And when their eyes met, the Second Princess Jina Joul quickly averted her gaze and turned to Kin Light, asking,
"Are you saying that Baro and Fiore are his disciples?"
"Yes, Your Highness. He has changed since that time—he's become responsible. I've heard he now lives in the commoners' district with only his mother, abandoning the life of nobility."
When Kin first heard that Shion would be expelled, he thought, like everyone else, that at the very least Shion would head to the wealthy districts to try and regain his status. Yet instead, he chose the commoners' district, never begging anyone for help, and changed into a better man.
Upon hearing Kin's words, the Second Princess immediately recalled those calm, silvery eyes, but she quickly suppressed her emotions and returned to watching Baro and Fiore.
Up until now, no one knew the true reason behind the hostility between Vioni Lucius and Baro Ferrer and Fiore Tai. Then, the announcer stepped forward and said:
"Normally, we would select the scene randomly for each candidate. However, due to today's special circumstances, we searched for the time when they were together. By the supervisors' authority, we may share what happened."
Shion fixed his gaze on the arena as the scene shifted—there stood Baro and Fiore, carrying out the tasks assigned by the examiners. Their mission was to enter the den of a giant serpent and rescue another competitor.
"Do we really have to do this?"
"Yes. In the future, it will be our duty to protect the kingdom from any threat. As academy students, we must have this quality."
"Not that every student acts like that… they're worse than beasts, hunting others just to steal points."
"Then when we meet them, we'll strike with full force."
Baro's eyes turned cold at that moment.
"At the very least, we'll learn how to fight true enemies, not just monsters."
As they neared the serpent's den, they advanced cautiously. The place was dimly lit. Baro stepped in front of Fiore and released his aura. As a swordsman with the attribute of light, his aura shone brilliantly, illuminating every corner of the cave.
From the shadows ahead, a massive black serpent with glowing blue eyes emerged, its gaze filled with menace. Both of them frowned.
"Its strength is at least second level," Fiore muttered, before continuing:
"We'll lure it outside. I'll keep it busy while you search for anyone trapped inside. Your light will illuminate the cave, and your speed will be an advantage."
Baro wanted to argue, but after hearing his reasoning, he fell silent.
"Fine. Don't die on me—these points aren't easy to come by."
"Got it."
As Baro and Fiore approached the serpent's lair, Baro felt a tightness in his chest. He knew that leaving his friend to face such a monstrous black serpent might mean losing him, and yet… he had to trust him. "If I can't trust Fiore now, then I'll never be able to…" he thought, his aura illuminating the path ahead.
The cave was suffocating, the stench of dampness and decay filling the air. Droplets of water echoed in the silence, as though the very walls were watching them. Each step deeper inside weighed heavily on their breaths, yet they pressed on cautiously, knowing that life and death were but a hair's breadth away.
Up in the stands, the audience watched in tense silence, whispers rising among the nobles:
"Could they really risk themselves like this?!"
"This is a gamble only those unafraid of death would take."
Princess Jina's gaze lingered for a moment on Fiore, his slender frame glowing with the power of wind, before shifting to Baro, who radiated a brilliant, holy light. She could not help but compare them to the many nobles she knew, and in her heart she whispered: "Even these commoners… show a courage greater than some of royal blood." Yet she quickly buried her emotions, her face once again masked in cold indifference.
Both of them charged forward together. Fiore's sword tore through the air, leaving rending gashes upon the serpent's body, while Baro drew its attention with his Light Spear, striking the same point with destructive force.
Fiore's attacks shredded its flesh broadly, while Baro's precise strikes drilled deep holes into one side of its body. The serpent hissed violently, thrashing in rage. Baro targeted one of its glowing eyes and pierced it, causing the beast to roar. He pulled out his spear, taunting the creature, then dashed with all his speed out of the cavern, dragging it after him.
Outside, the serpent unleashed a furious barrage of attacks at Baro. Its single remaining blue eye glared at him with murderous intent, and Baro glared back, his aura blazing. Yet, his focus was not on the beast, but on the cave entrance.
As the serpent lunged to devour him, a shout rang out:
"Now!"
Fiore stumbled out of the darkness, battered but alive. He unleashed his aura of wind in a savage assault, striking directly at the serpent's gaping maw. The beast shrieked in agony, its jaw torn apart. Fiore pressed on mercilessly, scattering his aura into a whirlwind of cutting strikes that tore its body with dozens of fresh wounds.
The serpent's rage-filled gaze locked on Fiore—but then it realized that Baro had finally entered the cave, his radiant light filling the darkness.
Fiore smirked cruelly, drawing his curved blade for the next assault, as the arena split into two scenes: one following Baro inside the shadowed cavern, and the other locked on Fiore as he battled the black serpent outside.
The crowd in the stands erupted, voices of awe and admiration rising like a storm:
"What is this?!"
"They're absolutely incredible!"
"Even with the serpent's strength, they handled it with ease!"
"I actually pity the serpent facing them!"
"I need to meet their teacher! I want him to be my mentor!"
But ridicule followed quickly:
"With your pathetic talent, you'll never even see him!"
"What did you say, bastard?!"
The stands roared, drowning in noise, the same voices that had mocked Baro and Fiore only moments ago now singing their praises.
Sol sat watching Shion, whose face had turned crimson from embarrassment as he heard their words. She leaned toward him and whispered:
"Did you really teach Baro all of that?!"
A rare, proud smile crossed Shion's lips.
"Yes."
He turned back toward the arena. He still had no idea about the strange hostility between Baro Ferrer, Fiore Tai, and Vione Lucius. But he wasn't alone in that ignorance—every noble, every faction, and even the spectators themselves leaned forward in anticipation. Among them, the second princess, Jina, watched with keen eyes. These students weren't just Shion's disciples; they were something more.
Outside, Fiore battled the maddened serpent, while Baro plunged deeper into the cavern. His aura lit the path until he found her—a girl, beautiful despite her wounds. He rushed toward her.
"Are you alright?"
She eyed him warily.
"Who are you?"
"I am applicant Baro Ferrer. I came to complete a rescue mission."
Her eyes widened.
"So… you're not here to fight me, or steal my points?"
Baro shook his head firmly.
"Forgive me, but my master never taught me to strike women… nor the wounded. And for some reason, you are both."
The girl lowered her head in shame.
"All because of that bitch… There was a rare herb, worth many points. We had to cooperate. But she stabbed me in the back and left me here with the serpent. I barely survived."
Baro frowned.
"How long have you been here?"
"Not long… but she's still nearby. That bitch hasn't left yet."
Baro's eyes narrowed.
"Outside the cavern…?"
She tilted her head, puzzled.
"Yes. Why that face?"
His voice grew colder.
"My friend is out there… with that serpent. And with your so-called 'bitch.'"
The girl's lips pressed into silence, her expression tightening with worry.
Meanwhile, outside, Fiore's clash with the black serpent raged on. From head to tail, its body was laced with wounds, yet its fury only grew. With frightening speed, it lunged.
Fiore's breath came ragged as he dashed between the trees.
"This thing… it still isn't tired? What the hell do I do?"
Then his eyes caught a glint of branches scattered nearby. A smirk curved across his lips.
"This will do."
Snatching one, he carved it with his blade as he ran, each swing shaping it into something deadly. When the serpent tried to retreat, he provoked it again, keeping it on his tail. Finally, the branch resembled a crude spear.
"Carving wood with a sword is harder than I thought… but still…"
He whirled around and charged, stabbing. The serpent dodged gracefully. Fiore's grin widened.
"That's what I wanted!"
As the serpent's wounded side turned, he drove the makeshift spear in, channeling wind-element aura into the weapon. The thrusts drove deeper and deeper, ripping a scream of agony from the beast.
But before he could finish it, an icy blade ripped across his arm, tearing the hand that held his sword.
"Damn it!" he hissed, glaring toward the source.
A girl stepped forward—elegant, white-haired, her sapphire eyes gleaming with coldness. Her voice rang sharp and calm:
"Greetings. I am Fione Lucius. If you value your life, leave now. Otherwise, I will kill you as well."
Her smile was faint, but Fiore only laughed.
"Hahaha! Little girl, if you don't want to get hurt, it's you who should step back… because with me, things never end with just scratches!"
Fione faltered for only a moment, then steadied her voice with icy resolve.
"Then… die."
She raised her hand. A massive magic circle flared to life, and shards of ice formed on its surface before launching in a storm.
Fiore charged without hesitation, deflecting with his remaining hand, forcing his way toward her. Startled, she drew a vial from her pocket and flung it. When his sword slashed it apart, liquid splashed across him.
His face twisted.
"What the hell is this, little girl?!"
Her lips curved in mischief.
"Look at your friend… and you'll know."
Danger prickled through him. He ducked instinctively, barely avoiding the serpent's strike. The liquid had driven it madder still.
"You bitch!!!" he roared, fury boiling.
But fury wasn't enough to save him. Between the serpent's wrath and Fione's magic, his body bled from countless wounds.
Then a familiar voice rang out:
"Go for her! I'll handle the serpent!"
Fiore barked a laugh.
"Didn't your teacher tell you never to fight women?!"
The voice shot back, steady and cold:
"First, you're not his student yet. Second, you'll be the one striking her, not me. Third…"
In that instant, a spear of light pierced through the serpent's head, dropping it dead. Baro's voice followed, calm as he yanked the weapon free:
"…as I said before, I will fight anyone who preys on others with all I have—even if she's a woman."
Fiore's grin returned, feral.
"Finally!"
He lunged at Fione with full force. But she slid back gracefully, retreating on purpose toward a nest of wasps. Fiore stopped, unwilling to press forward.
She smirked.
"What now?"
Fiore's mouth twisted, a storm of curses about to spill—
But Baro stepped forward, calm as still water. His spear rose, and his voice was a quiet whisper:
"(Spear of Light)."
The weapon shot toward Vione with blinding speed.