The Communicator spun into the air before popping open. A bright display shot out, and Kai Evergreen’s face appeared clear as day.

  “Good evening, Vix! How are you doing?”

  “Oh! Just great!” Vix said—right as something smashed behind him. Glass shattered across the floor. He flinched before turning slowly, teeth clenched.

  “…May I ask what that was?” Kai asked, arching a brow.

  “…It seems the Princess likes to party, Sire…” Vix muttered with the strained smile of a man already at the end of his rope.

  Kai covered a laugh with his gloved hand. “Is… the guardianship going smoothly?”

  “As smoothly as I can guarantee…”

  “Uhh… well. Why don’t you try calming her down? Bring her to a room?”

  “I don’t think I can do that without some magic, Sire. She’s… drunk beyond compare.”

  “Then perhaps have a drink with her. Talk about your travels, the people you’ve saved. She’ll fancy that!”

  “Uh. Yes, Sire. I’ll try—wait a damn minute.” Vix whipped his head back toward the floating screen.

  “You’re just instructing me on how to sleep with her, aren’t you?”

  “No,” Kai said with the dumbest grin imaginable.

  “Sire!”

  “What?”

  “I’m not here to… woo the Princess!”

  “But it’d be fun!”

  “Her sister is getting married! I’m guarding a nationwide party!”

  “Just let loose for one night. That’s all I ask!”

  “No! What? No!!!” Vix shouted, veins in his forehead ready to pop.

  “Oh yoo-hoo! Where’s that jaw-dropper Nepton? He needs to try the olives in this drink!”

  Vix’s glare could have burned holes through the screen.

  “I think the Princess is in need. Go tend to her.”

  Vix squinted at him like he was staring into the sun. “I’m not. I’m going to ask her to tone it down. Don’t—don’t get ahead of yourself, Sire!”

  The communicator fizzled out, the last image of Vix vanishing as he bolted out of frame.

  Kai lowered the device, glancing at his immediate attendant, General Etna, with a raised brow.

  Etna said nothing—he simply gestured to his chest, puffing it out, then flashed an “okay” sign.

  “See, that’s what I thought too…” Kai muttered under his breath.

  Suddenly, the communicator flared back to life. Vix’s flushed, panting face filled the frame.

  “Sire—I’ve subdued the Princess…” he wheezed.

  The view spun as he turned the communicator around.

  There she was: dangling blissfully from a chandelier, humming off-key, swaying like a festival lantern.

  “Mission accomplished, Commander?” Kai asked.

  “For now…” Vix muttered, still catching his breath. He straightened, wiping sweat from his brow. “Something tells me she won’t be where I left her… Anyway, any updates on Rin? It must be her third day at the academy now.”

  “Oh yes. I’ve been keeping an eye out. Seems she’s already made a… rather wonderful friend.”

  “Oh really? That’s good. That’s great.” Relief flickered across Vix’s tired face. “What about Milo? Is he holding up well?”

  “Yes. He reported back just before we made contact—well, through General Haas, at least. They subdued a traitor within Haas’s ranks and interrogated him thoroughly. Milo hasn’t shared the details with the general or myself, but I suspect he already has an idea of the terrorist cell’s next move. You can rest assured—he’s handling it.”

  “I see. Thanks for that.”

  “My pleasure!”

  The two men lingered in silence, each framed within their communicators. The pause stretched… and stretched… until Kai’s lips curled into a grin.

  “Speaking of pleasure—”

  “YOUR MAJESTRY!

  #

  Rin and Eddie walked toward class the next morning like they owned the campus. Rin skipped along, her pink dress bouncing with every step, petals stitched into the frills swaying like flowers in the wind. A white bow was pinned neatly into her loose brown hair, gleaming in the morning light.

  Eddie marched beside her, chest puffed out, his blue t-shirt worn proudly over black dress pants. For once, his hands weren’t stuffed in his pockets — they swung with purpose, keeping time with his stride.

  “Ready for Wand Works?” he asked.

  “Yeah!” Rin shouted, practically bouncing into the air to keep pace with him.

  “If we stick together, we can do anything!”

  “Yeah!!!” Rin cheered, her voice ringing through the hallway.

  For that little moment, nothing else mattered. Not the stares in the cafeteria, not Drenco’s sneers, not the whispers that chased them through the halls. Right now, they weren’t outcasts. They were partners. They were on top of the world.

  Rin kept skipping. Eddie kept marching.

  And then—

  Eddie smacked face-first into a girl rounding the corner. Both of them toppled to the floor in a messy heap.

  “Hey, watch it!” Eddie snapped.

  “What?! No, you watch it, bozo!” the girl shot back, glaring as she pushed herself up.

  Rin skidded to a stop, eyes wide, bow bobbing as she tilted her head in confusion.

  “Eddie! Are you okay?” Rin rushed over, grabbing his hand to pull him up.

  “Y-Yeah! Wait—did that girl just call me a freaking ?” Eddie grunted, staggering onto his feet.

  “She… she did…” Rin admitted, unsure what that word even meant.

  “That’s because he ! A bozo who runs into girls!” the girl shouted, jabbing an accusatory finger at him.

  “I-I’m sure he didn’t mean it!” Rin stammered, trying to play peacemaker.

  Eddie rubbed his forehead, blinking until his vision cleared—then his eyes widened. “”

  “Me?” the girl snapped.

  “Her?” Rin echoed, puzzled. She tilted her head and got her first good look at the girl.

  A pink t-shirt stretched across her frame, printed with the face of a cutesy bear sporting a bowtie. Her deep brown hair was tied back in a ponytail, but halfway down it shifted into golden-yellow strands that shimmered when she moved. Her arms were crossed, chest puffed out, nostrils flaring with rage.

  But then eyes widened in recognition.

  “”

  Rin whipped her head toward Eddie. He looked fine to her. There was nothing gross about him at all.

  “Get away from me! What are you even doing here!?” Eddie snapped back. “You weirdo!”

  “” the girl shot back, offended. “You’re the one who looks like he just crawled out of an air fryer!”

  …What even an air fryer?

  “You look like your hair got confused!” Eddie retorted.

  “…Actually, I think her hair is pretty,” Rin said, raising a trembling hand.

  “Rin!” Eddie barked.

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  “Thanks, girl!” the girl snapped back quickly, flashing Rin a grin.

  “What are you even doing here, Edward? You’re in my way to class!”

  “No, in my way! My class is right here!”

  “Yeah, as if! I bet you’re just following me around like some dumb puppy!”

  “No! That’s Rin’s job!”

  “Yup! I’m the puppy girl!” Rin said proudly, beaming.

  The girl blinked at her, tilting her head. Why was she smiling so brightly about ?

  “Get out of my way, nerd!” the girl shouted.

  “No! You get out of

  way!” Eddie shot back.

  “Um… if I may—”

  “No!” Eddie and the girl barked in unison.

  Rin squeaked and backed off.

  “What class do you even have!?” Eddie snapped. “This is the Wand Refinery!”

  “Exactly! And for your information, I’ve got Wand Works and Mechanics first thing in the morning!”

  Eddie blinked. “...Wait. So do I.”

  “Yeah? Then move aside!” She shoved his shoulder, storming past him.

  Eddie groaned, rolling his eyes. “Ugh! Come on, Rin. Let’s get to class!”

  Rin hurried after him, though something struck her as odd. Was she following Eddie… or was Eddie following the girl?

  Before she could puzzle it out, the three of them walked through the same classroom doors. Students were already settling into their seats, desks scraping against the floor. Rin watched Eddie and the girl stomp off to the back corner like rival cats pretending not to notice each other.

  She slid into her seat from yesterday—only to realize the desk to her right was now occupied.

  By the very same girl.

  Eddie turned to say something to Rin, only to see her sitting down beside the girl. He froze, then let out a louder, more dramatic groan. “Oh, come on!”

  The girl swiveled toward Rin—though her glare shot straight past her to Eddie.

  “What!? You’re in my class!?” she screeched.

  Eddie groaned, dropping his head onto his desk. “Ugh, this is the worst.”

  The girl smirked, leaning forward. “Nope. Worst is having to look at you every morning! This day could not get any worse!”

  Rin folded her hands neatly on her desk, blinking between them. “Um… do you two… know each other?”

  “No!” the girl shouted.

  “Yes!” Eddie snapped at the exact same time.

  Rin flinched at the volume, her bow bobbing as she ducked slightly.

  “She’s just some crazy girl who thinks she’s above everyone else!” Eddie said, pointing a finger at her.

  “Am not! He’s just this shrimpy little nerd who acts like a know-it-all about ! Literally, everything!”

  Rin tilted her head. “What’s a shrimp?”

  “Not now, Rin!” Eddie barked.

  Rin squeaked and shrank into silence, clutching her hands tight against her chest.

  “Ugh! You’re scaring the poor girl, Edward!” the girl huffed. “What’s she even doing with you anyway? I bet you tricked her or put a jinx on her.”

  “What? No!” Eddie shot back.

  “He’s not lying… I’m here because I’m his friend,” Rin said softly, glancing over at her.

  The girl blinked, staring at Rin—then flicked her gaze to Eddie, then back again.

  “Are you sure? He’s exactly the kind of jerk who would pull something like that.”

  “I’m so not!” Eddie barked.

  “Eddie isn’t a jerk. Drenco is a jerk!” Rin declared.

  “Oh yeah, him too. God, I hate his guts. Maybe even more than Edward’s.”

  Eddie raised a hand dramatically. “Boy, what a relief! Slightly under Drenco!”

  “Gosh, and his goonies are so cringe too!” the girl added with a sneer.

  “That’s true,” Eddie admitted, tilting his head in agreement.

  Rin brightened. “If you both don’t like Drenco, then… why not get along and be friends?” she asked innocently.

  “Because… Eddie is insufferable!” the girl declared.

  “And she’s crazy! Really,

  crazy!” Eddie shot back. “This one time she set fire to the school playground just to one-up me and prove she could do magic!”

  “Yeah, because guess what? You were too busy shoving frogs into my backpack for a week straight! ”

  “Literally what kind of mom would say such a thing?!”

  “Mine! Because she’s awesome!” the girl said, flipping her ponytail back dramatically.

  Rin sat frozen between their crossfire, wide-eyed. If she didn’t calm them down soon, this could go on for the rest of the school year.

  “Oh, know what’s the

  thing about her, Rin?” Eddie leaned in, already snickering. “Come here, you’re gonna cry from laughing!”

  Hesitant but curious, Rin leaned closer. The girl squinted in disgust, bracing herself.

  “She thinks she’s… a Staffire!” Eddie whispered, cupping his hands around Rin’s ear.

  “What?” Rin asked, blinking.

  “I , right?!” Eddie cackled, bursting into a fit of giggles.

  “Ugh! He’s so weird! This is exactly what I’m talking about!” the girl huffed. “You shouldn’t hang around him, Rin. He’ll just drive you crazy one day. You can do so much better!”

  “I… I don’t want to…” Rin murmured, eyes downcast, her voice trembling.

  The girl froze. That wasn’t a joke, or a spell, or some forced feeling. It was real sorrow. Her expression softened.

  “…Hey. Are you okay?” she asked gently.

  “Ye—”

  “Sorry! I can’t do this!” the girl blurted, clapping her hands together. “We need to start this properly. Ignore the annoyances.” She said shooting Eddie a glare. “Let’s do this right.”

  She straightened up with a grin. “My name’s Chippy! And you are?”

  “Oh… my name is Rin,” Rin replied, peeking at her shyly.

  “Rin! What a pretty name! As long as you stick with me instead of that brat, we’ll get along just fine!”

  “Hey! Who are you calling a brat?!” Eddie barked, his face red with rage.

  “Anyway,” Chippy said, ignoring him completely, “what’s up, girl? What brings you to this school?”

  “Um… just… I was told to come here,” Rin said.

  “Ahh, so like me! See? We already have so much in common!” Chippy grinned.

  “I don’t have your pretty hair…” Rin murmured.

  “Now see? That’s what hanging out with fish-smelling nerds will do to you—completely shatter your self-confidence. Your hair? It’s just fabulous!” Chippy reached out, running her fingers through Rin’s light brown strands. “Such a lovely shade! And with your fair skin? You look just like one of the dolls my brothers buy me!”

  “Brothers?” Rin echoed, tilting her head.

  “Yeah! I have two older brothers!”

  “Er—Chippy? One sec!” Eddie interrupted, wrapping an arm around Rin and pulling her close. He cupped his hand to her ear, whispering loudly. “When a family has multiple kids, they’re called siblings. Girls are sisters, boys are brothers.”

  “Chippy has two older boys in her family?” Rin whispered back.

  “From the same parents!” Eddie confirmed.

  “Oh! Got it! Thanks!” Rin beamed, then turned back to Chippy. “So—two older brothers! That’s nice!”

  “Eh, they’re really overprotective. They’re the reason I had to attend this school.”

  “But… they buy you dolls, don’t they?”

  “Yeah! I love them! They’re just… annoying sometimes!”

  “Rin?” Eddie cut in, smirking. “This just means she’s spoiled. Gets whatever she wants and never has it hard.”

  Chippy scoffed, tossing her ponytail. “Please. You don’t know how hard it is to be me!”

  Eddie immediately mimicked her, pitching his voice up and down in random nonsense sounds.

  Chippy rolled her eyes but pressed on. “Anyway, what’s your schedule like? When’s your lunch?”

  “Uhh… it’s right after Botany class.”

  “Hmm, let’s see…” Chippy dug out a folded sheet of paper. “Can I see your schedule, Rin?” she asked with a wide, innocent smile.

  Rin handed hers over without a second thought. Chippy held both papers side by side, lips parted in surprise.

  “Whoa… we’ve got nearly everything together! Just not Botany or Physical Education.”

  “What!?” Eddie exclaimed, snapping upright. “That means—”

  Chippy turned her head slowly, eyes narrowing.

  “No… you mean I’ve got to see your ugly mug in almost every class too?!”

  Eddie groaned and slammed his forehead dramatically onto his desk.

  Chippy fake-sobbed into her hands.

  Rin looked between them with a small, worried frown.

  “Good morning, class!”

  The familiar voice cut through the chatter. Students froze mid-sentence, sliding into their seats at once.

  “Sehr gut. Very nice to see you all again. Really, it is.” Instructor Signum’s boots clicked against the floor as he strode to the front. “Today, you vill be learning two very important facts. Zey may seem small, ja, but zey could save your lives one day.”

  He flicked his wand at the chalkboard. The chalk leapt into the air, scratching words across the slate in tidy strokes.

  “Zese are…

  und .”

  “Ohh! Like keeping our wands sheathed. Right, Eddie?” Rin exclaimed in a whisper.

  Eddie simply nodded at her but kept his eyes locked onto the professor’s lesson.

  “First, ve begin vith ze ,” Signum announced. “Most of you are already holding zem properly. Zat is good. But—ze meaning behind ze grip can carry implications far greater zan you expect. First off—”

  Without warning, the professor lunged forward, thrusting his wand straight at a boy in the front row.

  “Ahh!” The boy yelped, tumbling backward out of his chair. The whole class gasped.

  Signum did not move his gaze, wand still pointed firmly at the fallen boy. His knuckles whitened with the force of his grip.

  “Zis,” he declared, “is an Ze poor boy fell because he ze danger he vas in. Not from my eyes. Not from my spine. But from—” he raised the wand higher, “—my

  Harsh. Firm. Willing ze intent of hurt. Before ze look in your eyes, or ze way you posture your shoulders, ze opposing soul vill notice how you hold your vand.”

  He sheathed his wand again with a snap of finality.

  “So!” His voice boomed, sharp as the click of his boots. “Let us not go around declaring duels und var unnecessarily, shall ve?”

  A nervous ripple of laughter moved through the room. He then touched the chalkboard behind him. A holographic display opened up displaying practically a power point of different wand acceptable wand grips.

  “Poor guy… the instructor didn’t even help him up,” Chippy muttered under her breath.

  Eddie gave a firm nod, slipped from his seat, and offered the boy a hand. The kid accepted with a shaky nod of thanks before Eddie shuffled back to his desk.

  “That was scary…” Rin whispered.

  “There are scarier things in this school, girl,” Chippy replied. “Yaxon’s supposed to be the Dueling and Defensive Arts professor this year. Probably for the next couple, too.”

  “What?! ” Eddie hissed back in a sharp whisper. “There you go again, making stuff up! What’s wrong with you!?”

  “What? No! What’s wrong with you? I’m telling the truth!” Chippy practically squealed in a whisper, crossing her arms.

  “As if! Captain Staffire? Coming to Kormadyne as a professor? Get a load of yourself!” Eddie scoffed.

  “Next!” Signum’s booming voice silenced the bickering. “Ze first vand law: ”

  Rin let out a shaky sigh. She knew it. She was stuck between two squeaking mice arguing all lecture.

  #

  Somehow, the end of class came faster than expected. Rin sat with her hands folded tightly in her lap while Chippy tossed one last jab Eddie’s way. He ignored it, finally, and Rin braced herself for peace.

  “Alright, class. Dismissed.” Signum closed his notes with a snap. “Please keep up vith your vork so far. Ve vill have a midterm exam in two months covering all zis material.”

  Rin stood up, exhaling in relief.

  Eddie blinked up at her. “Rin?”

  “Yes?!” she squeaked.

  “Do you… need to use the restroom?”

  “Oh! N-No! I’m just… going to our next class!”

  “Oh. Okay! That’s a relief. I thought you’d be following me.” Eddie chuckled lightly.

  “Actually, she’ll be following ” Chippy chimed in with a sweet smile that dripped sass. “She’s going to the same class as me.”

  Eddie squinted at her, annoyed. “That means the three of us are in the same class, idiot.”

  “Hey!” Chippy snapped back.

  “Ah, mein Gott…” Signum suddenly groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I haf forgotten ze attendance again. Truly, I must invent a spell to do zis automatically. But if I could automate I vould not need to be here, ja?”

  A ripple of laughter moved through the class.

  “Rin, back in your seat!”

  “Eep!” Rin softly yelped and plopped right back down.

  “Names! Shout zem out ven I call you. Same procedure as before.” He flipped his clipboard, starting from the end of the alphabet as he did last time.

  “Rin.”

  “Here!” Rin answered promptly, hand shooting into the air.

  “Sehr gut. Chorlette Strife.”

  “Present!” called a girl from the front row.

  “Ja, very good. Now… ah! You vere absent last time, but you are here now, yes, Chippy…?”

  “Yes, sir!” Chippy said brightly.

  Signum squinted at his clipboard, lifting it closer to his face. “Chippy… present,” he muttered, loud enough for the whole room to hear before ticking a box.

  Rin blinked.

  “What? Surprised?” Chippy turned with a sweet smirk, catching Rin’s stunned expression.

  Rin shook her head quickly. “S-Sorry…”

  “I told you,” Chippy said, flicking her ponytail. “Hanging around that loser will do you no good.”

  Rin’s gaze dropped to her feet. Eddie didn’t like a bad person. But then again… neither had Drenco. Wait. What Eddie even doing?

  She turned and froze. Eddie wasn’t moving. He wasn’t breathing. He just sat there staring—jaw hanging open, eyes lit up like headlights.

  “Eddie…?” Rin whispered.

  He didn’t blink. Didn’t flinch. Just sat there frozen in time. Rin and Chippy exchanged a worried glance—until, suddenly—

  “”