Morning sunlight spilled across the marble towers of the Imperial Academy, painting the campus in gold. Students crowded the entrance gates, chattering excitedly about the day's orientation and placement classes.
Sho Ardenthal, heir of House Ardenthal, walked beside Liyana — his usual calm expression betrayed only by the faint bags under his eyes.
"You're still half asleep," Liyana murmured, hands clasped behind her back.
"I'm conserving energy," Sho replied with a straight face.
Liyana sighed. "That's what lazy people say."
"Smart people, actually," he countered, smirking.
She gave him a look — half amused, half exasperated — but didn't push it further.
---
Inside the grand lecture hall, the air buzzed with anticipation. Rows of noble and commoner students filled the seats as Professor Elara Windcrest stood at the podium.
"Welcome to your first official day at the Imperial Academy," she began. "Here, power alone will not define you — only those who understand control and purpose shall rise."
Sho listened idly, his attention wandering until the massive doors opened again.
Every student turned.
Entering the hall was Princess Arisa Varellis, dressed elegantly in the academy's pristine white uniform trimmed with gold. Walking gracefully beside her was a girl with light-blonde hair and sky-blue eyes, her very presence serene — Saint Alisa Yurica.
A soft wave of divine mana filled the hall, making the air feel lighter.
Gasps and whispers spread instantly:
> "The princess and the saint… here?"
"Two of the Empire's most famous prodigies in one class!?"
Sho blinked, mildly surprised. "Didn't expect royalty and holiness to enroll here."
Liyana crossed her arms. "And yet you're acting like it's nothing."
Sho shrugged. "I've already met the princess."
That caught her attention. "You what?"
Before she could ask further, Arisa noticed him and smiled, walking directly over.
"Sho Ardenthal," she greeted warmly. "It's good to see you again. I didn't expect you to join this year."
Sho bowed slightly, keeping his tone polite. "It's an honor to see you again, Your Highness. I'm simply following the path my parents wished for me."
Her smile widened. "And succeeding, I'm sure."
Then the Saint stepped forward, offering a graceful nod. "I am Alisa Yurica, the current Saint of the Holy Church. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Rione."
Sho replied calmly, "Likewise, Saint Alisa. And please, just call me Sho. I'm not fond of formalities."
Her gentle laugh drew a few curious stares. "Then only if you call me Alisa."
Liyana, standing quietly beside Sho, narrowed her eyes just slightly — but her voice stayed calm.
Sho noticed and quickly gestured between them. "Ah, right. This is Liyana — my… classmate, and partner in training."
Liyana gave a polite nod. "Liyana Lufinze. A pleasure."
For a brief second, both Arisa and Alisa seemed to sense something odd about her — a faint flicker of mana that didn't quite feel human. But it vanished as quickly as it came, leaving them both uncertain.
---
Training Field – Joint Class
Later that morning, all divisions gathered in the academy's wide combat arena.
Instructor Kaien Drossel, former knight commander of the Empire, stood tall before them. His voice boomed through the grounds.
"Today, we'll test your coordination and adaptability! Team combat exercises — Swordmage Division versus Holy Arts Division!"
The students erupted in excited murmurs.
"Sho Ardenthal," Kaien barked, "you'll lead the Swordmage team."
"And for the Holy Arts," he turned to the saint, "Saint Alisa Yurica."
Sho blinked. "Me? Leading?"
"Got a problem?" Kaien smirked.
Sho sighed. "Guess not."
Liyana whispered teasingly, "Try not to embarrass your team leader title."
He smirked back. "I'll manage, if you don't blow up the arena."
---
The Duel Begins
A flare of mana marked the start.
Sho's team moved swiftly under his direction, mixing swordsmanship and mid-range spells. Sho dashed across the field, Blinking between opponents with flawless timing.
> "Fire Bolt!"
"Aegis Guard!"
"Mana Pulse!"
Every motion flowed — seamless, strategic, precise. He was controlling the pace of the fight perfectly.
On the other side, Saint Alisa's team radiated with holy light. Her healing aura kept her team unyielding while light-based attacks rained down like spears.
Sho grinned slightly. "She's good."
Alisa's soft voice carried through the air. "So are you, Lord Ardenthal."
Their magic collided mid-air — crimson flame versus radiant gold — exploding in a brilliant flash.
Students cheered as both teams pushed their limits.
But then, Sho's system blinked mid-fight.
> [Warning: Mana Output Rising]
[Recommendation: Use Skill – Blink]
He frowned — before a bright beam of light surged toward him.
Before it could hit, Liyana appeared in front of him, cutting through the light with a single mana-infused swing.
"Focus, Sho," she said firmly.
He nodded, recovering his stance. "Thanks."
The clash continued until Instructor Kaien finally shouted, "Enough!"
Both sides stood still, the arena filled with dust and mana sparks.
Kaien grinned. "Draw! Excellent coordination from both teams."
---
After the Duel
As the crowd dispersed, Arisa approached, clapping her hands. "Impressive. You've improved, Sho."
Sho scratched his neck. "Trying my best not to embarrass my family name."
Alisa smiled. "And protecting your teammate as well — admirable."
Liyana smirked faintly. "He needs protecting sometimes."
Sho sighed. "You're never letting that go, are you?"
"Not a chance," she said, laughing softly.
---
System Notification
Later that evening, Sho checked his glowing blue window.
> [Quest Complete: First Academy Combat]
Reward: Hidden Skill — Blink (Advanced)
Cooldown: 2 seconds
Range: 8 meters
Special Trait: Allows double-cast under high focus.
Sho exhaled quietly. "Nice… that'll come in handy."
He looked outside the dorm window — the Academy towers glowing under the moonlight.
Somewhere out there, Liyana stood alone on the balcony, looking up at the stars, a faint smile forming on her lips.
She whispered softly to herself, "This world is finally starting to feel… warm."
And far below, Sho muttered almost the same thing without knowing.