There were two reasons why these young people had evolved so much over these two years. One of them was that the king himself had asked the teachers to focus on developing the students, and the main teacher who did this was Virelle, who surprisingly put in a great deal of effort. And the second reason was Enrico.
'Their determination to reach him truly is immense.'
Zenaria had already noticed that he had caused a great impact on most of the young people with and without potential, making them want to be at the same level as him.
'In a way, I'm proud of myself for having managed to help them grow along with Virelle, and somewhat grateful that that boy was so special to them.'
This diamond era was not born from a single event; it was the result of two years of pressure, ambition, and the impact left by a young man who wasn't even there anymore.
'In a way, I can feel their guilt for not being at his level.'
Placing the papers on the desk, she looked at the empty chair where Enrico should have been sitting. Even after two years, that absence weighed on the room.
To her, Enrico was a prodigy without equal, someone who surpassed her expectations ever since she learned how different he had become during that month her daughter mentioned to her. That was the reason she wanted her daughter to be with him, in addition to securing the Solcren Ferreira family's power at her side.
'His mother's side is already helping with our territorial problems. But his father's side—the Solcrens—are difficult to convince, only moving a finger when they see someone as worthy.'
This was mainly because now that Matteo recognized his son's true potential, he was willing to use him in the most strategic way possible. Alliances, pacts, marriages — anything that could strengthen the Solcren name. And Matteo was never the type to let opportunities slip.
'That's why he so easily accepted the alliance with the king, who offered his daughter's hand…'
Zenaria pressed her lips at the memory.
The decision had caused a silent chaos among the girls competing for a place beside Enrico, but none were more irritated than her own daughter.
Elowyn — the princess — simply passed ahead of all of them. The alliance made Enrico the royal consort as soon as he returned, if he officially accepted. And the most ironic part was that Zenaria's daughter, even training desperately and evolving so much, still lost ground to politics.
'This only happened because Matteo accepted everything without thinking of anyone besides his own benefit.'
Zenaria's expression darkened for a moment.
'Makes me wonder… how will Enrico react when he returns?'
He wasn't there to accept anything. He didn't participate in the decision. He had no voice. He was trapped, fighting for his life, while alliances and futures were decided for him Although Zenaria herself tried to do the same with her daughter, that's in the past.
'And when he walked once again through the academy gates…'
All those political agreements would fall on him at once—Serenya anxious and frustrated, trying to earn Solcren approval. Rina and Yumeha already approved. Seraphina, Valença, and Aoi one step away from being accepted.
'Victoria, Kai, and Lira breaking records just to call him their rival.'
And now… the princess, placed above all of them by an agreement between Matteo and the king, which made Zenaria exhale slowly.
'To make it worse, I feel Enrico is the crazy type, since he already accepted being the husband of seven girls two years ago.'
In fact, now that she thought about it, maybe Enrico would simply accept these decisions easily with a stupid face — except for the fact that he didn't seem to like Princess Elowyn very much.
'If he hurts my daughter by putting Elowyn first, I won't forgive him.'
In these two years, she had managed to regain the feeling of being a true mother to her daughter, so she didn't want to see her hurt. Besides, a Malquess should always be treated better than other girls.
'I hope he makes the right decision.'
Pushing that thought out of her head, she grew serious, as it was time to talk about the people who had tried to trap the students inside that barrier.
"Good morning, students. Today will not be a simple class, because I mainly came here since the king finally discovered everything about the cult that made the barrier appear."
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became heavy, especially among the girls who had direct involvement with Enrico, their eyes darkening.
Seraphina, sitting at the end of the row, was the first to react. Her fist clenched so tightly that blood dripped between her fingers — but she didn't even notice.
The change in her was clear. Her hair was now shorter, with a black strand falling in front. Her body, previously more delicate, had become firm, defined, almost predatory. But what stood out most was her gaze.
A silent, deep fury burned there, so real that it made Narisse, who was sitting beside Elowyn a few seats ahead, tremble. It wasn't anger directed at her — but the intensity was enough to scare her, as she had seen a similar look before, except this one was more deadly.
'Good thing her rage is directed at that cult now.'
Although she wasn't the only one making Narisse uneasy. Aoi maintained an expressionless face, but her mana pulsed irregularly around her body. Valença bit her own lip until it turned red. Rina and Yumeha, side by side, wore expressions far too dark for someone who simply wanted to kill. And she prefers not to comment on her daughter.
'Looks like they want to torture those people.'
Even her Prince beside her had become more serious, which didn't surprise her at all since Enrico was a great catch for her.
"The name of the cult is Sacrifice of the Goddess of War."
Seraphina was slightly surprised, and suddenly several veins appeared on her face because that cult belonged exactly to the being she discovered inside her a year ago, through the secret words Enrico left for her.
'So it's your fault, bitch.'
'My fault? Please don't blame all my followers on me, especially since I never asked those fanatics for any of this.'
Entering her own mind, Seraphina glared irritably at the woman with long black hair and pink eyes sitting on a black throne with a confident smile.
'And please don't call me a bitch. I am a goddess.'