The massive crystal doors of the Throne Hall closed behind Eray and Junia with a heavy boom.
The suffocating, divine pressure inside was gone.But the air outside was no less dangerous.
The guards waiting in the corridor moved to take the "new prisoners."
One of them grabbed Junia's healing leg roughly.
She cried out in pain.
Despite his exhaustion, Eray clenched his teeth and tried to step forward.
"Don't touch her!"
At that moment, a silver flash cut between them.
Princess Aeliana caught the guard's wrist in midair.
Her movement was so fast that no one saw her approach.
"Step back," Aeliana said.
Her voice was low.But it carried an authority sharp enough to freeze blood.
"They are no longer under the Royal Guard's authority.They are mine."
The guard stepped back in shock and bowed his head.
"My apologies, Princess. I was only following procedure—"
"The procedure has changed," Aeliana said without looking at him.
Then she slowly turned to Eray.
Her expression was unreadable.
Hatred? Yes.But beneath it, there was something else.
Satisfaction.
Like someone examining a newly captured wild animal.
She grabbed Eray by the collar and slammed him against the wall.
Only a few centimeters separated their faces.
Eray could smell the violet scent of her breath.He could feel the dense magical energy radiating from her body.
"Listen carefully, human," Aeliana said."You managed to impress my father inside.That shadow trick saved your life.
"But out here…In my world…
"That same trick will only get you killed faster."
With her gloved finger, she jabbed the Raiders insignia on Eray's chest.The worn symbol with a single line.
"Forget this rag," she said coldly."There are no 'Raiders' here.
"No such word.
"If I hear it one more time, I will personally cut out your tongue.Do you understand?"
Eray did not look away.
The closeness, the threat, twisted his stomach.But it also made his heart race.
"I understand," he said hoarsely."Then who are we?"
Aeliana curled her lip in a mocking smile.
"You are fallen nobles from the Northern Border," she said."Your lands were taken.You are refugees of the Human Kingdom.
"We took you in out of pity.
"That is your role.
"Miserable. Talentless.But considered worth training."
She released him and turned away.
Her cloak snapped in the wind.
"We leave now," she said."The Academy is four hours away.
"And I am not kind enough to carry you on my wolf."
The journey was silent and painful.
Aeliana rode ahead on her massive silver wolf.
Eray and Junia were placed on horses provided by the guards.
But their reins were tied to Aeliana's saddle.
They were dragged like captives.
The flawless, shining architecture of the capital, Estos, slowly faded behind them.
Emerald forests gave way to wilder, denser, older trees.
The road twisted toward the mountain foothills.
During the four-hour journey, Aeliana never looked back.
But Eray could feel the tension in her back.
She saw this task as punishment.And she was waiting for a chance to take out her anger on them.
At last, the forest ended.
A wide valley opened before them.
The sight stole Eray's breath.
Aetheria Academy.
It was not a single building.
It was a massive complex carved into nature itself.
Giant amphitheaters built into the mountainside.Library towers rising over waterfalls.Floating magical platforms in the air.
This was not just a school.
It was a city.
When they reached the entrance, they saw that the Academy was not only for elves.
Hundreds of students filled the courtyard.
Most were tall, arrogant High Elves.
But there were others.
A Dwarf in the corner, sharpening an axe, his beard braided with jewels.A graceful Half-Human with cat ears and a tail, reading a parchment in the shade.Even a massive Golem, its skin like solid stone.
Aeliana stopped.
Eray and Junia were forced to stop as well.
The Princess dismounted and walked toward them.
"This is Aetheria," she said coldly."A place where allied races are trained.
"But don't misunderstand.
"Here, 'ally' means rivals who haven't killed each other yet."
She stepped closer to Eray.
She plunged her hand into his hair and forced his head up.
The move was sudden and possessive.
Eray didn't even have time to react.
"Keep your head up," Aeliana said.
Her voice was harsh.But there was a strange hint of protection in it.
"If you look like prey, they will eat you.
"Everyone here can smell weakness."
She turned away, glancing at Junia.
By then, they had drawn attention.
Whispers spread through the courtyard like wind.
"A human?""At the Royal Academy?""Why did Princess Aeliana bring those filth?""What are those Imperial bastards doing here?"
A group of High Elf students approached with mocking smiles.
One of them, a tall blond male elf, looked at Eray with disgust.
"The palace standards have fallen," he said loudly."Are we training pets now?"
Junia tried to step forward in anger, but Eray stopped her.
Aeliana slowly turned toward the student.
She did not reach for her sword.
She only looked at him.
In that gaze was the full weight of a dynasty thousands of years old.And a promise of pure, refined violence.
"Kaelen," Aeliana said calmly."That 'pet' is here by the King's order.
"And if you insult the King's command—or my guests—one more time,
"I will tear out your tongue and feed it to your beloved hawks."
The smile froze on Kaelen's face.
His color drained.
He stepped back quickly and bowed his head.
"My apologies, Princess."
Aeliana turned back to Eray.
There was no sign of "I protected you" on her face.
Instead, there was something worse.
A selfish, toxic ownership that said:Only I am allowed to punish you.
"Move," she said."To your dormitories.
"Training begins tomorrow.
"And I swear, Eray…"
Her lips curved slightly.
"…you will miss the monster you killed."
In fact, Eray had not killed it. He had only wounded it. But he was not bothered by the misunderstanding.