The Green Eyed Immortal.

Mirielle stood rooted at her spot, unable to move.

The weight of Eren's words still lingered in the air around her, pressing against her like an invisible force. Although she had heard many harsh things in her life, something about this was different.

It wasn't the words themselves—it was who they came from.

Valen.

Her heart twisted at the realisation. She had read so much about elves, about their ancient wisdom and composed demeanour.

But he was cold.

Unforgiving.

He had looked at her as if she were nothing.

As if she were invisible.

The moment she thought that she clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

Invisible.

Hadn't that always been the case?

But this time she had failed.

Her chest tightened.

She forced herself to swallow down the lump in her throat.

Then she heard footsteps.

Arian.

She didn't need to turn around to know it was him. She could always tell.

He was moving towards her, his pace brisk, filled with concern.

She didn't wait.

She ran.

Her legs carried her before she could think before she could let him see the emotions threatening to spill from her.

She heard him call her name, but she didn't stop.

Not until she reached the university courtyard.

Not until she reached the fountain.

She finally came to a halt, her breath uneven, her hands trembling at her sides.

The water rippled before her, the reflection of the sun casting a soft glow over its surface.

Slowly, she lifted her gaze and looked at her reflection.

Golden eyes stared back at her.

Eyes that should have meant something.

It should have signified power.

But she had none.

She had nothing.

She replayed the murmurs from class in her mind.

"She couldn't even summon a flicker of magic."

"How is she even here?"

"Maybe she's just talentless."

The words clung to her skin, sinking deep into her bones.

She took a deep breath.

Her reflection wavered in the water, distorted, uncertain.

Just like her.

"You have your mother's golden eyes." That was what everyone always said.

People spoke of it with awe and admiration.

After all, her mother had been one of the most powerful beings in Serenith.

A celestial being who had defied the gods.

Mirielle had grown up hearing the stories, of how her mother's presence had once changed the course of history.

Her name was etched into legend.

Her golden eyes had once glowed with divine power.

And yet—

Mirielle clenched her hands at her sides.

She had nothing.

She couldn't even summon a flicker of magic.

What was she supposed to say to the people who had believed in her?

What was she supposed to tell herself?

She exhaled shakily.

Her father was powerful too.

One of the greatest warriors, a being of unwavering strength.

Her mother, a celestial.

Her father was one of the strongest werewolves with royal blood.

Then what about her?

How had she ended up like this?

How was she supposed to walk in the footsteps of gods and legends when she couldn't even take a single step forward?

"Miri!"

Her head snapped up, the weight of her self-doubt momentarily lifting as she turned towards the source. A figure dashed towards her, moving with the kind of confidence that only someone who had known her for years would dare to show.

His long strides ate up the distance between them, the wind ruffling his dark, shoulder-length raven hair. Sharp aquamarine eyes gleamed with mischief, and his expression was one of uncontained enthusiasm.

Aster.

Before she could react, he was beside her, throwing an arm around her shoulders as if they had never spent any time apart. His presence was warm, grounding her in a way she hadn't expected.

"It's only day one, and it already looks like you're done?" he teased, a grin tugging at his lips.

Mirielle didn't respond immediately. She just sighed, the tension in her chest making it hard to form words. Aster, being Aster, wasn't one to let silence go unchallenged.

"Damn, Miri, you seem pissed—and that is so rare!" He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice with exaggerated curiosity. "Who is this extraordinary creature who managed to piss off Mirielle Nila Selene?"

Mirielle exhaled through her nose, tilting her head slightly away from him. "I am not pissed," she replied, her voice calm, but the slight furrow in her brows betrayed her emotions.

Aster pulled back slightly and placed a hand over his heart as if she had just offended him.

"You just used more than three words in a sentence. That's enough to tell me you are pissed," he announced dramatically. "Will you spill, or should I make Ri-Ri spill?"

Mirielle narrowed her eyes slightly at the ridiculous nickname he had given Arian years ago. Aster knew exactly how to get a reaction out of them both.

And before she could respond, a blur of motion shot past her, tackling Aster to the ground with a forceful thud.

"You dumbass!" Arian screamed as he tackled his childhood friend to the ground.

Aster groaned from underneath him, squinting up at the blue-eyed menace pinning him down.

Arian's face was a mixture of shock and accusation. "Didn't you say you would continue your studies in Mare Fortis? Why the hell are you here?"

Aster let out an exaggerated wheeze before shoving at Arian's shoulder, finally shaking him off. "I have three siblings at home. I decided it was time I moved away."

Arian's expression shifted to understanding before breaking into excitement. "So you're joining us?"

Aster smirked, standing up and brushing the dirt off his uniform. "Of course, my baby Ri-Ri!"

"Piss off!" Arian shot back immediately, his face scrunching up in irritation.

Mirielle watched the exchange, feeling a smile tugging at her lips for the first time that day. The two of them had always been like this. Aster was a walking storm of energy, and Arian was a wildfire burning through anything in his way.

The familiarity of it all soothed her nerves.

Aster stretched, rolling his shoulders. "You didn't answer my question though, Miri. Who managed to get under your skin? Because whoever they are, I might need to have a word with them."

Mirielle hesitated, but Arian scoffed, answering for her. "It's our esteemed new professor of elemental control. Valen."

At that, Aster's brow shot up. "Valen?"

Arian folded his arms. "Yeah, a silver-haired, green-eyed elf with an attitude problem. He can control all the four elements, Thinks he's above all of us."

Aster let out a low whistle. "Damn. An elf professor who's a master of all four elements? That's pretty rare. But wait—he was the one who pissed you off, Miri? What did he do?"

Mirielle shifted her gaze to the fountain, watching as the ripples distorted her reflection. "Nothing important," she murmured.

Arian huffed. "He humiliated her in front of everyone, that's what happened. Said she wasn't concentrating, that she wasn't connected to magic."

Aster frowned, tilting his head. "That doesn't sound right. Since when have you ever had trouble with magic or concentration, Miri?"

Arian's jaw tensed. "She couldn't tap into her element."

The words felt heavier than they should have. Mirielle could feel both their gazes on her, but she refused to look up. She knew what was going through their minds.

Aster, ever the problem solver, suddenly grabbed her hand. "Alright, we're fixing this. Come on."

Mirielle blinked, caught off guard. "Fixing what?"

Aster grinned, tugging her along. "Your little magic issue. We're going to figure it out right now."

Arian smirked, immediately falling in step. "You're going to regret dragging her into this, Aster."

"Nonsense. I live for bad decisions," Aster declared proudly. "Now let's go find an empty training ground."