Mia's Challenge

Adonis stood in front of the mirror in his uniform: navy and silver fabric with golden lining tracing his collar and sleeves — the crest of Stellar Magic Academy gleaming over his chest. His hair was combed (barely), as he adjusting his tie.

He turned back to Eclipse, the black-and-white robe folded neatly on the bed, its collar tall and proud.

"I'll be gone for the day. You stay here, watch over the room," Adonis said.

"Uwuu wuuu."The robe twitched.

"Don't give me that tone. You're a robe — and no, being interested in a human girl is not normal for you."

"Uuwuuu…" It puffed its collar like a pout.

Adonis rubbed his temple. "Okay, how about this: behave yourself today, and I'll take you shopping later. Maybe find a nice robe-dress to keep you company."

"…Wu." Apparently satisfied — barely.

Adonis sighed and turned to leave. "This is my life now. Arguing with magical clothing."

Stellar Academy – Classroom E16

The top 20 students of the entrance exam were assigned to Bloom Class E16, and Adonis, as Rank #1, was seated front row, first column.

The moment he entered the room, he felt it — the weight of stares.

"They're probably curious after the rankings." He shrugged it off and calmly sat down. The seating was placed according to rankings, this not done casually but to drive students competitive spirt for front seat, which Adonis at on.

"So he is Adonis Drake"

"He don't seem any special"

"Drake? I never heard the nobel family name before in any 12 kingdoms"

Adonis couldn't care less about those whispers, but then he noticed something or someone beside him.

He noticed the girl taking her seat next to him — silver hair that shimmered like snowfall, pale porcelain skin, and ice-blue eyes so cold they looked like they could shatter light.

Mia Silveria. The prodigy with an Ice Element and ancestral bloodline. Second place in the rankings.

"What a beauty, is she 2nd place Mia Silveria?"

"I heard she is from a ancient family clan"

"she perfectly depicts the role of ice cold beauty"

"She really does look like a snow fairy," Adonis also thought, slightly awestruck. "I never seen anyone as stunning as her in the capital or Shangila..."

Trying to be civil, he turned. "Hi."

She blinked, glanced at him, and nodded. "Hello."

And just like that, silence fell between them like a glacier.

"Why is this more stressful than fighting skeleton generals?" Adonis thought turning awkward.

In this life or previous life he never been good talking to girls, plus his social skills are trash, but still since she will be his seatmate till last he is trying to get along with her.

But her cold response left him panicked.

"Nice weather today, right?"

Mia blinked once. "It's raining."

Adonis died a little inside.

"Why the hell its raining so suddenly?"

A few awkward moments later, the door opened, and their homeroom teacher entered.

She was tall, composed, with jet-black hair tied in a strict bun and sharp black eyes that scanned the room like daggers.

"Good morning," she said, her voice crisp and cold. "I am Catherine Sparks, your homeroom teacher. I'll be teaching you Mana Formation, Advanced Support Magic, and Mana Core Theory."

Some students straightened. Others whispered.

Catherine continued without pause, "As you've already deduced, your seating is based on entrance rankings. But that doesn't mean it's permanent."

The room fell silent.

"You may be demoted from Bloom to Bud or even Weed if your performance drops. Likewise, students from lower ranks can rise to Bloom."

"Tch. As if they could." A voice muttered from the back. Some students chuckled.

Catherine ignored it like static. "Your mana rune income, access to training grounds, and even your cafeteria meals depend on your ranking."

The murmurs faded.

"Late homework? Missed practicals ? Weak performance?" She smiled, but it wasn't warm. "Then enjoy eating weed stew."

Catherine stepped back and waved her hand. "That will be all for today. Starting now we will begin with mana circuit formation. take out your notebooks."

with that she started her lecture.

As students started gathering their things, Mia looked at him.

Adonis looked up nervously.

"…Your sword technique was impressive." She said without expression.

Adonis blinked. "Thanks. I guess."

Then her expression still frosty as she said, "But you won't be on this seat for too long because in next months I'll be sitting there." Mia declared,

several other students also overheard them but since its class they didn't talk or discussed openly.

Adonis also shocked by her statement that suddenly smiled, " I'll be waiting for you then" he said, although his tries to get along with her failed having her as rival is not bad.