⊹₊⟡⋆꧁⎝ 𓆩༺⟡☾⚝☽⟡༻𓆪 ⎠꧂⋆⟡⊹₊

The weekend passed in a blur, yet Aster couldn’t shake the lingering feeling left by Randall’s music. It stirred something deep inside her—the way the melody resonated, pulling at her chest as if awakening a long-buried longing for something or someone unknown.

She tried to forget about it, but the more she tried, the more it played in her head like a song stuck on repeat.

Days passed, and life returned to its usual routine. There were no more awkward or unexpected encounters with Randall. Katharina occasionally accompanied Aster to the library, and classes went by smoothly. Everything remained the same. She still stole glances at Ranley. Flavia and her friends continued to mock her, as if their day wouldn’t be complete without doing so. Wren greeted Aster every morning as if they were close, leaving Katharina wondering just how deep their connection ran.

As for Randall, he never met Aster’s gaze again. He never crossed her path. They became strangers in a room—more distant than before. Each day ended the same: Randall either with Wren or occupied in the council office, where Flavia and her friends seized every opportunity to speak with him. It shouldn’t have bothered Aster. She was well aware that they were never really friends. Their past few encounters had been mere coincidences.

Weeks passed, and then, something changed.

On a Monday afternoon, their last period—Magical Theory—took an unexpected turn. Instead of their usual classroom lecture, the students were led to one of the academy’s specialized research chambers, a laboratory designed for studying magical artifacts, inscriptions, and infusions.

“Today, we will be analyzing Moon Magic–infused artifacts,” Professor Aldric announced. A composed man of scholarly bearing, he was a lunar mage of modest rank who had long devoted himself to research and teaching rather than courtly ambition.

“While none of you can wield magic, understanding infused objects is crucial for those pursuing academic, research, or artisan professions.”

Katharina’s eyes lit up. She had been waiting for this.

“This is so exciting,” she whispered, nearly bouncing in place. “If I can grasp this, I’ll be one step closer to my dream of becoming an artificer.”

Aster was happy for Katharina, yet a strange uneasiness settled in her chest. A creeping fear of failure gnawed at her.

Their task was simple—examine an object infused with Moon Magic and record how it responded to external elements such as touch, movement, temperature, or specific materials. Most students achieved the expected reactions. Randall, however, stood out.

When it was his turn, he effortlessly activated the artifact, making it glow with a steady silvery light. Unlike the others, whose artifacts flickered and faded after a few moments, his remained unwavering—controlled, as if bending to his will. As expected, Flavia and her friends were mesmerized, along with the rest of the class. Ranley, however, was irritated, muttering under his breath about how annoyingly perfect Randall was.

Then came Aster’s turn.

She was assigned a silver-etched stone, an artifact meant to glow faintly under the right conditions. Carefully following the instructions, she ran her fingers over the engraved inscriptions, noting its texture and structure.

But when she gently tapped it—an action that should have caused a faint shimmer—it reacted strangely.

Instead of a steady silver glow, the stone flickered erratically. For a brief moment, a golden light pulsed beneath its surface, clashing with deep shadows before vanishing altogether. Aster withdrew her hand as if burned.

The room fell silent.

Aster froze.

‘What now?’

Professor Aldric adjusted his eyeglasses. “That’s peculiar. It shouldn’t have reacted that way.”

‘Did I do something wrong?’ Panic swelled in Aster’s mind.

Katharina scribbled furiously in her notes. “Incredible. The artifact is reacting to something—something making it unstable. But what?”

“Incredible?” Flavia’s voice cut through the silence, laced with amusement. “Oh, please. That was an outright failure.” Her friends laughed.

Aster clenched her fists.

‘Another failure.’

Across the room, Randall observed in silence. Wren, too, had noticed something. That wasn’t just an ordinary reaction. The artifact had responded to something unknown.

𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆⛧⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ

The next day, their Magical Theory class once again took place in the research chambers. But this time, instead of infused objects, they were introduced to a magical artifact—The Mirror of Truth.

It was no mere relic or simple enchantment. The ancient mirror’s surface rippled like liquid silver. Professor Aldric gestured toward it.

“This is the Mirror of Truth—one of Crescentis’s three legendary artifacts. It doesn’t just show your reflection. It reveals your very essence: who you are now, and the path that lies ahead.”

A hushed murmur swept through the class. The test was simple: step forward, look into the mirror, and hear its judgment.

One by one, students approached. The mirror spoke in whispers, revealing truths and hints of what lay ahead.

For Ranley, it spoke of ambition—how it will take him far in life, but he might end up regretting something important he’s overlooking in the present.

For Flavia, it praised her beauty and wealth, yet warned of her endless need to climb higher, never content. It also brushed upon her hidden admiration for Randall.

For Katharina, it spoke of strength—of determination and passion that could one day serve the kingdom well. Randall cast her a brief, considering glance, as though simply noting her potential.

For Wren, it revealed loyalty. He was an anchor and a shield—a guiding force destined to protect someone of great importance.

Then came Randall’s turn.

As he stepped forward, the mirror shimmered. Its glow shifting to gold, heavy and regal. The air grew heavier as the voice emerged:

“The Shrouded Moon. Bound for greatness, yet a prisoner of honor and duty. You are far more perfect than any here, but your resolve is your greatest weakness. The past calls to you, yet the present binds your heart. Regret lingers, and a promise unfulfilled holds you still. Fear not, for the one you seek, the one you deny, and the one you are bound to… are all the same.”

Randall’s eyes widened. The class collectively held its breath.

He turned away shifting to an emotionless reaction. But just as he stepped back, the mirror whispered one last thing:

“You cannot change the past. But the future still holds hope.”

Ranley frowned. 

‘A weakness? Even the perfect Randall has a weakness? I have to know what it is.’

Flavia sighed dreamily. “I knew Lord Randall was extraordinary. But what did it mean? It sounds so deep and important.”

The girls murmured in agreement, some giggling about how his weakness might be them. Randall ignored them all, returning to Wren’s side, lost in thought.

Then, it was Aster’s turn.

She hesitated, then stepped forward. The moment her gaze touched the mirror, the silver ripples froze—then warped, as though resisting.

The voice that emerged was strained.

“There is an anomaly! 🗲🗲🗲 A presence that does not belong!🗲🗲🗲 A stain!🗲🗲🗲 A disruption of balance!🗲🗲🗲”

Aster’s eyes widened. Her hands curled tightly at her sides.

‘Even the mirror is mocking me now?’

Then the mirror’s tone deepened.

“You 🗲🗲do not belong 🗲🗲here!🗲🗲”

A ripple of whispers spread through the room. Flavia smirked.

“See? Even the mirror knows you don’t belong,” she taunted.

“It sees you as a disruption in the balance of nobility,” Isadora added, and the class broke into snickers.

Aster lowered her head, ready to turn away—

But then a faint shimmer pulsed beneath her uniform, unseen by the others. The mirror reacted. The moment it flickered, the mirror flared to life once more.

“You do not belong here…🗲🗲🗲 but at the same time,🗲🗲🗲 you do.🗲🗲🗲”

The laughter stilled. A hush settled over the class. Even Professor Aldric looked puzzled by the contradiction.

Then, the voice deepened further, resonating with something far greater:

“You carry a relic born of this land, 🗲🗲🗲one that marks you as its master. 🗲🗲🗲When the stain is lifted and its meaning revealed… 🗲🗲the realms shall unite,🗲🗲 the stars shall align.  You are the key to the dawn’s promise… 🗲🗲🗲the light that frees the moon from its chains.🗲🗲🗲“

Aster’s breath caught.

‘Realms unite and stars align? Isn’t that…?’

Her hands instinctively moved to her chest, as if she knew the mirror was speaking of her necklace—but the more she thought about it, the more confused she became.

“Now the mirror’s just spewing nonsense!” Flavia scoffed. “It made sense for Lord Randall, but you—” she gestured with disdain, “—you broke it.”

Some students snickered again. Katharina, however, was intrigued, trying to decipher its meaning.

From the corner of the room, Randall observed silently. His sharp eyes caught the briefest flicker of light from Aster’s chest before the mirror shone. His heart pounded. 

‘What was that?’

Something in the mirror’s words felt eerily familiar.

「 ✦ Author’s Note ✦ 」

Here’s the Academy schedule already featured in Celentine Academy for Aster’s grade:

Mondays–Wednesdays

• • Morning:

    ⟡ History (Professor Lily)

    ⟡ Numerical Analysis (Miss Rose)

• • Afternoon:

    ⟡Etiquette & Diplomacy (Professor Theo) – covering noble alliances, greetings, formalities, and even courtly dances

    ⟡ Magical Theory (Professor Aldric) – a subject where—even without magic—students study the principles of runes, artifacts, and the tools they power. It is especially valuable for those aspiring to become artificers. The course is taught by Professor Aldric, a lunar mage of modest rank who chose a life of research and teaching over pursuing political standing within the Lunar Mages Council.

    One practical example of rune-powered artifacts is found in the academy’s restrooms. Far from grim medieval privies, they are sustained by enchantments—basins that release water at a touch, lanterns that glow without flame, and toilets cleansed with quiet runes. In short, a magical version of modern conveniences.

Thursdays–Fridays

• • Morning:

    ⟡Melodic Literature (Lady Shane, a refined baroness) – a blend of literature, poetry, and music 

• • Afternoon (separated by gender)

    ࣪✿ Ladies:

    ⟡Refined Expressions (Lady Lydia, a refined countess) – painting, embroidery, and other fine accomplishments.

    ⚔ Men: 

    ⟡Martial & Chivalric Arts (Sir Ethan, a retired knight) – horseback combat, swordsmanship, magical warfare, and the principles of honor, duty, and chivalry.