The next day at Seoul International Elite High was anything but normal.
Okay—nothing about this school was normal to begin with. But today? Today was extra weird.
Because it was the Welcome Festival.
A day when new students are "warmly" introduced to the school with fireworks, food, and near-death experiences disguised as team-building exercises.
Students wandered around in themed uniforms. Magic clubs were summoning glowing fish. The fencing club was holding duels over bubble tea. And someone had enchanted the toilets to sing trot songs when flushed.
"I'm going to punch this school in the face," Hana muttered, glaring at a floating cotton candy cloud that tried to eat her hair.
Minjae walked beside her, hands in his pockets, calmly sipping strawberry milk. "Relax. The festival's harmless."
As if summoned by sarcasm, a massive candy golem stomped through the courtyard, flinging caramel boulders at unsuspecting students.
"I stand corrected," Minjae deadpanned.
Suddenly, a fireball exploded behind them. Hana turned—just in time to see a mysterious transfer student step onto a floating stage.
He had snow-white hair, glowing golden eyes, and wore his uniform like it was designed by a K-pop stylist. In one hand: a staff made of frozen sugar. In the other: a spellbook titled "How To Charm and Destroy".
He smirked. "Hello, peasants. I'm Lee Arin. Yes, I'm hot. Yes, I'm magical. Yes, I just enrolled five minutes ago."
The crowd swooned. Hana gagged.
"Ugh, another dramatic magical boy with ego issues," she said. "We have enough of those."
"I'm standing right here," Minjae muttered.
The head of the Spell Club ran over in a panic. "Arin! We didn't authorize a duel!"
Arin twirled his staff. "Too bad. My magic craves chaos. And also cotton candy."
With a snap, the candy golem turned into a raging licorice serpent that launched toward Hana.
She didn't flinch.
She pulled a peppermint shuriken from her pocket, whispered "Thanks, Uncle Hyun," and chucked it straight into the serpent's eye. It exploded in a shower of sprinkles and black smoke.
The crowd gasped.
Arin blinked. "Huh. That was hot."
Minjae stepped in front of Hana. "Back off, sparkle boy. She's mine."
Hana raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"I meant friend. Mine as in—not yours. Territorial... not romantic... oh shut up."
Arin smirked. "Interesting. This school might not be so boring after all."
He disappeared in a puff of sugar mist.
Minjae turned to Hana. "We need to talk."
She crossed her arms. "About what?"
"You. Magic. That gum-breathing dragon stunt yesterday wasn't normal. And now you're throwing candy weapons like it's nothing. Who are you?"
Hana gave him a small, dangerous smile.
"I'm the girl your student handbook forgot to warn you about."