9 Years Later, Verenthia
The early morning sunlight streamed into a grand estate in Verenthia, illuminating the lavish bedroom of Celeste Morven. Her long red hair sprawled across the pillows as she wriggled lazily in bed, mumbling incoherently. At 5'4", her petite frame seemed to melt into the plush mattress as if refusing to face the day.
A loud creak interrupted the peace as the door to her room burst open. Julianne, her lifelong maid and caretaker, marched in, panic etched on her face. "Young Miss, get up! You're going to be late on your first day!" Her tone was firm but laced with urgency.
Celeste barely reacted, a faint hum of acknowledgment escaping her lips as she buried her face further into the pillows.
Julianne's sharp eyes darted to the bedside table, where an empty glass and a water jug sat. With a determined sigh, she quickly filled the glass. "Young Miss, this isn't a joke!" she warned once more. When there was no response, Julianne muttered, "Forgive me," and unceremoniously splashed the water onto Celeste's face.
Celeste bolted upright with a shriek, her fiery hair plastered to her face. "What the hell?!"
Julianne bowed apologetically, though her tone remained firm. "I'm sorry, Young Miss, but you left me no choice."
Celeste wiped her face with her sleeve, shivering. "Geez, couldn't you let me sleep a little longer?"
Julianne shook her head with a small smile. "I'm afraid not, Young Miss. If you don't get ready now, I'll be forced to use a bucket of cold water next time."
The mere thought sent a visible shiver down Celeste's spine. "Fine! Just bring me breakfast, okay? I'll eat and then get ready," she bargained, pouting.
Julianne, unfazed, replied, "Not until you wash your face."
Defeated, Celeste groaned dramatically and stormed off to prepare herself. A short while later, she arrived in the dining hall, dressed and ready, her hair neatly tied back. She expected her usual quiet breakfast, but to her surprise, her two half-brothers were already seated at the table.
Adrian, the eldest, sat at the head of the table. His tall frame and composed demeanor exuded authority, though his cold expression barely acknowledged her arrival. Felix, the younger of the two, lounged in his chair, his posture casual but his sharp eyes brimming with hostility. Both shared their father's red hair and piercing eyes, a stark contrast to Celeste's softer, more delicate features.
Celeste hesitated briefly before taking the farthest seat she could find. Plastering on a polite smile, she greeted them. "Good morning, brothers."
Adrian glanced up, his expression unreadable. "Morning," he replied curtly, his tone neutral but tinged with something colder. After a pause, he added, "I'm surprised you're up on time. Did Julianne have to drag you out of bed again?"
Felix snorted at Adrian's jab, setting his fork down with a clatter. "ha, i wonder who she takes after?" he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.
Celeste's smile wavered, but she held her composure. "It's good to see you both here for breakfast. It's been a while."
Felix leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "What's so good about it? You've been freeloading off Father's generosity since day one. At least Adrian and I earn our keep."
"Felix," Adrian said softly, though there was no reprimand in his voice—only an almost amused calm. "There's no need to be harsh. Celeste… tries her best, I'm sure."
Celeste clenched her fists under the table, her nails digging into her palms. "I didn't realize my presence was such an inconvenience," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "I'll be out of your way soon enough."
Felix scoffed, picking up his fork again. "We'll believe it when we see it."
Adrian sipped his tea, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Let's not ruin the morning with petty arguments," he said, his tone smooth but undeniably condescending. "You might be wondering why we're both here this morning," he began, his voice laced with superiority. "The reason is simple: now that you're starting at the university, anything less than first place will not be tolerated. Do not bring shame to the Morven name. Do you understand?"
Celeste swallowed her frustration and forced a polite smile. "Yes, I do, Brother."
Felix pushed his chair back abruptly, standing up as he wiped his hands on a napkin. Without even glancing at her, he said coldly, "Oh, and one more thing—don't try to talk to us at the university. You'll only drag down our standing."
Celeste clenched her fists under the table, her gaze falling to her plate as she fought to control her anger. "Y...yes," she muttered, her voice barely audible.
Celeste's appetite vanished, but she forced herself to pick at her food, unwilling to give them the satisfaction of seeing her rattled. Despite her calm exterior, her mind churned with frustration.
After breakfast, Celeste left home, choosing to walk to the university rather than endure the horse cart ride with her brothers. Their loud chatter and suffocating presence were the last things she wanted. The journey was long, but the solitude was worth it.
As she approached a bridge spanning a wide, shimmering river, she paused. The water below sparkled under the morning sun, teeming with fish darting gracefully through the current. Her gaze caught a sleek black cat walking effortlessly along the bridge's railing. Drawn by the quiet stillness, Celeste climbed onto the rails, balancing delicately as she looked down at the rippling water.
"I wish I could just jump," she thought, the weight of her family's expectations pressing heavily on her. For a brief moment, the idea of escape seemed comforting. But then, a memory stopped her—her mother's face, her kind eyes, and the words she spoke on the day Celeste promised, "You'll never give up. Be strong for yourself, my dear."
Tears welled in her eyes, two drops falling silently into the river below. Wiping her cheeks quickly, she took a deep breath and steadied herself. "Not today," she whispered, stepping down from the rails. Adjusting her bag, she continued walking, the towering silhouette of the university coming into view.
At the gates, the massive letters spelling "Millennium University" loomed above her, carved into shining obsidian. Celeste paused, her resolve hardening. "It's make or break now," she thought. "I'll succeed, no matter what. I'll get away from that house."
Strengthened by her determination, she stepped through the gates and was immediately struck by the grandeur of the university. The campus stretched as far as the eye could see, its towering spires shimmering with enchanted lights. Crystal bridges connected the buildings, glowing faintly under the morning sun. Students rode wyverns that soared overhead, their scales glinting in hues of green and gold. Others walked with fantastical creatures—sleek foxes with tails flickering with fire, winged cats, and deer-like beings that glided effortlessly over the ground.
Celeste couldn't help but stop and stare, mesmerized by the magic thrumming in the air. Quickly regaining her composure, she made her way toward the student sheets posted near the entrance. The dense crowd of students jostled her as she searched for her class assignment. Classes were ranked by merit on the entrance exams—a grueling test of both theory and skill. Her eyes landed on "Class A," and there, at the top of the list, was her name: Celeste Morven.
A small smile crept onto her face. "First place," she thought, pride swelling in her chest. Her eyes drifted to the second name on the list, and her smile immediately faltered. "Gareth Aetherfall." She scowled, her voice a low grumble. "Tch, that bastard. Why can't I ever have peace?"
Dragging herself toward the classroom, a mix of frustration and resignation, her attention was caught by someone passing nearby. A tall boy with strikingly fair skin and jet-black hair moved through the crowd with unnatural grace. His features were sharp, almost regal, but his attire stood out the most. Despite the burning sun, he was fully covered—a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, boots, and pants. The only visible part of him was his face.
Celeste frowned. "Isn't he hot? It's boiling out here." She glanced at herself, feeling unusually short in comparison. "Why is he so tall? Or… am I just that short?" She puffed her cheeks in frustration, her earlier annoyance now tinged with self-consciousness.
Finally, she reached the classroom. Standing before the door, she whispered to herself, "Well, here it begins." With a deep breath, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.