The notice board stood tall in the center of the courtyard, surrounded by a sea of students.
Voices overlapped in waves—some excited, some disappointed, some outright arguing. Names were being called out, ranks compared, and occasionally, groans of despair echoed through the crowd.
Lily stood at the edge of it all, her brows slightly furrowed.
"Why does everyone have to crowd like this…"
She tried to squeeze in, slipping between two taller students, only to be pushed back almost immediately.
"Hey—watch it!"
"Sorry—!"
After a few failed attempts, Lily let out a small sigh and stepped back, placing her hands on her hips.
"…Fine."
Her eyes narrowed at the board.
Then—
She bent her knees and jumped.
For a brief moment, her gaze cleared the heads in front of her.
Not enough.
She landed, immediately jumping again.
Still not enough.
On the third jump, she pushed herself just a little higher—
—and finally saw it.
Her name.
Lily Everhart.
Her eyes moved quickly, scanning line by line.
History — Rank 5.
A small smile tugged at her lips.
Herbology — Rank 3.
"Not bad…"
Magic Theory — Rank 2.
Her smile widened slightly.
General Science — Rank 5.
"Again?"
She let out a quiet laugh under her breath, continuing downward.
Then—
Practical Exam (Team) — Rank 1.
Her eyes lit up.
She straightened slightly even as she landed back on the ground.
"…First."
But her gaze dropped one last time.
Practical Exam (Individual) — Rank 4.
The smile on her face paused.
"…Fourth?"
For a moment, she simply stared.
She had finished the maze first.
That part she was sure of.
But then again…
Points weren't just about speed.
There were probably deductions. Missed details. Efficiency. Control.
Lily exhaled softly.
"…Still good."
More than good, actually.
But something about it made her feel slightly… unsatisfied.
Not frustrated.
Just—
Like she could've done better.
The crowd slowly began to thin out, students stepping away in groups, their discussions trailing behind them.
Lily finally lowered her gaze and stepped back fully.
That's when she spotted them.
Kane, Arlen, Corey, and Olivia.
They were standing a short distance away, clearly having already checked their rankings.
Lily walked over, her earlier thoughts pushed aside for the moment.
"Hey! Did you guys see your ranks?"
Arlen flinched slightly.
Olivia immediately turned her head away.
"…That bad, huh?" Lily said, tilting her head.
Kane gave a small shrug, hands in his pockets. "Depends on who you're asking."
Corey adjusted his glasses, his expression calm as ever.
"It was within expectations."
Lily narrowed her eyes slightly.
"That sounds suspiciously confident."
Kane smirked faintly. "I did fine."
Which, translated from Kane, probably meant very well.
From what Lily could gather after a bit of questioning—and a lot of dodging on their part—Kane and Corey had both ranked consistently within the top ten across most subjects.
Kane had even surpassed her in the individual practical rankings.
That stung a little.
Corey, on the other hand, had outperformed her in history.
That surprised her more than anything.
"You don't even look like you study that much," Lily muttered.
Corey blinked. "I do."
"…Quietly."
Arlen scratched the back of his head awkwardly when Lily looked at him.
"I mean… I didn't fail anything…"
"That's not what I asked."
"…Twenties to thirties," he admitted.
Lily nodded slowly.
That wasn't bad at all.
But compared to the others—
"I get it," she said, giving him a small, understanding smile.
Olivia, however, was the most obvious.
She hadn't said a word.
"Olivia?"
"…Fifties," she muttered.
Lily blinked.
"…Oh."
"But!" Olivia suddenly added, lifting her head slightly. "Seventh in herbology!"
"And?" Lily prompted.
"…Second in individual practical. Ninth in team."
Lily raised a brow.
"That's… actually really good."
Olivia puffed her cheeks slightly. "I know that."
Lily glanced sideways at Corey.
He didn't say anything.
and he didn't need to.
Olivia couldn't have done it without his help.c
Olivia looked away again, crossing her arms.
"I didn't need help or anything."
"…Right," Lily said, clearly unconvinced.
The group lingered for a while longer before naturally splitting apart, each heading back toward their own dorms.
When Lily pushed open the door to her room, she immediately sensed something was off.
The atmosphere felt…
Heavy.
Her gaze shifted to the desk.
Gina was slumped over it, her head resting against the wood, her entire body radiating defeat.
"…Should I be concerned?"
No response.
Lily walked closer, peering down at her.
"Gina?"
A muffled groan escaped.
"My history rank…"
"…What about it?"
"…Below top forty…"
Lily winced.
"…Ah."
"And now my parents are making me start studying for finals… immediately…"
"…Ah."
That explained everything.
Lily gently patted Gina's back.
"There's still time—"
Her words trailed off as her eyes caught something on the desk.
A flyer.
She picked it up.
Interschool Tournament Registration — Open Until End of Month
Her eyes lingered on the bold letters.
"…What's this?"
Gina didn't move. "Seniors… gave it to me…"
"Why?"
"Said it's a good opportunity…"
Lily flipped it over, scanning the details.
Different schools.
Competitive matches.
Recognition.
Rewards.
Her grip on the paper tightened slightly.
"…Are you joining?"
"No."
Immediate.
"I'm not a combat mage," Gina muttered. "That's your thing."
Lily stared at the flyer for a few seconds longer.
Then—
She reached for a pen.
"I am."
Gina lifted her head slightly. "…You didn't even hesitate."
Lily smiled faintly as she began writing.
"Why would I?"
Later that day, Lily stood in front of her homeroom teacher.
"Here."
She handed over the form.
Richard Mios glanced at it briefly, then looked up at her.
"…Interschool tournament?"
"Yes."
A pause.
"…I see."
He didn't say much more, simply placing it aside.
But as Lily turned to leave—
"Train properly."
She paused.
"…I will."
The days that followed felt lighter.
Not easier—
But clearer.
Lily had something ahead of her now.
Something beyond classes, beyond exams.
Something that mattered.
A few days later, the group gathered again.
This time, not for studying.
But for celebration.
They walked together through the lively streets, laughter slipping easily between them.
Lily walked near the front, her eyes drifting across the surroundings.
And then—
She noticed it again.
Buildings marked with a familiar symbol.
The emblem of the Church of Salus.
"…There are more," she murmured.
"Hm?" Olivia glanced at her.
"The church buildings."
Olivia shrugged. "They've been expanding."
Lily frowned slightly.
Even the restaurant they were heading toward—
"…is owned by someone they helped," Olivia added casually.
Lily's gaze lingered on the building.
Helped.
Saved.
Given shelter.
Everything she had seen before supported that image.
Kindness.
Generosity.
So why—
She shook her head slightly.
"…Never mind."
Inside, they took their seats around a round table.
The atmosphere was warm, lively.
Kane, sitting beside Lily, casually ordered something she couldn't even pronounce.
"What was that?" she asked.
"You wouldn't like it."
"You don't know that."
"I do."
One by one, they ordered.
Different dishes.
Different cultures.
The table slowly filled with color and aroma.
For a while—
Everything felt normal.
After the meal, they split up.
Arlen and Gina returned to the dorms.
Olivia and Corey left for tutoring.
Which left—
Lily and Kane.
"…You heading back?" Kane asked.
Lily shook her head.
"Not yet."
"…Same."
So they walked.
No destination.
Just moving.
Side by side.
Kane glanced at her occasionally.
I hope this lasts a little longer.
Eventually—
They stopped.
In front of the Mage's Guild.
Lily didn't hesitate.
She stepped inside.
The noise of the bar didn't faze her in the slightest.
Kane followed.
They moved toward the guildmaster's room.
The door swung open.
Dargon didn't even look surprised.
"Lily."
"Any missions?"
Straightforward.
As always.
Dargon leaned back slightly.
"…There is one."
Lily's eyes sharpened.
"But it's too dangerous."
"Tell me anyway."
A pause.
"…Infiltration."
That alone changed the tone.
"A company operating across the central continent. Reports say they've been kidnapping mages from the eastern continent."
Lily's expression froze.
"…Which company?"
Dargon hesitated.
"…The Church of Salus."
Silence.
"…No."
It came out immediately.
"That doesn't make sense."
"I don't deal in what makes sense," Dargon replied calmly. "I deal in reports."
Kane finally spoke.
"Told you."
"That's not true!" Lily snapped. "They help people—"
"On the surface."
"Enough."
Dargon's voice cut through sharply.
He looked at Lily.
"Are you taking the mission?"
Lily hesitated.
Just for a moment.
Then—
"…Yes."
"No."
Kane stepped forward instantly.
"This isn't something you can just walk into."
Lily didn't respond.
"They're kidnapping mages without anyone noticing," Kane continued. "That means they're strong—or organized."
Still nothing.
"And eastern mages aren't weak."
Lily clenched her fists.
"I know."
"Then why—"
"Because I need to know."
Her voice was quiet.
But firm.
Dargon handed her the mission details.
Kane exhaled sharply.
"…Fine."
He turned.
"I'm coming too."
Lily blinked.
"You don't have to—"
"I know."
A pause.
"…But I am."
Three days before school resumed—
A new mission had begun.