As Celeste pushed open the large door, she stepped into a bustling classroom alive with chatter and movement. The room was massive, with sunlight streaming through enchanted glass windows that displayed a constantly shifting landscape. Rows of long benches stretched across the space, with three students seated per row, while magical orbs floated in the air, providing a warm, golden light. The walls were lined with shelves containing dusty tomes and shimmering artifacts, giving the classroom a mixture of grandeur and mystery.
Looking around, Celeste noticed students already clustered into small groups. She sighed inwardly. Just as expected, everyone's already in their cliques... It made sense. Most of these students were nobles who had spent their lives attending mandatory social events—grand balls, dinners, and gatherings where they were forced to mingle and network. Celeste had always found those events suffocating, full of pretense and meaningless conversations. Why would it be any different here?
As she moved further into the room, a familiar shout caught her attention. "Celeste!" The voice was cheerful and unmistakable. Looking up, she spotted Lyra Solcrest waving enthusiastically from one of the rows near the back. Lyra's warm auburn hair, tied back with a simple leather cord, shone like fire in the sunlight. Her amber eyes practically glowed with excitement, and her freckled face lit up with a wide smile. She was dressed in her usual rugged attire—an earthy-toned leather vest over a forest-green tunic, sturdy boots, and her signature braided bracelet around her wrist.
Celeste couldn't help but smile back. Lyra always had a way of making her feel at ease. Begrudgingly, she walked over to join her friend, who gestured to the empty seat beside her. "Come sit with me!" Lyra said, patting the spot.
As Celeste made her way to Lyra's side, her attention was drawn to the front row, where Gareth Aetherfall sat. His golden hair practically shimmered in the light, and his confident posture radiated charm. A group of female classmates surrounded him, laughing at something he said. The sight made Celeste's stomach churn. He's already playing his little games, she thought, her expression hardening.
At that moment, as if sensing her gaze, Gareth turned his head and glanced directly at her. Celeste quickly turned away, her cheeks flushing, and sped up her pace to reach Lyra.
When she finally sat down, Lyra smirked knowingly. "Oh, you already can't stay away from your 'hubby,' huh?" she teased, her voice laced with mischief.
Celeste cringed at the word. "Disgusting. Stop. I have no feelings for him. None," she replied sharply, her voice rising slightly.
Lyra chuckled. "Well, you've got plenty of time to warm up to the idea. Let's face it—canceling the engagement is impossible."
Celeste frowned. "They say the Wind Queen forced her father to annul her engagement. It's possible."
Lyra's teasing smile faded slightly. "Yeah, but it didn't come without consequences. Look at what happened to your father because of it."
The weight of those words hit Celeste hard. She looked down, unable to respond. Seeing her friend's sudden sadness, Lyra immediately softened. "I'm sorry, Celeste. I talk too much sometimes. Forgive me, please?" she begged, standing up and pinching Celeste's cheeks gently.
"Lyra, stop it!" Celeste protested, trying to back away, but Lyra was stronger and held firm. Eventually, Celeste gave up, her cheeks reddened both from the pinching and the embarrassment. "Fine, fine, I forgive you!" she muttered, exasperated.
Satisfied, Lyra sat back down, crossing her arms confidently. "Well, if I'm right, something big is going to happen today. This won't be a normal orientation."
Celeste raised an eyebrow, about to ask what she meant, but the classroom door swung open, cutting her off. A tall man with a commanding presence strode in. The noise in the room died instantly as the students scrambled to their seats.
The professor stood behind his desk, surveying the room with a pleased expression. "Ah, this year's batch seems to have some common decency. That's a good start," he remarked with a faint smile. "I'm Professor Jayce, and I'll be your primary instructor. I specialize in advanced mana control. Since most of you have mastered the basics—otherwise, you wouldn't be here—I expect nothing less than excellence."
His gaze swept across the room, and as he took in the already-formed cliques, his smile faltered slightly. "Ah, the usual... groups already forming." He sighed and muttered under his breath, "Why do I have to do this every year?"
Raising his voice, he announced, "We're rearranging the seating. Randomly."
The class erupted in protests, but the professor stood firm. "Quiet! My decision is final. Take your new seats."
Grumbling, the students complied. Celeste's heart sank as she realized her fate. She found herself sandwiched between Gareth Aetherfall on one side and the mysterious black-haired boy she'd noticed earlier. He was tall, his strikingly fair complexion standing out against his dark, full-coverage attire—long sleeves, gloves, and high boots. Not a single inch of his skin was exposed beyond his face, despite the sweltering heat.
Why me? Celeste cursed inwardly. Even if I can tolerate sitting next to Gareth, this guy is just weird. Who wears gloves in the middle of summer?
Resigned to her misfortune, she slumped slightly in her seat. The professor cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "Alright, now that you're settled, let's begin. Oh, and I have an announcement to make."
He scratched his head as if trying to recall something. "Ah, yes. This year, we've already established the 'S Class'—a group reserved for top-performing students. Usually, students are moved there mid-year based on performance. But this time, ten students were so far ahead in the entrance exams that they've been placed there directly. The rest of you will still have a chance to join them later."
The room erupted into whispers. "Ten students already? That's insane!" someone murmured. "I heard the prince and princess are in that class!"
Celeste felt a wave of anxiety. The prince and princess? If they're here, they'll dominate everything. Can I even shine in their shadow?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a scratching sound. She turned to her left and saw the black-haired boy beside her, his gloved hand gripping the desk tightly as he scratched at the surface. His other hand clenched into a fist, his gaze locked intensely on the professor. He's so strange, Celeste thought, her unease growing.
On her right, Gareth had been trying to get her attention but stopped when he noticed her watching the black-haired boy. His jaw tightened, and the glass bottle in his hand shattered under his grip, his face darkening as he stared at her.
Celeste sighed inwardly. This is going to be a long day.