The morning started like any other.
Which, for me, meant walking through a hallway full of magical girls giving me one of three looks:
1. Curiosity.
2. Disgust.
3. Thinly veiled murderous intent.
Rin walked beside me, sipping her tea with unsettling calm.
"Three new students are transferring into Class A today."
"Okay… and you're telling me this why?"
"Because all three of them specifically requested to be in your class."
I stopped walking. "That's not suspicious at all."
"One of them already tried to send you cookies through an interdimensional pigeon."
I blinked. "What—"
"The pigeon exploded."
Of course it did.
---
In Class A
Professor Astra stood at the front, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
"We have three new students joining us. They've each transferred from specialized Arcaem programs... and they all passed direct screening from the Headmistress herself."
My danger senses tingled.
Astra stepped aside. The door opened.
And the first one walked in.
---
Transfer 1: Seraphina Eclair
She walked with elegance that didn't match her age. Silvery curls, soft blue uniform, porcelain smile. She clasped her hands like she was meeting royalty.
"Greetings. I am Seraphina Eclair. It's such a blessing to finally meet you all… especially you, Nox."
The room turned to me.
"I—Uh—Hi."
She stared like I was a dessert she planned to eat slowly over ten years.
Danger Level: HIGH. Smile contains 73% threat.
---
Transfer 2: Cassandra Nightveil
Second girl. Straight black hair. Sharp gaze. Moved like a shadow wearing a school uniform.
"Cassandra Nightveil. Voidtrace specialization. That is all."
She sat directly behind me.
I didn't even hear her footsteps. She was just... there.
I turned slightly. "Do I know you?"
"No. But I know you."
Oh boy.
Danger Level: Unknown. Possible stealth assassin. Or protective older sister type. Verdict pending.
---
Transfer 3: Mira Lysviel
Last one entered like sunshine on sugar.
Bright smile, bouncy steps, and a flower-shaped wand dangling from her belt.
"Hi hi~! I'm Mira! I'm sooo happy to be here with all of you—and with you especially, Nox-kun!"
The entire class leaned forward in judgmental horror.
She waved at me enthusiastically.
I whispered to Rin, "She seems... nice?"
Rin didn't respond. She just sipped her tea harder.
Danger Level: Stealth Killer in Progress. Proceed with maximum charm resistance.
---
After Class
I tried to sneak away.
Tried.
All three transfer students followed me into the hallway like magnets to metal.
"Would you like to join me for tea, Nox?" Seraphina asked sweetly.
"You should report to the Headmistress. She wants to monitor your core," Cassandra said flatly.
"Or we could skip all that and go eat cake!" Mira beamed.
All three girls stared at each other.
The temperature dropped.
Literal magical pressure flooded the air.
Classmates started evacuating the hallway.
"Ladies," I said, panicking, "maybe we don't have to—"
"Silence, Nox."
All three of them said it. In perfect sync.
...
I'm going to die. Or worse—I'm going to get hugged to death by someone who's secretly draining my soul.
---
Meanwhile… In a Surveillance Room
Elira watched the chaos unfold on a crystal screen.
"Ah, the transfer phase has begun."
A masked figure beside her spoke, "Shall we prepare the containment squad?"
Elira smirked.
"Not yet. Let's see who breaks first. Him… or them.