The next several days were filled with the same thing all over again for Caelus. Wake up at the crack of dawn, deal with Alune's morning tantrum, head to classes, finish classes, then deal with Alune's evening tantrum.
After a while, it became numbing. Same routine, same outcome. But there was one variable, and he couldn't tell whether it was for better or worse.
"Keep it steady, Aria," Caelus said. "The second you lose focus, the rune circle will shatter."
"I'm... trying..." she mumbled, her eyes shut.
With just the two of them in the lecture hall of their last class, Caelus was tutoring the crown princess at her request. Five days later, and he still didn't know why he decided to go along with it. At the very least, Aria's growth had been satisfactory so far.
Suddenly, the rune circle shattered into a million sparkling dust. Out of breath, Aria stumbled back, struggling to hold herself up at a nearby desk.
"You okay?" Caelus asked.
"Yeah, I... think so," she said between gasps, then smiled. "This is kind of fun. Difficult, I admit, but undeniably fun."
"Hah. That is the beauty of magic. To create something out of nothing and shape the world in ways that one could only dream of... It is nothing short of a miracle. Anyway, keep it up, Aria. As a daily exercise, maintain a rune circle for as long as you can. Every second you surpass will grow your mana capacity, and you'll reach the Second Circle in no time."
Aria lifted her hands in front of her and stared at them. A restrained smile grew on her face, trembling as if she were trying to hide it but couldn't. She had achieved small yet great, and she couldn't be more grateful to the one who made it possible.
"Thank you for taking the time to catch me up, Caelus," she said with a bow. "Had it not been for you, I might've gone the rest of this semester without understanding a single thing about this class. Perhaps I even would've failed."
"Think nothing of it."
"Hehe. Ah, on that note, Caelus..."
"Hmm?"
"You seem to have ample knowledge of the magic principles and rune circles, so I was wondering... what level of circles are you?"
Caelus pinched his chin.
"Uh... I'm not really sure. Haven't gotten officially tested yet, but I think I can maintain three rune circles at once."
"Eh? Then does that make you a Third Circle mage?"
"Maybe. I don't plan on finding out, though. Puts a limit in my head that'll slow me down in the long run. I'd rather determine my own worth than let a bunch of old people do that for me."
"...I wish I could do the same..."
At the sound of those words, Caelus turned his head.
"Huh?"
But Aria was already lost in thought.
As the crown princess, she had the opportunity to see many faces and meet many people. However, they were the same more often than not. Corrupted nobles seeking to exploit her young naivety. Perverted men who couldn't be bothered to look into her eyes. Or the common people who would cheer for her, applaud her presence, and admire her while she sat there like a mannequin.
"The Graceful Flower of the Empire, they call me..." she muttered under her breath.
"Aria?"
At the sound of that voice, she snapped out of it. Across the Aisle, Caelus was sitting down while leaning his arms on his legs. For the first time, she could clearly see through the thick rims of his glasses, and underneath were a pair of beautiful lavender jewels.
"Are you still fatigued?" he asked.
But Aria quickly twisted her head to face forward, trying her best not to let her face show.
"I'm fine!" she said louder than she wanted to. "I just... need a breather. That's all."
"Hmm... Well, now that we're done here, I'm about to go for a walk. Stretch my legs a bit before dinnertime. You wanna tag along?"
"Huh? M-may I?"
"I don't see why you need to ask. Come on. Before the professor comes back and yells at us for staying too long, like he did yesterday."
Another day finished, bringing Caelus one day closer to graduation. Maybe if he performed well enough, Silva would disregard that requirement and divulge his mother's whereabouts. A useless thought, but a hopeful one nonetheless.
While treading through the grand hallway, Aria decided to make small talk. Of course, a few too many unwanted eyes locked onto them.
"So, how have you been faring thus far?" she asked. "It must've been rather difficult."
"I get by," he replied.
"Clearly. Not a day goes by that I don't hear another suspicious rumor about you. Supposedly, you cheated your way into the top ten rankings of the entrance exam. Er... or was that just an orientation in Rhodeia standards?"
"Who knows? Maybe I did cheat."
"I doubt it. The test was sanctioned by Headmistress Seren herself. To say that you cheated is a direct insult to her capabilities. Oh! Also, some say that you have multiple relationships. I... didn't take you to be the romantic type."
"You'd be right about that."
"So wait... You do have multiple relationships?"
"Absolutely not."
Caelus came to a halt along the path beneath a maple tree, which prompted Aria to stop just a couple of steps ahead. Amid the sea of students resting on the grass, he noticed a young man hastily making his way through. Every so often, that man would turn around to look at him and Aria.
"Caelus?" Aria called out. "Is something wrong?"
"...No. It's nothing."
Their evening leisurely stroll found them outside in the courtyard. If the hallway was merely a theater's audience, then this was an entire colosseum filled to the brim.
"You know, you surprise me, Caelus," Aria said with a gentle smile.
"And why is that?"
"Normally, when someone has my audience, they're seeking something from me. It could be wealth, or perhaps a favor. Some even coveted my hand in marriage. And yet, it appears as though you — despite having my undivided attention — seek nothing. Not wealth, not favor, and certainly not my hand."
"Would you prefer it if I did?"
"Huh? N-no! Of course not, I was just... making an observation."
"A rather bold one. Alas, you are right. I was never one to seek out that which I do not deserve, much less desire. That's all."
Further along the path, they went, but not without catching the attention of their fellow students. Some stopped in awe of the presence of the crown princess, while others questioned why she was with the fallen noble.
"Seriously? At this point, it's just unfair."
"First, it was Lady Castorica, then it was that mysterious senior, and now it's Her Imperial Highness? Just what is his deal?"
"He can't keep getting—"
Aria glanced around, her serene yet carefully practiced eyes latching onto every single face she could attach them to. And with each one, the nosy onlookers continued on their merry way.
"My apologies, Caelus," she sighed with a subtle hint of irritation. "It seems I've spawned quite the unfortunate rumor."
"Don't worry. It wouldn't be the first ridiculous rumor about me that's gone around. One more wouldn't hurt."
"But... it pertains to me. If he hears about it, then..."
There it was — the flickering voice of anxiety he had noticed upon their first meeting. Especially on a topic like this, it became strikingly clear. She was afraid, and Caelus had a solid guess as to why.
"I've been curious about something, Princess," he said. "Feel free to ignore me if you don't wish to answer."
"Go ahead."
"I've seen you around here and there. We even share the same last class, but I never acknowledged you simply because I didn't feel the need to. However, that doesn't mean I was ignorant. Despite being the crown princess, you were always alone."
Aria flinched, her fists clenching at her side.
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly as I said. Nobles should be jumping at the opportunity to greet you in hopes of garnering your favor. It happens to Kain Diadalin and Rosalina Sigurdia all the time, yet you... It's almost as if they acknowledge your presence but are purposely ignoring it at the same time. Why is that?"
She didn't answer. Couldn't. She knew what it was, but she couldn't bring herself to say it. Otherwise, she'd drag Caelus down with her.
"...Can I tell you something personal, Caelus?" she mumbled nervously, and he caught on right away.
"Of course."
"I... I—"
"Oho~ And what do we have here?" asked a graceful yet threatening voice.
From the shadows of a broad oak emerged two familiar figures — one of them, Caelus despised more than anyone else. The crown prince himself, Asta, and at his side, the ever-irritating Rudy Silvesta.