The stars above the academy twinkled like soft embers in the cold velvet sky. On the moonlit balcony, Lyra leaned in and kissed Alen on the cheek, whispering softly:
"Then don't make me regret it… because I think I'm falling for you too."
Alen froze for just a second, his heart thundering louder than any mana surge. He turned to say something—but didn't need to. Their eyes met, and in that gaze was something real. Something blooming.
But neither of them knew…
---
Elsewhere: Watching Shadows Clash
Far above, two cloaked figures, perched on opposite towers, watched the entire scene. Their magical lenses recorded every whisper, every blush, every kiss.
Then—they noticed each other.
At once, mana flared—one red and fierce like a lion's roar, the other blue and calm like a frozen lake. They launched toward each other, blades meeting mid-air with a thunderclap.
"You've been spying on my young master!"
"You were watching my young miss first!"
"Who do you serve?"
"Crimson Lion!"
"Northern Dragon!"
Their blades stopped inches from each other's throats. Panting, staring. Then suddenly… both paused.
"Wait…" the red-cloaked man said, "…young master…?"
"…and young miss…?" the blue one finished.
Both slowly looked back at the lens-crystal, now glowing warm from the romance it had recorded.
"…ah," they said in unison.
They sat down—on opposing towers, still wary, but no longer enemies. A moment later, they both activated their voice crystals to report to their respective masters.
---
A New Bond in the Shadows
In two separate noble halls, two different figures sat quietly in the dark—Alen's father and Lyra's master.
They each watched the visual recording.
Neither spoke for a long moment. Then, simultaneously:
> "She's falling for him." "He loves her."
Silence.
Then laughter.
"Seems fate wants our clans united," said the master of the Northern Dragon.
"Seems the boy still has taste," said the Crimson Lion patriarch.
A long pause followed. Then, solemn smiles.
"We'll let them discover it themselves."
"Let it be their love… not a political chain."
And so, the decision was made: the marriage would be blessed… but not forced. The families would wait for love to bloom fully before revealing the truth.
---
Academy: Morning of Class Assignments
The sun rose, golden light slicing through the mist of the mountains.
All first-years stood in the Grand Assembly Plaza. Statues of the Founding Beasts—Lion, Dragon, Phoenix, and Leviathan—watched over them.
The Head Instructor, a one-eyed woman in silver armor named Instructor Yurei, stood on the central platform.
"You will now be placed into divisions based on your talents. Mage, Warrior, Spirit Binder, or Hybrid. You may request a class, but we decide your placement."
One by one, students were tested.
When it was Alen's turn, he stepped forward, calm and smiling. The magic stone shimmered… and then shattered.
Gasps filled the air.
Yurei frowned. "Unregistered mana flow… Magic? But no cultivation base?"
Another instructor muttered, "No martial path, but six-star mana circuits? That's impossible at this age."
Yurei narrowed her eye. "You're… the sole magician?"
Alen nodded.
"Seems I'm one of a kind," he said casually.
"Then… you may choose your class."
Without hesitation, Alen looked at Lyra, who had just been confirmed as a Hybrid Class genius, and smiled.
"Then I choose whatever class she's in."
Yurei scoffed. "This is an academy, not a dating club."
Lyra turned red but didn't object. "He can handle it."
Reluctantly, the instructors agreed. Both were assigned to the Hybrid Elite Class, designed for students with unconventional combinations of magic, spirit, or martial talent.
---
Lunch, Rivalries… and Young Flames
After the ceremony, the campus opened its elegant gardens and training arenas for student interaction.
A crowd gathered in one courtyard, where two noble students were dueling—Darius Veylor, the Martial Pillar Champion, and Reyne Vael, a noble girl from the Silent Moon sect.
As Alen and Lyra watched, a snide voice called out behind them.
"Didn't know the academy lets commoners into the elite class."
It was Kael Ardyn, son of a noble merchant lord. His twin axes hung at his back. Two cronies snickered beside him.
Alen turned.
"Didn't know arrogance was still fashionable."
Kael's brow twitched.
"Watch it. This academy may be neutral, but power still speaks loudest. Let's hope your little magic tricks can back up your mouth."
Alen smiled. "You'll find out soon enough."
Lyra stepped beside him.
"Touch him, and you'll regret it."
Kael paused, noticing her eyes.
"You're the Northern Dragon girl…"
He backed off slightly.
"Tch. Whatever. The tournament's in three weeks. We'll see what you're made of then."
---
Evening: Warmth in the Villa
Later, at the private villa assigned to Alen (which Lyra now shared, unofficially), the two sat together under a cherry blossom tree in the courtyard.
Lanterns swayed above. A soft wind whispered through the petals.
"A lot happened today," Lyra murmured.
"Yeah," Alen replied. "And it's only the beginning."
She leaned on his shoulder.
"You're weird, you know that? You act like a prince but speak like a farmer."
He laughed. "That's because I'm neither."
"Then what are you?"
He paused, watching the stars.
"Just someone trying to live freely… and love fearlessly."
She smiled. "Then keep doing it. I'll be right here."
---
End of Chapter 8