Ashgrad. Capital city. Year 311 of the Mage Era.
First day of school.
That morning, a single vehicle rolled up to the grand gates of the Royal Academy of Magic, nestled atop the emerald hills, surrounded by towers of ivory stone and crystalline spires.
A machine, black and polished, somewhere between a car and a noble's carriage, came to a slow stop by the campus walls.
From it stepped a girl — a vision of elegance carved into memory like timeless art.
Long hair the color of forged silver, gleaming softly under the sun. Eyes a deep, commanding violet.
She walked the path toward the academy with the weightlessness of wind, as if the world made way for her.
Before her lay a campus that mirrored the Hanging Gardens of old tales. Fountains shimmered with liquid light. Birds with radiant feathers chirped overhead. And everywhere — the scent of fresh flowers hung in the air.
Students bustled about in uniform — ash-gray blazers over maroon shirts, each bearing the royal insignia stitched in enchanted thread.
Some turned to stare, whispering among themselves:
"Is she a princess…?"
Because the girl was not just beautiful.
She was an unknown in a world where everyone wanted to be the main character.
And standing by the entrance… was me.
Just another face in the crowd. Or so I wished to be.
I glanced at her once, then walked past and disappeared into the academy.
Minutes later, all first-years gathered in the Great Hall. On stage stood a charming guy with brown hair and an easy smile — the type every girl liked and every guy could get along with.
"First off," he said into the mic, "congratulations on passing the entrance exams. Today is a celebration in your honor!"
The crowd erupted in applause.
"I'm Neru il Archstone, student council president. As you know, the Royal Academy of Magic, founded by Antares the Grand, stands—"
After his speech, festivities began. Dance performances. A short play by upperclassmen. Music.
I wasn't there.
But the girl — she looked around the hall. Her eyes moved across the crowd of thousands.
Looking for me?
She never found me.
And so, classes began.
The classrooms were bright and spotless. All lighting came from glowing crystals embedded in the walls and chandeliers.
Students were called up one by one to introduce themselves.
The first was her.
"Lirael il Ataraxia. It's a pleasure to study with you all."
A calm bow. Composed, confident — her very presence exuded it.
The class clapped cheerfully. She took a seat and noticed me, slouched back like I didn't care.
The teacher called the next name.
I sighed and stood, dragging my steps to the front.
"Atheron il Ataraxia. Looks like I'm stuck in this boat with you."
My voice — deep, resonant. Heroic, almost regal. The kind that made people fear and hesitate.
They clapped, politely at best. I returned to my seat.
After that, more students introduced themselves.
But Lirael didn't remember a single other name.
She wasn't interested.
Recess.
A girl with glasses and braided hair approached her shyly.
"Lirael… since we're seatmates, wanna grab breakfast together?"
Her voice was soft, almost fragile.
"Ah… sure. But where should we go?"
"There's a cafeteria! Though I'm not sure where exactly… we'll have to wander a bit."
A bashful giggle. Something about her struck Lirael as… amusing.
"Alright. Let's go."
"What luck!" said a new voice — bold and smug. "I was just heading to the cafeteria myself. The company of two beauties sounds like a fine morning, don't you think?"
It was a tall guy with a solid build and short crimson hair — the meathead of our group, basically.
The girls weren't impressed by his cocky grin.
"Relax. I know the way. Let's just walk together, alright? Name is Remioku il Hazardo."
Lirael narrowed her eyes.
"Fine!" the girl in glasses chimed, surprising Lirael.
"W-Wait, I—"
"Perfect!" the guy beamed, and the trio set off.
The cafeteria was massive. Dozens of students already filled the space, ordering food, chatting away.
"Well, ladies. This is where I leave you," Remioku said. "See you around."
He gave Lirael a wink as he walked away.
She turned away without a word.
The girls got their meals and found a table.
"Wow, this place is huge!" the glasses girl said between bites. "Right, Lirael?"
Lirael felt… strange. Almost warm. Was this the feeling of making a friend in a new place?
She smiled faintly.
"Yeah. By the way… what's your name?"
The girl choked on her pastry.
"Y-You didn't remember?! I'm Serene il Symfonia!"
"Right. Nice to meet you, Serene."
Serene sipped her coffee and added:
"So, I heard there's a guy in our class who got held back a year. People say the whole school hates him. Is he really your brother?"
Lirael tensed.
"D-Don't mind that. Just pretend I don't know him."
"Wow… even the family's ashamed, huh?"
Lirael looked down, hands clenched in frustration.
She cursed every god that bound her to me. My mere existence embarrassed her. Tarnished her name.
"Someone told me he failed every test and even blew up an alchemy lab. Honestly, how did a clown like that get a second chance?"
She gave a weak laugh.
As they left the cafeteria, Remioku waited in the hallway. Hands in his pockets, shirt untucked — he stood out with his cocky, rebellious air.
He walked up with a grin.
"So? Enjoy your meal? Lirael, how about a little campus tour? Just the two of us."
She flipped her hair and stepped past him.
"Sorry. I'm heading back to class."
He blocked her with one arm, leaning close, lips curled into a smirk.
"C'mon, princess. Don't be cold to the prince. I don't like being ignored."
He boxed her in. Serene froze, unsure what to do.
Then—Another hand grabbed his wrist.
"Get your hands off her."
Remioku turned.
It was me.
My grip was tight. His wrist reddened beneath my fingers.
He met my eyes, scowling.
"Who the hell are you supposed to be, punk?"
"Touch her again and I'll beat you with a hammer. Maybe I'll even use Mjölnir for that."
I pulled the kind of devilish smirk that would make even demons file a complaint for copyright infringement.
His brow twitched. A vein pulsed.
"You little—!"
But his wrist was already turning purple. He yanked free and stumbled back.
"Tch. Pay for my treatment, jerk. Ow, it hurts. Damn…"
He turned and walked off.
"We're in the same group, you know," he muttered. "You won't be rid of me that easy."
Lirael sighed.
I looked at my hand. Maybe I squeezed a little too hard.
Shouldn't draw too much attention…
When I glanced at her, she looked away and walked off without a word, taking Serene with her.
I sighed and shoved my hands into my pockets.
So this is how I get thanked for saving someone?
It was only the first day of school. The day we were put in the same class.
And my duty — as her servant — was to protect her.
She's still young. Still reckless. She'll get into trouble.
And me?
My life just got way more complicated.
Last year, I flunked every subject, choosing the wrong answers on purpose. I even memorized every test to tutor her this year — just in case.
If I keep flunking with a GPA lower than a dungeon slime's self-esteem, I'll be expelled by mid-semester.
I guess I'll have to study, unfortunately.
I wanted this to be a quiet year.
But little did I know…
Fate had other plans.
Half a year later.
The sky bled red. Storm clouds swirled above.
Rain fell on the corpses of mages and knights alike.
Blood stained the ruins.
The battle was one-sided. Their souls devoured by a force the world had never seen.
Such is the fate of this realm.
Only the strong can protect it. But how will it end? And who will rise to be the hero?