Everyone knows the story. We’ve been taught it since elementary school, about how everything changed at the turn of the century.

It began in 1999, when a comet appeared out of nowhere. No telescope ever caught it. No agency predicted it. It swept close to Earth, and for seven nights the sky glowed as bright as day. Then, just as suddenly, the comet vanished. No trace, no orbit, nothing.

Months later, strange things started happening. A boy in the south poured water from his bare hands. A woman in the east grew a tree in half an hour. An old man in the north healed open wounds with a touch. People like that began appearing everywhere.

Not all humans were changed, but nearly half were. These abilities were named Gift, and those who possessed them became known as Arcane.

At first, it looked like the beginning of something miraculous. The birth of a new existence. However, it didn’t end well.

In 2008, war broke out. Humans against Arcane. The Third World War, or also known as the Great Arcane War. Burned across continents. Landscapes were scarred. Coastlines were redrawn. Even Earth’s geography itself was altered.

By 2013, the war ended. Not because anyone won, but because both sides were exhausted. A peace treaty was signed. But when people tried to return home, they found there was no home left. Cities flattened. Nations erased.

So, the survivors gathered on the remaining stable land and formed a single country: the Republic of Shanan.

To prevent the same disaster from happening again, the new government rebuilt education with Arcane in mind. Lessons about Gifts and ethics became mandatory from childhood. Later, specialized academies were established. Schools where Arcane could deepen their control alongside normal studies.

And the most renowned of them all was Roxley Academy.

The first. And still the most prestigious.

Its entrance exams were said to be nearly impossible, reserved for geniuses and elites. People said that simply dreaming of entering Roxley was already an achievement. Graduates were guaranteed futures like high-ranking positions, university acceptance without tests, jobs waiting for them the moment they stepped out the gates.

For the rest of the country, Roxley stood as either a promise or a wall. People either chased it with everything they had or gave up before even trying.

That’s why, back in class, when I casually mentioned that Roxley wasn’t even my second choice for high school, the room went silent. No arguments. No laughter. Just confusion hanging thick in the air.

So when this redhead revealed he was from Roxley, my impression of him dropped instantly.

Still, it’d be rude to show that outright.

“Oh, you’re from Roxley, huh? That’s… impressive.”

I tried to smile. It probably came out stiff. Acting has never been my strong suit.

“You seem a bit displeased,” He assumed, frowned. “Or is that just my hunch?”

Sharp. He caught it fast. Then again, Roxley students were usually treated like royalty. The moment someone didn’t play along, it stuck out like a sore thumb.

“I don’t see you as gods walking the earth, if that’s what you mean. Don’t get me wrong, you’re talented. Probably brilliant. But what, am I supposed to worship you for it?”

Louis shook his head, folding his arms loosely.

“No, no. That’d be embarrassing.” He smiled. “Honestly, I agree. Some first-years at Roxley strut around like they own the world. Watching the place humble them is half the fun.”

A genuine laugh slipped out of me.

“Now that sounds like something I wouldn’t mind seeing.”

“Actually, if you want to see it, you can.”

…Huh?

Louis reached into his jacket and pulled out a badge. A bronze plate, no bigger than a coin, engraved with the head of a stag. Simple, but heavy with meaning.

The stag symbolized harmony, often tied to nature itself. Bronze—unlike flashy gold or cold silver—meant modest strength, the kind that endured. Together, the emblem spoke clearly: guardianship. Protectors who nurtured, who kept peace within their reach.

It was the mark of Roxley Academy’s Security Division. Famous for integrity and discipline.

So when Louis said he wasn’t just a “normal student,” he hadn’t been joking. It carried a double meaning. He was a Roxley student, and a special one at that.

“Looks like mister here is a VIP,” I smirked.

“I’m not the VIP,” he corrected, flashing a grin as he tucked the badge away. “I’m the one who protects the VIP. Which means I actually have the authority to give you a chance to see Roxley up close.”

“…What do you mean?”

“A recommendation letter.”

“Not interested.”

“Eh?”

The look on his face was priceless. Not used to hearing no, are you?

Hanging around would only drag this out. He’d keep pushing, circling back like a salesman with unlimited breath. Better to cut it clean.

“Thanks for the help,” I said, already turning away. “I can still make it to afternoon class.”

I quickened my pace, hoping to ditch him.

Bad move.

“Hey, wait!”

His footsteps caught up in no time. Damn it. Of course they did. His legs were longer. One step of his covered nearly two of mine.

“What is it?” I asked, keeping my voice flat, uninterested.

“Uh, maybe you didn’t hear me right,” he said. “I’m offering you a recommendation. The golden ticket into Roxley.”

“I know what it is. The letter that lets you skip the written and interview tests, and bring you straight into the practical exam. And yeah, a higher chance for a scholarship.”

Louis fell silent, surprise flashing across his face. Not the first time today. He quickened his pace to keep up, words tumbling out again.

“You know about that? Then why refuse it? It’s once in a lifetime!”

“I don’t know. Maybe because I don’t want to spend my lifetime there.”

“Why not?”

“Everyone has their reasons.”

“And yours?”

“Why do you care?”

“Because I’ve never met anyone who turned down the golden ticket.”

“There’s a first time for everything.”

“Exactly why I want to know!”

I stopped walking.

Dammit. This redhead really couldn’t handle the word no.

“Listen,” I said, turning to face him. “Are you offering me that golden ticket just because you saw me knock down two punks?”

“I mean, in my position, I can issue a recommendation letter however I like.”

Does he even hear himself?

“Then give it to some other troublemaker!” I shot back. “Plenty of them can take on four or five punks at once.”

“But none of them have the same brain capacity as you.”

…Huh?

I blinked. “Hold on. What?”

“I already told you,” he said calmly. “I came here with a task.”

Louis reached into his coat and pulled out a rosy-red envelope, sealed with wax stamped by a star. Most people would sell their soul just to see one.

And here it was, dangling in front of me.

“Theodore Morgan. Polaris Middle School. Argon City, Sandanis,” Louis recited without looking down. “Fourteen years old. Winner of the national robotics championship. Seven regional titles. A dozen informal tournaments. Top five in parallel ranking at school. NovaTech Industries offered you a scholarship, which you declined because the placement in Leanzea Province was too far. A brilliant Arcane, worthy of Roxley’s recommendation letter.”

So he knew everything.

Which means that earlier act of ‘not knowing me’ was just that. An act. Explained why he showed up right when I put those punks down.

“Yeah,” I said flatly. “That’s me. And?”

“Roxley already sent the email,” he continued. “But two months of ghosting is a bit much, don’t you think? So they sent me.”

Of course. That email went straight into my spam folder the second I saw it.

“Heh,” I muttered. “Guess they can’t take silent treatment.”

“I think ‘ignored’ is more accurate,” Louis chuckled, though it sounded dry. “Still, I like your phrasing. To be clear, I’m not here because of Roxley’s wounded pride. It’s curiosity; my curiosity.”

“…So this is really just curiosity?” I asked. “That’s why Roxley sent a Security Division member instead of an official representative?”

“Oh, you can’t assume I’m not a proper representative.”

He had me there. My eye twitched.

“Fine,” I exhaled. “Then here’s my message, Mister Proper Representative. I refuse the invitation. Whatever reason you want from me, it won’t change anything. And I’d rather not explain it.”

For a moment, I thought I’d have to repeat myself. Maybe even put it in writing.

Then Louis sighed, shoulders sinking.

“Is that so? Dammit,” he muttered. “I’ve never met anyone who hates Roxley as much as you.”

It’s not hate. Well, whatever.

“If you get my point,” I said, already turning away, “I’ll take my leave.”

“Eh, one more thing.”

I groaned and stopped, glancing back over my shoulder. His smile had thinned, almost gone.

Disappointed, huh?

“What.”

He raised his right hand, his left fingers pointing toward it.

“Your Gift. That blond punk’s veins burst before you kicked his face in. That was your Gift, wasn’t it? Mind telling me what it is?”

My Gift?

Why does he care?

“I thought Roxley had my data already?”

“Should I know everything Roxley has?”

…Fair.

And outside a fight, I didn’t have much to hide.

“It’s nothing special. I can make things bounce. That’s all.”

A faint smile tugged at his lips. Shadows cut across his face, and for the first time, it looked unsettling.

“Is that so?” he said softly. “Thanks for answering. Just a curiosity of mine.”

That was it.

I must never get involved with him again.

“Then,” I said, turning away for good, “I’ll take my leave.”

So much for Valentine’s Day.