The Loli Gets All the Passive Skills

Vivienne should've known this was coming. It took all of five seconds for heads to turn as she walked down the polished hallway of Midgar Academy for Dark Knights. The sight of her petite frame, silver twin tails, and striking crimson eyes drew attention like a moth to a flame. She kept her head high, doing her best to ignore the stares, but it didn't take long for someone to push their luck.

"Hey there, cutie." A boy with slicked-back hair and a cocky grin stepped into her path, flanked by a couple of his cronies. He crossed his arms, blocking her way. "Haven't seen you around before. You must be new. Why don't we show you around? You look a little... lost."

Vivienne's eyes narrowed. She had faced bloodthirsty warriors, vengeful spirits, and ancient beings, but this? This was on a different level of annoyance. She could practically feel the smug aura radiating off of them.

"No thanks," Vivienne replied coolly, sidestepping him. "I'd rather find my own way."

Another boy, taller with a self-assured smirk, leaned against the wall. "Come on, don't be like that. You're way too cute to wander around alone. Besides, what's a tiny thing like you gonna do if you get in trouble?"

Vivienne's eye twitched. "Tiny?" She clenched her fists, taking a slow breath. Don't cause a scene. Don't cause a scene.

Ding!

---

[Passive Skill Activated: Ice Breaker]

Effectiveness doubled due to target underestimating you.

---

Vivienne felt a wave of unnatural calm settle over her, the passive skill working in the background. She tilted her head, her expression softening into something deceptively innocent. "Oh, you're right. I might get into trouble..." She paused, giving them a demure smile before her tone sharpened like a dagger. "If I have to keep dodging annoyances like you."

The smirks faltered as her crimson eyes flashed with irritation. Before the boys could recover, a familiar voice echoed down the hallway.

"Is there a problem here?"

Everyone turned to see a girl with long, flowing black hair and sharp red eyes striding toward them. She wore the academy uniform with an air of authority, and the way the boys immediately tensed suggested she wasn't someone to mess with.

Vivienne raised an eyebrow. Great. A knight in shining armor. Just what I needed.

The girl stopped in front of Vivienne, her gaze flicking between her and the boys. "I suggest you back off unless you'd like a week of detention."

The boys paled and scrambled to excuse themselves, muttering half-hearted apologies as they hurried away. Once they were gone, the black-haired girl turned to Vivienne, a curious glint in her eyes.

"You're new," she said. "I'm Claire. You must be...?"

Vivienne hesitated before sighing. "Vivienne. And no, I didn't need rescuing."

Claire smirked, arms crossed. "I can see that. But it's your first day. Try not to make enemies before you even get to class."

Vivienne rolled her eyes. "Noted."

As Claire motioned for her to follow, Vivienne couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and annoyance. She might have avoided a full-blown brawl, but it seemed her reputation as "the new girl who causes trouble" was already off to a great start.

And it was only the first fifteen minutes.

As Vivienne followed Claire down the hallway, the clacking of their boots echoed in the spacious corridor. Other students gave them curious glances, whispering to each other as they passed. Some seemed intimidated by Claire's imposing presence, while others appeared fascinated by Vivienne, likely due to her striking appearance and the earlier commotion.

Claire glanced over her shoulder, her long black hair swaying with the movement. "So, Vivienne, care to explain how you ended up in trouble so early in the morning of your first day?"

Vivienne shrugged, folding her arms. "I didn't do anything. They were the ones who decided to block my path and annoy me."

Claire chuckled softly, the sound low and almost dangerous. "Typical. Some of the guys here think they're untouchable because of their family names. You must've bruised their egos."

"Good," Vivienne muttered. "Maybe they'll think twice next time."

Claire's smirk widened slightly. "I like your attitude. Most people try too hard to stay under the radar. But fair warning—you might attract attention you're not ready for if you keep that up."

Vivienne shot her a sideways glance. "What about you? You don't seem like the type to care about flying under the radar."

Claire's eyes darkened for a split second before she gave a lazy shrug. "I don't. But I know when to pick my battles."

Vivienne hummed thoughtfully but didn't press further. Something told her there was more to Claire than she let on.

They arrived at the academy's grand assembly hall—a massive room with vaulted ceilings and rows of intricately carved wooden benches. The banners of the academy hung proudly on the walls, their gold insignias shimmering in the sunlight streaming through the stained-glass windows.

Claire stopped at the entrance and turned to Vivienne. "This is where the orientation speech is held. The headmaster will be making his grand introduction soon."

Vivienne frowned. "And what exactly do you do during this speech?"

Claire leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "Pretend to listen. Or daydream. Your call."

Vivienne sighed, stepping inside. "Sounds thrilling."

Claire's soft laugh followed her as Vivienne took a seat near the middle of the hall. She could already tell this wasn't going to be an ordinary school experience. Between Claire's enigmatic nature and the overconfident nobles prowling the halls, trouble was bound to find her.

As she settled into her seat, she felt a familiar twitch in her instincts—like she was being watched. She casually glanced around, her eyes narrowing slightly when she noticed a few students whispering while sneaking glances at her.

One girl with black hair and green eyes in particular caught her attention. She looked serene but focused, her gaze fixed on Vivienne as though she were trying to solve a puzzle.

Vivienne sighed again, more dramatically this time. "Why do I feel like I'm about to be dragged into something... again?"

The rabbit, who had somehow materialized on the seat beside her without anyone noticing, snickered. "Because you're a magnet for chaos. And let's face it—you'd be bored without it."

Vivienne shot the rabbit a glare but knew it wasn't wrong. The academy had barely started, and she already had a feeling that the so-called normal school life Yukime had promised was about to spiral into madness.

The murmuring in the hall began to quiet as the large double doors at the far end of the room swung open with a dramatic creak. A tall man strode in, his presence commanding instant attention. He was dressed in a long, flowing black coat trimmed with gold, and his stern, hawk-like gaze swept across the room. His silver hair was neatly combed back, and his every step echoed with authority.

Vivienne could practically feel the collective shift in the room—the nervous fidgeting of the new students and the quiet respect from the older ones.

Claire leaned slightly toward Vivienne, her voice low. "That's Headmaster Leonhardt. Former knight commander. They say he once took down an entire army single-handedly."

Vivienne raised an eyebrow. "An entire army? Really?"

Claire's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Welcome to Midgar Academy. Everyone here has a story—or a reputation."

Vivienne sighed and muttered, "Why does everyone I meet seem overpowered?"

The headmaster reached the podium and folded his hands behind his back. His voice, deep and resonant, cut through the silence like a blade. "Welcome to Midgar Academy for Dark Knights. You have been chosen not merely for your skill, your magic, or your lineage, but because of your potential. Some of you will rise to greatness. Some of you will fall." He let that ominous note linger before continuing. "Your time here will forge you—or break you."

Vivienne fought the urge to roll her eyes. Great. Dramatic speeches on day one.

The headmaster's gaze briefly flickered in Vivienne's direction, his silver eyes narrowing slightly. She felt her pulse quicken. Why is he staring at me?

The moment passed as Leonhardt resumed addressing the entire hall. "The Lawless City is volatile. Our mission here is to prepare you not just for combat, but for survival in a world of shifting allegiances and danger. You must learn discipline, strength, and strategy. Those who can't keep up... will be left behind."

A murmur swept through the hall, some students exchanging anxious glances.

Vivienne crossed her arms. "Lovely. Nothing like starting with a motivational threat."

The rabbit, still seated comfortably next to her, whispered with amusement, "I like this guy. He's got flair."

Claire's sharp eyes caught Vivienne's sarcasm, but she didn't comment, merely gesturing for Vivienne to stay quiet as Leonhardt's speech drew to a close.

The headmaster's final words rang out: "Welcome to Midgar. Now prove you belong here."

With that, he stepped down from the podium and left the room as abruptly as he'd entered. The hall remained silent until the doors closed behind him with a heavy thud.

The moment they did, conversations erupted all around them.

"Did you see the way he looked at me?" Vivienne whispered to Claire. "What was that about?"

Claire's expression was thoughtful. "I'm not sure. But the headmaster doesn't do anything without a reason. You're already on his radar, it seems."

Vivienne groaned. "Great. Exactly what I wanted—to be noticed by the most powerful person in this place."

Claire smirked. "Better get used to it. You've got a knack for making an impression."

Before Vivienne could reply, another student approached—a girl with black hair and green eyes. The same one Vivienne had noticed earlier. She stopped in front of them, her expression calm but inquisitive.

"Excuse me," the girl said softly, her voice measured but confident. "You're Vivienne, right? The new student everyone's been talking about?"

Vivienne glanced between the girl and Claire, wary. "Yeah... why?"

The girl's eyes softened slightly, but her next words sent a chill down Vivienne's spine.

"My name is Edith. I was sent by the headmaster. He'd like to meet you personally."

Vivienne's heart sank. Well, that didn't take long.