He hadn't noticed when the cold morning began to creep in, when he awoke to find winter seeping into his spacious room and into his future with its usual chill. Still wrapped in the comfort of his bed, Ethan suddenly found himself standing in the morning lineup of students, all gathered in the large courtyard for the weekly assembly.
Off to the side, professors and masters stood neatly in their designated rows, while Master Radim, the high school superintendent, delivered his usual speech about order, hard work, and the like.
Ethan stood among the first graders, detached from what was happening around him especially since Nila and Ovend weren't by his side this time. He barely registered Master Radim's raspy voice crackling from the brass microphone and stayed lost in thought for the five minutes it took for the speech to end.
The students assumed it was time to head to class and begin another grueling school week. But then they remembered something important something easily forgotten in the monotony of routine. Without warning, ancient fireworks burst overhead in dazzling flashes, brilliant sparks painting the sky.
At that moment, a little witch dressed in white one of the Silver Student Council's elite—soared elegantly through the air. She glittered as she announced in a loud, almost childlike voice that a beautiful crimson moon was approaching a rare event that only occurred once every four and a half years in the skies above the Academy and the continent of Arentia.
She repeated the announcement as she glided across the sky, shining so brightly that Ethan couldn't look away. He had never seen a magician fly other than old Master Camila but for someone her age to have such a gift... it was truly extraordinary.
Unlike the other students, Ethan couldn't take his eyes off her. Her indigo-blue hair danced against her tanned skin like molten metal gliding over bronze.
He'd heard whispers from nearby students the moment she appeared whispers claiming she was the last descendant of the Azurian family, the Witch of the Northern Lantern, and the first lady of the Azurian Academy. But Ethan didn't dwell on it. Instead, his attention shifted to the elite student who had mentioned his name earlier… Miraslav.
In a clear, commanding voice over the microphone, Miraslav declared that everyone should begin preparing for the coming weeks of festivals and tournaments, which would include elementary, lower middle, junior high, and senior high school students. The crowd erupted in applause as she returned to her seat among the Silver Elite those dressed in the distinctive white and silver uniforms.
The morning assembly concluded with the official announcement of the Crimson Moon Festival, and the students headed off to their classes, buzzing with excitement about their roles and what they might do during the event.
Back in class, things returned to routine as Mr. Isolde's heavy voice droned on about ancient runes and their shapes until the bell rang.
Before the students could leave their seats, an important guest entered: a pointy-eared elf dressed in the white and silver uniform of the elite high school class. She introduced herself as Darcelin—unapologetically confident and explained that she saw no problem in coming herself instead of sending her deputy, who had begged her to take their place.
She said she was here to choose a leader to oversee the class during the festival, just as she had done in the other classes she'd visited. With Mr. Isolde's approving smile, she stepped forward and pulled out a report that outlined her criteria for selection, including grades and other considerations.
She read out several names, eventually narrowing it down to two final candidates: Thalia and Radinka with Radinka narrowly taking the lead.
Darcelin confirmed that both Radinka and Thalia would lead the class program during the festival. But then Ethan spoke up, pointing out that Radinka was absent. A few students hesitated before confirming it, and Ethan confidently added that she was suffering from red fever and would be missing several days of school.
Darcelin paused briefly, considering the situation carefully before deciding almost offhandedly that Ethan would act as deputy and assist Thalia in preparing for the first three days of the festival.
With visible fatigue, she finally wrapped up her task, excused herself from the professor and students, and left the classroom. Her assistant followed quietly as she stepped into the corridor.
Once Darcelin was gone, Thalia remained standing by her wooden bench, unaware of the weight of the responsibility that had just been placed on her shoulders. She wasn't afraid, just nervous but she believed that with proper preparation, she could handle it. Still, she wasn't pleased about having Ethan, a sterile wizard, as her assistant. She rejected the idea outright and walked out of the classroom, as did the other students who headed to the courtyard for lunch.
Ethan followed her down the stairs. She didn't say a word or even look at him, deliberately ignoring his presence. In that moment, she was transported back to early childhood memories when he used to follow her around in the same persistent way while she was with his mother and some of his siblings.
Back then, she had often stopped him, trying to make him understand that she didn't need his help that she would solve things her own way. She didn't want to work with him, especially because of how insistent he could be. She explained her reasons, one of which was his poor control over his magic, even though that wasn't the heart of the matter.
Her words stung, but this time, Ethan didn't argue. He let her go. She didn't look back as she rejoined her friends, while he stood still lost in the flow of students around him, unnoticed.
Ethan remembered how stubborn she had always been, even when they were kids and again when they met at the Academy after his mother passed away.
His mother used to tell him that he never really understood her. She'd often say there are people who just can't express what they feel. They don't mean to hurt anyone they simply don't know how to put their emotions into words. She always told him to try to understand those kinds of people.
Ethan knew what he had to do.
He went to the nearby garden and plucked a simple flower, then searched determinedly until he found Thalia among a group of her friends. He could always spot her those golden locks with strands of silver, and her crystal-blue eyes gave her away.
Without hesitation, he stepped into the group and presented her with a flower that matched her family crest—the Stormhide crest, a silver eagle under storm clouds.
To say Thalia was uncomfortable would be an understatement. Nyla was deeply embarrassed. Ethan had done things like this since they were kids offering her the silver lunaris flower in unusual, heartfelt ways. But this time, her friends were watching, their faces filled with surprise and curiosity.
Ethan apologized gently, asking if he had upset her in some way, still not fully understanding her reactions just as he never had. To him, she was a complicated girl. Still, he wanted to help her in the role he had been assigned her assistant during the festival and follow her lead.
Then, in front of everyone, Ethan knelt and held the flower out to her as students gathered, intrigued by the unfolding scene.
He urged her to take the lunaris and hold it tightly. After a moment of hesitation, she finally accepted it, clearly nervous, her face flushing red. She agreed though she immediately took back her earlier rejection not because she had changed her mind, but because she couldn't stand the weight of everyone's eyes on her.
Her words hit Ethan hard. He was just trying to be kind.
She explained flatly that she only accepted because she had to otherwise, she would never have agreed to work with him. Secretly, she swore she would make him pay for embarrassing her later.
But Ethan didn't care. Her acceptance was enough for him. It gave him peace for the day. His joy didn't last long, though Thalia quickly made him stand up, unable to endure the attention and humiliation he'd just caused her in front of everyone.