" You did great out there." Leroy kept his voice calm as he approached the long refreshment table.
"Great?" Ivander scoffed, swirling his wine with the arrogance of someone born into power.
"I'm the king of this place. I did perfect."
Ivander lounged back like the academy belonged to him.
"How did your trials go?" Richmond, Ivander's advisor, asked Leroy.
"I don't know," Leroy answered honestly. "It felt different. Like trials dropped in the middle of nowhere."
Ivander stood, laughing sharply. "That's why you came here. Daddy didn't tell you? He hates looking at your face."
Leroy didn't flinch. He leaned in, whispering just loud enough for Ivander to hear:
"I really wonder what Mom would say, seeing you like this."
Ivander's smile twitched. His eyes darkened.
"Find out where Leroy and his friends landed. And why," Ivander snapped.
"Ivan, the rules—" Richmond tried to calm him.
"I am the rules!" Ivander roared.
The night over Vasra Academia grew colder.
---
Morning at the Cafeteria
"Morning, sunshine," Emile said, slamming her tray in front of Celeste. Her minions gathered like vultures.
Celeste didn't even look up from her notes. "What do you want?"
"Morning, honey!" Emile chirped—but this time to Leroy, who appeared out of nowhere and kissed her cheek.
"Well," Celeste muttered, rising from her seat, "that's a perfect way to kill my appetite."
One of Emile's minions blocked her path.
"Emile," Celeste sighed, "I'm sorry I didn't want to watch your royal drama yesterday."
The forest had changed something in her. A part of her assumed maybe Leroy wasn't terrible.
"Care to explain?" Emile tilted her head toward Leroy.
"Emile's my girlfriend," Leroy forced out, even though it clearly annoyed him.
"Hi, Celeste!" Nathan burst through the circle, cheerful as ever.
"Leroy, you look well," he said, sliding beside Celeste like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Let's get out of here."
They tried—but Celeste stepped in front of Leroy before he could leave.
"What now?" Leroy sighed, exhausted.
"I forgot to congratulate you," Celeste said sweetly.
"On what?" Leroy's brows furrowed.
"Finding someone who matches your level of arrogance."
Emile's magic flared at her fingertips—
—DING!
The school bell saved the cafeteria from turning into a battlefield.
Celeste and Nathan walked away, leaving Emile fuming.
---
History of Zodiac Bloodlines
The freshmen settled in their new classroom.
Emile sat beside Leroy.
Nathan took his seat next to Celeste.
Leroy was stuck between the storm and the clouds.
Isaac entered calmly, dropping a thick book onto the podium.
"The history of zodiac bloodlines," he announced. "Good morning, everyone."
A few students straightened up.
"For those who know me and those who don't—I am Isaac Silverstir. Your homeroom teacher. Your status? Royal, noble… that's all useless here. In this academy, you are nobody until you prove yourself."
Nathan raised a hand. "Sir, we didn't get any trials."
Isaac glared so sharply Nathan flinched.
"You passed the first trials—that's why you're sitting here instead of lying in the infirmary."
Celeste frowned. Passed? That forest was the trial?
She exchanged a look with Leroy. He seemed just as confused.
Isaac continued, pacing slowly.
"Now—open your textbooks to chapter—"
CRACK!
A sudden flash of icy blue tore through the ceiling—
a spear of ice shot straight at Celeste.
She barely had time to gasp.
"NATHAN!" she heard someone shout—
But Nathan had already moved.
He shoved her out of the way and threw up a shield.
The spear exploded into shards against his barrier, sending frost across the floor.
Students screamed. Emile grabbed Leroy's arm.
Isaac spun, eyes flashing silver.
"What was that!?" Celeste gasped.
Nathan steadied her, expression innocent and heroic.
"Just protecting my partner."
But Celeste's instincts twitched.
Something about his reaction was… too perfect.
Isaac examined the shattered ice. His tone darkened.
"This wasn't a malfunction. Someone targeted you."
Celeste's heart hammered.
Emile's lips curled.
"Typical. Even the defense system hates you."
Celeste stood, dusting frost off her uniform.
"Funny. It aimed a little too perfectly."
Emile stepped closer, eyes glowing.
"Maybe the academy recognizes someone who doesn't belong.". Leroy examined the incident. Something was off.
Nathan casually blocked her path.
"Relax. Or Isaac will knock your magic out again."
"Enough," Isaac said sharply.
His fingers snapped—every spell in the room flickered and died.
"Sit. All of you."
Celeste returned to her seat.
But when she glanced sideways…
Leroy wasn't watching the ice.
He wasn't watching Emile.
He was watching her—with a strange, conflicted expression.
Nathan leaned over her and whispered, "You didn't even throw a punch and you still won."
Celeste didn't smile.
Something in this academy wanted her dead.
And someone in this room was hiding a motive.
"Nothing here is normal," she murmured.
Nathan smirked.
"You're finally catching on."
---
The class slowly calmed down, but Nathan's eyes flicked to the corner of the ceiling—the spot where the attack had originated.
Right on time.
As the lesson resumed, Celeste whispered, "Thanks… for saving me."
Nathan smiled softly. "Always."
But inside?
Perfect.
He'd timed the attack flawlessly—
not enough to seriously injure her,
just enough to make himself look indispensable.
Nobody noticed his fingers twitch under the desk…
or the faint shadowy residue sliding back into his sleeve.
Later, when Celeste stepped out of the classroom, Nathan's vision flickered. A cold, ancient voice filled his head.
"Nathaniel…"
He bowed his head slightly.
"Yes, my king."
"Keep an eye on my granddaughter."
Nathan stiffened.
"I… don't understand. I thought your children were long dead."
"My youngest son has returned. Lucian can fully meet his end."
The voice rumbled like darkness itself.
"The silver sword necklace will guide you."
The connection snapped.
Nathan exhaled, letting the shadows retreat.
Granddaughter… so she really is—
He looked toward Celeste.
She laughed softly at something Isaac said.
Confident. Strong. Oblivious.
Nathan's eyes narrowed.
Protect her.
Watch her.
Guide her.
And if necessary…
Control her.
---