Celestial Carving Academy Library.
Housing fifty-eight thousand grimoires, this vault held nearly every potent spell known across the Aire Continent. Legends whispered that deep within its shadows lay forbidden tomes, sealed away for their corruption by dark magic.
During the midday break between ranking battles, Student Council President Elucia slipped into the library. Pages rustled under her fingers as she hunted for answers—what arcane lineage could possibly fuel Sharkai Bai’s power?
Only Battle Mages came close to his ferocity. Yet his frail frame? Impossible for a discipline demanding brute strength. Elucia discarded the theory and resumed her search.
*“Oh~? Even the famed No.1 of Celestial Carving Academy graces the library?”*
A golden-haired girl sauntered up behind her.
*“You. Miss Cecilia Xuelian of the Cecilia Family.”*
*“Heh~ Could it be my fiancé’s shadow has you rattled~?”*
*“Fiancé? Sharkai Bai?”*
*“Admitting it so easily? I thought you never backed down.”*
*“What do you want?”*
Elucia never lifted her eyes from the pages.
*“Just to savor the rare sight of tension on a genius’s face.”* Cecilia Xuelian leaned back, gazing at the library’s ancient ceiling. *“You’re S-rank too, aren’t you? Your family’s siblings are truly formidable.”*
*“Should I thank you for that? Never mind. An old friend checking in—that’s all. My schedule’s packed. Farewell~”* She snapped a book shut and slid it back to Elucia before striding away.
Watching Cecilia’s retreating figure from the corner of her eye, Elucia let out a rare sigh.
*“Trouble’s coming.”*
---
Celestial Carving Academy Dormitory.
Sharkai Bai forced his eyes open, only to be stabbed by the glare of a bare lightbulb overhead.
*(This… is my room…)*
*“Ugh… this hurts…”*
Propped upright, he found his body completely wrapped in bandages. A steaming bowl of medicinal broth sat on the bedside table.
*“You’re awake. Don’t move yet. Rest.”*
Zhiminghan entered, carrying a fresh bowl. She dipped a spoon and held it to his lips.
*(Zhiming’s actually… good at this. Ahh~ life’s beautiful~~~)*
Lost in his daydream, Sharkai obediently swallowed the broth.
*“I was heading back to class when I found you collapsed under a tree. After asking around, I carried you here.”* Zhiminghan’s voice held a flustered edge, as if justifying her presence.
*“Thanks for bringing me back.”*
*“Oh… you’re not mad I butted in?”*
Silence thickened between them, warm and awkward. Thankfully, Zhiminghan left once she confirmed his wounds were healing.
---
One week later, the name Sharkai Bai—white-haired apprentice who couldn’t cast magic—shook the academy. He’d annihilated A-rank mage Dark King Vishfa in seconds and toppled Student Council Vice President Wilkor during the ranking battles.
Even after seven days, apprentices still buzzed about the duel.
Another headline rippled through campus: Cecilia Xuelian of the Cecilia Family had enrolled as an apprentice at Celestial Engraved Magic Academy. Headmaster Dishi personally awarded her an S-rank mage uniform.
Now, besides Council President Elucia, the academy had a second S-rank mage.
And Cecilia Xuelian’s assigned class? Second-year Class C—Sharkai Bai’s homeroom.
*“Hey. That’s my seat, Miss Cecilia Family.”*
Sharkai froze in the doorway. His so-called fiancée sat squarely in his desk chair. Their engagement was pure politics—a first meeting with this stunning stranger amused him more than it unsettled him.
*“Darling~, so formal? I transferred just to nurture our bond. We’ll live together soon—better get along, hmm?”* Cecilia Xuelian smiled up at him.
Golden hair cascaded past her waist, swaying with the breeze from the window. Her deep blue eyes held the distant gleam of her S-rank uniform. An aura of untouchable pride radiated from her.
*(Strong-willed. Beautiful. Unapproachable.)*
Sharkai’s first impression crystallized in an instant.
---
After class, they walked toward the dorms.
*“Darling, your power… it doesn’t belong to any magic lineage, does it?”*
*“Ah, that’s ancient history. See this?”* Sharkai ruffled his white hair with a wry grin. *“Born with it. Once, as a kid, I punched the old man so hard he flew across the room—when he wasn’t even guarding.”*
*“You sound proud.”*
*“W-well! He was a powerhouse mage back then!”*
Surprisingly, their chatter flowed easily.
*“Ahhh! Sharkai! Xuelian!”*
The Student Council trio approached. Vice President Wilkor shot Sharkai a knowing look.
*“The academy allows apprentice romances,”* President Elucia’s gaze pinned Sharkai like a blade, *“but rein it in when I’m watching.”*
Aisha trailed behind them, silently flipping pages in her book.
*“Seriously? Your ‘let’s dissect him’ stares are creeping me out…”* Sharkai shuddered. *“Just saying hi, right? We’ve got council duties. Bye!”*
*“They’re always swamped.”*
At the dorm entrance, movers hauled crates up the stairs.
*“I’m in Room 301.”*
*“Oh? How coincidental! I’m in 301 too—WAIT! WHAT IS THIS?!”* Sharkai yelped.
Inside his room, the crates were being unpacked.
*“Resistance is futile, Darling~~ Whew, it’s sweltering. Bath time! No. Peek. Ing!”* Cecilia began unbuttoning her uniform as she headed for the bathroom.
Dead serious. Sharkai stood frozen.
*“C-CO-HABITATION?!”*
A crisp voice cut through the chaos from the doorway.
*“Is Sharkai here?”*
Zhiminghan.
Crash!
Lightning split Sharkai’s mind.
*“Z-Z-ZHIMINGHAN?!”*
