As Julius turned his attention in the direction Cedric was pointing, he spotted Reese—a tall, elegant figure descending to the ground floor. Her raven-black hair swayed slightly as she moved. Her composed demeanor contrasted with the casual atmosphere around them.
Before Julius could say anything, Cedric, ever the social butterfly, darted toward her. "Hello, Miss Lysander!" Cedric called out. "It's a great opportunity to finally meet you in person. You're practically the talk of the campus now!"
Reese turned her head toward Cedric. Her face retained a composed expression, a practiced neutrality that hinted she was used to random greetings from strangers. Her silver eyes scanned Cedric, seemingly unperturbed by his enthusiasm."Good afternoon," she responded politely acknowledging Cedric's presence, in a measured tone.
"I'm Cedric Pendleton, third year, Swordsmanship and Combat Department." Undeterred, Cedric continued, introducing himself with a cheerful smile. "I imagine we'll be seeing a lot of each other from now on."
Reese nodded, offering a composed smile. "Nice to meet you, Senior."
At this point, Julius had caught up and stood beside Cedric. He offered a more formal introduction, his tone respectful. "I'm Julius Whitelock, third-year, Magic Department. It's a pleasure to meet you, my lady."
"I remember you, Senior. You're the healer who volunteered during my duel earlier." Reese regarded Julius thoughtfully,"Thank you, I appreciate your assistance."
Julius gave a modest smile as he said, "I'm glad to see you're unharmed."
Cedric chimed in, flashing a bright grin. "You know what? We were both sincerely rooting for you throughout the match. The ones picking on you were from the Crimson Claws Liam Rosedale's faction. We're definitely not fans of his crowd."
Reese's gaze sharpened slightly, though she remained calm. "I figured as much. If I am not wrong, you two belong to Azure Wings, the rival faction of the Crimson Claws."
Cedric blinked in surprise. "How did you know that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Reese smiled subtly as she gestured toward the blue wing-shaped brooch pinned to their uniforms. "Your brooches," she replied calmly. "It isn't that hard to figure out."
"Ah, sharp eye!" Cedric exclaimed, clearly impressed. "Then, I suppose you already know about us."
"Yes," Reese replied shortly.
"Well then," Cedric began, his tone growing even more enthusiastic, "what do you say about joining Azure Wings? I can guarantee that our leader, Lady Valentine Rosedale, is a wise and reliable person. You'd be a great fit!"
Julius frowned slightly, nudging Cedric. "You can't just go around recruiting people like that," he said, his tone firm yet controlled. Though, deep inside, he too wished for Reese to join their faction, he found Cedric's approach a bit too forward. What if Reese thought they were being clingy?
Cedric scoffed, waving Julius off. "Why not? It would be a shame if someone as talented as her ended up with the Crimson Claws."
Julius shot Cedric a disapproving look before turning back to Reese. "Apologies, Miss Lysander. My friend tends to get ahead of himself."
To his relief, Reese didn't seem offended. Her lips curled into a slight smile. "It's fine. And to assure you, I'm definitely not joining the Crimson Claws. If I had any intention of that, I wouldn't have cut down their members like I did."
Cedric let out a laugh, clearly relieved.
"That's true! It was satisfying to see them put in their place. I must admit, you've got incredible talent with a sword."
"Thank you for the compliment," Reese replied, her tone modest. "And for the record, I'm already a member of Azure Wings. I just came from a meeting with Lady Valentine."
Both Cedric and Julius looked surprised. "Already?" Cedric asked. Their surprise was valid since it's only her first day at the academy.
Reese nodded. "Yes, I've been on Lady Valentine's side, even before coming to the academy."
Julius's curiosity piqued. "You know Lady Valentine personally?"
"Yes," Reese confirmed. "We're old acquaintances."
Cedric's eyes lit up. "That's incredible! Wait, then did she mention about us?"
Reese's expression softened into a playful smile. "No, but now that I remember, a wise person once told me something important."
Cedric tilted his head. "What's that?"
"Not to talk to strangers," Reese said, her tone light, but her gaze sharp as it settled on both of them.
Cedric and Julius were caught off guard by her words. The air suddenly grew awkward, an uncomfortable silence descending between the three of them. Both young men stood there, at a loss for words, exchanging brief uneasy glances. Julius felt a faint heat creep up his neck—after all, in this situation, they were the strangers.
Finally, Julius cleared his throat, offering a polite apology. "I apologize, my lady. We didn't mean to bother you. I'm sorry if we came across as intrusive."
For a moment, Reese said nothing, letting the silence hang. Julius inwardly cursed Cedric for the awkwardness of the situation, shooting a sharp look towards him.
Just as Julius began to feel genuinely embarrassed, she broke into a soft laugh, her expression shifting into something far more relaxed. "I was just joking," she said, her eyes glistening. "If I stuck to that advice, I wouldn't be able to talk to anyone at the academy. After all, almost everyone here is a stranger to me."
Both Cedric and Julius sighed in relief. Cedric chuckled, shaking his head. "Well played. You really had me going for a second there."
Reese laughed. "I am sorry for making you uncomfortable."
Julius, still a bit embarrassed, said, "Well, Cedric is the one to blame. If it suits him, he'll strike up a conversation with anyone within a ten-foot radius. If he gets on your nerves in the future, feel free to ignore him."
Cedric scoffed. "It's called extrovert energy! Unlike you, who overthinks every single interaction before even saying a word. Honestly, what would you do without me? You'd be lost after a week."
"As if...," Julius shot back.
"Face it, you're basically my adopted introvert," Cedric teased with a grin.
"What?!" Julius retorted, clearly annoyed.
Meanwhile, Reese watched her upperclassmen bicker like small kids in front of her. She was actually entertained by their dynamic. They seemed quite close—Cedric's loud, boisterous energy balancing Julius's more composed and thoughtful demeanor. They reminded her of someone who was supposed to be with her today but messed up at the last minute by catching a cold.
"By the way, Senior," Reese began, glancing at Julius. "Are you, by any chance, related to Lady Valentine?"
Julius nodded. "Yes, I'm her cousin. Professor Isla, Lady Valentine's late mother, was my aunt."
"I see," Reese said thoughtfully, connecting the dots. Ever since she heard Julius's surname, she had been curious about his relation to Valentine, remembering the fact that Valentine mentioned her mother's adoptive family name was 'Whitelock'.
Julius, noticing her brief pause, added with concern, "Are you sure you're not injured anywhere? I'd be happy to assist with healing."
Reese smiled and shook her head gently. "I'm perfectly fine, but thank you for the offer."
"Good to hear," Julius said, visibly relieved.
"Do you have any classes left today?" Cedric asked.
"No, I was planning to head to the dormitory and rest," Reese replied.
Before they could continue, a student suddenly called out to Cedric from across the courtyard. "Hey, Cedric! Professor Gideon wants to see you in his office right away!"
Cedric paled, looking genuinely panicked. "Oh no, I'm done for…"
Julius smirked. "Serves you right."
"I will take my leave then." Muttering under his breath, Cedric sprinted off to face his fate, leaving Julius and Reese behind.
Julius turned to Reese and gave a polite nod. "I should excuse myself as well. Rest well, Miss Lysander. I hope we get along in the future."
Before leaving, he leaned in, gently taking Reese's hand and placing a soft kiss on the back of it—a formal gesture of respect among aristocrats. Though Reese, coming from a fallen noble family, was currently considered a commoner, Julius treated her with the same dignity as any other noblewoman before bidding her farewell.
---
Reese didn't have much trouble locating the dormitory. Her assigned room was on the second floor, a modest yet comfortable space that welcomed her as soon as she stepped inside. It was clear that someone had already prepared the room with great care—most likely Valentine. The room was neatly organized, with everything she could need already in place. Valentine had always been meticulous, paying attention to the smallest details. Despite her busy schedule, it seemed she had taken the time to ensure Reese's room was ready and comfortable for her use. Reese genuinely felt thankful to her.
One thing Reese was particularly pleased about was the large window that occupied one side of the room. Just outside it stood a grand oak tree, its thick branches almost brushing against the glass. Not only did the window offer a picturesque view of the academy's grounds, but it also provided Reese with an opportunity for her little secret adventures.
The sturdy tree outside reminded her of the ones she used to climb back in Cedarville. Climbing trees had been one of her favorite pastimes, a skill she had mastered over the years. She could easily slip in and out through the window at night, just like she did at her teacher's mansion, where a similar tree stood beside her old window. The thought brought a smile to her lips.
After unpacking and arranging the few personal belongings she had brought with her, Reese changed out of her travel-worn clothes into something more comfortable. Her previous outfit, now damp with sweat and dust from the day's events, was a reminder of how exhausting her first day at the academy had been. She placed it aside and then turned her attention to the bed.
The moment she lay down on the soft mattress, her body seemed to release all the tension it had been holding. The exhaustion she had pushed through all day finally caught up with her. The cool air from the open window mixed with the gentle rustling of the oak leaves, creating a soothing backdrop that lulled her further into relaxation. Her eyelids grew heavy, and within moments, she surrendered to the weight of sleep, her body sinking deeper into the comfort of the bed.
As her breathing slowed and steadied, the room fell silent, save for the faint whisper of the wind outside.
..
In her sleep, Reese found herself drifting into yet another strange dream, much like the one she had just a few days prior. The dream unfolded in a serene atmosphere. A beautiful woman, whom Reese had never met in real life, appeared before her. The woman had long, flowing silver hair that shimmered in the soft light, and her delicate features were highlighted by long, elegant eyelashes. But what stood out most was her smile—it was warm, peaceful, and radiated a sense of calmness that could soothe anyone just by looking at her. Her entire presence exuded a peaceful aura that made Reese feel at ease.
Beside her stood a striking young man, equally captivating in his appearance. He exuded a quiet confidence, his handsome features softened by a warm smile that he directed at the woman.
They appeared to be completely engrossed in each other's company,their soft laughter echoing lightly through the dream. It was as though time itself slowed. Reese could feel their happiness as if it were her own, though she remained an observer, watching from a distance.
They danced beneath a canopy of cherry blossoms, the delicate pink petals swirling in the breeze around them like a scene from a fairytale.
As she stood there in the dream, Reese couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity. She was certain she had never met these people before, yet something about them tugged at the edges of her memory. Who were they? Why did they appear in her dreams so vividly, so full of life? The dream left her with a strange sense of déjà vu, a feeling that lingered even as she tried to grasp its meaning.
But no matter how hard she tried, the answers eluded her. The dreamscape, beautiful and mysterious, slowly began to fade, leaving behind only questions. Why was she seeing these two strangers, and what could it all mean? The peacefulness of the moment contrasted sharply with the unease growing within her.
___