Chapter One: A New School Year

The beginning of a new term at the academy was a fairly lively period. It was, after all, the end of a long break for returning students. Everyone was just getting back from their domains, or wherever their parents lived. There were plenty of tales, whether they be interesting or boastful, to go around. Then there were the new students. Excited and nervous to begin their new lives, they could grow rather loud with their chatter. Their innocence was adorable, in a way.

“Goodness, Lera, that’s quite a grin you’ve got.”

As I watched the herd of new students outside the dorm entrance, the daughter of Marquess Aspozat, Colnesia—or rather, Colny—had only that to say to me. Given she was a year above me, I was supposed to respect her as an upperclassman, but I could relax around her. She was an old friend I’d spent a great deal of time with in the land of meatheads.

“What a rude way to put it,” I replied. “I was just watching the adorable new students.”

“Adorable, you say? One year ago, you were like that too... I think.”

That last bit was unnecessary. Last year, I had been innocent just like them. Colny, of course, paid my simmering irritation no mind.

“Innocent or not, you’re in the way standing around here doing nothing. Let’s get inside.”

“Okaaay.”

Definitely didn’t want to be in the way.

With the beginning of the new year, I was now a second-year. Yes, I successfully passed my first year! In fact, my scores were among the top ten in my grade. If they told me that wasn’t enough, I’d assume they were pulling my leg.

At our academy, the colors we wore would change with every year. Last year, the ribbons adorning my uniform were the dark red meant for first-years, and now I had the second-years’ lovely purple.Second-year. It had a nice ring to it.

My half sister, Ribbons—I mean, Darnir—had also advanced to the next year. Her grades, meanwhile, I’m pretty sure were near the bottom. Speaking of which, there was that one time a