Eddie flipped through a mountain of books with furious focus while Chippy groaned dramatically, her head planted flat on the table.

  “Eddiiieee!”

  Eddie didn’t even look up. He kept flipping.

  “EEDDDIIEEEE!!!” she wailed louder, practically on the verge of tears.

  “What?!” Eddie snapped, slamming a book shut.

  “Where’s Rin?”

  “I don’t know! She’s your roommate!” he shot back, burying his face so deep into another book he couldn’t even read the words anymore.

  A few moments of silence passed. Then—

  “Eddieee!!!”

  “What!”

  “What are you doinggg?”

  “I’m— I’m studying, you moron!”

  “Ughhh! Whyyyy?”

  “B-Because midterms are next week?!”

  Chippy gasped as if struck by lightning. “How did midterms arrive so fast?! Winter break was only… yesterday!”

  “No it wasn’t! Winter break was three months ago!”

  “Noooooo!” Chippy moaned into the table, kicking her feet helplessly.

  Eddie groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Eddie?”

  “Yes, Chippy?”

  “Where’s Rin?”

  “CHIPPY, WHAT THE HECK?! I STILL DON’T KNOW!!!”

  “Ughhh!” Chippy groaned, flopping back in her chair.

  “Besides!” Eddie said, nose still buried in his book, “even if I know, she doesn’t have time for us anymore.” His cheeks colored faintly.

  “Oh yeah!” Chippy suddenly shot upright, snapping her fingers. “She’s been different lately! Always smiling, always busy!”

  “Whatever that means.”

  “What?! Come on, I’m happy for her! Usually she’s all gloomy and quiet and—annoying, like, . But now? She’s a completely different girl!”

  “I liked it better that way.”

  “What?!”

  “What?—I mean, I like her better now! It’s just…” He trailed off, tapping his pencil against the desk. “She barely talks to us anymore.”

  “She’s probably too busy talking to her .” Chippy giggled, resting her chin on her palm with a dreamy sigh. “She must be in heaven.”

  “Yeah? Well, I don’t trust him. How does a guy just appear out of nowhere and call himself her father?”

  “Really?” Chippy said, smirking. “From the way you were when he patted your head, you looked awfully convinced.”

  “What?! N-No I wasn’t!” Eddie stammered, eyes wide. “…Y-you saw that?”

  “Mhmm!” Chippy teased with a sing-song lilt.

  “I—I still don’t trust him!” he said, pouting now. “She’s changed so much… grown so far away from us. And—is she even anymore? She didn’t do that well on the last midterms!”

  “She still passed, didn’t she?”

  “There’s a difference between

  and being , Chippy.”

  “Uh huh? And there’s a difference between being and being , Mister Know-It-All.”

  “That’s not what I meant!!!”

  Chippy shrugged, smiling slyly. “Sure, sure. Whatever you say.”

  “Knock it off!”

  “Fine, fine! I’ll go find—”

  The door swung open.

  Rin stepped into the lobby, her hair tied back neatly, a faint glow of energy about her.

  “” Chippy shrieked, leaping from her chair like she’d just seen a celebrity.

  “” Rin replied, skipping over with a bright grin.

  “Look who finally decided to show up,” Eddie groaned as Rin plopped down beside Chippy. “You

  have been studying for midterms.”

  “Yeah, I was! I wanted to practice the new runes we learned!” Rin said proudly.

  “See?” Chippy interjected, smirking.

  “All by yourself?!” Eddie asked, squinting.

  Rin flinched. “Um… y-yeah?”

  “Excuse me?” Chippy snapped. “What’s so wrong with Rin practicing by herself?”

  “She does that! Usually, I’m the one with her!”

  “That doesn’t make any sense!” Chippy shot back. “If you’re with her all the time, then—” She froze, eyes widening before breaking into a devilish grin. “Ohhhhh… I think I get what’s going on here.”

  “Wh-what’s going on?” Rin asked innocently, blinking between them.

  Eddie’s face flushed crimson.

  “You have a

  on Rin!” Chippy declared.

  “ NO I DON’T!”

  “Crush?” Rin repeated softly, tilting her head in confusion.

  “Rin! Shut your ears! Don’t listen to her!” Eddie barked, panicking.

  “But—but, what’s a ?” Rin asked again, pure curiosity in her voice.

  “Mhmm!” Chippy pressed on, ignoring him entirely. “Eddie Rin! And Eddie is

  that Rin’s daddy is taking all of Rin’s time away from him!”

  “That’s not true! That’s not true at all!!!” Eddie shouted, jumping up and slamming his palms on the table.

  Several students turned toward the commotion. Eddie froze, mortified, and slowly sank back into his seat, whispering, “I-I don’t have a crush on Rin… and I don’t care if her dad takes up her time! She—she just…”

  “It’s okay, Eddie!” Rin said, smiling warmly. “I like you too! My dad is very nice! He’ll let us be friends, I promise!”

  “Nooo, Rin!” Chippy squealed, shaking her shoulder with laughter. She covered her mouth with one hand, trying to contain her giggles. “He you!”

  “” Rin blinked again.

  “Mhmm!” Chippy nodded with exaggerated seriousness. “He wants to you! And—and K-I-S-S you!”

  She burst into uncontrollable laughter.

  Eddie groaned, dragging both hands down his face. “No! I don’t want to marry Rin! I like her name as it is!”

  “What?!” Rin squeaked, cheeks flushing pink. “Eddie?! Y-you to marry me?!”

  “No! I didn’t mean it like that at all! I like your The I—I’m not good with names!”

  Rin tilted her head, scratching at her hair. “What’s my name have to do with anything?”

  “Ohhh, you don’t know?” Chippy said, eyes sparkling with mischief.

  Rin shook her head.

  “When a girl gets married, her full name changes to whatever her husband chooses!” Chippy explained proudly. “When my brother married big-sis Aimee, her name wasn’t always Aimee—it used to be Mina, I think.”

  “Whaaat?” Rin gasped. “That pretty lady from Christmas break isn’t actually named Aimee?”

  “Nope! It’s just tradition! Way, back before, girls had to give up their old names completely. But now? Things are cooler! I’m totally keeping name when I get married!”

  “I… I think I want to keep my name too,” Rin said thoughtfully. “Actually, he can change my first name. I just want to keep my last name…”

  “What?! You like that junk name?!” Eddie teased, smirking.

  Seeing her opening, Chippy gasped dramatically. “Pftt! She meant silly! She’s okay with

  marrying her!”

  “” Eddie yelped, practically choking on air.

  “Chippy! I didn’t mean Eddie!” Rin protested, waving her arms frantically. “I meant anyone I get married to!”

  “Aww, don’t say that, Rin! You’re gonna break Eddie’s poor little fragile heart!” Chippy sang, wagging a teasing finger at him.

  Eddie’s face went scarlet. “STOP SAYING THAT! YOU’RE MAKING ME SO MADDD!!!” he shouted, loud enough for the whole room to hear.

  Dozens of students turned toward them again.

  Eddie froze, eyes wide, before slowly curling in on himself and covering his face.

  “” he groaned, muffled by his palms.

  “Wait, why did Mrs. Aimee choose to let your brother change her name?” Rin asked curiously.

  “Oh, she to,” Chippy replied with a shrug. “It’s our choice, you know?”

  “Oh… I see. That makes sense,” Rin said softly, smiling at the idea.

  “UGH! THAT’S IT! GET OUT OF MY ROOM, OBY!” a boy’s voice suddenly roared across the lobby.

  A moment later, Oby came tumbling out of the hallway — backpack, clothes, and even a pillow flying with him. He landed face-first on the floor, trembling and whimpering like a kicked puppy.

  The three kids froze, wide-eyed.

  “Boaten?” came the sharp, booming voice of House Master Vanessa. The lobby fell silent instantly. “You’ve been expelled from your room, I see.”

  “Y-Yes, House Master…” Boaten mumbled, still on his hands and knees. His head was lowered, face burning with humiliation. Rin’s heart twisted a little — she didn’t need to see his expression to know how embarrassed he felt.

  “Looks like I’ll need to find you a new roommate then, won’t I?” Vanessa said, flicking her wand and a clipboard rose into the air. A pen writing on it all by itself.

  “Yes, House Master…”

  “Fine then. Fens?”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  “Yes, House Master?” A boy jumped to his feet, posture stiff.

  “Pack your belongings. You’ll now be sharing your room with Armon.”

  “What?! No way!” Eddie blurted, standing up so fast his chair screeched against the floor. “He’s

  roommate!”

  Vanessa didn’t even blink. “Yes. That’s right. Your roommate is Boaten. Boaten—take your belongings to Trofen’s room at once. Make yourself at home. Oh, and try not to get kicked out again.”

  “Noooooo!!!” Eddie groaned, dropping his head into his palms in total despair.

  Chippy and Rin looked at each other, confused.

  “What’s… just happened’?” Rin whispered.

  Chippy shrugged, confused, then looked over to Eddie.

  “…Eddie… um… what’s your room number?” Oby asked quietly, eyes glued to the floor.

  “Whyyyy did I have to share a room with of all people…” Eddie groaned.

  “I—I’m sorry…”

  “God! You better be! It’s… room 207.”

  “O-Okay… thank you… sorry…” Oby mumbled, dragging his luggage and backpack behind him while clutching a pillow awkwardly under his arm.

  “Um… Eddie?” Rin asked gently.

  “Yes, Rin?”

  “What was that about?”

  “Ughhh! I got paired with the weirdest kid in the entire academy! I don’t even know how he got in! Armon used his one on Oby and—just my luck—he ends up with me!”

  “What’s a kick-out?” Chippy chimed in, tilting her head.

  “What? You don’t know what a

  is? How did you have two brothers go here and tell you how the school works?!” Eddie threw his hands up, exasperated.

  “They… may have told me… and… I may have forgotten… hehe…” Chippy said, pressing her two index fingers together sheepishly.

  Eddie sighed so hard it might’ve deflated his soul. “Sounds about right. Anyway—every student gets one kick-out when they move into a new house. For example, if we move from the South House to the North House, we each get a new one. And then again if we moved again such as from the North to the West. You can use it to kick out your roommate if you can’t stand them anymore. But here’s the catch—it Once you use it, it’s gone.”

  “Whaaat?!” Rin and Chippy shouted in perfect unison, then glanced at each other, equally horrified.

  “Rin! You—you won’t use your kick-out on me, right?!” Chippy whimpered, eyes glistening like she might cry.

  “N-No! Never! Please don’t kick me out either! I promise I’ll be a good roommate!”

  “Noo! You already a good roommate! I’d never kick you out!!!” Chippy cried, throwing her arms around Rin as the two clung to each other dramatically.

  Eddie rolled his eyes. “Oh, give me a break. Looks like I’m gonna have to use now. No way am I sleeping in the same room as that freak!”

  “What’s so wrong with sharing a room with him?” Rin asked softly, pulling back from Chippy.

  “He’s He stays up all night muttering and chanting stuff under his breath—it’s ”

  “But he seems nice! He helped clean you up that one time in alchemy class,” Rin pointed out.

  “He’s a I wish he’d never even come to this academy!” Eddie snapped. “Ugh! I can’t focus on studying right now! He’s probably rummaging through my stuff already!”

  He scooped up his books in a flustered huff and stormed toward the stairs.

  Rin watched him go, frowning. “I think Oby just… wants a friend.”

  “Oh yeah? Then how about

  try being his friend!” Eddie called back.

  “If she can be friends with

  she can be friends with anyone!” Chippy shot back without missing a beat.

  “Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?! You’re friends with me too!” Eddie snapped while rushing out.

  “Oh yeah. Never mind! Forget I said anything!” Chippy said quickly, clapping her hands together with a grin.

  Rin raised an eyebrow. “I think everyone’s being mean to Oby for no reason!”

  “Are you going to find out why?” Chippy asked, half teasing, half serious—like she was daring Rin to prove it.

  “I… I will!” Rin said, puffing her cheeks. “It’s not fair! He’s probably like me! I don’t know what I would’ve done if you or Eddie weren’t my friends… He probably just needs friends too! And—and if that’s the case, I’ll be his friend! Just watch! He isn’t a weird boy!” she declared, slamming her tiny fist lightly on the table for emphasis.

  Chippy smiled proudly. “You go show Eddie who’s boss, girl!” Then, as her gaze drifted toward Rin’s wrist, she blinked. “Hey! What’s that?” she asked, pointing.

  Rin looked down at her right hand. “Oh! My dad gave it to me. He said it used to belong to my mom before she… before she passed. He told me to wear it because it reminded him of her.”

  “Aww… that’s so sweet,” Chippy said, leaning closer to inspect it.

  It was a simple, glossy black bangle—plain at first glance, but strangely pristine. It gleamed under the lamplight, without a single scratch or dent. It didn’t even like normal plastic; it almost looked alive, like it reflected more than light—like it reflected something unseen.

  “Miss Arthur?” House Master Vanessa’s voice echoed through the lobby.

  “Yes, House Master?” Rin replied, standing up straight.

  “You are required at the director’s office. Please make way,” she said, flicking her wand toward the door.

  At the entrance, Vanessa’s ghostly knight stood waiting—mounted atop its spectral horse, the faint blue light from its armor casting soft reflections across the walls.

  Rin hesitated for a moment, confusion knitting her brow. But she gave a polite nod and headed out.

  As the door closed behind her, Chippy slumped over the table with a long, dramatic sigh before letting her head fall back against the wood.

  “I’m so lonely!” she moaned.

  #

  Rin sat on a cushioned bench outside the grand double doors, her legs swinging back and forth as she waited to be called in. She could hear faint voices through the thick wood and tried to sit still, but the nervousness made her fidget.

  Finally, the doors creaked open and a woman in formal robes stepped out.

  “Rin? Director Benneth will see you now.”

  Her eyes lit up instantly.

  Her grin grew wide as she hopped off the seat, barely able to contain herself. The woman held the door open, and Rin stepped inside—wanting to run to him, to shout his name the moment she saw him—but she caught herself.

  The doors closed behind her.

  “Rin, my little girl!” The familiar voice called.

  That was all it took. Rin burst forward, tears springing to her eyes as she ran into his open arms.

  “Uncle Remmy!!!” she cried, wrapping her arms around him tightly.

  “How are you, my dear?!” Benneth exclaimed, his face lighting up. “You’ve been so happy lately! Every time I see you, you’re smiling — that makes me so happy, my dear!”

  He pulled her into a tight squeeze before gesturing toward the seat in front of his desk. “Come now, have a seat! We’ve both been so busy, we haven’t had a proper chat! Tell me — has that Drenco lad still been bothering you?”

  Rin plopped into the chair across from him, resting her chin on her hands as she leaned forward over the desk — her favorite pose whenever she wanted to talk seriously.

  “He has been! But not so much! He usually just looks at me, frowns, then walks away.”

  “Well, that’s a start,” Benneth chuckled. “I’d have spoken to his parents already, but I’m afraid a conversation alone wouldn’t do much good.”

  “It’s okay! I can handle him now! I’m strong!” Rin said, puffing her cheeks and flexing her arm — despite having no visible muscle at all.

  “Oh wow! Look at you! What a strong girl you are!” Benneth laughed heartily, the sound filling the office with warmth.

  Rin giggled softly, twirling a pen between her fingers.

  “Have you been alright too, Uncle Remmy? Is anyone bothering you?”

  “Oh my! You know I can’t keep things from you,” Benneth chuckled. “That little runt Vix has been ignoring my calls lately. I’ve got urgent business with him, as you know.”

  “M-Mister Vix?” Rin echoed, her voice shrinking. Her brows lowered, and her shoulders drew in as if she’d been pricked. Benneth immediately caught the change.

  “What’s wrong, dear?”

  “N-Nothing…” she murmured, staring down at the pen she was fidgeting with.

  Benneth tilted his head. “Are you really going to hide this from me?”

  “N-No! I… it’s just… Mister Vix was… upset. Tired, I think… the last time I saw him…” she hesitated, her voice falling to a whisper. “And…”

  Benneth clicked his tongue softly. “The boy blew up on you, didn’t he?”

  “…He did…” Rin admitted with a small sniffle.

  “You don’t deserve that, Rin. Though, I must commend how understanding you are,” he said kindly, leaning forward with that fatherly patience she’d always loved.

  Rin stayed quiet, gripping the pen tight between her fingers. She wanted to stay composed, but the thought tugged at her chest until she finally looked up.

  “Uncle Remmy?” she began softly.

  “Yes?”

  “Why… do you care about me so much?”

  Benneth blinked, caught off guard.

  “It’s not that I don’t like it,” she continued, her tone trembling, “it’s just… I’m afraid.”

  “Afraid?” Benneth repeated, chuckling gently. “Hoho! Preposterous! What would you ever need to be afraid of? And with me?”

  Rin shook her head quickly. “No, I’m not afraid of ! I’m afraid you’d… be angry with me one day. Or… upset with me. Or… done with me?” Her voice wavered, rising at the end like she was scared to even ask.

  “Nonsense, dear! I’d never!” Benneth said, laughing in that same jolly, booming way he always did.

  Rin laughed with him—at first. But when she stopped, he didn’t. His laughter lingered too long, thinning into something forced. She tilted her head, quietly watching him, wondering why he was keeping the act up.

  Benneth noticed. He cleared his throat softly, his gaze drifting toward his desk, eyes searching its surface as though the words he wanted might be hidden there.

  “…I’m sorry, dear,” he finally said, his voice low and distant. “You remind me of a young girl I used to know. Back when I was a professor here.”

  Rin blinked. “You were a professor?”

  “Yes,” he said with a faint smile. “Head professor of the Charms and Trust class—back when I still had a spring in my step!”

  “But you do!” Rin said earnestly.

  “Haha! I do indeed, don’t I?” Benneth chuckled, but the smile faded almost as soon as it appeared.

  “…What happened to the girl? Was she like me?”

  He shook his head. “No, she wasn’t. She was so unlike you.”

  Rin leaned forward, eyes wide with curiosity.

  “She was special in her own way,” Benneth continued softly. “An incredible talent for mana efficiency and enchantments. Came from an affluent but strict family. Always so dreary—her lips thin, her eyes narrowed, annoyed at anything and everything. She spent most of her time in the Center House.”

  “C-Center House?” Rin asked, almost whispering.

  “Indeed,” Benneth nodded. “A brilliant girl. You don’t remind me of her because of her personality, though. It’s just… the feeling.”

  He paused, then sighed. “I saw her once, years ago. Spoke to her briefly. Told her my door was open if she ever needed anything. Years passed before she ever came back. When she finally did, she looked different—head held high, voice steady, no tremble in her step. But I could tell she was broken. You can that sort of thing when you’ve been around long enough.”

  Rin was listening so intently now that she’d stopped fidgeting altogether.

  “She never smiled,” Benneth said quietly. “And for some reason, I became obsessed with seeing it. I wanted to know what it would look like… what it would like. I tried everything. I lifted burdens for her, offered counsel, shared anything that could help. And in time, she became an Enforcer.”

  “Enforcer?” Rin repeated.

  “Indeed,” he said, looking at her with a knowing smile. “Much like how dream to, don’t you?”

  “I want to be a strong sorceress…” Rin said softly.

  “Yes, dear child.” He nodded. “She, however… didn’t get to live under such a pristine rank for very long. She passed before I could ever see her smile.”

  “…Oh…” Rin murmured, lowering her gaze.

  “It’s not all that sad an ending,” Benneth said, forcing another small smile. “I read the reports later. I couldn’t help it.” His voice cracked slightly. “She smiled. She laughed. She did so a lot… in her last mission.”

  “…How?” Rin asked softly.

  “She became the youngest female captain the Enforcers had ever seen,” Benneth said, his tone turning proud yet distant. “She commanded a squad so elite that the greatest threat of that era — the GNL — was brought to extinction solely because of their efforts.”

  His eyes softened as he leaned back in his chair. “Young Staffire was a sergeant in her squad.”

  “Y–Yaxon?!” Rin gasped, eyes wide.

  “Indeed, back then, the playing field was far more even.”

  “Whoa… she must’ve been

  strong to fight alongside him!” Rin said in awe.

  Benneth laughed softly and nodded. “She was indeed. I’m so thankful she had a squad — no, — who gave her peace in her final moments.”

  He paused, his smile faltering. “I just… am a selfish and greedy man.”

  “Selfish? You’re not mean at all, Uncle Remmy.”

  “I might be mean sometimes,” he said with a faint laugh, “but it’s true — I selfish. I greedy. I wanted to see you smile. Not to the reason, mind you — that would be improper — but simply to know that you . My little girl…” His eyes glistened as he leaned forward, resting his chin atop his clasped hands over his cane. “Your head is held high like hers once was. You smile, you study, you work toward your purpose… you aren’t broken anymore. And I can’t help but wonder why.”

  He smiled knowingly.

  Rin blinked, her cheeks flushing pink. “Oh! I’m just…” she stammered before hiding her face with her hands. “H–He’s back…! My father is back!” she said, her voice bursting into a squeal.

  “What?” Benneth’s voice cracked like a whip. His eyes widened, and for the first time in front of Rin, the warmth in his face twisted into something darker — alarm, disbelief, fear. “Your father?!”

  “Yes! He’s back! He’s really here!” Rin said, beaming — but the moment she saw Benneth’s expression, her smile faltered.

  “…You’re certain?” His tone was grave now, his hand tightening around his cane.

  “Mhmm! How can I not be?! I’m his daughter! And he’s my dad! Our mom passed in a fight with that group you just mentioned, but he’s also an Enforcer!”

  Benneth rose so fast his chair scraped against the floor. “What did you just say?”

  “Wh-what?”

  “What’s his name!” His voice thundered, his face rigid, veins tightening along his temple.

  Rin flinched, clutching her wand instinctively as her throat caught. “S–Steve… Arthur?” she said, trembling.

  Benneth froze. For a moment, he looked utterly lost — then his fury returned, barely contained. “...How can it be?!” he muttered under his breath, pacing toward the wall.

  “M-Mister… er, I mean, Director Cans— Director Kansas…”

  “Cannus?” Benneth snapped, his eyes darting to her.

  “Yes! He helped us reunite… I’m thankful for—”

  “Rin, dear…” Benneth’s tone softened for only a second — then it hardened like stone. “I want you to stay away from that man.”

  “The Director?” Rin asked, confused.

  “No!” Benneth slammed his cane onto the floor, the sound echoing through the office. “That man who

  to be your father!”

  “What?!” Rin gasped, shrinking back.

  “Please.” Benneth’s voice trembled now — not from anger, but from genuine fear. “Trust me, dear. He cannot be trusted! The Director set you up with some… stranger to have you dismissed!”

  “B-But he’s not a stranger!” Rin shouted, voice shaking with emotion.

  “No, Rin! You don’t understand!” Benneth’s both hands slamming onto the desk. The warmth in his eyes had burned away, replaced by raw fear. “Every goddamn director here wants to get rid of you! They want you removed from this school! They don’t care about your safety—they… they don’t even care if you ”

  “Uncle Remmy!” Rin’s voice broke as tears welled up, blurring her vision. “You’re—you’re yelling at me!!!” she shouted, the pen she’d been fidgeting with clattering to the floor.

  Benneth froze, his lips trembling as he reached out a hand but stopped midway. “Rin! My beautiful little girl…” His tone softened, almost pleading now. “Your life is in danger. Do not trust that man. Do not! Let me confirm this. I promise you—I’ll keep you safe! I—”

  “No!” Rin’s voice cracked into a wail, her fists curling as tears streamed down her cheeks. “You’re—you’re just like Mister Vix! I’m finally happy! I’m finally… not broken! I have a dad now! I have a family now! Why is that so concerning?!”

  “Rin!” Benneth’s voice thundered again, but this time it was heavy with desperation, like a man trying to grab someone from a ledge before they fall.

  “No! Just—just stay away from me!” Rin shouted, her voice trembling, cracking between rage and heartbreak. “Both of you! Vix and you! Stop pretending you care about me when all you care about is yourselves! Him and his stupid missions, and you—” Her words broke apart mid-sentence, swallowed by tears she could no longer hold back.

  Benneth froze, watching the little girl’s face twist in pain, realizing too late that she didn’t understand what he was trying to protect her from. That maybe, she wasn’t meant to.

  “Rin, wait! Come back!” he called, his voice raw.

  But she was already gone—storming out, her shoes echoing through the marble halls. The doors slammed open, and cold air rushed in, carrying her away before he could even reach the threshold.

  He tried to chase her—cane clattering, breath heaving—but his legs betrayed him halfway down the corridor. He barely caught himself before falling, his hand clutching the silver head of his cane so tightly his knuckles blanched.

  “Damn it…” he muttered through clenched teeth, his voice shaking with both fury and sorrow. “Not again…”

  Slowly, he turned, sensing the faintest presence lingering behind him in the shadows of the office doorway.