Chasing the Heartless Maiden

The morning sun cast golden beams into the lecture hall of Ebonspire Academy, where students were settling into their seats. The instructor, Professor Rowan, an older man with a perpetual scowl, stood at the front, arms crossed.

Professor Rowan: "Today's lesson is about teamwork and strategy. Adventurers rarely fight alone, and those who try usually meet a swift and painful end."

Pandora sat near the window, arms crossed, listening intently. She understood strategy—logical execution was the foundation of survival—but teamwork? That concept was utterly foreign to her.

The professor clapped his hands together, his eyes sweeping the classroom. "Pair up. You will each analyze your partner's strengths and weaknesses. Then, you will present your findings to the class."

Pandora blinked. A teamwork exercise? She wasn't thrilled.

Before she could protest, a familiar bold voice rang out.

???: "I call Pandora!"

The class turned to see Raine, the same enthusiastic student who had confessed to her the day before, grinning as he dashed over to claim his spot next to her.

Pandora stared at him. "You again."

Raine puffed his chest. "Of course! Who better to study than the academy's most disciplined warrior? Besides, we make a great team."

She tilted her head. "Do we?"

Raine nodded with exaggerated confidence. "Yep! You've got focus, skill, and a face that terrifies our enemies. Meanwhile, I bring charm, agility, and an undeniable sense of style."

Pandora remained expressionless. "You are a liability."

Raine clutched his heart dramatically. "You wound me."

The rest of the class began analyzing each other, and while some diligently recorded observations, Pandora's new friend, Lilia, snuck her a grin from across the room.

Lilia: "Looks like you're popular, Pandora. Maybe teamwork isn't so bad after all."

Pandora sighed. "I fail to see the logic in this."

Lunch Break: An Unintentional

After the morning lesson, Pandora and Lilia sat together in the cafeteria. For Pandora, it was a simple meal—nutrient-dense and efficient. But for Lilia, it was an opportunity to talk.

Lilia: "So, have you ever considered making more friends?"

Pandora stared. "I have spirits. That is sufficient."

At that moment, Pip materialized, landing on Pandora's shoulder like a tiny ball of energy.

Pip: "That's right! We're her bestest besties!"

Lilia gasped. "Wait, you can just summon them whenever you want?"

Blaze appeared next, flickering like a candle. "Of course! And the best part? We get to judge all her interactions!"

Grimm, ever serious, sighed. "We do not 'judge.' We observe and strategize."

Before Pandora could respond, Raine appeared out of nowhere, plopping down across from them.

Raine: "What a coincidence! Mind if I join?"

Pandora blinked. "You already sat down."

Raine smirked. "Details."

As if summoned by chaos itself, two more students—Darian and Elric—approached the table.

Darian: "Hey, Pandora. If you ever need a real sparring partner, let me know."

Elric: "Ignore him. Pandora, you need someone who understands strategy. Like me."

Pip giggled. "Oh ho! Pandora, looks like you've got a fan club forming!"

Pandora frowned. "Why are you all sitting here?"

Blaze leaned in. "Because you're the most obliviously attractive person in this academy."

Lilia cackled as Pandora stared blankly. "I don't understand."

Raine threw his arm around Darian and Elric. "Relax, Pandora! It just means people admire you. Or want to fight you. Or both!"

Pandora narrowed her eyes. "None of these reasons seem valid for companionship."

The Elimination Course

After lunch, the students were led to the academy's training grounds, where a massive arena had been set up. Standing at the front was Head Instructor Vale, a tall, battle-scarred woman with piercing eyes.

Instructor Vale: "Today, you'll face The Elimination Course. This will test agility, strategy, and survival instincts. Only the top ten will pass. The rest? Eliminated from today's ranking board."

A hush fell over the students.

Raine: "So... not actual elimination, right?"

Instructor Vale smirked. "You'll see."

A gong sounded, and suddenly, spinning platforms, trap doors, and magic projectile turrets activated all over the field.

Pandora observed. "Obstacle courses are simple. Identify patterns. Adapt. Execute."

Raine, standing next to her, gulped. "Yeah, sure, easy for you to say!"

Blaze crackled with laughter. "This is gonna be fun."

As the students launched into the course, chaos erupted—

Darian got trapped between two rotating pillars, yelling, "It's rigged!"

Elric tried dodging fireballs but got smacked by a mechanical hand.

Lilia nimbly dodged a swinging axe, laughing, "This is way too intense for a school activity!"

Pandora, meanwhile, effortlessly leaped from platform to platform, analyzing movements, predicting hazards, and avoiding every trap with uncanny precision.

Raine, struggling behind her, gasped. "Pandora! Wait for me!"

Pandora didn't slow down. "Survival is individual responsibility."

Pip twirled in the air. "Translation: She's leaving you behind!"

Despite the madness, only ten students remained by the final stretch. A single rope bridge led to the finish line. Below? A pit of enchanted, gelatinous goo.

Raine, barely hanging onto the bridge, called out. "Pandora, pull me up!"

She stared at him. "That would be inefficient."

Raine flailed. "Inefficient for WHO?!"

Eventually, Pandora reached the end, securing her spot among the top ten. As Raine finally crawled to safety, he collapsed, breathing heavily.

Raine: "See? We make a great team!"

Pandora: "You were nearly eliminated."

Raine: "Details."

Instructor Vale clapped. "Well done. Those who survived, welcome to the next level. Those who didn't? Train harder."

As the students recovered, Pandora looked at her surroundings. More challenges awaited. More misunderstandings loomed.

And she still didn't understand why people kept flirting with her.

The Instructors' Observations

High above the training field, a group of instructors observed the chaos through a magical projection. Their expressions ranged from impressed to... something far more sinister.

Instructor 1 (nodding): "Her strategic execution is flawless. She doesn't just summon spirits—she commands them like a tactician."

Instructor 2 (smirking): "It's amusing. The way she fights, it's as if she's toying with them. Does she even realize how much of a monster she is in battle?"

Instructor 3 (arms crossed): "This kind of potential... it can be nurtured. If given the right guidance, she could become a formidable force within the academy."

Away from the group, a shadowed figure leaned forward, his fingers interlocked. His voice was smooth but carried an underlying sharpness.

???: "Or... she could be shaped into something more. With proper control, a talent like hers could be used to—"

Instructor 4 (interrupting): "We are not in the business of weaponizing students."

???: "Oh? Then what do you call training them to be warriors? Don't be naive."

The instructor who had spoken frowned, but he said nothing further. The discussion continued, but Pandora remained oblivious to the watchful eyes assessing her worth—not as a student, but as a tool.