Re-Opening day of Harz

As the colossal train effortlessly transported the collective group of current and new students towards their destined institute, a multitude of emotions permeated the air. Within the expansive compartments, some sought solace within the pages of captivating books, while others succumbed to the gentle lull of sleep. Amidst this backdrop, the subtle dance of flirtation unfolded, intermingling with the occasional whispers of pain, which Mariline herself experienced.

Within the confines of the regal palace, the queen fostered a profound affection for Mari and Marley, cherishing them as individuals of great promise. In quiet secrecy, she bestowed upon them the titles of future queen and future commander's wife, envisioning a grand future for the pair. However, the queen's heart ached upon witnessing Mari's profound grief, driving her to conceive a clandestine plan to evoke feelings of jealousy within Liveda's heart.

Henceforth, the pieces of this intricate plot fell into place, with Mariline assuming the role of the cunning culprit. Adrenia, fueled by admiration, was entrusted the task of showering daily praise upon the fictional romance of Rojal and Mari in the presence of Liveda. Marley, with a mischievous demeanor, served as the instigator, while the queen herself emerged as the mastermind orchestrating the grand design. Lastly, Rojal artfully played his role as Mari's fictitious lover, driven by a relentless obsession and gifted with the power to control lightning. Aged twenty, he resonated with the youthful spirits of Liveda and Roberto, blessed with a passion for music and an uncanny ability to bring forth joy through witty banter and jovial expressions.

The stage was meticulously set, entwining the fates and emotions of these captivating characters. As the journey aboard the train continued, the tapestry of their interwoven lives began to unravel, revealing a symphony of yearnings, aspirations, and the complexities of human connection.

Mariline sat beside Marley, Adrenia, and Carmalo on the train. Roberto, on the other hand, joined Liveda in a different train compartment. Despite the queen mother's plan to make Liveda jealous, Mari could hear his laughter from afar and sensed his contentment. Sitting between Liveda and Berto seemed to bring her joy as well. Closing her eyes, Mari took a deep breath, mustering her determination. She resolved to make him regret the day he falsely professed his love to her. It was as if a newfound strength consumed her, suppressing any remnants of pain. With a sly smirk, Mari noticed a nearby gentleman who seemed captivated by her presence. Licking her lips, Mari relished in the attention, reveling in her newfound confidence.

Amidst them, all three members of the Mac group – Marley, Adrenia, and Carmalo – were sound asleep, their snores echoing through the train compartment. Mari couldn't fathom why sleep remained elusive to her, compelling her to stay awake throughout the night. Observing her fellow students, she discovered an uncanny ability to perceive their essence beyond mere appearances. Their likes, dislikes, and even their pasts became apparent to her. This newfound insight only served to heighten her mood and make her feel powerful. Maybe love was not meant for Elimen like her, for it seemed to breed weakness. Anxious to reach school and explore her abilities further, Mari eagerly awaited their arrival.

The train finally came to a halt, jolting the Mac group awake. Sensing someone's gaze fixed upon her, Mari turned her attention towards Carmalo.

"What?" she snapped sharply, surprised by her own tone. Carmalo appeared taken aback by her fierce response.

"Are you alright, Mari? Your eyes look different. They used to be a bright, happy green, but now they seem darker and deeper," he voiced his concern. Mari realized she no longer felt like her old self. If only he knew about the secret abilities she had discovered during their long journey. She simply nodded in response, assuring him that she was fine. Stepping off the train and gazing at the grandeur of the Institute, Mari couldn't help but smile faintly. It resembled more of an amusement castle than a school. Adrenia, Marley, and Mari herself were filled with excitement, while Carmalo remained unenthused.

On the other hand, Roberto, Liveda, Brittney, and the other returning students seemed disgruntled. Mari pondered if the place was truly as bad as they felt. Then, a realization hit her – she didn't experience emotional instability when looking at Roberto. This day was turning out better than she had anticipated. Each student had their own spacious room. They completed their necessary preparations for the start of classes the following day. Once again, Mari found it challenging to fall asleep, but this time, it didn't affect her. She felt empowered in her stunning school outfit for the next day – a short green skirt and a black top with the word "Juliet" written in diamonds. Meeting up with Marley, they ventured out to check their timetables. Marley complimented Mari's outfit, and she relished in this newfound empowerment. However, Marley soon voiced her concerns.

"I hope the math here isn't too difficult. The way the others were complaining, I sense advanced calculus or something," Marley nervously played with her fingers while expressing her fear. Mari smiled at her friend's remark, feeling a sense of camaraderie. Usually, she would burst into laughter and roll on the ground, but this time, she contained her amusement. Arriving at the timetable portfolio, Mari was confronted with a peculiar compilation of courses. Archery, sword practice, power mastery, racing, and tournaments were all part of her curriculum.

"What on earth!" she exclaimed, capturing the attention of fellow students. Apparently, others were also reviewing their schedules, and Mari couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. She had been introduced to a whole new set of syllabi, daunting her with programs she felt ill-prepared for.

"Don't you have anything better to do than watch me? Shift your gaze away from me now," Mariline's voice commanded, leaving them puzzled but obedient, except for one persistent individual who continued to stare. Ignoring his intense gaze, Mariline tried to suppress any emotion that arose within her. She had already moved on and embraced her darker side, finding solace in it rather than the pain she once felt. However, she knew she had to take action. Fortunately, her fake boyfriend, Rojal, entered the hall at that moment. He looked incredibly attractive, and girls gazed at him with dreamy eyes. Mariline was surprised to see him wearing green trousers and a black top that read "Romeo." As he approached her, her bravery reached its peak. She wrapped her hand around his neck, and he pulled her close, whispering in her ear.

"Where did this sudden courage come from? You look so tempting; I could kiss you right here, but that would be your first kiss. And since you love him, it would be.." He rambled on, but Mariline's lips were already pressed against his. He became spellbound, tightening his grip, and she reciprocated, wanting to prove that she wasn't in love with Liveda. When they finally broke the kiss due to a lack of breath, Mariline glanced around the room. Many mouths were agape, including those of the Mac group. Rojal was still panting. Then her eyes locked onto Roberto, their dear prince charming. He appeared as though he was on the verge of collapsing. Clearly, he was truly jealous. He stormed out, with Brittney chasing after him.

"Why did you do that, Mari?" an angry Roberto exclaimed.

"What did I do, Berto? I simply kissed my boyfriend," Mariline responded, pretending to be innocent. He looked shocked but shook his head in disbelief.

"You're lying. If he really is your boyfriend, then tell me everything you know about him. Let's see if you even know his last name," Roberto challenged. Mariline tensed up.

"Why, Berto? Can't you just believe what she is saying?" Marley interjected, calmly defending her friend. "Enough, stop defending her," Roberto replied, and they continued their exchange of calm words, infuriating Mariline. How could they be so in love with each other? She felt jealous, and her anger made her feel powerful and all-knowing.

"Rojal Nicala, 20 years old, has two sisters named Sanda and Nikki. He studies knighthood, sword practice, power mastery, and Sherman ethics. His favorite color is green, which is why he loves my eyes so much, and his favorite food is spicy tilapia salad," Mariline muttered, revealing her knowledge. She was ready to go into further detail, but Roberto looked defeated and walked away. She urged Marley to go talk to him, while Adrenia and Carmalo enjoyed their own sibling bonding time, leaving Mariline alone. She walked the halls with Rojal, who had a silly smile on his face. It was so amusing that she couldn't help but laugh.

"What's with that face, dude? It's creepy," she said, still chuckling.

"You researched about me. It was very smart of you; otherwise, we would have been caught. Phew, that was a close one...and uh, Mari," Rojal stammered. Mariline looked at him, not realizing that she had researched him specifically. Somehow, knowing things about people seemed to be one of her abilities.

"Mari," he repeated again.

"Yes?" she responded. He seemed shy, so she assumed it was about the kiss. Their mutual shyness made them both burst into laughter at their own awkward silence. Upon reaching her room, they shared a few more kisses to keep Prince Charming from invading her thoughts.