The smell of eggs.

  The smell of maple syrup and hot sauce.

  The sound of king trays and cutlery.

  The squeak of rubber soles against tiled floors.

  All of it lified as I ducked and wove through the massive, buzzing maw of the dining hall.

  I grirying to keep my nerves from getting the better of me as I banced a loaded tray of eggs, ba, fruit and toast.

  I wasn't normally a big breakfast person, but I figured if I was going to fix my problem with erm, physicality, I needed fuel.

  The academy had a small gym and exercise ter, but I didn't know what I was doing. I pnned on taking advantage of it in the evenings or during the 'open mat' training blocks that the Magical Knight program seemed to have plenty of.

  I pushed open the swinging doors that lead into the cafeteria with my back, peeking out of the er of my eye as I sed the room for Al.

  He'd texted me telling me he'd e down here for breakfast, but he was o be seen.

  I looked around the bustling, cm madness of the dining hall as I dug my free hand into my pocket, pulling out my Nexus.

  Sienna: Where are you?

  I waited for a few seds, frowning as he didn't respond.

  Shrugging, I decided to sit at ay booth he windows, where a cool breeze and a view of the campus gardens filled the air with a soft, ambient white noise.

  Still, he didn't respond as I stabbed into a forkful of eggs, and I blinked, feeling a trickle of ay running down my spine.

  Something .

  I picked up my toast and shoveled a sausage and a fried egg on top of it, then dre with hot saud ketchup.

  "Sienna? Oh hey!" a shrill voice called from behind me, and I ged.

  Slowly, I turned around to see Madison with a group of three irls walking down the aisle.

  The blonde bombshell was wearing a mint green chic dress with a pair of polished bck heels and a thick gold neckce. Her honey-colored hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her lips were painted a soft pink.

  She waved at me, practically floating towards me as I waved back politely. She seemed eager to talk, and there was nothing I wanted more than to enjoy my breakfast without being interrupted.

  She folded her hands in front of her as she approached, fshing me a brilliant, glowing smile.

  "It's good to see you, Sienna! Prepping for a marathon? We've actually got some light jogging scheduled for the term ahead, if you're ied. Just in the m. We're actually going to like, go for one soon," She tilted her head to the side, giving me a pyful, mischievous grin.

  I bliaking a bite out of my toast and fried egg as I looked up at her. Why did she thi—

  Oh.

  I looked down at my sants and my simple, bnd bck tank top. My hair was tied up in a zy ponytail and my beat-up, old sneakers were just visible poking out from uhe table.

  I couldn't tell if she was sincere or just making fun of me. And frankly, I didn't care that much.

  "Uhhh, maybe! I'm pretty sore from w out yesterday, though," I replied awkwardly.

  One of the girls standio her snickered, and Madison's expression faltered a bit as she looked down at her manicured, slender fingers.

  Then she rallied, her griurning to her face as she looked over her shoulder at her friends. "Well, I think it's great that you're taking care of yourself like that. It's so important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You know me though. Gotta keep the goods in w order!"

  I sighed, looking down at my eggs.

  Now that she mentio, Madison did give the impression that she embodied that urbah and image-obsessed aesthetic.

  She was fident and attractive, with a tagious, easygoing sort of energy that would be endearing if it wasn't so damn draining to be around.

  Still, I hadn't talked to her much. She was just a bit of an acquaintance so far.

  Ohat seemed a little too eager to start telling me what to do and how I should act.

  It wasn't like her dession was a secret. It was obvious. Especially with her friends around her now, who kept sizing me up with their eyes.

  And frankly, I found it annoying.

  Al was the one I wao just kick bad hang out with right now, and well... he wasn't responding.

  "Excuse me," a melodic, slightly lyrical voiterrupted, and I looked up from my phoo see a strikingly pretty, well-proportioned girl approag. She had pierg, inquisitive hazel eyes and a tangle of dark, thick hair that flowed down her ba waves.

  She was tall and athletid her movements were deliberate and graceful. On top of that, she exuded a natural, unspoken fidehat even Madison and her squad didn't seem capable of matg.

  She was wearing a pink, well-fitted blouse and a pair of flowing, yered white skirts that flowed with her body and a matg burgundy purse. She wasn't fshy, but I could see that everything was tailor-made to fit and pliment her figure.

  She looked like a high-css socialite, or the daughter of a well-known politi or business magnate.

  But I reized her immediately as the girl the school had been gawking over a couple of days ago.

  The Sn's daughter.

  And of all the people she could have been with...

  My eyes widened as Albert jogged closely after her, his face slightly flushed and slightly out of breath.

  "Al? Hey there! Where have you been?" I grinned, pying it casual.

  "Sorry. I uh. It's been a bit of a crazy m," he offered apologetically as he wiped his forehead.

  The dark-haired girl aowledged Madison, bowing slightly as the girls around her swooned and cooed at her presence.

  "So... you're the new local celebrity!" Madison griilting her head at her. "o meet you. I'm Madison and I dorm up the hall from Sienna here."

  The girl simply ined her head politely, giving Madison a serene smile.

  "My name is Stel. It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Madison. I must say, your outfit is quite stunning," She nodded, gesturing at her dress.

  Madison visibly blushed, pulling her hair back over her shoulder with her fiips as she giggled.

  As charismatic as she was, it was amusing to see her pletely overwhelmed by Stel.

  Albert took a seat across from me, leaning on his elbow as he fshed me a knowing grin.

  "Hey Sienna," He greeted me quietly, shifting his weight as he turo Stel and Madison.

  I furrowed my brow in , notig the telltale signs of a pn in motion.

  Al was always surprisingly qui his feet and resourceful in a pinch, but his 'pns' weren't always well thought out.

  Evehey were, there were always variables that you couldn't trol.

  He had a good batting record, though. A damn good one.

  Stel chuckled softly, but I caught a sharp look in her eyes as she quickly looked between me and Madison.

  I didn't know what clusion she came to, but I khe trast in visible status between Albert and me and Madison's group was jarring.

  "Anyway, I must be off," Madison annouaking a step back as she kept her eyes on Stel. "It was nice meeting you, Stel! Let's circle back around?"

  "Of course," Stel agreed, dipping her head with a small smile.

  Madison ducked her head and walked off, with her girls in tow as they scurried after her.

  Albert looked over, staring at me ily, and I shrugged.

  He didn't o ask.

  Stel waited for a moment, watg as the small crowd of girls moved out of earshot, before turning to us with a nod.

  "Uh, hi?" I waved, suddenly feeling a bit nervous as I studied her. I moved to stand up, but she plopped down in the chair between Albert and me.

  "Oh, I'm sorry! Is this okay? Please excuse me. I thought it might be o sit with you. I won't intrude for long, I promise," She whispered, ining her head politely.

  Albert grinned. "No problem, Stel! And don't worry, it's nothing serious. Just here for a quick bite to eat. It's good to see you again this m."

  I blinked.

  Again?

  "Of course. It's wonderful to see you both, as well. I don't want to interfere with your... day," She chuckled, folding her hands ly in front of her.

  It was like she was aware of the attention she'd attracted. Eyes all over the dining hall seemed to be on her and our table, and I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at her.

  She certainly seemed to be taking it in stride, though. She didn't seem to be bothered at all.

  She looked like the kind of person who was used to attention and notoriety, and she seemed fident enough not to let it bother her.

  Her eyes darted over me and my messy sants and old sneakers again, and she smiled, fshing me a subtle nod.

  It wasn't demeaning, but there was a brief flicker of amusement or maybe pity there that made me wiernally.

  She wasn't looking down on me or anything, but it arent she kneere worlds apart.

  Still, it wasn't her fault. It was just the way it was.

  I had my reasons for looking... less than gmorous.

  Albert ribbed me gently as I took a bite out of my toast, and Stel cleared her throat politely.

  "Thank you again, Albert. You've helped me out tremendously over the past week. I hope I return the favor in some way," She beamed, tapping her with a delicate finger. "Oh, and you too, Sienna. It's nice meeting you. I'm still o the area and haven't gotten a ce to explore it much yet."

  I blinked again. She was already talking to us like we'd known each other for years, and she ractically apologizing for b us.

  "You're wele. Umm, how do you two know each other?" I asked, trying to e up with something to say.

  Stel smiled politely as she ined her head, her eyes sparkling as she looked me ain. "Well, we do live here now. And since we're all first years, it only makes seo make friends, wouldn't you agree?"

  She gave me an aat on the shoulder, and I leaned back, raising my eyebrows in surprise as she put on the worst poker face I'd ever seen.

  Albert snickered. "Well, let's just say I stumbled on Stel here while wandering around the school during orientatiourns out we have some hobbies in ore than a few, really."

  Stel burst out ughing, her eyes creasing at the ers as she looked bad forth between me and Albert.

  She smiled politely, but a sliver of mischief seemed to ss way into her eyes.

  "He has quite the imagination. But I suppose it's hard to keep a secret around here," She sighed, shaking her head at the ceiling with a rueful smile.

  My curiosity was officially piqued.

  "What are you guys pnning?" I looked bad forth between them as they gave each other a secretive look.

  "Say. How about we head bay room after breakfast?" Al offered, leaning ba his chair. "It wouldn't be as awkward with well, you with us Sienna. A boy and a girl just walking around campus is probably gonna garner a lot of attention."

  "Please st to scheme with me in public. You're only digging a bigger hole for both of us," Stel grumbled, her lips curling as she stared off into the distance.

  Wait... what was going on?

  "So, you two really just met?" I smirked, leaning my on my palm as I looked at them.

  It was a curious situation. I'd never seen Albert get so chummy with anyone before.

  He shrugged, taking a bite out of his scrambled eggs as Stel shifted unfortably in her seat.

  "Well, I kinda dropped my bag. Albert helped me pick everything up. It was silly and embarrassing, really. Nothing wetting worked up over. Right, Albert?" She sighed, tilting her head forward.

  There was a sort of weariness in her eyes that she tried to cover up with a charming smile.

  She utting on an act, and it was surprisingly ving.

  "Right. There's no reason to let gossip spiral a everyone worried or carried away. Just a natural thing that happehat's all." Albert smirked.

  Stel and Albert traded gnces and I furrowed my brow in fusion.

  What were they even saying?

  I bliurning bay pte of breakfast food, frowning in disbelief.

  Not only had they not expined anything, but they didn't eve food yet.

  "Have you guys finished? I help you grab something, if you're still hungry," I offered awkwardly, waving at the rows of hot, steamy buffet trays lined up behind us.

  "It's alright. I don't usually eat mu the m. Thank you, though, Sienna. It's very kind of you," Stel smiled, leaning ba her chair.

  She took in a deep breath, crossing her arms as her expression grew serious.

  Albert shifted unfortably, mulling over something in his head as Stel seemed to take a moment to collect herself.

  Then, her griurned, and she lowered her eyes as she sat up straight.

  "Alright. I'll go get some food. Is there anything you guys need?" Albert offered as he slowly rose from his seat, darting his eyes nervously between us.

  We looked at him, and he shrugged, gesturing to the buffet with a frustrated expression.

  "Toilet paper. Lu. Whatever," He huffed, walking away.

  I giggled, still slightly fused as I shook my head at Stel.

  She was too poised to let anythi under her skin, and for a moment, we were left alo the table.

  She blinked, looking around as she flexed her fingers.

  "Hmph. I don't usually bother with breakfast, but I figured I'd try it out since I'm still getting used to being here. The food's actually not bad," She fessed, leaning forward on her elbows.

  She seemed... ear. I could feel for her, with all these eyes on her. She'd had a rough start, but I couldn't say I uood how she'd mao win over my best friend in the world so quickly. Or was it the other way around?

  This was such a weird way to start my m and weekend.

  "Here's hoping it stays that way," I smiled, watg as she seemed to shift from one foot to the other.

  "So, how long have you two known each other?" Stel asked softly, tilting her head as she studied me.

  "Oh! Uh, well, we go way back," I replied, feeling a bit lost. "We've been close friends since... well, as long as I remember, really. I mean all the way back to pying in sandboxes. Ahe reason I'm even here."

  "That long, huh? He's certainly been looking out for you," Stel smiled, a sparkle in her eye as she looked at me.

  "Yeah. He's a total goof, but he's the closest thing to a brother I've got," I admitted, shrugging.

  She aking a moment to pull a deep breath as she looked down at her nails.

  "I envy that, actually," She fessed, her gaze drifting towards the windows.

  She had a faraway look in her eye for a moment, and I watched as a gentle breeze tousled her hair.

  Then, she cleared her throat, giving me an apologetic look as Albert returned with two heaping tray of eggs, ba, sausage, fruit and toast.

  He slid a tray over to Stel. Theook his seat o her.

  I noticed a tiny, glittering earring dangling from her earlobe as she thanked him.

  It arkling diamond in the shape of a teardrop, and it caught the light as she moved her head.

  She sure did seem like she came from a well-off family, but The Sn did have a reputation. She was a strict, master martial arts master, and came from an old samurai family. The Sn even cimed to be a direct desdant of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

  Even on her deathbed, she was seen as a powerful and formidable kingmaker who anded resped allegiahroughout the world. She'd passed away suddenly, leaving a gaping power vacuum and a potential political mess waiting to happen.

  This Stel girl was undeniably beautiful and her mannerisms seemed to be carefully structed to reflect the impression she wao project, but I didn't have enough text to make any final judgments.

  Still, I could tell that she was hiding something. It was in the subtle nuances of her movements and her expressions.

  And there was something in the way Albert looked at her, like he knew what she was going through oing to face.

  She seemed guarded, maybe a little unsure of herself, but not unfriendly.

  Just... cautious.

  It was something I uood very, very well.

  As they started to dig into their meals, I felt the versation dying down, and Stel and Albert were exging furtive gnces and nervous looks.

  Even with all of her posure, it was clear that she was bothered by something.

  Whatever it was, it had to do with more than her new surroundings and the attention that was on her.

  And I'd have to do some digging.

  After all, if she was going to get close to Albert, I o keep a close eye on her.

  He had a knack for finding trouble, and the st thing I wanted was to get caught up in some crazy spiracy or nasty rumors.

  "So. What's the pn for today? What's with all the hush-hush?" I asked, stretg as I leaned ba my chair.

  They traded gnces, and Albert looked down at Stel, silently pleading with her.

  She hesitated for a moment, then sighed, reag into a purse by her side.

  "Alright, Sienna. I'll let you know, but you 't tell anyone."

  And then, she moved the purse beh the table, and subtly pulled out a book.

  A book I definitely reized as a first print, sigion of the first volume of 'Magical Girl: Raging Angels.'

  It was very award-winning, critically accimed, stylized graphiovel series about a group of girls on a secret quest to take down a secret cabal of evil nazi vampires and other supernatural creatures that were bent oroying the world. It was a high-oe ing of age story that blended a, adventure, and romance, with characters that were over-the-top with one-lio say the least.

  It was a guilty pleasure. It was geeky. But Magical Knight watchers were obsessed with the series. It was a series Al and I both knew all too well.

  "You're a..." I squeaked, feeling a shiver run down my spine as I stared at the book.

  Stel gave Albert a pointed look and sighed.

  No way.

  My image of her had shattered instantly.

  And then she pulled out a finely crafted figurine of the main character to show beh the table. She a sleek be with a flowing, detachable fming cloak behind her.

  And then ahe masked love i of the series, with a tangle of fluffy white hair and a fluttering white scarf.

  And finally, a chibi figure of the series mascot, an adorable e cat with oversized eyes, a green cape, and a white bow-tie.

  "Oh my god," I whispered. "Y-you're a."

  She sighed, blushing deeply as she slipped her 'colle' bato her purse.

  "Yup."