A Voyage's

Y/n looked around the room where she had been staying for almost an entire week with a solemn look in her facial expression. There’s no doubt she didn’t expect the time to move fairly fast. It only feels like yesterday that she received some sort of vacation from the headmaster. It feels like she’s still in a reverie that will take her some time to wake up from. 

“Y/n? Is there anything else you might have forgotten?” The prefect snapped out of her daze, turning to face the residents of this school and shaking her head. Aura smiled in return, his eyes gazing straight into her e/c ones, and those auroral hues were filled with fondness. “I see… Regardless, I’m happy I can be of assistance to you.” He admitted truthfully without making any falsehoods.

Y/n blinked at the sight of such an innocent being in front of her. How can one look so fragile, frail, and loving yet be feared by others for no particular reason? She would have blamed Heres, whose appearance resembles that of a titan, given that the height difference between him and Aura is the same as that between the sky and the ground.

The prefect of the Night Raven College walked towards her suitcase, making sure that the lock was secured and preventing any smuggling cases. “Thank you, Aura.. Sorry if I bothered you.” She lifted her head and looked at the male, who was scratching his cheek sheepishly.

“Truly, there’s no need to thank me. This is the least I can do before your parting.” Y/n smiled at his words, aware that this would be the last hour she could ever spend with the others from RSA. And honestly, she will admit that it was quite an exciting experience for once. It makes her feel like she was an exchange student. 

“I need to thank you and the others for the kind hospitality you all have been showing.” She smiled happily, resulting in Aura being happy as well. The two of them are nothing more than a bundle of joy that somehow recharged each other's happiness and radiated nothing other than comfort for each other.

It was unfortunate for Yasmin, who came at the worst time and quirk a brow at the sight of the sunny student of this school with another sunny but stressed student from another school. “I wouldn’t bother questioning what I’m seeing.” He said with a sigh, feeling Rajah nudge his arm and his hand caress the top of his head.

The sudden appearance of the two startled her, but it didn't take long for her to calm down. It was only Yasmin and his tiger, Rajah; the two of them held no harm, and they're one of the few people and a certain animal that have been accompanying her lately during her visit to this school. 

“Yasmin, you surprised me. What brought you to Y/n’s room? Here to bid farewell?” Aura has turned his back on Y/n, earning a light sigh from the male on the opposite side.

“You ask unnecessary things.” Rajah sat down on the ground, his tail flicking back and forth, staring sharply in her direction. The prefect herself wasn’t certain what the feline wanted, but Yasmin was more than capable of diverting the tiger's attention away. 

“What sort of friend am I if I don’t do that much?”

“Ah… I’m surprised… You are not the type to admit it blatantly.”

Yasmin scoffed, looking the other way, understanding that what he had spouted wasn’t entirely wrong. However, this might be her one and only chance to visit this place. That’s why he personally came to her and bid her goodbye. 

Y/n blinked for a moment, until she giggled lightheartedly, catching the two males' attention. The two wondered: What did she find funny in this situation? Aside from the fact that Yasmin is in total denial about what he just said, there’s nothing else to laugh at, so it makes them confused about whether she is mentally ill or not. Is this by any chance the after-effect of being with the NRC students too much?

“Rielle must have influenced you in some way.” Yasmin's judging countenance makes Y/n stifle her laughter. Of course, the sea coral princes might have been clinging to her for the past few days during her visit, but he didn’t spread any bad influence. 

Hence, she was quick to shake her head, smile, and lift her gaze up to look at the two. “Ah, nothing. But…” Y/n trailed off from her words, fiddling with the ends of her sleeves. “But I’m happy to know that I’m your friend. I'll try to visit during break!”

“You absolutely can’t.” Aura chuckled upon hearing Yasmin's response. That came out harsher than expected, and Y/n looked like a puppy that had been thrown away by her beloved master. Yasmin found himself sweating at the sight, reaching out to rub his temple, and thinking of a much kinder phrase.

However, no matter how hard he thought about it, it was absolutely difficult for him to form one. And Aura was more than knowledgeable enough to understand his current struggle. So, as the kind friend he was, he interpreted or translated the meaning behind his words. “He didn’t mean that. What Yasmin tried to say is that we will be the ones to visit you.”

“...Eh?” Y/n’s eyes comically went white, and she was blinking profusely at the sight of a smiling and jovial student in front of her. She looked right behind him and spotted Yasmin nodding in agreement at what Aura was saying.

This much more is disastrous information to learn. Will the NRC students or her friends agree with their sudden visit? Y/n can’t prevent her thoughts from imagining the worst scenario that could have happened. Not only will it be a small rivalry and competitive, but there might be a war that occurs between two schools.

“I’m not sure whether that’s a wise idea.” The prefect said this nervously, hoping that it would somehow change the two students' minds.

“Nonsense. We have been there a few times during our Magift battle; the others will certainly accept us.” Aura’s words held nothing other than optimistic expectation. However, Yasmin looked the opposite; he looked like he knew what might happen but chose to ignore it.

It doesn’t look like they’ll change their mind any sooner…

●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○

“It has been a wondrous encounter for me.” Aalis stands in front of her, representing the entire RSA on her behalf, to bid her farewell. 

Y/n rubbed the back of her neck and lowered her head, embarrassed to be in the presence of the dorm leader. “Right, thank you… I’m happy that Ambrose sent an invitation to me.” She raised her head and noticed the soft hues of vibrant blue eyes peering at her figure with interest. 

It has been awhile since she somehow managed to have a peaceful day without any ruckus or havoc. Somehow, it has been a bit too peaceful and serene to the point she can’t help but feel uneasy. Nobody can blame the prefect for this; her entire life has revolved around various types of problems, and she has become the student's therapist because she has no other way to relax.

But she can't help but think about how much she misses them all. Those people were the first to accept her in this world; they taught her the fundamentals and everything else; that place was her first home. So right now, she can’t help but anticipate her return. Y/n minds are constantly trying to imagine how others will react to her, how they will greet her, and everything else, despite the fact that a smile adorned her countenance.

Aalis, who was standing in front of her, witnessed her adoring smile. It appears that he is unable to carry out the plans that he and the others have discussed; there was no way he could have persuaded her to stay here if she insisted on returning to their side. To the person they considered to be a rival and an enemy in a variety of ways.

The dorm leader fleetingly sighs, ruffling his already messed up hair lightly, and tries to come up with a solution. There's no doubt that each of them has feelings for the prefect; her presence isn't something they can dismiss as insignificant, and she knows how to leave an indelible impression on the others.

“It appears you… Hah, I surrender.” Those declarations surprised Y/n, who looked back at Aalis, who appeared to be troubled at the time. She didn't understand why he said that out of nowhere; she needed at least the context behind his words.

“Dear Alice.” The nickname that came out of his mouth perplexes her about the manner in which she chose to address her. But Y/n can't help but notice how his eyes glimmer with indescribable emotions she's not sure about. "If only the wonderland you've entered had been ours, I could have guaranteed you'd have the time of your life." 

Aalis bowed and held her hand gently; he pushed it forward in his lips, kissing the back of her hand out of courtesy or perhaps much more. “However, this place isn’t your wonderland, and I won’t force you to be a part of it.” Those blue eyes drifted to her e/c ones, observing how her eyes twinkled and red blossomed in her cheeks.

Slowly, he lowered her hand and stood upright, brushing away the strand of her hair back to her ear. “All of us will be waiting patiently for the next meeting.” Aalis lowered his hand to his side, allowing his head to crook slightly and his lips to purse into a small smile.

“I’m certain this won’t be the last of our meetings.”Y/n clasped her hands together, pursuing her lips into a thin line, trying to comprehend his action. Her mind, however, was not functioning properly, and she nodded frantically.

That action elicited a small chuckle until Aalis turned to face the carriage behind them. “Off you go, dear Alice.” Aalis ushered her out, gently holding her shoulder and giving her the light push she needed when he turned her around to face the carriage.

Y/n took a few steps forward and stopped by the stairs. She looked behind her to see Aalis standing there, waiting until she was completely out of sight. This will be one of her most memorable places, and she was certain that it would not be the last. So, Y/n managed to offer him a bright smile, grinning happily.

“I’ll see you all soon!” 

Aalis blinked once, perplexed by that bright demeanor, but it didn't take long for him to crack a smile. The dorm leader nodded, watching the prefect take a step inside and close the door. He stood there in silence, listening to the sound of the horse's feet galloping in the ground, regretting that the others were busy—

“Y/NNNN—!!!!”

Aalis flinched visibly, turning around to face the balcony, where the majority of them were standing. Y/n can hear the shout of her name because the carriage windows are open, which piqued her interest as she looked out from the carriage interior. 

Rielle stood on the balcony, waving frantically with the others, who didn't match his exuberant demeanor. Aura, Heres, Yasmin, Neige, and Chen'ya were all present, saying their final farewells. Despite the fact that their actions were unpredictable based on the way Aalis flinched, and given that it was lesson hour right now, they skipped class. 

“FAREWELL, Y/N!!!” Rielle was the loudest and the only one who could send this message to the prefect. Though Aura did his best to keep himself from falling, he's leaning too far away from the railing for his own safety.

“That moron…”

From her perspective, Y/n can see how resigned Aalis is to the young prince's antics. This brought unending surprise for her, and she laughed at this merry farewell. To be honest, she didn't expect the others to be there, saying their goodbyes until she exited the gate, but here they are, happily and sadly watching her leave the RSA gate.

“PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!”

“WE’LL SEE YOU IN A WEEK!!! FAREWELL!!”

Hearing that, Y/n's body stiffened; it's a shame the carriage had moved by the time Rielle was shouting. Next week? The RSA student will pay her a visit the following week. The prefect can't stop the dread that comes with that realization, so she looked out the window, her face filled with nothing but horror.

“RIELLE, WHAT DO YOU MEAN NEXT WEEK?!?!” There's no doubt that the others understand what Rielle means. It was more of an explanation since Aalis' smile had turned into a smirk and one of his hands was placed by his hips.

That’s where everything finally sinks in.

“No… NO!!! YOU GUYS WILL START A CIVIL WAR!!!”

Her constant panic shriek went unnoticed by the others who had already made up their minds. There's no doubt they're serious, and everything Aura and Aalis have said will come true. Now, Y/n truly wonders which one of these schools is the devil's.

●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○

Y/n fluttered her lashes open, peering outside the window at the sight of a gate in front of them. She’s here; she already returned back to the Night Raven College, the school she had abandoned in favor of her own vacation. In her defense, she needs some time away from the chaos at least once, and Ambrose was more than kind enough to invite her over.

The door of the carriage parted open; her suitcase had been placed down right on the ground, amusing her about how magic works around here. With that aside, she picked up her suitcase by the handle and said her thanks to the worker, who could only nod, driving the horse and carriage away from NRC territory. 

Disregarding the fact she had finally returned, she wondered whether the school had been this awfully... eerie.

The gate opened the minute she walked through, and everything appeared to be normal except for the fact that it had been midnight. Luckily, she didn't have to deal with anything or face a reprimand for slipping away despite the objections of others; she was positive that regardless of how many times she attempted to explain herself, these individuals wouldn't let it go.

That's why she was carefully heading towards her dorm, having looked back and forth between the main road and her vicinity, mindful that several individuals may ambush her out of nowhere and confine her, demanding an explanation. The very notion of it made her tremble, and she feared her future and safety at this school considerably more than she did in RSA.

“...Is it just me…”

“Or do I feel like…” Y/n stood there stupefied at the banner that was present right in the area of her dorm.

WELCOME HOME, CHEATER!!!

“This is something Ace and Epel would have done…” There was no question that the two would've done something analogous. After all, the others aren't capable of committing such a trick, although if they were, they would have done something significantly more heinous than this.

This wasn’t something that could be deemed extreme. This is still the normal kind of reaction that can be received from the residents here. What concerned her the most was the presence of a group of people inside her dorm, arms crossed, lights dimmed, and their backs to her.

What are these fools up to…? 

“Look who's back… Guess you got bored, huh?” The strangely familiar presence makes her grimace at the antics of her fellow first-year classmates. They are, in fact, none other than her closest friends.

He slammed his head on top of the table, the sounds resonated in the small vicinity, and his voice held nothing other than anger. “I can’t believe you, prefect!! Not only did you sneak up on us, you returned without any souvenirs!!” 

“Uhm, Ace…” Jack called out to the boy, who was being melodramatic, much to his chagrin. “You are facing the wrong direction.” It was due to the way the sofa has been turned around to face Y/n direction, which makes his intimidating and furious acting prove to be pointless in the end.

Albeit wrong, he didn't bother and turned around, pointing accusingly in Y/n direction, wherein she was staring at him blankly with a dumbfounded countenance. “Do you not know the suffering I went through?! You are out there, living your life, while I’m becoming the dummy of Riddle’s pent up anger!! It’s not fair!!”Ace appeared to be nothing more than a child throwing a tantrum, and the others could see it as well.

“...I won’t bother questioning Ace, but I will ask why you followed him around with his shenanigans?” The others, primarily Epel, Jack, and Deuce, flinched at her sudden focus. The three of them turned their heads, practically away from those conflicting e/c eyes that demanded an answer.

“Oiii!! Don’t ignore me, N/n!!”

“At least, won’t you give me an explanation on why you are all here?”  

The prefect had returned to where she once belonged. For certain, there is chaos and bickering that await her in this sweet abode, but she cannot prevent that smile from adorning her lips. Nothing else but the presence of these dorks manages to illuminate the darkness in her life.

She couldn't care less if she was chastised or not. The most important thing for Y/n was to stay by their side, to stay together, and to unconditionally support each other. Even if it means going through a lot of carnage together, this is her home, the one place where she truly belonged. 

To the point, they can't help but think that she was the perfect mother to ever exist in this tower, and how fortunate the L/n lineage would've been under her gentle guidance… However, I believe they should retract those statements.

We can all tell that the cause of the great family's ignorance was nothing more than the fact that they see no value in their own children. Only those who outperform their peers and achieve far more than the other children would have received personal recognition from the head family; however, this was not the case for Y/n.

As previously stated, she is kind, loving, and compassionate, and it is safe to say that she is the ideal mother that everyone in this tower and throughout the world desires. But, alas, that was one of her biggest flaws, and it was the one thing that could have led to the demise or downfall of her own children.

That's why most great family heads scoff, roll their eyes, or turn away from the compliment the L/n head would've received from most regulars. Even King Zahard himself knows better than anyone that it is by far the most preposterous thing anyone has ever spouted off.

Regardless of their displeasure with those remarks, the family heads still respected her in their own way. Especially those who are interested in her method of utilizing her own lineage's power, strength, and everything else. It was all wrapped up in her fingers because of the intoxicants and sweet lies she had fed them all. 

She desired nothing more than to be physically close to her children since they were born. She adored them, lived with them, and lavished attention on them, so why should they leave her behind? They are welcome to stay! This is their home! Their sweet home and their sweet, adoring mother are there for them! Is there any reason for them to leave? 

Those poor and pitiful children, of course, will listen to their mother's words. They prioritized her rules and commands over everything else, including the supposed freedom they were given. But, in her opinion, it was nothing more than a flimsy reason for them all to abandon her. Those worthless excuses that should never have existed in the first place. Therefore, to what extent will she keep them all by her side, depending on her, no matter the situation or time? 

When they are still merely toddlers, you can manipulate them by taking advantage of their pretended innocence, pointing out all of their insignificant errors, placing blame on them, and gently correcting them. She reduces everything they do to nothing more than an error, sowing the idea that she is in this situation the only one who is entirely correct. 

This is why they have all developed a mental attachment to the family patriarch. They see her as the righteous one, the one who can provide comfort and safety far away from those heinous towers that were filled with bloodshed, as she would have it. That innocent facade and kind-hearted demeanor were used to her satisfaction, happiness, and obsession. 

It made no difference how promising the lineage or descendant might be. They are constrained by the absolute rule of that wretched and hypocritical family head.

Leona's eyes parted open in surprise, his tail stopped moving around, and his ears twitched at the noise of bones. He can identify exactly what it was, thanks to the fact he led the sports club. Thus, the way it sounds clearly means someone just broke their bones. And the only individual that stuck close to him was the herbivore. 

It tends to be quite satisfying to do the same thing over and over again. But they're clearly unaware of the sharp glare that has suddenly headed their way. Thus, the moment they face the sleeping lion, all they're met with is an agitated cat, scowling a bit. 

Y/n curled an eyebrow, looking at Leona, who seemed annoyed by whatever it was. It wasn't anything like him to be annoyed out of nowhere — well, perhaps yes. But during his nap time, when no one has the heart or even the guts to ruin it? That's certainly unusual in his case. 

"Oi, herbivore." The gruff voice called out to them in an unfriendly manner. They thought they might be in trouble for the umpteenth time all over again. Even so, they didn't understand what they did today. More precisely, they barely did anything, and this cat looks like he's ready to pounce on them. 

"You're weak already."

Leona wouldn't show his concern, since it's masked by annoyance rather than worry. However, he wasn't a heartless bastard to just ignore them. Especially with the possibility that they did something more extreme. And he knows they're not as adaptable as any of those beastmen.  

"I… Are you insulting me?"

They didn't take what he said too kindly, and Y/n felt quite offended by his comments. They know their capabilities and even their limits. Even though they are far weaker than Leona, they know when to stop and rest once or twice. They may or may not have overworked themselves, but their physical strength is average. 

Leona scoffed when he heard them. He didn't insult them; he only spit out what seemed to be the truth. It's better to do that than have them try anything more stupid than necessary. He closed his eyes once again, trying to solve everything with a good sleep. 

"Whatever, don't disturb me. And just go bother Ruggie."

It was safe to say that under a certain lion's order, Ruggie has more work piling up in his hands. Which is assisting Y/n for the entire month and ensuring they don't do anything similar again. Isn't he quite a considerable senior? 

Under certain circumstances and orders, Ruggie found himself pursuing the Prefect. He doesn't seem to mind; unlike the lion, they're much easier to handle. It was as if he were granted a vacation to escape the lazy bumpkin who barely did anything other than sleep and skip classes. Instead of that troublesome adult, he would have chosen to babysit a magicless student.

"Shishishi~ What do you have there, Prefect?"

"These are donuts; I've bought them specifically for you. Thank you for your help these past few days, Ruggie-senpai."

They raised their heads up, holding a paper bag in their hands. Y/n smiles rather fondly, making Ruggie's tail wag at the smell coming from the paper bag. He doesn't need to be told what it was about the sweet smell that caught his attention. This is one of the specific reasons why he personally loved to attend to their needs more than Leona. 

Y/n watched how their seniors managed to get excited over something like this. They had watched how their tails wagged and happily munched on the sweet treats. They elicit a small sigh. Even if he had helped them around campus, Crowley became merciless with the passing days. They stretch their backs, groaning a bit, trying to find that one spot. 

CRACK—

Ruggie's ears flop down, and his pupils widen in surprise. He whipped his attention to Y/n, who seemed pleased by what they'd done. He was struck with terror, especially when that excitement has long since faded. He was speechless; he almost dropped the food in his hold if it hadn't been for the fact that he despises wasting food. 

The pitiful Hyena didn't even know what to say. He was stunned, his mouth still stuffed with the donuts they'd given him. He really tried to come up with something to say, but there's nothing, not even a word. He was stupefied in his place. 

"Hm? Ruggie-senpai?"

Y/n looked over in his direction, watching the dumbfounded countenance on his face. The ends of their lips curled into an awkward smile, trying to understand the hidden meaning behind that expression. It reminds them of that random dog video they found, where the dog froze in place after what their owner did.

So, what exactly did they do?

Ruggie won’t even move away from his position. He remained there silent, contemplating his life, and wondered whether this was the reason Leona had dumped more work on him. Because if it is, he now understands why that lazy lion decided to send him off to watch over the worrisome Prefect. At the same time, he would jump to the conclusion that  At the same time, he would jump to the conclusion that they lacked nutrition.

“Mfhm…” The hyena munches on her donuts carefully, his ears remaining in the same position. It somehow looks quite tempting to be touched, and not only that, but those eyes that look at them still with bewilderment were more than enough to make them tilt their heads in confusion.

“Prefect…”

As his voice calls out to them, Y/n awaits what he needs to say. The way he looked at them in pity, in particular, caused them to break out in a cold sweat over what he said next. “You don’t need to go on a diet. Your bones are malnourished to the point of breaking."

“Ruggie-senpai… What…?”

During the time Ruggie babysits Y/n, one does not need to worry about their meal schedule. After all, this kind and worried senior make sure they have a proper meal schedule to prevent the same incident from happening again. In short, they've turned on brother mode completely.

Now, it wasn’t such a rare occurrence for the Prefect and Jack to go for a nice run on a weekend morning. Despite their laziness and the temptation to fall asleep on Saturday morning, the wolf beastman did not allow that and dragged them to join him in the morning run. Something that has been an everyday schedule for them during the weekend.

Jack stopped on his track, his body turning sideways to watch the prefect who had lagged behind. He sighs, shaking his head back and forth, watching them pant heavily from that "light" jogging. Of course, he was never observant enough to consider that the durability between a beastman and a normal human was on a whole other level.

Even Y/N raised their heads, pants erupting from their parted lips, sweat drizzling down their brows, and falling to the ground. This was torturous; they could've squandered their weekend huddling and snuggling on a blanket, only to have it ruined by none other than Jack Howl.

They envied Grim, who was still fast asleep, even going as far as creating a small fort of his own. Oh, the life they wish to pursue, but their fellow first-years won’t allow them to rot in laziness. Jack even accuses Leona of being an influence on them, which is partially correct but not entirely correct.

“Pick up the pace, N/n.” Opening his bottle cap and drinking it all at once, Jack tried to encourage Y/n at the moment. In the meantime, our dear prefect scoffed, straightening and stretching their back, pushing it forward while their hands pulled back.

CRACK—

Jack spit on his drink in surprise; his ears twitched uncontrollably the moment he figured out the source of that sound. He diverted his attention to the lone prefect, satisfied with what they had done. They even smile happily; a joyful aura practically radiates out of them, but he was not amused in the slightest.

Let's face it: this boy is worried, but he refuses to admit it. One of the worst cases in which the patient was unable to admit his concern, but everyone could tell by the way his shoulders slumped all over. That said, he won’t express his worry, so his tail would do all of the work for him.

“Are… Are you okay?”

“Hm? Well, just a bit tired, but regardless, I’m alright.”

They turned to face Jack, who looked distressed and troubled, scratching the back of his neck. It was a habit that he managed to pick up whenever he felt nervous, embarrassed, etc. And they either understand that habit the most, or they’re that observant to note down every single habit their friend has.

“Are you sure?” Y/n look at his face, especially his eyes, which avoid eye contact and prompt him to look down at the ground. What’s up with him? They cannot tell for sure about his current actions.

He wasn’t convinced at all, and he stopped the conversation or inquiry there. Jack honestly tried to drop the topic and ignore his curiosity that gnawed at the back of his mind. But what can he do? He can be a worry wart who tries to figure out why the weakest person among them all did such a thing.

“Fiuh~! That was a tiring exercise! I’m hungry now.”

Jack's eyes noticed how they were stretching to cool their bodies, but there was no sound of a bone breaking this time. That was enough to alarm him inside his mind, assuming that Y/n must’ve gotten hurt eventually, breaking some bone that they never noticed.

No wonder they’re much more tired than usual; they even take multiple stops at once. And the misunderstanding kept on going, as Jack was unaware that this entire week Y/n has been running around the campus alongside Ruggie to finish up Crowley and Leona's ( in Ruggie's case ) task together.

“Man, I could go for some meat right n— H, HEY?! JACK WHAT ARE YOU—”

“We’re going to the infirmary. Now!”

“HUHHH—?! WHY AM I GETTING DEJA VU— HEY JACK— STOP—”

"I need someone who's capable, someone who's trustworthy, someone… Someone I truly can depend on." It was as if talking were nothing more than a leisurely stroll through the park, with bright sapphire eyes fixed on the figure on the other end. It scanned through for any expression her interlocutor might have given. "I believe you're suitable for that position… Ran."

Ran cast a glance in her direction at the ever-so-loving Y/n, one of the well-known regulars that could ever coexist. A regular who was labeled as dangerous. "You see, I'm quite helpless. I'm nothing more than a burden to the team... Even Rachel could have possibly contributed more." The knitted brow, in which he presented was enough to bring a jolly feeling in her heart. 

"It's funny to hear that from someone who's known to be the strongest regular on this floor." The chuckle he received was infuriating. He knew that the person in front of him could not be treated lightly. "Even the strongest could be the weakest." She snapped her finger delicately, cocking her head to the side as an item whirled in the air above her. 

"I could persuade you that I was the weakest," she hinted, her voice delicate as a young lady's. "By displaying an item specifically designed to provide my Shinsu." It was a sphere of crystal-bright blue, an artifact preserved with an enormous amount of Shinsu, which she could have used.

Above all, Y/n conditions were the most absurd things within this tower. She was a regular who could not retain any single Shinsu and relied on the control of an unknown element whose existence was inexplicable to begin with. It was strange, frightening, and captivating. She appears to have her own law and rule that she must uphold, wielding her own authority that no one dares challenge. It truly was something that only she possessed, something that no one else could ever exhibit.

And Ran was well aware. He was well aware that she lacked the ability to conquer Shinsu. But she was a prodigy who had proven she could indeed live in this dreadful tower. A prodigy with nothing but a single sword that can dematerialize willfully and a vision with ice power — or, in her words, Cryo.

"May I inquire once more?" Ran looked at her, his brows furrowed in displeasure, realizing he was oppressed whether he liked it or not. "Khun Ran, my loving brother, would you be willing to help your poor sister?" Throughout it all, she was born as a pure-blooded manipulator, someone who would not hesitate to corner somebody with indecision or distress.

"I am helpless without someone around… What would've happened if I were to die?" What would occur? Many people would have gone berserk, destroying every corner of this tower. And the leader was likely to be none other than her devious brother, Khun Aguero Agnis.

After all, she is an entity with several powers and influences.

●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○

“Brother?” 

Khun's attention was diverted to the woman who stood by the doorway, head tilted to the side in curiosity. The sapphire-blue male beckoned her closer, a miraculous smile on his lips. “Do you need something, Y/n?” The tone was sweet and full of affection, and the gentle gaze that pooled within those long-time pitiful eyes sparkled with various adoration. 

Y/n looks back at him with a disheartened gaze, but she soon takes a few steps further to invade his personal space — something that Khun particularly did not mind coming from her. Kneeling down, she laid the top of her head on his lap. His palm reached out to caress her hair delicately. She thought that the least she could ever offer him was her assistance, but perhaps there is more than this.

“I have convinced Ran in your stead.” Khun did not utter a single word. In return, he hummed in acknowledgement and carefully threaded her long ponytail. Those moments between the two are transcendent and filled with serenity—the only comfort Y/N could ever provide by remaining by his side despite the obstacles in her path.

The fleeting sigh, he elicited filled her senses, and she knows what it means. Carrying the guilt and hatred that had accumulated in his heart, corrupting his thoughts and time, to do such a burdensome task on his own. It hurt her, and she believes someone like him shouldn’t have gone through such a past.

She flutters her long lashes close, enjoying the warmth he radiates from within his palm. “Brother, have you rested?” Y/n could feel his movement halt, indicating his hesitation that gnawed at the back of his mind. That was more than enough to confirm her suspicions, but who is to blame Khun for overworking himself to a certain degree?

Definitely not her. Not when she was aware of why he had gone through all of this trouble at once. 

“I have a belief that Baam is out there, trying to survive this wretched tower.” Khun snorted upon hearing the last statement. He chuckled faintly and ruffled her hair, receiving a whine. “This tower isn’t that terrible.”He admits having piqued her interest as she looks up at him, who is sincerely smiling down at her. 

“At least, I managed to meet you.” 

Khun never experienced what it meant to be loved. He must have endured conflict and political powers during his childhood; never once did anyone offer a genuine form of love for him. It terrified him; the words "being loved" and "loving someone" had never occurred to him for what had happened. The betrayal that slashed open his heart and tore him apart leaves him with a bitter life lesson.

And Kamisato Y/n was the one who could heal him from all of his pain. He swore he would never let go of her, the light that shone down on his darkest path, the star that illuminated his life. He swore he would never let go of her—the light that shone down on his darkest path, the star that illuminated his life. To cherish her, to love her, and to care for her as a brother would do. 

“Khun or not, you’re my one and only sister.” Khun leaned down and gave her a kiss on the top of her crown. This wretched tower is truly vicious. It was vicious enough to make someone as capable as him become an emotional mess. 

Y/n understands the heavy burden he has to carry most of the time. She even understands his suffering, and that’s the reason why she won’t let him suffer alone — to face that traitorous woman all by himself. Despite their different identities, he had offered her a place to stay and a place to belong. 

Khun Aguero Agnis might not be her biological brother, but he was the one who protected her all this time. And Y/n made a vow to herself. As the Shirasagi Himegimi, as the Kamisato, and above all, as Y/n, she vowed to find eternal happiness for her one and only brother.

So, in what ways can Yuu compete with her? They, unlike her, are inept pupils who cannot wield a single magical power. They are someone who is well-liked and simple to manipulate. Yuu is someone who easily falls into pleasant deception with an empty promise—an endless lifestyle filled with nothing but deceptive gestures.

Y/n was more essential compared to everything else. She had complete influence over every person in this place. With the flick of a finger, she could make thousands of people become infatuated with her ethereal beauty. It was dangerous, clever, and wicked of her. It was very unfair towards Yuu, who had fought hard to earn a position in this world.

Wrong. Oh, how completely incorrect they were.

Yuu has no idea when everything changed. They had no idea when the Ace had abandoned them in favor of her. It was terrible and depressing to witness their their supposed to be lover cling to someone else. It sparked sentiments of jealousy and insecurity within them. Of course, they recognize their shortcomings in comparison to her, but surely it can't be that horrible, right?

“Good puppy! You succeeded in creating a superb mid-grade potion." Yuu casts a peek in her direction, where she smiles warmly at Crewel. Receiving compliments from one of the harsh professors was difficult. They were aware that it required a complete concentration on a single mid-grade potion. "It's nothing, Mr. Crewel. I was able to brew such a potion thanks to your teachings."

Yuu bit their bottom lip, glancing down at the concoction they'd brewed. It was nothing out of the ordinary for her. "Man, being in the same group as Y/n must have been wonderful." When they heard this, the prefect frowned. They shifted their eyes to Ace, who seemed astounded by her stunning looks.

It wasn't necessary to inform Yuu. They are aware of their flaws, which are the things they have worked so hard to conceal. It made them over think through every possibility. Whether at this point, they're a great partner to have around in alchemy class or not. Whether they're compatible with the new transfer student. Whether somewhere in this society—they still had a place where they truly belonged. 

Yuu was overwhelmed. Everything that's occurring and every single second that revolts against them all. It didn't help their condition that they had been fixing all of the problems at this college. All of that goodwill, though, might have been wiped away in an instant with just one transfer student. They are now back in ostracized land.

A land where their worth may not be recognized. Where neither of them would turn back to face them. They will pretend to be unaware of the call for assistance or their own guidance. Should Yuu live in such a world? They barely understood the concept of magic, so taking away a sociable friend would be far viler than anyone could have imagined.

Yuu wondered where all of that transient joy had gone. The days of all of their friends conversing, playing, or just seeking their assistance are long gone. It was terrible, empty, and lonely. The stars that had adorned the black sky had floated away to a far more enthralling cosmos, leaving behind their moon that had screamed out in agony.

They had no idea that the point of view had shifted. Where the wariness and antagonism transform into a ferocious loathing for the girl. A foul, horrible, and violent set of emotions engulfed their journey — their bliss.

It was unwarranted, even unfair. They had worked hard for it, and the foundation upon which they had relied shattered right in front of them. They have been replaced by a new monarch, who has replaced those sad memories with a great delight that she has disseminated. A happiness that many wanted in this place; whether it was acceptance, comfort, or anything else, she was there to provide it.

Alas, what about them? What about them that had offered it all at once to those ungrateful bastards all at once? The price they had to pay for being polite and helpful has completely stabbed them in the back. It had cloaked their long-standing compassion in resentment and venom. It contaminated their hearts with something Yuu themselves could not recognize.

A tray was placed in front of them, jolting them out of their stupor. Yuu looked up to see the transfer student, who was eating a lemon lollipop and smiling at them. "You must have been Yuu, right?  I never got the opportunity to properly greet you." That's true. They were far too preoccupied with avoiding her, which caused others to question their actions.

"You know, being here at the beginning... Is extremely bothersome." She acknowledged it with a warm grin, sitting across from them and removing their lemon-flavored sweets. "Because I felt like an alien species that had infiltrated Earth, attracting the attention of scientists, you know?"

Yuu moved their eyes over the table till it was pulled to the line where the two Adeuce duo were now trapped, with Grim by their side. "And I genuinely admire you." When they heard that, they trembled and looked towards the Y/n direction. She smiled with her eyes squinted as she leaned her chin on the top of her palm.

That was a risky action, and Yuu was confident that the hierarchies all over this place had altered. As the rumor had it, despite her developed and chilly exterior, she's quite a kind-hearted charmer, and people might let down their defenses around her. Her natural appearance was even more powerful than Jamil's dreadful, unique magic that lay with the help of a magic power.

It is said that Yuu was wary of her. They contemplate the consequences of their ill-mannered intentions. What sort of ploy or schemes have they created before entering this place? What exactly does Y/n seek in this place instead of a studious relationship between two schools? There's no way they would've sent someone that could've been an important assessment to the school to a villainous school. 

 "N/n~!" Yuu nervously turned to face the source of the sound, watching Cater enthusiastically wave his hand about, with Riddle and Trey sitting right beside him. There was an empty place between them, indicating that they had intended to invite her over for lunch. And they weren't so blind as to overlook it.

Such a joyous personality, one that elevates others' emotions and makes them grin. It was pointless to try to get rid of her at this point. Y/n had made a tangle of ties with the individuals they had admired. There will be no unnecessary commotion because a mediator has arrived.

“I’ll talk to you later, Yuu! Oh, and tell Ace I'll meet him after school!!”

These two are diametrically opposed. She, who understands the world — such as the trend, the lesson, and all the wisdom that they could never comprehend. In comparison, they did little more than provide a momentary moment of consolation. It all collapses and vanishes just in front of their eyes. And all that is left is a sense of disdain, sorrow, and torment.