Alden — POV
The sky over the Academy was painfully blue.
Not the dramatic, omen-filled blue that promised destiny or disaster—just a clear, smug blue that seemed to say, Today will be inconvenient in the most mundane ways possible.
I adjusted the strap of my travel bag and stared at the massive transport vessel docked above the central plaza. It hovered in the air like an oversized metal whale, runes glowing faintly along its hull as mana engines hummed with restrained power.
The island-bound carrier.
The beginning of the inter-academy tournament.
And, apparently, the beginning of my suffering.
"Wow," Edwin said beside me, shielding his eyes as he looked up. "Every time I see one of these, I feel like I'm about to embark on a heroic journey."
"You feel that every time you leave your dorm," I replied flatly.
"That's because destiny follows me," he said without shame.
Sarah giggled, adjusting her cloak. "I think it's impressive! An island tournament, representatives from the top academies, elite instructors watching from the shadows—it feels like something straight out of a legend."
I glanced at her. "Legends usually leave out the seasickness."
She blinked. "What?"
"Nothing."
Behind us, the other selected students gathered—ten in total, each one strong enough to make the average student reconsider their life choices. Some were excited. Some were nervous. A few were pretending not to care while very clearly caring a lot.
And then—
The air shifted.
Not dramatically. Not oppressively.
Just enough.
I sighed internally.
Here we go.
"Students," came a calm, authoritative voice, layered with enough pressure to remind everyone present of a simple fact: resistance was optional.
Orion von Valerion stepped forward.
SS-ranker. National pillar. Ice sovereign. Father of the most dangerous woman I knew.
And currently—
Smiling at me.
That was never a good sign.
"Well," Orion said, hands clasped behind his back as his sharp gaze swept over the group, "you all look… serviceable."
Edwin straightened instantly. Sarah nodded politely. A few of the others swallowed.
I maintained my neutral expression.
Orion's eyes lingered on me for half a second longer than necessary.
Then his smile widened.
"Alden von Astra," he said pleasantly. "Still alive. Always reassuring."
"Good morning to you too, Instructor," I replied.
"Ah, so polite," he mused. "Alisia, you see? He does have manners."
I felt it before I saw it.
A subtle chill.
I turned slightly.
Alisia stood a short distance away, immaculate as ever, her long hair tied neatly, her expression composed. She met my gaze—and for just a moment, the corner of her lips curved upward.
Barely.
Dangerously.
"Father," she said calmly, "please refrain from unnecessary commentary."
"Oh?" Orion raised a brow. "I thought this was the perfect time."
My instincts screamed.
"Perfect time for what?" I asked carefully.
Orion looked at me as if assessing livestock.
"Marriage."
The word hit me like a miscast spell.
Edwin choked.
Sarah froze.
The surrounding students collectively short-circuited.
"…Excuse me?" I said.
Orion nodded thoughtfully. "You've trained together. Fought together. You survive in close proximity. You don't irritate her excessively. By my standards, that's practically an engagement."
"Irrelevant," Alisia said flatly, cheeks just barely tinged with color.
"Oh, it's very relevant," Orion replied cheerfully. "Especially considering the tournament."
I rubbed my temples. "What does the tournament have to do with—"
"High mortality probability," Orion continued. "Strong emotions clarify priorities. If you die, I need to know whether to mourn you as a student… or as future family."
Silence.
I stared at him.
He stared back.
Then Edwin burst out laughing.
"HA! Alden, you're already meeting the in-laws? Man, you work fast."
"I'm going to push you off the ship," I muttered.
Sarah covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. "I—I didn't know you two were that close."
"We're not," I said instantly.
Alisia tilted her head. "Is that so?"
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
Orion watched the exchange with visible amusement. "See? Denial phase. Classic."
"I am begging you to stop," I said.
"No," he replied simply.
Boarding the vessel did nothing to improve my situation.
The interior was spacious—enchanted seating, wide observation windows, a central lounge designed to prevent students from accidentally killing each other mid-flight.
Naturally, we sat together.
Edwin immediately claimed the window seat. "I call dibs. Hero privilege."
"You called dibs on breakfast yesterday," I said.
"And it worked."
Sarah sat across from us, humming softly, clearly excited. Two other students began a heated debate about elemental matchups. Someone else was already meditating.
And then—
Orion sat down beside me.
I felt Alisia's gaze sharpen from across the cabin.
"So," Orion said casually, crossing one leg over the other, "Alden."
"Yes?"
"When are you planning to marry my daughter?"
I closed my eyes.
"Father," Alisia said, voice clipped.
"I'm just asking," he replied innocently. "Timing matters. Bloodlines are complicated."
"I am nineteen," I said. "She's—"
"Old enough," Orion interrupted.
Edwin leaned over. "For the record, I support this union. Think of the power potential!"
"I will freeze you," Alisia said without looking at him.
He grinned. "Worth it."
I exhaled slowly. "Instructor, with respect, I think you're enjoying this too much."
Orion shrugged. "Possibly."
Then his tone shifted—just a fraction.
"But don't misunderstand. I'm watching you."
I met his gaze.
No humor now. Just a sharp, assessing edge.
"Good," I said evenly. "I'd be disappointed otherwise."
A pause.
Then Orion laughed.
"Hah! You really are interesting."
Alisia looked away, but I caught the faintest hint of approval in her posture.
The vessel lifted off smoothly, the Academy shrinking beneath us as clouds rolled past the windows.
Conversation resumed. Jokes were traded. Nerves eased.
At some point, Sarah leaned toward me. "Alden, are you nervous?"
"No," I replied honestly.
Edwin snorted. "Liar."
"I'm concerned about logistics," I corrected. "And whether the island has decent food."
Sarah smiled. "You're impossible."
Alisia stood and moved closer, stopping beside my seat. "Walk with me."
I rose without question.
We moved to the observation deck, the world stretching endlessly beyond the glass. The island was still distant—a dark smudge on the horizon, wrapped in mist and mana.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
Then—
"You're different," she said softly.
"I get that a lot."
She looked at me. "You're accelerating again."
I shrugged. "Habit."
A pause.
"…You don't have to face this alone," she added.
I met her gaze.
"I know."
The silence that followed was warm. Comfortable. Charged with things neither of us named.
Behind us, Orion's voice echoed faintly—
"So, should I start planning the wedding before or after the finals?"
I sighed.
Alisia's lips curved upward.
Just a little.
The island drew closer.
And somehow, despite everything—
I smiled.