The morning lecture hall buzzed quietly with students settling into their seats. Ardion sat near the front with Deric, Sylus, and Kael, idly flipping through notes while the professor droned on about ancient history.

  A subtle shift in the room's energy drew a few heads toward the entrance.

  The door opened, and a girl stepped in.

  Her attire was simple, a fitted dark hoodie, jeans, and plain sneakers. Nothing flashy, nothing designed to attract attention. Her long black hair was tied neatly in a bun, practical and unassuming, yet somehow emphasizing the poise and quiet strength in her posture.

  Heads turned. Whispers rustled across the room. "The new student," someone murmured. "She... she seems different."

  She moved calmly to an empty seat near the center of the hall, her eyes catching the sunlight for a brief moment and there was silver glinting in the dark depths, though no one could yet understand its meaning.

  Kael leaned toward Sylus. "Who's she?"

  Sylus shrugged, eyes following the newcomer. "No idea, but there's something about her. Her scent is kinda weird for a human."

  Even Ardion felt it, a faint pull he couldn't explain. He looked down at his notes, trying not to stare, though his curiosity had been quietly piqued.

  Kael raised a brow. "You say that about every new student. Maybe you just need better sleep."

  Sylus rolled his eyes at him before turning back toward the front.

  At the front, Selene’s golden curls bounced as her gaze drifted across the hall.

  It intersected briefly with Ardion’s line of sight.

  Her smile didn’t falter, but something in her gaze cooled.

  She clicked her tongue softly.

  Poor little thing.

  Selene had never shared what she claimed.

  The new student didn't look at anyone. She ignored the whispers, the stares, and the shifting chairs. Her focus was entirely on the lecture, her posture composed, her movements precise, as if every gesture had been practiced for years. Even in her casual attire and simple bun, there was an unmistakable aura of discipline and quiet authority, something that hinted at far more than she revealed.

  Finally, after the lecture, a roll-call introduced her formally:

  "Aylinor Seliora Fedrick," the professor announced.

  And though the name was now known, her presence lingered in the room long after.

  "..........."

  The academy cafeteria was always loud at midday—echoing chatter, clattering trays, bragging wolves comparing training scores, and humans arguing about lecture notes. The kind of noise Aylinor had learned to blend into instead of avoid.

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  She slipped inside, tray in hand, eyes scanning instinctively for threats, then for familiar faces.

  She found two of them bickering near a pillar, as usual.

  Daelira was leaning back in her chair, polished boots crossed neatly as she eyed her brother with disapproval.

  "You could've waited before blowing up the training dummy," she said. "Professor Halden nearly turned into a bat and flew at you. You should’ve seen his face."

  Lorcan threw his hands up. "It was an accident! The mana crystal slipped. Gravity betrayed me."

  Aylinor's lips curved slightly.

  "Gravity only betrays you, Lorcan," she said, approaching them.

  Both twins brightened immediately.

  "Aylin!" Daelira scooted over, patting the seat between them.

  "Sit. Before Lorcan blames physics for his lack of coordination again."

  Lorcan scowled. "For the last time—"

  Aylin sat, calm as ever. "For the last time, you tripped."

  "Strategically," Lorcan muttered.

  Daelira smacked his arm.

  Aylin exhaled, amused. "Same chaos, different day."

  Daelira leaned in. "Speaking of chaos, any word from Calden?"

  A flash of seriousness passed between the three.

  Only for a moment.

  Lorcan nodded subtly. "He said the signs are getting... stranger."

  Aylin's eyes sharpened. "We'll discuss it after classes. Not here."

  Both twins nodded, obedient, loyal, trusting her judgment entirely.

  The moment the topic ended, Daelira switched back to her usual tone, light and teasing.

  "So how was your morning? Any annoying classmates yet?"

  Aylin shook her head. "None worth mentioning."

  Prince Ardion sat with Deric, Sylus, and Kael.

  Unlike the noisy groups around them, their table was a mix of academic panic and casual teasing.

  Kael groaned into his food. "We have three assignments due. Three. I'm convinced the instructors want us dead."

  Sylus smirked. "You'll survive. Somehow. Miraculously. Again."

  Ardion rubbed his temples. "I'm not prepared for the presentation."

  Deric looked offended. "I prepared the entire presentation!"

  "Exactly," Ardion said.

  Deric choked on air.

  Sylus laughed so hard he nearly fell.

  Kael looked up, blinking. "Uh... Ardion? Someone is staring at you."

  Ardion blinked, glancing up, only to catch Selene walking toward their table with a smile that said possession more than friendliness.

  "Ardion," she purred, placing a perfectly manicured hand on his shoulder, "come sit with me today. My group saved a seat."

  Ardion raised a brow. "I already have a seat."

  Deric silently prayed for survival.

  Selene's eyes narrowed just slightly. "Just for today?"

  Before Ardion could answer, his gaze flicked briefly across the room, not lingering, just passing, and caught Aylin's table for half a second.

  He didn't stare.

  He didn't even seem interested.

  Just curious.

  Because the twins were arguing dramatically again, and Aylin sat between them in complete, unshakeable calm.

  A strange trio, he thought.

  Unusual.

  Then he looked away.

  But Selene had already followed his gaze.

  Her eyes sharpened with instant hostility.

  "Oh," she muttered. "Her again."

  Deric mouthed a silent why is this happening to me.

  Sylus slurped his drink dramatically.

  Kael whispered, "Incoming storm."

  Selene leaned in. "Who is she?"

  Ardion blinked. "I don't know."

  Selene did not like that answer.

  "Well," she declared, flipping her hair, "I'll find out."

  Ardion groaned under his breath. "Please don't."

  But she was already marching away with the confidence of a queen.

  At her table, Aylinor felt a shift, small, sharp, like air tightening.

  Daelira whispered, "Incoming."

  Lorcan nodded. "She has the I smell competition face."

  Aylinor lifted her gaze calmly and met Selene's eyes as she passed.

  Not confrontational. Not submissive. Just steady.

  Selene's stride faltered for a fraction of a second.

  Just one heartbeat.

  Then she walked faster, chin tilted higher.

  Daelira stared at Aylin in awe.

  "...you didn't even move."

  Aylin shrugged. "Should I have?"

  Lorcan shook his head vigorously. "No. That was perfect, whatever it was."

  Ardion, seated far away, didn't stare, but he did notice Selene's odd reaction.

  He frowned, confused. "Who did she glare at?"

  Sylus followed his gaze. "Oh... the twins and their friend."

  Kael shrugged. "Looks normal to me."

  Ardion nodded slowly. "Yeah, guess so."

  And that was it. Yet somehow, the room didn't feel the same