Risebelle's consciousness drifted back to her college days, a time when she was striving to be an A+ student to excel and make her parents proud. She was now sitting in a classroom filled with noisy students.

  In the midst of the lively classroom atmosphere, Risebelle saw someone from the side who had customized her school uniform to fit her unique style. Her uniform bore small, game-related patches and pins and her skirt had been slightly altered to make it more comfortable for her gaming sessions, though Risebelle found it a bit shorter than the school code. She wore knee-high socks and sneakers.

  The girl left her seat and came over to Risebelle with a whisper to her ear desperately. "Yo Risebelle, did you do the homework last night?"

  Risebelle furrowed her brows. The girl’s voice, that familiar desperation—it tugged at something buried deep within her. A name. What was her name?

  She scoured the depths of her memory until, like a spark in the dark, it surfaced.

  ‘Angie.’

  Risebelle’s lips curled into a small smirk. "Of course, Angie, I always come to class prepared."

  Angie exhaled in relief. "Thank the gaming gods. Can you…help me out? Please?”

  Risebelle’s smirk widened. “Typical."

  Angie's cheeks flushed. “Well, you know how it is. I got caught up in that new video game last night. I lost track of time! That boss was freaken hard! Let me tell you! 80 bars of hp! You got to wonder what the developers were thinking!"

  Risebelle lowered her eyes but held a smirk. "You're an idiot, you know that?"

  Angie clasped her hands together. "A lovable idiot, though, right? Riight?"

  Risebelle sighed. She was already pulling out her notebook. "I’ll help you, but you owe me. And I mean it—I can cash this favor in anytime, no complaints."

  Angie’s face lit up. "Deal! You are the absolute best, Risebelle!" Without warning, she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Risebelle in a quick, enthusiastic hug before retreating just as fast.

  Risebelle was momentarily stunned before shaking her head with a chuckle. "Unbelievable."

  Angie slid back to her seat and flipped open her textbook, scribbling frantically to copy down what she needed.

  Risebelle remained smirking. This scene felt so…normal to her.

  When classes began, Risebelle remained sharp. Every formula, every concept—she absorbed it all like a machine built for academic excellence.

  While most students slouched in their seats with some barely even pretending to pay attention, Risebelle remained upright and focused. A few others stole glances at her notes before scribbling hurriedly in their own books.

  She noticed them, of course. She always did. Risebelle smirked to herself.’ Amateurs.’

  Meanwhile, Angie sat beside her and doodled tiny game sprites in the margins of her notebook instead of actually writing anything down. Occasionally, she'd glance at Risebelle, then sigh loudly before returning to her artistic masterpiece.

  During the lunch break, Risebelle made her way to the cafeteria. While stepping in, a nagging thought tickled the back of her mind. There was something she was supposed to do here. Something—no, someone—she was meant to meet.

  Her gaze swept across the crowded tables. Students laughed, gossiped and rushed to grab the half-decent food the school had to offer. It looked like spaghetti was on the menu today.

  Then, it clicked.

  Jess.

  Risebelle groaned internally. ‘Of course, it’s that idiot.’

  And just after recalling the name, she spotted Jess stood near the vending machines with her hands on her hips. Her outfit, as always, teetered on the very edge of the school’s dress code. A stylish skirt that was a bit too short for regulations, a fitted blouse that accentuated her curves—Jess knew exactly what she was doing. And the faculty hated her.

  It was a mystery how she hadn't been expelled yet.

  When Jess spotted Risebelle, she waved enthusiastically. Her pigtails swayed with her movement. Her makeup was expertly done, of course it was.

  "Risebelle, over here!" Jess called out.

  Risebelle approached.

  Jess smiled “Risebelle, it's been too long! How have you been?”

  Risebelle just gave her a glare.

  Jess grinned. "Come on, Rise, no need to look at me so cold. I was almost expelled. ‘Almost’ doesn't count!"

  "Yet," Risebelle muttered.

  Before she could protest, Jess looped an arm around Risebelle’s and dragged her toward an empty table.

  Risebelle let out a quiet sigh. ‘Why am I even letting this happen?’ A hint of warmth crept up her face, but she quickly shoved it down.

  As soon as they sat, Risebelle folded her arms. "Talk."

  Jess gasped. "Oh my gosh, listen to you today! All brooding and mysterious. Very Batgirl." She waggled her eyebrows.

  Risebelle leveled her with a deadpan glare. "You're wasting my time."

  Jess opened her mouth to tease again, but when she finally looked at Risebelle’s face, the usual amusement in her eyes softened ever so slightly.

  She sighed and leaned back. "Alright, alright. I’ll stop messing around. I actually do need to talk to you about something..."

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  Jess leaned in and whispered. “It's about those history papers due next week.”

  Risebelle raised an eyebrow “You… had weeks to work on those papers. Why didn't you ask for help earlier?”

  Jess shrugged. “You know how it is, Risebelle. I get caught up in other things, and before I know it, the deadline is looming.”

  Risebelle sighed internally. ‘I have two idiot friends. Idiot A and Idiot B. How do I always end up in these situations?’

  She exhaled sharply and crossed her arms. "Fine, but you owe me for this, Jess. A favor. One I can cash in anytime."

  Jess’s lips curled into a grin. "Ooo! This is like a deal with the devil." She held up her pinky. "Shall we seal it with a pinky promise, oh great and terrifying Risebelle?"

  Risebelle gave her a flat look. "Just be grateful I'm helping you at all."

  Jess chuckled and withdrew her hand. "Fair, fair. But seriously, thanks, Risey. You’re the best."

  As lunch began, Risebelle settled with her tray—a deluxe meal, complete with perfectly grilled meat, a fresh side salad and a dessert that looked way too premium for a school cafeteria.

  Jess, balancing her standard cafeteria plate— overcooked veggies, just a small bit of spaghetti and a bread roll harder than most RPG bosses eyed Risebelle’s meal with a slow-growing grin.

  Risebelle exhaled. She could already feel where this was going.

  For a moment, she debated whether or not to acknowledge Jess’s silent plea. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jess’s face shift from amusement to genuine surprise. Risebelle slid half of her meal onto Jess’s plate only a moment afterwards.

  Jess gasped. “Am I dreaming? The almighty Risebelle, sharing her sacred feast?!” She clasped her hands together. “Truly, I am in the presence of generosity incarnate!”

  Risebelle lowered her eyes. “Just eat.”

  Jess happily dug in and hummed in delight. “Your family’s got that rich people taste. You’ve been eating like royalty this whole time.”

  Risebelle smirked but shook her head before beginning to eat.

  Jess casually took another bite of the meal before leaning in slightly. “By the way, there was a fight earlier. Some girl with long, flowing yellow hair. But here’s the weird part—her face kinda looked like yours.” She smirked. “Could be your long-lost sister.”

  Risebelle blinked. Her fork paused mid-air. “That’s impossible. I don’t have any siblings. Not that I know of.”

  Jess tapped her chin. “Huh. Well, you sure she ain’t a secret twin? ‘Cause she was wrecking someone out there. Sent ‘em past the nurse’s office and straight to the hospital.”

  Risebelle’s gaze sharpened. “She fought someone?”

  Jess nodded. “Yep. Sent ‘em packing. Honestly? Looked kinda cool.” Then, with a teasing glint in her eyes, she grinned. “So, tell me, Risebelle, are you out here being a bad girl? Sending people to the hospital?”

  Risebelle scoffed. “I don’t just go around picking fights.”

  Jess leaned back. “Alright, just checking. But still, weird, right? Someone out there looking like you, kicking ass. Almost makes me wonder…”

  Risebelle frowned. Something about this didn’t sit right with her…

  When they finished lunch, Risebelle and Jess dived straight into the history papers. The cafeteria noise faded into the background as Risebelle explained key points and tapped against the pages.

  For once, Jess actually listened. She wasn’t just pretending, either—she was writing things down, nodding along and even asking questions.

  The bell rang but neither of them moved. Jess was actually focused, so Risebelle kept going and quickly summarized the remaining points. In under five minutes, she wrapped it up.

  Jess let out a loud sigh of relief and leaned back in her chair. “Risebelle, I swear, you’re like a little lifesaver I keep in my pocket.”

  Risebelle crossed her arms. “And just like that lifesaver, you only have a few pieces of my help left before you run out.”

  Jess gasped in horror. “Nooo, not my limited-edition Risebelle supply!”

  Risebelle lowered her eyes but couldn’t fully hide her smirk.

  Risebelle left Jess and made her way back to class after her lunch break. A shadow fell across Risebelle’s path. The rhythmic clack of polished heels against tile made her stomach sink just a little.

  Standing before her with eyes sharp as a hawk’s, was Principal Haverly.

  Her grey-streaked afro crowned her presence. Deep lines marked her face. Her tailored suit was crisp.

  "Risebelle," Haverly said. "Come with me."

  Risebelle fought the urge to sigh. ‘Just great.’ She followed the principal who led her down the hallway..

  Soon enough, they reached the dreaded office. Principal Haverly pushed open the door and motioned for her to enter.

  "Take a seat," she said while closing the door behind them.

  A large, antique desk dominated the space. The chair behind it looked like a throne. Framed certificates and awards lined the deep mahogany walls. A single bookshelf stood to the side.

  Haverly gestured for Risebelle to sit in one of the two chairs facing the desk. They weren’t the cheap, plastic kind meant to discourage students from getting comfortable. No, these were well-cushioned ones.

  Once Risebelle settled in, Haverly rounded the desk but didn’t sit in her throne-like chair. Instead, she sat on the edge of the desk with her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

  Risebelle studied Haverly’s posture. The woman always had the kind of presence that could make even the rowdiest students fall silent. But this time, something was different.

  Haverly exhaled slowly. “There have been reports of injured students. Someone has been going around assaulting others like some kind of vigilante.”

  Risebelle’s brow furrowed. She had a feeling where this was going.

  But then, surprisingly, Haverly’s face softened just a fraction but enough to notice. “I’ll be honest with you, Risebelle. I’ve made mistakes in judgment before. I already have a few students I need to apologize to.” She leaned forward slightly. “That’s why I want to get the facts this time before making any calls.”

  The iron-willed Principal Haverly, admitting fault? This was new to Risebelle. She leaned back in her chair. “And you think I have answers?”

  The Principal’s sighed and closed her eyes briefly. “The injured student is Jessica Waters, a young woman who had a reputation for getting into trouble. However, it appears that this time, she was an innocent victim. We have reason to believe that you might have information regarding the incident, Risebelle."

  Risebelle's eyes widened. "Jess? She's the injured student? I... had lunch with her only moments ago, but I didn't know anything about this. She seemed fine… what the hell?”

  Haverly sighed and rubbed her temple. “Jessica is not okay, Risebelle. She tried to downplay it, but I sent that girl home before she could get herself into any more trouble. Stubborn students…” she grumbled.

  Risebelle clenched her jaw. Something was wrong here. Jess had been fine just moments ago. If she had been attacked earlier, why hadn’t she said anything?

  “I swear, I don’t know anything about this,” Risebelle said firmly. “But if someone hurt my friend, I want to help you catch whoever did it.”

  For a moment, the office became silent. Then, a thought struck Risebelle.

  Jess’s words from earlier echoed in her mind:

  "By the way, there was a fight earlier. The person had long, flowing yellow hair… but here’s something weird about it: they had the same type of face as you. Could be your sister."

  Risebelle stiffened.

  Jess thought it was her.

  Was that why she hadn’t said anything? Had she been hesitant to tell Risebelle because, for even a moment, she believed she was the one who attacked her?

  Her hands curled into fists.

  Haverly studied Risebelle for a long moment before nodding. “I appreciate your cooperation, Risebelle. If you find out about the one assaulting the students, I want to be the first to know. I won’t have any delinquents running amok in my school.”

  She crossed her arms and her face softened completely into a small smile. “You’ve always been a model student. Keep it that way. And while you’re at it, keep those grades up.”

  Risebelle slightly surprised but managed to speak steady, “Of course, Principal Haverly.”

  With that, she left the office.

  Risebelle wasted no time and moved swiftly through the halls. She scanned every passing student.

  It didn’t take long.

  Jess was up ahead, leaning against a row of lockers. She was struggling to make it to class, wincing with every step.

  Risebelle’s chest tightened. ‘Damn it. If I had known, I wouldn’t have just sat there eating lunch, acting like everything was fine.’

  Risebelle got to the girl and was about to say something, but Jess beat her to it.

  Jess lifted a hand weakly. “Wait—before you say anything… I lied…Well, not really. I did need help with history, but…”

  Risebelle watched her closely with concern. “…But what?”

  Jess hesitated. Then, with a surprisingly serious look in her eyes, she said, “I need your help, Risebelle.”

  Project Mage