The next morning, Velastra Academy's main courtyard was buzzing with whispers.
New uniforms.
New class rosters.
And one new student.
---
She walked in like she'd been here before.
Kaia.
---
She wasn't tall — maybe five foot two — but something about the way she moved made people notice.
Smooth. Confident. Like she wasn't here to prove anything.
Her academy jacket was slung over one shoulder, uniform skirt fitted just right, and black boots up to mid-calf. She had that "don't mess with me unless you're fast or fearless" kind of energy.
---
But it wasn't just that.
Her figure? Tight, curvy, but not overdone. Just enough to make heads turn without her trying.
Eyes? Hazel-blue. Warm but unreadable. They looked soft one second… sharp the next.
Her hair was tied into a loose ponytail, a few strands falling perfectly over her cheeks. Messy, but it worked.
---
She walked into Class 3B like she belonged there.
The instructor nodded to her.
"Everyone, meet our new transfer. She's joining us from the East Quarter Special Program."
She raised two fingers in a lazy wave.
"Kaia. That's all you need."
---
Some of the students whispered.
"Where's she from?"
"She doesn't even wear the full uniform..."
"She cute tho..."
Noctix didn't say anything.
But Kaia?
She stopped.
Right beside his desk.
---
She stared for a second.
Not rude. Not awkward. Just long enough to notice something that others didn't.
Then came the smirk.
"…You're the orb breaker, huh?"
---
Noctix raised an eyebrow.
"And you're the new girl with the chillest intro I've ever seen."
She chuckled low.
"Fair enough."
---
By lunch, rumors were already flying.
"She transferred from a top-rank class."
"She took down three seniors solo."
"She's got a power that doesn't even show up on scans."
Noctix found her later, sitting under a tree near the training field, spinning a silver coin in her fingers like she had nowhere to be and nothing to prove.
---
That night, as Noctix walked off the back field, a voice called behind him:
"Yo. Orb breaker."
He turned.
Kaia stood there, hands in her pockets.
She gave him a look.
Not cold. Just focused.
---
"I saw what your mark did yesterday."
He blinked.
"…You were watching?"
"Yup."
---
She stepped closer, rolling up her sleeve.
On her shoulder, a glow.
Thin, curved lines.
Violet-blue. Pulsing faintly, same warped energy.
Just like his.
---
"I think mine works the same way," she said quietly.
Then turned and walked off, coin still spinning in her fingers.
---
End of Chapter Seven.
Next: "Same Core, Different Code