The room was quiet, the only sound was the faint rustle of leaves outside the window. Yuxin lay curled up on her bed, already drifting into a restless sleep. The day had been long, and all she wanted was a moment of peace.
Tap. Tap.
The sound was faint, barely noticeable, but enough to make Yuxin stir. Her brows furrowed, and she mumbled, "Stupid wind..."
A moment of silence passed, and she began to relax again.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Yuxin's eyes snapped open, irritation bubbling up inside her. "Who's messing around at this hour?" she muttered under her breath.
She ignored it at first, squeezing her eyes shut. But the sound continued—soft, deliberate. And then, she heard it: the creak of the window latch.
Her eyes shot open wide. In an instant, she bolted upright, ready to summon her shadows—only to freeze.
Standing in front of her, illuminated by the faint moonlight, was Vila.
"GAH—" Yuxin's voice cracked as she flinched back, nearly tumbling off her bed. She clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle the shout. "What the hell?! Are you trying to kill me!?"
Vila blinked at her calmly, utterly unbothered by Yuxin's reaction. "You're awake. Good."
Yuxin pointed an accusing finger at her, her heart still racing. "What are you doing here?! How did you even get in?!"
Vila tilted her head slightly. "The window."
"The window?!" Yuxin sputtered, glancing toward the slightly open window behind Vila. "You just climbed in like some creepy stalker?"
"I saw you through the window," Vila said matter-of-factly. "It was convenient to enter this way."
Yuxin gawked at her. "Convenient? You can't just break into someone's room because it's convenient!"
Vila's expression remained as calm and unreadable as ever. "Why not? I know you. And you promised that I could stay."
"That's not how this works!" Yuxin threw her arms in the air before glaring at Vila. "And seriously, what are you even doing here?"
Vila finally folded her arms, her tone turning more serious. "It's night time, and the front entrance was heavily guarded."
Yuxin frowned, her frustration momentarily replaced by concern. "A…Are you kidding me?!"
"I don't know," Vila admitted. "But it works, so no problem."
Yuxin raised an eyebrow. "So you came here? To my room?"
Vila nodded, as if this was the most logical decision in the world. "You're the only one I know here. Besides, it's not like I have any other choice unless you want me to sleep outside tonight."
Yuxin opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out. She groaned instead, dragging a hand down her face. "Unbelievable. You're unbelievable."
Vila tilted her head again. "I need a place to stay overnight."
Yuxin froze mid-groan. "Wait. You're asking to stay here? In my room?"
"Yes."
"No way." Yuxin shook her head vigorously. "Absolutely not. You broke in, you're a trespasser, and I'm not housing a stalker elf in my room."
Vila blinked, her expression unchanged. "I'm not a stalker. And you agreed to this already, don't waste my time."
"You climbed through my window!"
"Because I saw you."
"That doesn't make it better!" Yuxin snapped, exasperated.
The two stared at each other for a moment, Yuxin's glare meeting Vila's calm, unflinching gaze.
Finally, Yuxin sighed in defeat, slumping back against her bed. "Fine. But just for tonight. And if anyone asks, pretend that you don't know me."
"Understood," Vila replied, stepping aside to sit quietly on the edge of a chair by the window.
Yuxin grumbled, pulling her blanket up to her chin. "I've got an elf roommate. My life just keeps getting weirder."
Vila glanced at her, her tone perfectly neutral. "You'll get used to it."
"I doubt that," Yuxin muttered, turning her back toward Vila and trying to settle in again. "And stay on your side of the room. No funny business."
Vila said nothing, content to sit quietly in the chair, her presence somehow both calming and unnerving at the same time.
As the room fell back into silence, Yuxin couldn't help but wonder just how much stranger things were going to get.
Asterblume Academy – Council Wing
Blanche's steps echoed down the marble corridor, her heels clicking softly against the floor as sunlight filtered through stained glass, casting fragmented colors onto the walls. At the far end stood a tall, double-door—emblazoned with the golden sigil of the Student Council.
Two guards flanked the entrance. As Blanche approached, one of them gave a polite nod.
"Lady Equinox. The President is expecting you."
She offered a small smile. "Thank you."
The door opened with a heavy creak, revealing a large room dimly lit by floating magical candles. It was quiet. At the center stood a long table of polished blackwood, and behind it, Silas Caelumortis—calm, composed, every inch the image of a leader. His hands were clasped behind his back, his gaze locked on the papers in front of him.
He looked up as she entered.
"Lady Equinox. Always punctual."
Blanche stepped forward, posture perfect. "I assume this isn't a casual invitation, President Caelumortis."
"Straight to the point. Good." Silas moved around the table, pulling out a sealed folder. "There's a matter the council can't handle publicly. You've proven yourself—smart, capable, and not one to panic when things get… strange."
He placed the folder on the table between them.
"We've received some… concerning reports from the eastern wing of campus. An unmarked section. Not on the student maps. We usually call it the 'Gray Zone.' It's quiet, mostly forgotten. But lately? That's changed."
Blanche's eyes narrowed slightly. "Changed how?"
"Unusual Æther fluctuations. Sounds late at night. A missing student—officially, he 'returned home due to personal reasons.' Unofficially? No one's seen him. No goodbyes. No trace."
Blanche remained silent for a moment before speaking. "And you want me to investigate."
"I want someone with discretion," Silas said. "Someone who won't attract too much attention… but knows how to handle herself if things go wrong."
He slid the folder closer. "This stays between us. No records. No backup. Not even the professors know."
Blanche picked up the folder, her expression unreadable. "Understood. I won't go in alone."
Silas raised an eyebrow. "You have someone in mind?"
"I do," she said simply, tucking the folder into her coat. "Someone I trust."
He didn't argue. Instead, his voice dropped to something quieter, almost a warning.
"Be careful, Blanche. That part of the academy... it doesn't always feel like it belongs to us."
Blanche met his gaze, calm but with a sharp edge behind her words.
"Then I suppose it's time to find out who it really belongs to."
Asterblume Academy – South Balcony, after hours
The moon hung low, casting silver light across the academy grounds. The wind carried the faint scent of flowers from the distant gardens. Blanche sat on the edge of the wide stone railing, legs crossed elegantly, a cup of steaming tea resting beside her.
Yuxin leaned against the opposite pillar, arms crossed, her gaze sharp but restless.
"You called me out here just to enjoy the view?" Yuxin asked, raising an eyebrow.
Blanche smiled faintly, eyes fixed on the night sky. "No. I called you here because I need your help."
"Help?" Yuxin repeated, skeptical. "That's… not usually something people ask from me. Especially not nobles. Or Council dogs."
Blanche turned her head, her tone calm but deliberate. "It's not a mission from the Council. Not officially. And I'm certainly not anyone's dog."
Yuxin narrowed her eyes. "Then what is this about?"
Blanche didn't answer immediately. Instead, she reached into her coat and pulled out the sealed folder Silas had given her. She placed it gently between them.
"There's something happening in the eastern wing. Something we weren't told about during orientation. A student disappeared. Rumors. Distorted Æther readings. Things that don't match the academy's records."
Yuxin scoffed. "And the Council just… gave you this? Why not handle it themselves? They've got power, resources, a dozen goons in gold badges."
Blanche tilted her head, voice lowering. "Because I'm not just a student here. My family—House Equinox—has old ties to the Caelumortis bloodline. Political, personal... complicated things from long before we were born. Silas grew up knowing my name. When something requires subtlety, but still someone 'trustworthy,' he knows where to look."
"So you're his favorite noble?" Yuxin said with a dry grin. "That's why you get secret files and I get detention slips?"
Blanche chuckled. "Not exactly. I'm a tool of convenience, not affection. But… I chose you because you're not convenient. You don't play by their rules."
Yuxin blinked. "What?"
"I could've asked anyone. Dozens of top-performing students. Those eager to please, to climb the ranks." Blanche's voice stayed even, but something behind her words felt heavier. "But they're predictable. Tamed. You're not."
Yuxin frowned, looking away. "And that's supposed to be a compliment?"
"It is," Blanche said softly. "You're honest in your strength. You're willing to fight without hiding behind ceremony or titles. That's rare. That's what I need."
Yuxin leaned her head back against the pillar, exhaling slowly. "You trust me. But why? We've barely known each other."
Blanche shrugged lightly. "Some bonds don't need years. They need clarity. When we fought in the forest, you didn't hesitate to protect me—even when you were frustrated or angry. That told me enough."
Yuxin was quiet for a while, chewing on her inner thoughts.
Then, she muttered, "You know I'm not exactly... the careful type, right? If this ends up being some cursed cave full of dead spirits or black ooze or whatever, I'm not the one you should call."
Blanche smiled, her gaze returning to the horizon. "Then I'll call you anyway, and bring a mop."
Yuxin let out a short laugh—half-scoff, half-surprised.
"Fine," she said at last, pushing off from the wall. "I'll help. But only because you asked. And if we end up in some twisted dimension with talking skeletons, I get first punch."
"Deal," Blanche said with a nod.
A breeze swept past them, quieting the moment. Then Yuxin's expression shifted slightly.
"…Still feels weird though. Like something about this is bigger than just one missing student."
Blanche glanced at her. "I have that feeling too."
And in the distance, beyond the protective runes of the academy wall, something watched.
The trees of Myrdvawein shifted under the moonlight. A flicker of golden hair. A silent step on bark.
Vilaphine was listening.