‎Location: Floating Courtyard, Midnight Hour

‎The Floating Courtyard was a marvel—an open, star-lit garden suspended above the academy’s central tower, rotating slowly to match the constellations. Tonight, it hosted an unscheduled gathering… of awkward intentions.

‎‎Zephyr Arclight stood at the railing, sipping coffee.

‎‎He liked the stars. They didn’t ask questions.

‎‎A gentle whoosh of teleportation magic echoed behind him.

‎‎Selena Frostveil stepped out of a glowing portal, holding a large book and… what looked like a picnic basket.

‎‎She cleared her throat. “I have a proposal.”

‎‎Zephyr turned. “Marriage?”

‎‎Her face turned five shades of academic panic. “W-what—? N-no! A research proposal! On, uh… cosmic magical stability.”

‎‎“…With a picnic?”

‎‎“It’s a... catered thesis defense.”

‎‎Zephyr blinked. “You’re cute when you panic.”

‎‎Selena dropped the basket.

‎Location: Same Courtyard – Two Minutes Later

‎‎Selena and Zephyr sat on a floating bench. The stars above shifted slowly, casting pale gold light over the garden.

‎‎“Your mana signature fluctuates oddly under astral convergence,” Selena said, trying to maintain a scientific tone while pushing a muffin toward him.

‎‎Zephyr bit into it. “Tastes like calculation.”

‎‎“It’s banana-nut.”

‎‎“Makes sense.”

‎‎She fidgeted. “...I may have been... observing you for academic purposes.”

‎‎“You have four notebooks labeled ‘Not Academic At All.’”

‎‎She coughed into her sleeve. “Ignore those.”

‎Meanwhile: Tree Behind the Fountain

‎‎Three heads poked out from a bush. Arwen, Drakynia, and Rosalia were in full stealth mode.

‎‎“Are they on a date?” Arwen hissed.

‎‎Drakynia squinted. “No. This is a magical reconnaissance interview with light romantic undertones. Big difference.”

‎‎Rosalia clasped her hands. “It’s so pure...”

‎‎Arwen froze. “Wait—she’s blushing. She’s blushing! This is not a drill!”

‎Back on the Bench

‎‎Selena opened her book. “I’ve identified sixteen patterns in your mana field that correspond with anomalies in the astral leyline grid. This suggests—”

‎‎“Selena.”

‎‎She paused. “Yes?”

‎‎“You don’t need to impress me.”

‎‎Silence. The stars twinkled, mockingly gentle.

‎‎Selena looked away, face flushed. “...Maybe I do.”

‎‎Zephyr smiled. “...You already have.”

‎‎Kaboom.

‎‎Something exploded behind the fountain.

‎‎Zephyr didn’t look back. “Let me guess. Drakynia.”

‎‎“I’m fine!” yelled Drakynia from the smoking hedge.

‎‎“Arwen froze my boot!” shouted Rosalia.

‎‎“You deserved it!” snapped Arwen.

‎‎Selena sighed. “...Should we do something?”

‎‎Zephyr sipped his coffee. “They’ll tire themselves out.”

‎Later that Night

As the stars aligned above, a soft glow surrounded the garden.

‎‎Selena looked up. “They say when the constellations form the Weaver’s Cross, it reveals hidden truths.”

‎‎Zephyr glanced skyward, then at her.

‎‎"...I already know one."

‎‎Selena turned, eyes wide. “What?”

‎‎He gave her the smallest smile.

‎‎“You’re not very subtle.”

‎End of Chapter 31

‎Next chapter?

‎Chapter 32: Magical Midterms and Mayhem Muffins

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