Chapter 45: Queen Of Asterion

Starlight spent the entirety of Freshman Week abiding by Elle’s strict managerial advice, remaining completely cooped up inside their dorm room to avoid the so-called ravenous student mob that Elle was convinced would be waiting outside the moment she showed her face. The arrangement didn’t bother her in the slightest. If there was a way to avoid mingling with werewolves, she would gladly take it.

While she stayed hidden, Elle threw herself into her self-appointed duties with terrifying dedication, marching out at all hours to fetch meals from the dining hall and delivering constant updates on the latest trends like a seasoned PR strategist. Starlight’s popularity didn’t dwindle in the slightest. If anything, her absence seemed to have fueled the flames, giving rise to wild theories across campus. AsterBuzz was practically overflowing with hot takes, with some students claiming she was too terrified to show her face after setting the academy on fire, while others blamed Beatrice, insisting the disgraced princess and her supporters had made the campus hostile for her.

Every day seemed to bring a new rumor, a new debate, or a new article centered around her name. Her ranking eventually climbed all the way to Number Three on the Apex Leaderboard, which caused an entirely new wave of uproar across the academy. Dawnbreakers celebrated as though they had won a national election, while critics complained that apex rankings had become a complete joke where anyone could shoot to the top with enough drama and public sympathy. Either way, Starlight’s rise remained the hottest topic on campus, and every new day only seemed to add more fuel to the fire.

During those quiet days of forced proximity, Chloe finally dropped her defensive shield and offered a quiet, sincere apology to her roommates for her hostile attitude. She confessed that she had arrived at Asterion with the ruthless mindset that all Lunar Lottery winners were immediate competitors, admitting through bitter tears that she had been consumed by jealousy over how easily Starlight had captured everyone’s attention, especially that of the highest-ranking wolves on campus.

It had always been her dream to catch the attention of one of the Empire’s elite werewolves, only to watch Starlight achieve more in a few days than most students managed during their entire time at the academy. Seeing the Wolfhart twins publicly support her while watching Ariel and Elle rally around her like devoted protectors had stirred up an ugly resentment she wasn’t proud of. Thankfully, the raw confession cleared the air, replacing the heavy tension in the room with a surprisingly comfortable routine among the four girls.

Starlight stepped out of the bathroom fully dressed in the Asterion Academy uniform, absently smoothing down the front of her shirt. The injury on her forehead had healed considerably over the past week, leaving only a faint mark beneath a tiny red bandage that looked more like a fashion accessory than something meant to cover an injury. Ariel had carefully put it on herself and insisted it stay there until the mark disappeared completely. Against the immaculate white shirt, the crimson accents woven into the uniform and the red skirt blended seamlessly with her long red hair, making it look as though the academy uniform had been designed with her in mind.

"Oh my Star," Elle gasped, immediately circling Starlight to get a better look at her. "You look absolutely stunning! No, seriously, you look gorgeous. It’s like the uniform was created specifically for you and nobody else. How can one person be this beautiful? I swear I’m so lucky to be your manager."

Starlight felt a wave of embarrassment at the enthusiastic reaction and wasn’t entirely sure how she was supposed to respond. Ariel rolled her eyes with a light chuckle, while Chloe smiled softly from where she was sitting. As dramatic as Elle was being, she wasn’t wrong in the slightest. Starlight was breathtaking in the academy uniform, the crimson colors complementing her appearance so perfectly that it was difficult not to stare.

"You’re going to break a whole lot of wolves’ hearts in this academy," Elle declared dramatically, clutching her chest. "The Wolfhart twins had better start bracing themselves right now. I hope they know how to fight, because they’re definitely going to have competition."

"Okay, that’s enough, Elle," Starlight said, shaking her head in amusement. "I’d actually prefer not to attract anyone at all."

Over the past week, Starlight had come to understand her self-appointed manager completely. Elle was an endless machine of energy, enthusiasm, and nonsense, capable of turning even the most ordinary situation into a dramatic spectacle. Like every other human in the empire, she was hopelessly obsessed with werewolves and firmly believed that being chosen as a werewolf’s mate was the greatest honor and achievement a human could ever hope for. Lately, she never missed an opportunity to drag the Wolfhart twins into any conversation involving Starlight, no matter how unrelated the topic was. Somehow, every discussion eventually circled back to the imperial twins, much to Starlight’s growing exasperation.

"Alright, we are officially good to go!" Elle announced, clapping her hands together. "Now, remember your status. You are currently sitting at number three on the Apex Board. You are literally right below the Wolfhart twins. That basically makes you the queen of Asterion Academy. You should walk through those halls with your head held high like a true queen."

Ariel groaned and muttered under her breath.

"Here we go again," Beside her, Chloe nearly choked trying to hold back her laughter.

Elle ignored both of them completely and pressed on. "Do not let any of the other high-ranking students look down on you. You belong at the top just as much as they do."

"Yes, ma’am," Starlight replied obediently.

"I am being serious right now!" Elle exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger at her. "And I hope you remember what I told you about the five dominant clans. High-ranking or not, students from those families hold massive influence across campus. Try not to get on their bad side if you can help it."

"But I thought you said I shouldn’t let anybody look down on me?" Starlight pointed out.

Ariel and Chloe burst out laughing.

Elle shot her a glare. "Those ones are different. They’re literally the pillar of our empire. Believe me, you do not want to mess with them. Beatrice’s case was different because everybody already knew she was a spoiled bully who enjoyed throwing her status around."

"Okay, okay, Elle. I’ve heard you loud and clear. Can we please head out now? I’d really prefer not to be late for my very first lecture."

"Right, right, our very first lecture as students of Asterion Academy," Elle said with a grin. Pumping her fist into the air, she marched toward the door. "Let’s go, girls!"

The three girls laughed and followed after her, only for Elle to stop dead in her tracks and pivot so sharply that she nearly startled everyone behind her. "And remember," she added, pointing a stern finger at Starlight, "if any of your fans call out to you, just smile and wave, okay?"