The morning sunlight poured softly through the tall obsidian windows of the Rotschy estate, casting gentle golden streaks over the polished black floors. Rena stood at the grand entrance of the mansion, dressed immaculately in her academy uniform—though it had been altered, subtly but unmistakably. Her blazer was the standard midnight black, tailored to perfection, hugging her waist with refined elegance. Beneath it, a crisp white shirt, pristine and fitted, contrasted sharply with the deep crimson of her silk tie. The skirt was cut slightly shorter than regulation—still tasteful, but undeniably stylish. Her shoes were a pair of sleek black heels, elevating both her height and her presence. Every inch of her radiated confidence and control.
The driver, already waiting by the glossy black limousine adorned with the emblem of House Rotschy —a silver crescent moon—bowed respectfully and opened the door.
"Your ride is ready, Lady Rena," he said, voice calm and trained.
She nodded once, her long white hair flowing over her shoulders in shimmering waves, the red tips catching the light like embers. She stepped into the car with grace, legs crossed casually as the door clicked shut behind her.
As the car pulled away from the gates, Rena's crimson eyes gazed out the window. She didn't bother using the portal device Jien had given her; there was no need for haste today. The world outside passed in elegant silence—glass towers, enchanted signposts, soft glows of mana-powered streetlights, and the lazy drift of floating sky-vehicles. Rena closed her eyes. The hum of the car and the faint scent of lavender inside the cabin was oddly soothing.
---
At the Academy grounds, the day had just begun.
The stone-paved courtyard was alive with the usual bustle of students. Voices echoed across the open space, mixed with the rustle of uniforms and the clatter of hurried steps. But something was missing—someone.
"Rena hasn't shown up in almost a week," Leona said, folding her arms, her sharp blue eyes scanning the main entrance. Her long white hair, glowing faintly under the morning sun, shifted with the breeze.
"She's not the only one," Ethan added, casually tossing an apple from one hand to the other. His dark blue hair shimmered in the light, and his matching eyes gleamed playfully. "Jin's been MIA too. Guess married life is keeping them busy."
"Or maybe they've run off to a secret honeymoon?" Lilia offered, her green hair bouncing as she tilted her head. "A beach getaway? A moonlit elopement? Something dramatic and scandalous?"
Nox, standing silently nearby, rolled his eyes. "They're not children. They've probably got official noble things to attend to. Honestly, who cares? Rena's married now. She's not going to disappear just because she missed a few classes."
But before any of them could reply, a black limousine rolled into view.
All four pairs of eyes turned simultaneously. The vehicle gleamed like obsidian under the morning sun, and the silver crescent on its side glinted ominously. It pulled up to the main gate, and the driver stepped out with practiced haste. He opened the rear door with a slight bow.
A hand emerged first—slender, graceful, and pale as porcelain. Then a leg, elegantly posed in a sleek black heel. Gasps echoed across the courtyard.
And then, Rena stepped out.
Her long white hair flowed behind her like a living silk ribbon, the tips glowing crimson like dipped fire. Her red eyes sparkled under long black lashes, and her lips, painted the color of ripe cherries, curved into the faintest smirk. She wore black earrings shaped like thorns and a delicate red-crystal necklace that gleamed against her pale collarbone. Her school uniform, though identical in color, looked nothing like the others. Tailored. Bold. Commanding.
She walked with purpose, one step after another, her heels clicking against the stone ground like punctuation marks.
Every student in the courtyard fell silent.
She passed through the academy gates, holding a sleek black school bag in her left hand, her posture straight, her presence magnetic. The faint scent of crimson roses trailed behind her, subtle and intoxicating.
Leona's jaw dropped. "No. Freaking. Way."
Lilia gasped, "She's… wow… She looks like she just walked out of a dream—or a magazine shoot!"
Ethan blinked and gave a low whistle. "Okay. I take back every sarcastic thing I said. Reina just leveled up. Damn."
Even Nox, usually stoic, raised an eyebrow in visible surprise.
Rena approached them, her expression calm, confident, and slightly amused. "You're all staring," she said smoothly, lips curving into a sharp little smile, revealing the smallest glimpse of her fangs. "Do I have something on my face?"
The four of them were stunned silent for a beat.
Then Leona practically screamed, "RENA?! That's really you?! What happened? You're so—so—gorgeous! Like Jien-level gorgeous! Did you fall into a sacred beauty spring while we weren't looking?!"
Rena chuckled, eyes glinting. "I took a bath. You should try it sometime."
Lilia choked on her laughter. Ethan snorted.
"That's illegal," Ethan said dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "You can't just walk up looking like a goddess and drop sarcasm like that. What happened to our shy little Reina?"
"She evolved," Rena replied coolly. "Like a rare magical beast. But with better fashion sense."
Nox, eyeing her carefully, said, "So… this is the married version of Rena? Huh. I thought marriage made people look tired. You look like you just drank a potion of eternal confidence."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Rena said, brushing her hair back. "Marriage isn't so bad. Especially when your mother-in-law is terrifying enough to keep everyone else in line."
Leona leaned closer, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Wait. Wait. Rena… tell me honestly. Did you two… you know…" She wiggled her eyebrows.
Rena arched an elegant brow. "Did we what, Leona?"
"You know—know."
There was a beat of silence.
Rena leaned in, her voice a silken purr. "What do you think?"
Leona's jaw dropped. "YOU DID."
"I didn't say anything," Rena replied, her smile feline and wicked. "But I didn't deny it either."
Ethan burst into laughter. "Oh my god. Who are you and what have you done with Rena?! This new version is dangerous."
"She's a Rotschy now," Lilia said, mock-serious. "She's ascended."
"I'm still me," Rena said, flipping her hair. "Just… upgraded."
They walked together through the academy gates, all eyes following them. Students whispered and stared, too mesmerized to look away. Rena moved among them like a queen returning to court—calm, composed, untouchable.
As they reached the upper floors, Rena sighed softly. "It's weird being back here. Everything feels… smaller."
"That's just your new ego talking," Nox muttered.
Rena grinned. "Maybe. Or maybe I've just seen bigger things. And scarier things."
Leona leaned closer again, dropping her voice. "Seriously though… are you happy?"
Rena paused for a moment, her smile fading just slightly. She looked ahead toward the academy halls bathed in soft morning light. "I don't know yet," she said honestly. "But I'm not scared anymore. And I think that's a good start."
Her friends fell silent for a moment, their teasing smiles softening.
Then Ethan said, "Well, if Jien messes up, he'll have four very angry nobles to deal with."
"Five," Lilia corrected. "You're forgetting Reina herself."
Rena laughed, a clear, melodic sound that echoed through the hall. "Oh, I won't wait for you guys. If he screws up, I'll make him regret it in ways he can't even imagine."
"THERE she is," Leona said, grinning wide.
The group continued toward their classroom, the academy alive around them—but something had shifted. Rena hadn't just returned. She had arrived.
Not as Rena Amberheart, the noble girl trying to escape her fate.
But as Rena Rotschy —a woman forged in fire, sealed in darkness, and now walking in her own light.
---
Heat: The disasters will start soon and Jin is not here either, so let's sit back and enjoy the fight in the academy and the world. 🙂