The air in the academy hallways carried a quiet hum of murmurs and relieved sighs as students trickled out of the examination hall. The written exam was finally over, and with it, the first hurdle of their entrance assessment.
Evelyn glided gracefully through the corridor, her emerald eyes gleaming with quiet satisfaction. The exam had been difficult, yes, but she had spent years preparing for this. Every question had been met with precise calculations, historical knowledge, and carefully structured theories. She was certain she had excelled.
A sense of accomplishment settled in her chest as she adjusted the pristine cuffs of her academy uniform. This was the first step toward proving herself as a worthy student of the Imperial Academy. She had no doubt that her performance in the written exam would place her among the top candidates.
Her gaze drifted along the corridor, taking in the expressions of her fellow students—some whispering anxiously about their answers, others looking utterly drained. Then, her eyes landed on a figure sitting alone against the far wall.
A girl with scarlet eyes and raven-black hair slumped dramatically against the corridor's stone wall. A deep crimson scarf—or rather, what appeared to be a long strip of cloth serving as an eye patch—was still wrapped around her head, covering her left eye. Even in a resting position, she exuded an air of theatrical intensity.
Evelyn recognized her immediately.
Avia Fontaine.
It was hard not to know who she was—especially after her outburst in the auditorium before the exam.
Curiosity stirred within Evelyn. She had heard rumors of the eccentric twin of Aria Fontaine, a girl who spoke in cryptic declarations and seemed to exist in a reality of her own. Most students kept a respectful distance, unwilling to be drawn into whatever grand fantasy Avia spun around herself.
But something about the way she sat there, arms crossed, head tilted toward the ceiling, expression deep in thought, made Evelyn hesitate.
A girl like Avia was unpredictable. But…
Evelyn stepped forward.
"Avia."
The girl lifted her head slightly, blinking once before turning her gaze upon Evelyn.
A slow smirk curled Avia's lips. "Ah. Have you come seeking the wisdom of the Crimson Eclipse Queen?"
Evelyn held back a chuckle. "Not quite. I just thought I'd check on you. You seemed… deep in thought."
Avia let out a dramatic sigh, tilting her head back against the wall. "Indeed. These mortal trials are nothing but shackles upon the true warriors of fate. And yet, I have braved them nonetheless."
Evelyn nodded, playing along. "I see. And how do you think you fared?"
Avia exhaled through her nose. "A most treacherous battle. A labyrinth of ink and paper, designed to ensnare even the sharpest minds. But…" she lifted a hand and clenched her fist, eyes gleaming with resolve. "The Crimson Eclipse Queen does not falter. The fates shall bend to my will."
Evelyn smiled. "That's the spirit."
There was a moment of silence.
Then, suddenly, Avia's eyes widened as if struck by divine revelation.
She grabbed Evelyn's hands.
"Evelyn Evernight."
Evelyn startled, barely having time to process Avia's intense grip before the girl shot up from the ground, standing tall before her.
In a voice loud enough to echo through the corridor, Avia declared:
"You have shown me kindness in my moment of solitude. You have extended your hand to one burdened with destiny! There can be no other conclusion! YOU… shall be the first bride of the Crimson Eclipse Queen!"
A heavy silence descended upon the hallway.
More students had begun exiting the examination hall.
And they had all heard her.
A stunned hush spread through the growing crowd. Heads turned. Eyes widened. The whispers started immediately.
"Did she just say bride…?"
"The Crimson… what?"
"Wait, is she proposing to Evelyn?"
Evelyn, thoroughly caught off guard, flushed at the sudden attention. "W-Wait a second—"
But Avia wasn't done.
She released Evelyn's hands and spun on her heel, lifting her arms dramatically as if proclaiming a royal decree.
"Let it be known! The first of many! The Crimson Eclipse Queen's eternal companion, her destined consort, has been chosen! The heavens bear witness!"
The murmurs exploded into full-blown chatter.
Evelyn, still trying to process the sheer absurdity of what just happened, lifted a hand to her temple and sighed.
The written exam had gone smoothly.
Aria Fontaine sat in the final row, setting down her pen with a quiet confidence. She had recognized many of the questions from the original novel. Even the ones she hadn't remembered in full, she had pieced together through logical deduction.
A sense of relief filled her as she pushed back from the desk.
'That should be enough to place me among the top.'
She glanced around, noting that many students were still struggling with the final questions. Rather than linger, she stood and exited the hall. She needed to find Avia.
And when she did…
She stepped into the corridor just in time to hear her sister's booming voice.
"The heavens bear witness!"
Aria froze.
Her gaze snapped to the scene in front of her.
Avia stood triumphantly, arms raised in exultation, Evelyn Evernight staring at her in a mix of exasperation and disbelief. A group of students had already begun gathering, whispering among themselves about the bizarre proclamation.
Aria's shoulders slumped.
'…I should have known this would happen.'
A part of her had held onto hope that Avia would make it through at least one day without causing a scene.
That part of her was a fool.
She brought a hand to her forehead, inhaling deeply.
'Mother. Father. I'm sorry. I won't be able to stop her.'
With a sigh, she began making her way over, preparing herself for whatever was about to happen next.
Because with Avia, it never ended here.