The second day of academy. By the time Milena Valentia arrived in the classroom, whispers among the noble daughters had already become endless. "Did you see yesterday's entrance ceremony?" "Yes. The First Prince was wonderful, but the Second Prince was..." The voice stopped. Milena had taken her seat. Her classmates looked away awkwardly and shifted to another topic. Milena opened her textbook as if unbothered. (That gaze from the prince yesterday... it wasn't in the plan.) In her mind, she began to organize. That look from the prince at the entrance ceremony. What did it mean? In the game, the prince only showed interest in the heroine. So why had he looked at her? (The heroine hasn't appeared yet. Could my existence be a variable...?) A situation her game knowledge couldn't handle. But Milena didn't let it show on her face. With a perfect smile, she tried to blend into the surrounding conversation. "Milena Valentia." The instructor entered. Eric Salen, the training officer of Tilian Academy. A stern knight in his fifties—not an important character in the game, but one who was treated with care. "Today's practical magic training will be pair exercises. You will read the compatibility of your emblems and train to resonate each other's magical power. You have learned the fundamentals in previous lessons. Today, we begin applications." Instructor Salen unrolled a parchment. A pairing chart. Milena's heart accelerated for just a moment. (Anyone is fine. Anyone but the prince...) "Milena Valentia. You will—" In that instant, the air in the classroom changed. The back door slowly opened. Footsteps made no sound as someone entered. Every gaze in the classroom concentrated on that person. "I apologize for being late." Pale silver hair. Eyes as cold and blue as ice. About 185 centimeters tall. The uniform fit him perfectly, but even through it, you could see his refined physique. On his left ear, a small rose-shaped emblem adorned as a piercing. Julius Vandars. The Second Prince. Milena's thoughts stopped for a moment. "Your Highness Julius Vandars. For today's practical training..." Instructor Salen tried to continue, but Julius raised his hand to stop him. Even that gesture was perfect, cold. "It doesn't matter. Continue with the pairings." Julius sat in an empty seat by the window, soundlessly. As if moving through air itself. A presence that stole even the breath of those around him. Milena felt her fingernails dig into the table. (This is bad. He shouldn't have come...) "Milena Valentia. You will pair with Julius Vandars." Instructor Salen's voice sounded like a pronouncement of fate. The classroom fell silent. The gazes of the surrounding noble daughters concentrated on Milena. Jealousy. Envy. Curiosity. Various emotions rippled through the air. Milena slowly stood. With perfect composure. With a perfect smile. (This is... unexpected. But I cannot show panic.) Moving to the training grounds. As they walked through the corridor, Julius didn't speak a word. Milena continued walking through that cold silence. They arrived at the training grounds. Vast, with high ceilings. Murals adorned with rose petals were painted on all four walls. On the floor, silver runes marking the flow of magical power were carved. "You are..." Julius spoke for the first time. His voice was low, heavy. "The daughter of Duke Valentia, correct? I've heard you have high aptitude for rose-emblem magic." Milena's eyes moved slightly. (How does he know about me?) But she didn't let it show. "You honor me, Your Highness. I didn't expect..." Milena responded with a perfect salute. Her voice was polite, calm. "I heard it from the Queen's attendant. I'm told you've been supporting your mother's recovery while your father is away on official duties." Milena's spine stiffened for just a moment. (He knows more than public information. His close associates... his intelligence network is extensive.) Julius placed his hand on the silver rose emblem on his left chest. "Let us begin. Place your hand on your own emblem." Milena placed her fingers on the white rose on her left shoulder. The emblem's texture was warm, like real skin. "Release your magical power. No need to strain. Simply concentrate your consciousness on the emblem." Julius released his magical power. It was cold. The very air froze with a chilling sensation. The silver rose glowed, and that light flowed toward Milena. Milena also released her own magical power. The white rose shone. A warm, gentle light. The two powers intertwined in the air. It was intense. More resonance than expected—deep, strong. The silver and white lights twisted together like spinning thread, creating complex and beautiful patterns. (This compatibility shouldn't exist.) Milena's body swayed slightly. The unexpected resonance disrupted her magical control. The white rose emblem glowed brilliantly, brilliantly. And Milena's feet lifted from the ground. "!" Milena tried to regain her balance instinctively, but it was too late. That moment, Julius stepped forward. Silently, swiftly. And he grasped Milena's right arm with a firm grip. Point-blank range. Milena's face drew close to Julius's chest. Cold body temperature. A refreshing scent. And the sound of his heartbeat. Julius's pulse. All of it seized Milena's consciousness in an instant. Milena slowly looked up. Julius's blue eyes and Milena's brown eyes met. Distance: thirty centimeters. Julius's expression remained expressionless. But something wavered in the depths of his eyes. Just for a moment. Just for one true moment. That icy coldness softened ever so slightly. "Are you alright?" Julius's voice was slightly softer than usual. Milena suppressed her turmoil. "Thank you. That was careless of me." Milena said this and withdrew her arm from Julius. He released her and stepped back. Then, from the surroundings, came giggles. Other students had been watching this scene. "The prince helped Valentia!" "How lucky..." Milena felt an alarm blaring in her mind. (This is... not according to plan. We're heading toward the worst outcome.) The training continued. Again and again, their magical powers resonated. Each time, stronger. Each time, deeper. Milena kept calculating. How could she stop this flow? How could she divert the prince's fixation? But no answer came. The lesson ended. Milena tried to leave that place as quickly as possible. "Miss Valentia." Julius called out from behind. Milena turned around. With a perfect smile. "Yes, Your Highness?" Julius approached slowly. Even his gait was elegant, dangerous. "I would like to pair with you for the next training session as well. Your magical power is... intriguing." Milena's internal alarm reached maximum. (This is... similar to the scene in the game where the villainess becomes fixated on the prince. But now it's reversed. The prince is beginning to fixate on me.) Milena responded politely. "I'm honored, but surely Your Highness has a more suitable partner..." "I decide." Julius's voice was cold, forceful. His eyes held no hesitation. Rather, they showed fixation. Milena's calculations began to crumble. "As you wish." Milena responded with a perfect salute. Julius turned and left. Silently. Like a shadow. Milena was left alone in the corridor. The hallway light illuminated her. (The plan is... falling apart. Game knowledge won't help. The prince is... a living person. A being with emotions, unpredictable.) Milena placed her hand against the wall. Beneath her perfect mask, cracks were beginning to form.