Chapter 1 (Part 2)

**First Day at Celestial Magic Academy**

The orientation wrapped up with the professors assigning each student to their classes. The grand auditorium buzzed with chatter as glowing parchments floated down from above like feathers, each one landing neatly into waiting hands.

I caught mine, palms sweaty.

\[ **LizCiel Ashfallen – Special Class** ]

…My jaw nearly hit the marble floor.

—inner thoughts—

Wait. Wait. **WAIT.** Did this paper just say *Special Class*?!

Me?! A magicless nobody?!

This has to be a prank. A clerical error. Someone’s drunk.

…Or blind. Probably blind. 🥲

—end monologue—

I peeked around. Sure enough, nobles all over the hall were sneaking glances at me, their jeweled fans fluttering faster than hummingbird wings.

“Did that say… Ashfallen?”

“The sister of Glazier, the prodigy?”

“And Priscilla, the gifted one?”

“But she’s… the *magicless one.*”

“Impossible. She must’ve cheated.”

I could feel their stares drilling holes into my back. But hey—free spotlight!

So I bowed dramatically, parchment pressed to my chest like it was an award.

“Oh my adoring fans, please, no autographs today.”

A noble boy sputtered into his sleeve. A girl glared at me so hard I thought her eyes might pop out.

And then… *they* showed up.

Francine Darkstar—posture sharp as armor, golden hair braided to perfection, smirk sharp enough to cut glass.

Ophelia Potenlief—wavy hair, alchemist’s sigil glinting at her neck, eyes narrowed like I was a bug under her microscope.

And Nixy Frost—icy-blue hair, aristocratic features that practically screamed *“I’m royalty, bow peasant.”*

The trio strutted toward me like lions cornering prey. Except… little did they know, I wasn’t about to play rabbit. 🐇✖

Francine tilted her chin, her voice dripping disdain. “So it’s true. A *peasant* in the Special Class.”

Ophelia wrinkled her nose. “Disgraceful. The Academy’s standards must be slipping.”

Nixy’s tone was colder than Glazier’s glare on a bad day. “This isn’t a place for common trash. I’ll be speaking to the professors about this… mistake.”

—inner thoughts—

Oh ho ho, ladies… you’ve wandered into the wrong theater.

Time for a *show*.

—end monologue—

I clutched my chest dramatically. “Mistake? Oh nooo, my lady. Didn’t you hear? I’m the Academy’s *special decoration*. You know, like the statue in the courtyard? Except prettier.”

Francine’s eyes narrowed into slits. “You dare mock me—”

“Yes,” I cut in brightly, flashing my widest grin. “And for free too! Normally I’d charge for this kind of entertainment, but since it’s my first day…” I threw them an exaggerated wink.

Ophelia gasped as if I’d splashed acid on her. “Y-you insolent—!”

“Oh please.” I flicked imaginary dust from my sleeve with a sigh. “Save your breath, my lady. You’ll need it to carry that *massive ego* around campus.”

Several nearby students stifled laughs. One boy even coughed into his hand to hide it.

The noble trio’s faces turned redder than roasted tomatoes.

Nixy’s voice snapped like a whip. “You’ll regret those words, peasant.”

I leaned in just slightly, smiling with teeth. “Maybe. But ohhh, what fun it will be.”

They stormed off in a swirl of gowns and braids, swishing like angry peacocks. I waved after them sweetly. “Bye-bye! Don’t trip on your pride!”

Priscilla tugged on my sleeve, eyes wide with worry. “L-Lizzy… you shouldn’t provoke them… they’re all from powerful houses.”

Glazier didn’t even look up from his parchment. “…Trouble.”

“Pfft, trouble is my middle name.” I tossed my hair dramatically. “Besides, what’s the worst that could happen? …Actually, don’t answer that.”

—inner thoughts—

Okay, maybe I was digging my grave. Maybe I should’ve just smiled and stayed quiet.

But come on. If I’m going to be a magicless peasant stuck in a den of arrogant nobles…

I might as well make it entertaining.