Eight years.
Eight whole years since I got dragged into this chaotic, magic-filled, why-is-everything-trying-to-kill-me world.
And now?
Imperial Academy.
The place where geniuses rise, nobles flex, commoners struggle—and apparently, where my very possible future death flag is waiting for me with open arms.
…Exciting.
Terrifying.
Mostly exciting.
—
"Miss Eve, which one do you prefer?"
Annie held up two outfits like my life depended on it.
To be fair—it kinda did.
I glanced at both and pointed lazily. "Left. I'd rather not trip mid-exam and embarrass myself publicly. I'd like to fail with dignity, thank you."
Selene snorted softly while fixing my hair into a sleek braided half-up style.
"Miss, you won't fail," she said.
"I appreciate the blind confidence."
Marie helped me into my outfit—a midnight-blue fitted tunic with silver embroidery, paired with tailored black trousers and knee-high boots.
Elegant.
Practical.
And most importantly—not something I'd die in.
"Accessories," Annie declared like a general preparing for war.
"Keep it minimal. I'm here to pass, not get married."
Still, they added a delicate silver ear cuff and a thin sapphire bracelet.
Subtle.
Deadly.
Perfect.
—
I left Lumi—my Luminox—in their care.
He stared at me like, betrayal.
"Relax," I whispered. "I'll come back alive. Probably."
He flicked his tail.
Rude.
—
Downstairs, Theo was already waiting.
"Morning, Eve."
"Morning, future heartbreaker."
He sighed. "You're starting early today."
"Consistency is key."
We stepped outside—
—and there he was.
Kaelith.
Leaning against the carriage like he owned the world.
Which… honestly? He probably could if he tried.
"Wait," I said, jogging over.
Before he could react—
I hugged him.
He froze.
Completely.
"Missed me?" I grinned.
"…No."
Liar.
Still, he sighed and placed something in my hair—a silver ornament with embedded sapphires.
"Don't remove it," he said. "It has layered barrier spells. And tracking."
"…Wow. Possessive much?"
"Preventive."
"Same thing."
He flicked my forehead.
Again.
I swear, one day I'm suing.
—
Inside the carriage—
Theo smirked.
"You're close."
"Don't start."
"You hugged him."
"I hug people."
"You don't hug people."
"…Shut up."
He laughed.
Traitor.
—
The academy was massive.
Elegant buildings, students everywhere—nobles, commoners, all buzzing with energy.
It felt…
Familiar.
Like stepping into my old university life.
Except now?
Explosion risk: significantly higher.
—
"Eve."
That voice.
Of course.
Crown Prince Cassian.
Walking toward us like a literal main character—with two equally dramatic companions behind him.
"Good morning," I said with a polite nod.
"Drop the formalities," he smiled. "We're not strangers."
Behind him—
A blond guy with glasses stepped forward. "Claus Veridan. Ducal heir."
Then a redhead grinned. "Riven Dastor. Marquis family. Also the fun one."
"…Debatable," Claus muttered.
"I like him already," I said.
Theo sighed. "Of course you do."
—
We walked together toward the exam hall.
It was awkward.
Not "oh this is nice" awkward.
More like "two male leads and I'm the accidental center of tension" awkward.
I deserved compensation for this.
—
Written exam first.
Two hours.
Easy.
I finished early and spent the remaining time staring out the window, questioning my life choices.
—
Then—
Practical exam.
Magic.
And oh.
My.
God.
The chants.
"By the sacred tides of the goddess, I summon—WATER BURST!"
Splash.
Minimal damage.
Next.
"Oh blazing inferno of the heavens—FIRE SPHERE!"
Tiny explosion.
Next.
"Spirits of wind, heed my elegant dance—"
There was an actual spin.
A SPIN.
I covered my face.
"I can't watch this," I whispered. "Second-hand embarrassment is fatal."
Kaelith's voice echoed in my head from memory:
"Chants are optional. Drama is unnecessary."
These people clearly did not get the memo.
—
"Evelyn Ravenshade."
My turn.
Finally.
I stepped forward, exhaling slowly.
No chant.
No dance.
No nonsense.
Just—
"Flare Lance."
A condensed beam of fire formed in my palm—
Then—
I launched it.
BOOM.
The target?
Gone.
Wall?
Gone.
Dignity?
Also gone.
A clean, smoking hole replaced everything.
Silence.
I blinked.
"…Well."
The instructor stared at me like I just committed a crime.
"I—uh—might've overdone it."
"You think?" someone whispered.
"I'm so sorry!" I bowed quickly. "That was not intentional—well, partially intentional—but not that intentional!"
The instructor stuttered. "J-just… wait for results…"
I nodded and immediately fled the scene.
—
Fast walking.
Head down.
Regret levels: rising.
And then—
thud
I bumped into someone.
"Eve?"
…Oh no.
Cassian.
Of course it was him.
He helped me up. "You okay?"
"I'm fantastic. Thriving. Definitely not running from a crime scene."
"…That sounds suspicious."
Before I could escape—
Riven appeared. "Yo! Someone blew a hole in one of the exam rooms!"
Claus added, "Massive damage. Likely top scorer."
I froze.
Do not react.
Do not react.
Do not react—
"…Eve?" Cassian narrowed his eyes.
I cracked.
"…It was me."
Silence.
"I DIDN'T MEAN TO," I rushed. "I just—used a slightly stronger spell—and then boom—and now there's ventilation where there shouldn't be!"
They stared.
Then—
Riven grinned. "That's amazing."
Claus adjusted his glasses. "Impressive control. Poor restraint."
Cassian sighed—but smiled.
"You'll be fine."
"…You sure?"
"Eve," he said, amused, "you didn't fail."
Pause.
"You made an entrance."
I blinked.
Then smirked.
"…Good."
Because honestly?
If I'm going down in this academy—
I'm doing it dramatically.