---
Academy of Rikos – Before Evening.
"Today, I'll definitely start up a conversation with her," Aeric muttered, clenching his fist with fragile determination.
But before he could take even one step forward—
"Aeric."
A calm, slightly teasing voice pulled him back from his daze.
He turned.
Standing behind him was a girl in the Academy's female uniform—black skirt variant, crisp blouse tucked beneath her dark blue jacket. Her long black hair flowed behind her, brushing her waist, a tail and cat like ears. Sharp black eyes, feline in shape, watched him with a knowing gleam.
Brenna Ironheart.
A first year, transfer student and only friend of Aeric. Coming from a small trader family named 'Ironheart'. A half-blood, proof of love between a human and a beastfolk clan —Wolves.
She stood with a tilt in her hips and arms folded lightly, her head cocked to the side.
Aeric straightened. "Brenna…"
"You looked like a soldier heading into war," she said dryly, her voice low but warm.
He blinked, scratched the back of his neck. "It's nothing."
Brenna raised an eyebrow. "You mean nothing except staring at Marcia for ten whole minutes without blinking?"
Aeric looked away instantly, jaw tightening. "I said it's nothing."
"Hm." She didn't push—but her gaze lingered.
There was a strange pinch in her chest. A twisting. Irritating. Unwanted.
She didn't understand why. But she waved it off.
For now.
She walked beside him as they made their way toward the garden benches. Surrounded by flowers and other students resting after their class, training and some just relaxing.
They often came here between classes. Their quiet space.
She settled on the far end of the bench and crossed one leg over the other. Her tail, thin and panther-like, flicked gently once behind her before stilling.
But it wasn't always like this.
---
Flashback – Two Months Ago
She'd only been here three days when they grabbed her. When three second year boys. Noble sons. They cornered her in the corridor behind the training hall. Mocked her ears. Her bloodline. Her background.
"Half-blood stray…"
"Why didn you even come here?"
"Exactly, how can we study beside livestocks like you?"
They raised their hands.
And then, one voice interrupted—
"Back off."
It was Aeric. Thin arms, trembling hands, but with his jaw locked and fists raised.
He got bruised that day. Badly.
But he didn't back down.
And after that?
They walked together...
---
Back to Present
"You're thinking too much," Brenna said now, tilting her head at him.
"I have to," Aeric muttered. "She is a high noble, with three elements. A prodigy. And me?"
"A commoner. One element."
"You have a spine. That's rarer."
He gave a weak laugh. "You're still bad at compliments."
"And you're still bad at lying." She stared him down. "You were going to approach her, weren't you?"
"…Maybe."
Brenna looked away. "Whatever. Not like it matters."
Her voice was casual, but her fingers dug into her skirt's fabric.
She didn't know what she was feeling.
Only that it wasn't… nice.
But she wasn't the only one with a feeling that wasn't nice.
---
Academy – Cafeteria.
The cafeteria of the Academy was clean, orderly, and built with precision—like everything else within its enchanted walls. Long tables filled the main hall, where students of all backgrounds dined on balanced, mana-rich meals designed to support training and elemental development.
For most, the standard food was more than enough—beast meat, enriched grains, and spirit-infused vegetables ensured steady growth.
But for elite students—those with two or more elements, or noble status—there was a separate section.
A golden-railed, reserved area offered custom-prepared meals, tailored mana elixirs, and magical beast cuts meant to accelerate recovery and growth.
And at the corner, on the single table. Sat Marcia.
Students like her never had to wait. Her meals arrived when she did—precisely, silently, and perfectly prepared.
But her mind wasn't on the meal right now, it was somewhere else.
"He is still there..." She murmured, her eyes looking straight towards the wall in front of her.
But she wasn't looking at the wall only, her focus was on the presnce there. That left a while ago.
" 'Aeric' was it?" She spoke again. Her expression unreadable.
She knew about him and why wouldn't she. He was basically screaming to notice him. And her senses were beyond the normal senses of human's. She knew about the eyes following her.
She is a Novice Class 3rd Stage Mage.
But she didn't do anything about it. Not she can't, she just didn't. He wasn't bothering her and it would only be ridiculous for her to bully a commoner.
But there was a third reasons too, she wouldn't say out loud.
–There was something odd. Like as if she felt that she knew him. Like a thin rope signaling towards him.
"What is it..." She couldn't understand.
But what made her more confused and now restless was her father's decision.
"What was father even thinking...?". She murmured again.
Around a month and half ago, she recieved a letter from her father. Jiro Blazing Wood. Stating that the engagement between her and Dian was nulled. Just that.
She was really a bit shocked, maybe a little bit... sad?
It wasn't like a forced marriage or anything. She and Dian had already met several times back then, some family visits, banquets, etc.
And she didn't dislike him, he was good. Handsome, cheerful, calm, good listener and a boy with good etiquettes. Who would dislike someone like him.
Her brows frowned as she thought about it, and she didn't know why but she felt... sad?
Shaking her head, she turned to her meals. "Whatever... I need to get strong. Stronger." A flame lit in her crimson eyes, making them shine like two red jewels under the sun.
As the only heir of her family and also the most gifted one. She knew how much expectations her family held. Her father held.
But while she is having a meal, her Ex-fiance is sweating buckets..
---
Skyster Castle – Late Afternoon
The sun was lowering now, casting a rich orange hue over the private training ground behind the castle. Tall trees formed a protective border. Magic stones were embedded in the walls, glowing faintly with stored mana.
Dian stood at the center, shirt sleeves rolled to the elbow, boots planted firmly on the stone tiles.
He inhaled deeply.
"Begin," he said.
Jones stood a few steps away, nodding once. "Let's start with magic control."
Dian raised his hand.
Swoosh!
Wind gathered around him first—silent, sharp, slicing through the leaves. He directed it like an artist with a brushstroke, forming rings, blades, and curved walls.
Then came Fire—wild, red-orange heat erupting from his palm, dancing in the air like a living serpent.
Thunder followed—his veins buzzing with charge, a low hum rising from his skin.
Earth began crackling— a boulder formed as Dian guided and compressed it together.
Water splashed— As Dian drew out his mana with the element. Water started forming into the thin air, then a big wave only stable but not that good.
Ice followed instantly — Dian concentrated and increased the intensity. Slowly the tide of water stabilized and transformed into Ice.
Light came at last— slow, soothing, but when increased mana output and intensity. It erased a dummy completely, when fired.
He rotated between them. Sweat rolled down his temple, but he didn't stop. (Mana Integration —A skill bought from the system. Helping him very much.)
Because the amount of mana he used just now was too much. If it would be some normal Superior Class mage 2nd stage.
They would have basically died or left crippled, due to over extraction of mana at the same time.
Standing beside, Jones mouth a little agape. From the literal performance of his young lord.
"How can this be...?" He murmured, confused. "Young lord's control... it's basically doubled since last time."
(Note; Effect of title –Elemental King- increase control over all elements by 50%)
"Hm?" Jones frowned as Dian stopped in the middle of his training. "Young Lord, is everything okay?"
Jones asked taking a few steps forward.
But Dian didn't answer, his focus on the golden screen hovering infront of him. "Are you kidding me?" He muttered.
---
[Ding!]
[New choosen one detected!— ]
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