shrinking further and further into an inevitable void relentlessly by her own power.

"How awful ! To pass out by her own power like that ." The blue haired girl cradling her head look at her with fake sympathy . Maria could feel it , even without opening her eyes just how much the girl despised her very existence for a reason as mundane as any .

Several benign souls affirming their concern to elevate their own reputation by using her misfortune as convenient excuse!

She could still trace back the roots of that fake empathy , something she had misconstrued for gentle soul long time ago in his cold eyes when he took her in.

A subtle desire within her own self to acclaim it as nothing more than rightful hand of fate forwarded to her and deliberately ignoring the kind of monstrosity she had to witness in his same cold eyes .

Four weeks ago

As she collated plates in big basket to clean them as per her turn today , she felt someone tugging her apron . It was Mr Dinkel Carter Kilman or people used to refer to him , Mr. DC Kilman currently the one of the most prominent businessman in Magical Council and also the man in custody of 67 orphan children including her. Clearly , the stature gained due to such a benevolent act  had only eased his business over time due to which he found himself spending more and more time in orphanage .

But unlike other adults , Mr Kilman didn't used to scold children much and allowed them more liberty so contrary to expectations of him being stringent by outsider , whenever he was in their charge, days were always warm and cosy.

Maria smiled giddily as she wondered what the latter desired of her now. Her heart which had come to identify Mr Kilman as her father she never had after all was more than happy to spend time leisurely .

"Fetch me my medicine from Barter , will you ? My migraine seemed to get worse." He held his head painfully .

"You should really get Mr. Sullivan check it out . You know, just the other day he told me about how you refused to take your recommended dose ."

"Ah! That damn blabbermouth ..telling such nonsense to kids." He chuckled. "No need for you to worry about something as trivial as that . "

"If it was so trivial , why are you sending me to Barter again for third time during same week ? " Maria put down her basket on shelve with a gentle glare.

"How is your preparation for Oxford Magic Academy going ? I have heard quiet a bunch of lads looking forward to apply there these days so competition is just going to get tougher ..."

"Nice way to dodge the subject , Mr. Kilman ." She braided her hair back to shoulders in a proud manner." Well! If you must know , I have just applied for the scholarship programme there and chances look high ."

"My Congratulations, dear . Looks like I will have another young prodigy like last year." He snickered.

"Indeed! "She crossed her arms beaming as she put the wallet in her pocket .

...........

"Two usual doses, Mr. Barter.'

"Two ? " He raised his eyes surprised.

"Yeah ! I won't be able to come next week so want to get it for future as well." She giggled.

"Why ? Are you going to lose your legs or something ?" He joked as she stick out her tongue at him. "No ! You see..I have already qualified for the Oxford Academy , my dream . It would be so fun to surprise Mr Kilman , wouldn't it ? Oh ! I can't wait to see his aghast look on face." She whispered.

"Maria! Listen to me carefully. You are in danger..." He began but a horrified expression bedecked his face stopping him in tracks.

"Danger here? How naughty of you to fill her head with such a lie! I wonder..if I should reconsider your certification ." A sneer filled voice laced with voluminous contempt trickling in its very core answered.

Everything in Maria's bones tugged with eerie tingling not to turn back but instinctively she couldn't help but peek a look only to realize just how regrettable it would turn out to be.

Standing before her was a girl , who could be nothing but a perfect replica of her own self with a horrendous sly look bedecking her face.

'How could you be...." She stuttered .

"How could I be you? Quite arrogant presumption on your part to thin you are original" A strong reply sent chills down her spine as she stepped back.

"Hey ! I told you not to go out on your own. I had to dress up quickly to catch up with you ." Mr Kilman groaned as he walked up to them swinging his arm underneath his tight coat.

He was here ! All of sudden, Maria's heart resplendent with uncertainties and dread felt light as feather.

"Mr Kilman ! What is going on? Who is she...."

"Hey ! Did I ask you to speak , girl?" He glared at her with sheer cold look as she flinched. "You are already artecraft of past . Your new version though." He turned his eyes happily to other Maria as a smile etched his face . "Is going to be my masterpiece."

A masterpiece? A new self? She didn't wonder about all the mysterious stuff that he was spouting for all she could fixate on was the sheer contempt directed towards her. Just what happened to change that kind gentleman who had taken care of her for so long? Just what had she ever done to bear that much ill hatred in his heart?

"Mr Kilman ! Is this some sort of elaborate joke? If so , I would really wish for you to stop it now." With last of tether , she advanced towards him hoping for a tiny bit of that same endearing look he had borne toward her but all she managed to evoke was a sense of deep disgust in his eyes.

"A lamb must learn to subdue itself in presence of lion. Such a simple logic and yet you can't grasp it . Such a futile existence indeed! Huh? " He muzzling his beard as other Maria grabbed her in a chokehold.

"Mr ...K-Kilman.." Maria croaked as she struggled to breath being incapacitated by her other self.

"Oh! Now you want an explanation then . Any magician hoping to apply for Oxford should be able to grasp such a thing and yet all you can do is croak and cry like sniveling little baby .

The world will be better off without pests like you truly . Well! That is what I would like to say " He smirked " but I suppose you can't really make masterpiece unless bunch of morons exist to know what to discard right? . So here, have pride in fact that you served as a beautiful test subject for me in finishing my research at least despite your otherwise futile existence ."

Test subject ? His words were loud and crystal clear yet her heart struggled to embrace them as she stood still. No ! This wasn't time to lose hope, not the time to be horrified for if she breaks down now , she would simply succumb to a fate hatched against her own will .

"Mr. Barton , do you kno..." She turned but the very next moment her arms hung down lopsided as a gun was pointed against her face.

"Just how imbecile are you? Since when did you start to believe that Mr. Barton was ever on your side. Since when did you start to believe that you had anyone in world?" Kilman laughed.

That is right! Didn't she learn just now that she had just been abandoned from very get go and treated like a lab rat from her sole caretaker ? Just why did she hope to even think she had any chance to extricate herself from this predicament ?

"Barton , release the residue . " Kilman ordered as latter nodded loading his gun. " You have my thanks , little girl truly . I was able to advance so further in this accursed world because of orphans like you only . People can't really extend their compassion you see and yet like to project it . In order to advance that hypocrisy, orphanages are established but no one really understood the true implications of such process. No one except me.

I knew what had to be done in order to achieve my goal, just what would it take to achieve the perfect evolution. People always mock what they can't grasp due to their inability to accept their own ineptness. For they know, the only thing such a rational acceptance would bring them is a well-deserved shame and jealousy of their inability to reach same heights as other .

So without paying them much mind, I continued to develop my clone magic and acquire money through this convenient orphanage system. Oh ! Do you know how hard it was to pretend every damn second just to achieve your own dream ?" His fingers coiled around her collarbone gripping them tightly as she winced in pain."

"But the work is done. Now you will be admitted in Oxford academy at least in eyes of world while a great orphanage would mysteriously burn down ." He flashed a smile as she shuddered. "But don't worry . Since I am planning to become next ruler anyway , I would make sure to send current head to you in afterlife as soon as possible .

"After all, I am a kind man , who makes sure his research subjects are compensated for their efforts . Isn't that right, Novus Maria " He turned towards other Maria who was simply observing the scene with lifeless expression in her eyes.

"As you say master .Though if I may be so bold , I would like to know something . After burning Maria to cinders and erasing her scent through residue , just how do you plan to overthrow the Magic Ministry ?"

Kilman took a deep breath as he sighed in satisfaction ."It is simple really . After all , you possess every type of magic that ever exist as you are a being purely made out of magic at core so handling bunch of old sacks in those courts should be a piece of cake for you . We will burn the London bridge and create anarchy first to distract government and infiltrate the HQ . Once that is done , you can unleash at your full strength ."

"I understand." She blinked as Barton fired off his gun releasing the residue of black smoke in air , which would be toxic to normal human beings like original Maria who didn't possess any magic yet .

Kilman shoved his hands back in pocket , content by the completion of work he had pursued for so long . For a man so sinister and careful , that very contentment begets complacency the moment he starts to feel relaxed. It had hardly been a moment before he realized his folly but the work was done . As he peered down at his guts , red carnelian liquid gushed out from it eager to be drained out seamlessly .

He tried to turn , to speak , to make any move that would turn the tables but in his eyes , as he saw her familiar shadow ,but the haunting fear had already penetrated the abyss he had craved for so long in his mind . There was no chance ..no chance of victory for the work had been done perfectly.

"Your conscience must have already left ethereal plane by now but I trust that you must have remembered your own words that you imparted to me long ago ."

"Pride begets respect which begets responsibility, dependent on man's own morals . But once he has achieved it all , he is doomed to fall into arrogance ,how can it not when pride itself begets form it ? When arrogance etches a man's heart , then consider him hollow shell , dead or alive , indifferent to nature and society alike ."

"The very presumption about being able to infiltrate Magic ministry through diversion cradles your assumption –that very humane assumption as to fact that government cares about citizens . You desired to remove it for it on pretext of them not intervening in public affairs at all and their ineptness .

Yet , you stoop to contradict yourself when it suits you for you have me . How hypocritical of you , Master ! " Barton made a failed attempt to escape but her sword was pummeled through his head before he could comprehend anything , spluttering blood around half conscious Maria fixated on floor , uncertain as to what to do.

"Hey !"

"Yes" Maria gulped as she felt Novus 's azure blue eyes peering through her self . "I have already healed your wounds so that residue won't affect you . So go on...."

"Huh?"

"What ? You don't want to go now to Oxford Academy? Have you lost your brain or something?" She glared as Maria backed away.

"Just what do you take human sanity for? You think after all this , I can just...." Maria held her head in arms shuddering at pool of blood lying around her .

"Fate waits for none. He has always stride alone , with his own pace. It is up to you to treat this like a single day in entirety of your existence or destroy every possible future simply because you couldn't sense just how hollow eyes around were all the time" Novus brushed her cheek softly cupping her face.

"Novus ! If only I was as perfect enough like you to just forget it ..." Maria wore a bitter smile interlocking her fingers.

"I didn't ask you to forget it ." Novus cut in . "Etch this deep as you can into your heart . If I wanted you to have a happy bubbling life, I would have never let this charade go on for so long . Being a perfection myself or as Kilman would put it at least , I simply felt it was my duty to wake my original self to harsh realities of life as well.

To make you aware that if you carry on with that same trust in future, you would definitely repeat this history again .

So move on , Maria but never trust anything . It is not lack of humanity or faith but simply a necessary maturity one needs to accept in this accursed world of ours ." A strong gale blew her luscious black hair as she helped Maria stand up.

"You are wrong , Novus .."

"That is not possible . I am a better version than you ..."

"If you were really better version , would you have been really retained emotions too ? After all , emotions themselves are regarded as weakness by many . Do we just give up everything the moment they become inconvenient ? Just where do we draw that line ? "

"You fool ! Have you learned nothing from all this?" Novus stared at her fuming.

"No ! To say that would be wrong . But like you said , I can't let one day decide my entire future and eliminated all kind of possible lives. I have better grasp of reality now indeed but I won't give up on trusting people just yet ."

Novus pouted as she readied to leave at which Maria stopped her "Novus ! Are you mad?"

"I feel nothing . I simply wished to provide you with an opportunity but I suppose a fool would always remain fool no matter what ."

A small smile etched Maria's face as she looked up at sky , determined for a fresh start.

Now

If there was one power she had never wished for , it was the ability to read minds for she knew if that happened , she would never be able to delude herself at all and get close with people . Yet her power transcended even that expectation giving her direct doorway to person's soul itself filling her head with all horrible thoughts that revolved in their pretty little heads.

Fate waits for none, striding at his own pace but one can definitely make his own choices and lead life in own style .

If that was indeed true, then why after all she had to go through to keep her faith in trust , fate itself had chosen to bestow her with a power rejecting her every opportunity to ever actualize that .

Just why did such an irony arise?

As noises in background grew louder, she wondered if she would ever find the answer to such an irony, or if this was simply a sign from fate itself that only path remaining was a predetermined submission to path of distrust and isolation.