Rin shifted uneasily in her place among the group. The eight long lines had been broken down into smaller squads, no more than five children each. The instructors, clipped and sharp in their white robes, moved like officers on parade—snapping commands, dividing them, reshaping them until the chaos thinned into order. Each squad was named after an instructor, and Rin had been slotted into the “Markuson” squad.

  It was also one of the last.

  Despite the presence of eight fortune tellers, the sorting dragged on at a crawl. Each child received a reading so thorough it seemed tailor-made, every pause and whispered incantation stretching the minutes into hours.

  But what weighed heavier on Rin than the waiting was the absence of Drenco. He’d been pulled into one of the middle squads and had already vanished into the great hall. Nearly an hour ticked by, and the last of those groups were only now filtering inside.

  Rin sighed and stood next to her squad, who had long since grown restless. They had sprawled onto the stone floor, inventing games to pass the time.

  “Ha! I got it! Beanie’s a rotten egg!” one boy shouted triumphantly.

  “NUH UH!” another barked back, flicking a large black marble across the floor. Upon impact, it burst with a spray of pink and purple sparks, crackling in the air like tiny fireworks.

  The squad whooped and laughed at the display, but Rin only stared, unamused. She had seen brighter magic—wilder, sharper—in Rick’s hands, in Vix’s control, even burning in the very heart of Paris.

  Finally, the Markuson squad was called. Rin’s four squadmates leapt to their feet and lined up in front of her. One by one, they marched into the narrow chamber beyond the giant wooden doors.

  The first boy went in and returned almost immediately, expression flat, as if nothing had changed. The second took longer. When he emerged, his face was twisted with shame, disappointment clinging to him like dark smoke. A girl followed, and in contrast, she practically skipped back out, eyes alight with joy. The last girl entered—and did not reappear for some time. When she finally did, her eyes shimmered on the verge of tears before she fled into the ballroom.

  Now, it was Rin’s turn.

  Her throat tightened as she gulped and stepped forward. The doors creaked open on their own, and she slipped inside.

  The chamber was claustrophobic, narrow enough that four or five of her could barely stand shoulder to shoulder. Yet it stretched on endlessly, the far wall dominated by a blazing fireplace whose flames licked high toward the ceiling. Before it sat a wide desk of rich, polished wood, and behind it a woman with a giant glass orb glowing faintly at her side.

  The sight of it sent Rin’s mind back to Vix—back to the spare shed, back to the orb that had caused her to discover her legs.

  “Oh! Dear girl, don’t hover there—come in, come in!” the woman chirped, her voice lilting like bells. She gestured to the chair opposite her.

  Rin obeyed stiffly, walking forward and tugging the chair out.

  “And oh, that heavy pack! You needn’t wear it during this, child. Set it by your side, anywhere you like—just don’t forget it!” the woman laughed warmly, as if they were sharing a joke.

  Rin forced a nervous nod, slipped the straps from her shoulders, and lowered the bag beside her chair before finally sitting.

  “Now, dear, let’s begin. It’s been far too long of a day! Your class is the biggest I’ve seen in my entire career!”

  “O-oh… really?” Rin asked, voice small.

  “Mhmm, bursting at the seams! Now then—let’s start. Can you tell me where you are?”

  The woman’s hands hovered over the glass orb, and at once it stirred to life, swirls of powdery light streaming upward toward her palms—only to crash against the orb’s surface caged.

  Rin blinked, unsure if the question was serious. “Um… Kormadyne Magical Academy?”

  The woman grinned. “I’m fairly certain ‘America’ should be in there somewhere—but close enough!” Her hands shifted, and the sphere answered with cascading shades of blue, sliding into greenish cyan, then fading into shadow.

  “Now,” she continued, “do you understand what we’re doing here?”

  “You’re… going to help… sort me?” Rin ventured.

  “Close… again…” The woman hummed, twirling her fingers. More colors erupted—this time a galactic blue that bled into distant, starlit purples.

  “Hmm… let’s see… Child, please. Place your hand upon the soul of Aras.”

  Rin hesitated, her chest tightening as if she were back in the wand shop all over again. She reached out slowly, fingertips brushing the orb.

  The instant she touched it, the colors recoiled violently, snapping away from her skin and scattering like frightened birds.

  “Wh-what?” Rin gasped, jerking her hand back.

  The woman leaned forward, eyes gleaming with sudden interest. “How… strange…”

  She spun her hands again, and the orb reignited with its last palette of blues and purples.

  “Let’s try this once more… place your hand upon the soul of Aras.”

  Rin swallowed hard and extended her hand. But before she touched it, the colors recoiled—pushing back, as if desperate to escape.

  The woman’s eyes twitched. “Th-this can’t be…” she whispered.

  Rin pressed on, fingertips brushing the surface. Instantly the orb exploded with sprays of crimson, vermilion, scarlet—raging hues that shook with violent tremors.

  “Wh-what’s happening!?” Rin cried.

  “Hold on, child!” the woman snapped, straining as though to keep the orb in check.

  The reds bled away, collapsing into a void-like blue. White specks flared, galaxies forming; clouds of pink and violet curled into a nebula that stretched into infinite distance.

  The orb floated back to the desk, humming faintly.

  “Child…” the woman said at last, her voice sharp. “…What is your family name?”

  Rin froze. Her chest tightened. Was it the fire behind the woman burning hotter, or just her own sweat?

  “I… it’s…”

  “Nothing. Isn’t it?” The words struck her hard.

  Rin’s throat closed. She couldn’t breathe.

  It was her first day, and she had already failed the one simple task she was given.

  “You don’t even know where you are from, do you?” the woman pressed, her eyes glinting with cruel certainty.

  Rin stared back at her, trembling, her hand still frozen in midair.

  Then the orb shifted again—as though it had changed its mind. The glowing nebula collapsed, shrinking from the edges inward until only a void remained. A black hole churned at the center, swallowing everything.

  From within that darkness, a green flame flickered to life. It burned hotter, brighter—then spat bolts of jagged green lightning across the sphere before another void snapped shut, devouring even that display.

  The fortune-teller’s lips parted. “How… how did you even gain admission here?”

  “I-I… I’m sorry…” Rin whispered, voice barely audible.

  The woman straightened, clenching her fingers to steady herself. “Rin. Once the soul of Aras decides, its judgment cannot be revoked. You are admitted. You cannot be denied—only suspended, or expelled.”

  Rin blinked at her, stunned.

  “…But what the soul of Aras has decided…” the woman’s eyes narrowed “…it troubles me.”

  Rin tilted her head, uncertain.

  “It…” The woman hesitated, as though the words weighed too much. “…it has decided… it is confused.”

  #

  Rin stood in the ballroom, her enchanted bag somehow heavier than before. The weight on her chest had doubled after leaving the fortune-teller’s room. Around her, children chattered about a promised feast, but Rin had lost all appetite.

  “Girl?” an instructor called. He was tall, with light blond hair and circular glasses, maroon gloves hugging his hands. He approached with a clipboard-like air.

  “What house are you in?”

  “…S-South House,” Rin replied, shame flickering in her eyes.

  “I see. Let me take your bag for you. It’ll be waiting in your quarters.” He slipped it from her shoulders with ease and drew his wand. With a flick, a tag appeared.

  “And your name?”

  “Rin.”

  He scribbled the letters in the air with his wand, sounding out her name as he wrote. “And your last name?”

  “I… I don’t have one…”

  The instructor blinked. “Very funny. But I’ll need your surname. What if there’s another Rin in the school?”

  “That,” a booming voice cut through the ballroom, “won’t be necessary, Professor.”

  The instructor straightened immediately. “Director Benneth! A pleasure, sir.”

  “You can leave her surname blank,” Benneth said, twirling his cane with a whimsical grin. “She’s the only Rin in this academy.”

  The instructor hesitated. “I see… is she, perhaps, related to you?”

  “You could say that.”

  “Then I’ll just mark her with a ‘B.’”

  Benneth gave a careless shrug and a smile. “That will do.”

  The instructor nodded, hauling the bag away with a wave.

  Once they were alone, Benneth bent to Rin’s ear. His voice was soft as silk. “Keeping our little secret safe, are you?”

  “I… I don’t—the fortune teller knows…” Rin whispered, covering her face.

  Benneth’s eyes snapped sharp. He straightened, glancing around the ballroom. “…Well Shit.”

  Rin peeked up, fingers knotting nervously.

  “Don’t mind that,” Benneth said quickly, rubbing the brim of his top hat with a nervous thumb. His usual swagger flickered for just a moment, then returned as smooth as ever.

  Rin noticed it but kept silent.

  “Well then—enough of that. How’s your first day, dear?”

  Rin shot him a look, her face weary and far from joyful.

  “Ehh. Figures.” He gave a light chuckle. “But trust me, dear—it’ll get better. These are just the trials you’ll face in life. Keep your chin up. Be your best today… and an even better you tomorrow. Alright?”

  Her heart flickered with hope. Rin straightened, remembering her dream of becoming a strong sorceress.

  “Y-Yes, sir!”

  “Ah! It’s to you!”

  “Oh! Right! Thank you, Uncle Remmy!” she blurted, a little too loud. A few heads turned, but her cheeks were glowing with joy.

  “Shhh—keep it down, will you?” Benneth laughed, amused at her slip.

  He twirled his cane lazily, already stepping toward the doors. “Alright, I must be off to my duties. Focus, listen to your professors, and don’t give them too much trouble.”

  With a dramatic little bow and a careless wave, Benneth swept out of the academy, leaving Rin standing lighter than before.

  “Rin!”

  A familiar voice rang out, bright and eager. She whipped her head around—and there he was. Drenco, standing a few steps behind her, grinning as though he’d just found a lost treasure.

  “Drenco!” Relief burst out of her voice before she could contain it.

  “Where have you been?” he asked, almost bouncing on his heels. “The First Academic Feast is about to start! Come on—let’s sit together!”

  Before Rin knew it, Drenco had already grabbed her wrist and pulled her straight to the center of the ballroom. A sudden blue light rippled across the floor and up the walls, like electric currents racing through some hidden circuit. From that surge, rows of marble tables with long benches erupted upward from nothing. A few kids squealed as they were lifted with the forming stone, carried upward until they scrambled back into their seats.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Impites!glory of your accomplishments thus far! Tonight, you join the long tradition of this Academy — of those who came before you and of those who shall follow. Let this day mark your first step into greatness!” He raised a hand high, the air trembling around him. “Now—behold! The First Academic Feast!”

  At his proclamation, the tables came alive. Platters appeared all at once: freshly roasted turkey crusted with cashews and pistachios, giant racks of ham and brisket carved by floating knives, bowls of garlic-chive mashed potatoes, and plates of fire-roasted Brazilian corn. Golden rolls stacked themselves into baskets, while plates of pizza and steaming pastas materialized alongside bowls of chilled noodles.

  Before each child appeared their own place setting — plate, bowl, forks, knives, and two crystal glasses. One brimmed with water. The other, filled with a glowing red juice.

  Rin was instantly drawn to it. She lifted the glass and sipped. The drink was tart, cool, and wonderfully refreshing.

  “Mmm…” she hummed, her eyes widening in delight.

  “Cranberry juice your favorite?” Drenco teased, already gulping his own. He drank deep, and as soon as he set the glass down, it refilled itself to the brim.

  Rin blinked at the sight. Now this was magic unlike anything she had ever seen.

  “The food is… quaint…” Drenco said, already stuffing his mouth full of turkey and pasta. “It’s truly a class below what I’m used to.”

  “Like the steak and the lobster?”

  “Well of course, Rin! I knew you’d understand me!” he said with a somewhat cute smile, despite having his cheeks puffed like a hamster.

  Rin finally reached out to plate herself some food, but everything was just a little too far away.

  “Oh no! Just demand what you want and it’ll come to your plate,” Drenco instructed.

  “I’d like… the turkey and… mashed potatoes?” Rin said after nodding, still sounding unsure.

  But sure enough, a portion of mashed potatoes and a thick slice of turkey floated to her plate effortlessly. She took a bite grabbing the fork and knife and her mind was immediately blown.

  Her eyes widened. The turkey was tender, its juices carrying a warmth that spread through her chest like comfort itself. The mashed potatoes were so creamy and rich that they almost melted before she could swallow, butter clinging to her tongue with just the right touch of salt. She didn’t mean to, but a little squeak of delight slipped from her throat.

  Before long she was pointing left and right like a conductor in charge of a magical orchestra. “Corn! Rolls! Oh, and that pasta!” Plates began piling themselves in front of her as she happily devoured one thing after another. A bit of mashed potato smudged the corner of her lip, and the roll she tore apart scattered crumbs onto her lap, but Rin hardly noticed.

  Drenco, watching her with his cheeks stuffed hamster-like, raised a brow. “You look like you’ve never eaten before.”

  “Mff! Not—like thisss!” she mumbled through a mouthful, eyes sparkling as she reached for yet another dish.

  By the time she reached for the pies, Rin realized her stomach was already full—but her wonder wasn’t. It was like being given a dream and told she could eat as much of it as she liked. She was enchanted; drunk on the magic of flavors she never imagined.

  As Rin shared her delight with Drenco, they were interrupted by a sharp, snorting cough.

  Drenco slowly turned his head forward, his playful face hardening into an unamused scowl. He gestured for the floating platter of turkey blocking his view to move aside. Once it slid away, a strange boy came into focus—black hair, big black eyes. An open book rested in one hand, while in the other he held a dinner roll stuffed with just the right amount of corn and meat to resemble a makeshift sandwich.

  “Well, isn’t this the epitome of irony,” the boy said without looking up from his book. “A feast of endless magic, and yet you eat like farm pigs.”

  “Excuse me? Did I just hear that correctly?” Drenco said, swallowing his last bite before speaking.

  “Wow. Daddy forget to buy you proper ears for your first year, too?”

  Drenco shot up from his seat, his face turning scarlet with rage.

  “Exactly who do you think you are? Speaking to me—and —like that? I’ll make you pay, you mangy little gerbil!”

  “Is that so?” the black-haired boy said, standing just as quickly. His book hit the table with a thud. “Then draw your wand.”

  Rin blinked between them, cheeks still puffed with food.

  “Y-you idiot! We don’t even our wands yet!”

  “I know,” the boy smirked. “That’s the point. You’re nothing without one. So sit down, learn some table manners, and eat. Quietly, preferably.”

  “Ha! Table manners? You’re still on about that?” Drenco sneered. “How about you learn to find a hair stylist instead? …Or—don’t tell me—it was your who cut it, wasn’t it?”

  Now it was the other boy’s turn to flush red. He leaned forward across the table.

  “No! It wasn’t!”

  “Figures,” Drenco spat, slamming his palms against the table. “Why don’t you worry less about me and more about yourself? Get clothes that aren’t singed, parents who aren’t failures, and a book that isn’t as pathetic and elementary as your life—before you lecture , mutt!”

  “And live a forged life like you? No way!” the boy snapped back.

  The two of them were practically growling now, faces close, eyes locked in defiance. Rin’s heart leapt—she hurried to swallow down the last of her food and scrambled to her feet.

  “Dr-Drenco? M-maybe you shouldn’t fight with him…” she said, her voice coming out softer and shakier than she intended.

  “What? No way! He started this!” Drenco barked.

  “And I’ll end it, too!” the boy shot back.

  “No you won’t!” Drenco snarled, grabbing him by the collar. In one fluid motion, he snatched up a fistful of mashed potatoes and shoved the steaming mound straight into the boy’s gray sweater.

  The squelch was loud. Bits of potato slid down like sludge, staining the wool and releasing the sharp buttery-garlic smell into the air. Gasps rippled up and down the table as other kids turned to watch.

  “Dr-Drenco…!” Rin cried, reaching for his arm. He shoved her back with ease, and she stumbled, nearly falling over.

  “Not now, Rin! Maggots like these need to be taught a lesson!” Drenco snapped, turning his head toward her—making the mistake of not watching his opponent.

  A wet cut through the hall. Drenco froze. His silvery-gray hair was now dripping with kernels and butter, Brazilian corn sliding down in sticky trails.

  The black-haired boy leaned back in his seat, grinning wide.

  “Ha! They say you are what you eat—guess that makes you a complete mess!”

  Gasps and snickers rippled along the tables.

  “I’ll make you eat those words!” Drenco roared, clutching the boy’s collar so hard the fabric began to tear.

  The boy didn’t flinch. He tugged on Drenco’s crisp suit in return, smirking.

  “And what—turn me into words?”

  All around them, the ballroom had fallen into a storm of whispers. Some kids jeered, others leaned forward with fascination, and a few even cheered the fight on. Rin’s cheeks burned hotter than the food steaming on the tables. Every eye seemed fixed on the three of them—on most of all.

  Then—

  She yelped. A streak of red slid through her hair, dripping down her cheek in warm rivulets. She froze, arms held out stiffly from her sides, too stunned to even breathe.

  “…Sauce?” she whispered, horrified.

  “And that’s for your friend!” the black-haired boy shouted triumphantly.

  “YOU—!” Drenco roared. His hand shot out, snatching a tomato from a nearby platter, and in one furious motion he hurled it across the table. It exploded against the boy’s nose, spraying half the table in sticky pulp.

  A nearby child shrieked. Another stood up, fists already clutching rolls and mashed potatoes. The retaliation was instant.

  The first dinner roll flew. Then a handful of peas. Then an entire roast ham.

  Before long, the First Academic Feast had become a battlefield. Magic lights flickered under the crossfire of flying turkey legs, mashed potatoes splattering like mortar fire, and cups of juice raining down in crimson arcs.

  It was all-out war.

  #

  Rin sat stiffly on the bench outside the director’s office. From behind the heavy door came muffled scolding and the occasional thud of someone’s cane against the floor. A nurse had already tended to her, using a quick, precise spell that left her hair spotless and her uniform crisp again, though the memory of sauce dripping down her face still clung like a stain.

  At last, the door clicked open. Drenco stepped out, muttering under his breath.

  “First day of school and the mangy vermin have already shown themselves…”

  “Dr–Drenco…” Rin scrambled to her feet, hurrying to his side.

  “Rin!” His expression lit up with relief. “Thank god you’re alright! I swear—I’ll make that forgotten piece of trash pay for what he did to you!”

  “It’s—it’s okay! I’m fine! Really!” Rin said quickly, but Drenco growled, reliving the chaos in his head. He clenched his fists, then forced himself to shake it off, straightening his suit as if to gather composure.

  “Alright then. At least we can regroup and plan how we’ll get to the Center House! Together, starting in the North, this will be easy—we’ll have all the time in the world!”

  Rin’s chest tightened. Her voice caught in her throat. She didn’t want to disappoint him, but she couldn’t keep it from him any longer.

  “Drenco… I’m sorry. I—I’m not in the North House…”

  Drenco stared. And then stared longer. He blinked once, twice—then burst into laughter. He keeled over as though she had just told him the greatest joke in history. When he straightened, his grin was wide, too wide.

  “Rin! That’s too much! There’s no way!”

  Now Rin was staring. She blinked, her throat tight.

  “…I’m not—It’s true, Drenco…”

  Another fit of laughter tore out of him, echoing down the hall. Rin’s stomach twisted. Why was the one denying it harder than she was? Was it really that big of a deal?

  “Come on, Rin! Tell me it’s a joke. This is a joke, right? It has to be! There’s no way someone of our class—no, . I’m in the North House! So you have to be, too!”

  Rin blinked, then lowered her gaze to the floor.

  “I’m sorry… I’m… I’m in the South House.”

  “Rin!” Drenco snapped.

  “Stop kidding! Did they actually place you in the South House?!” His grin died halfway to forming, cut short into something sharp and hard. His eyes widened, his brows drew together—already fuming.

  Rin only shook her head.

  “What! No! That’s not possible! There’s no way!” His voice rose with each word, the disbelief cracking into anger. “This has to be a mistake! I’ll fix it. Don’t you worry!”

  He spun on his heel and stormed back to the director’s door, slamming his fist against it with such force Rin jumped.

  “Open up! I demand to speak to you, Directors! This instant!”

  “Drenco!—”

  “No! Don’t stress, my beauty! I’ll handle this! I’ll make sure they fix their error at once!” His fists pounded against the director’s door, each slam louder than the last. Rin flinched. Her hands lifted toward her ears, but she froze halfway, unsure if even shielding herself was the right thing to do.

  “First that feral lunatic at the feast, and now this? I won’t allow it! My perfect time at Kormadyne—my perfect —ruined! I’ll make him pay. I’ll make them all pay!”

  “Drenco!” Rin finally cried.

  He stopped. Slowly, he turned, eyes wide, shimmering with something desperate.

  “They… they placed me in the South House. That’s that.”

  “…But Rin! That isn’t right! You don’t deserve to be with those peasants! You should be at my side—together—ruling this school!”

  “I-I want to… I really do. I’m so sorry. But you heard what the Grounds Master said. I’ll… I’ll work my way up to you. To the North House.”

  “Tch! Please.” His laugh was hollow. “You got what you deserve. I bet you in the South House.”

  A voice cut through the hallway.

  “That won’t be necessary, noble prince.”

  Both Rin and Drenco froze. It was —the boy from the feast. His arms were folded across his chest, head tilted low, his black eyes flicking between the two of them with a sharp, unshaken calm.

  “You!” Drenco’s fists curled, trembling as he stepped forward.

  Before anything could escalate, Rin noticed another figure drifting past the corridor. Her fortune teller.

  Drenco caught the shift in Rin’s face immediately. He followed her gaze, and the realization clicked like flint sparking.

  “That’s… that’s the fortune teller who sorted you, Rin?” His voice rose, furious.

  The black-haired boy turned too but confused.

  “You! Fortune teller!” Drenco barked, startling even her. “Why did you place Rin in the South House? You know damn well she belongs in the North!”

  “My, my. Such attitude problems already? They start so young these days…” the woman said, widening her eyes in mock surprise as she lifted her hand to her mouth. Her tone was casual, almost teasing.

  “Answer me!” Drenco roared.

  “The girl knows why,” she replied simply, gliding past them without slowing.

  The words struck hard. It was as if the entire hall had fallen onto Rin’s shoulders, crushing her beneath its weight. The shame pressed against her chest, suffocating. Both boys turned, slow and deliberate, staring at her—waiting for an answer she couldn’t give.

  “…Rin?” Drenco began. He took a cautious step forward. “Why are you in the South House?”

  The black-haired boy mirrored him, also stepping forward—though he said nothing.

  Rin laced her fingertips together, backing away in small, fragile steps, silently begging for space they refused to give.

  “I… I…”

  “Rin.” Drenco’s voice sharpened. “Tell me the truth. Why are you in the South House?” He closed the distance again, each step heavier than the last.

  The black-haired boy’s gaze flicked between them. His eyes softened, widened. Rin recognized that look—it was the same one Vix had worn the night he saved her and Rick. This boy was ready to protect.

  “Drenco… It’s… probably because I was gifted... these clothes.”

  “You’re lying!” Drenco snapped, his voice cracking.

  “Honest! I… I probably don’t come from a background like yours… I don’t deserve to be in the North Hou—”

  “YOU’RE JUST A MANGY MUTT! LIKE HIM! LIKE ALL OF THEM!” Drenco roared.

  The black-haired boy immediately stepped to Rin’s side, one hand outstretched as though trying to hold back a beast.

  “Hey! Enough!”

  “Get out of my way, you piece of trash!” Drenco spat. “Don’t you see what she did?! She used me! Betrayed me! Pretended to be my friend—pretended to… understand me!” Tears streaked his face as his voice broke.

  “How… HOW COULD YOU!?” He lunged, fist flying toward Rin’s cheek.

  The black-haired boy took the blow square on his jaw. He staggered, then snapped back up, shoving Drenco with surprising force.

  “Knock it off, you dense, shameless dog-of-the-rich!” he barked, fists raising in defiance.

  “Fine!” Drenco spat, smearing sweat across the sleeve of his immaculate suit. “Keep that traitor! Of course she belongs in the South House!”

  Those were his last words before he stormed away, footsteps pounding like gunfire in the hall.

  Behind the boy who protected her, Rin trembled. Tears streamed freely now, her vision blurring as if the whole world had melted away. Her chest ached, not from Drenco’s words alone, but from something she couldn’t name.

  Sad. That was the only word she knew for it. But this wasn’t just sad. This was heavier. Darker. A twisting, pitch-black weight that seemed to press down on her lungs until she couldn’t breathe.

  This was different. This was the sting of being unwanted. Of being less. Of watching someone you thought was your friend peel that word out of you like it was the truth you’d been hiding all along.

  Rin clutched her hands to her chest as if she could hold herself together.

  She wanted to scream, to deny it, to fight back—but no words came. Only sobs. Only the hollow echo of Drenco’s voice, still ringing in her ears:

  The words dug in deep. Deeper than starving in the desert. Deeper than the merciless days beneath its sun.

  She just wanted to run back to Vix. To Benneth. Yes—Uncle Remmy. He could fix this. He could save her.

  The thought clung to her like a lifeline. Children usually turned to parents when they hurt, when the world felt too heavy—but Rin had never known that reflex. She didn’t even know what parents like. And yet, here it was—this fragile, desperate pull toward the only men who had ever shown her warmth. Of parental care and guidance.

  Her legs moved before she could think. She spun around and bolted, her sobs spilling into the wide hall. The boy who had stood to shield her blinked in shock, then hurried after.

  “Wait! Girl—er, Rin! Wait up!” he called, his voice breaking with effort. He tried to match her pace, but to his surprise, Rin was fast. Faster than a girl clutching broken pieces of herself should be.

  Tears blurred her sight. She only thought of Benneth’s voice, of Vix’s hand on her shoulder. They could make it better. They had to. But then—her foot slipped. The ground vanished from under her.

  She opened her eyes, and the world tilted. Air rushed past her face. She was falling—down a flight of stairs.

  She raised her arms, bracing for impact.

  But it never came.

  When she opened her eyes, she was hovering in the air, caught in swirling gusts of wind that held her aloft. Her sobs died in her throat, replaced with raw confusion.

  “Wh-what!? What’s going on!?”

  “Shh! Can you keep it down?”

  The currents shifted, cradling her gently before carrying her backward. In a rush of air, she landed safely on the floor. Rin turned, wide-eyed—only to see the black-haired boy again.

  “We’re not supposed to have wands out right now...” he muttered, shoving it away with a guilty glance over his shoulder.

  Rin tilted her head. Her tear-streaked cheeks glistened as she sniffled, staring at him.

  “…Look. Just keep this to yourself, okay?” His voice dropped, almost pleading.

  “H-how… what did you do?”

  “Magic! Duh.” His tone was sharp with annoyance, but Rin didn’t mind. She sniffled again and wiped her cheeks.

  “…Hey? Can you answer me? You won’t tell anyone, right?”

  Rin nodded, stepping closer.

  “Th-thank you…” she whispered. Only now did she notice—he was shorter than her. She had to look down just slightly.

  “…Well?” he pressed, still jittery. “You tell anyone?”

  “Y-Yes! Right. I won’t tell anyone…”

  “Thanks! Otherwise, I would’ve had to push you down the stairs and hope you’d hit your head really hard and forget it ever happened!” he said, a sly smile tugging at his lips.

  For a moment Rin froze—but then her lips quivered, then curved, and finally broke into a laugh of her own. She laughed with him.

  When the laughter faded, he rubbed the back of his neck and added, “So… seems like we’re both in the South House, huh?”

  “Y-Yeah… I guess so…”

  “I never really thought we’d be together like that. Are you from a noble family?”

  “I… I’m not from any family, really…” She said. She quickly covered her mouth on the information she let slip.

  The boy straightened his back and looked at her confused.

  “Not from… any family?”

  Rin just stared at him unsure of how to react. Or how to spin the truth. The men in her life never really prepared her to lie.

  “What’s your last name?” He asked the million dollar question.

  “It’s… nothing…” She said dropping her arms to her side. She’d been defeated. She had utterly failed Vix and Benneth and the trust they put in her.

  “N-Nothing?!” The boy exclaimed. Then his eyes lit up. “Oh! That’s why you’re in the South House!!!”

  “Shh! Please keep it down! That’s… that’s for me!” Rin said blushing red from embarrassment.

  “Ha! Looks like you to hide my secret!” He laughed before patting her on her back.

  “Keep mines? And I’ll keep yours!”

  “Yeah! Sure!” Rin replied, giggles slipping out before she could stop them. Then her eyes widened once more.

  “H-Hey! Wait! What’s your name?”

  The boy looked up at her, a big grin spreading across his face.

  “It’s Eddie!”