As Leon continued writing on the board, his focus on the lesson seemed unwavering, but the class was interrupted by a sudden knock at the door. Before Leon could respond, the door swung open, and a man stepped into the classroom. His presence was calm and commanding, and as his eyes scanned the room, he gave a friendly wave, accompanied by a warm smile.

Curious, Ariana glanced up and noticed how the students greeted him. Their voices were a mixture of respect and familiarity. The man's demeanor was friendly but authoritative, clearly someone well-known among the students.

Ariana turned to Mina, leaning in slightly as she whispered, "Who's that?"

Mina squinted, trying to make out more details from their spot near the back of the room. "It's hard to tell from here, but... it could be one of the deans. The way everyone's reacting, it's either him or someone high up in the school hierarchy."

Ariana's gaze lingered on the man, noticing how he effortlessly commanded attention. She wondered which dean he could be. Was he one of the weapon deans or someone else entirely? The class went silent as the man stepped aside, his presence undeniably impacting the room.

Ariana squinted at the man as he entered the classroom. It was none other than Orion, the dean of the weapon students. His presence was undeniable, the air around him seeming to shift as he walked with an easy confidence. Tall and imposing, his gray hair, with green tips, framed his sharp features, and his heterochromatic eyes—one green, one gray—glinted with authority. He wore his usual comfortable, cheap clothes, but somehow, even in something so simple, he managed to exude an aura of unspoken power.

The class fell silent as Orion entered. His eyes quickly scanned the room before they landed on Leon, who was scribbling on the chalkboard. A few students exchanged whispers, recognizing him immediately.

"Apologies for the interruption," Orion's deep voice rumbled, calm but firm. "I'm here to speak with Leon about the upcoming event."

Leon paused for a moment, then turned, his eyes brightening at the sight of the dean. "Ah, Orion! I was wondering when you'd show up. I'll wrap up here and be with you shortly."

Orion gave a short nod, his lips curling into a small smile as he leaned against the doorframe, seemingly relaxed despite his commanding presence. The students could only stare, watching as Orion observed them from the door, his eyes briefly meeting theirs before his attention turned back to Leon.

Ariana exchanged a glance with Mina. "Is that... Orion?" Ariana whispered, her curiosity piqued.

Mina leaned in, whispering back, "Yep. The dean of the weapon students. He's usually around, but it's rare to see him actually in class like this. I wonder what's going on."

Orion didn't say anything further as he stood there, his posture relaxed but unyielding, as if he were more than capable of handling whatever situation arose. His presence commanded attention, and though the students remained quiet, the air in the room seemed charged with an underlying tension. Ariana couldn't help but feel that whatever was happening today was more than just a casual visit.

"Alright, everyone," Leon said, breaking the silence. "Back to the lesson. I'll speak with Orion after class. Let's continue."

Though the class returned to their work, whispers still lingered in the air. Ariana's thoughts wandered as she couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was about to unfold with Orion's visit. She watched him for a moment longer, his eyes occasionally flicking over to Leon before he relaxed once more against the doorway.

Ariana hesitated mid-step as Orion's deep, smooth voice called out behind her, "Excuse me, Ariana. Would you mind staying back for a moment? I'd like to speak with you privately."

Her heart skipped a beat, unsure if she had done something wrong or if this was about something else entirely. She exchanged a quick, nervous glance with Mina, who gave her a subtle shrug and mouthed, Good luck.

Ariana turned back toward Orion, nodding. "Sure, Dean Orion."

He motioned toward Leon's office with a polite smile, holding the door open for her as she stepped inside. The room was quiet, the faint scent of coffee lingering in the air from earlier in the day. Orion followed her in, closing the door gently behind them. The click of the latch seemed louder than it should have been, sending a ripple of unease through her.

Orion moved with a calm authority, his multi-colored aura faintly flickering around him like a second skin. He gestured toward a chair in front of the desk. "Have a seat."

Ariana obeyed, sitting down as she clasped her hands nervously in her lap. Orion didn't immediately speak, instead leaning casually against the desk, his arms crossed. His mismatched eyes studied her closely, but not unkindly.

"I noticed you seemed a bit... apprehensive earlier," Orion began, his tone gentle but firm. "And I wanted to address something before it grows into a problem."

Ariana blinked, confused. "A problem? Did I do something wrong?"

Orion shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "No, nothing like that. It's more about making sure you're aware of your position and the responsibilities that come with it."

She tilted her head, unsure where he was going with this. "My position?"

"Yes," Orion said, standing up straighter now. "You're one of the strongest meisters in your year, Ariana. That's not something to take lightly. People are watching, both your peers and the faculty. And with that comes a certain... scrutiny."

Ariana bit her lip, glancing down. "I didn't realize it was that serious."

Orion chuckled softly. "You're young; you shouldn't be burdened by too much seriousness. But that doesn't mean you should be careless either. That list, for example." He raised an eyebrow knowingly.

Her cheeks flushed instantly, and she opened her mouth to explain, but Orion raised a hand to stop her.

"I'm not here to reprimand you," he said, his tone kind. "I just want you to understand the impact of even small actions. Something like that can shift dynamics—friendships, rivalries, even partnerships."

Ariana sighed, sinking into her chair. "I didn't think it would cause any real trouble. It was just a joke."

Orion nodded. "Most things are until they're not. Just... be mindful, alright? You have the potential to become someone truly exceptional. Don't let distractions or missteps get in the way of that."

Ariana felt a strange mix of relief and gratitude at his words. She nodded earnestly. "I understand. I'll be more careful."

Orion smiled faintly, his heterochromatic gaze softening. "Good. That's all I needed to hear."

He stepped back, opening the door for her. As she walked out, she turned to glance at him one last time. "Thank you, Dean Orion."

He gave her a small nod. "Anytime. Now go on, before Mina starts tearing the place apart looking for you."

Ariana smiled, her nerves finally easing as she made her way back into the hall.

As Ariana stepped back into the hallway, Mina immediately latched onto her, eager for details. "So? What did Orion say?" she asked, her tone dripping with curiosity.

Ariana sighed but couldn't help smirking. "He gave me this whole speech about being mindful of my actions because people are watching. You know, typical 'Dean Wisdom' stuff."

Mina rolled her eyes playfully. "Of course he did. Guess I'll have to rethink my list now. Clearly, he's more 'dad material' than 'heartthrob.'"

Ariana snorted, shoving her lightly. "You're impossible."

As they continued down the hallway, their laughter faded when they spotted someone up ahead. A man who looked exactly like Orion was walking toward them, his stride calm and his aura almost identical, save for a slight difference in presence. Both girls froze, glancing back over their shoulders to check if they had somehow missed Orion doubling back.

The man stopped a few steps away, his mismatched eyes glinting with a warm familiarity. He gave them a soft smile and a polite wave. "Good afternoon, ladies," he said in a low, smooth voice. "I hope I'm not interrupting, but have either of you seen Orion?"

Ariana blinked, her mind scrambling. "Uh... we just left him. He's in Leon's office. But..." Her voice trailed off, her confusion clear.

Mina squinted at him, then back at Ariana, before blurting out, "Wait a second—are you Orion's twin?"

The man chuckled, nodding. "That I am. My name is Theseus. I didn't mean to startle you."

Mina's eyes widened, and she leaned toward Ariana, whispering, "He's hotter. Write that down."

Ariana elbowed her sharply, her cheeks heating. "Mina, stop."

Theseus raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by their exchange, but said nothing to call them out. "Thank you for the direction," he said instead. "I won't keep you. Enjoy the rest of your day."

As he walked past, Mina turned to Ariana, her eyes wide with excitement. "Okay, we're definitely adding him to the list."

Ariana groaned, shaking her head. "You're incorrigible."

Mina grinned. "You love me for it."

Ariana and Mina strolled into the cafeteria, still chatting animatedly about their encounter with Theseus. "I mean, come on," Mina said, grinning. "How is it even fair that there are two Orions, and they're both ridiculously good-looking?"

Ariana rolled her eyes. "You need a hobby," she teased.

They spotted Day and Scrap sitting at a table, already halfway through their lunches. Making their way over, Mina launched into the story without hesitation. "You won't believe this," she began, plopping her tray down. "We just met Orion's twin—his twin! Can you imagine? Same face, different vibe, still absolutely—"

Day didn't even glance up from his plate. His expression stayed neutral, but Ariana noticed the subtle tightening of his jaw. "That's nice," he muttered, poking at his food.

Mina didn't seem to notice his lack of enthusiasm and kept going. "I mean, seriously, how does that even work? What are the odds that two people can look that good and have totally opposite personalities?"

Scrap, however, caught on quickly. He leaned back in his chair, smirking at Day. "You okay there, big guy? You're awfully quiet."

Day shrugged, finally looking up, but his expression was unreadable. "I'm fine. Just not interested in hearing about Orion, or his twin, or... whatever."

Ariana frowned, leaning closer. "You sure? You've barely said a word since we sat down."

Day gave her a brief smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm fine," he repeated, his tone final. Then, as if to change the subject, he nodded toward Mina's tray. "You gonna eat, or just talk the whole time?"

Mina blinked, a little taken aback, but quickly recovered. "Wow, someone's in a mood," she muttered, picking up her fork.

Ariana didn't push the issue, but as she glanced at Day again, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was bothering him.

Scrap leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms behind his head as the awkward silence settled. "Alright, enough with the weird tension," he said with a grin. "Did you guys hear about the Weapon Dance? The school's throwing it for all the weapon students next week."

Mina perked up, her fork pausing mid-air. "Weapon Dance? What's that?"

Ariana furrowed her brow, clearly puzzled. "Wait, is this... like a prom but only for weapons? What else does the school even do for weapon students?"

Scrap chuckled, gesturing animatedly with his hands. "Oh, there's tons of stuff just for us. Let me break it down for you." He held up a finger for each event he listed.

"First, there's the Weapon Dance, obviously. Big deal, super formal, everyone gets all dressed up. Then there's the Forge Festival, where weapon students showcase their forms and creativity—it's kind of like a talent show, but way cooler."

He ticked off another finger. "We've got the 'Edge Trials,' which is like a series of challenges to test our endurance and compatibility with different meister styles. And let's not forget the annual Weapon Summit, where alumni come back to give lectures and advice."

Ariana's eyes widened. "Wait... all of that is just for weapons? What about the meisters?"

Scrap smirked, shrugging. "Meisters get their own stuff, like strategy workshops and aura competitions. But let's be real, our events are way better."

Mina leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Okay, but back up. Is the Weapon Dance mandatory? Like, do you have to go with your meister, or can you go solo?"

Scrap grinned. "You can go however you want. Some people go with their meisters, some just hang out with other weapons. It's more about celebrating what we do than being paired up."

Ariana leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms thoughtfully. "Huh. I never realized how much the school focuses on weapons specifically. Makes sense, though."

Day, who had been silently eating, finally spoke up, his tone dry. "It's not as glamorous as it sounds. The dance is just an excuse for everyone to compare aura signatures and try to one-up each other."

Scrap laughed, waving him off. "Don't listen to him; he's just salty about the last Forge Festival."

Mina smirked, glancing between Scrap and Day. "Okay, now I have to hear that story."

Day groaned, leaning back with a sigh. "Don't encourage him," he muttered, though the faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

Ariana snapped out of her thoughts as she caught sight of Orion standing at the cafeteria door, his multi-colored aura faintly visible as he gave her a small wave and a knowing smile. Glancing at the others, she saw they were still engrossed in Scrap's animated storytelling. Quietly, she pushed her chair back.

"Bathroom," she mumbled, and before anyone could respond, she slipped out into the hallway.

Orion was leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed. As she approached, he straightened up and nodded toward her. "I didn't realize you were Day's meister," he said, his voice low, almost conspiratorial. "If I had, I wouldn't have been so formal with you earlier."

Ariana tilted her head in confusion. "Why? What does that have to do with anything?"

Orion chuckled softly, the corners of his green-gray eyes crinkling. "Because that means you're involved in... that," he said, gesturing vaguely but meaningfully.

"That?" Ariana pressed, her curiosity piqued.

Orion glanced down the hallway to ensure no one was listening. Then, leaning closer, he spoke just above a whisper. "The time I chained up Day."

Ariana's breath hitched. She stared at him, a mix of shock and disbelief on her face. "You—wait, what? You're the one who locked him in the room where I found him?"

Orion nodded, his expression calm but his tone laced with humor. "Oh, yes. I was trying to keep him from tearing the place apart—or himself, for that matter. His temper was out of control back then, and his aura was... well, you've seen it. A fiery storm like that needs boundaries."

Ariana frowned, crossing her arms. "You make it sound like he's some wild animal."

Orion raised an eyebrow, his smirk softening into something more serious. "You've seen him fight, haven't you? He's not an animal, but he's... intense. And back then, he wasn't ready to control that intensity. Chaining him up was a last resort, but it worked."

Ariana's gaze dropped to the floor, her mind racing. She thought back to her first encounter with Day—the raw power, the fiery defiance, the unspoken pain behind his strength. "Did he ever forgive you for that?" she asked quietly.

Orion shrugged, his smile returning. "We've come to an understanding. But Day holds grudges like they're family heirlooms. I'm sure he still has some choice words for me."

Ariana couldn't help but smile faintly at that. "Yeah, that sounds like him."

Orion leaned back, his demeanor relaxing. "Just... keep an eye on him, alright? Day's strong, but even the strongest need someone to keep them grounded."

She nodded slowly, a mix of determination and concern in her eyes. "I will."

"Good." With that, Orion gave her a final nod and stepped back, his aura shimmering faintly as he turned toward the door.As Orion turned to leave, he paused and glanced back at Ariana, his expression shifting to something a bit more thoughtful. "One more thing," he said, his tone casual but laced with purpose.

Ariana tilted her head, waiting.

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a sleek phone. "Give me your number," he said, his multi-colored eyes meeting hers with a calm yet expectant gaze. "If anything comes up with Day—or you need help figuring things out—you can call me. I'd rather stay in the loop, especially when it involves him."

Ariana hesitated for a moment, processing the unexpected request. Then, realizing the genuine intent behind his words, she nodded and rattled off her number. Orion tapped it into his phone, his lips curling into a faint smile as he saved it.

"Thanks," he said, slipping the phone back into his pocket. "Don't hesitate to use it. And if Day asks, just tell him it's for emergencies."

Ariana raised an eyebrow. "He's not going to like that."

Orion chuckled, the sound warm but knowing. "He doesn't have to. Just keep it between us for now."

With that, he gave her a final wave and stepped into the cafeteria, his aura flickering briefly as he disappeared through the doors. Ariana stood in the quiet hallway for a moment, her mind swirling with everything Orion had said.

Finally, she took a steadying breath and headed back to her table, her thoughts heavy with the weight of her new connection to the enigmatic dean.

As Ariana leaned back in her seat, her eyes flickered toward Day and Scraps. The two were in the middle of their usual banter, this time poking fun at Mina's lack of experience with dances.

"Wait, wait," Day teased, stifling a laugh. "You've seriously never been to a single dance? Not even a middle school one?"

Scraps chimed in with a smirk, "Bet you'd stand in the corner all night anyway."

Mina rolled her eyes, crossing her arms defensively. "Not everyone thinks dances are a big deal, you know. Besides, I'd rather train."

Ariana chuckled, sliding into the conversation. "Oh, come on, Mina. It's not that bad. You could at least let loose for one night. Maybe even show off those moves you practice when you think no one's watching."

Mina's cheeks flushed. "I do not!"

"Sure you don't," Scraps quipped, earning a laugh from Ariana and Day.

The playful back-and-forth continued until Ariana's phone pinged.Ariana slipped her phone beneath the table, angling it so no one else could see the screen. The small waving rabbit emoji from Orion stared back at her, followed by his message: "Just making sure your number works. 🐇"

She bit back a smile, quickly typing a reply: a matching waving rabbit. It felt almost absurdly casual, given the gravity of their earlier conversation, but somehow that made it more endearing.

"Everything good?" Mina asked, her tone light but curious as she caught Ariana's distracted expression.

"Yeah, just a reminder about an assignment," Ariana lied smoothly, slipping her phone into her pocket.

Day smirked, leaning back in his chair. "What kind of assignment makes you smile like that?"

Ariana rolled her eyes, deflecting. "The kind where I'm not getting roasted for never missing a dance."

Mina laughed, jabbing her with her elbow. "Hey, don't change the subject! We were talking about you, Miss Perfect attendance at every school event ever."

Scraps chimed in, grinning. "You're just mad because Mina's gonna outshine you at the Weapon Dance."

Ariana leaned forward, grinning right back. "Oh, please. She hasn't even decided what she's wearing yet."

As the banter continued, Ariana's thoughts occasionally flicked back to her hidden exchange with Orion. She kept her phone tucked away, the small rabbit emoji now feeling like a secret tether between her and the enigmatic dean.

As lunch wrapped up, the group made their way back to the dorms. The hallways buzzed with the chatter of students, but Ariana's curiosity tugged at her as she turned to Mina.

"Hey, where do the teachers even stay? I mean, they don't just disappear into thin air after classes, right?"

Mina grinned, always ready to share what she knew. "There's teacher housing near the school. Kind of fancy, but not too flashy. I hear some of them even have little gardens and stuff."

Scraps couldn't resist chiming in with a mischievous grin. "What, planning on visiting for some extra credit?"

Ariana shot him a sharp look, though her smile betrayed her amusement. "Very funny, Scraps. As if I'd need to."

Day chuckled, stepping closer and slinging an arm around Ariana's shoulders. His tone was light, but his smirk carried a playful edge. "She knows better than that. Right, Ariana?"

Ariana glanced up at him, rolling her eyes but feeling the warmth of his proximity. "Obviously," she said, her voice tinged with mock exasperation.

Mina laughed, clearly enjoying the teasing. "Yeah, yeah, Miss Perfect. Just don't start sneaking off to hang out with Orion now, or we'll really start talking."

Ariana froze for a fraction of a second but quickly masked it with a laugh. "Oh, please. Like I'd have time for that."

As they entered their dorm room, Ariana and Day waved goodbye to Mina and Scraps, the atmosphere between them still charged from the playful teasing. Once inside, Day sank onto his bed, stretching out and curling into a nap almost immediately. Ariana, on the other hand, sat at her desk, the sound of her pen moving across the paper the only noise in the room.

As she worked through her assignments, the quiet was broken by the soft ping of her phone. Ariana glanced at the screen, her heart skipping when she saw the name at the top—Orion.

She hesitated for a moment before unlocking her phone. The message was short, just a simple text accompanied by another small waving rabbit emoji. "Hope you're doing well. Let me know if you need anything. – Orion."

Ariana's fingers hovered over the screen, considering how to respond. She didn't want to be too distant, but also didn't want to seem too eager. After a moment of thought, she typed back simply, sending a wave emoji in return before setting her phone down on her desk, trying to focus back on her work. The words felt oddly comforting, but at the same time, she couldn't ignore the nagging feeling in the back of her mind—especially with Day just a few feet away.

Ariana stared at the screen as another text from Orion popped up, this time a bit more direct.

"Why are you being so shy? I watched your match against Eleana. You were amazing. 😊"

She felt her cheeks warm at the compliment, but before she could respond, another message came in.

"Look, if you're worried about Day finding out, we can talk in person. How about dinner at my place? I'll make sure it's casual."

Ariana's mind raced as she processed the offer. She wasn't sure what to make of it—she didn't want to keep things from Day, but at the same time, Orion's offer seemed... tempting. Her thoughts swirled around her, unsure of how much she should reveal or if she should even meet him.

After a few moments of internal debate, Ariana typed out a careful response.

"I appreciate the offer, but I'm not sure I'm ready to meet in person just yet. I'm still figuring things out, especially with Day."

She hit send, her heart racing slightly. She was trying to keep things from becoming complicated, but a small part of her wondered if she was missing out on a chance for something... different.

She set her phone down again, trying to focus on her work, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Orion's message and the implications of what might come next.

Ariana turned her phone face down on the desk, her fingers hovering nervously over it. The small heart emoji from Orion had lingered on her mind, its meaning unclear but enough to stir something deep inside her. She tried to focus on her work, her mind still distracted by his offer. The idea of meeting him, of having a conversation away from the noise of school and Day, seemed both inviting and intimidating.

Her thoughts were a swirl of conflicting emotions. On the one hand, she didn't want to hide anything from Day. On the other hand, Orion's playful teasing and calm demeanor had a way of drawing her in, even though she knew she needed to tread carefully.

After a few moments, she stood up, pacing the room. Her eyes glanced over at Day, who was still napping, seemingly oblivious to the inner conflict she was dealing with. She let out a long breath, trying to clear her head.

"Maybe I'm overthinking this," she muttered to herself, shaking her head. She sat back down at her desk, resolved to focus on something else. But her phone remained face down, its presence a silent reminder that, for now, the conversation with Orion wasn't over.

And with that, Ariana tried to turn her attention back to the work in front of her, hoping the thoughts about Orion would fade away with time.

Ariana lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her phone glowing faintly in the dark. Unable to shake the whirlwind of emotions, she decided to seek some advice. She quickly created a group chat with Mina and Kira, labeling it "Emergency Gossip Squad."

As soon as she hit send, Mina's response came in like a lightning bolt:
Mina: "WHAT HAPPENED? DID DAY DO SOMETHING??"

Ariana groaned, her thumbs flying across the screen to explain everything.

Ariana: "No, it's not Day... not exactly. It's about Orion. And Day. And me. And—ugh, just read this."

She poured out the story, from the texts to Orion's dinner offer. Mina's reaction was immediate and, as expected, over the top.

Mina: "OMG THIS IS SO SPICY. A LOVE TRIANGLE?? THE DRAMA!!! YES, SAY YES TO DINNER. YOU HAVE TO GO!"

Before Ariana could respond, Kira's message popped up:

Kira: "It's literally 1 AM. If you don't shut up, I'm going to burn you both alive."

Mina: "Don't ruin this for me, Kira. Let Ariana live her romantic drama life!"

Ariana: "It's not romantic, Mina! It's... complicated. And if Day finds out..."

Mina: "Complicated IS romantic! Plus, Orion's hot. Go. To. Dinner. You'll thank me later."

Kira: "If you keep texting, you won't have to worry about Day finding out. You'll have to explain this mess to the afterlife instead."

Ariana sighed, a mix of laughter and stress bubbling inside her.

Ariana: "Fine. I'll think about it. But for now, I'm going to bed before Kira actually kills us."

The chat quieted down, but as Ariana turned off her phone and tried to sleep, Mina's words lingered in her mind. Maybe it was time to face Orion and see where the conversation could lead