The classroom buzzed with noise. Laughter collided with arguments, and the scratching of quills against parchment blended into the chaos.

  Then the door opened.

  “Silence.”

  The teacher didn’t shout. He didn’t need to.

  Almost instantly, the room fell quiet.

  “Today, we have a new student.”

  Sunlight streamed through the tall windows—and in that light stood a girl with silver hair that shimmered softly.

  Dhruv’s gaze froze.

  Blue eyes. Calm posture. A presence that felt distant, yet strangely warm.

  His heartbeat stumbled.

  Is this… love at first sight?

  He pressed his fingers against his forehead.

  “Bro… what is wrong with me?”

  The girl stepped forward and bowed slightly.

  “I am Lucia Heart. I am fifteen years old.”

  Whispers rippled through the classroom.

  “Lucia… Heart?”

  “Wait, she has a subtitle?”

  “No way. That’s insane.”

  That was the part that mattered.

  In this world, only a few people possessed a subtitle. It wasn’t inherited. It wasn’t bought. It was earned—through deeds powerful enough to leave a mark.

  Most students didn’t have one.

  Dhruv didn’t. Rudra didn’t.

  But Lucia did.

  After introducing herself, Lucia walked calmly to an empty seat near the window and sat down.

  The teacher tapped the board lightly.

  “That’s enough. Open your texts.”

  The murmurs faded. He turned and began drawing complex circular diagrams.

  “Today we continue advanced teleportation theory.”

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  Rudra leaned toward Dhruv.

  “You’ve been staring at her since she entered,” he said.

  “I was not.”

  “Bro. You absolutely were.”

  “You were. It’s kind of embarrassing.”

  “I was thinking.”

  “About her?”

  “…No.”

  “Your ears are red.”

  “Shut up.”

  Rudra grinned. “Ohhh. This is serious.”

  “It’s not serious!”

  “Your heart’s racing, isn’t it?”

  Dhruv muttered, “It’s beating like crazy.”

  Rudra gasped dramatically. “Symptoms confirmed.”

  “It’s not love,” Dhruv whispered sharply. “I literally just met her.”

  “That’s exactly how it works.”

  Rudra leaned even closer.

  “Alright. I’ve got a plan.”

  Dhruv sighed. “Why do I feel like I’m about to regret this?”

  “I wear a mask. I tease her a little. You jump in like a hero. I use wind magic. She slips. You catch her. Boom. Romance unlocked.”

  Dhruv stared at him.

  “That is the dumbest thing you’ve ever said.”

  “It’s bold.”

  “It’s stupid.”

  “It’s flawless.”

  “It’s suicide.”

  Before Rudra could reply—

  “Rudra. Dhruv.”

  The teacher’s voice sliced through the room. Both boys froze.

  “Stand up. Tell me what I was explaining. Rudra first.”

  Rudra stood stiffly.

  “Sir… you were explaining something… very advanced.”

  Snickers spread across the class.

  “Which part?” the teacher asked flatly.

  Rudra opened his mouth. Nothing came out.

  “…Extremely advanced?”

  “Sit down,” the teacher said. “Before you hurt yourself trying.”

  Rudra dropped into his seat.

  Dhruv stood calmly.

  “You were explaining how to construct a teleportation circle using layered mana alignment.”

  The teacher nodded.

  “Correct. At least one of you is paying attention.”

  He glanced at Rudra. “And yet you choose him as your closest companion.”

  Soft laughter rippled through the room.

  Dhruv sat down quietly. The lesson continued.

  Then he noticed something.

  At the last bench, Axel—the class troublemaker—was acting strangely. Too stiff. Too focused.

  Dhruv pretended to write, watching him carefully.

  Then, subtly, Dhruv turned slightly. Axel flinched. His book was upside down, and his finger trembled as he pretended to read.

  Dhruv smirked slightly. “Got you.”

  The bell rang. Students poured out of the classroom and onto the vast open grounds behind the Mana Glade Academy.

  Dhruv and Rudra walked out together.

  After a few steps, Dhruv spoke quietly.

  “Rudra… don’t fully turn. Just glance back. Is Axel following us?”

  Rudra subtly looked over his shoulder.

  “…Yeah. He is. How did you even notice?”

  “In class. His book was upside down. He kept staring.”

  Rudra whistled. “That’s actually creepy.”

  Dhruv’s eyes shifted toward a cluster of trees at the edge of the field.

  “Come on.”

  Rudra frowned. “Why are we walking toward the sketchiest place possible?”

  “Just trust me.”

  They walked naturally toward the shaded area. Axel followed from a distance.

  When they reached the trees, Dhruv stopped.

  “Use your magic. Dig a shallow hole here.”

  “A hole? Why?”

  “Just do it. Quickly.”

  Rudra sighed but obeyed. A controlled swirl of wind carved into the soil, creating a concealed pit beneath dry leaves.

  “Okay… now what?”

  “When I signal you, climb that tree. When he steps forward, use Heaven’s lift to lift him up.”

  “You want me to launch him?”

  “Not too high. Just enough.”

  Leaves crunched beneath Axel’s feet as he stepped into the clearing, smirking.

  “Well, well. Waiting for me?”

  “Yes,” Dhruv replied calmly.

  Rudra blinked.

  Axel cracked his knuckles. “Good. I was getting bored.”

  He stepped forward. Another step. Crunch. His foot sank into the hidden hole.

  “AAAH—!”

  He stumbled.

  Dhruv’s eyes sharpened. “Now.”

  Rudra moved instantly. He climbed the tree and extended his hand.

  “Heaven’s Lift!”

  A powerful gust surged upward—controlled, precise. Axel was pulled off the ground and lifted into the air, rising above the trees.

  “What is this?! Put me down!” he flailed helplessly.

  Below, Dhruv stood calmly, hands in his pockets.

  Rudra shouted down, “Should I drop him?”

  Dhruv looked up at Axel, now shaking with fear.

  “Not yet.”