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Far from Windsor Town, towards the south at the edges of the Capital of Kingdom of Rikos—Lian Town stood.
And at its edges.
The Royal Academy of Rikos.
There were many places in the Kingdom of Rikos that held power.
The royal palace towered in gilded pride. The mage towers sang with elemental might. The noble halls bloomed with politics and poison.
But none held power—nor revered—quite like the Academy of Rikos.
It stood at the edge of Lian Town, nestled against the plains where marble gave way to storm-stirred skies. Built of obsidian stone with golden carvings and enchanted bonewood, its spires twisted toward the clouds like frozen fingers clawing through time.
It was not just an academy.
It was Destiny.
And for some – A place to change lives.
Here, royal lineages, nobles, commoners, anyone. All studied and trained under the same roofs, under the same supervision. Trained to stand their ground, to become warriors or mages or someone, who can weild power and live his/her life in this world filled with magical beasts and other dangers.
It was built with beautiful gardens, grand corridors, diffenent types of training halls, cafeteria, dormitories and all other things.
Magic shimmering in it's every stone but that wasn't all. If someone doesn't awaken any elements, they still had some hope. Weapons Masters.
Even without magic, one can learn and master the art of weapons from the elite mentors of the academy.
Sword, spear, blades, etc.
And those with 1 element who wants to grow more and maybe work under some high noble, adventurer or even in the royal army can try to master a weapon too.
Magic swordsman, Magic spearman and more...
They were quite rare because, one have to give it's all to master a weapon and hardwork wasn't enough, sometimes luck too was needed.
And the mage with one element who wants to master them, was necessary to have great talent. Because he needed to master two things – His element and the weapon.
But those with 2 elements, they didn't even thinking about it. Not because they were already rare who awakened 2 elements but because it was just impossible to master a weapon with 2 elements.
Inside the academy.
As always students took classes, strolled on it's grownd, some discussing about spell with gremory in their hands.
But inside it's corridors, there was something different.
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Academy Corridors– Afternoon Light
A woman with crimson long hair, white pale skin glowing under the light, hourglass figure not even the Academy's uniform able to hide.
Made her way forward.
Even with her enchanting beauty and striking figure. No one dared to raise their eyes, approaching was out of the question.
Her footsteps echoed alone through the long corridor.
No guards.
No entourage.
Only whispers trailed her.
"…That's her, isn't it?" One of the onlookers amoung the students spoke.
"Yeah... the prodigy of 'Blazing Wood family'..."
"Marcia Blazing Wood..."
Yes, she is Marcia Blazing Wood. A first year and also a topper amoung her peers and even amoung some of the second years.
'Cold princess' 'Ruthless Queen'. Her two Nickname's in academy. Derived from her cold personality and ruthless duels. Where mostly the opponents almost gets crippled.
The whisper continued but she didn't flinch. No anger, No stares, Nothing.
"Hey, did you hear that too...?"
"Hm? What are you talking about?."
"You don't know. Dian. Dian Skyster is rumoured to be coming for the reawakening ceremony."
"What!, isn't that...?"
"Yeah... But don't say it bro. This might really trigger something..."
But Marcia kept walking.
Her strides slow. Measured. Regal. She didn't rush. Her face cold, no expression, just her piercing crimson eyes.
As she passed. Some bowed instinctively. Others turned their eyes away.
But all whispered.
Until she reached the edge of the main wing and turned—
Toward the cafeteria.
The moment she did, the whispers died.
The doors opened as if by her command.
She stepped inside.
But what she wasn't aware of was the pair of eyes.
That didn't left her from the moment she was out of her class and even now. They were set on the place from where she just turned.
---
Behind a pillar in the corridor, amoung the students, he stood. Alone. Wearing the same academy's uniform – A soft dark blue jacket with a logo of the academy on it's left, white shirt beneath, with black trouser and a pair of polished shoes.
Silver hair, white pale skin, a pair of jewel like sapphire blue eyes with a lean body at 5ft 10inch –Handsome, clean, disciplined and sharp.
His eyes, who always held something warm inside. Held something more this time... Determination.
He is a first year too but wasn't as gifted as Marcia or any other Muli-elemental.
He only awakened a single element —Thunder. A rare one, which helped him very much till now.
But he wasn't satisfied and begin to learn Swordsmanship too. To become more strong.
He saw Marcia the first time, when he was admitted here and was on his way for training area. She was coming back from the training area.
And in that instant, his heart starting beating loudly. Time slowing down. He could feel something binding him... to her. Something magnetic...
It was 'Love at first sight'.
And the Lady Luck was with him. They were alloted to the same class!
But when he asked a classmate of his about her. His joy, excitement became sorrow and grievances, instantly.
She was from a prestigious noble family... And he was just a commoner from a small town. but that wasn't the main issue. The main issue was the 'Skyster Family'.
She was engaged with the only heir of Skyster family —Dian Skyster.
And if the news of him laying even his eyes on her get to those family. It would be his end. Not only his, maybe his family at the town too.
All his ambitions, dreams and everything died down at that time.
But still with the help of lady luck.
Around a month and half ago. A rumour came flying to his ear. About the anullment of engagement between the two prominent family of the kingdom.
The Skyster family and The Blazing Wood family.
That day, he felt pure joy. Then after training hard and making a good image in the class. He came to this day...
"Today, I will definitely start up a conversation with her." He muttered, clenching his hand, mustering the last bit of courage.
He moved, taking his first step forward.
But halted when he heard a voice calling his name from behind.
"Aeric—."
.
.