Four years had passed since that nightmare. I am now sixteen—so are Tindra and Noomi.
We were strolling through the academy garden during lunch break, the sun warm above us, while students laughed and chatted around.
"Ugh, this final year feels like torture!" Tindra groaned, throwing her hands up in frustration. "They're literally burying us alive under mountains of books!"
"Yeah," Noomi muttered, slumping dramatically. "I feel like the books are dominating me instead of the other way around. And don't even get me started on Master Alvi. That guy never teaches in class, but his exams? Pure hell!"
I laughed. "Sounds like you guys are really suffering. With Master Alvi as your homeroom teacher… yeah, I can feel it. He's a jerk."
"Of course he is!" Tindra snapped. "Even before he became our homeroom teacher, he used to humiliate you in front of everyone and told us to stay away from you. He's such a bastard."
Her words stirred old memories I wanted to forget. My chest tightened slightly, but I shook it off.
Trying to lighten the mood, Noomi glanced at Tindra. "Hey, don't you have to attend healing lectures too?"
"Oh, right," Tindra sighed. "Mistress Emma handles those. She takes classes on weekends, early in the morning."
"On weekends? So basically, no rest for you?" I teased.
"Pretty much. Being a healer sucks sometimes… but at least I can help people. That part makes it worth it, I guess."
We laughed softly, enjoying the moment—until a hooded figure suddenly rushed past and slammed into me.
It would've been fine if he just apologized. Or even if he'd just walked away without a word. But no. Instead, he glared at me with piercing red eyes, the kind of look that screamed: 'Are you blind?'
And then—
"Tsk."
That single, dismissive sound made my fists itch. I wanted to punch him so badly.
As he turned to leave, a sudden gust of wind swept through the garden, tugging his hood back.
Black hair. Sharp nose. Strong jawline. And those red eyes again.
He was… handsome, undeniably so. But so what? I still wanted to smash his face in.
The garden, which had been quiet moments ago, erupted into whispers and squeals. Girls blushed and gushed, their voices overlapping.
Before I could roll my eyes, another figure appeared before us.
A girl—golden hair that shone like sunlight, bright green eyes, an angelic face. Even her smile felt like a blessing from the heavens.
"I apologize on his behalf," she said softly. Her voice was clear, melodic. "He can be… difficult, and won't even apologize. Please forgive him."
Caught off guard, I stammered, "Uh… i-it's fine. Really. I didn't mind."
She bowed gracefully before tugging the hooded man away with her.
"Do you know who they were?" Noomi whispered, her tone laced with intrigue.
I shook my head. "No idea."
"That guy was Rein Regulus," she explained. "And the girl was Freja Asher."
Tindra added quickly, "Rein's famous for graduating the academy in just six years."
My jaw nearly dropped. What? The full program was supposed to take ten years. He did it in six?
So the arrogant jerk was actually a genius?
"And the girl?" I asked.
"She was his classmate," Tindra replied. "Maybe his friend too. But she's mostly known for her beauty."
That, at least, I understood. Even I, a girl, couldn't deny being entranced by her.
"I guess they came to report their mission," Noomi mused. Her tone was analytical, sharp.
"Hmm… I see. But if he was done reporting, why was he in the garden?" I asked.
"Because," she smirked, "he never uses the main gate for some reason. He always enters through a window."
I blinked. "…What is he, some criminal in exile trying to hide his identity?"
"Who knows," she shrugged.
The bell rang soon after, and we split up for classes. Since I was still in Grade 2, my schedule ended an hour and a half earlier than theirs.
On my way home, I stopped by a newly opened dessert shop. My eyes lingered on the colorful display at the counter, my stomach grumbling in anticipation.
That's when I noticed him.
A man in a long coat and wide-brimmed hat stood beside me. His presence radiated a strange, unsettling aura.
And then he spoke.
"Hello, young lady… Elvira."
I froze. My heart skipped a beat.
How did he know my name?
We had never met before.
"May I have a word with you?" His voice was polite, almost too polite. "It won't take long."
But that mysterious request out of nowhere sent shivers down my spine.
Something about him… was deeply wrong.
---