Professor Carla finished showing them around the academy and handed out their class schedules. With the introductions concluded, she dismissed the new students so they could get some rest.
The morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows, bathing the long hallways in a golden glow. The building buzzed with life. Nervous laughter, hurried footsteps, and students clutching maps filled the academy as they tried to memorize their routes before classes began.
In the infirmary of the Class A building, Kara slowly opened her eyes.
A white ceiling.
The scent of medicinal herbs.
It took only a moment for her to realize where she was.
A mage wearing a blue robe finished examining her. Satisfied, he nodded, patted her on the shoulder, and left the room without a word.
"You're awake, niece. How are you feeling?"
Magnus's deep voice made her turn her head.
The headmaster stood by the window with his hands behind his back. The morning light outlined his imposing figure.
Kara frowned.
Her memories gradually returned.
The platform.
The duel.
The blow.
"Where am I...? What happened?" she asked, her voice still hoarse.
Magnus let out a quiet chuckle.
"It seems Lusian hit you so hard he even knocked your memories away."
The name struck her like lightning.
Lusian.
She remembered the defeat.
The fall.
The helplessness.
Her hands clenched tightly around the bedsheets.
"I lost..."
The words barely escaped her lips.
"And quite decisively, young lady," Magnus replied bluntly. "Believe me, I know exactly how that feels. When I was young, Albert defeated me over and over again. I lost so many times that I started believing I'd never be able to beat him."
A nostalgic smile appeared on his face.
"But those defeats were what made me stronger."
The anger flared up inside Kara once more.
She sat upright in an instant.
"I want a rematch."
Her eyes burned with determination.
"I didn't use all of my strength. This time, I won't make the same mistakes."
Magnus slowly shook his head.
"It wasn't carelessness."
His tone became serious.
"Lusian was reading every one of your movements. If you fight the same way again, the result will be exactly the same."
Kara lowered her gaze.
Only for a moment.
Then she looked back up.
"Then train me."
Magnus raised an eyebrow.
"I refuse to fall behind."
Her fists tightened once again.
"I need to defeat him."
The headmaster folded his arms.
He tried to maintain a stern expression, but he knew his niece far too well.
"You know that, as headmaster, I'm supposed to remain impartial..."
Kara looked at him with pleading eyes.
"Please, Uncle..."
Magnus let out a long sigh.
He already knew he'd lost.
"All right."
He paused briefly before adding,
"Come to my office after classes. But make sure no one finds out."
A smile immediately spread across Kara's face.
"Thank you!"
As the young woman regained her spirits, Magnus turned his gaze toward the window.
Silently, he thought about the boy who had defeated his niece so effortlessly.
Lusian Douglas...
That rivalry was only just beginning.
Meanwhile, the academy came alive.
The sound of the bells marked the beginning of classes. Dozens of students hurried through the hallways, some checking maps, others following classmates who seemed to know the way.
Inside Classroom 1A, Professor Clara stood at the front of the room.
Her white cloak reached down to her ankles, and a long staff rested beside her desk.
She gently tapped the desk.
The murmuring stopped.
"Today we'll be discussing the hero Garrent Plott."
Her voice was firm.
"Two hundred years ago, he single-handedly halted the advance of an enemy army. He knew he would die... yet he fought until the very end."
Most of the students listened attentively.
Others began staring out the windows.
Clara ignored them.
"Before we begin, I need to clarify something."
Her gaze swept across the classroom.
"Advanced magic is not mandatory. Those who have chosen the path of the knight may head to the training arena."
Kasper raised his hand.
"So we can leave?"
"If you don't intend to become a mage, yes."
The young man smiled.
"Perfect."
Then Clara added with a slight smile,
"After all, advanced magic requires something that not everyone possesses."
Several students looked at her curiously.
"Talent... and sufficient intelligence."
Quite a few glances shifted toward the knights.
Lusian rested one arm over the back of his chair.
"I suppose it's just as difficult as asking a mage to hold a sword without losing their balance."
The classroom erupted in laughter.
Even some of the mages struggled to hold it in.
Clara let out a quiet sigh.
"Leave before I change my mind."
Lusian, Kasper, Corwin, Nilson, Craig, Darilyn, and Corwick left the classroom laughing.
Emily and Jenna remained in their seats.
When the door closed, Clara's expression became serious once more.
"Good."
She raised her staff.
A small magic circle appeared above its tip.
Then another.
And another.
Until ten glowing magic circles floated around the classroom.
The students held their breath.
"Advanced magic isn't about casting larger spells."
The circles began rotating slowly.
"It's about controlling several at the same time."
With a flick of her staff, they all vanished.
"That will be the first thing you'll learn."
Meanwhile, Lusian walked through the academy's wide corridors with the others.
The walls were lined with banners of legendary champions and display cases holding swords, armor, and trophies collected over centuries.
"Sir Lusian!"
Everyone turned toward the voice.
Jean The Mondring jogged over to them.
"I wanted to congratulate you on yesterday's victory."
Lusian studied her for a few seconds.
"Thank you... Have we met?"
Jean smiled.
"Albert is my uncle."
Lusian's eyes widened slightly.
"That explains why you seemed familiar."
As they walked, they began exchanging stories.
Jean spoke about Albert's training.
About how he made them run until they could barely breathe.
About the endless hours sparring with wooden swords.
The others soon joined in with similar stories.
Between laughter and exaggerated tales, Lusian looked at Jean.
"Since we both survived Albert..."
A smile spread across his face.
"How about a sword duel?"
Jean didn't hesitate for even a second.
"It would be an honor."
She smiled confidently.
"But don't expect me to hold back."
Kasper let out a whistle.
"This is about to get interesting."
The others quickened their pace toward the arena.
For the first time since arriving at the academy, everyone was genuinely looking forward to class.