Ranoa Magic Academy Office, Magical Triumvirate
Seated with her legs crossed in a luxurious armchair, made of noble wood and upholstered with velvet, was a slender and charming woman.
A gentle breeze entered through the half-open window and made her curtains sway slowly, while she looked beyond them, toward the distant horizon of the Magical City of Sharia.
At a glance, any ordinary man would immediately fall at her feet, swept away by the supernatural beauty she carried.
Even men of self-control could not deny that the young woman was the personification of grace and elegance.
Her blonde hair, long and silky, shone like strands of gold. Her eyes, blue and deep as a clear lake.
Her face, perfectly symmetrical, seemed sculpted by an angel, and her expression carried an aura of innate royalty.
She wore an embroidered long dress, in red and white.
This was Ariel Anemoi Asura, the Second Princess of the Kingdom of Asura.
Beside her, standing motionless, was her faithful Magical Guardian.
The man kept his eyes closed, but as a Guardian, he was attentive to the environment, ready for any unforeseen event.
He was Derrick Redbat, Third Son of the noble Redbat family, known not only for his magical ability as an Earth Saint, but for his strategic mind and knowledge.
For a few minutes, both remained silent.
Perhaps they were just enjoying the last moments of calm before the inevitable storm approaching their lives.
It was Ariel who broke the silence. Her voice sounded soft and charming:
"Derrick..."
He opened his eyes slowly and answered immediately:
"Yes, Lady Ariel?"
The princess sighed:
"We did everything we could, right? We are ready, right?"
Her voice, even if it contained doubt, was still beautiful like the song of a siren.
A melodious voice, capable of subjugating hearts.
In fact, even among the race of the Superior Sirens, few could compare to such charm.
Derrick did not hesitate.
"We are ready, Milady." he said firmly, certain of success.
"I dare say that, with all we have achieved in recent years, your ascent to the throne has an eighty-five percent chance of success."
Even those words did little to calm the young woman's nerves. She did not show it in public, but she was nervous.
Besides, today was an important day.
Today was the day she, Luke and Derrick would graduate from the Ranoa Magic Academy.
It had been seven long years. At eleven years old, Ariel left the Kingdom of Asura with her closest supporters, fleeing the assassins who were after her life.
Many were left along the way, giving their lives to save Ariel's. And for that she persevered, finally arriving in Ranoa.
At twelve, she began her studies. She was still only a child, but in her first year she managed to become President of Ranoa's Student Council.
The following years were spent in a steady rise: building influence, gathering political allies, forming loyal fighters and cementing her image as a true leader.
Now, at nineteen, she was a grown woman — and a central figure amid the political chessboard of the world.
Many of her achievements came from her two protectors. Without Luke and Derrick, she was certain her chances of surviving and rising would be minimal... perhaps even nil.
Derrick helped in a very direct way, acting as an unparalleled advisor and strategist. He was the one who most desired Ariel to reach the throne, and the one most loyal to her.
He fervently believed that she would be an outstanding ruler if she got there, and he used his Magic and intellect to help her.
It was thanks to Derrick's extensive knowledge that Ariel was able to win the support of the Armored Dragon King, Perugius Dola, in a single meeting.
Luke, despite being a womanizer — a mark of the Notos family — and somewhat lazy, possessed great loyalty and faith toward Ariel and, above all, had excellent counsel.
His advice was often the difference between victory and defeat, offering almost prophetic guesses, predictions that always proved correct.
Ariel to this day wondered where he drew such miraculous insights from, but he kept the secret firmly.
In the end, it did not matter. Everything Luke did was always to support her, and she trusted him completely.
It is true that in recent years Luke seemed to have lost those precise insights he once displayed, but for Ariel, that was not a serious problem.
Her political power was already consolidated.
She had obtained the loyalty of Sándor Von Grandeur, also known as Kalman II, the Second North God.
She had won the friendship and cooperation of illustrious figures such as Magic King Rudeus Greyrat and even the current Sword God, Timothy Britz.
Of course, much of the work was done by herself; using her charisma, she could reach the hearts of people.
But it was Luke's advice that made everything possible; in those days they always came at the right moments, offering unique windows of opportunity that Ariel knew how to seize.
Thanks to that, she could be relatively confident that she could face the warriors under the command of her brother, Grabell Zaffin Asura.
Rising, the young princess let the long dress drag lightly across the smooth floor of the office.
"So let's get on with this graduation..." she murmured. "Do you know how Roxy is?"
Roxy Greyrat, second wife of Magic King Rudeus, was in labor that same morning.
Unknown to anyone, in a place far on the other side of the world, the Beast God would also receive the birth of two daughters that same day.
A Fated event. The daughters of Eris, Verdia and Roxy.
Three girls, born under the same influence of fate. Three who would change the world.
Derrick accompanied Ariel toward the door, answering serenely:
"The delivery went smoothly. It's a healthy baby girl and she was named Lara Greyrat."
"She's Rudeus's second child..." Ariel thought aloud, her eyes showing curiosity. "Did you find out why he's so anxious?"
Derrick took a moment before answering, choosing his words carefully:
"He seems to be planning to kill someone very powerful... so powerful that he even asked Lord Sándor for personal assistance."
Ariel raised an eyebrow.
"He called Sándor?"
"Yes, and not only him, Lord Rudeus also contacted Lord Perugius." Derrick confirmed.
"Lord Sándor refused, stating that he would not face such an enemy. He fears attracting the attention of this entity and bringing its wrath directly upon you, Milady. Lord Perugius also refused, but I do not know his reasons."
Ariel narrowed her gaze. "And regarding the identity of this opponent...?"
Derrick lowered his head.
"Unfortunately, I could not find out."
Ariel remained silent for a few moments, thinking about recent events. Her blue eyes reflected unease.
Rudeus Greyrat. Something had been strange about him in recent months.
Since they met, she knew Rudeus had always sought to become stronger.
He always said he did it to protect his family, for he had already made many powerful enemies in the past.
But now it seemed different, it was as if he had found an invincible opponent.
Ariel still remembered Luke's account of Rudeus Greyrat's sparring against Sándor Von Grandeur, the Second North God.
Kalman II, even without fighting seriously, was a warrior whose fame extended across continents and ages.
Yet, Rudeus really won. All thanks to that crazy Magic Armor he was developing.
Just from Luke's reports, Ariel had already labeled the Armor as a "weapon of mass destruction."
With the cooperation of Cliff Grimoire, Zanoba Shirone, and even Derrick in some adjustments, the Magic Armor elevated the Magic King to a fearsome level, even on the world stage.
But even with such advances, he always seemed increasingly anxious and determined.
It was possible to find him more than once observing his family with determination.
Ariel tried to look for Sylphy, her closest friend within the Greyrat family.
They spoke, but not even Sylphy knew for sure what worried Rudeus.
She only knew that Rudeus had to kill someone to protect the family.
It was a simple answer, but it seemed very complicated.
Sylphy was also not someone to be underestimated in combat.
Even having recently given birth to Lucy Greyrat and therefore having paused her studies, she was still an intimidating presence.
Throughout the Ranoa Magic Academy, no one dared place themselves above her in combat — not even Rudeus himself.
What made her so dangerous was the set of deadly weapons she possessed: Chantless Magic, the Affection Demon Eye, and her skill with the spear, which made her lethal in any circumstance.
Of course, Ariel knew that Sylphy was not, in fact, stronger than the Magic King.
But if she wanted, a single look through her Affection Eye would be enough to defeat Rudeus completely.
As a member of the Notos family, he had his weaknesses.
The princess sighed, dispersing her thoughts, and then spoke:
"Right. Try to find out, if possible. Rudeus will be indispensable in the taking of the Kingdom. It would be magnificent to have him at our side."
She paused and added:
"Also, send gifts to the Greyrat household. When the little one is older, we'll pay a visit."
Derrick, as always, simply inclined his head, serious:
"It will be done, Milady."
They would not leave Sharia immediately after the graduation.
Their plan was to stay a few more months, since they had many preparations to make before departing. They could only hope that Rudeus would return to normal during that time.
Ariel also had other matters in the meantime, but everything seemed to be leaning in her favor at the moment.
Looking at all she had already achieved, it was easy to understand why Derrick estimated her chances of victory at eighty-five percent.
Ariel had almost the full political support of Ranoa's Magical Triumvirate, as well as some still-influential allies in Asura.
The friendship and alliance of Magic King Rudeus Greyrat and his followers. The backing of two powerful figures, a Sword God and a North God.
And finally, the very support of Perugius Dola, the Armored Dragon King.
Of course, Minister Darius Silva Ganius still held hidden cards. Ariel was not naive enough to underestimate him.
But, with the political, military and symbolic capital she had amassed, she trusted that she could overturn even the schemes of someone like him.
Of course she would be cautious, after all not everything would go exactly as planned.
But if all that accumulation of power and support did not give her confidence... then what would?
Rising with imposing presence, the princess adjusted her dress and walked to the door. Derrick followed closely.
Ariel was not just a student. She was the President of the Student Council of Ranoa fulfilling her last official duty.
Today was the start of the commotion.
From now on, every step would be preparation for her imminent ascent — or for the fall that awaited her, should she fail.
And the stage was the throne of the greatest Kingdom in the World, the Kingdom of Asura.
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