The atmosphere within Academia Arcanum grew heavier still.The rumors surrounding Serena Alvear refused to fade; instead, they burned brighter with each passing day.
"Perhaps… she truly is entangled with dark magic.""A noble lady without a familiar… if she wishes to stand tall, maybe she's willing to walk the wrong path."
Each word pierced Serena's heart like a chain of shadows, binding her with unseen weight.Yet whenever she stood amidst those accusing gazes, she kept her head high—not because she felt no pain, but because the honor of House Alvear forbade her from bowing.
The Shadow Awakened
One night beyond the academy walls, the capital of Elvaria lay cloaked in silence. Narrow alleys stretched endlessly into the dark.
Inside an abandoned warehouse, scarlet firelight wavered across cracked stone.There stood Irena Valkyria, face to face with a cloaked man—the envoy of the Umbra Covenant.
"You failed last time," the deep voice rumbled through his mask."But we grant you another chance. This time, do not merely stain her name. Make the entire academy believe… she is bound to demons."
Irena lowered her head slightly, eyes gleaming with reflected flame."I don't seek just victory. I want her stripped of even the right to exist."
A low chuckle vibrated from the cloaked man. He extended another dark stone bracelet, its aura reeking faintly of demonic power.
"Hide it during the ceremony… and you'll have what you desire."
Irena accepted it, lips curling into a triumphant smile—one who believed this time, her victory was inevitable.
The Midyear Trial
The next day, the great auditorium of Academia Arcanum blazed with crystalline light.
Every student had been gathered for the Midyear Trial of Magic and Arms—a grand test before professors, faculty, and most of all… the crown prince, Lucius Feldian.
Drums of ceremony thundered as the Headmaster declared the rules: each student would demonstrate their magic or martial skill.
Excitement surged among the crowd. But for Serena, every glance carried suspicion, every stare weighed heavy.
When her turn came—
Clatter!Something struck the ground.
The hidden bracelet beneath the podium flared to life, spilling waves of crimson-black energy.A shadow writhed and swelled, twisting into the fiery shape of a demonic beast.
Gasps turned to screams.
"A demon! The power of darkness is here!"
And every eye snapped toward Serena—the one standing nearest.
Her heart jolted. The pain of her childhood failure at the Familiar Selection seared through her. For an instant, her body trembled.But then she bit down, lifted her chin, and stepped forward.
"This is not my doing!"
Irena rushed out as well, feigning shock, though a flicker of triumph glinted in her gaze."N-no… Lady Serena, don't tell me…!"
The whispers exploded, swelling through the hall like wildfire.
A Miracle Against the Darkness
The shadow beast roared, surging toward the stage—
BOOM!
A deafening resonance shook the hall. The massive warding crystal embedded in the ceiling—normally dormant and reserved only for dire emergencies—blazed to life.
A holy lattice of white light descended, binding the shadow within a radiant cage before crushing it into nothingness.
Silence fell.
The Headmaster rose, expression grim."This is no spell of a student. It is interference from beyond these walls! Whoever dares tarnish the honor of this academy… shall be dragged into the light!"
The uproar shifted—from accusation, to fear. The trap Irena had set so perfectly… collapsed once more, redirected toward some unseen "third hand."
Her lips drew tight, blood nearly welling as her forced smile twisted.
The Prince Restored
After the trial, Lucius summoned Serena to a quiet garden behind the hall.Moonlight brushed across her golden hair, framing her like a warrior blessed by the heavens.
"Serena…" His voice carried guilt."I… I apologize. For doubting you. But today, I saw with my own eyes—you are untouched by any darkness."
Serena's gaze flickered, but her reply was steady."Your Highness, I have only my sword, and the honor of House Alvear. I ask for nothing else."
Lucius clasped her hand firmly—as though vowing he would no longer waver in his belief.
Words Beneath the Moon
That night, Serena stood upon the dormitory balcony, staring at the silent sky.Exhaustion weighed on her heart, yet the moonlight wrapped her in a gentle embrace.
A calm, deep voice sounded behind her."You fight against the world itself… but the world has not abandoned you to fight alone."
She turned. Kyren Adelric stood in the shadows, his pale blue eyes shimmering with moonlight, as though they could see through every storm.
Her lips pressed tight—words unspoken—but warmth stirred within her chest.For the first time, she felt it clearly: she was not truly alone.
The Shadow's Oath
Elsewhere, Irena stood in her chamber, flames casting wild shadows across the walls. Her body trembled with rage.
"Again… my game stolen before my eyes!"
She laughed—a sharp, unstable sound."Very well. If shadows cannot destroy her, I'll weave a snare vast enough… that the entire kingdom will see!"
Flames roared higher, shadows dancing madly. The herald of another storm, soon to break.
Closing Scene
Above the boys' dormitory, Kyren leaned upon the balcony rail. His pale eyes lingered on the great hall in the distance, where chaos had unfolded.
He whispered softly, a vow none could hear."This time… you will not face the demons alone."