She woke up slowly, blinking up at the bright ceiling above her.
Her head felt heavy, her face felt warm, and—
There was someone sitting right next to her.
She had turned her head and nearly screamed at the sight of the Prince slumped on a chair, arms crossed, looking extremely annoyed.
"YOU!" exclaimed Rin, pointing dramatically. "You cake-brained menace! You punched me into another dimension!"
The Prince's eyes widened. "I-I didn't hit you! The spell just… diverted!"
"You DUCKED!" she accused. "Who ducks in a magical fight?!"
"¿Normal people who want to live?!" he shot back.
They glared at each other.
Tension filled the room.
Even the magical monitor on the wall beeped nervously.
Then the Prince frowned. "Also… no one has ever spoken to me like that."
Rin blinked. "Oh, should I use a royal accent? 'YoUr MaJeStY, pLeAsE dOn'T tHrOw pUnChEs?'"
The Prince had his mouth open. "Are you making fun of me?"
Rin gasped. "Oh no, never! I would never mock the boy who knocked me unconscious on my first day!"
"You're very rude!"
"You're very punchy!"
They leaned forward, arguing like two aggressively confused ducks.
It was then that Crowlius burst in.
"ENOUGH! Save your romantic comedy argument for later!"
"ROMANTIC?!" Rin and the Prince exclaimed simultaneously.
Crowlius ignored their outrage. "Prince Zephyr, do you NOT realize who she is?"
Zephyr blinked. "Uh… a trouble magnet?"
Crowlius slapped his face with a wing. "She is Rin Arclight. Daughter of Sir Alden Arclight."
Zephyr froze.
"Sir Alden? As in the hero? The knight? The legend? The guy whose statue is taller than the palace gate?"
Rin nodded slowly. "Yeah… that one.
Zephyr's face twisted.
"I respect your father. But you? You're not that special."
Instantly, Rin sat up. "OH REALLY? Maybe you're just extra annoying!
"Maybe you should learn to dodge!"
"Maybe you should learn NOT TO THROW MAGIC PUNCHES AT PEOPLE!"
Crowlius sighed. "Oh good. I love teamwork.
---
Back to Class… With More Chaos
Once Rin was cleared by the healing nurse-whose beard kept getting stuck in his own spell-she headed back towards Revatel Hall with Crowlius and a very irritated Prince Zephyr walking behind her.
Coming inside, the twins walked up to her, sporting huge grins.
The girl waved excitedly. "Hi! I'm Lyra!"
The boy replied calmly, "And I'm Lysander. We don't punch people. Usually."
Rin laughed. "Great! I'm Rin, and I also don't punch people. Usually."
The four laughed—except Zephyr, who muttered, "I don't punch people either. That often."
---
Entrance The Quiet Boy
Quietly, Rin spotted the black-haired boy now sitting at his desk.
He looked very calm… calm enough to be suspiciously dramatic.
Approaching politely with a smile, it was Rin.
"Hello! I'm Rin. We're classmates, so… friends?"
The boy just stared at her.
Expressionless.
Silent.
Rin blinked. "Um… helloooo?
No response.
Zephyr snorted. "Oi! Don't be ignoring her, ye muddy bugger!"
The boy rolled his eyes, but said nothing.
Zephyr crossed his arms. "Rin should make friends with nobles, not some mud blood with attitude."
Rin turned sharply. "Excuse me? I'll be friends with whoever I want!"
Zephyr blinked. "But—"
"And YOU," said Rin, poking his forehead, "are the LAST person to tell anyone how to act polite!
Crowlius cackled. "Ooh, roasted prince à la Rin!
The twins snorted. The quiet boy smirked slightly.
---
???? Sweet Surprises
The quiet boy finally stood and spoke softly.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't intend to ignore you. I'm just. not good with people."
Rin smiled. "That's okay! It happens to me when I see A—" She froze. "I mean… uh… nothing."
The boy continued, "My name is Rowan… Rowan Hearthwind. I'm the son of a simple baker.
Crowlius gasped melodramatically.
"Hearthwind?! THE Hearthwind Bakery?! The most magical pastries in all of Aerithen?! Your father's hands are blessed by the dessert gods! I LOVE his sweet buns!"
Everyone stared. Rin burst into laughter. "Crowlius, please never say that sentence again." Rowan blushed and giggled. "I'll. tell my father you like his buns." "PERFECT!" Crowlius proudly exclaimed. Rin grinned. "And I'm Rin Arclight! Future explosion survivor! Rowan smiled. "Nice to meet you, Rin." The tension dissolved. The team of five was just coming into being- Even though two of them were one punch away from another disaster. --- And thus, Rin's friendships—and comedic misadventures—began.
To be continued…