The academy gates stood tall and imposing, their iron bars gleaming under the late afternoon sun. Students poured out in a chaotic stream, their chatter filling the air with a mix of excitement and relief. The midterm break had finally arrived, and for most, it was a chance to escape the rigorous demands of academy life. Backpacks slung over shoulders, laughter echoing, and plans for the week being shouted across the courtyard, it was a scene of pure, unbridled freedom.
Cain, however, wasn't feeling the same enthusiasm. He lingered near the back of the crowd, his hands stuffed into his pockets, his expression one of mild exhaustion. The week had been grueling, and all he wanted was to collapse into his bed and not move for the next seven days. No assignments, no training, no drama just peace.
"One week of peace," he muttered under his breath, stretching his arms above his head. His muscles ached from the relentless training sessions, and his mind felt like it had been put through a wringer. "Finally."
Astra, ever the observant one, walked past him with a knowing smirk. Her silver hair caught the sunlight, and her violet eyes glinted with mischief.
"Are you sure about that?" she teased, her voice light but laced with implication.
Cain shot her a sideways glance, his brow furrowing.
"You're way too suspicious," he grumbled, though he couldn't shake the feeling that she was onto something. Astra had a knack for knowing things she shouldn't, and her cryptic comments always left him uneasy.
Orion, who had recently become the academy's headmaster, had announced that all students were free to return home for the week. For Cain, this meant one thing: solitude. No noisy roommates, no unexpected visitors, no interruptions. Just him, his bed, and maybe a good book if he felt ambitious. It was a simple dream, but one he clung to as he made his way toward the city where his family lived.
Cain's family home was nestled in a quiet neighborhood, far removed from the grandeur of the noble estates that dotted the city. It was a modest two-story house with a small garden out front, the kind of place that exuded warmth and comfort rather than opulence. His parents were simple people kind, hardworking, and unassuming. His younger sister, Lily, was the only one who ever managed to drag him out of his room, usually with her endless energy and relentless curiosity.
When Cain arrived, he was greeted with the usual fanfare. His mother enveloped him in a tight hug, fussing over how thin he looked. His father clapped him on the back and asked about his studies. Lily, ever the whirlwind, bombarded him with questions about the academy and his friends. Cain answered them all with a tired smile, eager to retreat to the sanctuary of his room.
"I swear if anyone bothers me, I'm throwing them out a window," he muttered to himself as he climbed the stairs, his bag slung over one shoulder.
But just as he reached his door, a knock echoed through the room. Cain froze, his hand hovering over the doorknob. He sighed, his shoulders slumping.
"Who—"
Before he could finish, the door swung open, and in walked Victoria.
She strolled in as if she owned the place, her presence immediately filling the room. Her long, dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her piercing green eyes scanned the space with an air of superiority. She was dressed in an elegant gown that seemed entirely out of place in Cain's modest home, the fabric shimmering with every movement.
"Hello, dear Cain~" she purred, her voice dripping with mock sweetness.
Cain blinked, his brain struggling to process her sudden appearance.
"…Why are you here?" he asked, his tone flat.
Victoria, a noble through and through, should have been at some extravagant family mansion, hosting tea parties or attending balls. Instead, she had the audacity to appear in his home, uninvited and unannounced.
"Oh, just thought I'd check in on my favorite underachiever," she replied, her lips curling into a sly smile.
Cain crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe.
"I'm actually an overachiever. Just lazy."
Victoria raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.
"Mm, debatable."
She stepped closer, her movements deliberate and calculated. She rested a hand on his bedpost, her fingers tracing the wood as if she were inspecting it for dust. Cain watched her warily, unsure of her intentions but certain they weren't good.
"Since we're alone, why don't we… chat properly?" she suggested, her voice low and teasing.
Cain stared at her, his expression unimpressed.
"You could have just invited me to tea."
Victoria laughed, the sound light and melodic.
"That wouldn't be fun."
"Fun for who?" Cain shot back, his patience wearing thin.
Before he could react, Victoria closed the distance between them, pushing him back onto his bed. Cain landed with a soft thud, his eyes widening as she hovered above him, her face inches from his.
"What… exactly are you trying to do?" he asked, his voice steady despite the unexpected turn of events.
Victoria smirked, her green eyes glinting with mischief.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
Cain sighed, his hands coming up to rest on her shoulders.
"You know I'm not falling for this, right?"
She leaned in closer, her breath warm against his skin.
"Are you sure about that?"
Cain's response was to place a hand on her forehead and push her back slightly.
"Yes. Shoo."
Victoria pouted, her lower lip jutting out in an exaggerated display of disappointment.
"You're no fun."
Cain rolled his eyes, his expression one of exasperation.
This woman is insane.
Just as Cain was about to extricate himself from the situation, the door burst open with a loud bang. He froze, his heart sinking as he realized who had arrived.
Selene. Lyra. Astra. Mira. Ravena.
All of them stood in the doorway, their expressions a mix of shock, anger, and amusement. The room fell silent, the tension so thick it could be cut with a knife.
Then Selene spoke, her voice sickly sweet.
"Cain…"
Cain's eyes widened, and he immediately sat up, pushing Victoria off him.
"This isn't what it looks like," he said quickly, his voice tinged with panic.
Victoria, however, seemed entirely unfazed. She looked over her shoulder at the group, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Oh, but Cain, why would you say that? You were so eager just a moment ago~"
Cain twitched, his jaw tightening.
"You're not helping," he hissed under his breath.
Astra crossed her arms, her violet eyes narrowing. Lyra, ever the hothead, unsheathed a dagger, her grip tightening on the hilt. Mira sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as if she were too tired to deal with this. And Selene… Selene smiled. It was the kind of smile that sent chills down Cain's spine.
"I see. We'll remember this, Cain," Selene said, her tone deceptively calm.
"No, wait—!" Cain started, but it was too late.
The group turned and left the room, shutting the door behind them with a finality that made Cain's stomach drop. He flopped back onto his bed, his face buried in his hands.
Victoria, meanwhile, stretched lazily, as if nothing had happened.
"Well, that was fun. Thanks for the entertainment."
Cain groaned, his voice muffled by his hands.
"You planned that, didn't you?"
Victoria winked, her smirk widening.
"Who knows?~"
And with that, she waltzed out of his house, leaving Cain to deal with the aftermath. He lay there for a long moment, staring up at the ceiling, his mind racing.
"I hate everything," he muttered, his voice filled with resignation.
The week had barely started, and already, Cain's plans for peace and solitude had been thoroughly derailed. If this was any indication of how the rest of the break would go, he was in for a very long week.