Finally! A warm bath with actual soap!
Agni could have cried with relief as he scrubbed away three days' worth of grime, blood, and whatever else had accumulated on his skin during his nightmare journey. The Academy's guest bathing facilities were incredible—hot water that seemed to never run out, fragrant soaps that actually lathered instead of just making you smell like different kinds of dirt, and towels so soft they felt like clouds.
By the time he finished, he felt almost human again.
He emerged from the bath wearing the Academy uniform that had been laid out for him—a surprisingly comfortable ensemble consisting of dark trousers, a white shirt with a high collar, and a navy blue jacket with golden trim. The Academy's emblem was embroidered on the left breast: an open book with a flame rising from its pages, symbolizing the pursuit of knowledge and power in equal measure.
The uniform fit perfectly, which was a relief. Agni had half-expected to be swimming in oversized clothes or dealing with pants that were too short. Someone had clearly taken his measurements at some point—probably during that visit to the capital last year that he barely remembered.
Waiting for him in the adjoining room was a spread of what Lyralei had called "recovery food"—light dishes designed to help restore someone who'd been through physical trauma. Agni's stomach growled at the sight, and he nearly groaned with anticipation.
But as he took his first bite, he realized something that made him actually pause mid-chew.
It was good. Really good.
The soup had layers of flavor he could actually taste—herbs and spices that complemented rather than masked the ingredients. The bread was fresh and warm, not the brick-hard military ration stuff. Even the simple fruit salad had a brightness to it that made his taste buds sing.
Of course, anything would taste like the nectar of the gods compared to Military Travel Rations, but this was legitimately delicious.
Lyralei stood at the corner of the room, wearing her own tailored version of the Academy uniform. The standard design had been modified to accommodate her figure perfectly—the jacket cinched at the waist to emphasize her athletic build, and the dark fabric contrasted beautifully with her pale skin and jet-black hair. She looked both elegant and dangerous, like a sword disguised as a decorative ornament.
"Enjoying the taste?" she asked with a pleasant smile. "It's one of my secret recipes."
She puffed up slightly with pride, and for a moment, Agni could see past the intimidating aura to something more... normal. A person who took satisfaction in cooking well.
He nodded while chewing on a particularly good piece of roasted vegetable. "Definitely. It's almost on par with my home chef's meals."
Coming from someone who'd grown up in a palace with professional cooks, that was high praise.
Lyralei's smile widened slightly. "I'm glad. Now then, how exactly did you end up arriving in such a... rough condition?"
Agni blinked, suddenly realizing he'd need to come up with an explanation that made sense.
Right. That.
He couldn't exactly tell her about the assassination attempt—partly because it might worry her, but mostly because he still wasn't sure what to make of it himself. After thinking it over during his bath, some things about the attack just didn't add up.
The assassins had clearly known his identity. They'd been waiting for him specifically, not just robbing random travelers. But they'd also been... weak? Relatively speaking?
Agni didn't particularly feel like he'd gotten dramatically stronger after awakening those new abilities. The Phase Burst and Void Slash still felt foreign to him, like he was borrowing someone else's techniques rather than using his own power.
"No one sends 2nd Circle assassins after a prince," he thought. "Even if I'm known for being weak in combat, that's just insulting. Either they were beginners who got in over their heads, or..."
Or what? It didn't make sense as a serious assassination attempt. Killing royalty required planning, resources, and skilled operatives. Philip, Walton, and Sasha had been competent enough, but nowhere near the level you'd expect for such a high-profile target.
Throughout his route to the Academy, he hadn't encountered any other suspicious people either. Apart from things actively trying to kill him—like that Kodros Bear—nothing else had seemed out of place.
So was it an extremely cruel way for Father to push him toward growth? Or just a mishap caused by information leaking to the wrong people?
"Honestly, I couldn't care less," Agni decided. "It was an exhausting week. Any more thinking about it will just traumatize me further."
The story of getting jumped by mountain bandits and nearly dying, losing Big B in the process, his father making him travel alone... it was all too complicated. Best to cut it short and explain everything properly to Father next time they spoke face-to-face.
"Ah, while I was riding here, I encountered a Kodros bear," Agni said casually, reaching for another piece of bread. "Lost Big B during that encounter, so from there on out, the journey was on foot."
He nodded to himself, satisfied with the simplified explanation.
Lyralei's expression didn't change. "Right... I'm glad you're okay."
There was a pause, and then she said with the same pleasant tone, "So, we're going to be married. Are you aware of that, by any chance?"
"Ah, yes. Father mentioned it before I left," Agni replied, still focused primarily on the excellent food in front of him. "Nice to meet you properly. I'm sure we'll get along fine."
He reached for the platter of light snacks—delicate pastries filled with sweet cream, small sandwiches with some kind of herb spread, and what looked like candied nuts with a honey glaze. All of it disappeared into his mouth with remarkable speed.
"So when do the Academy preparations start?" he asked between bites. "Classes, dorm assignments, all that stuff? Honestly, I'm surprised to find myself actually looking forward to what this place has to offer."
A vein popped visibly on Lyralei's forehead.
He found out about the marriage a week before coming here. Meanwhile, I've known for six months.
That meant the Emperor had prepared the entire marriage arrangement before even informing his own son about it. Looking at Agni's casual attitude toward the whole thing, she supposed she could understand the decision.
"It just makes him look more pathetic though," she thought with barely contained frustration.
The political implications were becoming clearer now. The Emperor wasn't trying to elevate his son by marrying him to the Grand Duke's talented daughter—he was using Lyralei as a tool to either grind Agni into shape or shatter him completely so that ambitious nobles couldn't use him as a puppet figurehead.
Did the Emperor even care about whether his son eventually took the throne? Or did he see Lyralei as enough of a potential threat that he needed to pin her down early?
"No, I'm thinking too much of myself," Lyralei corrected her thoughts. "I'm still only at the 5th Manipulation level on mana circuits. The Emperor commands half the human race. He probably doesn't see me as a threat at all—just a worthy babysitter for this fool who'll be satisfied with the prestige of marrying a prince."
Honestly, any other woman would have been thrilled by such an arrangement. A guaranteed position of power, connection to the royal family, and relative freedom to pursue her ambitions since Agni clearly wasn't going to interfere.
But that just pissed her off more.
She forced her expression into a pleasant grin. "Are you excited as well? Unfortunately, we'll have to wait a bit longer, Prince Agni. Many students still need to arrive. The Hero from Dragon Valley and Prince Cassius from the Ivory Crown Empire should be arriving shortly. We should watch their entrances—they tend to be quite spectacular."
"Is that necessary?" Agni asked, getting up from his seat with visible reluctance. A long yawn escaped him. "But sure, the Hero, right? I should probably see what all the fuss is about."
Why was he called a Hero again? Agni wondered vaguely. Something about defeating a demon lord? Or was it saving a kingdom? The details were fuzzy.
"Honestly, I'm exhausted from that journey," he admitted. "But let's get going. I'm sure it'll be... educational."
They made their way to the viewing balcony attached to Lyralei's guest quarters, which offered an excellent view of the Academy's main entrance plaza. Agni stood beside her, trying not to yawn again.
Lyralei looked up at the sky, her enhanced senses picking up something most people wouldn't notice yet. "The Hero first, it seems."
"Where?" Agni asked, scanning the clouds.
She pointed upward at what looked like a distant bird.
"Oh, right." Agni's eyes sharpened for just a second—his enhanced perception kicking in automatically—before relaxing again as he tracked the approaching shape.
Can he even see that far? Lyralei wondered, watching his reaction. Most people wouldn't be able to spot anything at that distance yet.
The "bird" got larger and larger as it approached. And then larger still.
Maybe too large?
What descended toward the Academy grounds wasn't any normal bird—it was a Celestial Roc, a legendary beast that most people only read about in books. Its massive wings spanned at least fifty feet, and its feathers shimmered with gold and deep blue colors that seemed to shift in the sunlight. Six intelligent eyes scanned the ground as it approached, and when it screamed, the sound was like thunder mixed with a crystal bell.
The Roc's wings fanned out as it began its landing approach, creating winds strong enough to make nearby trees bend and send loose papers flying.
Two figures rode on its back.
The first was a woman dressed in an immaculate maid uniform, her black hair pulled back in a severe bun. Her eyes were closed, but Agni could see the massive black wings folded against her back—scaled wings that clearly didn't belong to any human or elf.
She held a suitcase with one hand while keeping perfect balance on the Roc's back despite the wind and movement.
Then the Hero landed.
He was a man with lush blonde hair that seemed to catch and hold the sunlight, and light blue eyes that radiated confidence and warmth in equal measure. His Academy uniform was impeccably tailored, and he moved with the easy grace of someone who'd never doubted his place in the world.
As he dismounted, the maid handed him his suitcase. Her eyes opened, revealing distinctive slit pupils set in golden irises that decorated her beautiful face with an otherworldly quality.
"Dragon," Agni realized. "She's got dragon blood."
"My role ends here, Young Master Draekon," the maid—Seraphina—said with a small bow.
"Thank you for the escort, Seraphina," Draekon replied warmly, taking the suitcase. "Safe travels back to Dragon Valley."
With another small nod, she remounted the Celestial Roc. The massive bird spread its wings and launched itself back into the sky with a few powerful beats, quickly disappearing into the distance.
But before the crowd could fully process the Hero's dramatic entrance, another arrival demanded attention.
A royal chariot entered the plaza—and this one made even Draekon's entrance look understated. Five massive black horses with glowing red eyes pulled an ornate carriage decorated with silver and white designs. These weren't normal horses; they were Shadowmane Steeds, rare magical beasts known for their speed and intimidating presence.
The carriage door opened, and out stepped a man in a pristine white and silver uniform. He had striking white hair that contrasted with gray eyes, and though he wore a soft smile, Agni could see the irritation lurking beneath it.
"Prince Cassius looks pissed," Lyralei chuckled quietly. "He got completely outshined by the Hero's entrance."
"Definitely fancy entries," Agni agreed, unable to take his eyes off the Shadowmane Horses. "Both looked impressive. Though those horses remind me of Big B..."
He felt a pang of genuine emotion at the memory of his faithful companion.
Down in the plaza, Draekon turned to face Prince Cassius. The two exchanged small nods—the kind of acknowledgment between people of similar status who respected but didn't necessarily like each other.
"Hero Draekon," Cassius said with practiced politeness. "Your entrance was quite dramatic."
"Prince Cassius of the Ivory Crown Empire," Draekon replied with equal formality. "Your Shadowmane Steeds are magnificent."
They shook hands, both smiling, both clearly sizing each other up.
Then both sets of eyes instinctively traveled upward to the viewing balcony where an unparalleled beauty stood watching them.
Their gazes met Lyralei's, and something shifted in their expressions.
Both the Hero and the Prince's eyes widened simultaneously, their carefully maintained composure cracking for just a moment.
Now that's a worthy reaction, Lyralei thought with satisfaction. Glad to know I haven't lost my touch.
Both men's jaws nearly dropped for a second before they recovered their composure. But that moment of genuine shock and admiration had been unmistakable.
Standing beside her, Agni yawned again, completely oblivious to the minor drama playing out below.