"Welcome," she said, her arms spread wide like she was presenting a kingdom, "to the academy of Sword and the Art of Florengarde, nestled in the heart of Rosethornspire."
Felix blinked. "Whoa... I never even knew that was the name of the capital. I've just been calling it... 'the Capital.'"
Sylvara squinted at him. "You didn't even know the name of the city? How in the heavens did you get here? And how did my brother trust you with anything?" She groaned and smacked her own forehead. "My brother just sends anyone these days…"
Felix smiled sheepishly. "Maybe. But if you're curious how I did get here—I came with a friend from Balmwich. He's the one actually competing in your tournament. I'm just the delivery guy. But my friend… he's one of your brother's pupils."
Sylvara raised an eyebrow. "A Balmwich kid competing? And trained by my brother?" She grinned. "Now that I have to see. I hope he doesn't disappoint."
Felix crossed his arms. "He won't. Even your brother believes in him."
"Oh, I love it when my brother's pupils crash and burn," she said with a mischievous smile. "Keeps him humble."
Felix shook his head. "Not this one. You'll see. Believe me." "He's the kind of guy who makes you believe in hard work… and then ruins it by being too good."
"Oh, bold talk. You seem confident in him. You don't look weak yourself—why aren't you competing?"
Felix waved it off. "Nah. I don't do tournaments. I usually avoid things unless they grab my interest. Or if they pay well."
Sylvara laughed. "A deep thinker with lazy habits. I respect that. But sometimes, even the things we don't notice… end up being exactly what we need."
Felix smirked. "I'll remember that, Teacher Sylvara."
"You better."
A beat passed before Felix leaned forward curiously. "So, uh… can you tell me more about the tournament? How does it actually work? How are positions in the Academy decided?"
Sylvara straightened her posture, getting a bit more serious. "Well, it's simple on the surface. Every year, warriors from all corners of the kingdom—and sometimes even from outside—come to compete. Hundreds of them. Only a handful make it into the Academy."
She continued, "The best fighters rise through duels. One-on-one combat. No room for excuses. And from those, the top three scorers get placed into the elite class—the ones who train alongside nobles."
Felix raised an eyebrow. "That sounds a bit... discriminatory."
Sylvara shrugged. "It is. But it's also tradition. I don't make the rules—I just slice through the ones who break them."
Felix chuckled. "Good to know. But… if it's just about getting in once, how did you win the tournament three times? Isn't it a one-time thing?"
She grinned, proud. "Nope. "Every student gets a chance to enter — but those already enrolled can still compete again to climb ranks. Some chase glory. Others chase power." The higher you place, the better your status becomes. Better mentors, better dueling rights, higher social rank. If you ace it repeatedly… well, you might even earn yourself a noble title."
"And you?"
"I joined through the tournament. No strings. Didn't use my family's name. Aced it the first time. Then competed two more times for fun and aced those too."
Felix smirked. "So basically… you did use your power to bully the rest?"
She laughed. "Maybe just a little."
Then she leaned back and looked at him with genuine warmth. "Enough about me. Tell me—how's my brother?"
Felix smiled. "He's well. Very well. Still brags about you, actually. When I saw the drawings you made, I thought they were done by some noble court artist. He told me you did them yourself—and from that moment, I had to meet you. Like—how can someone be that perfect?"
Sylvara turned slightly pink. "Stop that. I'm not that special."
"You kind of are," Felix said honestly. "You're one of the Seven Sword Edges. A professor. An artist. And still down-to-earth. That's rare."
"Alright, alright, I'm blushing now—enough." She laughed, brushing her hair aside. "Let's go. They're registering competitors right now. You might find your friend there. I'd love to meet the one you've hyped up so much."
Felix nodded. "Absolutely. I'd be honored to introduce you."
Sylvara smiled, but there was a spark of something unreadable in her eyes.
"Let's go. Who knows? This year's tournament might just be the most interesting one yet."
The crow was perching outside the window looking at both aas they walked out .