Morning light crept into the bedroom, soft and insistent, painting the walls in pale gold. Mia stirred, letting out a sharp hiss as her hand flew to her back. The pain hit immediately.
The lash marks burned — angry red lines crisscrossing her skin, some swelling, some still tender and bleeding slightly.
She gritted her teeth. "Great. First day in this world, and I'm already half-dead."
Slowly, she pushed herself up, wincing at the stretch of her wounded muscles. Her arms trembled violently, and for a moment, she thought she might collapse back onto the bed.
She glanced at the mirror near the window. Her silver hair was tangled, her eyes sharp with a new fire, her cheek still swollen and faintly purple. She looked beautiful… but in a dangerous, untouchable way.
"Elara failed the exam because she cried," she murmured, her lips curling into a smirk. "I'm not that girl."
She reached for the medicine box on the table, fingers trembling slightly as she opened it. Cream, gauze, and bandages glinted softly in the morning light.
A soft knock sounded at the door.
"Lady Elara… may I come in?" a quiet, timid voice asked.
Mia exhaled sharply. "Come in."
The maid entered, carrying a folded cloak. Her eyes widened as they fell on Mia's bruised cheek and the angry red lines marking her back.
"Oh… my lady… does it hurt badly?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Mia raised a brow. "What do you think?"
The maid swallowed, looking guilty. "I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean—"
"It's fine," Mia said, sitting carefully on the edge of the bed. "Help me apply the medicine. Don't be afraid to touch it."
The maid approached hesitantly, her hands cold and trembling. Each time she touched a swollen lash mark, Mia inhaled sharply, gritting her teeth against the pain.
"Lady Seraphina insists you attend the Academy Entrance Exam," the maid whispered. "There's a carriage waiting."
Mia snorted. "Of course she insists. She wants to see me humiliated."
The maid looked down at the floor. "My lady… maybe you should rest. You're still hurt…"
Mia shook her head firmly. "I'm going. If I stay home, she wins."
The maid carefully bandaged the last wound and stepped back. "You might bleed again."
Mia stood slowly, adjusting her dress. "Then let them watch," she said, straightening her spine despite the sharp sting in her back.
The carriage ride was quiet. Mia leaned back, letting her fingers graze the bandages. Each movement reminded her of yesterday's whipping, but she forced herself to breathe evenly. Pain would not stop her.
When she arrived at the Imperial Magic Academy, a crowd had already gathered. Whispers erupted the moment she stepped down from the carriage.
"Is that the Rosenwald girl?"
"Look at her cheek—did someone hit her?"
"She came without magic. She'll fail again."
"Does she even know the first thing about mana?"
"I heard she's pathetic at spells."
Mia ignored the muttering. She straightened her back, forcing her expression to calm, regal. "Let them talk," she murmured under her breath.
At the gates, Seraphina waited, glowing like a goddess. Soft curls framed her perfect face, her aura radiant and commanding. Her gaze fell on Mia's bruised cheek.
"Elara, dear," Seraphina cooed, voice sweet and poisonous. "Rough night?"
Mia smiled lightly, the corners of her mouth curling just enough to make it clear she was not afraid. "Not as rough as yours will be."
Seraphina blinked. "What?"
"Nothing," Mia said, coolly. "You'll figure it out soon enough."
The first trial began immediately: the Mana Detection Orb. A huge crowd had gathered around the glowing white sphere. Students touched it one by one. Lights flashed. Colors spun. Cheers rose.
When Mia stepped forward, laughter rippled through the hall.
"She has no magic."
"Watch it stay dark again."
"She should go home."
"Imagine being embarrassed like this in front of everyone."
"Does she even know how to use mana?"
Even the judge sighed. "Lady Elara… please place your hand on the orb."
Mia lifted her palm. Her back throbbed painfully, a sharp sting burning through the bandage beneath her dress. She ignored it and touched the orb.
The orb flickered violently. It trembled as black veins crawled over its surface. A low, sharp crack echoed as the orb split with force, sparks flying.
The judge's eyes widened. "W–wait—!"
Suddenly, the orb erupted in a roaring burst of dark flame. Screams filled the hall. Smoke and ash swirled around.
"Impossible!"
"No mana should do that!"
"That's forbidden magic—!"
"Did you see that?!"
"She actually did it!"
Mia brushed ash from her fingers calmly. "Oops," she said. "Did I break it?"
The crowd fell silent, staring at her in shock.
Seraphina's voice rang out immediately. "I wish to spar with Lady Elara."
The crowd cheered loudly.
"Don't worry. I'll go easy," Seraphina said sweetly, but her eyes flashed with malice.
Mia cracked her neck, ignoring the pain in her back. "I won't go easy."
The match began.
Seraphina fired a holy blast.
Mia dodged.
Another blast.
Mia sidestepped again.
Another.
Mia laughed softly. "Missed again."
Seraphina's smile twitched. "Stay still!"
"Why?" Mia asked, smiling back. "Your aim is terrible."
Seraphina growled and summoned her golden chain, swinging it toward Mia's injured side. The movement tore a bandage, sending a stab of pain through her back.
Mia inhaled sharply.
Seraphina smirked. "Hurts, doesn't—"
Mia caught the chain with her bare hand.
The crowd froze.
Then, with a sharp snap that rang through the hall, the chain broke into jagged shards.
Seraphina stumbled backward, pale.
Mia dropped the pieces. "Your toy broke," she said simply.
Students murmured:
"She actually caught it!"
"No one survives that!"
"I can't believe she did it!"
"Even Seraphina looks afraid!"
The third trial began: Bloodline Verification.
The ancient crystal hummed softly.
"Place your hand inside the circle," the examiner instructed nervously.
Mia obeyed.
The crystal glowed, pulsing with light, then shook violently. The hum turned into a low, crackling roar.
Students stepped back.
"Is it reacting?"
"No way…"
"Her? Impossible!"
"I've never seen this before."
"It's like… magic from the void!"
CRACK. The crystal split violently, splintering in every direction.
A black dragon-shaped shadow roared behind Mia for a split second, coiling and twisting.
Gasps rippled through the hall.
The headmaster fell to his knees. "Void… Dragon…? How—?"
Mia pulled her hand back calmly. "Is that bad?"
Prince Cassian's boots echoed across the marble floor.
He approached, tall and cold, black hair slicked back, ice-blue eyes fixed on Mia. He glanced at the broken crystal, then at her.
"Elara," he said quietly. "What… are you?"
Mia wiped dust from her dress. "Still your fiancée. For now."
His eyes narrowed. "You broke a sacred artifact."
"Send the bill to Seraphina," Mia replied.
Seraphina trembled. "Your Highness! She… she attacked me!"
Cassian turned slowly. "Did she?"
Seraphina's voice died.
Mia folded her arms. "If you want to defend your saintess, at least do it properly."
Cassian looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time.
Princess Aurelia stepped forward. "Elara… may we speak privately?"
Mia turned slowly, meeting the princess's eyes, then looked past her — directly at Cassian and the entire hall.
"No need for private talks," she said clearly.
"Prince Cassian," she said, raising her voice so every noble, professor, and guard could hear.
The hall held its breath.
"You've always wanted to dissolve this engagement."
(In her thoughts) In fact, in the original story, you did it right here, right now, and Elara cried so hard she nearly killed herself from the shame.
Cassian's face shifted — shock, confusion, something darker. Seraphina's eyes widened, lips parting.
Mia smiled coldly. "So let me do it for you."
She straightened, silver hair catching the light like a blade.
"I, Elara von Rosenwald, officially accept the dissolution of my engagement to Prince Cassian."
Chaos erupted, Gasps, screams, whispers turning into shouts.
Seraphina looked lost, almost scared.
Cassian stepped forward, hand outstretched. "Elara—!"
Mia didn't wait. She turned. Walked away.
Her heels clicked on floor. Her back burned with every step, but she didn't falter. Her head stayed high,Her spine straight. Not a single tear.
Cassian called again, voice cracking. "Elara!"