Her morning began like every other: total chaos.
She brushed her teeth-with real toothpaste this time-tripped over her own shoes-twice-and almost wore her pajama pants to school.
Sitting on her cupboard, Crowlius said, "You're a walking disaster. It's impressive, really.
Rin rolled her eyes. "Thanks for the confidence boost, bird-brain."
He bowed dramatically. "Anytime, wrinkle-free prodigy."
At Sunrise High, Rin was supposed to be listening to her teacher talk about "The Importance of Algebra."
Instead, her mind was filled with floating castles, talking sandwiches, and glitter-sneezing royals.
"So, I'm actually from a magical kingdom," she thought, doodling a broomstick on her notebook. "My dad's alive. My mom's a noble. And I'm… brushing my teeth next to a crow."
"Rin!" her teacher snapped. "Are you paying attention?
"Yes! I mean—abracadabra!" exclaimed Rin.
The class erupted in laughter.
Mira smirked. "Maybe try a spell to fix your grades."
Rin glared. "Maybe I'll turn your juice box into a frog again."
"Again?!" Mira gasped.
Rin froze. Oops. She definitely wasn't supposed to mention the football-juice-box incident.
By the end of the class, Rin was so embarrassed that she practically teleported outside of the room (okay, she just ran really fast).
✨ The Journey to Aerithen
When she got home, Crowlius was waiting impatiently.
"Took you long enough! I thought you got detention for excessive weirdness."
"I almost did," grumbled Rin. "So… are we going now?"
Crowlius flapped his wings. "Indeed! Hold tight, my soon-to-be-magical mess!
Before Rin could ask what to hold, Crowlius sprinkled glowing dust in the air. The room spun, the ceiling vanished, and she was flying through a tunnel of stars and light.
"CROWLIUS!!" Rin screamed. "I THINK I'M GONNA THROW UP!"
"Please don't! Magical vomit stains my feathers!"
In a flash, they landed softly on a cobblestone street glowing with floating lanterns.
Rin breathed, "Whoa…"
Before her lay the kingdom of Aerithen: crystal-like glittering towers, carriages pulled by flying cats, and people using magic with complete normality. A woman was literally sweeping the porch with a levitating broom, all the while sipping tea.
The eyes of Rin sparkled. "It's beautiful!"
Crowlius puffed his feathers. "Told you! Welcome to Aerithen, the land of wonder, waffles, and way too many sparkles."
Meeting the Locals ????♀️
Rin walked through the market, amazed. "Everyone's so nice!" she said, waving at a group of people. "Hi!"
A man waved back, saying, "Want to buy a singing potato?"
Rin blinked. "A what now?"
"It hums lullabies at night!" he said proudly.
A woman hawking robes called out, "Half price on self-ironing shirts! Just don't wear them near water—they panic!"
"This place is insane," whispered Rin.
Crowlius snickered. "You haven't seen rush hour yet."
---
'value'
Shop 'Til You Drop Mayhem
They entered a shop filled with magical clothes which floated on hangers.
Rin picked up a robe that changed color when she smiled.
"Ooooh! Pretty!"
They bought her robes, a beginner's wand ("with minimal explosion risk"), potion bottles, and a school bag that whispered motivational quotes like 'You got this, champ!'
???? The Cake Catastrophe
After shopping, Crowlius took her to a glowing candy shop called Sweetstorm Delights.
Inside, the air smelled like sugar and mischief. Cakes floated upon trays, chocolate frogs hopped in glass jars, and glowing lollipops hummed tunes.
The eyes of Rin sparkled. "This is heaven!"
She ordered a slice of caramel cloud cake. "It looks sofluffy I could sleep on it!"
Crowlius, who was chewing on something suspiciously purple, said, "Just don't drool on it."
But as Rin lifted her fork—SPLAT!
The cake slipped off her plate, did a perfect midair flip… and landed right on someone's head.
"Oh no," whispered Rin.
The boy slowly turned around. He had dark hair, stormy blue eyes, and frosting dripping down his cheek. "Did you just throw a cake at me?" he said coldly .Rin squeaked. "It was gravity's fault!"
Crowlius stepped forward, unruffled. "Hey, frosting-face! She didn't mean it. You should thank her—free dessert!"
The boy glared. "You dare mock me, crow?"
Crowlius gasped dramatically. "You dare threaten me while wearing cake as a hat? Bold choice!"
The boy's aura flared with magic. "Do you even know who I am?"
"Oh, do you know who she is?" Crowlius puffed his chest and said, "This, my sugary friend, is Rin Arclight, daughter of Sir Alden Arclight, the Royal Magical Knight!
The whole shop fell silent. Even the chocolate frogs had stopped hopping.
People began whispering, "Sir Alden's daughter?! The hero of the Crystal War?!"
The boy's eyes widened. "Y-you're his daughter?
Rin blinked. "Wait… my father's that famous?
Crowlius nodded proudly. "Famous? He's practically a legend! A Mud Blood who rose to become a Royal Knight. His intelligence and courage saved the kingdom more than once. He's more respected than half the nobles combined!"
Rin's heart swelled. "Wow… I didn't know that."
She hesitated. "What about my mother?"
Crowlius tilted his head. "That part's… fuzzy. I only know she's a noble magician, strong, elegant, mysterious. Probably had great hair.
Rin smiled faintly. "They sound amazing."
The boy was still dripping frosting and bowed awkwardly. "I am so sorry, Lady Rin. Forgive me, please."
Rin panicked. "Oh—no! Don't call me Lady! Just Rin is fine!"
Crowlius snickered. "See? Even cake incidents lead to royal introductions. You're a natural."
---
Starry Night, Quiet Night
As the sun dipped behind the golden towers of Aerithen, Crowlius guided Rin back home.
She laid her new robes neatly on the bed and gazed out the window at the twinkling lights of the magical kingdom. Her heart was full: of excitement, wonder, and a little confusion. Why did my parents leave me? she wondered. And what's waiting for me at the academy? Crowlius yawned. "Don't overthink it, kid. Big day tomorrow. Magic, chaos, and maybe more cake-throwing." Smiling softly, Rin replied, "Can't wait." As she drifted off to sleep, one thought shimmered in her mind— Her ordinary life was officially over. And her magic was only just beginning.
To be continued.