Under the glowing lanterns of their shared villa, surrounded by soft wind and falling petals, Lyra leaned into Alen's shoulder, her eyes distant but warm.
"Alen…" she whispered, voice barely above a breeze, "my father may be terrifying… but he loves me more than anything. Even my brother—he acts cold, but he'd burn the world to protect me."
Alen gently turned toward her.
"So… when the time comes, and I let you meet them…" she hesitated, a rare blush creeping across her cheeks, "please don't be scared. Just hold my hand... and ask him for it. For my hand, okay?"
Alen's smile bloomed like a sunrise—gentle, radiant, full of promise.
"I will," he said, his voice steady. "And I'll make sure they know I'll protect you with everything I've got."
Lyra bit her lip, eyes flickering, heart pounding.
"Idiot… Don't just smile like that—say something else."
At that moment, Alen leaned in and kissed her softly. She froze, then slowly melted into it.
"That… was my answer," he whispered.
She pushed him slightly, flustered, her entire face red.
"You're not supposed to make a girl's heart beat that fast on a school night…"
"Too late," he teased.
She covered her face. "Ugh… I already said yes."
---
Morning: The Ice Beauty Taken
As the morning sun bathed the academy in gold, Alen and Lyra walked side by side through the corridor toward their class.
Whispers rippled through the students like wildfire.
"No way… the Ice Beauty… taken?"
"She actually laughed yesterday…"
"Who is that guy?!"
"He's so calm. So chill. Like, ultimate boyfriend energy…"
The boys watched Alen like he was a divine relic. Many began secretly practicing how to "look mysterious." Meanwhile, the girls gathered around Lyra, marveling at her natural grace and unforced elegance.
Even the more aloof nobles gave them sidelong glances—not of disdain, but curiosity… and a bit of rivalry.
"They're too perfect," one upper noble girl whispered.
"He's hiding something. No one's that smooth without a past," said another.
---
Classroom Scene: Identity at Stake
As they entered Class 3 - Hybrid Elite, they were greeted by a room buzzing with mana—a fusion of martial auras and magical currents.
But then the door opened.
In stepped a man clad in dark red robes with a lion emblem stitched in golden thread on his shoulder—Instructor Doren, a former Crimson Lion general.
As soon as he saw Alen, he stopped mid-step. His jaw trembled. His usually stern eyes welled up.
"Young master…"
His voice choked in his throat.
But just before Doren could expose anything, Alen's voice echoed telepathically into his mind:
"Uncle Doren… please. Don't say anything. Not here. No one knows who I am. Not even Lyra. I just want to be normal… for now."
Doren stiffened. His lips trembled but pressed into a hard line. He nodded once, barely noticeable.
"Students," he said aloud, hiding the emotion with strictness, "welcome to the Hybrid Elite Class. You've been selected because you don't fit into any box. You are anomalies… and that's your greatest strength."
He glanced once at Alen, pride and sadness dancing in his eyes.
"This class… will shape the future of the realm."
---
New Faces & Rising Drama
As students took their seats, Alen and Lyra were joined by several key classmates:
Kaela Thorne – A quiet Spirit Binder who speaks with animals. Her spirit fox, Snowtail, refuses to leave Lyra's side.
Riven Kaine – A rogue cultivator prodigy with a scar across his face and a strange black sword. Clearly annoyed by Alen's natural charm.
Mina Dawnspark – A fire mage from a merchant clan. Already declared Alen her rival in both magic and romance.
"You stole the Ice Beauty," Mina said, plopping into the seat beside him. "I'll forgive you… if you duel me and win."
"That's not how forgiveness works," Alen said, chuckling.
"It is where I'm from," Mina smirked.
Lyra leaned over with a frosty smile. "He's already taken, by the way."
Mina winked. "So? I love tragedy."
---
The Spark of Rivalry
During a sparring demonstration in class, Riven Kaine challenged Alen directly.
"You act like some calm prince, but I can tell… you're hiding something."
"Everyone's hiding something," Alen replied. "You included."
They clashed briefly—Riven using raw martial aura, Alen defending with flowing magic infused in his limbs. The class was stunned to see Alen blending mana control with movement, forming temporary mana limbs mid-fight.
"He fights like a game character…" one student muttered.
"No, like a beast learning how to fly," said another.
The match was interrupted before either could land a decisive blow, but the seeds of rivalry were planted.
---
End of the Day: A Promise in the Garden
Back at the villa, as the moon rose again, Alen and Lyra stood in the garden, surrounded by the glow of spirit lanterns.
"Today was… a lot," she said.
"The first of many," he replied.
She looked up at him.
"Even with people staring… you never let go of my hand."
"Because I never will."
They held each other, unaware that beyond the garden wall, two shadows watched silently—Doren and Lyra's personal guardian.
"They're growing stronger together," said the Northern Dragon guard.
"And one day, they'll shake this realm," Doren whispered.
---
End of Chapter 9