[Rankers' Dorms — 30 Minutes Before the Ceremony]
The dorms were buzzing like a beehive. Students whispered excitedly, showing off their dresses and suits, smoothing collars, adjusting ribbons, and checking shoes. Excitement floated in the air like electricity — the first-year enrollment ceremony was the biggest event of the year.
In the main cast's dorm, the atmosphere was no different. Sylphie adjusted her blonde hair with careful fingers, peeking at Lucas as he straightened his tie. Aria, with her fiery red hair, leaned against the wall, arms crossed, clearly annoyed but secretly impressed at how Lucas drew attention from both her and Sylphie.
"Do you think he notices us?" Sylphie asked in a whisper, biting her lip nervously.
"Probably," Aria muttered, but her tone betrayed a faint smile.
Across the room, Marcus leaned casually near Ruby, whose long black braided hair gleamed under the dorm lights. He gave her a teasing smirk. "Careful, I might steal all the attention," he said, making her roll her eyes but secretly blush.
Kaelith, standing near Rose, adjusted his cuffs and glanced her way. Rose gave him a small, shy smile, tugging lightly at her sleeve. Their subtle tension was like a quiet current running through the room — noticeable to everyone except them.
Meanwhile, Eren and Ryan were the center of good-natured attention. Even with Ryan's cognitive disorder, everyone smiled warmly at his excitement. "You both look… really great," a fellow first-year whispered. Ryan's eyes sparkled as he grinned, tugging gently at Eren's sleeve. "We'll have fun, right?" he asked innocently.
"Of course," Eren said, ruffling Ryan's hair lightly.
Thirty minutes remained until the grand ceremony. Lucas, ever the gracious host, gestured toward his room. "Why don't you all come in? We can get ready together, relax a bit before the chaos."
Sylphie and Aria exchanged glances, slightly flustered, but nodded. Marcus gave Ruby a playful grin, and Kaelith silently inclined his head toward Rose. Eren and Ryan followed eagerly, their smiles lighting up the room.
As they settled in, the excitement grew louder. Whispers of the upcoming performances, the unknown musical acts, and the grand feast floated through the dorm. Some of the students had no idea who would perform, while others speculated in hushed tones.
Lucas leaned back on his bed, watching everyone chatter and laugh. "This is going to be a night to remember," he said, a soft pride in his voice.
Meanwhile, in the distance, preparations for the ceremony continued. Decorations sparkled under the warm lights, and the faint sounds of piano practice drifted from the instrumental room — Nex's playing weaving a delicate, ethereal melody that added a magical backdrop to the students' excitement.
Even among the nervous chatter about partners, dresses, and suits, there was a shared sense of awe and anticipation. Everyone was waiting for the grand reveal, unaware that the young pianist crafting that music was none other than Nex Calder — now more ethereal and captivating than ever.
________________________________________
(Lucas' Room — Just Before the Ceremony)
The door creaked softly, and in walked Elaria and Liora. The moment they entered, the room went quiet — not a whisper, just stunned silence.
Elaria, in a sleek evening dress that shimmered under the dorm lights, carried herself with quiet authority. Her white hair glowed faintly, and her blue eyes sparkled with a calm confidence. Beside her, Liora, with her silver-and-ember eyes, looked like a goddess descended to the modern world. Her dress flowed elegantly, catching the light with every step.
Lucas, Marcus, Kaelith, Aria, Sylphie, Rose, Ruby, Eren, and Ryan all froze for a moment, blinking as if seeing stars.
"Wow…" whispered Aria, her usual fiery demeanor softened into awe. Sylphie's hand flew to her chest, her blonde hair shimmering in the light.
Marcus, normally so composed, muttered under his breath, "They look… unreal." Ruby adjusted her braid, cheeks flushed, and Kaelith's usual smirk softened into a rare, genuine appreciation.
Ryan, ever innocent and wide-eyed, whispered to Eren, "They're… so pretty."
Eren nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah… really beautiful."
The two newcomers didn't say much — they simply smiled politely, gracefully acknowledging the main cast's reactions. It was a quiet, shared moment of admiration and respect. Though not sisters, their presence seemed to radiate a kind of unspoken harmony that filled the room.
Lucas finally broke the silence with a soft laugh. "Well, now that you're here, we should get ready. The ceremony starts soon, and it's going to be unforgettable."
Elaria gave a gentle nod, her calm presence somehow reassuring. Liora's gaze flickered over everyone, her silver-and-ember eyes glowing softly. "It's going to be special," she said, voice melodic and composed.
The main cast exchanged glances, hearts quietly racing — part excitement, part admiration, and part nervousness at the grandeur of the event about to unfold. Even Ryan's innocent excitement seemed amplified, while Aria muttered under her breath, pretending not to blush as she stole a glance at Lucas.
For a moment, the modern dorm felt timeless. The hum of preparation outside, the sparkling decorations, and the quiet anticipation inside combined into a serene, almost magical pause before the grand spectacle.
Everyone silently acknowledged: this ceremony wasn't just about formalities. Tonight, it would be a night of wonder, surprises, and unforgettable memories.
---
As the main cast stepped out of the dorm, their presence immediately drew attention. First- and second-year students alike whispered and pointed, admiring the elegance and confidence they carried.
"Elaria! Liora! Will you be our partners for the ceremony?" several boys called out, some nervously, some with a bold grin.
Elaria glanced at Liora, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I'm afraid we already have partners," Elaria replied gracefully, her tone polite yet firm. Liora mirrored her response, her eyes sparkling as she gently shook her head at the eager students.
Nearby, Ruby, Aria, Sylphie, and Rose were approached by dozens of boys, all asking if they could be their partners for the grand ceremony. The girls' expressions shifted immediately; their eyes narrowed, and they shot precise, chilling glares toward the persistent admirers.
"Really? You think we'd say yes?" Ruby said, her voice sharp, her braid swinging as she crossed her arms. Aria tilted her head, giving a fiery glare that could melt steel. Sylphie's polite smile was enough to make anyone stop in their tracks, while Rose's gaze, sharp and cool, made several boys stumble over their words.
Meanwhile, Kaelith, Marcus, and Lucas were being approached from all sides by girls vying for their attention. Kaelith leaned casually against the wall, smirking at the chaos, while Marcus rolled his shoulders, pretending to be annoyed. Lucas, ever cheerful, waved and smiled, enjoying the attention.
But as soon as the girls — Ruby, Aria, Sylphie, and Rose — noticed, their glare intensified. It was a silent warning, a clear "back off" message, and most of the boys quickly backed away, muttering excuses under their breath.
Even Ryan and Eren, standing nearby, felt the excitement in the air but were blissfully unaware of the subtle tension. The girls' fierce protectiveness over their partners — and each other — only highlighted the closeness of the main cast.
The hallway buzzed with energy: admiration, envy, and playful rivalry. Yet amidst all the commotion, the main cast stayed composed, moving as a unit, their partners by their sides. It was clear to everyone watching: these first years were not just beautiful or talented — they were a force to be reckoned with.