BY DAWN...

Morning crept slowly into the Grade C chambers, the light dim but steady, filtering through the arched windows and spilling over the polished stone floor. The resonance field shimmered faintly at the far end, humming softly like a beast at rest, its mana pressure filling the air.

Students were already awake, moving with that unmistakable noble grace, their pride almost tangible as they walked through the wide entrance. The murmur of boots against stone echoed as they crossed the threshold, every step bringing them deeper into the heart of the chamber.

At the front stood Selene, her robes falling perfectly, her presence commanding but calm. Beside her, Nyssa held a scroll tucked under one arm, speaking softly with one of the aides. Together they waited, overseeing as their students gathered.

Some of the Grade D nobles still couldn't help but look around in awe... this was the place where they had taken their first steps to balance mana, perhaps where Evelis had shared the golden banner crest that hummed faintly around their wrist .

Yet the whispers started soon enough, breaking the quiet.

"...did you see it? Miyu froze that bone midair "

"It wasn't just training. It felt like a duel..."

"No, it felt like a war."

Their hushed voices rippled through the group like wind. Others murmured about the upcoming MIARCH DAY, the event—Dire of Grade C had announced just the day before, wondering aloud what it would mean for their ranks and the tests to come.

The whispers swelled like a hive as the students finally reached the resonance field. Some voices were nervous, others giddy, their excitement buzzing in the air.

Then Selene turned.

She didn't have to raise her voice, the weight of her presence was enough. The very hum of mana among the students seemed to still as her emerald gaze swept over them, cold and commanding. The ice serpent, through and through.

Every noble straightened in unison, spines stiff, expressions sobering. The murmurs died immediately, replaced by the low hum of the field around them.

Eran stood near the back, his attention only half on Selene. His thoughts slipped elsewhere... to Miyu, her flushed, trembling thighs and her slick mess.

As if summoned by the thought, her gaze caught his.

For a brief moment, the noise of the chamber ceased.

Miyu's lips curved just faintly, her violet eyes sharp, and knowing. It was a smile meant for him alone, no one could have noticed. A secret exchanged in silence, a reminder of their last encounter, and of what they both knew.

Eran's lips tugged into the smallest smirk before he looked away, hiding it beneath the quiet mask everyone had come to expect from him.

And then...

Selene's voice cut through the gathering, sharp and clear.

"Today, you will all be returning to your respective chambers so you can resume your lessons. And don't forget..." her gaze swept the group, steady and cold "...the final test is only a week away. You still have much to put down before your test begins."

Whispers buzzed again until one of the noble girls stepped forward hesitantly, lifting her wrist where the golden banner crest still hummed faintly.

"What about these?" she asked carefully, almost cautious.

Nyssa, who had been standing just beside Selene, stepped forward, her presence warm but commanding enough to quiet the group. She leaned slightly toward the girl, her tone soft yet carrying across the field.

"I believe Evelis told you before, it is a mana thread. It keeps your flow balanced under the pressure of the Grade C chamber."

Her lips curved faintly, her calm poise making the nobles shift uncomfortably as if holding her gaze too long would strip them bare.

"You can hold onto it," Nyssa continued, "perhaps you might even arrive at the MIARCH DAY with an edge. It will boost your core above the others… and help you stand against the pressure."

The nobles nodded, their pride and anticipation stirring quietly at her words.

A low hum passed through the nobles at her words, pride and anticipation mixing in the air.

Nyssa 's hand lowered slowly, her eyes sweeping across them once more.

"I see potential in some of you," she said, her tone carrying that same unyielding authority.

The words alone made several nobles straightened instantly, chests swelling in pride as if they had just been blessed with her favor.

A faint ripple of hushed murmurs followed through the group, darting from ear to ear like sparks.

Miyu's name was already being whispered among them — she's the strongest of this grade, she'll carry her honor into the final duel.

But not a single glance turned Eran's way.

Not one.

To them, he was still the quiet commoner, sitting on the edge of their world, not worth of attention.

Eran didn't flinch as much, under their dismissal. Instead, his gaze lingered on Miyu across the field. Her posture was perfect, her chin lifted high.. and yet, when her eyes met his, they softened for just a heartbeat.

A faint smile ghosted her lips, quick enough that no one else caught it.

BUT THEN...

Selene let the silence linger for a moment longer between all nobles, before turning back to the group.

"Very well," she said at last, "We will be taking our leave now. Step forward."

The nobles parted slowly, the sound of their boots brushing against the field drowned by faint whispers and muffled jeers.

Nyssa's gaze found Miyu first, her lips curved in that soft, knowing smile.

"I'll be looking forward to seeing you in the duels," she said, her tone warm but edged with the kind of weight that made Miyu straighten even further, pride flaring like a banner around her.

Then Nyssa's eyes shifted toward Eran.

Her face remained calm and warm, but unreadable.

It was enough to make the moment stretch, as if she were looking straight through him, weighing something quietly behind that serene expression.

And then she turned gracefully, falling into step beside Selene as the two of them moved toward the gates.

The students slowly began to follow, the quiet hum of mana fading behind them as they passed through the arched entrance of the Grade C chamber, their footsteps soft as they make their way back toward the academy halls.

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