0. Prologue
—Marz 600 · Early Spring
In the middle of the Imperial Academy grounds, students gathered in the open plaza. Their attention was fixed on the notice board displaying the ranking results for each department.
Standing among the crowd was Asteria. As a prospective student who had just passed the academy's entrance selection, she had successfully made it into Class A—the place where only the most outstanding students gathered.
Aster clenched her fist against her chest, pride swelling within her for having made it this far. At the same time, whispers began to spread among the surrounding students.
"Hey, isn't that her? That fallen noble?"
"You're right. Why is she even in this academy? Where did she get the money?"
"Heehee… maybe she's being kept by some rich noble. I mean, she is quite pretty, isn't she?"
Hearing the mockery, Aster remained silent and chose not to respond. To her, arguing with nobles who only cared about status was pointless.
Just as she was about to leave—
"Hey, Aster…"
Another girl called out to her, followed by a young man. They were identical twins, both with black hair. The girl hurried over, slightly out of breath.
The twins were Asteria's childhood friends. When her family's situation worsened and she was forced to move to the countryside, she had met them at the orphanage where she stayed. They grew up together, eventually forming an adventuring party of their own. No one knew that the three of them were already quite experienced adventurers, despite being only seventeen years old.
After a brief conversation, they began walking back toward their lodging. However, along the way, they spotted a group of nobles bullying a student from the commoner class.
"I-I'm sorry…" a girl said, seated on the ground before the nobles. One of them had silver-white hair, and judging from his uniform, he was clearly a high-ranking noble.
The bullying continued. The twins took a step forward—
But their movement stopped—not out of hesitation, but because a brown-haired girl had already stepped in, positioning herself between the victim and the nobles. She tried to shield the girl who was being bullied.
Asteria didn't know why, but the scene felt strange to her.
As if something that was supposed to happen… had been missed.
A brief confrontation broke out, until the imperial prince—who happened to be passing by—noticed the disturbance. His gaze shifted—not toward the twins standing stiffly at the edge of the crowd, but toward the girl standing in front of the victim.
For a moment, his expression changed.
Then he stepped forward, moving to break up the conflict.
---
The next morning, as the announcement of outstanding students began, all academy members gathered once again in the plaza. That was when the unexpected happened. A sudden explosion shook the academy gates, followed by plumes of black smoke—marking the arrival of terror in the middle of the ceremony.
A terrorist attack.
Students and professors alike joined forces to repel the attackers.
In the midst of the chaos, Asteria saw the silver-haired noble—the same one who had been bullying others—cornered. Without thinking, she rushed in and saved him.
The noble could only stare at her, his cheeks faintly flushed. When their eyes met, Asteria felt something that made her uncomfortable.
It wasn't gratitude—
but something stickier, heavier.
She brushed the feeling aside, assuming she was simply exhausted.
After that incident, the silver-haired noble began approaching Asteria repeatedly. She tried to distance herself, but gradually, his presence turned into harassment. It was soon revealed that he was a problematic noble known for bullying those weaker than himself.
Relying on his status, he continued to target Asteria.
---
—Juno 600 · Early Summer
During the survival exam, the silver-haired noble confessed his feelings to Asteria—only to be rejected. At that time, Asteria was focused solely on achieving high scores and becoming the top student, in order to restore her noble status.
It was a promise she had made to her late father.
As a result of her rejection, the trials she faced grew even harsher—all orchestrated by the silver-haired noble. Fortunately, Asteria managed to endure with the help of the twins.
Leaves that were once lush began to fall. Rivers that once flowed swiftly slowly started to freeze.
---
—Diciem 600 · Early Winter
Asteria was kidnapped by the silver-haired noble, but was successfully rescued by the twins. With his plans repeatedly thwarted, the noble eventually challenged one of the twins to a duel.
The male twin accepted.
The battle was brief. The gap in their strength was overwhelmingly clear. After suffering a crushing defeat, all of the noble's crimes within the academy were finally exposed.
However, due to his noble status, his punishment amounted to an early suspension just before the winter break.
With that nuisance gone, Asteria's academy life improved significantly. Though she still received jealous looks from other nobles due to her achievements, it was nothing compared to the bullying she had endured before.
---
A week after the duel, inside an academy classroom—
"Hey, Aster… wanna hear some good news?" the black-haired girl sitting beside her whispered softly. She was one of the twins.
"Hm? What is it?"
"I heard that the perverted bastard who kept bothering you got into an accident."
"Huh, seriously? Where did you hear that?"
"Hehehe, I've got a lot of information channels, you know. Apparently he slipped down the stairs and lost consciousness. That jerk totally deserved his karma, don't you think?"
"Hm… you're right… but I hope he's okay."
"Hey, why do you still care about that bastard, Aster? Don't tell me you actually like him?"
Hearing her friend's remark, Asteria let out a small chuckle and shook her head.
"Of course not. There are still many things I need to do here—far more important than worrying about him."
The black-haired girl patted Aster's shoulder.
"That's good. As your friend, I'll always help you."
Hearing that, the corner of Asteria's lips lifted slightly.
"Thanks… Elaine. You and Elvan really are my best friends."
The two girls continued their warm conversation as class went on.
They didn't know—
that from that very day, the world had begun to take on the wrong role…
and fate had stopped recognizing its actors.