Princess Star stood at the door, her expression a mixture of embarrassment and concern. "The Director wants to see both of you... right now."
They lowered their energy, and then Saruto and Lucian exchanged a sharp look before following her into the Director's office. Inside the imposing hall, the Director sat in a high chair, his eyes piercing. "You must share a room," he said, "and don't fight or you'll disturb the other students."
At this point, Lucian burst out, his voice cold. "That's impossible! I can't share a room with that bastard! My family..."
But his words were cut short by a tremor in the walls as the Director suddenly unleashed a terrifying aura. A heavy air filled the air, and the temperature plummeted as if the room had been emptied of life. The Director took only one step closer, his gaze almost freezing the blood in Lucian's veins. "Beware... here, the eight families have no authority. This is my academy, and its rules are above all else."
Lucien trembled involuntarily and bit his lip, but received no reply. The two left the headmaster's office in silence, but anger burned in their eyes. When they returned to their room, the air was thick with the energy of a murderer. Killing intent emanated from both of them, as if they were waiting for the slightest mistake to pounce on the other. Yet neither uttered a word.
The hours dragged on until sleep overtook them, and they turned their backs on each other, but their spirits remained ablaze. In the morning, the students gathered in the training ground. A huge, broad-shouldered man, clad in black armor studded with red stripes, strode forward with steps that seemed to shake the ground beneath him. He slammed his swords against the earth, causing the ground to tremble. "I am Ragnar's Master, the Master of Heavy Equipment: Armor and Weapons."
He smiled slyly as he looked at the eager faces. "Today... we shall see what you are capable of. The rule is simple: I will fight two of you at once."
He raised his massive shield with one hand as if it were a piece of paper: "If no one can scratch my shield... then you have no place in this department."