As the ornate doors to the Headmaster's office creaked open, Belle stepped out with her usual spark of chaotic confidence and stopped short.
There was Kael, leaning casually against the corridor wall, arms crossed.
"Well, well," she smirked. "Looks like someone loves their sister so much they can't even let her have a minute of peace."
Kael didn't even blink. "I figured you'd get lost."
Belle raised an eyebrow, then broke into a grin. "Wow. You know me better than I know myself."
They began walking down the hallway side by side, their steps echoing against the old marble floor.
"I've gotta head out now," Belle said suddenly, stretching her arms behind her head.
"This early?" Kael asked.
She shrugged. "Duty calls."
They made their way to the academy's outer gate, where the wind was gentle, and the noon sun hung comfortably overhead. Kael walked her all the way to the edge of the barrier.
Belle looked around, pretending to be casual. "So… I see you've made some friends."
Kael glanced at her with a subtle frown. "What do you mean?"
She smiled, mischievously. "That brown-haired girl from the Sylvenmire family."
Kael exhaled. "She's not my friend."
Belle stopped, slowly turning to him with a widened grin. "Wait" she pointed. "She's your girlfriend, isn't she?"
Kael's eyes narrowed. "No what? No!"
Belle doubled over with laughter. "Oh my God, you're so bad at lying. Your face gave it away!"
Kael groaned. "You're imagining things."
She wiped a fake tear from her eye. "This is gold. I should have come back sooner."
As she turned away, something caught her eye and she smirked.
"Looks like the students are watching us," she said, tilting her head toward the large academy windows. Dozens of eyes stared out in awe. "Oh! And I see the Sylvenmire girl."
Kael glanced upward and indeed there was Elsa, peeking from the window, expression unreadable.
Belle's grin widened. "Guess I should leave a lasting impression."
Raising one hand, a swirling vortex of flames appeared in the sky. The air trembled. And with a roar that shook the very foundation of the academy, a massive red dragon an S-rank summon materialized from the blaze.
Its scales shimmered like rubies. Its wings stretched wide, casting a looming shadow over the courtyard.
"Time to go in style," Belle said, hopping onto its back effortlessly.
The dragon lifted off with a gust of wind, its flight graceful yet powerful.
As she soared into the sky, Belle looked down, waving with both hands. "Goodbye, little brother!"
The students below burst into surprised cheers and waves.
Belle turned her voice louder with mana and laughed, "Goodbye, my adoring fans! I'll be back!"
With a final spiral through the clouds, the dragon disappeared over the horizon, leaving awe and stunned silence behind.
Kael just stood there, deadpan.