A month later.

On a warm summer day, the empire's most prestigious magic academy, built on the southern outskirts of the royal city beside the serene Lake Celestara, officially began its new term.

Seated side by side in the carriage, Loewen and Gian listened to the rhythmic clatter of wheels as they rolled towards the academy nestled among the mountains.

The towering, castle-like structures stood in the valley and blended seamlessly into the natural landscape. Their spires reached skyward and created an imposing sight.

As the carriage passed through the academy's grand entrance, the first thing that came into view was a towering marble statue of the Supreme Mage Charles, which stood two stories tall.

Loewen glanced out the window just in time to see a flock of white doves soaring past Charles's head, disappearing into the distance.

"There's one thing you must remember once you enter the academy." Gian's voice cut through the gentle ambiance.

Loewen turned to him. "What is it?"

"You're a girl."

"..."

"What's with that look?"

With a stern expression, Gian flicked Loewen's forehead, his tone firm. "Father told me to keep an eye on you. Don't cause trouble for me. Sit properly."

He nudged Loewen's knee with his own.

Suppressing his irritation, Loewen reluctantly pulled his legs together beneath the layers of his dress.

Gian repeated what he had said the day before, "Remember, no one can find out your real gender. If they do, our entire family's reputation will be ruined."

Loewen obediently nodded, but secretly raised a middle finger.

The carriage rolled down a long, tree-lined avenue before coming to a halt at the edge of a spacious square.

At the center of it, a group of boys and girls, all around Loewen's age, stood chatting. Their finely tailored clothes and polished accessories showcased their distinguished status.

"Go on. The class sorting is about to start. I've told the coachman to deliver your luggage directly to your dormitory—sort it out when you have time."

Loewen patiently endured Gian's long-winded instructions, nodding absentmindedly as he prepared to leave.

"Wait," Gian called out suddenly. "Tonight, the Student Union is hosting a freshmen welcome party. Make sure to attend."

"Got it." Loewen nodded meekly, but inwardly, he thought: there's no way I'm going.

Satisfied with Loewen's submissive attitude, Gian finally departed.

Loewen strolled lazily toward the chattering group of new students, keeping to the outskirts of the crowd. He tugged down the brim of his sunhat, so as to make it clear that he had no intention of socializing.

"Miss Flenqi?"

"...Miss Flenqi?"

Someone nearby was calling out. It took Loewen a few seconds to realize somebody was talking to him.

He lifted his hat slightly, only to see a tall and slim young man standing before him.

Dark brown hair. Deep blue eyes.

Why is this little brat here?

A ridiculous nightmare flashed through Loewen's mind. His face stiffened, and he shot Felix a look filled with pure hostility.

Felix blinked in confusion.

Without a word, Loewen averted his gaze and walked off in the opposite direction, pretending he hadn't seen him.

Felix watched as Loewen deliberately avoided him. His smile slowly faded at the corners of his mouth.

***

The class sorting ceremony officially began.

Dean Jenny Cronin, dressed in a crimson robe, stood energetically on the high platform at the center of the square.

She was an elderly woman, past her sixties, with short, curly gray hair and eyes that, despite the passage of time, had not lost their clarity.

At that moment, she held a scroll of parchment in her hands. A warm and gentle smile appeared on her face as she called out the names and classes of the new students. Her voice was rich with both experience and authority.

The students whose names were called stepped up to the platform in turn to receive their academy uniforms and class badges.

Every year, Charles Magic Academy recruits nearly 150 young men and women from noble families across the continent, placing them into one of three classes: Crescent Class, Solstice Class, or Stardust Class, where they would study the most advanced magical courses.

The academy follows a six-year elite education system, and graduates usually have enough skill to obtain a mage qualification certificate, allowing them to join top-tier magical organizations in the empire, such as the Light Mage Alliance. Their future was bright, and their potential boundless.

"Loewen Flenqi, Crescent Class!"

Loewen tucked away his sunhat, walked through the crowd, and headed straight for the high platform.

The crowd buzzed with murmurs of surprise and mockery.

"Oh my god, the rumors were true! The useless daughter of the Flenqi family is really here at the magic academy!"

"She's just a privileged child, with no magical power whatsoever, what's she even doing here?"

"Ha, ha~, she's actually pretty cute!" Of course, there were always people who only care about appearances.

Loewen ignored the whispers that reached his ears, casting a quick glance at the crowd below before respectfully receiving his dark blue academy uniform and a crescent-shaped class badge from the dean.

***

The next morning, Loewen woke up early.

Staying in a single dorm room away from the maids' disturbances, Loewen pulled out the corset from his luggage with a disgusted look and shoved it under the bed like trash. He then slipped into the academy-issued uniform, and then tied his hair into a sleek high ponytail. After a quick glance in the mirror, he grabbed his bookbag and left the room.

The cafeteria was bustling with students, and all around him, he saw deep blue academy uniforms.

Breakfast was served buffet-style.

Loewen filled a plate and found a secluded corner to sit in. There, he ate slowly while casually flipping through a textbook, preparing for his classes.

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a soft, warm halo around Loewen as he sat beneath it. His long, flowing hair shimmered like liquid gold.

"Miss Flenqi, may I sit next to you?"

Loewen lowered the cup of hot tea he had just sipped and looked up.

His emerald green eyes, reminiscent of tranquil lakes, met the unexpected sight of Felix standing before him, his crescent-shaped class badge shining brightly under his collar.

Felix blinked, feeling a little bit strange. This girl, in front of him, seemed... different. A peculiar unfamiliarity washed over him.

Gone were the lace-trimmed clothes, replaced by the academy uniform. Loewen had transformed not just in appearance, but in demeanor. Most notably, the sharp, scrutinizing look in "her" eyes, so different from the naive innocence "she" used to display.

"You can sit," Loewen said indifferently, returning his gaze to the book.

Felix immediately obeyed and sat down.

The two of them ate in silence, each absorbed in their own breakfast.

Loewen kept his head down, turning a page in his textbook.

Felix watched him quietly, then politely asked, "What book are you reading?"

Loewen turned the cover toward him for a brief moment, revealing The World of Magic, the first-year required textbook, an introductory guide to the magical world.

Felix continued, eager to engage in conversation. "Is that the textbook for today's class?"

Loewen nodded absently, still keeping his eyes on the page.

"Miss Flenqi..." Felix's voice dropped slightly, tinged with sadness. "I thought, even though you rejected my proposal, we could at least remain friends, like we always were."

Loewen finally looked up. "Were we friends?"

Felix's eyes widened. "Of course!"

Loewen stared at him for a short while before rubbing his temples. "Sorry, I have amnesia."

"...What?" Felix exclaimed in disbelief.

Loewen shrugged.

Felix looked at him for a few seconds, and then quickly added, "But we have shared so many pleasant memories and been to so many wonderful places together—fruit groves, flower fields, tall towers, and busy markets. You said I was your best playmate and forever friend—don't you remember any of that?"

Loewen said nothing. Actually, he was a little bit shocked.

What should you do when you feel like someone is using your memory loss as an excuse to trap you, but you don't have any proof?

Waiting for an answer, urgent.