Morning sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of Academia Arcanum's grand hall. The voices of students filled the chamber, lively and unrestrained—until the heavy doors swung open with a resonant thud.
A tall young man entered, his light-green hair catching the sun, his sharp features radiant as though carved from light itself.
"His Highness Lucius has arrived!"Whispers rippled as the students hastily bowed their heads.
Lucius Feldean, crown prince of Elvaria, walked forward with an effortless grace, his warm smile brightening the atmosphere as though he carried the sun itself.
Yet when his gaze swept the hall, it stopped—resting upon a golden-haired girl who sat quietly at the far end.
Serena Alveir.
Lucius's expression softened at once. He strode closer, the radiance around him drawing hushed murmurs from all sides.
"Serena," he spoke in a voice warm and familiar. "It has been days since I last saw you. I have missed you dearly."
The room erupted in gasps. All eyes turned to the spiritless girl who bore such an intimate address from the crown prince himself.
Serena quickly rose and curtsied. "Your Highness… I dare not take your time with my presence."
Lucius chuckled softly, his smile tender."You are my fiancée. To be with you is never a waste of time."
His words made her heart quiver, though at once they sparked another wave of whispers.
"Even without a spirit, the prince still favors her?""Or perhaps it is only duty imposed by their families?"
In the Classroom of Noble Etiquette
The atmosphere was strict, every student expected to demonstrate refinement and grace. The elderly instructor oversaw the lesson with hawk-like precision, pairing students to rehearse the art of noble greetings.
"Serena, come here," Lucius called softly, extending his hand.
She hesitated, then placed her hand in his, the two moving together in practiced elegance. Every gaze turned to them—envy, curiosity, resentment.
"You seem weary," Lucius whispered as they danced. "Are your studies too demanding?"
"No, Your Highness." Serena's smile was faint. "I simply must train harder… so that I will never burden you."
Lucius paused mid-step, his hand tightening gently around hers."You are no burden to me, Serena. Never."
Afternoon – The Elective Class of Arcane Engineering
The classroom smelled faintly of enchanted ores, the air filled with the humming of magical devices. Serena concentrated on sketching runes across a metallic board, her movements deft and confident.
Beside her, Kyren Adelric calmly adjusted the core of a magical apparatus, his hands steady.
"You are so skilled in arcane engineering," Kyren remarked without looking up. "Perhaps you should take pride instead of feeling lesser."
Serena let out a quiet laugh. "Strange words—from someone already bonded with a spirit."
This time, Kyren raised his head, his faint smile shadowed with mystery."Sometimes… having a bond does not mean one is truly free."
Her hand froze over the runes, his words echoing within her heart.
Nightfall – The Garden
Lucius sat beside Serena beneath the glow of magical lanterns, their light gentle as moonfire.
"Serena," he said seriously, "do you ever regret it? That you could not form a bond with a spirit?"
Serena's fingers curled against her lap. Her gaze was firm."Yes, I regret it… but I will not stop moving forward. If I have no magic, I will wield the sword. If the sword is not enough, I will forge new paths through arcane engineering. I will always find my own way."
For a moment, Lucius simply stared, astonished. Then he laughed softly."You are stronger than I ever imagined. Perhaps it is I who should learn from you."
Serena lifted her head, meeting his eyes openly for the first time. Her heart trembled.
But far in the shadows of the garden, another figure stood unseen. Kyren Adelric leaned silently against a tree, his calm blue eyes glinting with secrets unspoken.