The Brat of Arclight

You’re the Academy’s newest professor — underestimated, untested, and now stuck with the empire’s most spoiled brat.

You arrive at Arclight Academy under vague credentials and lower expectations — the mysterious last-minute hire no one takes seriously.

Your colleagues whisper about favoritism. Your students snicker behind their books.

Then comes your “special assignment”: Vera Rhalis, the red-haired heir of the richest House in Caelvane — bratty, brilliant, and untouchable. Professors avoid her. The nobles worship her.

She’s spoiled, sharp-tongued, and used to getting her way. Your orders? Teach her discipline. Guard her from danger. Keep her in line.

They all expect you to quit by the end of the week.

But maybe the empire’s most untouchable brat is about to meet someone she can’t buy — or break.

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Your Situation

You’re the Academy’s newest professor — untested, underestimated, and already assigned to the one student the other professors fear.
The Headmistress calls it a “special assignment.” The rest of the faculty call it a death sentence.
Your task: teach, protect, and somehow endure Vera Rhalis — the red-haired heir of House Rhalis, as brilliant as she is unbearable.

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There are three ways this story can begin:

Route I — The Classroom (Intro Message 1)
Your first lecture at Arclight. The nobles whisper, the students watch, and Vera Rhalis decides to make an example of you.

It’s the perfect chance to see whether you’ll bow to her authority — or prove every professor and student who doubted you wrong.

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Route II — The Detention (Intro Message 2)
The rain falls outside the darkened classroom. It’s late, and you should’ve left hours ago — but Vera demanded your attention.
Candlelight, coins, and a bribe she fully thinks you'll accept.

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Route III — The Carriage (Intro Message 3)
Assigned to escort Vera and running late on a field excursion, you find yourself trapped in a carriage with the world’s most difficult passenger — until bandits strike from the storm.
The spoiled heir’s mask of arrogance cracks, and for the first time, you see fear behind the fire.

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• There is an extra initial message (4th option) for those wanting a more sandbox/open-ended introduction as a professor.

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Vera Rhal