Chapter 2: The Crimson Trap
I. The Wrap Girl
The sandwich was long gone. The room still smelled faintly of cleaning spray and old wood, but it no longer felt hostile.
Himari sat cross-legged, hair tied back, watching the light outside dim into a soft gray. Evening was settling over Aetherford. Her silence was hers.
The phone buzzed. A message from Jiro:"Don't forget. I'm picking you up tomorrow. 7:30 sharp. No sneezing allowed."
"I'll try. No promises."
She placed the phone face-down and lay back. I don't feel at home. Not yet. But I don't feel lost anymore either. And that, for now, was enough.
She woke to a grumbling stomach and a jolt of panic. Almost noon. Too much typing. "Jiro is so weird," she muttered, pulling on her coat.
The hallway was a river of students. Himari stood still, coat on, stomach growling—adrift.
She spotted a girl talking fast, dragging a tall, bored-looking boy beside her. "Excuse me," Himari said, soft but clear. "I'm new. Where is the canteen?"
The girl gasped. "Oh my god—you're new too?" She grabbed Himari's hand. "I'm Jane! Jane Darselle from Varneth. And this is Dean, from Eryndore. Isn't that wild?"
Himari's stomach growled again. "Can we go to the canteen first?"
Jane lit up. "Food first. Talking second. You're my kind of person." Dean sighed. "Finally."
The canteen was a roar of noise. Jane dragged them toward the line. "Come on, you two! No escape!"
Dean sighed audibly. "I wasn't trying to escape."
Himari picked up a tray, selecting vegetables and a small wrap—no rice. Jane paused mid-scoop. "Wait—why didn't you take rice?"
"I don't eat rice."
"You don't eat rice? How do you survive?"
"Tortillas. Wraps. Mostly."
"You're a wrap girl? This is destiny."
Dean raised an eyebrow. "That's a stretch."
At the table by the window, Himari sat down. Dean was already picking at his food. "Sorry if I'm bothering you two," she said.
Dean didn't look up. "It's not a big deal."
"Are you two... friends?"
Dean finally glanced at her. "No. We're not." "I met her yesterday. She talks. I listen. That's all."
Jane returned—arms full, louder than the canteen itself. "Soy milk for you, water for Dean. And—ta-da! Tortilla wrap! They're selling them. Eat well!"
Himari blinked. "Thank you, Jane."
Jane froze mid-bite, then grinned. "Nope. Not Jane. Call me DJ. Only my closest friends do."
Himari smiled faintly. "Thank you, DJ."
DJ beamed. "That's more like it."
Lunch ended quickly. DJ's chatter was a constant, bright background—a warmth that surprisingly didn't bother Himari at all. Even Dean, silent as a statue, listened.
DJ pointed at her phone. "I've already made a list of places we need to see. Library, training dome, the mana garden! We're going together. All three of us."
"You planned all that?" Dean asked.
"I'm efficient. And nosy." She turned to Himari. "Mana theory. And emotional channeling. What about you?"
"Elemental chaos. Basically, I blow things up," DJ declared.
Dean muttered, "That explains a lot."
"Combat strategy," he said simply.
"Perfect. We're a balanced trio. Brains, brawn, and... me."
II. The Bonfire Invitation
As they walked back, Himari turned to her. "I never thought I'd meet someone so nice here."
DJ laughed. "Aww, Hima—you're so cute. Can I call you that?"
"Sure."
"So, Hima, have you met Kiro yet?"
Himari winced. "Yeah... I met him this morning. I kind of... injured him."
DJ stopped, then burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. "Oh my god! You assaulted the rep on day one! That's legendary."
They exchanged numbers. Dean headed off. DJ accepted an invitation inside, flopping onto the bed. They talked for a long time.
"You made my day, DJ. After the whole Kiro accident... I felt so out of place. But now... I don't feel alone."
DJ's phone buzzed. Her eyes widened. "Oh my god, Hima—look! Invitation from the rep! Bonfire tonight in the garden. Get-together!"
"That means you're officially the last newcomer. Welcome to the chaos."
DJ left with a promise to return. The room fell silent again, but the warmth lingered. Himari lay down for a small nap, just enough to gather herself before the night began.
III. The Crimson Reveal
The knock was soft, then loud. "Himaaa! Wake up!"
Himari's eyes fluttered open. She rushed to the door.
DJ stood there, dressed in a cozy jacket. Dean waited silently behind her.
DJ gasped. "Hima—what took you so long? You didn't answer our calls! It's almost bonfire time, let's go!"
Himari's eyes were still swollen from sleep.
"Aw, wakey wakey, sleepyhead," DJ said gently, touching her cheek.
Dean raised an eyebrow. "You look like you just fought a dream war."
Himari threw on her coat. "I'm all done. Let's go."
"Hima... you didn't change?" DJ asked.
"It's fine, DJ," Dean interrupted. "Look at her—she's still half-asleep. Let's just go."
Himari stepped forward, firm. "I'm ready. Let's go."
The garden was glowing—lanterns strung, soft music playing. The bonfire crackled at the center like a heartbeat.
Himari's steps were slow. Dean drifted toward a group of seniors. DJ was greeted by nearly everyone, but she held Himari's hand, anchoring her.
Two figures approached: Kiro, and a girl with golden blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and a presence that turned heads.
"Oh! Maishe! Good evening!" DJ lit up.
Maishe smiled warmly. "Maishe Duvell. Welcome to Aetherford."
"Kiro Asano. Dorm rep," Kiro added, voice flat.
"And I'm DJ. Official chaos rep."
As they followed Maishe to her group, DJ leaned in. "She's beautiful, Hima."
"I think you're more beautiful, DJ," Himari replied, quiet but sincere. "Your hair is so pretty. Those hazel eyes... you stand out."
DJ smiled, cheeks pink. "You're dangerous when you're sweet."
DJ leaned closer. "What kind of magic? I can see other people's mana. Not like auras—I can sense magic from far away."
Himari stared. "That's... actually really useful."
DJ winked. "Told you. I'm chaos with purpose."
Maishe clapped her hands. "Welcome to the newest members of our dorm: Jane Darselle, Dean Ravel, and Himari Tsukihara." The group murmured greetings.
DJ leaned in, grinning. "They all think we're first-years. The real surprise hits when they see our class placement tomorrow."
Maishe turned to Himari. "So, Miss Tsukihara... where are you from?"
"Cyprus."
"And which academy did you complete your studies at?"
"Arclight Academy. It's a boarding school."
The name dropped like a stone. The air shifted. Heads turned. Even Dean looked up. Arclight. The elite academy.
Maishe's smile faltered. "Oh. I see." She looked at the quiet girl—it didn't add up.
DJ whispered, "Hima... you never told me you were from Arclight."
Maishe recovered quickly, her voice smooth. "Himari, your lenses are lovely. Wouldn't it be nice to see your real eyes?" The edge in her voice silenced the group.
Himari didn't flinch. She reached up, removed her lenses with quiet grace, and blinked. Her eyes—deep crimson, like embers—shimmered in the firelight. Gasps echoed.
Maishe's lips curled. "It's just a color. Nothing special. Honestly, she looks like a black magic user."
"I just wore them to match my hair color, Miss Maishe," Himari said calmly.
DJ stepped in, firm. "Let's go, Hima. We'll see you all tomorrow at uni, okay? Take care of us!"
As they walked away, Maishe's group watched. The bonfire was almost out.
IV. The Real Game
Reain turned to the others. "Let's go. Meet me at our location."
One by one, they walked—around the dorm, toward the abandoned building.
Inside, beneath cracked ceilings, a different fire burned.
Nine figures