Two women walked down the hallway. One with golden blonde hair that cascaded past her shoulders in loose waves, bright green eyes sparkling as she side-eyed every few steps, watching her handiwork with barely contained pride.
It was Luna Everhart, best friend of Aria.
And walking beside her was Aria Fenrir; pristine, calm, and collected as always. But there was something different about her today. Small silver hairpins adorned with ice blue crystals decorated her hair, catching the light with each step.
Her ribbon was tied in a more elegant way than usual.
But more shockingly, she was wearing light makeup: tinted lip balm, subtle eyeliner. It made her look even more doll-like than usual. If before she radiated an aura of "don't approach me," now it was more like "you're not worthy to approach me."
Although her face remained as expressionless as ever.
(Aria POV)
Hell. I have just experienced hell.
When I called Luna in, desperately asking for help with those stockings, I thought she'd just... help me put them on and we'd rush to orientation.
I was so, so wrong.
The moment Luna stepped into that room and saw me sitting there, half-dressed, hair damp, stockings crumpled, her eyes lit up as if she'd just won the lottery.
She did help with the stockings, but she didn't stop.
"Oh, your hair is still wet! Let me dry it properly."
"Aria, your ribbon is all crooked. Hold still."
"Wait, I have some hairpins in my bag, they'd look perfect on you!"
I tried to stop her. I really did. But when I reached out to gently push her away, she gave me this look, this absolutely terrifying expression, like a dog whose meal had just been interrupted mid-bite. Her smile didn't waver, but her eyes... they seemed to promise violence.
"A-Aria," she said sweetly, still holding those hairpins. "You asked me for help, remember?"
I nodded slowly.
"Then let me help properly."
The clock was ticking. Five minutes had become three. Then two. I glanced desperately at the time, panic rising.
"Luna, we're going to be late…"
"It's okay!" she chirped, completely unbothered as she dabbed something on my lips. "We can sneak in! The first two hours are just speeches and announcements anyway. Nobody will notice if we slip in through the side door."
I stared at her. She stared back at me, her smile never faltering.
Then I just resigned myself to fate.
"...Fine. Do whatever you want."
And that's how I ended up looking like a porcelain doll being paraded down the academy hallway.
"You know," Luna said, her voice still cheerful, though there was something strained beneath it. "I'm actually kind of sad I didn't make it into the combat classes."
I glanced at her. "Mm."
"I mean, I knew support was more my thing, but..." She let out a small laugh. "I really wanted to be in the same class as you. Like old times."
That's true. Luna and Aria have been best friends since middle school. Luna was like a duckling, following her mother hen, Aria, everywhere. With Aria's cold personality, she didn't have any friends except Luna. And it was the same for Luna; because of her association with Aria, she didn't have any friends either.
"You should be proud. Not many from outside the top 100 guilds get in Hive Hunter Academy."
I meant that. Hive Hunter Academy is one of the five super academies in the world. The kind of place where students from the top 100 guilds sent their heirs and prodigies. Getting in here at all was an achievement most aspiring hunters could dream of.
Luna's family was from the Everhart Guild, ranked around 150th. Even though the difference didn't look that much, it is a high wall to climb. Keep in mind that places of guild under 500 usually don't change for decades
"I know, I know! But isn't it the same for you?"
That was also true; Aria's family guild, Fenrir, was around 120, but she was special. She is the main heroine of the world. Also, there are other factors mixed in that others are unknown.
Whereas Luna in the novel plays the role of the minor villain.
The protective best friend who couldn't handle seeing Aria get close to someone else. When the protagonist would start approaching Aria with his annoyingly earnest personality and protagonist charm, Luna would lose it.
She'd be there at every turn, third-wheeling their interactions, interrupting their conversations with a bright smile and a "Sorry, Aria and I have plans!"
It would all build up until she finally snapped and challenged protagonist to a duel, determined to prove he wasn't worthy of standing beside Aria.
She'd lose, of course. Because that's how these things work.
And then, in true harem novel fashion, she'd fall for him too. The classic enemies-to-lovers arc. Another girl added to the collection.
I glanced at Luna again, noticing how her fist was still clenched, knuckles white, the tendons visible beneath her skin.
I had a feeling that even if she wasn't accepted into the academy. She would have followed Aria here somehow.
I felt a little guilty since I was the one who created her fate of minor villain. So I said.
"...Thanks. For helping me." The least I could do was not let her become another harem trophy.
Her eyes widened slightly, then softened. "Anytime, Aria. That's what friends are for, right?"
Before I could respond, she grabbed my hand and pulled me forward with surprising strength.
"Come on! We're already late. The side entrance should still be open."
We hurried down the corridor. The sound of voices grew louder as we approached, muffled speeches echoing through the walls.
Luna slowed as we reached a smaller door off to the side of the main entrance. She pressed a finger to her lips, then carefully pushed it open.
The door creaked slightly, but the sound was drowned out by a booming voice from inside.
"—and as students of Hive Hunter Academy, you represent not just yourselves, but the future of humanity's defense against—"
Luna slipped through first, pulling me in behind her. The auditorium was massive, rows upon rows of seats filled with first-year students. At the front, on a raised stage, stood a broad-shouldered man in formal academy attire, clearly mid-speech.
We stayed low, moving along the back wall as quietly as possible. A few students in the last row glanced our way, but most were focused forward, or trying very hard to look like they were.
Luna guided us to two empty seats in the very last row, tucked away in the corner. We slid into them as silently as possible.
I let out a quiet breath of relief.
We made it.