Among so many young lovers of reading, mystical scrolls, ancient books, and staff members organizing the towering shelves that stretched across all three floors of the library's grand structure. Kiett and Princess Sonia were engaged in a pleasant conversation, though Kiett couldn't help but feel uneasy as Sonia examined him from head to toe.
"What is it? Why are you looking at me so closely?" Kiett asked, still holding a few books.
"I'm just curious… why does Kael feel so threatened by you?" Sonia mused. Kiett's eyes widened in surprise.
"I don't understand. Why would that guy feel threatened by me?" Kiett questioned. Sonia chuckled mischievously, and Kiett, noticing her expression, blushed slightly.
"You're talented. I've been observing you discreetly." Sonia admitted, stepping closer and placing her hand on Kiett's left shoulder.
"Tell me this—what is a swordsman doing so buried in the arcane spells section of the library?" she asked. Kiett hesitated.
"It's personal, Your Majesty. I apologize, but I'd prefer to keep it to myself" Kiett replied. Sonia smiled at his response.
"That's fine, I respect that. You know, I love reading too—perhaps we'll see each other here more often." Sonia remarked. Kiett was intrigued by her attitude toward him.
"I would be delighted to share a reading with you, Your Majesty" Kiett said, bowing politely. Sonia grinned.
"You can count on it. We'll meet again soon—I must go now" Sonia said. Kiett bowed once more, and as Sonia turned to leave, she glanced back at him before walking away, leaving Kiett utterly bewildered.
"What just happened?" Kiett muttered to himself.
―Meanwhile, in the Averford Academy Arena―
A large crowd of recruits had gathered around the arena, fervently watching the duel between Margott and Claire. Lon, Amber, Sakura, Marth, and Lucas struggled to keep up with the swift and skillful movements of the two combatants.
Margott and Claire exchanged powerful blows, dodging and countering with such precision that their fight felt almost choreographed. After an intense exchange, both took a step back, catching their breath.
"What's wrong, getting tired already?" Margott taunted.
"What are you talking about, crazy? I'm just warming up—you haven't even tasted dessert yet." Claire shot back, smirking. Margott laughed loudly at Claire's words.
"What's so funny? Did I say something amusing?" Claire asked, frowning. Margott smirked.
"The dessert is waiting for me in the library!" Margott teased. The moment the words left her lips, Claire's expression darkened with fury, and the entire arena overheard the comment.
"This just got personal." Marth chuckled, clearly enjoying the moment.
"You shouldn't find joy in their fights." Amber scolded him, shooting him a disapproving glare.
"Well, at least someone else is enjoying the show" Sakura pointed out. The group followed her gaze toward another part of the arena where Blumiere stood, surrounded by several recruits. With curiosity, they approached.
To their shock, Blumiere had set up an entire betting station.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment is here! Two of the most talented swordswomen in the arena are battling for the heart of a lowly peasant! Who will claim the beggar? Who will win this duel of love? Place your bets! Will it be Margott Blackwell, the protected of Liliam Bright-Windham or Claire, the Orphan?" Blumiere shouted, turning the match into a full-blown spectacle.
Before he could continue, Amber landed a solid punch into his stomach, causing him to collapse to his knees, gasping for air.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, you idiot? Have you lost your mind?" Amber yelled furiously. The crowd backed away in fear, as Amber had a reputation for beating down anyone who pissed her off.
"What's your problem, woman? Don't interrupt a business meeting!" Blumiere groaned, still clutching his stomach.
"You're such a schemer, as always." Amber scoffed before releasing him. Just then, a loud commotion erupted from the arena, drawing everyone's attention back to the duel.
Margott delivered a powerful upward strike from her left, throwing Claire off balance, followed by a kick to her stomach, sending her flying backward. The crowd roared with excitement as Margott lunged to finish the match—
—But Claire quickly recovered, blocking the attack and landing a solid punch on Margott's face, forcing her to stumble back.
"I must admit, you're tougher than I expected. But I'm betting it all on this final attack!" Margott declared, charging a mystical spell into her wooden sword. The audience gasped in shock.
"She's going to use mystic energy on a wooden sword!?" the recruits whispered in disbelief.
"Oh? If that's the case, then I'll respond in kind." Claire said. Her stance firm. Without another word, Margott's sword began emitting white smoke as ice magic enveloped it.
Claire's wooden sword burst into flames, the fire dancing hungrily across its surface.
Recruits: "They're going to end it with this attack!"
All eyes were locked on the two warriors. Then, with a battle cry, Margott and Claire charged at each other, clashing their swords in a devastating impact—A massive explosion erupted, engulfing the arena in a dense fog and a shockwave so powerful that it stunned almost everyone nearby.
As the smoke settled, the recruits slowly regained their senses, struggling to stand.
"What just happened?" asked Sakura.
Lon and the others finally gathered their bearings and peered into the arena.
"Look—they're both on the ground!" Marth shouted before rushing into the arena to check on his friends.
"Girls, are you alright?" Marth asked. Both Claire and Margott attempted to stand but struggled from exhaustion. Sakura, Lucas, and Amber hurried to help—
—But they were interrupted by a commanding voice.
"What is going on here? What was that explosion!?"
They all turned to see Princess Liliam Bright-Windham standing at the edge of the arena.
―Meanwhile, in the Ruins of Aldelviewreld―
The monarchs stood near the active portals, discussing the growing crisis with King Mustaffa.
"Unexpected events have unfolded. The Scarlets are reaching further than we ever anticipated!" declared the wise King of Aledis, the eldest of all present.
"We understand this. That's why we must redouble our efforts to decipher the seals of the Eighth Gate—we're close to unlocking this ancient Elvish language!" Queen Aurora stated, and the kings nodded in agreement.
"So, tell us, what is this suspense about? What do you have to discuss with us?" King Ezequiel questioned. Mustaffa gazed at them, his expression solemn.
"You must understand… after what has happened, I have no other choice. You were right—we must stand united!"
Mustaffa approached the still-active portal. The monarchs stiffened in shock as a woman stepped through.
Fiora Bright-Windham had arrived at the Ruins of Aldelviewreld.
The monarchs of the four kingdoms were utterly bewildered; a mixture of uncertainty and anger overtook their faces and bodies. Queen Fiora Bright-Windham had just stepped through the portal that King Mustaffa had arrived from. The four monarchs turned to him in fury.
"Mustaffa, what is the meaning of this!? Why is this woman here!?" King Ezequiel demanded angrily. The other rulers were just as enraged, but none more so than Aurora, who activated her mystical rings, prepared to attack Fiora on the spot.
"What treachery is this, Mustaffa!? Why have you brought that cursed woman here!?" Aurora exclaimed, fully intent on engaging Fiora in a battle to the death. Mustaffa swiftly stepped between them, attempting to prevent the fight.
"Aurora, stand down! There is a reason I brought Fiora with me. Stop this at once and let me explain!!" Mustaffa insisted. However, Aurora ignored him and prepared to launch her attack. Seeing this, Fiora summoned her shield, ready to repel the assault.
"Enough, Aurora! Let them speak!!" King Dracus commanded. Aurora paused, taking note of the seriousness in Dracus's expression.
"What are you doing? She is our enemy!!" Aurora argued, but Dracus maintained his stern gaze. Reluctantly, Aurora lowered her hands, though her glare at Fiora did not waver. Mustaffa let out a sigh of relief, and Fiora dismissed her shield, raising her hands to show she had come in peace.
"Very well, Mustaffa. Explain yourself now!!" Ezequiel demanded. Aurora took two steps back but kept her piercing eyes locked on Fiora.
"Thank you, Ezequiel!!" Mustaffa said, stepping back until he stood shoulder to shoulder with Fiora.
"But this time, I will not be the one to speak. The reason Fiora is here―Well, she will explain it herself!!" Mustaffa declared.
―Meanwhile, in Averford―
Kiett walked through the kingdom's streets, deep in thought after reading the books Cosette had recommended. He had returned all of them except for one—The Tales of the Wanderer.
"I hope no one notices that this book is missing," he thought nervously as he walked.
Once he was far enough from the library, he stopped to admire the book again but was suddenly startled by Marth.
"Kiett!!" Marth shouted, causing Kiett to jump and drop the book.
"Marth, don't do that!!" Kiett exclaimed, still jittery.
"You're always so jumpy, my friend!!" Marth teased, placing his arm over Kiett's shoulder.
"What's up? Why are you here?" Kiett asked as he picked up the book.
"You're coming from the library… So, you're serious about training with the Sentinels, huh?" Marth remarked, sounding somewhat skeptical.
"Wasn't an entire year of learning how to combine spells with swordplay enough for you? You want more?" Marth questioned.
"A little more knowledge never hurt anyone." Kiett replied. "Anyway, what are you doing here? Weren't you at the arena?"
"Speaking of that, Margott and Claire had an interesting duel." Marth said with a sly grin.
"What have those two done this time?" Kiett asked with a sigh.
―At the Academy Arena―
The First Princess of Averford, Liliam Bright, stood in the middle of the arena, scolding both Claire and Margott. Their mystical energy clash had blown a massive hole in the ground.
"Your recklessness is unacceptable. You both knew the one rule of the arena, yet you chose to ignore it!!!" Liliam reprimanded them, referring to the strict prohibition of using mystical spells in the Academy Arena.
"Can anyone tell me why mystical spells are only practiced in the Ephenum Arena?" Liliam asked.
A heavy silence fell over the crowd. No one dared to answer—until a single voice broke the stillness.
"Mystical spells are highly unstable when combined with swordplay. Only a Moonlight Blade can withstand the immense energy load." the voice answered.
All eyes turned to see Kiett. The students cheered, overjoyed to see him again—none had seen him since the Threnafell incident.
"That is why all combat spells are trained and tested exclusively in the Ephenum Arena." Kiett continued, bowing respectfully to Liliam.
The recruits rushed to greet Kiett, ignoring Liliam's presence, much to her annoyance.
"Exactly. That is why you two will not leave until you repair this arena!!" Liliam declared.
Claire and Margott accepted their punishment without argument, bowing respectfully.
"Good. But before anything else, heal the cuts on your hands. You're bleeding, in case you haven't noticed." Liliam instructed before turning and leaving the arena.
Embarrassed, Claire and Margott walked over to Kiett and the others. Kiett merely gave them a disappointed look, making both girls sigh in regret.
"What were you two thinking?" Kiett asked.
―Back at the Ruins of Aldelviewreld―
The kings watched Fiora anxiously, waiting for her to speak. Aurora's expression was especially hostile, her contempt for Fiora clear.
"I know none of you wanted to see me, least of all here." Fiora stated, taking a few steps forward. The freezing winds howled through the ruins, and the snowstorm grew stronger.
"Our history has been anything but peaceful for the past decade… but this time, I come in peace." Fiora stated firmly. Her words prompted King Ezequiel to respond.
"You speak of peace, yet it was one of your own who caused our conflict in the first place!!" Ezequiel accused; his voice filled with resentment.
"Those actions have already been punished. I have spent a decade seeking your forgiveness and atoning for it." Fiora replied, placing her right hand over her heart.
"But I am not here to reopen old wounds. What I have to say concerns us all." Fiora declared.
"Then speak already, enough of this hesitation, Your Majesty!!" Dracus barked, his voice echoed through the ruins. His brother, Argus, urged him to compose himself.
Aurora clenched her ringed hand, readying for a surprise attack.
"Two days ago, a group of new recruits was massacred in Threnafell… by a horde of Scarlets!!" Fiora revealed, her voice was heavy with sorrow.
The kings were stunned. Even Aurora hesitated, abandoning her attempt to strike.
"What are you saying!? That's impossible—the Scarlets are concentrated on attacking this camp!!" Ezequiel objected. The other kings echoed with his disbelief.
"I am telling you the truth. I personally marched to Threnafell in response… but I arrived too late." Fiora admitted. "I barely managed to save a handful of them."
"That means… that bastard is searching for new targets." Aurora muttered.
"If what you say is true, this is dire for all of us." Argus admitted.
"I understand your doubts. That's why I came here… to make a request." Fiora declared.
The kings fell silent, waiting. Mustaffa took a step forward and stood to Fiora's left.
"I propose an alliance… with Averford." King Mustaffa announced.
Each of the monarchs watched Mustaffa and Fiora, studying their expressions. After so many years of conflict, and this premature and strangely desperate request―Everything was very confusing.
A deadly silence fell. An alliance with Averford… could either save them all—or destroy them all at once.
TO BE CONTINUED…