In the third-year personal training room, Serenya dodged several spears created from invisible platforms that she herself produced. Even after two years, her hair remained short, but her body had become much more athletic. With light and precise movements, she could step on her own spears to propel herself and change direction, dodging the subsequent attacks.
Her eyes quickly followed the movements around her. One hundred spears were created one after another, all advancing toward her at an impressive speed.
"Air Control: Barrier!"
Before the spears could hit her, a dome of air formed around Serenya. She had manipulated the air itself to create that defense. As soon as the spears touched the barrier's surface, they shattered into countless fragments resembling pieces of broken glass.
"These spears are still too fragile... I need to improve them."
Floating in the air, Serenya dismissed the dome with a snap of her fingers and slowly descended to the ground. She calmly walked toward an area where her mother was waiting for her, watching the training with a satisfied expression. As soon as her daughter approached, Zenaria tossed a towel in her direction.
"With this, I don't think the Solcren family will want to refuse your engagement when he returns."
"I hope so. After all, all that's left is for the Solcrens to accept."
As she wiped the sweat from her forehead, Serenya remembered her attempt to formalize a marriage with the Solcren Ferreira family.
The Ferreiras had accepted the proposal, but the Solcrens had refused, stating that Enrico would only marry someone who demonstrated high potential. Apparently, they intended to follow the same criteria they were already considering for Rina, Yumeha, and a certain person whose entry had deeply irritated Serenya, especially because she hadn't asked for her permission.
"They talk as if they really care that much about him."
"It seems you don't like his family very much."
The irritation on Serenya's face was evident.
"Of course I don't! They didn't take proper care of my husband."
"I like that attitude of yours, already claiming that he's yours, but words alone won't be enough. After all, the other girls are also getting closer to receiving the Solcren family's approval."
Zenaria was referring to Seraphina, Valença, and Aoi. Over those two years, all three had demonstrated impressive potential, progressing at an abnormal rate. Even so, Serenya wasn't far behind. She had awakened a unique ability that allowed her to compete with the academy's three top female students, excluding Victoria, who was a true monster.
'That damn Rank One.'
To make matters worse, Victoria's extraordinary progress had also been fueled by information that further awakened her competitive spirit: Rina and Yumeha had reached Circle Five a few months earlier. This meant that Enrico had somehow reached that level as well while remaining trapped inside the barrier. Unable to accept that she had fallen behind on that occasion, Victoria began dedicating herself even more to training, determined to reach the same level.
'And to think they barely even know each other. They don't even talk.'
Zenaria let out a sigh as she remembered that young prodigy. In front of her, Serenya began complaining about Victoria, showing all her dissatisfaction.
"What happened to that damn prodigy? She only had to hear once that Enrico had surpassed her level to start progressing like that! Now she's close to reaching Circle Six, breaking practically every record on the continent! Why do these monsters have to exist right now of all times?"
"It seems your competitive spirit is running quite high..."
"Tsk! If this continues, when he comes back, that damn prodigy will end up attracting his attention!"
Zenaria remained silent in response to her daughter's words, as Serenya now stood in front of her with a sulky expression. After a few moments, she let out a sigh accompanied by a small smile. It had been quite some time since Serenya had shown so much enthusiasm. Since that day, she had rarely smiled like that again, but the news that Enrico would return within a month seemed to be bringing back a little of the girl she used to be.
'It's good to see her like this again.'
A memory of Serenya came to Zenaria's mind. On that occasion, her daughter had been training with an expression of deep frustration, still shaken by the loss of two of her subordinates. One of them had been killed, while the other remained trapped in an extremely dangerous place.
'Even though I haven't gone through the same situation, I can understand her frustration. A dead friend and the person she loves trapped, without knowing whether he'll ever manage to get out alive...'
Zenaria stood up and called Serenya to accompany her to the classroom, as the next lesson was about to begin. The two followed the path leading to the academy built by Hao, but as they approached the entrance, they spotted a girl sitting on one of the steps of the staircase. She had long hair, exceptional beauty, and well-defined curves. Her attention was completely focused on a piece of paper she held in her hands, reading its contents with evident concentration.
Zenaria shook her head as she observed the figure sitting on the stairs.
'She's a very beautiful girl... Well, at least that's what I would say if she were actually a girl.'
Serenya approached the person reading the paper.
"Elian, get up. It's time for class."
The boy raised his eyes for a moment, but Serenya had already walked past him, letting out a small snort. Upon observing Elian's appearance, she couldn't help feeling a pang of envy. After all, even though he was a boy, he possessed a beauty capable of surpassing that of many girls. Elian, in turn, immediately noticed the young woman's irritation.
"Alright, Second Leader."
"Elian, show me some respect! I'm your original leader!"
"I know, but I follow the one I consider the best leader."
Elian replied naturally and then tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. That simple gesture ended up highlighting his delicate appearance even more.
Zenaria watched the scene with an expression of complete disbelief. Even though she had already grown accustomed to the boy's extraordinary beauty, she still found it difficult to accept that someone of the male sex could be so beautiful. After all, Elian was considered the most beautiful person in the entire academy, surpassing even the most attractive girls, including her own daughter.
'How is that possible? He's only behind that form of young Enrico on the throne of runes.'
Serenya pointed at her subordinate, keeping her face sulky.
"You're ungrateful and arrogant! Don't forget that you're only the seventh, and you still haven't received the Ferreira family's approval!"
Elian placed one hand on his chest, maintaining a neutral expression, although he didn't hide a certain amount of pride.
"First of all, Leader, I'm very grateful to you. Even though I've chosen a new leader, I still continue to swear loyalty to you. Secondly, only say that when you manage to surpass my beauty."
Serenya's and Zenaria's eyebrows twitched simultaneously. The older woman also couldn't hide her irritation with the boy.
'As if things weren't bad enough, he knows perfectly well that he's beautiful and still allows himself to be arrogant...'
Over those two years, Elian had changed considerably. He could now respond to practically every provocation he received without showing the same embarrassment he used to whenever someone mentioned his position as Enrico's seventh wife.
Zenaria still considered it a joke among the youngsters, but Elian seemed to be taking the matter more and more naturally.
'What changed the most about him was the way he began to see Enrico. He now considers him his leader and revealed that a few months ago, precisely when we received the news about the level he had reached.'
However, it wasn't only because of Enrico's strength that Elian wanted to follow him. If that were the only reason, he would probably have sought out Victoria after discovering how much she had progressed over the past few months.
What truly attracted him was the confidence Enrico conveyed, the feeling that he could resolve any situation, even if that didn't mean coming out of it without losses. It was something Elian had learned by accompanying him during the first year and...
'He managed to avenge Caelan's death.'
Elian had approached Serenya mainly because he recognized her as someone with enough power to help him fulfill his desire to become an important person. Yes, it was a selfish reason, but none of the three had approached her for particularly noble reasons. Serenya herself knew that. Over time, however, their relationship had changed, and they were now much closer to being friends than simply a leader and her subordinates.
Zenaria raised her hand, deciding to help her daughter in the argument.
"Don't forget that Enrico considers himself a full subordinate of my daughter. Therefore, you're also her full subordinate. After all, she remains the number one leader."
"Damn it! The teacher is right!"
Elian put both hands on his head, showing genuine despair at that realization. Serenya, on the other hand, was overjoyed. In her mind, she even celebrated by raising her arms in victory.
Zenaria simply watched their reactions before entering the room, accompanied by her daughter and the boy. All the other students were already gathered, waiting for the lesson to begin.
The most impressive thing was that, among the thirty students present, twenty-one had already reached Circle Five. It was an extraordinary number, unprecedented not only in the history of Astrong Academy but also across the entire continent.
'The Golden Age of Astrong Academy... No, perhaps it would be more appropriate to call it the Diamond Age. And all of this happened because of two things...'