š” Scene 1 ā Return to Montelo Estate
The Montelo estate gates opened wide.
Sunlight spilled over cobbled stone as William, Alicia, Gin, and Shinonome rode through on horseback. Servants lined up in crisp rows, bowing low. Some looked surprised. Othersā¦ relieved.
William's mother, Lily, ran forward before decorum could catch her.
She wrapped her son in a tight embrace.
"You're thinner," she murmured. "But you've grown."
Iris stood beside the doorway, arms folded, eyes narrowed.
"You're late," she said flatly.
William smirked. "Good to see you too."
She stepped forward and pulled him into a hug so sudden it nearly knocked him off his feet.
"Idiot," she whispered.
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š Scene 1.5 ā Alicia's Reunion
While the estate buzzed with celebration, Alicia slipped away toward the servants' wing.
There, her motherāAnnaāstood waiting with quiet pride in her eyes. Her hands were rough, her dress plain, but the way she held Alicia felt like royalty.
"My little girlā¦" she whispered. "You're shining."
Alicia hugged her tightly, wordless.
After a pause, Anna pressed a small velvet pouch into her daughter's hands.
"Your father left this behindā¦ the only thing he ever gave me. I didn't understand it. But it's a scrollāmagic infused. Said only our child would know when to use it."
Alicia opened it just slightly. Faint glyphs glowed across the parchment. Her breath caught.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Anna cupped her cheek.
"You're strong now. But don't forgetā¦ kindness is stronger."
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š Scene 2 ā Graduation (and a Lesson in Humility)
That evening, the three stood in the old Montelo training hall. Sunlight filtered in through stained glass windows.
Shinonome waited at the center, arms crossed.
"This is your final test," she said. "Not for strength. For clarity."
She drew her blade.
William and Alicia stood side by side. Their soul weapons gleamed with fresh pride.
Too much pride.
The fight was fast. Beautiful. But the moment they moved too boldly, Shinonome struck.
William was disarmed and landed flat on his back.
Alicia followed a second later, her rapier flying across the room.
Gin laughed from the doorway.
Shinonome pointed her blade at them.
"Just because your sword shinesā¦ doesn't mean you've earned it yet."
They rose, slower. More cautious.
This time, they fought with flow. Focus.
Together, they managed a clean graze across her shoulder.
She smiled.
"Good enough."
She stepped forward and handed them each an engraved emblemāsilver and blue, with the Montelo crest.
"You are no longer students," she said. "You're protectors now. Of yourselves. And each other."
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š Scene 3 ā The Royal Scroll
The next morning, a trumpet blared.
A royal messenger rode into the courtyard, armor polished, banner raised.
He bowed to Lord Julius and handed him a golden scroll.
Julius read silently, then turned to William and Alicia.
"You've been summoned to the Ariana Royal Academy," he said.
Gin peeked over his shoulder.
"Dual Heirs of Soul Forging? That's flashy. You're basically gossip now."
Iris raised an eyebrow.
"Wonderful. Now the whole noble world gets to obsess over my little brother."
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šļø Scene 4 ā The Goodbyes
Shinonome called Alicia aside.
She handed her a black ribbon.
"This was mine," she said softly. "Tie it to your blade. When you're scared, remember you survived the fire."
Then she looked at William.
"I've trained many. But only one reminded me why I became a warrior."
She handed him a letter.
"If Lyra ever faltersāburn this. I'll come."
Gin sauntered up and tossed a coin-sized blade charm into William's hand.
"For style. And emergency flirting."
William blinked. "What?"
Gin grinned. "Don't waste it."
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š”ļø Scene 5 ā Departure
The royal carriage gleamed beneath the morning sun.
Alicia climbed in first. William followed, turning back one last time.
Iris stood on the steps, waving slowly.
Shinonome stood beside her, one hand on her sword. She didn't wave. But she nodded.
William nodded back.
Lyra's voice echoed quietly inside him:
> "You're not the same boy who entered that volcano."
William touched the hilt of his blade.
> "And I won't forget who I was, either."
The gates closed behind them.
AheadāAriana Academy.
The world was waiting.
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š Chapter End Quote:
> "Training teaches you how to fight. School teaches you who you really are."