One week later…
The Imperial Academy of Magic Tenryuu was boiling with restrained tension.
Ceremonial banners fluttered more fiercely than usual, and the corridors filled with whispers and nervous glances. Since the beginning of the week, training sessions had intensified, and both professors and servants knew that something big was approaching.
In the vast dining hall reserved for noble students, Alex sat at a table with Arianne and Lucia.
The atmosphere was more relaxed than usual—steaming plates, quiet laughter, and low-voiced conversations about strategies, magical weapons, and tournament rumors.
Lucia, seated across from Alex, delicately cut her bread, while Arianne reviewed a series of magical notes, flipping pages with focused precision.
"Have you adapted a bit more to the pace?" Arianne asked without looking up from her notebook, though a fleeting smile crossed her face.
"More or less," Alex replied, popping a piece of fruit into his mouth. "I still struggle not to answer with my fists when someone tries to provoke me with that 'noble superiority.' But at least I don't get lost every time I enter a training hall anymore."
Lucia let out a soft giggle.
"That alone is a miracle. I remember on Tuesday you went to the restroom… and somehow ended up in the advanced alchemy hall."
"Two flasks exploded right in my face!" Alex complained—though he couldn't help but smile.
Suddenly, a shout startled everyone.
"The first-round match list has been posted!"
A second later, the entire dining hall erupted.
Students jumped to their feet, trays clattered to the floor, and several rushed toward the central notice board connected to the main corridor. From outside came hurried footsteps, shocked exclamations, and nervous laughter.
"No way! Her in the first round? That's a death sentence!"
"I got matched with Linéa?! Does anyone want to switch time slots?!"
"Alisce Charlotte is in Group B! Group B! That means she could face Seraphina in the semifinals!"
Alex raised an eyebrow.
"Is it always this chaotic?"
"Every year," Arianne replied as she closed her notes and stood up. "Come on. You should check who you're facing too. If you're unlucky… you might be in the same group as a princess who wants to tear your head off just for existing."
Lucia stood as well and nodded.
"And if you're lucky… they'll only want to humiliate you in public."
"…How encouraging," Alex muttered as he followed them.
The trio pushed their way through the crowd in the main corridor.
Before the massive enchanted wooden board, dozens of names floated in golden letters, divided into Groups A, B, C, and D, each branching into their respective match paths.
"There are the groups…" Arianne murmured. "Group A… B… and—here! Group D! Alex is here!"
Lucia pointed as Alex's eyes scanned the names.
Then he saw it.
Group D — First Round
Alex vs. Yvette de Mornaille
Silence fell inside his mind.
The name Yvette was familiar. He remembered her clearly—the noble from the floating kingdom, with serene eyes and an icy presence. The one who had dismissed nearly everyone with a single glance. The one who said promises were broken on battlefields.
"Well… you got one of the deadliest," Arianne murmured.
Lucia stiffened.
"They say Yvette can manipulate gravitational fields. One single mistake… and you'll be smashed into pieces against the ground."
Alex clenched his fist.
"Then I'd better not make mistakes."
Suddenly, the crowd parted.
Students stepped aside with respect. Even the most arrogant lowered their gazes.
Yvette de Mornaille walked toward them with steady steps. Her long, pale silver hair—adorned with blue gems—swayed elegantly. Her customized uniform, embroidered with silver details, made her look more like a queen than a student.
"So you're Alex," she said bluntly.
Arianne crossed her arms. Lucia shifted uneasily.
Alex met her gaze with his usual smile.
"And you must be Yvette de Mornaille. A noble from the Kingdom of the Ingels. I've heard about you."
"I've heard about you as well," she replied, analyzing him. "Is it true you used critical crystallization magic to save Director Naeva? Are you capable of manipulating structures at a molecular level?"
Arianne swallowed. Lucia froze.
Alex leaned an elbow on the table and smiled sideways.
"And if I were? Are you here to recruit me… or to warn me?"
Yvette watched him in silence.
"You intrigue me," she finally said. "Everyone has an opinion about you… except me. I want to see you fight."
Alex stood up and extended his hand.
"Then watch me on the battlefield."
Yvette did not take his hand.
She turned away and began to leave, but before doing so, she threw one last sentence over her shoulder:
"I will show you no mercy. I came here to bring down Alisce Charlotte—the Invincible Princess. And if you stand in my way… you will be destroyed as well."
Silence fell.
Alex sat back down, smiling.
"This is going to get interesting."
Arianne sighed in irritation. Lucia gave Alex a nervous pat on the arm.
The tournament had not yet begun, but the pieces were already moving.
Declarations of war, implicit alliances, and challenges between elite princesses spread throughout the academy.
And in the middle of it all…
for the first time, there was a single boy ready to change everything.