Chapter 4: Rin Voss

CHAPTER 4: RIN VOSS

Rin Voss Pov – First Day, 7:47 AM

The fluorescent lights in the academy hallway hummed overhead, a steady drone I’d tuned out years ago. My hands were stuffed in the pockets of my too-big blazer – mom bought it large “for growth” and I’d never bothered with alterations. People thought the loose fit made me look harmless. Good.

I was heading for the cafeteria’s juice section – forgot my water bottle, and the morning heat always saps my focus until I’ve had something cold. I spotted her ahead, standing in front of a rack of potato chips. Short blonde hair sticking up every which way, green eyes fixed on the display. Loud footsteps that echoed like she didn’t care about being quiet. Just another first-year, I told myself. Typical.

I’d known about the loose tile in the floor for weeks – I’d even tested it once, to see how much pressure it would take to shift. Today, I let my foot catch on it. Not on purpose exactly, but I didn’t correct my step either. Stumbling forward, I bumped into her hard enough to send the entire rack of chips crashing to the floor.

“Whoa – sorry!”

The words came automatically. I don’t like apologizing – it feels like admitting weakness – but it’s easier than starting trouble before classes even begin. I’ve learned small pleasantries help keep people from looking too closely at what I do.

She dropped to her knees right away, scooping up bags with more energy than needed. “I’m clumsy enough on my own – you just gave me an excuse! Plus, now I know which chips are the sturdiest. These ones didn’t even break open!”

I watched her work. Typical reaction – using humor to cover embarrassment. Everyone does it. I knelt down too, mostly because cleaning up faster meant I could get to class sooner. My fingers brushed against hers when I handed a bag back. Warm, unremarkable – just skin.

“I should buy you a new one. As an apology.”

Standard line. Polite, reasonable, exactly what people expect. It keeps things smooth.

“Nah, don’t worry about it!” Then she looked at me – really looked – and relented. “Okay, fine – one bag. But only if you let me buy you something too. Fairs fair.”

Fair. The word doesn’t mean much to me. The world runs on what you can take and keep, not what’s “fair.” But I nodded anyway – arguing would be a waste of time.

We walked to the counter together. She talked the whole way – about how she couldn’t believe they had her favorite chips here, how she’d gotten turned around three times already trying to find her dorm, how only her grandma uses her full name. I listened with half an ear, filing away details automatically. She didn’t ask about me – just chattered on like we’d known each other forever.

“I’m Mika, by the way! Short for Mikaela, but nobody calls me that expect my grandma when she’s mad at me.”

“Rin,” I said, opening my new bag of chips to end the conversation. No need for more than that. She froze mid-bite, eyes wide for a second – I thought maybe she’d finally notice something off about me, but then she just smiled again.

“Rin! That’s a cool name. You… uh… you in any of the same classes as me? Ive got Mana Control first period.”

Same class. I’d already checked the roster last week – habit, knowing who I’ll be in a room with. I nodded. “Yeah. Room 207. I was actually on my way there when I ran into you.”

She walked beside me to class, still talking. I kept my pace steady, my posture relaxed. People don’t notice you as much when you look like you’re just going about your day.

We reached the classroom door and I held it open for her – something mom drilled into me before I left home. She walked past, and I let my senses brush over her mana signature out of habit. Most people’s are predictable – tight and controlled, or wild and unfocused. Hers was… standard. Average strength, steady flow. Nothing special.

Inside, she chose the seat next to mine. I didn’t move – switching seats would draw attention. I set my things down quietly, keeping my eyes forward. When she knocked her notebook off the desk, I picked it up for her. Efficiency, not kindness.

Professor Chen started class, writing MANA SENSING: THE BASICS on the board. I’ve been able to sense mana since I was seven – this is just review for me. But I closed my eyes anyway, going through the motions. It’s better not to stand out more than necessary.

After a few minutes, I felt her mana flare – she’d finally locked onto the threads around us. I opened my eyes to check – standard reaction, face lighting up like she’d discovered something no one else had ever seen. I looked away quickly, but not before I caught her looking at me. I let a small smile touch my lips before schooling my face back to neutral – people respond better when you give them what they expect to see.

She turned to me once class ended, still excited. “Hey, did you feel that? The warmth? It was like… like there was a whole other world right in front of us.”

I nodded, keeping my voice casual. “Yeah. Been able to feel it for years. Most people here are just catching up.” A little cockiness – it keeps people at arm’s length.

She babbled on about reading books with stuff like this, then said she needed to find her next class. As she stood to leave, I found myself speaking before I could stop. “Room 312 is down the hall, third door on the left. Don’t take the stairs – they’re under maintenance and half the steps are loose.”

I’d noticed the loose steps yesterday, marked them as a potential hazard. No reason to tell her – but the words came out anyway. She paused, looking back at me, and I turned my attention to packing my bag like I hadn’t said anything.

She left, and I sat for a minute longer. Just another first-year. I’ll probably forget about her in a week or two. That’s how it always goes.

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