Eliza's birthday had passed, and it was now morning. The five of them sat at a table. Eliza was feeding Ray with a spoon, and he was eating as if he'd never tasted food in his life. Andy was looking at them askance, Kai didn't care, and Akito couldn't take it anymore.
"Why are you feeding Ray? And in public?"
Eliza looked at Akito and smiled.
"Well, look at Ray, he's eating less and less. He's so thin already, God forbid he starves to death. He's thinner than an unfed stray dog."
Akito just blinked. Andy started laughing so loudly that the entire cafeteria heard her.
Everyone turned their heads towards her.
"Wait, isn't that the legendary Andy from the fencing class who defeated Instructor Clover?"
"They say she didn't even try, and her family are elite knights."
They started gathering around them, talking loudly and pushing their way towards Andy.
"An autograph please!"
"I'm your fan!"
"You were right to defeat Clover! He teaches boring lessons, become my teacher!"
Fortunately, classes began; the clock struck nine in the morning, and everyone started to disperse, disappointed.
Andy walked behind Eliza, hiding from everyone. Akito sat in his environmental studies class, listening to the teacher talk about mushrooms, their types and features, fish, and basic survival tips for the forest. Few aristocrats were interested in this, so Akito was almost the only student there. Ray listened to the teacher's words about the essence of being and other philosophical topics. Kai was engaged in fencing. And Andy and Eliza were sitting in history class; Andy wasn't interested. But where could she hide? She knew some students were talking about her, but she didn't expect the rumors to grow so much and make her a legend of the fencing class.
Eliza leaned a little closer to Andy.
"Who are they, and what is this legend of the fencing class?"
Andy blinked, processing this information, then sighed heavily.
"We have a fencing instructor, Clover, I think his name is. He taught us nonsense. I challenged him to a duel and won. Now everyone's spreading rumors about how cool I am. I'll just wait for everyone to forget about it, that's all."
Eliza smiled softly trying to Andy up.
"Oh, now everything is clear."
One day, a group of boys approached Andy.
A handsome boy came forward and extended his hand to her.
"My name is Franz, are you Andy? I've heard a lot about you. Perhaps we could go on a date?"
Andy blinked as if she didn't understand anything. Kai looked at them, then at Akito, and Akito was himself and just nodded, shrugging his shoulders. The other boys in the group started to protest, and eventually, they agreed that to win Andy's heart and hand and have the right to ask her on a date, they had to defeat her in a fencing duel.
"I challenge you to a duel!"
"No, I said it first!"
Andy smiled and stood up.
"Then, whoever defeats Clover in a duel will have the right to challenge me to a duel!"
Everyone exchanged glances, then discussed something, and ran to storm all the halls designated for fencing. Clover was sitting with Eleonora, drinking coffee and laughing, and suddenly, a crowd of students rushed at them with shouts of "I challenge you to a duel!!!"
Weeks passed; no one could defeat Clover. Everyone began to train intensely in fencing, and Andy gained a group of fans and support whenever she did finally duel someone or participated in duels for the academy. She was praised.
One winter day, many carriages arrived at the academy. They were the parents of the students. It was a rule at the academy that on Thanksgiving – a holiday in their world, somewhere in mid-winter, when everyone exchanges gifts and good wishes (you could say Christmas). At that time, parents would arrive at the academy to give gifts to their children and meet them.
In Ray's father's carriage, there was also his faithful huntsman – Erik. He handed over a gift that Akito's mother and father had asked him to deliver: warm clothes. Akito rejoiced. Andy's father gave her a saber with her initials carved into it. She had written him letters about her exploits that had occurred inside and outside the academy. Kai received a family heirloom he had wanted since childhood, his family's ring, while Ray and Eliza sat together in the park and embraced.
White snow covered the ground; it was cold, but they were in warm clothes and warmed each other. Both of their parents approached them at the exact same moment.
"Count Eyler?"
Ray's father asked, looking not at Ray, but at the Count.
The Count, a man with short, snow-white hair, just like Eliza's, looked at Eliza, then shifted his gaze, clearly surprised to see Ray's father.
"Baron Valoria? What are you doing here?"
"Well, I came for my son, and you?"
"For my daughter."
Their gazes shifted to Ray and Eliza, who were still embracing. Eventually, they went to the cafeteria to discuss it all over a cup of coffee brought from a distant continent.
"Ray, so you're dating Eliza von Eyler? The Count's daughter."
Ray sighed heavily and was a little annoyed. "What business is it of yours? Yes, we love each other."
The Count looked at Eliza.
"Is that true?"
Eliza blushed, turned away, and eventually nodded. Happiness appeared on the Count's face.
"Indeed, indeed, my dear Eliza has fallen in love, and with the son of a truly good baron who has no problems whatsoever! Baron Valoria, perhaps we can marry them when they finish their studies!?"
Ray's father smiled; it was beneficial for all parties.
"Ray, why didn't you tell me you fell in love earlier? Count Eyler, I certainly agree, a good marriage and the happiness of our children come first."
Ray winced at his words but remained silent. For him, this was, for now, the best gift: the opportunity to marry the person he loved. He softly smiled to Eliza and kissed her cheek.