The halls of the council wing were unusually quiet that afternoon.
Blanche's boots echoed softly against the polished marble floor as she turned the last corner, eyes scanning the corridor for signs of life. The usual presence of mana-sealed scrolls and floating orbs felt… still. Too still.
Where is he...?
She finally reached the door to the Student Council Chamber, only to find it… slightly ajar.
Odd.
She knocked once, then stepped inside carefully.
"Silas?"
No response.
The room was empty. The long desk, the grand window, the usual lingering scent of ceremonial tea—everything was in place. Just... no Silas.
But then—
"Looking for someone?"
A calm, friendly voice came from the far side of the room.
Blanche turned.
There stood a boy she didn't recognize.
Simple uniform, slightly rolled sleeves, hair tousled like he'd walked through wind all morning. His expression was soft, like someone who never raised his voice even when mad.
"Sorry, didn't mean to sneak up on you," he said, scratching the back of his head.
"You lookin' for Silas?"
Blanche gave a small nod, composed as ever.
"He asked to meet earlier, but I assume something came up."
The boy chuckled a little.
"Yeah. Heard he got pulled into something at the southern quarter. Faction politics again, I think."
She raised an eyebrow.
"And you are?"
"Aiken. Aiken Narubi."
He extended a hand casually, completely unbothered.
"I help out around the Council sometimes. You could say I'm... support staff."
Blanche stared at the hand for half a second—then, with a faint smile, took it.
"Just passing through, then."
"Something like that."
He didn't seem to recognize her. Not as Lady Equinox. Not as the student who practically ran half the underground investigation. Just… someone to chat with.
It was strange.
But also a little refreshing.
"Well, if you're waiting for Silas, you might be stuck here a while," Aiken added.
"Want a mana-cookie? I kinda raided the tray earlier."
Blanche laughed softly—actually laughed.
"I'm good. But thank you."
For once, she wasn't the noble. Wasn't the council agent.
Just... a girl, talking to a stranger.
And somehow, that was exactly what she needed.
The afternoon light drifted through the tall, enchanted windows of the Student Council wing, scattering rays of soft gold across the polished floor. The quiet in the room was the kind that didn't feel empty—just waiting.
Blanche sat in the same chair by the window, one leg crossed over the other, her back straight as ever. The half-bitten cookie still sat on the table beside her cup of half-warm tea, untouched since her first taste.
Aiken had moved to sit across from her, hands loosely folded, posture casual but polite. They'd been chatting for a bit—nothing important. Just the kind of conversations that filled space when people didn't know each other well, but didn't mind sitting in the same room either.
"So yeah," Aiken said, stretching a little, "Carnia doesn't have mana-lamps. We still use oil lanterns at night. Kinda charming, but I kept tripping over goats as a kid."
Blanche chuckled softly.
"Sounds... rustic."
"Rustic's a fancy way of sayin' 'outdated,' huh?"
"Not always."
Aiken smiled, leaning back in his chair.
He was about to reach for the other cookie when the door creaked open behind them with a distinct click.
They both turned.
Silas Caelum entered with his usual composed presence, dark coat flowing behind him like a cape, hair immaculate, gaze already scanning the room like he expected it to be full of chaos he'd have to clean up.
He stopped mid-step when he saw the two of them.
"Oh?" Silas blinked once. "Didn't expect this pairing."
Aiken instantly stood up, chair lightly scraping the floor as he offered a small salute.
"Sir! I was just—uh, waiting for you, I mean, she was. And I just offered cookies, nothing weird—"
Silas raised a brow, then turned his attention to the girl beside him.
His tone shifted instantly.
"Lady Blanche."
Her name rolled off his tongue like warm silk.
Aiken froze.
Blanche simply gave a calm smile, her fingers delicately resting on the edge of her teacup.
"Silas. You're late."
"Got dragged into a pointless meeting in the southern ward," he replied, walking further in. "Vargan's idea of 'emergency' is apparently a shipment delay."
Then, turning back to Aiken, Silas narrowed his eyes.
"You didn't recognize her?"
Aiken blinked again, looking between them.
"I mean, I— I thought she looked familiar, maybe? Name sounds familiar now... Equinox?"
Silas sighed.
"Honestly. You talk like she's your classmate. That's Lady Blanche Van Equinox. Heir to one of the Seven Pillars. Show some respect."
Aiken's expression contorted into a wince.
"Oh gods. I—sorry—I didn't mean—"
But before he could stumble through the rest of his apology, Blanche waved a hand dismissively, amusement glinting in her eyes.
"No need to scold him. He was being perfectly polite."
She tilted her head at Aiken, clearly enjoying the irony.
"Besides, it was refreshing."
Aiken scratched his head awkwardly.
"Sorry... again. I didn't mean to disrespect. I just... didn't expect someone like you to be so chill."
Blanche's smile widened, and she gave a soft, almost teasing hum.
"Chill, huh?"
Silas narrowed his gaze toward her.
"You're far too comfortable with strangers lately."
"Or maybe I'm learning how to be a proper student," Blanche said, placing her teacup down gently. "Isn't that what Asterblume is for?"
The sarcasm was light, but Silas caught it.
A moment passed.
Then Blanche stood, dusting off her skirt, regal as always.
"Well. Since you're back, I suppose my reason for coming here is... no longer urgent."
Silas raised an eyebrow.
"You came to speak with me, did you not?"
"Yes," she said with a smile, already turning toward the door.
"But it seems the timing is no longer ideal."
"Blanche—"
"Another time, perhaps. For now, I'll let you enjoy your surprise encounter."
Silas sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Aiken stood there, still unsure whether to sit or run.
Blanche passed by him, pausing for half a second. She leaned closer just slightly—just enough for only him to hear.
"Thank you for the cookie."
Aiken blinked again, as if the whole thing was a fever dream.
And then she was gone, heels clicking against the marble, long coat trailing behind her as the door shut gently in her wake.
The room felt a little colder afterward.
Silas stared at the doorway, then looked back at Aiken with a complicated expression.
"You gave her cookies?"
Aiken blinked again.
"...Yeah?"
"Huh."
Silas smirked slightly—half annoyed, half amused.
"Maybe I should've thought of that first."
After Council – Minor Chaos, as Usual
Blanche had barely rounded the corner to the dorm hallway when she heard it—Yuxin's voice, sharp and familiar, bouncing slightly off the stone walls.
"Vila. For the last time—that is not how borrowing works. You can't just walk into someone's room and take their cloak!"
Blanche slowed her pace.
Sure enough, just a few steps ahead, she spotted the duo standing near the hallway bench.
Yuxin looked like she was two seconds away from evaporating something. Her eyes were narrowed, her shadow twitching at her heels like an annoyed cat.
Vila, on the other hand, looked completely unbothered. Again. As always.
"I returned it. It is no longer in my possession," Vila said plainly.
"You wore it. In the rain. Now it smells like dead moss and ironwood bark!"
"...Technically, I improved its scent."
Yuxin blinked. Her eye twitched.
Blanche stepped closer, lips twitching into a faint smile.
"Am I interrupting something?"
Yuxin didn't even look at her.
"No. Just burning the last of my sanity."
Vila finally glanced over.
"Greetings, Blanche."
"Hello," Blanche replied. "Do I want to know what this is about?"
"She's stealing again," Yuxin muttered.
"Borrowing," Vila corrected.
Blanche stifled a laugh behind her hand.
Yuxin just groaned and ran a hand through her hair.
"Whatever. I'm done. Waste of energy trying to explain common sense to forest goblins."
She turned away slightly, arms crossed, muttering under her breath.
Blanche turned her attention to Vila.
"So? What started all this?"
Vila blinked once.
"I expressed interest in participating in the academy's upcoming tournament."
That caught Blanche's attention.
"Oh? That's rare. You don't usually care for structured events."
"It allows legal violence."
Blanche chuckled. Of course that was her reasoning.
Yuxin shot a look over her shoulder.
"She wants me to join too."
"And she refused," Vila added flatly. "Repeatedly."
"Because it's dumb," Yuxin snapped.
"I already fight enough off-campus. Why would I sign up for extra beatdowns just for fun?"
"Because we are legally allowed to injure others and be rewarded."
Yuxin gave her a look.
"You seriously need a new hobby."
Vila didn't flinch.
Blanche watched them both, amused.
"So… are you actually trying to form a team or something?"
Vila nodded.
"I am permitted to enter as a solo participant, but I prefer tactical formations."
Yuxin clicked her tongue.
"You mean you prefer dragging people into things."
The tension between them hadn't cooled.
Blanche raised an eyebrow, one hand resting on her hip as she looked at Vila with that ever-so-slight tilt of curiosity.
"Okay then, I have to ask—why do you even care about this tournament?"
Vila turned her head toward Blanche, perfectly calm as always. No hesitation. No dramatic pause.
"The prize for second place is a one-week free meal pass at the academy cafeteria."
Blanche blinked.
"...That's it?"
Vila nodded with complete sincerity.
"Food allocation is inefficiently priced in this institution. Securing free meals increases resource efficiency."
Yuxin stared at her like she'd grown a second head.
"You're gonna drag me into public combat for... a week of soggy cafeteria rice and glowing mushroom soup?"
"I enjoy the soup," Vila said.
Blanche let out a soft laugh under her breath.
"You could've just asked for my lunch credits."
"But those expire daily," Vila replied instantly. "This is long-term gain."
And then—Vila did something truly cursed.
She folded her hands in front of her.
Tilted her head.
And with the same blank face, voice completely monotone, said:
"Please join me, Yuxin. I beg of you."
It was the most unconvincing plea for help ever heard in Asterblume's history.
Yuxin's eye twitched again.
Hard.
"Oh my god, you're not even trying," she hissed.
Vila blinked.
"I am."
"No, you're not! You're just saying the words!"
There was a moment of silence.
And then—
Yuxin slammed her hand against the nearby railing, shadows flaring slightly beneath her feet.
"DROP. DEAD!!"
Her voice echoed down the hallway like thunder bottled in human form.
"I'm DONE being dragged into your nonsense! I don't care about tournaments! Or coupons! Or soup! I've got enough on my plate, and I swear if one more person tries to shove another 'team activity' in my face, I'm gonna start hexing dorms at random!!"
Vila simply stared at her.
Completely unfazed.
Blanche covered her mouth, trying very hard not to laugh.
Yuxin turned, eyes still burning, and muttered as she stormed away:
"I hate this school."
Yuxin was halfway down the hallway when Blanche called after her.
"Yuxin, wait."
Yuxin stopped, her back still turned.
"What now? You want me to join the student drama club too?"
Blanche caught up, her footsteps light as always.
"Look, I get it. You're frustrated. But it's just a friendly tournament."
Yuxin turned, brows furrowed.
"There's nothing 'friendly' about getting punched in the face for cafeteria tokens."
Blanche didn't flinch. She folded her arms and smiled slightly.
"True. But you've been stressed lately, right? Maybe a bit of competition could help... release some of that pressure."
"Blanche," Yuxin said flatly, "my grades are plummeting. Like—crash-landing level bad. You think I haven't noticed?"
Ruka, quietly passing by, gave an awkward thumbs-up before slipping into her room like a ninja avoiding a fight.
Yuxin went on.
"All I've been doing since I got here is running around with you people, getting into mess after mess. I haven't studied. I barely sleep. I'm not failing this semester just so you two can cosplay as battle partners."
Vila tilted her head.
"I don't understand half of that. But you seem very emotional."
"I'm always emotional when I'm being blackmailed by elves!!."
Blanche gave a soft chuckle.
"Alright, how about this—"
She leaned in a little, tone teasing.
"Rumor has it, winners of the tournament get a guaranteed pass for the semester. Academic buffer. Especially if you place first or second."
Yuxin froze.
Just for a second.
"...Seriously?"
"Straight from the council notice board," Blanche said smoothly. "Combat excellence equals academic merit. Asterblume logic."
Yuxin glanced away, lips pressed tight.
"That's... stupid."
"But useful."
She looked like she was trying very hard not to care.
Like someone dangling over a trapdoor held up by pure pride.
"There's no guarantee we'd win," Yuxin muttered. "Not with all the freaks in this school."
Blanche shrugged.
"Then we train. Properly. I'll even join you two if that helps."
Vila blinked, slowly turning her head.
"Are you saying this will be a three-person team?"
"If Yuxin says yes, then yes."
Vila blinked again.
"...Then I am grateful."
There was no change in her tone. None. Zero emotion. But she did a slight head-bow, which—by Vila standards—was like full-on sobbing appreciation.
Yuxin groaned, dragging her hand down her face.
"Ugh... Why are you both like this."
"Charming?" Blanche offered.
"Persistent," Vila replied at the same time.
Yuxin looked between them.
Then up at the ceiling.
Then back at her own hands, clenched into fists like she was physically fighting the urge to say "fine."
And finally
"...Whatever. I'll do it."
Blanche smiled.
Vila gave a simple nod.
"For soup," she said solemnly.
"Not for soup!" Yuxin snapped. "I'm doing this so I don't get kicked out of school!"
"...But also soup," Vila added.
Yuxin looked ready to explode again.
But deep down… she'd already accepted her fate.