The world seemed to slow down around the two of us.
His face—handsome, painfully familiar—froze time itself. I didn't know why, but the moment I saw him, relief washed over me so intensely it almost hurt. A strange urge filled my chest, a need to hold on to him, as if letting go would mean losing something I didn't even remember owning.
When we finally landed on solid ground, he straightened and turned away, clearly ready to leave.
Without thinking, I grabbed his wrist.
"Wait!"
Damn it. Why did I do that? I hadn't even thought about what to say.
"I—thank you," I stammered. "For saving me."
His gaze dropped to my hand gripping his wrist. Realizing what I was doing, I immediately let go and cleared my throat, stepping back to give him space—an unspoken permission to leave.
He looked at me coldly. Then he turned and walked away, disappearing as if he had never been there at all.
I stood frozen.
Calm down, Xanthe. Why is my heart beating so fast?
When I returned to the dorm, Iria was practically glowing with energy.
"So?" she asked, grinning. "How was the tour?"
The question alone made my face heat up. The image of that moment—the fall, the catch, his arms around me—flooded back into my mind.
Don't tell me I just fell in love at first sight. That's ridiculous.
"It was… nice," I muttered.
She narrowed her eyes at me. "Ohhh. Something happened."
My eyes widened. Was it that obvious?
"You can't hide it from me," she teased.
"N-nothing happened!" I said quickly, turning my back to her as I fixed my bag. My cheeks were burning, and worse—I couldn't stop smiling.
"Really?" she said, hands on her hips. "Then why does your heartbeat suddenly have a name?"
"Stop it," I muttered, sitting on my bed. "Someone just helped me earlier. It was an accident."
She paused, her playful expression softening. "You got into an accident? Outside?"
I nodded. "There was a cliff, and then suddenly—" I stopped. I didn't know why, but my mouth refused to say his name. "Someone caught me."
Iria was quiet for a moment before smiling again. "Interesting."
"Hey, don't start imagining things."
But no matter how hard I tried to push the memory away, it kept coming back—his eyes, dark as night, and the way he held me like he couldn't afford to let me fall.
That night, lying in bed, I reached for the necklace resting against my chest. The crystal at its center shimmered faintly.
Far away, in one of Celestera's tallest towers, a man stood in the shadows.
"You still forget so easily," he murmured, gazing in the direction of my dorm.
"But that's fine… as long as you're safe."
What was that earlier?
A vision?
I shook my head. I needed sleep. Classes would start tomorrow, and Iria was already fast asleep. I exhaled slowly.
I need to stay out of this.
"Xanthe! Wake up! We're going to be late!"
Iria's voice jolted me awake.
Groaning, I sat up and rubbed my eyes. "What time is it?"
"5:15," she said brightly. "Prayer starts at 7:30, so hurry up. And get pretty—there are tons of handsome guys at this school!"
I grimaced. Typical Iria.
I showered and got dressed, but I didn't take off my necklace. For some reason, the thought of removing it made my chest tighten. I couldn't explain it, but I felt like it was protecting me—guiding me through whatever was waiting ahead.
"You've been staring at that guy for a while now," Iria whispered, nudging me with her elbow.
"Huh?"
"Don't 'huh' me," she said. "You like him, don't you?"
My gaze drifted back to the man she was talking about.
He stood at the edge of the courtyard, silent and distant, untouched by the noise of the other students. I couldn't see his face clearly, but there was something heavy about his presence—as if the air itself bent away from him.
"Do you really not know who he is?" I murmured.
Iria shook her head. "No. But judging by his aura… he's high-ranking. That kind of presence isn't common."
"High-ranking?" I echoed.
"In Celestera," she explained, "there's a hierarchy. Some students don't just study here. They're the ones people fear."
Before I could ask more, a bell rang across the academy.
The sky above dimmed slightly, and symbols of the four elements shimmered in the air.
"Prayer time," Iria whispered.
We knelt with the others. I closed my eyes, unsure who I was even praying to.
Then an image flooded my mind—
Endless darkness.
An eclipse.
And him.
Don't be afraid.
I gasped and opened my eyes, clutching my chest. My necklace was glowing again.
"Xanthe?" Iria whispered, worried.
"I'm fine," I said, though I wasn't sure it was true.
When the prayer ended, the students began to move again. But I could still feel his gaze.
I looked up.
Our eyes met.
It was him.
Sailor.
I didn't know how I knew his name. I just did.
The world slowed once more. Sounds faded, leaving only the pounding of my heart.
Then he turned away and walked off, deliberately avoiding me.
"Hey," Iria whispered, "do you know him?"
"No," I said softly. "But it feels like I should."
All morning, I couldn't focus. In every class, I felt watched. And every time I looked, I saw him—always at a distance. Never approaching. Just… there.
In Elemental Theory, the professor suddenly called my name.
"Xanthe Aurelisse. Come forward."
My throat tightened as I stood. The moment I stepped closer, the air in the room shifted. Runes carved into the floor began to glow.
"We weren't planning to do this yet," the professor said quietly, "but it seems your element is ready to reveal itself."
The class erupted into whispers.
"What does that mean?" Iria muttered.
The professor placed a hand on a crystal orb. "Put your hand here."
I did.
The instant my skin touched the crystal, blue-and-gold light exploded through the room. Energy spiraled around me—burning hot and freezing cold at the same time.
Outside the classroom, a man stopped walking.
"Not yet," Sailor murmured, sensing the awakening of a power he had been guarding for far too long.
And somewhere deep inside me, something ancient began to stir.
Silence fell over the room after Sailor's sudden interruption.
I didn't understand why he stopped them—or why the professor actually listened. Sailor was just a student, yet the professor took a step back as if faced with something far more dangerous. Fear flickered unmistakably in his eyes.
I turned to Sailor, searching his face for answers.
But he didn't look at me.
It was as if he was deliberately avoiding my gaze—like he knew that if our eyes met, something would unravel.
"Don't you think Sailor's weird?" I asked Iria later as we walked down the hall, hugging my book tightly to my chest before our next class. "I don't get why everyone here looks scared of him. Or… overly respectful."
"Right?" she agreed. "Maybe he secretly owns the school." She pouted dramatically. "Such a waste though. I didn't even get to see your powers. I was honestly curious what kind you have."
My frown deepened. "What were they doing to me earlier?"
"Oh, that?" Iria waved it off. "They were trying to awaken your power. Apparently, it's been dormant inside you for a long time. But Sailor suddenly interfered and said, 'Not yet.'"
Not yet?
That only confused me more.
"Do you think he's jealous?" she added.
"That's impossible," I laughed lightly. "If anything, he feels stronger than me."
Iria laughed too—but her eyes told a different story.
"Not just stronger, Xanthe," she said quietly. "He's… different. Like he doesn't belong here."
I didn't answer.
Because deep down, I felt the same way.
Whenever I tried to think about Sailor, something blocked my thoughts—like an invisible wall inside my mind, refusing to let me see past it.
When we entered our next class, Sailor wasn't there.
Yet his presence lingered.
Like a shadow that followed me even when unseen.
Focus, Xanthe.
Before the lecture could begin, the temperature in the room dropped sharply. The lights flickered. Students murmured in confusion.
"What's happening?" someone whispered.
A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I grabbed the necklace around my neck—it was burning hot, far more intense than before. Something inside me was trying to break free.
Not yet.
The voice echoed inside my head.
My eyes widened.
Why could I hear him?
"Xanthe?" Iria whispered anxiously. "You look pale."
"I'm fine," I lied, even as my hands trembled.
Outside the classroom, a figure stood hidden among the pillars.
Sailor.
His eyes were closed, fists clenched tightly.
"Almost," he murmured. "Just a little more… and you'll awaken again."
When he opened his eyes, fear filled them—not for himself.
For me.
"This time," he whispered, "I have to stop it… even if you end up hating me."
Suddenly, flames erupted out of nowhere.
I shut my eyes instinctively—
But the impact never came.
Instead, a powerful force wrapped around me. When I opened my eyes, Sailor stood in front of me, his magic forming a blazing shield that absorbed the fire completely.
What the hell just happened?
I felt his hand gripping my shoulder—firm, grounding. Our eyes met, and the world seemed to slow down, everything fading except the two of us.
"You should be more careful, Xanthe," he said quietly.
The flames disappeared.
He let go.
Only then did I realize my heart was racing wildly—so loud I could barely hear anything else.
"I'm sorry," a voice said. "The Soul Fire reacted unexpectedly."
We turned toward an unfamiliar man.
He was strikingly handsome, though something about him reminded me of an overly enthusiastic scientist straight out of a laboratory.
"It's fine, Solvane," Sailor said calmly.
The man nodded, and Sailor left without another word—before I even had the chance to thank him.
"I'm really sorry," the man said again, offering a polite smile. "I'm Eryx Solvane. You must be the new student."
"Xanthe Aurelisse," I replied.
"What a lovely name." He cleared his throat awkwardly. "To make up for this… let me treat you to the best-selling food in the cafeteria."
I hesitated.
I wasn't sure if it was because of everything that had happened—or the warmth in his smile. It felt… harmless. Safe.
"Uh… okay," I said finally. "But you don't have to call it an apology."
"Too late," he grinned. "I'm hungry anyway."
As we walked, I noticed how other students reacted to Eryx—admiration, excitement, even awe.
But unlike Sailor, Eryx's presence felt like light.
Not a shadow.
"So," he said as we lined up, "first day, right? How was it?"
"Chaotic," I admitted. "Confusing. And definitely not normal."
He chuckled. "Welcome to Celestera."
He handed me a tray. "Best seller. Don't ask what's in it."
"That sounds dangerous."
"Trust me," he said. "Not everything dangerous is bad."
Something about that hit me harder than it should have.
As we ate, the silence between us felt natural—not forced. Peaceful.
"About earlier," he said. "Don't blame yourself. Soul Fire reacts to strong souls."
"Strong… soul?"
"Yes," he said carefully. "Not everyone triggers it. But you—" He stopped himself. "Just… be careful."
Before I could ask more, warmth spread through the air again—gentler this time.
Familiar.
I looked up.
Near one of the cafeteria pillars stood a man cloaked in shadow.
Sailor.
He didn't approach. He didn't leave.
His eyes were fixed on me.
On Eryx.
Dark energy pulsed faintly around him—like a storm barely held back.
"Do you know him?" Eryx asked, following my gaze.
I shook my head quickly. "No… I don't think so."
But when Sailor's eyes met mine, a voice whispered deep inside me—
Stay away from him.
In the next second, Sailor turned and vanished—like a shadow swallowed by light.
My grip tightened around my spoon.
"Xanthe?" Eryx asked gently. "Are you okay?"
I forced a smile. "Yeah. Just… a lot on my mind."
He smiled back. "That's okay. You don't have to face it alone."
But somehow—
I felt like choosing who to trust would cost me far more than I was ready to lose.
Silence fell over the room after Sailor's sudden interruption.
I didn't understand why he stopped them—or why the professor actually listened. Sailor was just a student, yet the professor took a step back as if faced with something far more dangerous. Fear flickered unmistakably in his eyes.
I turned to Sailor, searching his face for answers.
But he didn't look at me.
It was as if he was deliberately avoiding my gaze—like he knew that if our eyes met, something would unravel.
"Don't you think Sailor's weird?" I asked Iria later as we walked down the hall, hugging my book tightly to my chest before our next class. "I don't get why everyone here looks scared of him. Or… overly respectful."
"Right?" she agreed. "Maybe he secretly owns the school." She pouted dramatically. "Such a waste though. I didn't even get to see your powers. I was honestly curious what kind you have."
My frown deepened. "What were they doing to me earlier?"
"Oh, that?" Iria waved it off. "They were trying to awaken your power. Apparently, it's been dormant inside you for a long time. But Sailor suddenly interfered and said, 'Not yet.'"
Not yet?
That only confused me more.
"Do you think he's jealous?" she added.
"That's impossible," I laughed lightly. "If anything, he feels stronger than me."
Iria laughed too—but her eyes told a different story.
"Not just stronger, Xanthe," she said quietly. "He's… different. Like he doesn't belong here."
I didn't answer.
Because deep down, I felt the same way.
Whenever I tried to think about Sailor, something blocked my thoughts—like an invisible wall inside my mind, refusing to let me see past it.
When we entered our next class, Sailor wasn't there.
Yet his presence lingered.
Like a shadow that followed me even when unseen.
Focus, Xanthe.
Before the lecture could begin, the temperature in the room dropped sharply. The lights flickered. Students murmured in confusion.
"What's happening?" someone whispered.
A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I grabbed the necklace around my neck—it was burning hot, far more intense than before. Something inside me was trying to break free.
Not yet.
The voice echoed inside my head.
My eyes widened.
Why could I hear him?
"Xanthe?" Iria whispered anxiously. "You look pale."
"I'm fine," I lied, even as my hands trembled.
Outside the classroom, a figure stood hidden among the pillars.
Sailor.
His eyes were closed, fists clenched tightly.
"Almost," he murmured. "Just a little more… and you'll awaken again."
When he opened his eyes, fear filled them—not for himself.
For me.
"This time," he whispered, "I have to stop it… even if you end up hating me."
Suddenly, flames erupted out of nowhere.
I shut my eyes instinctively—
But the impact never came.
Instead, a powerful force wrapped around me. When I opened my eyes, Sailor stood in front of me, his magic forming a blazing shield that absorbed the fire completely.
What the hell just happened?
I felt his hand gripping my shoulder—firm, grounding. Our eyes met, and the world seemed to slow down, everything fading except the two of us.
"You should be more careful, Xanthe," he said quietly.
The flames disappeared.
He let go.
Only then did I realize my heart was racing wildly—so loud I could barely hear anything else.
"I'm sorry," a voice said. "The Soul Fire reacted unexpectedly."
We turned toward an unfamiliar man.
He was strikingly handsome, though something about him reminded me of an overly enthusiastic scientist straight out of a laboratory.
"It's fine, Solvane," Sailor said calmly.
The man nodded, and Sailor left without another word—before I even had the chance to thank him.
"I'm really sorry," the man said again, offering a polite smile. "I'm Eryx Solvane. You must be the new student."
"Xanthe Aurelisse," I replied.
"What a lovely name." He cleared his throat awkwardly. "To make up for this… let me treat you to the best-selling food in the cafeteria."
I hesitated.
I wasn't sure if it was because of everything that had happened—or the warmth in his smile. It felt… harmless. Safe.
"Uh… okay," I said finally. "But you don't have to call it an apology."
"Too late," he grinned. "I'm hungry anyway."
As we walked, I noticed how other students reacted to Eryx—admiration, excitement, even awe.
But unlike Sailor, Eryx's presence felt like light.
Not a shadow.
"So," he said as we lined up, "first day, right? How was it?"
"Chaotic," I admitted. "Confusing. And definitely not normal."
He chuckled. "Welcome to Celestera."
He handed me a tray. "Best seller. Don't ask what's in it."
"That sounds dangerous."
"Trust me," he said. "Not everything dangerous is bad."
Something about that hit me harder than it should have.
As we ate, the silence between us felt natural—not forced. Peaceful.
"About earlier," he said. "Don't blame yourself. Soul Fire reacts to strong souls."
"Strong… soul?"
"Yes," he said carefully. "Not everyone triggers it. But you—" He stopped himself. "Just… be careful."
Before I could ask more, warmth spread through the air again—gentler this time.
Familiar.
I looked up.
Near one of the cafeteria pillars stood a man cloaked in shadow.
Sailor.
He didn't approach. He didn't leave.
His eyes were fixed on me.
On Eryx.
Dark energy pulsed faintly around him—like a storm barely held back.
"Do you know him?" Eryx asked, following my gaze.
I shook my head quickly. "No… I don't think so."
But when Sailor's eyes met mine, a voice whispered deep inside me—
Stay away from him.
In the next second, Sailor turned and vanished—like a shadow swallowed by light.
My grip tightened around my spoon.
"Xanthe?" Eryx asked gently. "Are you okay?"
I forced a smile. "Yeah. Just… a lot on my mind."
He smiled back. "That's okay. You don't have to face it alone."
But somehow—
I felt like choosing who to trust would cost me far more than I was ready to lose.