Rynhara's first week at the Academy of Unified Arts and Diplomacy continued with more classes, challenges, and, as expected, misunderstandings. By the end of the week, her reputation had spiraled into the depths of infamy.
The second day began with sports class, held in the academy's sprawling outdoor arena. The students were divided into teams for a game called Skyball, a chaotic mix of dodgeball and aerial tag played on magically floating platforms.
"Alright, teams!" the instructor bellowed, a towering orc with a booming voice. "Your goal is simple: knock your opponents off their platforms. Use magic, skills, or brute force. Just don't kill anyone!"
Rynhara flapped her dragon wings, floating to her starting platform. Kaelira, who was somehow also drafted into the game despite being a maid, stood beside her with daggers ready.
"Remember," Kaelira said, smirking. "Don't accidentally destroy the arena."
"No promises," Rynhara muttered.
As the game began, it quickly devolved into chaos. Rynhara's opponents targeted her immediately, hurling spells and enchanted projectiles in her direction.
"Take down the villainess!" someone shouted.
Rynhara sighed, deflecting a fireball with a barrier spell. "You people need to get better insults."
She retaliated with a blast of wind magic, sending three students tumbling off their platforms. When another tried to sneak up on her, she spun mid-air, slapping them with her tail and sending them into the distance like a home run. Another student was simply sent falling on their knees when Rynhara blew them a kiss as a joke.
By the end of the game, Rynhara's team had won, largely because she had single-handedly eliminated half the other players.
The instructor clapped her on the back, nearly knocking her over. "Not bad, kid! Though maybe try not to send your opponents into orbit next time."
On the third day magic class was supposed to be a chance for students to showcase their magical prowess. For Rynhara, it was more like a chance to terrify her classmates.
The instructor, a stern mage named Professor Marialis, set up a series of challenges: conjuring elemental spells, creating barriers, and precision attacks on moving targets.
"Let's see what the dragon princess can do," someone sneered as Rynhara stepped forward.
She ignored them, raising her hand. "Let's try something simple."
The targets moved rapidly across the field, but Rynhara's magic was faster. Bolts of lightning crackled through the air, hitting every target dead center in rapid succession.
The class stared in stunned silence.
"Impressive," Marialis said, scribbling notes. "Your control over lightning magic is exceptional. Let's see how you handle advanced multi-casting."
With a wave of her hand, Rynhara conjured a massive ice storm, a swirling vortex of water, wind, and shards of ice that encased the remaining targets in an instant.
Kaelira, watching from the sidelines, smirked. "Show-off."
Combat class on the fourth day was an unmitigated disaster—for everyone but Rynhara.
The students were pitted against each other in one-on-one matches to test their skills. Rynhara's first opponent was a noble boy who looked confident as he stepped onto the sparring platform.
"I won't go easy on you," he declared, drawing his sword.
"Neither will I," Rynhara replied, her scythe materializing in her hands.
The match was over in seven seconds as Rynharasimplycut the opponents swords into atom sized bits and smashe their face with her boots .
By the time she reached her final match of the day, her classmates were visibly terrified. Even Prince Alaric, who had sparred with her earlier in the week, kept a wary distance.
Rynhara's final opponent was Princess Veloria.
"You won't win this easily," Veloria said, her icy aura flaring.
"Finally, a challenge," Rynhara said, grinning.
The fight was intense, with ice and dark magic clashing in a dazzling display. Veloria managed to hold her ground for a full minute before Rynhara disarmed her with a calculated sweep of her scythe.
"Good match," Rynhara said, offering a hand.
Veloria reluctantly accepted, though her glare could have frozen a volcano.
By the end of the week, it was time for new students to choose their clubs. The academy's clubs ranged from harmless (Art Club) to prestigious (Royal Strategy Club) to downright terrifying (Combat Enthusiasts).
Rynhara wandered through the club fair, trying to find something that didn't feel like a waste of time.
"Join the Debate Club!" a boy shouted, waving a banner.
"Try our Baking Club!" a cheerful girl offered.
Kaelira leaned over. "I vote for Combat Enthusiasts. It'd suit you."
"Not helping," Rynhara muttered.
She finally spotted a booth with no line: a small table with a crooked sign that read Dread Reapers Club. The booth was manned by a lone figure, a senior student with long black hair and a mysterious smile.
"What's this club about?" Rynhara asked.
"Strength," the student replied cryptically.
"That's vague," Rynhara said, but she signed up anyway.
The first meeting of the Dread Reapers Club was held in a secluded part of the academy. To Rynhara's surprise, the club wasn't as small as it had seemed.
There were five members, each of them a powerhouse in their respective grades.
Nalia, the club president and a fourth-year known for her mastery of forbidden magic.
Grigor, a third-year berserker who could crush boulders with his bare hands.
Seraphine, a second-year necromancer who summoned spirits with unnerving ease.
Axel, a fellow first-year who specialized in explosive magic and looked perpetually unhinged.
As Rynhara took her seat, she realized everyone was staring at her.
"So, you're the infamous dragon princess," Nalia said, her smile sharp. "Welcome to the most hated club in the academy."
Rynhara blinked. "Wait… what?"
Kaelira, standing behind her, burst out laughing. "Congratulations, Princess. You've officially joined the villain team."
The rest of the club grinned, clearly amused by Rynhara's confusion.
"This is going to be… interesting," Rynhara muttered, already regretting her decision.