Sol-Regis Academy – Senior Wing.
Classroom of Diplomacy & International Politics – Morning.
The atmosphere in the classroom was silent and boring. Professor Hargo was explaining the "History of the Salt Treaty of Year 655."
In the back row, Sir Roland was fighting a life-or-death battle to stay awake.
Last night, he had to act like a drunken lunatic in front of the Iron Vault Bank until 3 AM to distract the guards. His head and body ached all over.
In the guest seat (back of the class), Sir Rianor sat calmly taking notes. He wore thin silver-rimmed glasses (his new accessory) that made him look like a strict visiting lecturer.
"Psst, Nor," Roland whispered without turning his head. "I'm so sleepy, man. Massage my shoulders, will you?"
"Quiet," Rianor replied coldly, adjusting his glasses. "You have to stay awake. Morvath is definitely looking for a scapegoat regarding the bank robbery last night. Don't look suspicious."
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Knock. Knock.
Professor Hargo stopped talking.
The door opened. The Headmaster entered, followed by a girl.
Instantly, the room temperature seemed to drop by 5 degrees. Frigid.
The girl was... extraordinary.
Her hair was silver-white, straight, and reached her waist. Her skin was pale as porcelain. Her eyes were sharp Crimson, with vertical pupils like a reptile.
She wore the academy uniform, but modified with a white fur cloak over her shoulders. Her noble aura was so potent that the children of Aethelgard officials in the class looked like commoners in comparison.
"Attention," the Headmaster said nervously. "We have a special exchange student from the Draconian Empire."
"May I introduce, Her Highness, Princess Seraphina Draconia."
GASP.
The class went into an uproar.
Draconia? The neighboring Empire known for being militaristic and possessing dragon blood?
Seraphina stepped forward. She didn't smile. She looked at the entire class as if looking at ants.
"I am here to study the weaknesses... I mean, the culture of Aethelgard," she said flatly. "Do not disturb me, and I will not burn you."
"Damn," Roland whispered. "So fierce. Totally my type."
"You have a death wish," Rianor muttered.
"Please sit, Princess," Professor Hargo said, trembling. "There is an empty seat next to... Sir Roland."
Seraphina walked toward Roland's desk.
Her footsteps were soundless.
As she sat down, Roland could smell her scent. Not the floral scent of Aethelgard girls. But the scent of Mint and... faint Sulfur?
Roland, as the "Ambassador of Friendship" (and resident Playboy), immediately put on his best smile.
"Welcome to Aethelgard, Princess," Roland greeted warmly. "My name is Roland Sudrath. If you need a tour guide or a lunch buddy, I—"
Seraphina turned her head slowly. Her red eyes stared sharply at Roland.
Roland felt like he was being stared at by a T-Rex.
"You..." Seraphina sniffed the air slightly. "You smell of cheap alcohol... and Corrosive Acid."
Roland's heart stopped beating for a second.
Corrosive Acid? That was the stuff Rhea used to melt the bank door last night! The smell must have stuck to Roland's clothes when they hugged to celebrate the success at home.
"Acid?" Roland forced a laugh, cold sweat dripping. "Ah, maybe that's the smell of my new soap. Family factory experiment."
Seraphina didn't answer. She looked into Roland's eyes for a very long time. Searching for lies.
Then she shifted her gaze to Rianor sitting behind.
Seraphina narrowed her eyes at Rianor's glasses.
"And you," Seraphina pointed at Rianor. "Your glasses are fake. Your eyes are healthy. Why do you wear them?"
Rianor remained calm. He pushed his glasses up with his middle finger (Anime Habit).
"It's to filter out idiots, Princess. And it seems it doesn't work on you."
The corner of Seraphina's lip lifted slightly. Very slightly.
"Interesting. There are two people who aren't boring in this class."
She turned back to the blackboard, ignoring Roland completely.
Recess – Academy Cafeteria.
Roland, Rianor, and Rhea (who just joined) sat at a corner table.
"She smelled the acid on my shirt!" Roland panicked while eating bread. "Her nose is so sharp, like a bloodhound! Does she know we robbed the bank?"
"She is from the Dragon Clan, Lan," Rianor explained seriously. "Draconia is populated by dragon-kin. Their senses of smell and hearing are far above ordinary humans."
"So what do I do?" Roland asked. "She sits next to me every day!"
"Exploit it," Rhea said casually. "Draconia is actually Aethelgard's sworn enemy. If their Princess is here, it means there's a ceasefire or a diplomatic mission."
"Get close to her," Rianor ordered. "Not to date her (unless you want to die charred), but to find info. Why did the Draconian Empire send their Crown Princess to school in a neighboring country? There must be a hidden agenda."
"But she's so cold, Kak! Her name is Seraphina, but her gaze is like a Refrigerator Freezer!"
"You have a 'Silver Tongue'," Rianor smirked. "Melt the ice. Use your diplomatic skills. Or use your soap."
Suddenly, a commotion occurred again in the middle of the cafeteria.
But this time, it wasn't a fight.
Valerian Morvath (who lost the duel against Rhea yesterday) was standing, blocking Seraphina's path.
Valerian looked like he wanted to flex his authority in front of the new student.
"Princess Seraphina," Valerian greeted arrogantly. "I am Valerian Morvath. Student Council President. There are rules here; new students must report to me for—"
"Move," Seraphina cut him off. She didn't stop walking.
Valerian felt insulted. He spread his arms to block her.
"I am speaking to you, Miss. Draconia might be strong, but here, the name Morvath is law."
Seraphina stopped.
She looked at Valerian.
"Morvath?" she asked. "Oh... the son of the Minister whose private bank was just robbed last night?"
TOTAL SILENCE.
The entire cafeteria went quiet. That news hadn't been released in the papers yet! How did she know?
Valerian's face turned beet red from shame and anger. "That... that is a false rumor! Who said that?!"
"My father has spies everywhere," Seraphina said casually. "You Aethelgardians are weak. You can't even guard money properly."
Seraphina shoulder-checked Valerian, walking past him as if he were nothing.
Roland dropped his jaw.
"Damn... Her mouth is spicier than Rhea's."
Rianor smiled mysteriously.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Lan, you have an opportunity. She hates Morvath. We hate Morvath. You two are a match."