Eirene tossed and turned beneath her blanket, her thoughts stubbornly circling around the boy in the next bed.
Kalen.
What an egoistic, ill-mannered boy, she thought irritably. Doesn't even answer when someone speaks to him.
Her frustration slowly faded as exhaustion crept in. Her eyelids grew heavy, and before she realized it, sleep claimed her.
—
Some time later, when the ward had fallen completely silent and Kalen no longer heard her voice echoing in his mind, curiosity stirred within him.
He turned his head.
Eirene lay fast asleep, her breathing slow and even, moonlight softening her features.
Quietly, Kalen swung his legs off the bed. His bare feet barely made a sound as he crossed the floor. He gently pulled her blanket higher, tucking it around her shoulders.
Without a word, he returned to his own bed.
Moments later, his eyes closed—and he too drifted into sleep.
—
Morning arrived gently.
Sunlight spilled through the arched windows of the hospital wing as Dr. Maeron's cheerful voice broke the silence.
"Good morning, you two! Wake up now. Time for your check-ups."
Kalen opened his eyes immediately and sat up, obedient and silent.
Eirene, however, remained stubbornly still, her face buried deep in her pillow.
Dr. Maeron chuckled. "I know you're awake, young lady. Stop pretending and sit up."
No response.
Kalen frowned slightly. He didn't know why—but a faint sense of worry stirred in his chest.
Dr. Maeron sighed theatrically. "Well, if you don't wake up now, I'll have to use an injection."
Instantly, Eirene shot upright.
"No! No injections!" she cried. "I'm awake! See? Fully awake!"
Kalen blinked, stunned.
So that's how she played her tricks.
Dr. Maeron laughed, shaking his head. "Every time."
After a quick examination, he nodded in satisfaction. "Both of you are perfectly fine. You may head to the hostel. The new semester will begin shortly."
He handed each of them a small candy. "Take care of yourselves."
Eirene smiled brightly and turned to leave—
Then she froze.
"Thank you, Professor," Kalen said quietly.
It was the first time she'd heard his voice.
Even Dr. Maeron paused, pleasantly surprised.
"Well, well," the professor said with mock amazement. "So you can speak! And with manners too. You could learn something from him, Eirene. He thanked me, and I've treated you for years!"
A flicker of guilt crossed Eirene's face.
"I—I'm sorry, Professor," she said quickly. "And thank you."
But inwardly, her irritation only grew.
So now he decides to be polite? she fumed. Last night he ignored me, and now he makes me look rude.
She lifted her chin slightly.
Fine. The year is long. I'll show him. I'll be the smartest, most talented student here. Every teacher's favorite.
Behind her, Kalen followed silently. He had no idea where the hostel was—and no idea of the quiet rivalry blooming beside him.
Thus, the two walked together toward the main hall.
One quietly curious.The other quietly plotting.
—
Though this was Eirene's first official year at Grimswald College of Witchcraft, the castle had been her home for nearly eight years.
Her parents had died when she was still a toddler. They were close friends of professor Maeron, who had taken her in without hesitation. That was all she knew of her past.
Every holiday, when students rushed home to their families, Eirene would stand by the gates and watch them leave.
She always smiled.
But deep inside, she longed for a home beyond stone walls and enchanted corridors.
Not today, she told herself firmly.
House Division Day was supposed to be magical.
Yet when they entered the great hall, something felt… wrong.
No banners.No floating lanterns.No cheerful laughter.
Only silence—and hushed whispers.
Eirene frowned.
Why does it feel so heavy?
Kalen noticed nothing. He simply stood in line with the other first-years.
Then the whispers reached their ears.
"Did you read The Arcane Gazette?" a boy whispered shakily. "King Theron slaughtered the Calestra royal family last night."
"Not just them," another girl gasped. "The Crowned Prince too… and even his own wife."
Shock rippled through the hall.
Eirene's heart skipped.
Her mind flashed back to the night before—three crimson streaks tearing across the sky. The fever. The collapse.
Her lips trembled.
The Crimson Eclipse Curse…
Forbidden magic.
A spell that burned the soul itself.
Beside her, Kalen stiffened.
The memory of the fourth red flash slammed into him—the moment his mother died.
His chest ached. His vision blurred.
But he refused to cry.
Just as the weight threatened to crush him—
A thunderous voice echoed through the hall.
"Silence. Everyone—silence."
Headmaster Aurelius Dreymark stood at the center, nine professors trailing behind him, their expressions grave.
The hall fell utterly quiet.
"As you all know," Aurelius began solemnly, "yesterday, four lives were taken by treachery and dark magic. In their memory, there will be no celebration today."
His gaze swept across the hall—and paused briefly on Kalen and Eirene.
Fate had already begun weaving their paths together.
And this was only the beginning.