The grand marble halls of the Academy had never been so loud with whispers.
"Wait… isn't that Belle Vernier?"
"The Beast of the South?!"
"No way, I thought she was stationed in Europe."
"She's the youngest person under 30 to hit double S+ in the global rankings, right?"
"Yeah, I heard she's just a step below SSS-rank. She's basically a walking disaster-class weapon."
"And that face… unreal. She's like, goddess-tier."
Every head turned as the tall, silver-haired woman strode confidently through the halls, her heels echoing with every step. Dressed in a fitted, deep navy coat with gold trim and a combat-grade exosuit underneath, Belle Vernier's presence was impossible to ignore.
But inside her mind?
"Crap, crap, crap. I really just walked in here without a plan, huh…"
"Where even is Kael's dorm?"
Her eyes subtly darted around the maze of corridors, trying not to look lost when.
"Belle?"
Belle stopped and turned.
A long-haired girl with soft green eyes walked toward her casually elegant and poised, yet clearly nervous.
"If you're looking for your brother, you're walking in the wrong direction," Elsa said, her tone polite.
Belle chuckled awkwardly, scratching her head. "Ah… I was actually going to visit the headmaster first, but… I guess I'll see Kael first."
Internally:
"Nice save, Belle. Very smooth."
As they walked together, Elsa glanced up at Belle, biting her lip before finally saying, "You know… when I was little, I always wanted to be like you."
Belle blinked, then smiled a real, warm one. "Then keep pushing forward, Elsa. You're already on the right path. The strength you're looking for? You'll find it."
Elsa's face lit up.
They turned a corner, passed a couple of awestruck first-years, and stopped in front of a simple dark-wooden door.
"That's his room," Elsa said. Then, with a light bow, she added, "It was an honor walking with you."
She walked off.
Belle stared at the door for a second, exhaled slowly, then grinned.
"Alright, little bro…"
"Let's see if you've grown soft on me."
She raised her fist and knocked on the door.