The early morning at St. Freya Academy was gently shrouded in a thin, gauze-like mist.
The first rays of sunlight slipped through the gaps in the woods, casting mottled golden spots across the stone path.
A light breeze brushed past, carrying the fresh sweetness of dew and the faint saltiness of the distant sea, stirring the cherry blossoms until they drifted down like snow. They whirled for a moment around the spires of the academy's Gothic buildings before reluctantly falling into the fountain.
Birdsong came from the oak grove beside the training grounds, clear as bells, mingling with the faint sounds of washing up inside the Valkyrie dormitory.
In the master bedroom of the villa, Cecilia had already woken.
She stood before the carved teakwood vanity, the mirror reflecting a face like something from a classical oil painting—long silver-white hair cascading to her waist like a waterfall, making her azure eyes seem even deeper.
She gracefully pinched the silk night robe she was wearing and lightly slipped the straps from her shoulders, revealing the smooth, porcelain-like curve of her back.
Below her slender waist, the full line of her hips traced a soft arc in the morning light.
Just then, a muffled mumble came from the soft velvet bed.
Kiana was curled up in the messy down quilt, her silver hair puffed out in a tangled mess like a bristling kitten.
Her cheeks were flushed from sleep, drool had dampened the corner of her pillow, and one leg was sprawled gracelessly outside the covers, her toes still hooked around the ear of a plush rabbit doll.
With her breathing, the blanket slipped to her waist, revealing a camisole nightdress printed with Homu patterns. The hem was wrinkled and bunched up over her lower belly, while her slender legs glowed with