Darkness. Endless, suffocating darkness.
Yet from within that abyss, a faint blue light pulsed, shattering the void like glass.
Suspended in the cold emptiness was a human body encased in ice, curled in on itself as if shielding against the eternal chill. It seemed lost in a deep slumber, untouched by time.
But not for long.
Something was stirring. Something dangerous.
And soon, it would awaken.
---
At the Academy
"Omg, look Mikaela—it's a black rose!" Theodore exclaimed, pointing at the strange flower blooming near the courtyard.
Mikaela crossed her arms. "Hm. Looks kind of creepy… roses should be red or white. That one feels… wrong."
"Ehh? I think it's cool!" Theo said, smiling.
Then he leaned closer, "Mikaela, let's have lunch together! We haven't done that in a while…"
She blinked, then sighed. "You're right. I've been hanging out with Crystal and Amethyst too much lately. Fine, let's eat together."
They both opened their lunchboxes, but before Theo could dig in, a shadowy presence loomed behind them.
"Well, hello there, Theo… and Theo's sister."
It was Lucien Vespera, holding her own lunch with a sly smile.
Mikaela narrowed her eyes. "Oh? And you are…?" (Even though she remembered, suspicion lingered.)
Lucien chuckled softly. "A friend of Theo's."
Mikaela tilted her head. "Strange girl. Are you perhaps… interested in my little brother?"
Lucien smirked, her crimson eyes glinting. "Why not? He's cute, innocent, and kind… who wouldn't be curious about him?"
The two girls locked eyes, tension thick as blades in the air.
Meanwhile, Theo happily munched away, oblivious.
"Whoa! Sister Lyra's beef with vegetables and rice is amazing! Sooo good!" he said with a mouthful.
The girls' "battle" continued quietly, but Theo was far too busy enjoying his food.
---
Elsewhere
"Aizen, do you think the academy is really safe for the kids?" Lyra asked softly.
Aizen leaned back, quill scratching against parchment as he wrote political decrees. His golden eyes gleamed with authority—he was no longer just a warrior, but the ruler of a vast kingdom.
"Yes, Lyra. It's the safest place right now. Besides…" he frowned, "the war is spreading. We need to prepare."
Lyra's lips tightened, but she nodded.
---
Nearby, in the academy's courtyard—
"Hey Lina, why are you sneaking around like that?" Amethyst teased, smirking as he caught her peeking around a wall.
"W-Why do you care? I'm just watching those three… nothing special!" she huffed, ears twitching.
Amethyst chuckled. "Alright, alright. Then I'll watch too—because those two arguing is hilarious."
---
But hidden further away, a pair of eyes glared from behind circle glasses.
"Why is my Amethyst talking to another girl when he should be looking at me?!" the girl seethed, fists clenching.
"Why are they so close? Why is he laughing with her?! Ugh… I'll just make a plan. I'll make him like me. No—I'll make him MINE."
Her jealous vow lingered in the shadows, planting seeds of trouble yet to come.
---
✨ End of Chapter 50