A soft knock echoed against the wooden door.
"Klaus? Dinner's ready."
Sofie's voice was gentle.
For a moment, no answer came.
Then, slowly, the door creaked open.
Klaus stood there, eyes red and swollen, his cheeks streaked from silent tears. Sofie froze , her heart sinking at the sight of him like this.
"Klaus… what's wrong?" she whispered, reaching for his hand.
But he didn't answer. His lips quivered, tears breaking free again, and in the next instant, his weight collapsed forward.
Straight into her arms.
Sofie gasped softly, caught off guard, but her arms wrapped tightly around him. She held him as if anchoring him in place, her warmth pressing against his trembling frame.
His head buried against her shoulder, Klaus shook. All he could do was cling to her.
Sofie stroked his back gently, whispering into his ear, "It's okay… just hold on. I'll stay here with you. Cry as long as you need. I won't let go."
Her words were soft, but they carried the weight of promise. A gentle light amidst the storm inside him.
Minutes passed. The quiet between them was only broken by the sound of Klaus's uneven breaths and Sofie's steady, soothing whispers.
Then..
"Klaus, Sofie, come for din—"
The door opened, Lady Sera stepping inside. But the moment her eyes caught Klaus clinging to Sofie, asleep from exhaustion, Sofie raised a finger to her lips.
"Shhh," Sofie mouthed, pointing down at him.
Lady Sera's expression softened. She gave a small, knowing nod and quietly stepped back out, closing the door behind her.
Sofie exhaled softly, brushing Klaus's damp hair from his forehead.
She slid onto the bed, still holding his hand, refusing to release it.
And so the night passed.
Morning light.
Klaus stirred awake. His body felt heavy, his eyes raw from all the crying. When his vision cleared, he realized something.
Sofie was curled against him, arms draped over his chest, her cheek pressed gently against his shoulder.
His heart skipped.
She looked so peaceful like this warm, soft, safe.
Sofie stirred, blinking groggily. When her eyes met his, she smiled sleepily.
"Good morning, love…"
Klaus's face flushed crimson, his lips parting in disbelief.
"G-Good morning…"
Her giggle was quiet, airy. Then she pushed herself up, stretching. "I need to do my morning mana practice."
She slipped away, leaving Klaus blinking in bed his chest still warm from her presence.
After freshening up, Klaus made his way to the dining hall.
There sat Lady Sera, poised and elegant, and beside her, Varion calm and stern as ever.
"Good morning, Klaus," Lady Sera greeted warmly.
Varion merely gave a short nod.
Klaus sat down. Maids began laying out plates of steaming breakfast.
The moment the food hit the table, Klaus dug in shoveling bite after bite.
Lady Sera blinked, then smiled faintly.
"Klaus, slow down. You'll—"
He choked.
The maids gasped, rushing forward. Klaus pounded his chest until the food went down, face red.
Sera sighed, though the amusement in her eyes betrayed her tone. "—choke."
"Worth it," Klaus muttered hoarsely, reaching for more.
The doors opened again. Sofie walked in, her face bright after her morning practice.
But instead of sitting, she stood before the table, hands clasped in front of her.
"I… have an announcement."
The room quieted instantly. Even the maids froze, curious.
Klaus, meanwhile, kept eating. Probably about the Phoenix, he thought, too busy with his plate to look up.
Sofie took a deep breath. Her chest glowed faintly, flames flickering around her.
And then—
From her body stepped forth a radiant being.
Wings of golden fire unfurled, brushing against the ceiling.
A regal humanoid figure cloaked in living flame took form, eyes glowing like twin suns.
Asteria.
The room went dead silent.
Varion's bread slipped from his hand, landing back on the plate with a soft thud.
Lady Sera's mouth fell open in pure shock.
The maids trembled, some bowing instinctively under the overwhelming aura.
"This is Asteria," Sofie said proudly, her cheeks pink from both excitement and nerves.
"She's… a phoenix I have bonded with."
The Phoenix bowed its head gracefully.
Its voice echoed like firelight, warm yet commanding.
"Greetings, House Ignar. I am honored to stand before you."
The air thickened. The aura was enough to make even seasoned warriors sweat.
And then just as suddenly Sofie said,
"Alright, Asteria, that's enough. You can get back now."
The Phoenix gave her a look of quiet fondness before dissolving into flames, returning to Sofie's chest.
The moment it vanished, Varion shot to his feet, his face pale.
"H-How…?"
Sofie placed her hand over her heart."I was chosen as the Child of Fire. In my last battle, Asteria awakened inside me. She and I are one now."
Varion's eyes narrowed, scanning her presence.
His expression hardened in shock."…Sofie. You—"
In a blur, he was beside her, gripping her shoulders.
"You've… already integrated past the Archeon level."
Sofie blinked, confusion clear in her face.
"Past…? What does that mean?"
Varion's grip trembled. He swallowed, forcing calm into his voice.
"Archeons eventually stop growing. Their power plateaus. But you…" He exhaled sharply. "Your potential is limitless. With Asteria… you could ascend even higher."
Varion nodded, his face stern.
But Lady Sera raised a hand, her voice smooth but firm.
"Before she dreams of becoming something far greater, she will attend the Academy."
Sofie froze. "W-What?"
She bolted toward the door. "Nope! Not going!"
But Lady Sera caught her effortlessly by the wrist, reeling her back.
"Nice try, young lady."
"B-But Mother—!" Sofie whined, pouting.
"Not unless Klaus comes too!"
At once, Varion, Lady Sera, and Sofie all turned their eyes toward Klaus—still chewing calmly through his breakfast.
"…Huh?"
Sofie smirked, arms crossed smugly.
Klaus sighed. "I'm not going. I can't pay those ridiculous fees anyway."
Lady Sera's smile curved upward, menacingly.
"The Ignar family will sponsor you."
Klaus froze mid-bite, gulping down his food nervously. "…Fine."
---
Afternoon sunlight spilled across the Ignar estate's grand study, where heavy tomes lined the shelves and banners of crimson and gold hung proudly.
Klaus and Sofie sat side by side on a long velvet couch, while Varion stood tall before them, Lady Sera poised elegantly by his side.
"The academy you will both be entering…"
Varion began, his voice carrying the weight of command, "is known as Eryndor Academy."
"It is the pinnacle of education and combat training in the Meridian Continent," Varion continued. "Students who graduate are recognized across nations. Some ascend to lead guilds, others join courts, and a rare few… work under Monarchs."
Sofie's eyes widened, the pressure sinking in. Klaus only raised a brow, listening quietly.
Varion's gaze sharpened."To enter, you must pass the entrance examination. It comes in two parts the first is a written exam."
Sofie's throat bobbed as she swallowed hard. "W-Written?"
Varion's lips curved faintly. "It is nothing to worry about, Sofie. Knowledge of mana theory, world history, and combat laws. The basics."
Sofie let out a shaky sigh of relief… though her eyes betrayed panic.
Varion's voice lowered."The second is the physical exam."
Klaus leaned forward slightly. "What's so hard about that?"
Before Varion could answer, Lady Sera cut in, her tone cool and elegant.
"The physical exam is designed to push students to their limits. The Academy records their thresholds, durability, and innate combat instincts. From this, they gather data on each student's potential and elemental traits."
Klaus nodded in quiet understanding, his hand absently resting on Fushigiri. "Makes sense."
Lady Sera gave him a small approving smile.
"Good," Varion concluded. "Prepare well. The exam begins in two weeks."
That night.
Sofie sprawled across her desk, papers scattered everywhere, her cheeks puffed with frustration.
"Ughhhh… who cares about the year the Third Mana Accord was signed?! Why do I have to memorize this junk?!"
Klaus sat across from her, casually flipping through a book on elemental combat theory.
"Because it's on the exam."
Sofie groaned dramatically, slamming her face into her notes. "I'm doomed."
Klaus smirked faintly. "You fought an assassin and bonded with a Phoenix, but a history test's gonna take you down?"
"Don't mock me!" she snapped, cheeks red.
"Dates are harder than assassins!"
Klaus chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You're hopeless."
"Fine, then quiz me!" she shot back, jabbing a finger at him.
Klaus sighed, leaning on his hand. "Alright. What are the four founding pillars of elemental theory?"
Sofie froze. Her lips parted. "…Uh…"
"Mmhm," Klaus hummed knowingly.
Sofie scrambled, flipping through her notes frantically. "Wait, wait, I know this one! It's uh fire, water, lightning, and…"
"Wrong."
Her head shot up, glaring. "Then what is it, genius?"
Klaus smirked. "Energy, form, resonance, and adaptation. Basic mana structure."
Sofie slumped against the table, muttering into her sleeve. "Stupid smart boyfriend…"
Klaus blinked, ears turning red at the word boyfriend. He quickly looked back at his book. "…Don't call me that when you're sulking."
Sofie peeked up at him, a sly grin tugging her lips. "Why? Did it fluster you?"
Klaus's ears turned even redder. "…No."
Her laughter echoed through the halls of the Ignar estate that night, chasing away the heavy shadows of the past days.