Chapter 1: An Unexpected Encounter

Ri trudged through the winding paths of Night Raven College, her eyes scanning the sprawling campus with a mix of excitement and nervousness. She had only just arrived that morning, and everything about this place still felt surreal. The Gothic-style buildings, the whispering students, and the eerie atmosphere all seemed to blend together in a swirling vortex of magic and mystery. As an exchange student from a non-magical background, Ri had always felt like an outsider. But after being accepted into Night Raven College, she had begun to realize that her lack of magical abilities didn't make her any less special. In fact, her unique perspective and skills might just be the key to unlocking new possibilities in the world of magic. After a chaotic orientation, Ri had managed to befriend a few classmates, including a mischievous cat-like creature named Grim, who had apparently been assigned to be her familiar. There was also Ace, a boisterous student with bright red spikey hair and matching red eyes, and Deuce, a calm and collected student with sleek blue hair and piercing green eyes. With her new friends by her side, Ri had explored the campus's main buildings and gotten a feel for the layout. Now, she was itching to venture out and discover more of Night Raven's secrets. As she turned a corner, she spotted a quiet courtyard tucked away between two large buildings. The courtyard was filled with students lounging on benches, reading books, or practicing spells. Ri wandered into the courtyard, her eyes scanning the crowd for any familiar faces. That's when she saw him – a tall, muscular figure with long brown hair and striking golden eyes. He was sitting on a bench, his eyes fixed on a book in his lap, and his features were so sharp that they seemed almost otherworldly. Ri's heart skipped a beat as she realized she had seen him before. He was Leona Kingscholar, the Prince of the Sunset Savanna, and one of the most prominent students at Night Raven College. She had caught glimpses of him during orientation, but had never mustered the courage to approach him. As Ri approached the bench, Leona looked up and caught her eye. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, Ri feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment. Leona, however, seemed intrigued, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Hello," he said, his voice deep and smooth. "I'm Leona. And you are...?" Ri hesitated, feeling a little tongue-tied. "I'm Ri," she replied finally, trying to sound casual. "Nice to meet you." Leona nodded, his golden eyes crinkling at the corners. "Likewise, Ri. What brings you to this lovely courtyard?" Ri shrugged, feeling a little self-conscious. "Just exploring, I guess. I couldn't help but notice you reading a book. What is it?" Leona held up the book, revealing a title that Ri couldn't quite read. "It's an old text on advanced spellcasting," he explained. "I'm trying to get a better understanding of the theoretical aspects." Ri's eyes widened in admiration. "You seem really smart," she said, before realizing how silly she sounded. Leona chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I try my best," he said. "But I think there's more to being smart than just reading books. Don't you?" Ri felt a flutter in her chest as Leona's gaze locked onto hers. She couldn't help but wonder what he saw when he looked at her – a clumsy, awkward exchange student, or something more?