The third semester had kicked off, and, like always, the school started with a ceremony. Winter still had its icy grip on everything, the sky dark and brooding, heavy clouds swirling above, dumping the cold down onto us like they were punishing the earth.
Each breath I took sent a misty cloud into the air, the cold biting into my lungs. I was bundled up in my winter uniform, standing by the gates, my eyes scanning the horizon as I waited for Titania.
Finally, after what felt like forever, I spotted her. She came running toward me, her face lighting up with that familiar, heart-stopping smile. She looked stunning, even in the freezing weather. Same winter uniform as me, but her lower half was just her skirt, her long, white socks hugging her thighs, leaving the skin in between teasingly bare. Her scarf was wrapped snugly around her neck, protecting her from the cold. As she ran, her breath came out in quick white puffs, the cold air catching it, and when she reached me, she bent over, hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.
“Sorry, I’m kinda late, huh?” she gasped between breaths, her chest rising and falling in rhythm.
She was only about 15 minutes late, nothing worth stressing over.
“It’s fine,” I said, shrugging it off. “Ready?” I reached out and took her hand, the thick glove between us barely stopping the cold. Together, we walked toward the academy, fingers entwined, the winter wind swirling around us.
Everyone at the academy already knew about us. The idea of keeping my relationship with a princess under wraps had been thrown out the window a long time ago. Sure, being discreet might’ve been smarter, given our different standings, but honestly, it wasn’t too bad. I didn’t love all the eyes on us, but when she was this sweet and affectionate in public? Yeah, that was something I could live with. No regrets at all.
“It’s already our third semester. Just a few more months, and we’ll be second years,” she said, her face lighting up with that infectious smile.
Time had flown by, almost too quickly. One year at the academy was nearly over, and before we knew it, we’d be standing at graduation. Would I miss this place? Doubt it. It never felt like home to me.
“Ugh, but it’s freezing,” she said, hugging herself with one arm as if that would fight off the biting cold.
I glanced at her outfit, shaking my head. “You wouldn’t be so cold if you weren’t flashing so much skin. Seriously, what were you thinking?”
Wearing just her skirt and thigh-high socks was practically begging for trouble in this weather. I knew she looked hot, but the cold didn’t care.
“Yeah, but it’s not like I have much of a choice. These regulations force us to wear this. You’re lucky, Leon. Being a guy has its perks,” she said with a playful pout, the wind nipping at her exposed legs. I reached out and messed with her hair, my fingers ruffling it just a bit. She giggled softly, the sound warming the air around us more than the gloves on our hands.
“Anyway,” she continued, straightening up, “the election’s coming up in a few months. You think I’m ready?”
I shrugged. “I dunno. You’ve got a decent following, but it’s nowhere near what Princess Myrcella has.”
The election for student council president was looming, and Titania had thrown her hat into the ring. I’d promised her my support, but taking down Myrcella? That was another beast entirely. Myrcella wasn’t just some popular student—she was the princess of this kingdom, with power and influence that practically oozed out of her every step. Sure, Titania was a princess too, but everyone knew she wasn’t playing in the same league.
As we walked, I noticed someone keeping pace with us on the other side of the walkway. She was wearing the same academy uniform, and by any standard, she was cute. Today, though, she looked different—her usual twintails were gone. Instead, her hair hung loosely down her back, like she didn’t care enough to style it. She didn’t even look like the Charlotte Sierra I once knew.
Titania glanced in her direction. “I feel kind of bad for her,” she said softly. “She’s lost everything—her status, her father died, and her mother took off. But she still shows up at school every day.”
“Yeah, I guess,” I muttered.
In truth, I didn’t feel a thing for Charlotte. She’d made her own bed. As far as I was concerned, everything that happened was her own doing. I wasn’t about to start feeling sorry for someone who caused her own downfall. Sympathy? Nah, not for her.
“Come on, we’re gonna be late for the ceremony,” I said, shifting the topic.
Titania and I walked off together, hand in hand, leaving Charlotte behind us.
***
The ceremony finally wrapped up, marking the official start of the third semester. Most students would slip back into their usual routines. At least, that’s what I thought—until Trill suddenly yanked me aside and shoved me against a wall. The next thing I knew, her hand slammed down next to my head in a loud thud—a classic kabedon. Seriously? A kabedon? I never imagined I’d be on the receiving end of one, especially not like this.
“Tell me,” she snarled, her eyes narrowed, “what the hell did you do to beat me? Did you use some hidden skill out there?”
“I don’t have a skill,” I replied calmly. “I’m skillless, remember?”
“But you beat me,” she growled again. “How the hell can a skillless loser defeat me?”
I shrugged. “Just because I’m skillless doesn’t mean I’m weak. Skills are nothing more than special abilities some people are born with. But being skillless doesn’t mean I can’t walk, run, or fight just like the ones who do have them.”
Skills or not, strength wasn’t just about some flashy ability. The only real difference between the skillless and those with skills was that people with skills enjoyed a privilege.
