Uriel’s eyes followed hers to the massive scoreboard displayed in the central courtyard.

Student names were arranged by department and year, and within moments her gaze landed on the top bracket.

As expected—Stacia’s name stood at the very top.

“Looks like Stacia’s ranked first again,” Uriel murmured, almost to herself. “She really doesn’t let up.”

“She’s amazing,” Reina added quietly, glancing at the board as well. “She topped the midterms too, didn’t she?”

“Mm.” Uriel’s smile tightened faintly. “I suppose sharing the number one spot in the Knight Department with her was bound to be temporary.”

Her words weren’t bitter, just… honest.

Although their rankings in the Knight Department were neck and neck in terms of practical combat, the written exams had tipped the balance.

Stacia’s academic prowess—refined, relentless, and precise—pushed her slightly ahead overall.

Uriel, while no slouch herself, had always leaned more toward battlefield instincts than scholarly theory.

Still, she wasn’t frustrated. If anything, she looked at the board with quiet resolve.

“I knew this was coming, even though we’re both first-years and our combat records are similar… Stacia’s got a sharper grasp on the technicals—tactics, history, theory. I guess I should’ve studied more.”

“You’re still second,” Vanessa noted with a raised brow. “There’s no shame in that. Especially with how the departments are structured. You’re a practical powerhouse.”

Uriel chuckled. “I know. I’m not upset. Just… motivated.”

Uriel’s gaze drifted away from the scoreboard, her sharp green eyes narrowing slightly as she caught sight of a growing cluster of murmuring students off to the side—second-years mostly, a few third-years lingering around the edge of the courtyard like a brewing storm.

“Hmm… looks like the seniors are in a foul mood,” she noted casually, folding her arms.

Reina followed her line of sight and nodded with an amused hum. “Ah. That must be because of the sudden adjustment in their results.”

Flamme raised an eyebrow at that, clearly irritated. “And how exactly would you know that, Little Miss Golden Locks?”

Reina simply smirked, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I have ears, Flamme. You should try using yours sometime. I overheard one of the professors talking about it earlier.”

“Tch—this bitch… You’ve gotten sassier, huh?” Flamme grumbled, clicking her tongue with a slight grin curling on her lips. “I liked it better when you were just swinging a sword around like a brainless knight.”

“Well, ignoring the deaf one for now,” Reina said, brushing off the jab with mock elegance, “I ran into Senior Janica earlier. Judging by the sheer panic in her voice and how she was stringing together random complaints, I don’t think even she knows what’s going on. Whatever it is, it must’ve been a last-minute change.”

Uriel nodded thoughtfully. “That tracks. The academy’s notorious for abrupt changes… I guess even the seniors aren’t immune.”

“Speaking of seniors,” Flamme cut in, tilting her head, “any of you seen Senior Lucas?”

Uriel shook her head. “Nope.”

The rest of the group mirrored her answer with subtle head shakes and shrugs.

“Why are you asking?” Reina asked with narrowed eyes, her tone laced with suspicion.

“Why, to congratulate him, of course~” Flamme said innocently, though her mischievous tone betrayed otherwise. “Can’t you see the scoreboard? He ranked second overall among the second-years. That’s pretty impressive you know considering how much of a training freak he is~ And not to mention…”

She pointed toward a name just above his on the Knight Department list.

“…Senior Seo’s in first. Honestly, I didn’t think she’d score that high. She always looked like the quiet, avoid-eye-contact type, but apparently, she’s got more brains than we gave her credit for.”

Reina blinked. “That is surprising.”

“That’s probably because Senior Rose helped her out,” Vanessa chimed in, arms crossed and voice calm as always. “I heard they spent a lot of time together recently—outside training hours too.”

“Huh.” Flamme looked genuinely taken aback, her mouth slightly open as if to say more but deciding against it. “Rose, teaching someone? That doesn’t sound like her.”

Vanessa shrugged. “She’s not the type to offer help easily, yeah. But Seo’s different. They’ve always been close right?”

Flamme didn’t reply immediately.

Her eyes flicked to the scoreboard again, thoughtful.

Rose despite her somewhat approachable demeanor the first time they met was only a temporary farse to be approachable and likable to a certain someone.

It was only around a few specific people that Rose softened: a certain blonde idiot who annoyed the life out of Flamme, and his mysterious brother, the one who’d vanished under everyone’s nose.

She really thought Rose’s mind would be all about Riley and anything close to him and nothing else

But as she recalled Seo’s suspicious relationship with Riley…

“I guess it makes sense, still a bit weird, though.” Flamme mumbled at last. “Looks like my little frosty princess will have a very busy annoying life~”

“Winter break is coming soon, huh…” Emilia murmured quietly, her eyes drifting up toward the gray sky as a chill breeze passed through the courtyard. Her voice was soft, almost lost in the wind, but the others heard her clearly.

The group quieted for a moment, and then slowly, they began to nod.

“Are you guys planning to return home for vacation?” Emilia asked, glancing at each of them one by one.

Flamme was the first to answer, a lazy smirk tugging at her lips. “Nope~ I’m staying here at the academy.I’d rather freeze in a training dungeon than get stuck in those suffocating Imperial Towers with all the fake smiles and ‘important tea ceremonies.'” She rolled her eyes dramatically. “Pass.”

Uriel crossed her arms. “I’ve got work to do. The Paladin Order asked for my help again with clearing some traces from that last mission. I’ll be needed here for a while longer.”

“Oh…” Emilia blinked, a bit surprised. “I see…”

“And as promised,” Vanessa chimed in softly, her voice calm and warm, “I’ll stay with you, Emmy.”

“Eh?” Emilia turned to her, confused. “But… don’t you miss your home? Your family?”

Vanessa tilted her head slightly, her long green hair brushing her shoulder as she smiled. “Fufu~ Promises are sacred to elves, remember? I swore I’d stay by your side, so I intend to keep it. Besides…”

She leaned in a little closer, her tone playful.

“…it’s fun being around you.”

“I… I don’t think that’s really true…” Emilia mumbled, face a little red as she looked away.

She wanted to argue—wanted to insist that Vanessa didn’t have to force herself—but deep down, she knew it wouldn’t change anything.

Once Vanessa decided on something, no force on earth could sway her.

Still… as strange and confusing as it sometimes was, it was reassuring. Having someone there for her—always.

Even if that someone was Vanessa.

Emilia then turned her gaze toward Reina, whose expression had shifted. Her arms were crossed loosely, and there was a distant, almost pained look in her eyes.

“What about you, Reina—” Emilia started, but then stopped herself mid-sentence, her breath catching in her throat as realization hit. “Ah… sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

Reina shook her head slowly, cutting her off before she could say more.

“It’s alright.” Her voice was quiet, but steady. “I still need to keep looking for my brother… he’s still out there somewhere. So, I’ll probably stay for now.”

“I… I see.” Emilia lowered her gaze, guilt gently blooming in her chest.

Sensing the sudden shift in mood, Flamme abruptly clapped her hands together, the sharp sound cutting through the silence like a spark.

“Alright, alright~! No need to get all gloomy all of a sudden,” she said with her usual playful smirk. “Why don’t we head over to the gymnasium already? The professors are probably waiting to throw a bunch of awards and announcements at us or something.”

Her voice—casual, carefree, almost annoyingly bright—snapped everyone out of their thoughts.

Emilia blinked, Vanessa nodded quietly, and Uriel stretched her arms over her head, letting out a light sigh.

Even Reina, who had remained quiet the whole time, couldn’t help but allow a small smile to tug at the corner of her lips.

For all her bluntness and insults, Flamme had a way of dragging people out of their own heads when it mattered.

“…Thanks,” Reina murmured under her breath, more to herself than anyone else.

“Hah?” Flamme’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Hey, what’s with that creepy little smile, you blonde freak? If you’re thinking of something gross, keep it to yourself.”

“You…” Reina’s brow twitched as a sigh escaped her lips. “Why do I even bother.”

Despite the sharp exchange of words, there was no real bite behind them. It was a familiar rhythm, a constant banter they all had grown used to.

Even if Flamme always found something to criticize, Reina knew it was just her way of connecting.

They bickered often—but in the end, they were still friends. Real ones.

As they began walking side by side toward the gymnasium, the chatter around them picked back up.

Students were gathering, talking excitedly about scores and announcements.

Professors were likely already inside, preparing for the closing ceremonies before the winter break officially began.

Flamme took the lead as usual, pretending not to care while casually glancing over her shoulder to make sure everyone was still following.

Emilia walked just behind her with Vanessa, still clinging lightly to the elf’s sleeve.

Uriel trailed near the back, stretching one arm and muttering something about needing a nap after this.

And Reina… Reina walked quietly among them.

The cold air bit softly at her cheeks as she glanced up at the pale, wintry sky. Despite what people said, winter wasn’t coming—it was already here.

The chill of the season had arrived in full, blanketing the academy in its quiet, frozen grace.

The semester was truly ending…

And soon… she would have to return home.

‘That dumb big brother… where the hell did you go?’

Reina’s thoughts churned with frustration, her jaw tightening as she trudged forward with the others.

Her boots crunched lightly over the frosted path, but her focus was elsewhere—lost in the storm inside her head.

The thought of returning home without any solid leads made her stomach knot.

She could already picture her parents’ faces: hopeful, then slowly dimming as she delivered yet another update full of half-truths and unconfirmed rumors.

No matter how delicately she framed it, there was no denying the truth—they still had no idea where Riley had vanished to.

There were explanations, sure.

Whispers, gossip, and absurd rumors floated around the academy like snowflakes on the wind.

Some said he ran away.

Others insisted he was secretly recruited by some elite faction or dragged into underground politics; some even says he disappeared because of sexual reasons…

‘Why are nobles so….’

Sigh….

For now, all she could do was wait. Wait for the results of the private investigation team she’d hired.

Wait for answers from that senior mage who looked eerily like both of them—someone who might hold a clue she couldn’t ignore.

Reina sighed and shook her head, brushing away the heavy thoughts.

“Looks like I’ll have to ask the principal for a special test, huh…”

The voice hit her ears before her mind had time to process it. Familiar. Warm. Casual.

Her eyes widened.

She stopped dead in her tracks and spun around—almost stumbling in her urgency.

There, just a few paces behind her, stood a tall figure with a hand in his pocket, glancing lazily at the bulletin board that displayed the practical test results.

Tousled golden blonde hair. Calm blue eyes. A smile that was a mix of apathetic and gentle amusement.

“B-Big bro…?”

Riley turned toward her at the sound of her voice, meeting her gaze as if nothing was out of place. “Hello, Reina,” he said with a relaxed smile. “Long time no see. Looks like you’ve gotten strong while I was away.”

His tone was soft. Familiar. Like he had never left.

But Reina didn’t move. Couldn’t speak properly…

Her mind was struggling to catch up with what her heart already knew.

Behind her, the rest of the group froze in place.

Flamme blinked, utterly speechless for once.

Uriel raised an eyebrow trying to make sense of what she was seeing.

Even Vanessa tilted her head, lips slightly parted.

But it was Emilia who reacted the most.

She stood still; her eyes wide as they locked onto the young man before them.

Her breath caught in her throat as an unexpected warmth bloomed deep inside her chest.

She didn’t understand why—but the moment she saw Riley’s calm, bright presence… something inside her stirred.

Her fingers unconsciously clenched at the fabric over her heart, as if trying to contain the rapid, unfamiliar beat beneath her palm.

Thump—!

It echoed through her, shaking something loose.

Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Emilia felt a sensation she didn’t have a name for—gentle, overwhelming, and strangely terrifying all at once.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep