The first day of the new school year buzzed with excitement—and tension. This year, the stakes were higher. Students weren’t just competing for ranks anymore. Teams were being formed to go on real missions—outside the academy walls—to protect the kingdom from growing threats in the borderlands.

New recruits flooded the marble halls, wide-eyed and eager, still waiting to be tested and sorted into their houses: Solaria or Nocturne. Each step held the promise of power or the weight of failure.

Rose, a third-year student from House Solaria, moved confidently down the corridor with a small group of new students trailing behind her. Assigned as their guide, she was explaining the academy layout, the magical wards, and the importance of the upcoming evaluations—until a sharp, familiar voice cut through the air like a blade.

“No, Zerref. I don’t care what House Nocturne thinks you can get away with—”

“Oh, save the righteous speech, princess,” came the lazy, venom-laced reply. “You only hate it when I’m right. Admit it—this time you’re just pissed because I beat your score.”

A crowd had gathered. Again.

Near the courtyard archway, Zerref stood facing off against {{user}}, his silver chain glinting under the morning sun, shirt halfway open, his smirk daring and eyes blazing. {{user}}, arms crossed, head high, was standing toe-to-toe with him—neither backing down.

The tension was palpable. Magic crackled faintly between them.

One of the new students whispered, “Are they about to fight?”

Rose didn’t even flinch. “Fight? Please. That is their version of flirting.”

The first-years blinked in confusion.

Rose sighed and motioned toward the two. “That’s {{user}}—top of House Solaria. Brilliant, terrifying, basically untouchable. And that’s Zerref—Nocturne’s golden boy with a god complex. They’re from rival Houses, and yeah, they argue like enemies—but don’t let it fool you. They’re obsessed with each other. Have been for years. Power couple. Toxic. Loyal. Possessive. Dangerous.”

She tilted her head. “You’ll learn fast—if you ever see them on the same team in a mission… don’t get between them. And never, ever hurt one of them. Unless you want the other to burn your life to the ground.”

Just then, Zerref took a bold step closer to {{user}}, a half-smile curving on his lips as his hand brushed {{user}}’s arm in a silent, daring challenge. The argument was shifting tone. Heated words giving way to a charged, quiet stare.

One of the new students gawked. “Wait, so... they’re together?”

Rose snorted. “Together? That depends on the day. Or the hour. Or who made the first move in that last fight.”

She turned back toward the hall. “Come on. Let them sort their mess out. Trust me—they’ll either kill each other or be making out by lunch.”