It never once rained after the tragedy of the mountain fire in Oakhaven. That's what the monarch wants to make it seem. A tragedy. They easily masked their deception, for not a single soul in the Solar Kingdom spared a thought for the clan consumed by flames that night. To the common folk, it was fate. To the rest, their downfall was a long-awaited relief, a thorn finally pulled from their throats.
The identity of the Mirevelli clan was easily erased, to the point that uttering their name was forbidden. They were to be called only Class Zero, in other words, the lowest tier of magic wielders in the world of Tibeti. They were left out of every newspaper and history book, sprouting like wild mushrooms overnight, only for their disappearance to go completely unnoticed.
The parched land of the Solar Kingdom never tasted rain again, for only the Mirevelli Clan possessed the power to summon the storm. This suited the ruling politicians just fine... In their eyes, relying on the neighboring Spring Kingdom for water was far more profitable.
Meanwhile, the first day of classes had begun at Lumine Academy. Photographers and journalists swarmed the school entrance to document the arrival of students from wealthy and noble bloodlines entering the premier, prestigious academy in the whole world of Tibet.
One after another, extravagant carriages arrived, but the one that stole everyone's attention was a massive, violet-hued carriage. Even the students heading through the gate paused in their tracks to watch a girl with long, blonde hair step down.
The strange girl strode through the school entrance, her presence immediately cutting through the bright morning crowd like a solitary storm cloud. Her ensemble, an intricate tapestry of deep violet fabrics, midnight-hued corsetry, and trailing asymmetrical capes, starkly contrasted with the sea of mundane, standard uniforms around her.
Head-turning and unconventional, the elaborate arrangement of layered mesh, lace-trimmed garters, and her signature eyepatch drew every eye on the main entrance, sparking a wave of quiet whispers.
Walking with a deliberate, theatrical flair, she moved through the red carpet as if commanding a stage, fully embracing the dramatic contrast between her ornate, shadow-toned attire and the everyday student body.
While a few watched in awe, most were deeply unsettled because in the Solar Kingdom, anything that symbolized dark magic was met with bitter discrimination.
Watching her from afar was a student wearing an official uniform adorned with pins signifying her authority. A snow-white eyebrow arched above a cold gaze, an elf, instantly recognizable by their striking albinism and long, pointed ears.
"First day of school and you're already breaking the uniform policy?" The elf crossed her arms, a smirk playing on her lips as a cruel insult came to mind. "Or are you lost? The school for necro-trash is down the road."
Laughter erupted from the crowd at the elf's words. The blonde girl clenched her fists, her blood boiling at the slur targeted at her kind.
She wanted nothing more than to melt the elf right where she stood, but she forced herself to hold back. Another thing is she can't reveal yet her real identity. She swallowed her rage, forcing her features into a serene but fake smile.
"My apologies, it's my first day, so I have yet to be issued a uniform. Judging by your pins, though, you seem to hold a position on the student council..."
"You are correct. I am the Student Council President of Lumine Academy, President Lalaine Didel."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, President Lalaine. But is this how warmly you welcome new students here? Given the school's prestigious reputation, I expected a bit more politeness."
Lalaine froze as the weight of the girl's words landed. A flush of embarrassment washed over her as she realized how poorly she had acted, especially with the media watching her every move, waiting for her next response.
"Forgive me, I meant no offense. I merely take precautions to ensure no intruders or delinquents slip past our gates. It is a matter of security, after all." Lalaine flashed a smile as hollow as her words.
"I understand. However, I assure you I am neither an intruder nor a rule-breaker."
"If that is the case, pray display your noble crest..."
The crowd held its collective breath, desperate to uncover and eager to learn which noble house had birthed this strange, dark girl.
From the violet carriage, a chief butler emerged, trailing servants burdened with trunk after trunk. Stepping in front of his young mistress, the head butler produced a box carved from exquisite wood. He opened it to reveal a circular emblem bearing the violet head of a serpent.
"Allow me to introduce Lady Avria Nicodemus. This is the official crest of the House of Nicodemus."
The Nicodemus family was famous, a formidable lineage of sorcerers from the icy reaches of the Winter Kingdom.
The surrounding quiet shattered into a flurry of whispers, all echoing the same shock: "So it's true... the House of Nicodemus has migrated to the Solar Kingdom."
"Nice to meet you, Lady Avria..." Lalaine offered her hand. Hesitant Avria, but for the show, she shook her hand. She didn't expect her
The elf tightened her grip around Avria's wrist, waiting for her to wince. Little did she know, Avria's pain tolerance was extraordinarily high, leaving her with a blank, unbothered expression.
Lalaine leaned in close, her breath touching Avria's ear. Avria caught the faint trace of false sophistication—that sickening arrogance typical of elite, high-society families.
"Just because you come from a prominent family doesn't mean your life at Lumine Academy will be smooth sailing. Remember this, dark magic is highly despised in the Solar Kingdom," Lalaine whispered with a clear threat.
"I'll keep that in mind," Avria replied plainly.
Secretly channeling a spark of her magic, Avria surged heat into her skin, searing Lalaine's fingers. The elf instantly yanked her hand back from the burning contact. Lalaine opened her mouth to cause a scene, but before she could speak, the burn mark vanished from her skin like mist in the wind.
"If you're done welcoming me, Miss President, I'll be on my way. I still have a meeting with the principal. See you around," Avria said, flashing a deliberate, tantalizing smile designed to push the elf over the edge.
The flow of students passing through the main gate quickly returned to normal.
Lalaine remained at the entrance, practically fuming with rage. Meanwhile, inside the principal's office, Avria stepped through the heavy doors. The headmistress greeted her coldly and motioned for her to take a seat across the mahogany desk.
"Avria Nicodemus..." the principal murmured bitterly, her eyes scanning the file in her hands. "I am Imeera Elivado, the headmistress of Lumine Academy."
"Nice to meet you, Principal Elivado."
"And I am not pleased to meet you. Let's get straight to the point. If it weren't for your family's handsome donation, I wouldn't let a rat like you step foot in this academy."
"I am fully aware of that, Principal Elivado. Rest assured, my family will keep those donations coming regularly."
"Good. Then I won't prolong this interview. Give me one reason besides money why I should accept your enrollment."
"I want to enroll here," Avria replied, a sweet smile playing on her lips, "so I can burn this entire academy to the ground."
The principal froze in shock, though a flicker of dark amusement quickly crossed her face. "I'd like to see you try. You're accepted."
She chimed a small brass bell, and a tiny fae materialized out of thin air.
"This is Ebelina. She will guide you to your dormitory and assist you on your first day of school."
And the fae joyfully flew beside Avria.
Avria made her way toward her dormitory, accompanied by the fae floating gracefully at shoulder height. The servants had already departed after delivering the last of her luggage.
The tiny fairy fluttered over to open the massive wardrobe, proudly showcasing the school's official uniform in its dull sea-green shade.
"Here is your uniform. Isn't it lovely?" the fae chimed in a high-pitched voice.
Avria offered no reply. She ran a thumb over the fabric with a look of pure apathy, this was certainly not something she wanted to wear daily.
Raising her hand toward the rack of clothing, she whispered an incantation with poetic cadence, "Reshape to my desire, my will bends thy attire."
The bland sea-green fabric slowly shifted, deepening into shades of twilight violet and midnight black. While maintaining the garment's original silhouette, she added a tailored corset around the waist.
"No, no, stop!" the fae cried out, frantic. "You'll face disciplinary action!"
"Let them try," Avria said dismissively. "Wearing a lifeless rag like that is a far worse fate."
Helpless to stop her, the fae relented. Once Avria changed into her modified attire, they departed the dorm to spend her remaining free hours on a tour of the grounds before classes officially commenced.
The campus stretched across vast lawns like an ancient fortress of intellect, its grand stone quadrangle enclosed by vaulted cloisters and soaring arcades.
Every inch of the structure, from its magnificent spires to its immense library halls, was crafted from pure white stone, designed to channel the radiant essence of light magic.
Stained-glass rose windows projected brilliant hues across polished stone hallways, mirroring the regal dignity of world-renowned ancient seats of learning.
Yet, no matter how magnificent or dazzling the ivory towers appeared, the opulent displays failed to spark even a flicker of impression in Avria.
"Tell me, why did you even enroll here when you clearly have zero interest in this school?" the fae asked as they navigated the grand, sprawling hallway toward the cafeteria. "Besides, there are plenty of other prestigious academies that would happily accept you, places with none of the prejudice against your type of magic..."
"My answer is quite simple. I have but one goal, to make the Solar Kingdom learn the truth behind the fall of the Mirevelli Clan."
A cold wave of fear washed over the fae, forcing out a nervous laugh. "Y-you're joking, right?"
She received only silence in return.