News of the conflict between the Douglas and Armett families spread rapidly throughout the kingdom.
What some viewed as a dispute between noble houses, others saw as the beginning of a war that could reshape the balance of power. The Douglas Duchy possessed one of the most powerful private armies in the kingdom, a force capable of rivaling even the royal army. Few were willing to stand against them.
Aware of the overwhelming military disadvantage, Count Noah Armett began recruiting mercenaries across the kingdom. He offered extraordinary rewards to anyone willing to take up a sword in defense of his territory. Even so, gold had its limits. Many refused the offer outright, while others demanded outrageous sums, convinced that such a war would be nothing short of suicide.
The news also reached Marcus.
The commander read the reports in silence before allowing himself a faint smile.
"Interesting..."
He set the document down on the table and began to think.
"If the Douglas family focuses all its attention on the Armetts... no one will suspect a handful of ordinary mercenaries."
His eyes gleamed coldly.
This war could become the perfect opportunity to infiltrate several Legion members into Count Noah's forces. While the two duchies wore each other down, his men could operate from the shadows, gather intelligence, and even quietly eliminate key members of the Douglas family.
An opportunity like this...
Was unlikely to come again.
A week later, the bells of the Arcane Academy rang once more.
Repairs following the demonic cult's attack had finally been completed, and all students were summoned back to resume their classes.
As Lusian walked through the academy's main gate with Umber at his side, he immediately realized that the academy was no longer the same.
The ruined walls had been rebuilt with reinforced stone and covered in intricate rune circles. More knights than ever patrolled the watchtowers, while mages continuously inspected the newly erected defensive barriers.
Now, every academy building possessed its own independent magical shield. Should another attack occur, each barrier could temporarily protect the students until reinforcements arrived from the capital.
"They don't want history to repeat itself..." Lusian murmured.
Umber let out a low growl, as if agreeing.
The atmosphere had changed as well.
Laughter was far less common.
Many students walked the halls in silence, remembering the classmates who had never returned.
Even the professors seemed more solemn.
As Lusian studied his new class schedule, soft footsteps approached from the hallway.
"Lord Lusian..."
Looking up, he saw Clara.
The young instructor gave him a small bow before speaking.
"I wanted to thank you personally."
Lusian tilted his head.
"Thank me?"
"For saving me that day."
"If you hadn't stopped those monsters..."
"I wouldn't be standing here."
Lusian smiled awkwardly.
"I only did what anyone else would have done."
Clara slowly shook her head.
"No."
"Very few people would have had the courage to do what you did."
For a few moments, they spoke about the academy's reconstruction and its new security measures. The scent of freshly shelved books once again filled the corridors, blending with the faint glow of mana flowing through the protective barriers.
Then a familiar figure appeared at the far end of the hallway.
Kara.
Lusian watched her for a few seconds before suppressing a laugh.
For the first time since he'd met her...
She was wearing the academy's official uniform correctly.
The skirt, jacket, and stockings had completely replaced the trousers she had always insisted on wearing.
Kara noticed his smile immediately.
"What are you staring at?"
Lusian folded his arms.
"Nothing."
"I was just confirming that, after all, you actually know how to honor a bet."
Kara made an annoyed face.
"Enjoy it while you can."
"I still have six days left."
Lusian couldn't help smiling.
"I'll admit..."
"The uniform suits you better than I expected."
"Shut up."
Before he could continue, Kara turned on her heel and walked away, deliberately ignoring the quiet laughter of several students who already knew the outcome of their duel.
Lusian watched her leave, shaking his head.
When Lusian returned to his dormitory, he slowly pushed open the heavy oak door.
Everything was exactly as he had left it.
The servants silently tidied the room, replaced the flowers in the vase, and lit the candelabras before discreetly withdrawing. It was a routine that never changed.
Umber flopped down beside the fireplace with a long yawn.
Lusian had barely taken a few steps when he noticed a slight movement behind one of the bookshelves.
He turned instinctively.
A figure emerged from the shadows and, before he could say a word, ran straight toward him.
"Lusian!"
Elizabeth threw herself into his arms.
He caught her on instinct.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
They simply held each other, as though they both needed to convince themselves that the other was truly there.
Elizabeth slowly raised her face.
Her blue eyes were slightly misty.
"I missed you..."
Lusian smiled warmly.
"I missed you too."
She didn't wait another second.
Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him with restrained desperation, as if trying to reclaim every week they had spent apart in a single moment.
When they finally pulled away, they were both breathing heavily.
Elizabeth rested her forehead against his and smiled.
"My mother practically kept me under house arrest after what happened at the academy."
Lusian chuckled softly.
"My mother did something similar."
Elizabeth quickly glanced around the room.
The servants had already left.
Only then did she lower her voice.
"I came through the passageway that connects the gardens to the dormitories."
"No one saw me."
"I have to leave before anyone notices I'm gone."
Lusian gently stroked her hair.
"Then we'll have to make every minute count."
Elizabeth nodded.
Then her expression changed.
"I heard you fought Kara."
Lusian sighed.
"News travels way too fast."
"Is she bothering you again?"
"As always."
"Though she's gotten a lot stronger."
"The Forest King's meat greatly strengthened her mana core."
Elizabeth puffed out her cheeks slightly.
"I don't like seeing her so close to you."
Lusian smiled in amusement.
"Are you jealous?"
She looked away for a moment.
"A little..."
Then she met his eyes again.
"But I trust you."
A gentle smile spread across Lusian's face.
"By the way..."
"Did my mother send you the gift?"
Elizabeth nodded.
"She did."
"The first few days were awful."
"It felt like my chest was going to explode."
"But after that..."
"It all disappeared."
"My mana core feels much more stable now."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Lusian wrapped his arms around her once more.
"Then let's stop talking about wars, training, and annoying people."
Elizabeth rested her head against his chest again.
"That sounds like a wonderful plan."
For a few moments, they remained completely still.
Outside the room, conspiracies, noble wars, and threats capable of changing the kingdom's fate continued to unfold.
But within those four walls...
There were only two young people enjoying a few precious minutes stolen from the world.
In Classroom 1-A, Professor Clara made an announcement.
"Due to the attack by the demonic cult, the academic calendar has been revised."
"The ranking battles will be held earlier than originally scheduled."
"You will receive the date of your matches sometime this week."