Rin sat quietly in her room that night. The air felt thick, almost unbreathable. She was afraid to move, afraid even to sit up on her bed. Instead, she knelt on the floor beside it, hands clasped lightly in her lap, head tilted down. But her eyes fixed on one thing.

  One person.

  Chippy Staffire.

  She hummed sweetly to herself as she sorted through her belongings on the bed, folding and arranging with an ease that made Rin’s chest tighten even more. Her hair was down, showing exactly where the rich brown ended and the golden strands began. She wore matching black pajamas, simple but stylish, as if even bedtime was an excuse to coordinate.

  “Are you going to stare at me like I’m some puppy master all night?” Chippy said at last, not even glancing Rin’s way.

  “Uh—No! N-No, not at all!” Rin stammered.

  “Well, it sure feels like that. Come on! Join me!” Chippy declared, patting the empty spot beside her.

  Rin rose slowly on trembling legs, her knees red from kneeling so long. Step by step, she padded over to her bed and started to sit.

  “UH-UH-AH!” Chippy yelped, yanking both blankets out from under her.

  Rin toppled backward with a thud. “…Ow…” she groaned, rubbing her back.

  “S-Sorry! I forgot to move the blankets! Now you can sit!” Chippy said quickly, though she was grinning.

  Rin huffed, pushing herself back up. She eased toward the bed again, pausing as she glanced at Chippy. Her hand hovered nervously over the mattress, half-expecting to be pulled down to the floor again.

  But Chippy only smiled, mouthing a clear

  So Rin lowered herself carefully, finally settling onto the bed. This time, Chippy plopped down beside her.

  “Soo! Tell me about yourself!” Chippy chirped.

  Rin shrank back at the words. Her least favorite question so far.

  Rin simply stared back at her, blinking.

  “…Ohhh! You must be one of those really shy girls!” Chippy teased.

  Rin’s face scrunched tighter, part embarrassment, part overwhelm.

  “Here, I’ll start. Sooo, my name’s Chippy. Yes, my last name is Staffire. And once again—sorry about my blankets!”

  “…Are they… special?” Rin asked softly.

  “Special? No kidding! They’re

  special to me!”

  Rin’s expression shifted, curiosity brightening her features.

  “See this yellow one?” Chippy held it up proudly. “It belonged to my oldest brother when he was a baby. And this blue one? That was my other brother’s when was born! I’m the youngest in my family.” Her smile was radiant, open, impossible to miss.

  Rin could tell just how forward this girl was with her feelings. The complete opposite of Eddie, who she’d had to study for days before he finally admitted anything she suspected.

  “That’s nice…” Rin murmured.

  “Nice? It’s ” Chippy threw her arms out wide. “I get whatever I want, whenever I want!”

  “Really?” Rin asked.

  “Mhmm! So if you need anything, just ask! You don’t seem like the type to cause trouble or ask for weird stuff. You can even come over during winter break—we’ll hang out at my home! I’ll introduce you to my brothers, too!”

  “You can… do that?” Rin tilted her head.

  “What? The winter break thing? Um, yes? Why don’t you know that?” Chippy tilted her head back at her.

  “Oh… I—”

  “Wait! I shared a little, now it’s your turn. You gotta share!”

  “I… I don’t know where to start…” Rin murmured.

  “How about… do you have any siblings?”

  “…No.”

  “Okay, what about your mom and dad? What are they like?”

  “…I… don’t know…” Rin’s voice went thin, her shoulders curling inward.

  Chippy blinked, her smile faltering. “Oh… um. New topic! Are you from France?”

  “France? Oh! Like Paris?” Rin’s eyes lit up, face brightening.

  “Yeah! Exactly! Your clothes are from that one… fashion store I keep hearing about, right?”

  “Th-They are… I’m just not from around here.”

  “Ohh, alright! Then… where

  you from?”

  “…A desert…?” Rin said at last, her voice uncertain even to her own ears.

  “…Okay… new, topic! What’s your favorite color?” Chippy asked.

  The question caught Rin completely off guard. Her head darted around the room anxiously, searching for anything to cling to. Then her eyes landed on the neatly folded blankets behind Chippy.

  “Blue and yellow!” she blurted.

  “Oh, that’s cool!”

  Rin nodded quickly and forced a smile—before it slipped right back into a small, subtle frown. Chippy noticed immediately, tilting her head.

  “Hey… uhm… your turn now. Want to ask me something?”

  “Oh… okay,” Rin said, thinking hard. Her eyes flicked to Chippy, and just as she tilted her head, the lantern light caught the golden strands of her hair. It shimmered.

  “Does your hair turn yellow after it grows for a while? Will… will that happen to me?”

  Chippy blinked at her. Then looked around, as if trying to reread the question floating in the air. “What?!”

  Rin only blinked back. Her question had been completely genuine.

  “Oh, um—it’s not always like this,” Chippy explained, tugging a lock of her hair and holding it closer for Rin to see. “I dyed it.”

  “Dyed it?” Rin echoed.

  “Yeah. I wanted it this golden yellow, so I did. My mom helped me. I’m letting it grow out a bit more before I cut it or dye it another color.”

  “You… can do that?”

  “Girl, even boys do it! You can too!”

  “I can?” Rin asked softly, eyes widening.

  “Mhmm! Tell you what—come over to my house this winter break, and I’ll help you dye it whatever color you want. My mom can help us, too!”

  “Really?” Rin’s mood brightened instantly, her eyes sparkling with sudden excitement.

  “Yeah, really! It’ll be so much fun!” Chippy said, just as excited, grabbing Rin’s hands. Rin squeezed back without thinking.

  “Oh! And—and your hands! Your fingernails! Are they also dyed?”

  “Yeah! They’re called nail polish! Here, wanna see?” Chippy immediately turned her palms down, stretching out her fingers for display.

  Rin gently cupped her hands and lifted them closer to her face. The nails gleamed with a soft blush-pink polish, tiny sparkles dotted across each finger—except for her left pinkie, which was painted a bold blue.

  “We can get you the same polish when we do your hair,” Chippy said brightly. “It’ll be a spa day!”

  “Spa day? Sure! We can do that! I can’t wait to come over!” Rin chirped, her excitement bubbling through.

  “Oh my gosh! My mom will love you! I’m going to tell her all about you!” Chippy squealed, squeezing Rin’s hands again.

  Rin couldn’t stop smiling. Her mind spun with colors—what would suit her? Would her hair sparkle, or shimmer, or just shine flat? Would it look good on her… or would she mess it up?

  It didn’t matter. She just wanted to try.

  “Wait!” Rin blurted, cutting through their shared excitement. “Can I ask you one more thing?”

  “Yeah?” Chippy blinked, still holding her hands.

  “Do you… hate Eddie?”

  “Hate?” Chippy’s smile widened. “I want to see him ”

  “Oh…” Rin’s voice shrank to a whisper.

  “Relax, Rin. Pretty soon? He won’t matter. You’ll prefer me anyway. I’m way more fun—and better than him. You’ll see.”

  “…Okay…” Rin murmured, unsure.

  “Ugh! Winter break is going to take forever!” Chippy flopped back onto her bed dramatically. “Come on, let’s get to sleep! The faster we finish our first semester, the faster we can hang out!”

  “Right…” Rin said softly, slipping away from Chippy’s side. She returned to her own bed and lay down, turning her back to her new roommate.

  “Goodnight! ~” Chippy sang out before drifting off almost instantly.

  Rin struggled to fall asleep. She liked Eddie… but Chippy’s promise of showing her a world she’d never known, a world just for her, echoed in her ears. It felt wrong. Still, she reached up, touched her brows, and sighed before finally closing her eyes.

  #

  The next day, Rin sat with her chin cradled in both hands, elbows propped on her desk. Eddie was muttering something to her left. Chippy was fussing over her nails to her right. Rin floated somewhere in between—her mind blank, her will absent, her gaze fixed on the wall a few desks ahead.

  Then a familiar voice rang out.

  “Good morning, class! Welcome back to Magical Elements.” Professor Oraus clapped his hands once, drawing all eyes forward. “Today, you’ll be learning to cast your very first spells. We’ll be taking a short trip to the Glover Field to practice. Do you all have your notes from last class on the core seven elements?”

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

  Eddie glanced at Rin, mouthing,

  Rin nodded quickly and pulled out her notes—the ones she’d worked on with Eddie. The moment he reached for them, Professor Oraus ordered the students to stand and follow along. Eddie and Rin trailed at the back of the line, with Chippy hanging just behind them.

  “Hey, what’s that? Notes? Give ’em here!” Chippy whispered, snatching the papers straight from Eddie’s hand.

  “O-Okay, okay! Just… can I have them back after you’re done?” Eddie asked nervously.

  “Mmm. If I feel like it. Rin and I could really use these, you know? Since already know what you’re doing.”

  “I-I don’t…”

  “Not my problem!~” Chippy sang, flashing a smug smile before practically shoving Eddie away from Rin.

  Rin looked back at Eddie, concerned. She had never seen him back down to anyone—not even Drenco.

  “So, what do you think we’re going to learn today, Rin?” Chippy asked brightly.

  “Oh, um… I-I don’t know. Maybe we can ask Eddie?”

  “Nah. Anyway, seven elements? My brothers told me about it. They said it’s the key part of spellcasting. All spells use one, or combinations, of the core elements to make anything happen.”

  “Okay…” Rin murmured, still watching Eddie.

  Eddie kept his distance, forced by Chippy’s interference. Rin tried, really tried, to draw him back into the conversation, but even he refused, as if some invisible rule now stood between them. It left her more confused than ever.

  Finally, the group stepped out of the building, their footsteps clicking down a cobbled path. To the left, Rin’s eyes caught on a massive ellipse-shaped structure rising high into the sky. She couldn’t look away. She had never been on this side of the academy before.

  “What’s up, Rin? You okay?” Chippy asked, then followed her gaze.

  “Ah! The Coliseum! Do you want to join the dueling tournament one day?”

  “Dueling tournament?” Rin echoed.

  “Yeah! Most kids who want to be Enforcers try their luck there. The top performers get recognized by the Grand Military, and the winner can become a Black Glove Sorcerer as soon as they graduate! But you have to be fifteen to even enroll.”

  “What do you… do in duels?”

  “Uh, fight? With magic???” Chippy tilted her head, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

  Fight? Like what Mister Vix had done when he saved her? Rin’s eyes widened. This could be her chance. An opportunity to sharpen her skills—so she could stand at his side one day.

  “O-Okay… I will…”

  “What?!” Chippy exclaimed immediately. “No way! You’re way too soft for that!” She burst out laughing.

  “What? I’m—I’m soft?” Rin stammered.

  “Yeah! You have to be

  to enter! And besides, we don’t know anything other than emissive magic. We’ve gotta learn as much as we can before we even about entering!”

  Rin dropped her gaze to her feet, embarrassed. She had a point. Rin barely knew how the world worked, and here she was already dreaming about fighting in a ring.

  “I… want to be strong…” Rin whispered.

  “Yeah? Get in line, sis. Everybody wants to be strong!” Chippy grinned. “But with my brother around? Kinda hard to measure up. But hey—it’s okay!”

  She wrapped an arm around Rin’s neck, like a boy tugging a girl in close.

  “Between you and me? We’ll toughen you up! And once you’ve got all that spellcasting practice down? You’ll be a ”

  “Do you… really think so?” Rin asked, poking her index fingers together.

  “Mhmm! Don’t you worry—I’m on your side!” Chippy giggled, finally letting her go.

  They continued past the looming stadium until they reached the field. Spells were already flying as older students finished their own practice.

  “Ah. Seems we’re a little early,” Professor Oraus said, surveying the grounds. “Let me check with that instructor over there. Stay here. Do wander.” He disappeared into the field.

  The younger students stood waiting, chattering, laughing, jostling like normal kids. Rin felt herself shrinking again. She tried—she turned to Chippy, but Chippy was already tilting her mirror, fussing with her hair. She glanced toward Eddie, only to find him off on his own, hands buried in his pockets, kicking at the dirt. He didn’t want anyone near him—not even her.

  Rin sighed, shoulders sagging.

  The older students began filing out one by one, dismissed without ceremony, no professor guiding them. Rin tracked them with her eyes—until a voice broke through the air.

  “…Rin? Is that you?”

  Her eyes widened. That voice.

  She spun, searching—until she found him.

  The boy from the desert.

  “Rick?!”

  “Rin! It you!” he exclaimed, rushing up with his arms wide. Rin’s feet moved on their own—she ran straight into him, throwing herself into his chest and squeezing tight.

  He laughed, hugging her back just as firmly. “It’s been a while! Look at you—you’re so cute! And not… sandy!”

  Rin rubbed her face against his chest like a puppy, nodding furiously as she tried to hold back squeals.

  “You been doing alright?” Rick asked warmly, then dropped his voice into a conspiratorial whisper. “The commander been spoiling you? Sharing any of that spoil with me?” He patted her head with a grin.

  Rin giggled, grabbing his hand against her hair. It still bothered her sometimes, but… not from him.

  “He got me clothes and cookies from Paris!” she chirped.

  “Aww, I want clothes and cookies from Paris!”

  “Rick! I can’t share my clothes—they’d be way too small for you!” Rin laughed.

  “That, and I’m a boy,” Rick smirked. “Don’t think a pretty dress would suit me…”

  Rin blinked—then burst into laughter too.

  “Look at you! You’ve grown so much since I last saw you. Not in height, but… you understand now, right? Tell me you know what those dots are in the sky.”

  “They’re stars!” she giggled, looking up at him.

  “That’s right! And you know where you are, don’t you?”

  “Uh-huh! We’re in Kormadyne Magical Academy… America!”

  “Close enough,” Rick chuckled, hands on his hips. “Okay, okay. Next time you to bring me cookies. I’m starving! Wait—you said Paris, right?”

  “I will! And yes!”

  “Well, that makes sense. We’re floating over France right now. Did you know that?”

  “Mhmm!” Rin nodded eagerly.

  “Do you know where the island’s going next?”

  “Um… New York…?”

  “Yeah! Back to the United States.”

  “What’s… United States?” Rin tilted her head.

  “Oh… well, er…” Rick scratched the back of his neck. “Guess he didn’t tell you everything. New York is a city in a different country. The country’s called the United States of America. That’s where this academy is from. The whole island floats around the world all year, stopping in different countries.”

  “Ohhh… Mister Vix said he liked the wands from New York.”

  Rick turned his head away, half tempted to facepalm.

  “Well, sure. There’s the famous Curtain Veil over there. I couldn’t even afford one of their cheapest broken wands…” He stopped, then grinned suddenly. “Oh! Speaking of—did you get a wand yet, Rin? Can I see it?”

  “Oh! Sure!” Rin said excitedly, stumbling as she fumbled out her wand.

  Rick took it gently, turning it in his hands. “Whoa… it’s so plain. Stylish too. Doesn’t suit you at all. But in a good way, you know?” He smiled as he flipped it around—then suddenly his grip faltered.

  The wand grew heavy. His fingers reddened with strain.

  “What?! Hey—HEY, WAIT!” Rick gasped, shoving it back against Rin’s chest. She clutched it tight, blinking in confusion.

  “The hell was that?” he panted, hands braced on his knees.

  “I-I don’t know!”

  Rick shook his head, waving it off. “It’s fine. Guess your wand really likes you… and really hates everyone else.”

  “You think so?” Rin asked, wide-eyed.

  Rick just shrugged. “Oh well. Anyway, what house are you in? I’ll come by on weekends.”

  “You can do that?! I’m in the South House!”

  “South House, huh? I’m in West.”

  “Oh, really? Is it… nice over there?”

  Rick smirked. “Tell me you’ve learned words other than ”

  “I have!” Rin pouted, puffing her cheeks.

  Rick laughed. “Okay, okay! Sorry! I’ll come by, promise. Do good, alright? I’ll be waiting when you graduate.”

  Rin’s face warmed, her cheeks red and aching from how much she’d been smiling. This—this was what she wanted. What she needed. A sense of home. A place to belong.

  “H-Hey, Rick?” Rin called as he turned to leave.

  “Yeah?” he glanced back.

  “Do you… think I’ll ever be a strong sorceress? Like you? Or like Mister Vix?”

  Rick blinked, then grinned. “What? No—yeah, of course! We’ll work on it together, right? I’m not as strong as the commander, but I’m here. And I want to be strong too. Looks like that’s a goal we both share, huh?”

  He bent down a little, meeting her at eye level.

  “So tell you what—let’s become strong. Together. And stand by the commander’s side!”

  “Y-Yes! Right! Together!” Rin beamed.

  Rick gave her one last pat on the head before striding off, calling over his shoulder. “Remember, I’ll visit you this weekend! Save the cookies!”

  “I will!” Rin shouted after him.

  And then he was gone. Rin felt lighter, bouncing on her toes, shifting from heel to tiptoe like she might lift off the ground any second.

  “Who was that?” Chippy asked, having only caught a glimpse of the boy.

  “He’s my friend!” Rin answered proudly.

  “Whaaaat? I thought

  was your only friend.” Chippy tilted her head, frowning in mock offense.

  “Alright, children, gather into the field!” Professor Oraus boomed, his voice carrying across the grounds.

  Professor Oraus strode to the center of the field, motioning the students into a wide semicircle. His voice carried with calm authority.

  “Alright, listen closely. Today you will learn your first true spell— The simplest, most universal defense in sorcery. It is also the next step to emissive magic. Shields like these have saved countless lives on the battlefield, in duels, and even against magical and non-magical beasts. If you master nothing else, master this.”

  He raised his wand, holding it straight before him.

  “A barrier can be shaped from any of the seven elements—or combinations of them. Fire, water, earth, divine, curse, air, neutral… all can shield you. The form depends on you: small or large, thin or thick, simple or complex. But remember this—strength always depends on your mana pool, and on how much you pour into it.”

  He gave the wand a subtle flick. Mana pulsed outward, forming a translucent dome of shimmering light around him. It hummed softly, a gentle ripple passing across its surface like waves on water.

  “This is a divine barrier,” Oraus explained. “It does nothing fancy—no flames, no sparks, no glow. But it holds.”

  The barrier glimmered, then collapsed as he lowered his wand.

  “Too little mana, and your barrier will shatter. Too much, and you’ll exhaust yourself before the fight even begins. But just enough?” He tapped his temple. “It could save your life.”

  He scanned the group, eyes firm.

  “Now then. Spread out. Wands at the ready. Today, you learn to raise your first barrier.”

  The kids immediately spread out, two arms’ lengths apart, forming a line across the field.

  “Alright,” Professor Oraus instructed. “Point forward and imagine a barrier that will stop —rain, snow, wind, sparks, flames. Your wish is to defend yourself. Keep it simple. Pick one element. Think back to your notes and visualize it. Then let your mana flow into your wand. Use your heart and your will. Begin!”

  Rin lifted her wand and shut her eyes. She thought about her affinities—Divine, like the professor. Curse, like Mister Vix. Neutral… she avoided completely. She couldn’t picture its shape, its size, its anything. She opened her eyes.

  Nothing.

  Her chest tightened.

  She glanced left. Eddie’s wand glowed faintly as a barrier curved into shape—round like an umbrella.

  “Ah, Edward. Very good. That’s a strong fire barrier,” Oraus called approvingly.

  “Thank you, sir!” Eddie grinned, his eyes shining as he studied his creation. The barrier glowed faint red and orange, heat warbling gently off it. No flames, no wild sparks—just a steady hum, warm and alive.

  Rin turned to her right. Chippy’s barrier flickered, sputtered—then stabilized into a golden rectangle. Sparkles drifted across its surface, floating upward like stars before sinking gracefully back down. Chippy admired it with a smug smirk.

  “Chippy. Good job,” Oraus said, though his brow furrowed. “But this is too advanced—you’re combining elements. Please hold yourself back and pick ”

  “Oh! Uh, yes sir!” Chippy stuttered, retracting her barrier before trying again.

  Rin stared down at her wand, then shut her eyes tight.

  A low groan escaped her as she pushed with all her focus. Nothing. Then—like a flash—her mind replayed the moment she fell down the stairs. The moment Eddie caught her.

  Her eyes flew open. A translucent wall of compressed air shimmered into being, shooting outward in a circular shape from her wand.

  “Miss Rin, that’s a nice barrier,” Professor Oraus said, stepping closer.

  The outlines sharpened as the barrier solidified, tinted green, the wind currents weaving tighter and tighter. The air hissed, then howled, swirling in violent circles. Blades of wind sliced the grass beneath it clean.

  Oraus’s eyes widened. “What in the—?!” He threw up his arm to shield his face as the gale picked up.

  “Damn! That’s a strong barrier!” he shouted over the roar. “Undo your spell! What are you trying to defend yourself from—a ”

  “Y-Yes, sir!” Rin squeaked. She gripped her wand with both hands and tugged. The barrier shattered, bursting outward in a gust that rippled across the field in a perfect circle. The wind howled away, leaving silence and flattened grass in its wake.

  “The hell is your mana pool?!” Professor Oraus exclaimed, rushing up to her side. His eyes darted from Rin to the flattened ring of grass still swirling faintly in the breeze. “Are you alright, child?”

  “Y-Yes, sir…” Rin stammered, clutching her wand with both hands as if afraid it might burst again.

  Oraus narrowed his eyes, then let out a low breath. “Hmm. You pass. But that’s enough for you today. Take a seat—no more barriers for the remainder of class. Understood?”

  “Yes, Professor…” Rin whispered.

  She slumped into her place with a long sigh, heart still racing.

  Eddie and Chippy were staring at her, equally confused.

  “Well… that was my first barrier!” Rin said with a nervous chuckle.

  #

  That same night, beneath the high Sonoran moon, men grunted and sweated as they dug into the desert with shovels. The pale light washed over the sand, painting the scene in silver and shadow.

  Atop the tallest hill, a man stood with arms crossed, his patience thinning. His wand remained sheathed as he glared down at the laboring men.

  “Sir, I just… I was wondering… isn’t it… conspicuous if we wear this makeup while we work?” one of them asked nervously.

  “Conspicuous?” Britlex’s voice cracked like a whip. His eyes gleamed. “Our colors are worn with pride, and you worry about ”

  He drew his wand and fired a bolt of fire straight into the man’s skull. The body crumpled, lifeless in the sand.

  “Try dragging your bloodied corpse across the desert for conspicuous, moron,” Britlex sneered.

  Suddenly, his communicator buzzed. He lifted it to his ear.

  “Chase.”

  “My lord. I pray your search is going well?”

  “It’s terrible.”

  “My apologies…”

  “Chase? I don’t get it. I just—” Britlex’s voice rose, edged with fury. “You know? I

  We’re looking for a dragon. Not a rat, not a cow, not some pig or duck. A

  A legendary creature capable of miracles. Its last traces led us to this forsaken desert, and we still haven’t found a ”

  “Patience, my lord,” Chase replied evenly. “I’ve confirmed with my brethren that the residuals are the only accurate method of tracing such a being. The last place to check would be… Kormadyne.”

  “Kormadyne.” Britlex spat the word like venom. “That filth-ridden cesspool. And dangerous for your cover.”

  “It is. But my loyalty to you comes first.”

  “Good answer.” Britlex exhaled sharply through his nose. “I’ll keep searching here. If I turn up nothing, I’ll rely on you.”

  “Of course, sir. I’ll make way to the academy first thing tomorrow.”

  “Good. I expect better news.” Britlex snapped the communicator shut with a huff, the desert wind carrying his impatience into the night.

  Suddenly, his communicator buzzed again. Britlex snapped it open.

  “Chase???”

  “Sir… it’s… er—you should leave.”

  “What?!”

  “Stark. He’s onto us.”

  Britlex’s face twisted, rage spilling into the night.

  “FFFFFUUUUUU—”