Lucian wandered the corridors of the academy, his footsteps echoing faintly off the polished stone walls. The semester had yet to begin—classes would start in two days—and he intended to explore the academy in and out before then.
The academy was vast, a miniature city in itself, and he knew he would be spending the next four years within these halls.
His family's name carried weight here. Elaina Merrick was already in her third year, and Garrick—his elder brother—was a fourth-year, soon to graduate and, no doubt, take the first steps toward inheriting the dukedom from their father.
Lucian, however, had no such ambitions.
Whispers followed him even before he stepped through the gates. He had heard that several powerful individuals were entering the academy this year as well.
Names like Seraphine von Ardenfel, the human princess, Marcus Arden, and Evelyn Snowden circulated constantly among the students. These were people destined for greatness, the kind whose futures were already written in history books.
Lucian's plan? Slip beneath their notice. Move independently. Getting tangled up with such people would only bring him trouble in the future.
Future, huh.
He had to give serious thought to his own. Surviving the academy during wartime was no easy task. The first year would be relatively safe—lectures, controlled practice, and some minor exercises. But from the second year onward, students would be sent on expeditions to the borders of other kingdoms, where the fighting had barely cooled. By the third and fourth years, many would even march alongside imperial knights on the frontline.
Lucian turned down a quiet corridor, passing rows of empty classrooms. He traced their positions to memory—routes he might need to take once his schedule began. His footsteps slowed when a voice suddenly rang out behind him.
"Who are you?"
Lucian turned, finding a girl about his age standing a few paces away.
She had dark blue hair tied into a long ponytail, her straight bangs framing a pair of striking blue eyes that gleamed like moonlight. She wore the standard academy uniform of the magic department: a crisp white shirt beneath a red blazer, paired with a white skirt lined with red.
Her gaze studied him openly before she spoke again.
"You're in the magic department?"
Lucian glanced down at his own attire—the same white and red colors. He nodded once.
"Ah, I see. What are you doing here?" she asked, tilting her head with curiosity.
"I'm a first-year," Lucian replied evenly. "Planning to explore a bit before classes start in two days."
Her face brightened at once. She hopped lightly toward him, closing the distance in a few cheerful steps until she stood directly in front of him.
"I had the same idea! Wanna go together?" Her eyes gleamed with excitement.
"…Sure," Lucian agreed after a pause, though his tone was reluctant.
"Oh—" she tapped her forehead as if she'd forgotten something. "Name's Tesserin. Or Tess, if that's easier."
"Lucian," he replied. "Lucian Merrick."
She froze. The color drained from her face, and a sharp gasp escaped her lips. She immediately bent into a low bow.
"F-Forgive me, my lord! I—I didn't know—"
"Please, just act normally," Lucian interrupted quickly, raising his hand to stop her. "I prefer if you treat me like anyone else."
Tesserin straightened, blinking at him. After a beat, her wide smile returned in full force.
"I knew you were a decent guy! Come on, let's explore!" she said, skipping ahead joyfully as though nothing had happened.
Lucian sighed, falling into step behind her. That was how his friendship with Tesserin began—though he never could have imagined just how deeply it would grow.
Two years passed in the blink of an eye.
Lucian had forged deep bonds with many of his peers—not because of their status, but because they had become genuine companions.
Tonight, he found himself at a grand banquet within the imperial palace, celebrating the success of their recent raid against the demons. Their group had struck deep, stealing supplies that would deal a heavy blow to the enemy.
The ballroom was alive with music, laughter, and dancing. Golden chandeliers lit the polished marble, and the air buzzed with victory. Yet Lucian slipped quietly out onto the balcony, leaning against the railing as he gazed at the stars.
"What are you doing out here, Luc?"
He turned. Tesserin stood in the doorway, her gown a brilliant shade of blue that matched her eyes. The moonlight seemed to wrap around her, and Lucian felt heat rush to his face. He quickly turned back to the night sky.
"What are you doing here, Tess?" he asked.
She stepped forward and joined him at the railing.
"Wondered where you went. Evelyn was asking for you."
"Why?" Lucian frowned.
"I mean, you saved her little sister. She probably just wants to thank you properly."
"It was nothing," he muttered.
Silence stretched between them.
"Why aren't you joining us?" Tesserin finally asked.
Lucian pointed back into the ballroom.
"Look at them."
She followed his finger, spotting Marcus and Robert, both half-drunk, dancing in a sloppy circle with their arms linked.
"It would be embarrassing to stand beside those idiots," Lucian said flatly.
Tesserin laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "That's valid. But…" her tone softened, "…I can sense something else too."
Lucian shifted uncomfortably, avoiding her eyes. He tried to look away, but her steady gaze pulled him back in.
He sighed. "Why are you so good at reading people?"
"No," she corrected with a teasing smile. "I'm just good at reading you. So, what's wrong?"
After a brief silence, he spoke quietly. "…I feel out of place here. Like I don't deserve any of this."
"What do you mean?" she asked, tilting her head.
"I did nothing during the expedition. I only carried supplies. It was you all who fought. You all who made the difference."
Tesserin's brows knit together. "That's not true."
"That's the truth. I'm useless—"
"No!" Her sharp voice cut through his words. She glared at him, her eyes blazing.
"You singlehandedly carried thirty-two injured students and soldiers back to camp while the rest of us were fighting! Because of you, twenty-eight of them survived. And for the four we couldn't save, we were at least able to give them a proper burial—because you brought them home."
Lucian's lips pressed tightly together. "That could have been done by anyone."
"You're wrong." She stepped closer, her voice firm. "Look at me, Luc."
He didn't move.
"Lucian Merrick. Look at me," she ordered.
Reluctantly, he turned, meeting her piercing gaze.
Tesserin raised her hand and placed it over his chest, right above his heart.
"Listen here, Luc. We take lives… but you save them. When peace comes in the future, the world will need people like you more than it needs us."
His throat tightened. He swallowed hard before whispering, "…Thank you."
Her usual smile returned. She offered him her hand, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "So, are you going to dance with me, or what? You promised."
"I did," he admitted with a smile, taking her hand. Together, they stepped back into the hall.
For a while, everything was perfect. He had planned to confess his feelings in their third year. But fate had other plans.
Rain poured heavily that night, mixing with tears as he clutched Tesserin's cold body in his arms.
"Tess? Tess! TESS!"
The storm drowned his cries.
***
Lucian woke with a gasp, his chest heaving. His eyes darted around wildly until he realized—he was in his room. Alone.
He must have dozed off after his bath, right before dinner.
"Damn it…" he muttered, running a trembling hand through his hair.
The memories clung to him like chains. He cursed under his breath, forcing himself to stand. He straightened his clothes and made his way toward the dining hall. Dinner awaited.
But the ache in his chest followed.