Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!
Birdsong echoed through the dormitory windows. Even though winter had arrived, some species still remained active.
Asteria slowly woke from her sleep. After stretching for a moment, she walked over and opened the dormitory window. The scent of fallen flowers had long faded, replaced by the crisp, cold aroma of trees gradually freezing over.
After tidying her room, she headed to the dormitory bath and soaked in the warm water. Staring at her reflection in the steaming surface, she noticed how her pink hair had grown longer. Her upper body had also developed faster than expected.
This is troublesome. It only earns me strange stares from certain men. Every time I look at my reflection, I see the reason why that 'beast' became obsessed with me.
Her thoughts drifted back to the past—especially the time she was kidnapped and confined by the noble who used to harass her.
The way he looked at her… like a predator ready to devour its prey.
Ugh. Disgusting.
After finishing her bath and breakfast, Asteria stepped outside the dormitory. Elaine was already waiting for her.
"Hey, Aster… you've prepared a dress for tonight's party, right? We promised to go together."
"Of course. I'll wear the dress my mother gave me."
"Good. It's such a shame the one we bought together was ruined by that perverted bastard."
A bitter memory resurfaced.
In this academy, every long break was preceded by a farewell party—a grand gala mimicking the lavish lifestyle of the nobility. Before their previous dance, that nobleman had bought her a dress, but Asteria refused to wear it. Feeling slighted, he retaliated in the petty way only a noble could. Just as she was preparing to leave, he sent his lackeys to tear her chosen dress to shreds, ensuring she couldn't attend the dance at all.
"Ugh, you're reminding me of unpleasant memories."
"Hehe, sorry… But at least that bastard won't be around to bother you anymore. So we can finally enjoy the dance without interruptions, right?"
"Yes. Of course."
The two girls strolled around the academy grounds. Though winter break had begun, many students were still present. Some were busy looking for partners for the dance. Others continued training as usual.
They made their way toward the warriors' training field. Elvan was there, sparring against several students.
In the spectator stands, a small crowd had gathered.
"Wow, look at him… He's never lost a spar."
"You're right. Where did he come from? He's even recognized by the academy professors, isn't he? His ability might rival the Six Stars."
"Hah, nonsense. Don't compare that commoner to the Six Stars. They're the primary heirs of prestigious noble houses, trained since childhood. Even the imperial prince is one of them. Completely different from a commoner like Elvan."
The sneer came from a young noble adorned with expensive accessories. Several students nodded in agreement.
"Look over there—someone's actually holding his ground."
A red-haired young man had stepped forward as Elvan's new challenger. Their spar quickly grew intense. Many eyes turned toward them—until Elvan activated his Aura.
"His Aura is flawless again," someone muttered.
"That's Elvan, right? The dark horse of Class S."
Asteria remained silent. She knew exactly how rare the Aura Blessing Stigma was.
Both fighters clashed fiercely, their Auras colliding. Eventually, the red-haired young man was pushed back and admitted defeat.
Afterward, they shook hands. Applause erupted from the spectators—and even from a professor who had been watching.
"Incredible. That red-haired guy kept up with Class S's dark horse."
"Yeah. If I'm not mistaken, that's Alex Lucien from Class A."
Hearing the name, Asteria frowned slightly.
"What's wrong, Aster? First time seeing him?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go confirm!"
Elaine grabbed Asteria's arm and led her toward the field. Elvan was chatting with Alex.
"Hey, are you really from the Lucien family?" Elaine asked, pointing at him.
"Huh? Yes, that's right."
"He looks a bit different from that perverted bastard."
"Elaine, that's rude."
"But Aster, I'm not wrong, am I?"
"Honestly…" Asteria sighed and shook her head.
Alex could only laugh awkwardly at their exchange.
"I apologize for what my half-brother did." He lowered his head toward Asteria.
"It's fine. You don't need to apologize."
"Even so… we share the same family name. I feel I should."
Before they could continue, a richly adorned noble approached with his entourage.
"What a pitiful sight. The son of a lowly prostitute bowing his head to a fallen noble."
"You're right, my lord. Rather than 'fallen noble,' perhaps we should call her… a former noble."
"Ha! Ha! Ha!"
They burst into laughter.
"You—!" Elaine's brows furrowed.
"What? A commoner placed in Class S because of a rare Stigma thinks she can act superior to us nobles?"
"That's right! Know your place, commoner."
"Honestly, there's no point wasting time here. Let's go."
As the group walked away, the noble cast a lingering glance at Asteria.
Heh heh heh… Asteria, the fallen noble… Soon enough, you'll belong to me.
—
After they left, the group resumed speaking with Alex. It was revealed that he was the son of a concubine. However, because he possessed the Sword Blessing Stigma and showed talent in understanding Aura, the Lucien family head had allowed him to enroll in the academy alongside his half-brother.
Later, they wandered to another training field crowded with spectators. At the center, a golden-haired young man sparred against a green-haired lancer—sword versus spear.
"Kyaa! Isn't the prince so cool?!" a girl squealed.
"You're right! And the guy with the spear is just as amazing. I heard they've been friends since childhood. They're both members of the Six Stars."
"Oh my… I must be dreaming. To witness a duel between the Six Stars in person!"
"They're really strong… Elvan, could you fight them evenly?" Asteria asked.
"Hehe… who knows?" Elvan scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I think you could," Asteria said calmly, folding her arms.
"Yeah, I agree," Elaine added.
As the duel intensified, the imperial prince unleashed his Aura. Gasps spread through the crowd.
"Hey, isn't that the power of the Blessing of Light Stigma?"
"You're right. It's beautiful… His sword is glowing with golden Aura."
"Kyaa!! Prince!!"
Elvan clenched his fist. He was aware of his own limits. Though talented and recognized by the professors, what he had achieved so far was still not enough.
When the spar concluded, a brown-haired girl approached from afar, offering the prince a damp towel. She handed another to the green-haired lancer as well.
"Hey… isn't that the girl we saw before?" Elvan narrowed his eyes.
"She looks familiar…"
"You're right. She's the girl who argued with that perverted bastard. But why does she seem so close to the prince?" Elaine murmured, sensing something odd—almost as if events were being arranged.
Soon, the nearby crowd grew noisy.
"Look, isn't that Lady Selena, the daughter of the Southern Duke—and the prince's fiancée?"
"Yes, that's her. She brought him a towel too."
"Wait… is this a lovers' quarrel? It looks like a love triangle."
From a distance, they witnessed something unbelievable—the prince refused the towel Selena offered. He had already taken the one from the brown-haired girl.
It seemed they exchanged heated words.
Selena pointed toward the brown-haired girl, but the prince stepped in front of her—as if shielding the woman he had chosen.
Visibly upset, Selena turned and walked away.
Whispers spread among the students. Strange rumors about the prince's fiancée began to circulate.
Elaine stood frozen.
Something about all of this feels wrong.