A few days later—
The school's final bell rang. Students poured out of their classrooms, some getting the usual warnings from their teachers not to run in the hallways.
As usual, Alaric, Elara, and Lalanat were walking home together.
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind them.
"Are you Alaric?"
They turned.
A girl stood a short distance away, tapping a wooden practice sword against the ground.
Alaric pointed at himself.
"Me?"
The girl walked closer.
"Of course. There's no other guy here."
She stopped in front of him.
"Yes, that's me," Alaric replied.
"Geez... how can a guy who looks this clumsy be the champion of the sword tournament? It makes no sense," she muttered.
"What was that?" Alaric asked.
She shrugged.
"Nothing. I was just wondering how someone like you managed to beat Mors and the others."
Elara stepped forward.
"He may not look like it, but he did. And there's nothing you can complain about. I think you're a first-year, right? You should show some respect to your seniors."
She pointed at the badge on her chest.
"And to the holders of this badge."
The girl hummed thoughtfully.
"Interesting. I heard you finished in second, and that Alaric carried the whole class."
"That's not true," Alaric said immediately.
"Everyone did their best during the events. One arena isn't enough to decide the results. We all worked hard."
"I was complimenting you, you know," the girl replied.
"If you're only seeing what you want to see, then I don't think it's much of a compliment."
Alaric stepped a little closer.
"You're a junior, and you've got a lot of confidence talking down to your seniors like that. Listen carefully. As our badge says, if we decided to challenge you right now, you wouldn't have much room to complain. Even the school wouldn't be responsible, since you're openly disrespecting both your seniors and the holders of the Chosen Class title."
The girl's confidence faltered.
She slowly took a step back.
"I only wanted to ask a few questions."
Elara looked away, trying not to laugh.
Meanwhile, Lalanat tightly held her own arm while watching the argument unfold.
Alaric folded his arms.
"Hm... do we even need to answer someone with no manners?"
The girl immediately bowed her head.
"Alright. That's my fault."
"Eh?" Elara blinked.
"That was fast. Don't you have any pride?"
"I do," the girl replied.
"And I also have enough sense to acknowledge someone stronger than me."
She glanced toward Alaric.
"Ehehe... she said I'm strong."
Alaric smiled proudly.
The girl quickly turned toward him.
"Hello, Alaric. I'm sorry about earlier. My name is Heidi. I wanted to know if you're really as strong as the rumors say, so I tested you a little. But you seem surprisingly calm."
"Hm. Ask me anything."
Alaric casually placed a hand on her shoulder.
Heidi immediately stiffened.
"E-Eh... you don't have to put your hand—"
"It's okay, it's okay. Go ahead."
Heidi sighed.
"It's just that... this year I'll be representing the first-years from Class Two. If I make it to the finals, I'll probably become your partner during the arena events."
She bowed again.
"So I was hoping we could train together a few times. I want to win every match so I can stand beside you in battle."
Alaric looked at her for a moment.
"What's your reason?"
"Eh?"
She slowly raised her head.
"What do you mean?"
Elara smirked.
"Hm... it sounds like you want to become the Chosen Class all by yourself."
"Of course I do," Heidi replied without hesitation.
Alaric shook his head.
"That's the problem."
Heidi frowned.
"You've already put pressure on yourself before the event has even started. Instead of enjoying the fight, you're already worrying about the result."
The three girls stared at him.
"I never fight with pressure beyond whatever my opponent gives me. That's one of my strengths."
Then he added casually,
"Besides, you're a girl."
Elara immediately smacked the back of his head.
"This has nothing to do with gender."
"Ow!"
Alaric rubbed his head.
"It does, though. No matter how intelligent someone is, physical strength still matters. A smart fighter can beat a stronger opponent, sure. But if two people are equally skilled, strength becomes important."
He looked at Heidi.
"And you're younger than me. Right now, I could probably beat you with brute force alone."
Heidi lowered her head.
Her hands tightened into fists.
Then she bit her lip.
"Then let's duel."
"Haa?" both Alaric and Elara said at the same time.
"If what you said is true," Heidi continued, tears beginning to form in her eyes, "then let's test it."
Alaric immediately stepped closer.
"Hey, hey, you don't have to—"
She slapped his hand away.
"I said let's duel. Are you deaf?"
Silence.
Alaric studied her for a moment.
Heidi stood there with watery eyes and heavy breaths.
Then Alaric turned around.
"Alright. Sure."
He began walking away.
"Let's do it this weekend. At the school arena."
He glanced back over his shoulder.
"You better not be late."
Elara followed after him.
Lalanat looked at Heidi, then at Alaric, before quietly following them as well.
On the other side, Caelin and Arasa were training together.
A few moments later, both of them stopped to catch their breath.
Caelin leaned against a tree and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Let's rest for a few minutes," he said.
"Sure," Arasa replied.
Silence settled between them for a while.
Eventually, Arasa broke it.
"So... what's the reason you let me participate?"
He looked toward Caelin.
"You don't want to?" Caelin asked, closing his eyes as a cool breeze brushed against his sweat-covered face.
Arasa lowered his gaze.
"It's not that."
He paused.
"What makes you trust me after everything I said? You know I could've been lying, right?"
"Yes," Caelin replied calmly.
"I know you could have been lying. But you could have been telling the truth too."
He opened his eyes.
"And it wasn't free, either."
Arasa frowned.
"What do you want? I don't exactly have anything to give."
Caelin glanced down at the wooden sword resting beside him.
"We'll win this event."
"That's what I want."
Arasa blinked.
"That's all?"
"It's not all," Caelin answered.
"But it's the only option that allows both of us to survive. Remember?"
He looked directly at Arasa.
"We're both tied to chains anyway."
Arasa immediately stood and bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry for what I said the other day."
"It's okay."
Caelin stared quietly at his own hands.
Then at the sword.
"You weren't wrong."
His voice softened.
"It's just that the chain I carry is one I chose myself."
Slowly, he stood and picked up his wooden sword.
"The difference between our chains is exactly what you said."
He took a deep breath.
"Yours can still be broken."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Mine is made of gold."
He raised the sword.
"And it's nearly impossible to break."
For a moment, he stared at it.
"Still..."
His grip tightened.
"If I can't break it, I might as well learn how to move with it."
Then he suddenly lunged forward.
"Come on."
Arasa barely had time to react before Caelin's wooden sword came crashing toward him.
"The King of Bane has arrived!"
A loud voice echoed through the entrance hall of Valerith Castle.
A carriage rolled to a stop before the grand gates. Rows of soldiers and maids stood waiting in formation as King Conrad stepped out.
His gaze swept across the courtyard before settling on the man waiting at the castle entrance.
King Midus Lysande of Valerith.
Beside him stood one of his generals.
The two kings approached each other and exchanged a firm handshake.
"It's been a long time, Conrad," Midus said with a laugh.
"Yes, it has," Conrad replied.
"Thank you for the warm welcome."
Together, they entered the castle.
After a short walk, they were seated in a private chamber. Maids poured wine into crystal glasses before quietly withdrawing.
Midus lifted his glass.
"So, you're here to watch The Chosen Class?"
Conrad nodded.
"Yes."
Midus smiled.
"I've heard something rather interesting is happening this year. Since Elysium Academy was founded, second-year students have never participated in The Chosen Class again after earning the title."
He took a sip of wine.
"But this year seems to be an exception."
Conrad raised an eyebrow.
"Now that you mention it, I've heard the same thing."
A small smile formed on his face.
"It's one of the reasons I'm here. My son is participating as well."
He chuckled softly.
"I missed his first year, so I didn't want to miss his final one."
"Oh?" Midus leaned back slightly.
"Prince Caelin?"
"Yes."
Conrad nodded proudly.
"He wishes to become a knight before inheriting the throne. As his father, I decided to allow him to walk that path."
He swirled the wine in his glass.
"And perhaps the experience will benefit our kingdom one day."
Midus laughed.
"You're fortunate to have a son."
He glanced toward the window.
"I have three daughters, and sometimes I worry about who will inherit the throne."
Conrad set his glass down.
"Three daughters?"
"Yes. Not a single son."
"Hm."
Conrad folded his hands.
"Is the eldest married?"
"She is."
Midus smiled.
"She married a merchant noble from Dravenn a few years ago."
"Oh? That's quite far from here."
"It is."
Midus laughed.
"But they met at Elysium Academy, just as her mother and I did. They genuinely loved each other, so we allowed it."
Conrad let out a quiet chuckle.
"Love can be a dangerous thing."
The two kings shared a laugh.
Several minutes later, a maid entered and bowed.
"Your Majesty, the guest chambers have been prepared."
Midus nodded.
"Excellent."
Then he turned toward Conrad.
"You should rest. It's a long journey from Bane."
"That would be appreciated."
Conrad stood and followed the maid toward the door.
After a few steps, he suddenly stopped.
"King Midus."
Midus looked up.
"Yes?"
Conrad glanced back over his shoulder.
"What about your second daughter? Is she married?"
Midus shook his head.
"No. She's still attending Elysium Academy."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"This will be her final year."
Conrad's eyes narrowed slightly.
"And her name?"
"Elara."
Midus smiled proudly.
"Elara Lysande."
"Oh."
Conrad slowly nodded.
"That's a beautiful name."
A brief silence followed.
"Well then, if you'll excuse me."
He turned and continued walking.
As he disappeared into the hallway, his voice became little more than a murmur.
"Elara... Elara Lysande..."
A weekend had finally arrived.
The sun hung high above the academy as students filled the arena, training and sparring beneath the clear sky.
Alaric entered through one of the tunnels.
Elara and Lalanat followed behind him.
Almost immediately, whispers spread through the crowd.
"Who is he?"
"That's Alaric, the son of Kalvein Thandor."
"The guy who carried Class Two last year."
"I heard he won the sword tournament too."
Alaric caught pieces of the conversation.
A smile slowly formed as he scratched the back of his head.
"He's so easy to read," Elara muttered.
Lalanat smiled quietly in agreement.
High above, near the edge of the arena, two figures watched from the stands.
"Hmm. So that's Alaric?" Arasa asked.
"Yes," Caelin replied.
Arasa tilted his head.
"He looks normal to me."
Caelin laughed softly.
"That's what everyone says at first."
Arasa glanced toward Elara and Lalanat.
"Who are those girls? Damn, he's living a good life."
"It's Elara and Lalanat," Caelin answered.
"They're in the same class as him."
"Hm. Your old friends?"
Caelin's gaze lingered on them.
"Something like that."
Below, the three continued walking toward the center of the arena.
Then suddenly—
A voice cut through the crowd from the opposite tunnel.
"Alaric this, Alaric that. It's so annoying."
Heidi stepped into the arena with her wooden sword resting over her shoulder.
She marched toward the center while complaining loudly.
The crowd immediately turned to look.
Pointing directly at Alaric, she declared,
"As long as someone has the will to fight, things like talent and brute strength don't matter. You win by being the last one standing."
Alaric sighed dramatically.
"Ahhh... I'm already tired of talking."
His voice echoed from across the arena.
"You can't win a fight with words anyway."
"Oh yeah?" Heidi shouted back.
"Then I hope you're ready for your second loss today, Mister Overrated."
Elara grabbed her forehead.
"Oh my god. This kid."
Lalanat tried not to laugh.
"I think she's trying to provoke Alaric."
"She is," Elara replied.
"The problem is she's getting more worked up than he is."
The three of them laughed.
Up in the stands, Arasa folded his arms.
"So that's his partner?"
Caelin watched the two argue from opposite sides of the arena.
"Not sure."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"They look more like rivals than partners."
He paused.
"...They're surprisingly alike."
Below, Alaric picked up his wooden sword.
"Why don't you come over here and get this over with?"
He casually scratched his side.
"I don't have all day."
Heidi immediately started walking toward him.
"So scared you're trying to finish quickly?"
The crowd laughed.
Alaric rolled his eyes.
The arena slowly fell silent.
Step by step, they approached each other.
The whispers faded.
The laughter disappeared.
Soon, they stood face to face in the center of the arena.
Neither looked away.
Neither backed down.
The duel was about to begin.