The late afternoon sun cast a warm amber hue over the Ombrelune's garden, its hedges trimmed to perfection and fragrant blossoms swaying gently in the breeze. Eira and Marin were strolling side by side, their laughter echoing faintly between the marble arches.
That was when it happened.
Two older boys—tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in sky blue robes with the dark Violet emblem of Papillonlisse house—stepped into their path. The taller one had a sharp jaw and arrogant eyes, the other wore a smug smirk as if he'd just claimed a prize.
They stopped directly in front of them.
"Are you Marin?" the taller boy asked, voice laced with disdain.
Marin tilted his head slightly, unfazed. "Yes. Who's asking?"
The smug one turned toward Eira. "We want to talk to him alone."
Eira folded her arms. "What is it that you need to say to him alone, seniors? You don't seem like you've come in peace."
The taller one sneered. "Look, little girl. We don't want a problem with you. Our problem is with him. Back down."
Eira narrowed her eyes but Marin placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "It's alright," he said calmly. "I'll talk to them. I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding."
Reluctantly, she let him go, but something didn't sit right.
As the three walked away, disappearing into a side path lined with thick rose bushes, Eira hesitated—then quietly followed.
The sound of raised voices guided her to the secluded section of the garden.
There, she saw one of the boys grab Marin roughly by the collar.
"You think you're clever?" the senior growled. "Flirting with my girlfriend? Touching her like you own her?"
Marin chuckled, wiping a faint smear of blood from the corner of his mouth. "She doesn't like you, mate. That's why she comes to me. You should hear the things she says about you… 'Can't even kiss me properly,' 'he's soft,' 'pathetic'—her words, not mine."
The punch came fast. Marin staggered, but still laughed. "She says I'm the best she's ever had."
Fury overtook the senior. He struck Marin again, shouting, "You think you're something special? She's mine! You hear me? Mine! I'll send your bloody corpse to your whore of a mother next time!"
Eira's eyes widened at the vulgarity.
Enough.
She stepped from the shadows and walked straight toward them. "Let him go. Now."
The boy holding Marin turned. "You again?" he scoffed. "Stubborn little bitch. Didn't I tell you to stay out of it? This is between boys."
"It's not important, Eira," Marin murmured, though his voice wavered. "Just go."
One of the boys shoved Marin to the ground and then sneered at Eira. "What are you going to do? Tell a professor? I'll knock you flat just like him."
Eira's teeth clenched. Her eyes, turned cold , sparked with fury. She drew her wand in one graceful motion.
The boys burst out laughing.
"Oh, the little girl's playing witch now," one mocked.
But he didn't laugh long.
Eira flicked her wand. "Flipendo!"
The smirking boy was hurled backward, smashing into the hedge with a yelp as petals flew through the air like startled butterflies.
The other boy released Marin and turned, now drawing his wand.
"You'll regret that, you arrogant little bitch. Let me teach you a lesson in respect—Stupefy!"
"Protego!" Eira countered with ease, his red bolt ricocheting off her shimmering shield and lighting the air around her face.
The duel had begun.
The senior cast again. "Depulso!"
Eira spun, ducked low, and snapped back, "Ventus!" A swirling gust of wind lifted dust and leaves, blinding him momentarily.
Seizing the moment, she murmured, "Lumos Orbis."
Tiny glowing orbs floated in the air like fireflies, illuminating her poised figure—elegant, calm, lethal.
The boy snarled, "Incendio moderatum!"
The flame burst from his wand, but Eira countered with a cold, sharp flick. "Glacius!" The fire hissed and turned to ice mid-air.
"You're toying with me!" he shouted.
"Indeed," she said, cool as moonlight. "But it's still too easy."
He yelled, "Bombarda!"
"Protego Diabolica!" A black fire shield engulfed her, devouring the explosion in a silent roar. Her eyes gleamed through the dark flames. "Let me return the favor—Confringo!"
The explosion burst near his feet, sending him flying. His robes were scorched, his pride in tatters.
But Eira wasn't done.
She raised her wand. "Gravitas Auctus!"
Suddenly the air thickened—gravity pressing down on him.
The boy fell to one knee.
But after Eira released the spell The boy got up and took a stand.
The senior grinned. "Let's see you dance now, princess."
He raised his head, unfazed. " Expelliarmus."
And Eira Deflected His disarming spell easily.
"Aguamenti!" she cast, and a torrent of water blasted from her wand, drenching him.
"Stupefy!" He tried again, in desperation.
Eira spun, deflecting with "Protego!"
Then, with precise, unyielding fury: "Expelliarmus!"
His wand soared into the air and landed in the bushes.
He stumbled back, soaked, furious, helpless.
"Get up," she said softly. "I'm not done."
But he raised his hands. "Enough! Fine!"
The other boy groaned, still half-conscious by the hedge.
Eira walked past them both and offered Marin a hand.
Marin looked up, blood on his lip, awe in his eyes. "You're incredible…"
She helped him up gently. "You need to stop provoking egotistical idiots with girlfriends who don't love them."
He smirked despite the bruises. "Was it the part where I said she called him a bad kisser?"
"Every word," Eira replied dryly.
One of the seniors growled from the ground, "This isn't over…"
Eira turned, her wand still glowing faintly.
"Next time you want to teach someone a lesson," she said with icy precision, "make sure you're the one who has something to teach."
The boys didn't follow.
As the sun dipped behind the garden wall, casting a golden glow across the rose-laced path, Eira and Marin walked away, side by side.
He limped a little. She didn't mention it.
"Do you always carry that much magic in your sleeves?" he asked.
She smiled. "Only when someone forgets I'm not just a 'little girl.'"
Marin tilted his head with a smug grin. "Well, I knew you'd come."
Eira gave him a look, one brow arched. "You knew I'd come, and yet you stood there mouthing off like a fool—mocking them, humiliating them for not satisfying their girlfriends?" She folded her arms. "Honestly, were you trying to get punched?"
Marin burst into laughter, unbothered. "Of course I was," he said between chuckles.
Eira sighed and rolled her eyes. "Stop laughing, you idiot. I actually enjoyed watching you get beaten. I knew one day you'd be caught by one of those furious boyfriends. And believe me, this is just the beginning. More will come after you."
Still grinning, Marin straightened his jacket like a gentleman who'd just survived a duel. "Worth it," he said lightly.
"I'm serious, Marin," Eira scolded, pointing a finger at him. "You keep flirting with their girlfriends like it's a game. Do you really think they'll just sit and smile while you charm your way into trouble? Grow up. Find one solid girlfriend and stop playing this ridiculous game."
She narrowed her eyes. "Or you'll end up making your poor mother childless."
Marin placed a hand on his chest in mock sincerity. "Well, if you agree to be my girlfriend, I swear I'll leave all the others."
Eira scoffed and turned away, her tone dry. "In your dreams."