After the storm — and a hall still humming
The great hall still vibrated with the echoes of shock. It was as though the stones themselves hadn't yet processed everything that had unfolded: Lucas' outrage, the cold revelation of Vivien's overwhelming mana, the murmurs that had broken into outright laughter.
For Lucas, the final moments had been nothing short of ruin. Even now, he stood off to the side like a tattered banner in the wind, face red and jaw clenched so hard it looked painful. He hadn't said a single word since the headmaster unveiled those numbers — numbers that made any argument of favoritism evaporate like morning fog.
Above on the dais, the headmaster swept his serene gaze across the assembly. "Now that the mana assessments have concluded," he said in that calm, deliberate voice of his, "we turn our focus toward the upcoming Familiar Choosing event. I trust that all of you — chosen or not — will prepare with diligence. Remember: this academy exists to sharpen you all, not merely to crown the strong."
Then he offered a faint, almost fatherly smile. "To our new chosen ones, congratulations. To the rest — do not let today be your summit. Many of our greatest mages were never chosen at all."
And with that, he stepped down, robes whispering around him, leaving the hall to erupt into a flurry of sound again.
Little blessings, unexpected thanks
"Ohh, Vivien! You're really the new president of the Child of Lights, huh — first year's new star!"
Esme nearly tackled Vivien from the side, her grin so big it threatened to split her face. She seized Vivien's hands and gave them a joyous little shake.
"Congratulations!" she squealed, practically bouncing on the marble floor.
Vivien blinked at her, slightly dazed. Then she offered a small, careful smile. "Thank you, Esme."
It would have been enough. That alone might've ended the moment, sending them off to share jokes or speculations about the Familiar event.
But then another figure slowly approached — someone with her head bowed, step by hesitant step.
It was Olivia.
A heart laid bare — burdens turned into tears
She stopped just short of them, took a steadying breath, then lifted her head. Her eyes were strangely bright, cheeks faintly flushed.
"Thank you," she said suddenly, voice almost trembling but trying so hard to be strong. "Truly… thank you. I'm honestly glad this happened."
Esme blinked twice. "Ehh?" She stared at Olivia like she'd just heard a talking cat.
Vivien simply waited, silver gaze watchful but patient.
Olivia drew in another breath, clutching her hands to her chest. Then words tumbled out in a rush. "This position — it was so heavy for me. I'm… I'm too soft, I know it. I couldn't keep Lucas in check even as president, and every day I was terrified he'd finally wrest it from me. If that happened — if someone like him gained control of the team — it could ruin everything. That's why I trained and trained. Just to hold on."
She paused, laughing shakily. "Honestly, I was planning to step down soon. But if I did, the title would've fallen to Lucas by default. That was my nightmare. So when you came, and your mana — when I saw how easily you held Lucas back with nothing more than your eyes yesterday…"
Her eyes misted over. "It was like I could breathe for the first time. I'm genuinely happy it's you, Vivien. And I'll gladly serve as your vice president."
Gentle alliances — and tears that surprised even her
For a long moment, Vivien simply studied Olivia. Under all that poise was someone so clearly exhausted — a girl who had shouldered far too much for far too long.
Vivien stepped forward, placing a hand lightly on Olivia's arm. "Then… I look forward to working together, Olivia. I'll be relying on you."
Olivia's eyes widened impossibly, lips parting in shock. Then — quite suddenly — tears spilled over, running down her cheeks unchecked.
"Yes!" she breathed, voice cracking with sheer relief. "It's my pleasure, truly."
Esme let out a tiny breath. Her hand clapped over her heart, as if she could physically hold it from bursting.
Vivien, slightly awkward but surprisingly gentle, kept her hand on Olivia's shoulder. "You'll have to guide me. I've never been president of anything."
Through watery eyes, Olivia managed a smile that seemed to lift years off her shoulders. "Don't worry. I'll show you everything."
A quiet corridor — and soft drinks after soft promises
Eventually, Olivia composed herself enough to bow slightly and excuse herself. She moved away with her hands half-covering her flushed face, her shoulders trembling — but this time from laughter through tears.
Vivien watched her go, her own chest oddly tight.
Just then, Esme returned, shoving two bottles toward her. "Here! I got one for you too. You looked like you needed it."
Vivien blinked at the cold glass, then took it. "Thank you."
They stood together, watching Olivia disappear down a corridor. Esme was the first to speak. "So… happy ending, huh?"
Vivien's lips curved, small and soft. "Yes."
A hallway of cheers and silly arguments
They began walking back toward the main building. All around them, students turned to stare. Some outright stopped to gawk, whispering to friends, or elbowing each other with big goofy grins.
As Vivien and Esme passed, more than a few boys straightened up and offered quick bows. Some girls called out cheerful congratulations. Others simply watched, eyes wide with admiration or nervous envy.
Then it happened.
"Hey, hey, she smiled at me!"
"No, you moron, she smiled at me!"
"Both of you shut up — obviously it was directed at me!"
Vivien raised a delicate eyebrow, choosing to pretend she hadn't heard a thing.
Esme, however, wore a smirk so mischievous it practically had its own personality. "Hehe… guess you're going to be even more popular now, Miss President."
Vivien gave her a flat look. "I don't care. And stop calling me that."
Esme wiggled her eyebrows. "Ara, ara~ yes ma'am!" Then promptly burst into giggles at Vivien's faintly murderous glare.
An arrogant interruption — and a chilling rejection
Just then, a ripple moved through the hallway. Like the parted sea, students shuffled aside. A tall figure approached, robes crisp, posture regal.
Luke — the famed president of the year 5 chosen ones. His golden hair caught the light like a halo, his steps echoing with absolute confidence.
His smile was slow, deliberate, practiced. He bowed, hand over heart. "Miss Vivien. It is good to see you again."
Vivien said nothing. Her eyes cooled instantly.
"You are as beautiful as ever," Luke continued, his voice pitched so the entire hallway could hear. His gaze slid across the onlookers, clearly savoring how everyone leaned in, gossip bursting like firecrackers.
Then he extended his hand, palm open. "May I have the honor of your company for a walk?"
Silence — then shattered laughter
Vivien didn't even break stride. She simply walked past him as if he were air, her cold perfume lingering just long enough to underscore the insult.
The hallway held its collective breath. Luke stood there, hand still outstretched, head bowed.
Then—
"Pfft—!"
A strangled laugh broke out.
"Quick, quick, move, before he sees us laughing!"
Students scattered, hands clamped over their mouths, snorts of barely-contained hilarity echoing off the walls.
Luke's hand fell to his side. His eyes narrowed, teeth grinding together so hard his jaw twitched. Under his breath, low and venomous, he hissed, "Just you wait. I will make you mine, no matter what it takes."
In the lab — annoyed geniuses and harmless chaos
Far from all the drama, in the mechanical lab that smelled of metal filings and warm circuitry, Aether leaned over a half-finished contraption with a wrench in one hand.
He let out a sigh. "That's impossible. Forget it."
Morgan, holding a piece of gear dangerously close to shorting out, snapped his head up. "What do you mean impossible? It should work!"
"It would," Aether drawled, "if you didn't cram the regulator in upside-down, genius."
A crackle of sparks had Morgan flinging the tool away with a yelp.
Rumors, worries — and a sister's silent guard
Elsewhere, the academy's students buzzed like startled bees.
"Did you see that? First time the great Luke's ever been ignored like that by a girl."
"More like first time he ever talked to a girl like that. Hah!"
Among them walked Shanny, her long ponytail swaying. She paused just long enough to catch their gossip, her eyes narrowing.
So he's already begun. And judging by how these idiots are laughing, he got flat-out rejected. That's good. But it also means he might do something stupid.
She clenched her fists. Then, without another word, continued on, slipping through the crowd like a silent blade.
A dorm room under evening light — and small confessions
In the girl's dormitory, Esme and Vivien finally reached their shared room. The walk back had been mostly quiet, Vivien lost in her own thoughts.
Esme couldn't hold it anymore. "Vivien… you know you just ignored the president of the year five chosen ones, right?"
Vivien didn't even blink. "Yes."
Her tone was so flat, so absolute, it felt like a wall of ice.
Esme hesitated. Then in a quieter voice asked, "Have you… met him before?"
Silence.
Then at last, Vivien's voice — low, almost reluctant. "Yes."
She offered nothing more, and Esme, reading the faintest tension in her friend's shoulders, wisely chose not to pry. Instead, she just nudged Vivien gently toward the little couch by the window. "Drink your juice before it gets warm."
They sat together in the dying gold light, the day's chaos receding like a distant tide.
✦✦✦
Tomorrow, the games would continue.
The Familiar Choosing event loomed, with its own webs of politics, pride, and hidden schemes.
Luke would certainly not take humiliation lying down.
Shanny would watch from the shadows, ready to defend.
Aether would keep building his strange little machines, never realizing how intertwined his fate was with these new power plays.
And at the heart of it, Vivien — the girl who had always stood alone — now found herself with allies she hadn't dared hope for, and enemies who saw her not as a fragile flower to protect, but a prize to claim.