As the first light of dawn peeked through the clouds, casting a gentle golden hue over the vibrant city of Selta Bastion, Meadow awoke with a smile. The invigorating scent of autumn wafted in through her window, filling her heart with excitement for the day ahead. Today was a day she had marked in her mind to indulge in her absolute favorite treat: ice cream.

"Today, nothing much to do, huh? I guess ice cream is cool," she mused aloud, stretching and shaking off any remnants of sleep. After a quick morning routine filled with enthusiasm, she decided to take a new route to her favorite ice cream shop. As she stepped outside her dorm room, a colorful tapestry of autumn leaves greeted her, painting the streets in shades of orange, red, and yellow.

Selta Bastion was a city bustling with energy; the laughter of children, the chatter of merchants, and the distant sound of music filled the air. As Meadow strolled through the lively streets, her eyes caught sight of something unexpected — a woman who exuded an aura of elegance and grace. The woman had long, flowing platinum blonde hair that shimmered in the sunlight, framing her flawless face. Her striking blue eyes held a depth that intrigued Meadow, and at her waist hung a pair of beautifully crafted long swords, reminding Meadow that beauty and strength could coexist.

In a moment of surprise, Meadow found herself so captivated that she tripped over her own feet. With a gasp, she stumbled forward and barely managed to catch herself, but it was too late. The woman noticed, and her expression shifted from surprise to concern as she approached Meadow.

“Are you okay?” the noble asked, her voice smooth and comforting.

Meadow looked up, her heart racing at the sight of such beauty before her. “I-I’m fine,” she stammered, flustered, as the noble helped her regain her footing.

“Good,” the woman replied, her voice a calming caress. “I’m Beatrix.”

“Are you a noble?” Meadow suddenly blurted out, curiosity piqued by Beatrix’s regal air.

A moment of silence stretched between them, and Meadow felt a strange energy; Beatrix was lost in thought, mesmerized by Meadow in a way she couldn’t quite understand. After what felt like an eternity, Beatrix smiled shyly and said, “I’m a transfer student from Fletcher Academy.”

Meadow's mind swirled with rumors of a noble transferring to Selta Academy. This had to be her. “My name is Meadow. Since you’re going to attend the same school, I can show you around.”

“Thank you,” Beatrix replied, her blue eyes sparkling with relief and admiration.

The two headed toward Selta Academy together. The moment Beatrix laid her eyes on the grand structure — an architectural masterpiece reaching toward the sky with its spiraling spires — her jaw dropped in astonishment.

As they approached the entrance, a towering steel golem stopped them. “Citizen, only students and teachers are allowed during the weekend,” it stated with a firm voice.

Meadow presented her student ID, and after a brief scan, the golem nodded. “Selta Academy student, you are allowed to enter.”

Turning to her guards, Beatrix commanded, “You both stay outside; I will go with Meadow.” The guards bowed their heads obediently.

Once inside the dazzling academy, Beatrix’s eyes widened in wonder at the opulence that surrounded them: grand halls adorned with intricate chandeliers, sculptures, and murals depicting historic battles and legendary figures. “This school is really beautiful,” Beatrix marveled.

“Yeah, my friend's father owns this school,” Meadow replied casually.

“Your friend’s father?!” Beatrix echoed, surprise etched on her face, only to feel an inexplicable wave of jealousy wash over her.

Meadow noticed Beatrix's blush and couldn’t help but sense some unspoken tension between them. “Are you... alright?”

“Uh, yes…” Beatrix stuttered, her curiosity blossoming into something stronger. As they walked side by side, Beatrix shyly asked, “Meadow, do you have... a lover?”

“What? I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you,” Meadow replied, ever oblivious.

“Nothing,” Beatrix muttered, considering how her feelings were rapidly becoming more complicated.

Soon, they found themselves at the uniform fitting room, greeted by Juliana, a seamstress who nearly lost her composure. “Are you the new transfer student?” she asked, her voice shaking slightly at the sight of two such beautiful girls.

After Beatrix accepted her uniform, they headed into the fitting room. As they assisted each other, they shared flustered laughs and shy moments. Beatrix’s heart raced as Meadow reached out to help her, a mix of embarrassment and something sweeter filling her. They could feel the air around them change, as though it crackled with unspoken words and promises.

Once dressed in her new uniform, Beatrix looked at Meadow with wide eyes. “Wow, it really fits you well,” Meadow admired.

“Th-thank you,” Beatrix managed, both relieved yet yearning for more of these moments together.

After their clothes were adjusted and the embarrassment diminished, they wandered the streets again, laughing and sharing stories. Time seemed to fly by, and as night descended, the city transformed into a mosaic of lights.

When they finally approached the female dormitory, Beatrix paused to admire the shimmering strands of silver in Meadow’s hair, sparkling like moonlight. “Your hair glows silver... because of your father, right?”

Meadow nodded, eager to share this part of herself. “Yes, my father is a Crescent Moon Wolf. They shine with silver at night.”

“Really? That’s amazing,” Beatrix whispered, captivated not only by Meadow’s words but by the girl herself.

With a promise to meet again the next day, they parted ways, the weight of the evening lingering between them. As Beatrix lay on her bed later that night, her heart full, she couldn’t help but whisper, “Meadow… did you just put a curse on my heart? I just feel like I want to see you again…”

With dreams of her new friend swirling in her mind, Beatrix drifted off to sleep, ready to embrace whatever challenges awaited her at Selta Academy, all with the hope that, together, she and Meadow could face anything that came their way.

On a brisk autumn morning, the air in Meadow's dorm room was filled with soft, golden light spilling through the window. Meadow woke up with a smile, ready to seize the day. She brushed her teeth, slipped into her crisp uniform, and felt the familiar thrill of anticipation for her first day as a supportive friend to Beatrix—the new transfer student.

As she stepped out of her room, she spotted Beatrix waiting just outside, a dreamlike vision of beauty that sent butterflies swirling in Meadow's stomach. Beatrix's royal demeanor shone even brighter in the morning light, and as their eyes met, Meadow couldn't help but beam.

“Ready for your first day at school?” Meadow asked with a cheerful grin.

Beatrix's cheeks flushed pink, and she nodded bashfully. “Yes.” Together, they made their way downstairs for breakfast, their strides in sync and each of them drawing the attention of fellow students who couldn't help but admire their beauty.

In the cafeteria, Meadow led Beatrix to a table filled with her friends. “I want to introduce you to my friends,” she said, excitement bubbling up inside her.

Beatrix hesitated. “Okay,” she replied, though she wondered what kind of friends were waiting for her. They walked toward the male dorm entrance, where whispers erupted around them about Beatrix—the rumored transfer student.

When they arrived at the table, Beatrix's eyes widened. “Wait, your friends are all boys?” she asked, a mix of surprise and caution coloring her tone.

“Yes,” Meadow laughed lightly. “But believe me, they're good people.”

At the table sat Aiden—a tall, muscular man with an impressive build—and Korr, even larger, towering above them at an impressive 250 cm. Beatrix’s eyes widened even further; she felt their presence was like standing before gentle giants.

“They both are giants,” Beatrix remarked, her voice barely concealing her astonishment.

Meadow laughed. “Just a bit.” She introduced Beatrix. “By the way, this is Beatrix, my friend.”

“Nice to meet you,” Aiden said, visibly awed by Beatrix’s beauty, while Korr took a deep breath to maintain his composure, nodding his head in agreement.

Beatrix replied softly, “Nice to meet you both,” then turned toward Korr. “I’ve never seen anyone as tall as you.”

Korr chuckled bashfully, and Aiden smirked at their banter. Beatrix's spirits lifted; they seemed nice enough.

“So, this is your friends, what are we waiting for? Let's go to school,” Beatrix said, ready to ensure her first day was as smooth as possible.

“Wait,” Meadow interrupted. “There’s one more. But he can be a bit cold when he meets new people, so don’t be afraid of him.”

“Okay…” Beatrix’s instincts stirred a little unease.

After a brief wait, Meadow's eyes lit up. “There he is! Cavanaught!”

As Cavanaught approached, Beatrix felt an uneasy tension wrap around her. He stood at 185 cm, confident and charming, but his air was decidedly different from the warmth of the others. His cold gaze fell upon Beatrix, and a sense of foreboding struck her.

“Who is this?” Cavanaught asked bluntly, eyes narrowed as he regarded Beatrix.

Beatrix glared back, reading him instantly—the charming visage reminded her of past experiences at Fletcher Academy. In battles against shadows of individuals leveraging their looks over courage, she saw Cavanaught as more of a threat than a friend.

“Um, Beatrix, this is Cavanaught,” Meadow attempted to ease the tension.

In that moment, Cavanaught and Beatrix seemed to be locked in a silent contest, each assessing the other’s power. The tension escalated to an almost suffocating degree, causing Aiden, Korr, and Meadow to shift uncomfortably.

“This man, he’s a completely different level from any other good-looking man. This man is dangerous,” Beatrix thought to herself.

“More people fear me, huh? Let’s go,” Cavanaught remarked coolly, sensing the effect he had on the others.

The comment struck a nerve within Beatrix, and her protective instincts surged. She gripped Meadow's wrist firmly and pulled her away. “That man is dangerous! You shouldn’t trust him!” she insisted, urgency lacing her tone.

“But I’ve been friends with him for two years!” Meadow protested, sharing a look of confusion.

“If he does something wrong, he will blame you!” Beatrix felt a deep need to protect her new friend from this potential threat.

Meadow stared at Beatrix, trying to process her fierce protectiveness. “If he does something wrong, he will never blame anyone. He’ll be honest; people are always by his side.”

Beatrix was relentless, pretending she hadn’t heard. She swiftly led Meadow into the school, staying vigilant as they went about their day.

In their swordsmanship class, the teacher Aaron decided to showcase Beatrix's skills by calling her to spar against Cavanaught. Whispers filled the air about Cavanaught's invincibility, heightening Beatrix's determination to prove herself.

As they started their spar, Beatrix's combination of strength and speed served her well, and for a moment, she dazzled her classmates. Cavanaught appeared calm but calculated, his movements sharp and precise. The room was thick with excitement as they fought.

Yet, for all their prowess, Cavanaught made a critical mistake, and Beatrix seized the opportunity, claiming victory with a triumphant flourish.

“If you come near Meadow, don’t think you will end well,” Beatrix warned as she stepped away from Cavanaught, who merely kept his cold expression.

In the aftermath, Beatrix was bombarded with admiration, a flurry of questions from fellow students who now idolized her. However, as she scanned the crowd, her gaze found Meadow once again approaching Cavanaught.

“Don’t!” Beatrix yelled, grabbing Meadow’s wrist to stop her. “I told you not to come near him.”

“Why are you so worked up?” Meadow questioned, exasperated.

The lunch hour brought together Beatrix, Meadow, and her new female admirers. Beatrix tried to focus on her companions, but her heart remained heavy with the thought of protecting Meadow.

“Beatrix... I don’t like fighting...” Meadow revealed softly.

“I’m sorry, but this is for our good,” Beatrix countered, sadness punctuating her tone as she looked at the gloomy expression on Meadow's face.

“Okay, Meadow. Tell me what you want, and I will give you anything, just stay away from Cavanaught,” Beatrix proposed.

“I just don’t want you both fighting,” Meadow replied.

Before Beatrix could respond, Cavanaught approached with a steely demeanor alongside Aiden and Korr. “So, you have some nerve disrespecting me. Because you say if I come near Meadow, I’ll not end well. Let me remind you that those who disrespect me never have a good ending.”

Tension crackled between them, and even the air grew heavy with the weight of their unspoken words.

“We’ll see about that,” Beatrix challenged.

“Guys, please,” Meadow pleaded gracefully, trying to ease tensions.

As they moved toward class, Beatrix weighted down by a mix of frustration and responsibility, whispered to Meadow, “What is he to you?”

“He is my friend,” Meadow replied, her eyes filled with earnest warmth.

Beatrix turned her head, purposefully ignoring the response that she found hard to accept.

After school ended, Beatrix loomed with unease watching Meadow prepare to leave. “Where are you going?” she inquired.

“I forgot something at school,” Meadow said, avoiding eye contact.

“I will follow you,” Beatrix declared sternly.

“It won’t be too long; I can go alone,” Meadow insisted.

Beatrix locked her gaze on Meadow, and with a begrudging nod, allowed her to leave—only to follow her surreptitiously from behind.

As they drew close to Cavanaught, Beatrix's protective nature surged, and she grabbed Meadow's wrist once more, dragging her away from the confrontation. “How dare you lie to me?” Beatrix whispered.

“I’m sorry, Beatrix; I just want to apologize to Cavanaught,” Meadow stammered helplessly.

“There is no need,” Beatrix retorted, pressing her against her bed, frustration sparking between them.

A long moment of silence stretched, before Beatrix, driven by emotions, leaned forward and pressed her lips against Meadow’s in a forceful kiss that lasted a minute, leaving Meadow breathless.

“If you don’t want me to escalate things, stay here, please,” Beatrix warned, momentarily overwhelming her senses.

Hesitant, Meadow nodded, feeling the weight of Beatrix's desires paired with her own confusion.

The remaining hours of the day passed, with the essence of the kiss hanging heavily in the air between them. As they settled into bed, Meadow couldn’t shake the moment, the first kiss forever etched into her memory.

The dawn of the next day unfolded, and as they walked to school, Meadow finally broke the silence, her cheeks turning the color of autumn leaves. “You know about yesterday... it was my first kiss,” she said softly, almost shyly.

“I’m sorry that I stole it,” Beatrix muttered quietly. “But it was also my first.”

Meadow blushed deeper. “You better take responsibility since it was my first kiss...”

“What?” Beatrix replied, unable to mask her surprise.

“N-nothing,” Meadow stammered.

Awkward silence enveloped them as they maneuvered through the hallways, their friends and admirers buzzing with curiosity but unaware of the new dynamic blooming between the two girls.

As they sat during lunch, Beatrix’s female followers noticed the tension wrapping around Beatrix and Meadow, eager to lighten the mood.

“What happened between you two? Come on, cheer up a bit,” Juliet suggested, her smile infectious.

“We’re good, thank you,” Beatrix replied, attempting to sound nonchalant.

As the day progressed, Beatrix realized it was essential to address the gravity of her feelings toward Meadow before the window closed. “You guys stay at our usual lunch table; I have something to say to Meadow,” Beatrix instructed her friends, leading Meadow to a quiet area away from prying eyes.

“Where are we going?” Meadow asked.

“Just follow me,” Beatrix stated gently, inhaling deeply, gearing up to share what was weighing heavily on her heart.

However, as Beatrix prepared to confess, a glimpse of Cavanaught peeking from around a corner caught her eye. “Wait, I saw someone,” Beatrix said abruptly, then shouted, “Cavanaught! Don’t think I didn’t see you!”

But Cavanaught vanished, leaving Beatrix in a whirl of frustration. She paused, weighing whether now was the right moment. “Let’s just head back,” she decided, her heart pounding.

At the conclusion of the school day, Beatrix couldn’t shake the feeling that Cavanaught was lurking nearby. “Can you wait for me at the dorm? I’ve got something to do,” she instructed Meadow.

“Okay...” Meadow responded reluctantly, confused as Beatrix walked away.

Once alone, Beatrix deliberately headed toward a secluded area, aware that Cavanaught was sure to appear. Soon enough, Cavanaught confronted her, dagger in hand, eyes full of malice.

“STOP THERE!” he shouted.

Beatrix turned, ready to face him head-on. “Are we really going to do this?” she coldly asked.

“I told you. Disrespect me, and you won’t see the sun tomorrow,” he threatened.

“Fine, let’s settle this with hand-to-hand combat,” Beatrix retorted, throwing her dagger aside, confident yet internally anxious.

Cavanaught followed suit, discarding his weapon. “If I win, you’re out of Selta Academy,” he challenged.

“And if I win, you stay away from me and Meadow,” Beatrix countered.

They took their stances, focused and ready. Cavanaught, tall and fierce, charged forward, while Beatrix, agile and fierce in her own right, matched his ferocity with skill. The battle raged with fervor, each carefully observing the other’s movements, a ballet of strength and strategy unraveling before the gathered audience.

The air crackled with energy, and Beatrix found herself trapped in a chokehold. But with her unique skill, Execute, unlocked, she felt a surge of energy and power course through her. In a burst of strength, she escaped Cavanaught’s grip and took him down before locking his head.

Defeated, Cavanaught surrendered, and Beatrix helped him up, a gesture of unexpected camaraderie. Confused by the turn of events, Cavanaught chuckled. “Why did you help me?”

“You didn’t grab a weapon—this proves you’re not the enemy I thought,” Beatrix replied, trying to establish a mutual understanding. “Let’s be friends.”

But Cavanaught only laughed dismissively, spitting blood onto the ground. “Friends? Don’t make me laugh.” With that, he walked away, leaving Beatrix frustrated.

Returning to her dorm room, Beatrix found Meadow waiting, concern etched on her face. “Where did you go?”

“Just dealing with some of my business,” Beatrix replied curtly, her thoughts swirling with frustration.

The next day, when Beatrix led Meadow to the male dorm, confusion reigned. Aiden, Korr, and Cavanaught were once again present.

“Good morning,” Beatrix greeted, yet Cavanaught's cold demeanor held sway over the group.

“What happened here?” Aiden asked.

“What just happened?” Korr echoed, his brow furrowed.

“I honestly don’t know either,” Meadow admitted, her brow knit in concern.

Beatrix turned to Cavanaught, intent on establishing a new understanding. “We’re not fighting anymore; now we’re friends, right Cavanaught?”

With an amused yet arrogant smile, Cavanaught responded, “So, we’re friends? Don’t make me laugh.”

“Let’s go,” Beatrix pressed, leading the group to school.

As they walked, Meadow turned to Beatrix. “What happened between you and Cavanaught?”

“Isn’t it better if your friends aren’t fighting?” Beatrix asked, holding a firm resolve.

“Yeah, but I’m still confused,” Meadow admitted, glancing between the trio of boys and Beatrix.

While their paths intertwined with Cavanaught, Aiden, and Korr, Meadow felt the intensity of their relationships forming. Beatrix, fiercely committed to keeping her and Meadow safe, was prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead at Selta Academy, her heart throbbing with new emotions. As they walked toward the shining gates of the school, both girls sensed that an important chapter was unfolding—one that would test their bonds and reveal the true depths of their hearts.