Roaming the sun-drenched corridors of the Rose Academy’s central building was a group of girls. A trio, walking shoulder to shoulder, steps light, laughter trailing in their wake.
It was them—the heroines.
Amelia, Celeste, and Evelyn.
Students gave them space automatically. Whether it was respect, envy, or intimidation, no one tried to walk too close.
Their presence had that unspoken kind of weight to it. The kind that could only be formed by a strange mix of legacy, raw talent, and just a dash of dangerous beauty.
Celeste was the first to break the silence, her hair bouncing slightly as she turned her head with a grin. "Wow... Just wow. Today was such a good day."
Her voice was full of awe and leftover adrenaline.
Evelyn, on the other hand, raised a brow. "How exactly was today good?"
Her tone wasn’t cynical—just confused. She crossed her arms, strands of her black hair brushing against her pale cheeks.
Celeste twirled her fingers dramatically. "You know what I mean. It’s one of those days that’ll go down in history. Like, actually history."
Amelia chuckled softly, the corner of her lips lifting as she nodded. "She’s not wrong. Today was... eventful. Every student in the top five ranks broke previous records. Especially Top One."
Evelyn’s green eyes narrowed slightly in thought. "Yeah... if you put it that way, I guess you’re right. First, that girl Verena scores a perfect in the written exam—literally perfect. Then Cassius just obliterates the physical records."
Celeste beamed. "Exactly! And guess what? We’re going to be studying alongside them."
That little statement held more weight than it sounded. Sharing a class with the monsters meant exposure, and exposure meant chances to grow... or get crushed. Depending on how you handled it.
Amelia raised an amused brow. "You really think they’ll just hand over their techniques?"
Celeste puffed up her not so modest chest, placing a hand over it like a noblewoman. "Why wouldn’t they? When someone this gorgeous asks, who could say no?"
Evelyn snorted. "Cassius will. That guy has a finacée you know."
Amelia nodded, a soft smile forming. "He... has."
Celeste waved her hand. "Okay, yeah, Cassius is out of reach. But the rest of the top five aren’t out of reach. And besides, connections are everything, no?"
"Still wouldn’t catch me training with Leon," Evelyn muttered. "He’s prettier than half the girls here. Makes me uncomfortable."
Celeste blinked, then cackled. "You’re not wrong. I swear he sparkles under sunlight."
Evelyn leaned against a marble pillar as they passed one of the inner gardens. "But seriously, what about the academic section? Shouldn’t we be focusing on that too?"
Celeste waved her off. "We aced that, remember? We’ve always been decent in studies. It’s the combat where we’re trailing. If anything, that’s where we need to catch up."
Evelyn nodded slowly. "She has a point. But let’s not pretend like everyone here is bad at combat."
She gave a sideways glance to Amelia.
Celeste followed her gaze and whistled dramatically. "Yeah... we’ve got a secret weapon in our midst. If not for her family’s stupid restrictions, she’d have topped the physical too."
Amelia shook her head, cheeks slightly red. "You two give me too much credit. I’m decent, not amazing."
"Modest queen," Celeste declared, nudging her gently. "I’m just saying, if I had your skills, I’d already be on the battlefield, collecting medals and men."
Amelia exhaled softly, watching the way the other two bantered like children at recess. Their carefree attitude was infectious in a way. It reminded her of easier times.
She decided to change the topic. "Anyway, how about we go find Lilith and Freya? We didn’t see them after the exams."
Celeste straightened immediately. "Yes! Let’s go flex on them."
Evelyn gave her a deadpan look. "I hate that that’s your motivation... but fine. Let’s do it."
Celeste grinned, her excitement bubbling like a child ready to show off a new toy. "That’s the spirit! Operation Flex is a go."
Amelia, trailing a step behind, let out a slow sigh as the two skipped ahead.
’These two really are kids...’
Celeste finally stopped, her breath hitching as she leaned forward, hands on her knees.
Her chest heaved with each inhale, sweat glistening on her forehead. She rolled a lock of her hair between her fingers, letting out a groan. "We don’t even know where they are. This is pointless."
Evelyn caught up next, barely winded but clearly annoyed. "You don’t say. Chasing ghosts through every damn corridor like we’re part of some horror side quest."
Amelia just stared at the two of them, lips tugged into a subtle smile. "You guys give up already?"
Celeste groaned. "I’m not giving up. I’m—adapting. There’s a difference."
"Right," Evelyn muttered, eyes glancing around the hallway. "How about we check the medical ward near the arena wing? It’s the closest to the physical exam grounds. Logical choice, don’t you think?"
Celeste didn’t argue this time. She simply nodded and took off again, though her sprint had reduced to a tired jog.
Amelia and Evelyn followed, again.
Eventually, Celeste found another medical ward tucked in the corner of a long hallway. As always, she didn’t bother knocking. She simply pushed the door open with unnecessary force.
Inside, several injured students glanced over, confused and clearly not expecting three random girls to barge in. Celeste scanned the room quickly. Not a redhead. Not a blonde. No familiar faces.
"They’re not here," she muttered, clicking her tongue, stepping back.
Amelia and Evelyn exchanged glances.
This pattern went on longer than it should have. A few more doors kicked open, more students startled. More sighs. More nothing.
Eventually, Celeste had enough. Her body slouched like a wilting flower. Her voice cracked. "Let’s just rest. Five minutes. My legs are about to file for divorce."
Neither Amelia nor Evelyn protested. In fact, they looked relieved.
Celeste was the first to turn toward the academy gardens. A calm, tranquil area just behind the main building—filled with trimmed bushes, blooming flowers, and a stone path that curved around a central fountain.
It was peaceful, unnaturally so. The kind of place where the air smelled cleaner, where even your thoughts quieted down.
Without hesitation, Celeste plopped down on the closest bench. She leaned back, eyes closed, letting the scent of roses and fresh dew fill her lungs.
"Finally," she whispered, lips tugging up slightly. "Somewhere that doesn’t smell like disinfectant."
Amelia and Evelyn followed slowly behind her, but their steps faltered as their eyes fell on the same bench Celeste had claimed.
Two girls were already sitting there.
One had long crimson hair, tied loosely behind her back, golden eyes soft but distant.
The other had golden hair, her amethyst eyes dimmed, looking down at the ground as if it held all the answers she didn’t want to hear.
Celeste blinked. Her brain short-circuited for a moment. She looked left, then right, then back at the girls in front of her.
Lilith was the first to speak, gently nudging Celeste’s arm. "What happened to you? You look like you just lost a duel with a sprinter."
Celeste blinked again, still processing, then muttered on instinct. "I was searching for my friends."
Her eyes widened. Her head snapped sideways.
Red hair. Golden eyes.
Blonde hair. Amethyst eyes.
She bolted upright. "Wait a damn minute—Lilith!? Freya!?"
Lilith chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yes? That’s still our names."
Celeste nearly stumbled backward from the bench, flailing slightly like she’d seen a ghost. Amelia caught her before she tripped over the edge of the fountain.
"Since when were you two here!?" Celeste demanded, voice high-pitched and filled with betrayal.
Lilith smirked. "Since before you got here. We’ve been here the whole time."
Evelyn rubbed her temple. "Celeste, we were looking for them. And they were here. All along. We just... didn’t think to check the garden."
Amelia sighed. "We did spend more time chasing doors than thinking."
Celeste’s face went through five different expressions in a single second—shock, horror, disbelief, embarrassment, and finally acceptance.
She slumped back down on the bench, dramatically pressing the back of her hand to her forehead. "I’m retiring. No more adventures."
Lilith smiled lightly, then turned her gaze toward Freya.
The blonde girl still hadn’t said anything.
She was seated with her arms curled around herself, posture small, eyes fixed on nothing. Not blinking much. Not reacting to their presence at all.
Celeste noticed it instantly.
Her playful tone dropped. "Hey... what’s wrong with her?"
She pointed at Freya, concern lacing her words.
Evelyn and Amelia also looked. Their expressions stiffened.
That wasn’t the usual Freya. The girl who always laughed first, who tried to cheer everyone up.
The one who balanced Celeste’s chaos with calm, and Evelyn’s sarcasm with sincerity. And Lilith let’s just not talk about her.
This Freya looked like she had forgotten how to smile.
"She hasn’t really spoken much since the exams ended," Lilith replied, her voice gentle. "She’s been sitting here for a while. Just... thinking."