The morning sun poured through the towering windows of Ravenshade Manor as Evelyn Ravenshade adjusted the sapphire hairpin resting among the braided half-bun Selene had carefully styled.
Her academy uniform was immaculate.
A crisp white blouse.A fitted crimson vest embroidered with silver academy crests.A charcoal skirt reaching below her knees.
White stockings,Polished black shoes And golden sword-shaped earrings that glimmered whenever she moved.
Beside her, Theo looked equally impressive in the male version of the uniform.
Unfortunately.
Being dressed like royalty did absolutely nothing for Evelyn's nerves.
Today was the Imperial Academy's opening ceremony and she had to give a speech in front of everyone.
Wonderful.
Absolutely horrifying.
---
The academy auditorium was overflowing with students.
Nobles.
Commoners.
Scholars.
Future knights.
Future mages.
Future headaches.
Evelyn sat in the front row reserved for the top ten examinees while trying very hard not to imagine herself tripping on stage.
"You look pale."
Theo leaned closer.
"Thank you. That's exactly what every nervous person wants to hear."
Theo snorted.
"You'll survive."
"Comforting."
---
A trumpet sounded.
Everyone immediately stood.
The Emperor entered.
Unlike the intimidating ruler Evelyn expected, Emperor Valerian Arkwright looked like a man who genuinely enjoyed being the center of attention.
His smile was bright enough to rival the sun.
"My dear students!"
His voice echoed throughout the hall.
"Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in your lives. Some of you traveled far. Some sacrificed greatly. Yet all of you stand here because you earned your place."
Thunderous applause followed.
The Emperor continued speaking about responsibility, growth, unity, and serving the Empire.
Thankfully, his speech wasn't long.
Unfortunately...
Now it was her turn.
---
"Please welcome this year's top examinee!"
The announcer's voice boomed.
"Lady Evelyn Ravenshade!"
The applause nearly deafened her.
Evelyn stood.
Walked.
Do not trip...Do not trip...Evelyn chanted in her mind.
A miracle,she succeeded.
She reached the podium and looked up.
Hundreds of faces stared back.
Oh no.
There were so many people.
Why were there so many people?
Had they multiplied?
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to smile.
"Good morning."
The hall immediately quieted.
"Standing here today feels both exciting and terrifying."
Several students laughed.
Good.
At least they were listening.
"We all worked hard to enter this academy. Some passed through talent. Others through determination."
She paused.
"But regardless of how we arrived here, we all begin at the same starting line today."
The room remained silent.
Attentive.
Focused.
"For the next several years, we'll learn together, compete together, and hopefully survive our assignments together."
More laughter.
Even the Emperor chuckled.
"I hope we leave this academy not only stronger, but wiser. Let's make memories worth remembering and achievements worth celebrating."
She bowed politely.
"Thank you."
The applause that followed was much louder than before.
Evelyn practically fled the stage.
---
"That wasn't bad."
Theo grinned.
"You're smiling."
"I'm smiling because it's over."
---
Soon afterward, the first-year students were directed toward their assigned classrooms.
Class S.
The elite class.
Of course.
Because life apparently wasn't stressful enough already.
---
The classroom was elegant and spacious.
Large windows lined one wall.
Sunlight flooded the room.
Evelyn immediately chose the seat closest to the window.
As nature intended.
She had barely sat down when someone pulled out the chair beside her.
Crown Prince Cassian.
Naturally.
"Looks like we're classmates."
He smiled.
Evelyn internally groaned.
"Looks like it."
---
Before further conversation could happen, a man entered.
He appeared exhausted.
Deeply exhausted.
Academically exhausted.
Existentially exhausted.
His dark hair was slightly messy and he carried a stack of books under one arm.
"I'm Professor Aldric."
He dropped the books onto his desk.
"Try not to make my life difficult."
A pause.
"I know that's impossible, but try anyway."
The students laughed.
Professor Aldric sighed.
"Since we're missing several students, take ten minutes to socialize."
Then he immediately opened a book and began reading.
---
The classroom exploded into chatter.
Girls surrounded Cassian.
Others gathered around Theo.
Several brave souls approached Claus Veridan.
A shocking number flocked toward Riven Dastor.
The redhead looked delighted.
Of course he did.
---
Evelyn attempted to hide behind a textbook.
Keyword:
Attempted.
"Lady Evelyn!"
One student appeared.
Then another.
Then five.
Then ten.
She blinked.
When had this become a crowd?
"I heard you destroyed an examination target!"
"Is it true you're stronger than some court mages?"
"My cousin said the explosion shook the building!"
"Someone claimed you were holding back!"
Evelyn nearly choked.
What nonsense was spreading?
"I wasn't—"
Another question interrupted her.
Then another.
And another.
---
"Enough."
Professor Aldric's voice cut through the room.
Everyone immediately scattered.
Evelyn silently thanked every deity in existence.
---
Unfortunately, peace didn't last.
The classroom door suddenly burst open.
BANG!
A blonde girl stumbled inside.
Textbooks clutched against her chest.
Hair slightly messy.
Breathing heavily.
"S-Sorry I'm late!"
Professor Aldric glanced up.
"...Try not to do it again."
"Yes, sir!"
The girl bowed repeatedly.
---
Evelyn immediately recognized her.
Seraphina Vale.
The heroine.
The protagonist.
The center of future romantic disasters.
Wonderful.
Just wonderful.
---
The only available seat happened to be directly in front of Evelyn.
Naturally.
Because fate enjoyed causing problems.
---
The lesson began.
And it was painfully boring.
Evelyn had survived Kaelith's advanced magical theory lectures.
This?
This was nothing.
Unfortunately, it was boring enough to qualify as torture.
---
Break time finally arrived.
Freedom.
Sweet freedom.
---
"Lady Evelyn?"
Evelyn turned.
Aria stood beside her desk.
Nervous.
Hopeful.
Cute.
Dangerously cute.
"Would you perhaps like to spend time together?"
There it was.
The heroine charm.
No wonder everyone loved her.
"Aria?"
The blonde immediately brightened.
"You remembered!"
Her smile could probably cure depression.
---
The two quickly began chatting.
Aria was warm and friendly.
Far more genuine than Evelyn expected.
Every few minutes, Evelyn found herself forgetting this girl was supposed to be the novel's heroine.
She simply felt...
Nice.
---
After break, Professor Aldric led the class on a campus tour.
The academy was enormous.
Towering academic halls.
Training arenas.
Alchemy laboratories.
A massive library.
Dormitories.
Gardens.
The place looked more like a royal district than a school.
---
Once the tour ended, students were free to explore.
Aria immediately attached herself to Evelyn.
"Would you mind showing me around?"
Evelyn sighed.
"You're bad with directions, aren't you?"
"...Maybe."
"That's a yes."
---
The academy gardens were beautiful.
Flowerbeds stretched endlessly.
Butterflies drifted lazily through the air.
Stone paths curved between fountains and hedges.
For a brief moment, everything felt peaceful.
---
Then disaster appeared.
Because of course it did.
A noble girl collided with Aria.
Not hard.
Barely a bump.
Yet she reacted as though she'd been attacked.
"Watch where you're going!"
Aria immediately bowed.
"I-I'm sorry!"
The noble scoffed.
"You commoners truly have no manners."
Evelyn closed her eyes.
Counted to three.
Failed.
---
The girl raised her hand.
Apparently intending to slap Aria.
Bad choice.
---
Evelyn caught her wrist.
Firmly.
The corridor instantly fell silent.
"What exactly are you doing?"
The noble froze.
"I-I—"
"She apologized."
Evelyn's smile was sweet.
Dangerously sweet.
"Are we creating a national crisis over accidental shoulder contact now?"
Several nearby students snorted.
The girl's face turned red.
---
"Y-You—"
"No."
Evelyn released her wrist.
"Find a hobby."
Then she turned away.
"Come on, Aria."
---
The heroine followed immediately.
Trying—and failing—not to laugh.
---
By lunchtime, Evelyn was starving.
Thankfully, salvation arrived in the form of the academy cafeteria.
And Theo.
And unfortunately, the rest of the male leads.
---
"Eve!"
Theo waved from a nearby table.
Cassian sat beside him.
Claus sat quietly with a book.
Riven was somehow already surrounded by admirers.
Some things never changed.
---
Evelyn and Aria joined them.
Introductions followed.
Theo's charm activated instantly.
Aria looked slightly flustered.
Cassian looked amused.
Riven looked delighted.
And Claus looked like he regretted existing.
---
As everyone talked, Evelyn focused entirely on her lunch.
A wise decision.
Because the moment Riven noticed Aria, he immediately launched into conversation.
"So, Aria, tell me about yourself."
The heroine blinked.
Riven smiled.
Dangerous.
Friendly.
Dangerous.
---
Evelyn quietly ate her fruit tart.
Nope.
Not her problem.
Absolutely not.
The heroine had officially entered the story.
And judging by the way the future male leads were already paying attention...
Things were about to become very, very complicated.