Adena's voice echoed throughout the train, commanding attention with its authority.

"Dear students, good morning. Let's begin our day. In half an hour, we will arrive at the Academy station. The Student Council has prepared your special uniforms, which you can find in the cabinet next to the door. Please ensure you are ready by putting on your uniforms and repacking your suitcases. When the train stops at the station, we will signal for you to disembark."

The announcement reverberated through the cabins, rousing even the most drowsy passengers. Excitement lit up every pair of eyes as anticipation built for their arrival at The Eden Chronicles Academy.

Founded during the reign of the First King, the academy was established as a sanctuary for young mages to hone their craft in peace. While numerous academies dotted the island of Misty Isle, none rivaled the prestige of this one. Admission was a privilege reserved for descendants of the leading families or those with extraordinary magical talent. Yet, even with the right lineage or skill, acceptance was never guaranteed.

Situated at the heart of the island near the City of Magic, the academy was cloaked in a magical dome, safeguarding it from both outsiders and the untamed wilderness. Its enchanted train remained invisible to those uninitiated, appearing only at specific stations.

As the train slowed to a halt, knights assembled around it, their armor gleaming in the morning light. Members of the Student Council stood at each exit, overseeing the orderly disembarkation. Students were guided out one by one, their belongings and identities carefully checked.

Beyond the platform, volunteers from the academy eagerly awaited the new arrivals. Among them stood a girl with violet hair, her gaze darting toward the carriages, scanning the crowd. Her face brightened when a familiar figure emerged from the last carriage.

"RUMIYA! Over here!"

Rumiya, clutching her suitcase, hurried toward the voice. The two friends embraced tightly.

"I’m so happy to see you, Miki," Rumiya said, her voice warm with affection.

"And I’m just as happy to see you," Miki replied with a grin. "We haven’t seen each other all summer. How have you been? Your health? And your hair—it’s grown so much!"

"Thank you, Miki. I’m fine. How about you?"

"The same as always—everything’s fine. I’ve been waiting for this moment all summer. Let’s head to the dormitory. I’ll help you with your suitcase."

Miki grabbed the suitcase and began leading the way, but a voice stopped her mid-step.

"Excuse me," a red-haired girl interjected, approaching them.

Miki turned, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"I wanted to talk to you, Rumiya… Oh, I see you’re not alone," the girl continued.

"Hello, my name is Michelle Blossom. I come from the town Fauna. " Miki asked, her tone polite yet guarded: "And you are?'

"Eiles Florence, city Teikos" the girl replied smoothly. "Haven’t we met before?"

Miki’s brow furrowed slightly but quickly masked it with a polite smile. "Perhaps. But I don’t recall."

"No, I’m sure," Eiles pressed. "You were on the Student Council last year, weren’t you?"

Miki’s smile stiffened, and she let out a nervous laugh. "Ah, that… yes. But that was a long time ago. Let’s not dwell on the past."

Eiles raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further. Instead, she turned to Rumiya. "You two know each other well?"

"We’re best friends," Miki interjected quickly, stepping closer to Rumiya. "Have been since childhood. And you?"

"We were roommates on the train," Eiles said with a shrug. Then, addressing Rumiya, she added, "Actually, I wanted to speak with you alone."

Rumiya glanced at Miki, who gave a small nod, though her expression was tinged with unease. Reluctantly, Rumiya allowed Eiles to lead her a few steps away.

"Rumiya, there’s something important you should know," Eiles began, her voice low. "I overheard a rumor on the train."

Rumiya stiffened. "A rumor?"

"Yes," Eiles hesitated before continuing. "It’s about your past. There’s talk that you once lived on the streets. I didn’t believe it, of course, but I thought you should be aware."

Rumiya’s expression softened with a sigh of relief, though her shoulders remained tense.

"I’ve heard those whispers before," Rumiya admitted, her tone calm yet guarded. "I don’t know who started them or why. But…"

"There’s more," Eiles interjected. "They were also talking about Kurosaki Harabi."

Rumiya’s smile faltered. Her breath hitched, and she took a step back, her mind swirling.

"I knew it," Eiles said softly. "You do know her."

Rumiya’s voice wavered. "Eiles…"

"Your sister killed her sister, didn’t she?"

The words struck like a dagger. Rumiya’s chest tightened, and she averted her gaze, unable to meet Eiles’ eyes. The weight of the words seemed to press down on Rumiya, her shoulders sagging under an invisible burden. Her mind spun, flashes of painful memories threatening to surface. She clenched her jaw, willing herself to stay composed.

" Well, I heard the same rumors before, but I have never been interested in them, " Eilies spoke quietly. " I never knew if they were true."

"I—I need to go. Miki’s waiting for me," Rumiya stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Wait," Eiles called after her. "I just wanted to know the truth."

Rumiya paused, her back to Eiles. "Ask anyone around, Eiles. They seem to know more about my life than I do." With that, she walked away, her steps steady but her heart racing.

As she approached Miki, her friend’s concerned expression greeted her like a lifeline. Forcing herself to smile, Rumiya said lightly, "Let’s head to the dormitory."

But as they walked together, Rumiya’s mind churned. The weight of the rumors—and the truth they might conceal—pressed heavily on her, threatening to unravel her carefully maintained facade.

Miki glanced at Rumiya, her expression tinged with concern. She hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, her voice soft and deliberate. Eiles was still walking behind them, that is why Miki tried to speak as quietly as only possible.

"I heard that Harabi has entered the academy too," she said, the words hanging in the air like a weight. "What do you think about it?"

Rumiya stiffened, her gaze fixed ahead. "I’ve seen her," she replied quietly. "Briefly. We met on the train."

Miki’s brow furrowed. "And? What did you do?"

"Nothing," Rumiya said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just left. Our meeting could cause too many problems… especially for her family."

Miki let out a soft sigh, her concern deepening. "I see," she murmured. "This year might be hard."

"Maybe," Rumiya admitted, her tone heavy with resignation.

Miki’s expression softened, and she forced a small smile. "Let’s focus on something else for now," she said, gesturing ahead. "Look, we’re almost there."

The two approached a grand building surrounded by statues of long-forgotten warriors — heroes from the age when mages bled for their freedom. Weatherworn and proud, each figure held a different weapon: staffs, blades, books bound in chains. Their stone eyes seemed to watch silently as the students passed by.

Rumiya’s gaze lingered on one particular statue — a woman with a cracked helm and a hand pressed over her heart. Something about her stance stirred a distant ache, but she couldn’t name it.

She didn’t even notice when they stepped inside the main hall — not until a presence ahead stopped her cold.

Harabi. 

Long black hair, white skin, dark blue eyes...

The girl stood motionless a few meters away, wrapped in morning light that filtered through the high stained-glass windows. Her dark blue eyes locked onto Rumiya’s with startling clarity — not surprise, not recognition… something quieter. Heavier.

The air between them thickened, trembling on the edge of memory.

Neither moved. Neither spoke.

Time held its breath.

Then — soft footsteps behind them. A familiar voice, casual and warm. 

"Wow, this year there are more people" 

Harabi’s eyes brightened when she saw Eiles, her expression softening into a smile that hinted at the depth of their long-standing friendship. “Eiles? We haven’t met for ages. I didn’t even recognize you at first. You've grown up so much.”

Eiles returned the smile, her tone warm with nostalgia. “Harabi?? You’ve changed too. I remember you as that little girl who used to cry all the time.”

Harabi chuckled and playfully swatted at Eiles. “Hey, stop it.”

Their playful exchange was a clear sign of the bond they shared. Harabi’s face lit up further, eager to catch up. “By the way, Tatsuki is here too. She left a few minutes ago to get the keys.”

Eiles nodded, glancing back at the girls with her. “Oh, I see. I’m not alone either.”

At this, Harabi’s gaze shifted to Miki and Rumiya. She seemed to notice the subtle discomfort in the air between them and her smile faltered for a moment. Eiles, sensing the slight tension, introduced them to smooth things over. “These are my acquaintances, Michelle and Rumiya. I guess you two already know each other.”

Miki and Rumiya exchanged formal greetings with Harabi, but Rumiya couldn’t entirely mask her unease. She avoided making direct eye contact with Harabi, the weight of their shared past hanging in the space between them.

Harabi’s voice softened as she tried to ease the tension. “I’m Harabi Kurosaki, from Nox. It’s nice to meet you all properly, after so many years.”

Miki smiled politely. “Michelle Blossom, and this is Rumiya Sudzukawa. We’re happy to meet you too.”

Turning to Eiles, Miki raised an eyebrow. “So, Eiles, you and Harabi know each other?”

Eiles nodded, her smile tinged with fondness. “We’ve been friends since childhood.”

Harabi laughed lightly. “Well, we were friends when we were little, but it’s been years since we’ve had a chance to really talk. How long have you two been friends with Eiles?”

Miki’s smile remained polite, but her tone was slightly guarded. “I’ve only just met Eiles. We’re not exactly friends yet.”

Eiles chuckled, her teasing nature resurfacing. “Not yet.”

Harabi, intrigued, shifted her focus to Rumiya. “And you, Rumiya? We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

Rumiya’s expression stiffened momentarily, but she quickly masked it with a neutral smile. “It was when we were children... so many years ago.”

“Ah,” Harabi said with a slight nod, her gaze softening. “I had forgotten what you looked like until now.”

Rumiya’s discomfort was palpable, but she maintained her composure. The air between them shifted as the conversation lingered on the past, with unspoken words hanging in the space, thick with history.

Their moment of nostalgia was interrupted by a commotion nearby, drawing their attention away from the conversation. Harabi and Rumiya exchanged a quick, silent glance, their shared history now more complex than ever. The unspoken tension between them lingered, an undercurrent neither could ignore.