If I had known things would turn out like this, I would've burned that library down before he ever found me there.
3rd August, 882
I still remember the day like it was just yesterday.
Just another ordinary day at Eldergrove Academy—everyone going through their routines, pretending to be more elegant than they actually were. Nothing seemed unusual.
Little did I know, a new student had just entered the academy.
His hair was a mess. He had dark circles under his eyes like he hadn't slept in five years. And the way he wore the academy uniform? Kinda tragic.
In a place where elegance was a competition, he stood out immediately.
Not in a good way.
His name was Zane Frost.
People were already whispering about him. Word was, he "accidentally" broke the mana crystal during the entrance exam.
Honestly? Kinda impressive.
I gave the entrance exam when I was six and could barely crack the crystal. So breaking one? Bold move.
Some people made fun of his looks. Some said he looked "creepy" and "scary."
I mean… yeah. I saw it.
But personally?
I thought he was pretty cute.
And of course, the rumours had already begun.
"He's secretly a demon lord."
"He killed someone with a sneeze."
"His mana is made of black fire and teenage angst."
You know. The usual.
When he first walked into our classroom, a bunch of students crowded around him like he was some celebrity.
"What's your name?"
"Where are you from?"
"Is it true you're secretly a demon lord?"
"How often do you masturbate?"
Yes. Someone actually asked that.
I wish I was kidding.
And from what I overheard… apparently, three times, a week? a day? Who knows.
Anyway—
I also heard he was orphaned at a young age, raised by his magic teacher, and when she had nothing left to teach him, she sent him here.
He scored 99.1 in the entrance exam. Just shy of my all-time academy best of 99.7.
Naturally, some people started calling him my competition.
I never really thought of anyone as competition. But the idea of someone as good—or maybe even better—than me?
I kinda liked that.
The rest of the classes that day were uneventful.
Except, I noticed something.
He kept looking around. Like he was searching for someone.
Then, I accidentally made eye contact with him.
And it felt like his search was… complete.
---
Later that day
The sun was about to set.
I was sitting all alone in the academy's main library.
Lost in thought.
I had a book in my hands, but I wasn't even reading it.
Not really.
I didn't come to the library for books.
I came for solitude.
It's the only place in the academy where you could actually be alone.
I was just about to leave when I heard footsteps approaching.
I looked up.
It was him.
Zane.
He walked up to me, pointed at the book in my hands, and said in a cheerful voice:
"Ah! That's the book I was looking for! Mind if I borrow it?"
I blinked and looked down, finally noticing what book I was holding.
"HOW TO TELL IF YOUR CRUSH LIKES YOU BACK"
Yeah.
My soul left my body a little.
Embarrassed, I shoved it into his hands.
I expected him to take it and walk away.
But instead, he sat down across from me and started flipping through it like this was the most normal thing in the world.
I thought about leaving, but... curiosity got the better of me.
I wanted to know more about this weird, blunt, slightly scary boy who broke a mana crystal and casually stole my book about crushes.
Then—
"Lyra, right? I've heard a lot about you. You're the Headmaster's daughter, aren't you?"
It took me a second to realize he was talking to me.
"Uhh… yes," I replied awkwardly.
"Damn. Must be hard living up to all that."
He had no idea.
"Not really… I mean… yeah," I mumbled.
A moment of silence.
Then he said, "So... do you usually sit alone in the library at this hour, or was I just lucky today?"
...Smooth.
I couldn't help smiling. "Are you flirting with me? Already?"
"Ugh, me? No way. What sane person would flirt with the Headmaster's daughter on their first day at the academy?"
"Well, that hasn't stopped the rest of the academy."
"Hmmm... I could see that. I mean—top student, extremely beautiful—who wouldn't take their chances?"
"Are you taking your chance right now?"
"I might be. Who knows?"
I didn't like where this was going.
...Or maybe I really did.
He grinned, eyes flicking to the book in his hands.
"So… you were just reading this. Does that mean you wanna know if someone likes you back?"
The teasing was strong with this one.
I smirked. "Well, you're reading it now. Not even one day in and you already have a crush?"
"Maybe more than one," he said casually. "Can you blame me? Everyone at this academy's so beautiful… just look at you."
"Jeez, are you here to learn magic or build a harem?"
"Depends… would you be part of that harem?"
...Okay. I definitely blushed. Just a little.
"Being direct now, huh? Should I take that as a proposal?"
He handed the book back to me with a playful smirk.
"Here. I think it's written in here somewhere what you should or shouldn't take as a proposal."
He was good.
Annoyingly good.
But I couldn't let him win that easily.
"You've got better pickup lines than most of the academy. I think you should build a harem. And who knows? I might consider joining."
He smiled, leaned back.
"I'll think about it, Lyra. But if you're in, I'd have to include your hundreds of fanboys too... so yeah, no thanks."
Alright.
I'll admit it.
He won this round.
Then, as he stood up to leave, he asked casually,
"By the way—if I wanted to meet you after classes, where would I find you? I'd rather not get attacked by fanboys… or fangirls. I'm not ready to meet my parents."
That made me smile.
A joke about his dead parents.
Dark humor? Bold.
"Getting scared now?" I teased. "You can always find me here at this hour. And don't act like you're afraid of a few fanboys when you literally broke a mana crystal on your first day. So no, Zane. You'll have to wait before meeting your parents."
He smirked like he'd just won a duel.
"Thanks, Lyra. I'll remember where to find you whenever I need inspiration for my nude sketches."
And with that, he walked off.
I just sat there.
Mouth open.
Stunned.
Embarrassed.
Kind of impressed.
Fine.
You win this time.
But next time, Zane Frost…
You're mine.