«Damn, damn, damn! I'm super late!»
Chris dashes through the halls like a madman, heading for the arena—even if he has no idea where it actually is.
The dorms are empty.
No one to ask.
HESPARC Academy is huge.
More than classrooms and dorms—it's a full-blown fortress with labs, med wings, and training zones, sprawling like a small city.
To a newcomer like Chris, it's just a giant maze.
Almost an hour later, he finally finds it—a massive dome enclosing a dirt field big enough for four soccer games.
Bleachers surround the arena in a full ring.
«Pwwww... I made it...»
He slumps into a back-row seat, panting.
The stands are packed—students, staff, and guests fill every inch.
He scans the arena.
There she is.
His sister, Alexia.
She's wearing the standard black battle uniform—tight, form-fitting.
Her figure is stunning.
That suit highlights everything—her chest, her hips, her thighs.
But it's all torn and dirtied.
She looks worn out.
Ten meters away stands a boy.
Tall, handsome, golden-haired with calm brown eyes.
Sculpted like a statue—lean but defined.
Chris's eyes light up.
Kellen Wynne.
Second-best student in the whole academy.
Alexia has mentioned him often—with admiration and respect.
White flames dance around him—the Sacred Flame.
A divine power gifted to a chosen few by the God of Light.
Only select families, guardians of the world against N'Raeth's demonic forces, are allowed to wield it.
In his hand, a sword of pure fire.
Alexia holds one too.
But she's in worse shape—bruised, bleeding, barely breathing.
Good thing the academy's top-tier med tech will fix her up fast.
«...but now it's time to end this fight! Get ready, I'm coming!»
Kellen lowers his stance—then bursts forward like lightning.
A glowing white trail blazes behind him, cracking the ground with each step.
His flaming slash comes fast.
Alexia blocks it.
The impact shakes the arena.
The sharp, relentless clash of their solid flame swords echoes all around.
Arcs of white light streak through the air, like brushstrokes painted in midair.
Alexie lunges forward.
Kellen meets the blow with the flat of his blade, then shoots a kick at her legs to throw her off balance.
Alexie dodges with a quick leap back, but Kellen is already closing the distance.
The crowd shifts between roaring excitement and total silence.
They watch, entranced by this opening duel that has already dragged on for ten minutes.
Chris, though, has only caught the last part of it.
And with every passing second, he regrets it more and more.
Alexia and Kellen charge at each other again.
A fresh clash. New shockwaves ripple through the arena.
Then, in near-perfect sync, they leap back and reestablish distance.
A brief moment of stillness—fatigue has finally taken hold.
Their breaths are deep and heavy.
Their faces etched with exhaustion.
«Y-You've gotten even stronger, Alexia…» Kellen murmurs, his voice ragged. «Guess you really want to impress your precious little brother...»
Alexia gives a tired smile.
«To his eyes, I'm the strongest of all—his hero, his idol. Sorry, but I can't let myself lose in front of him!»
They both lower into a crouch.
The Sacred Flame bursts from their bodies, fiercer than ever.
With blades gripped tightly in their hands, they launch themselves forward.
One final, desperate clash.
Alexia brings her sword down on him—
A swift, precise slash from above.
Kellen manages to block it, but only barely.
The ground beneath his feet cracks.
His knees buckle.
He's crushed from above by her overwhelming strength.
But he doesn't let up.
He spins and kicks her hard in the stomach.
She's sent flying, crashes down, skids across the dirt.
Then, her suit flashes red.
That's the signal—she's reached the damage limit and lost the match.
~Oh no! Big sis lost... But she's smiling? That's weird. She's never been the type to take a loss so calmly. Maybe the academy changed her too~
«That was close. Amazing fight, Alexis. You're getting stronger every day!»
Kellen smiles, tired but genuine.
«By year's end, I'll surpass you. Count on it!»
They shake hands. The crowd roars.
Then Alexia leans close, lips near his ear.
«I'll be waiting in my bedroom... to continue our duel. Let's see if you can handle round two,» she whispers.
~Their passion for combat is insane. They even train in their free time. I really admire them... Anyway, speaking of bedrooms... I still need to unpack! If I don't hurry, I'll miss dinner!~
That morning, Chris had been in Alexia's room.
He never got the chance to bring his stuff to his own dorm.
But now that he remembers the way, getting back is easy.
He rushes in, slams the door shut behind him.
«Oh, finall—WHAT THE...?!»
He freezes.
In the middle of the room stands a gorgeous girl with short black hair and piercing emerald eyes.
She's dripping wet.
Water runs down her curves.
Wrapped in just a towel—fresh from the shower.
~W-Wait... this is my bedroom! Who is she? And why is she naked?~