Chapter One
The Girl They Called BN
"Welcome, students, to another academic year—and a special welcome to all freshmen and transfer students of Spēju Akadēmija."
The announcement echoed throughout the vast campus the moment I stepped beneath the towering stone archway of the Academy.
The voice carried through hidden speakers enchanted into the ancient walls, smooth yet commanding, reverberating across every corridor and courtyard. Around me, hundreds of students streamed through the gates like rivers merging into an ocean. Some laughed excitedly with friends, others nervously clutched their admission papers, while upperclassmen effortlessly guided the newcomers with practiced smiles.
The campus itself looked less like a school and more like a kingdom hidden behind civilization.
Towering ivory buildings stretched toward the sky, their walls engraved with glowing runes that shimmered faintly beneath the morning sunlight. Elegant bridges connected one structure to another above crystal-blue canals that flowed through the Academy grounds. Ancient trees with silver leaves swayed gently despite the absence of wind, and floating lanterns drifted lazily overhead as though gravity simply chose not to exist here.
Everything about Spēju Akadēmija whispered one thing.
Mystery.
"Here."
I blinked before looking toward the student who had suddenly appeared in front of me.
He wore the Academy's pristine uniform adorned with a bronze Department Badge on his chest.
"Your campus map and orientation flowchart."
He handed me a neatly folded flyer before offering a friendly smile.
"After receiving this, proceed to the Faculty Office on the second floor of the First Building to claim your Identification Card, school uniform, and Year Pin. Your Department Badge will be issued after the Sorting Test."
His smile widened.
"Enjoy your stay at Spēju Akadēmija."
I nodded politely.
"Thanks."
As I walked farther into the Academy grounds, I unfolded the map.
The place was enormous.
Academic buildings...
Dormitory districts...
Training arenas...
Libraries...
Gardens...
There were even sections simply labeled Restricted Zone.
What kind of academy needs restricted zones?
I quietly followed the map, trying to memorize the layout before classes officially began.
I had no intention of getting lost.
Nor did I have any intention of standing out.
A peaceful life.
That was all I wanted.
After everything...
That was the only thing I wished for.
I was so absorbed in studying the map that I never noticed someone running straight toward me.
Bump.
The impact nearly knocked me off balance.
I stumbled backward, barely managing to steady myself before falling.
My patience disappeared instantly.
"Hey."
I glared at the stranger.
"Watch where you're going."
I expected an apology.
Instead—
A soft laugh escaped her lips.
"...Hehe."
She covered her mouth, clearly trying to stop herself.
"Men-go... Men-go..."
She waved both hands innocently.
"I didn't mean to."
Then she laughed again.
Louder.
Harder.
She was actually laughing.
My eyebrow twitched.
Didn't mean to?
Then why are you laughing?
The girl bent forward, clutching her stomach as though the situation was the funniest thing she'd experienced all day.
Her laughter spread across the entrance plaza.
Students nearby slowly turned their heads.
Whispers followed almost immediately.
Some stared openly.
Others pretended not to notice while secretly observing us from the corners of their eyes.
I looked back at the girl.
She still couldn't stop laughing.
Seriously?
What's so funny?
She's seriously starting to piss me off.
"You said it wasn't intentional, yet you're—"
"HEY!!"
A thunderous shout interrupted me.
"Dude! There you are!"
Before I could even react, an arm wrapped around my shoulders.
"What the hell—"
Another hand immediately covered my mouth.
"Sorry!"
And before I knew it—
They were dragging me away.
What the hell is wrong with these people?
I struggled against them, but they moved surprisingly fast.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed the badges attached to their uniforms.
Upperclassmen.
Different departments.
Probably second or third years.
None of them looked familiar.
None of them gave me any explanation.
They practically kidnapped me through winding pathways until we reached a secluded garden hidden behind rows of flowering trees.
Only then did they finally stop.
Before entering the garden, I instinctively glanced behind me.
The laughing girl was still standing near the entrance.
One of the boys who had been with us repeatedly bowed apologetically toward her before sprinting after us.
What...?
The hand covering my mouth finally loosened.
I immediately shoved it away.
"What is wrong with you people?"
My voice echoed through the quiet garden.
"I don't even know you!"
The boy scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Yeah..."
He looked genuinely apologetic.
"We know."
My irritation only grew.
"If you have nothing better to do, don't drag strangers into your nonsense."
All I wanted...
Was one peaceful school year.
And somehow these lunatics had already ruined the first hour.
"Dude."
The taller one slowly raised both hands.
"We know you don't know us."
He sighed.
"But we're trying to save your ass."
I frowned.
"...Save me?"
"From the rumors."
He hesitated.
"And from the bad luck."
I stared at him.
Rumors?
Bad luck?
What kind of ridiculous conversation is this?
"You people are insane."
I turned around.
I had already wasted enough time.
I wasn't about to entertain whatever delusion these strangers believed in.
I barely managed three steps.
A hand grabbed my shoulder again.
"What now?"
I brushed it away.
His expression changed.
The smile disappeared.
The joking atmosphere vanished.
His eyes became frighteningly serious.
"A warning."
Silence settled over the garden.
Even the birds stopped singing.
"If you want a peaceful life in this Academy..."
He spoke slowly.
"Stay away from that girl."
A strange chill crawled down my spine.
"...What?"
"That girl."
His voice lowered.
"She's bad news."
He inhaled deeply.
"Everyone here calls her..."
"...BN."
The name lingered heavily in the air.
"So whatever you do..."
His eyes never left mine.
"Stay away from her."
Without another word, both of them walked away.
Leaving me standing alone.
Confused.
She's just a girl.
...Isn't she?
Why were they acting as though she was some kind of disaster waiting to happen?
Ridiculous.
A bunch of superstitious fools.
"Darkus Rye Dmitriv."
I stood before the Faculty Office reception desk.
"Transfer student."
The faculty officer examined me from head to toe before flipping through several documents.
"Dmitriv..."
She muttered while tracing the names with her finger.
"Dmitriv..."
"...Here."
She tapped the page.
"Darkus Rye Dmitriv."
She reached beneath the table and placed a neatly wrapped paper bag before me.
"Third Year, Section A."
She checked another document.
"Dormitory Four."
"Room Three."
She pushed the bag toward me.
"Inside are your Academy uniform and your Year Pin."
I accepted it with a nod.
"Thank you."
"Change into your uniform immediately after settling into your dorm."
She smiled professionally.
"The Opening Ceremony begins in exactly one hour inside the Grand Session Hall."
She paused.
"As for your Department Badge..."
She closed the folder.
"It will be awarded after today's Sorting Test."
I nodded once more.
"Understood."
Leaving the Faculty Office, I followed the map toward the dormitory district.
The dormitories stood behind massive stone walls separate from the main campus.
Unlike ordinary student housing, each building resembled miniature castles connected through elegant walkways and lush gardens.
Finding Room Three wasn't difficult.
The room itself was spacious.
Large enough for three occupants.
Yet each resident had their own private bedroom connected by a shared living space.
Perfect.
Privacy mattered to me.
More than most people realized.
Inside my room, the luggage I had shipped days earlier was already waiting.
I unpacked only the essentials.
Changed into my Academy uniform.
Looked at myself briefly in the mirror.
The dark navy coat fit perfectly.
The silver embroidery reflected faintly beneath the room's enchanted crystal lights.
I looked...
Like I actually belonged here.
Hopefully...
This place would finally become the peaceful beginning I had always wanted.
No trouble.
No unnecessary attention.
No more disasters.
Especially—
No more encounters with that strange girl.
Hopefully.
Apparently...
The universe had other plans.
The Grand Session Hall was already crowded by the time I arrived.
Thousands of students filled rows upon rows of seats beneath an impossibly high ceiling painted with constellations that slowly moved like a living night sky.
I had barely found an empty place when someone stepped beside me.
"Oh!"
A cheerful voice rang out.
"Hello!"
I froze.
Slowly...
Very slowly...
I turned my head.
There she was.
The same girl from the entrance.
Smiling brightly.
As though we were old friends.
"You're the guy from earlier!"
She giggled.
Again.
"I'm really sorry."
She scratched her cheek sheepishly.
"I honestly didn't mean to bump into you."
For a brief second...
She looked sincere.
Then—
"Pfft..."
She burst into laughter once more.
"...Sorry."
Another laugh escaped.
"I just..."
She covered her mouth.
"I don't know why it's so funny."
I closed my eyes.
Dear heavens...
Please.
Out of everyone in this Academy...
Why does she have to stand beside me?