A carriage rolled to a gentle stop in front of the Might's residence.
The horses neighed softly as the carriage door opened.
Janelle stepped down, dressed in a simple short gown. She wasn't wearing a Legion Academy uniform yet.
The two guards who had escorted her remained beside the carriage, dressed in their usual uniforms, swords resting at their sides.
Janelle turned toward them.
"Thank you. You can head back now."
The head guard bowed respectfully.
"Stay safe, my lady."
Janelle smiled and nodded.
The guards mounted their horses, turned the carriage around, and departed.
Janelle watched them disappear down the road before turning toward the entrance.
The large doors opened.
An elderly butler stood behind them.
His hair was almost completely gray, and his posture carried the dignity of a man who had served the Might family for decades.
His eyes widened slightly when he saw Janelle.
"Lady Janelle. What a pleasant surprise."
Janelle smiled.
" Thank you for letting me in."
The old butler chuckled.
"You're very welcome, my lady. I heard you told me you were coming, but I thought you were simply playing around."
"I only came to see my friend, that's all."
"Of course. He's in the dining room. Having his dinner."
"Thank you."
Janelle stepped inside.
The butler closed the door behind her.
The Dining Room
Duke sat quietly at the dining table, eating his dinner.
The room was peaceful.
Until—
"My dear Duke."
Duke immediately stopped.
His eyes widened.
He slowly lowered his cutlery.
"Janelle?"
She smiled.
"You look surprised."
"I didn't expect you to come today."
Janelle laughed softly.
"I just came to tell you some good news."
Duke leaned back slightly.
"What kind of news?"
"First, how are you doing?"
"Good. I've been good."
"That's nice."
Janelle pulled out a chair and sat across from him.
Duke looked at her curiously.
"I recently found out that my butler registered me for Legion Academy."
Janelle's eyes widened.
"Really? You're coming too?"
Duke frowned.
"What do you mean, 'too'?"
"I mean I'm coming too."
Duke paused.
Then a small smile appeared on his face.
"Wow."
He looked genuinely pleased.
"It'll be nice if we both join Legion Academy together."
"Exactly."
Janelle rested her arms on the table.
"I was even present during the Lords' Clash."
Duke looked at her.
"You were?"
"Yeah. I didn't see you there, though."
"I didn't know you were there."
"I was."
Duke gave a small shrug.
"I didn't really want to go."
Janelle laughed.
"You didn't want to watch the Lords fight?"
"I didn't say that."
"Then why didn't you go?"
Duke sighed.
"My butler registered me without even telling me. I was actually quite angry about it."
From behind them came a quiet chuckle.
The elderly butler had returned to collect Duke's unfinished plate.
"I told you that you were going to enjoy yourself."
Duke glanced at him.
"You're feeling yourself too much."
The butler simply smirked.
He collected the leftovers and walked away.
Janelle smiled.
"So, Legion Academy is distributing the new uniforms today."
Duke looked at her.
"Today?"
"Yes. Those who can come to the academy can collect theirs personally. For those who can't, the academy will send the uniforms to them."
Janelle stood.
"Why don't we go together?"
Duke looked toward the door.
"I was actually planning to stay here and have mine delivered."
Janelle raised an eyebrow.
"Duke."
He sighed.
"Fine. Let's go."
Janelle smiled.
"Good choice."
The two stood up.
As they reached the entrance, the old butler opened the door for them.
"Safe journey, young master Duke. And you too, Lady Janelle."
They both nodded.
"Thank you."
The two stepped outside.
Legion Academy
After walking for some time, Janelle and Duke finally reached their destination.
Legion Academy.
The enormous gates stood before them.
And the area outside was already crowded.
Students from different families and backgrounds filled the grounds, all waiting for their uniforms and the beginning of their academy lives.
Janelle looked around.
"Duke…"
"Hm?"
"There are a lot of people."
Duke looked across the crowd.
"She wasn't exaggerating."
Dozens upon dozens of aspiring apprentices had gathered.
But something else caught their attention.
Inside the academy grounds stood several Scouts and Senior Scouts.
They weren't there casually.
They were positioned throughout the entrance with unusual seriousness, almost as though they were expecting someone important.
Then—
The academy gates opened.
Everyone became quiet.
The Great Elder stepped forward.
Neil.
Bruno stood beside him, as always, while Lord Kelvin, Lord Ackman, and Lady Nerissa followed behind.
Kelvin looked across the crowd.
"There are a lot of students here."
Ackman nodded.
"Yeah. A lot of them came."
Nerissa simply smiled.
Neil looked toward the road ahead.
"I came out here because I'm expecting someone special."
Kelvin raised an eyebrow.
"Someone special?"
"The son of the King of Valtheris."
The Lords exchanged glances.
"I see," Ackman said.
The Great Elder continued toward the academy entrance.
The moment the students saw the high-ranking figures approaching, they immediately raised their right hands to their foreheads.
A unified salute.
Janelle and Duke followed.
Neil walked past them and gave a friendly wave.
"Relax."
The students lowered their hands.
Neil then took his position in front of the academy.
A moment later—
The sound of horses echoed through the street.
Everyone turned.
A large carriage approached from the right.
Several soldiers rode ahead of it, while others followed behind.
The carriage stopped directly in front of the academy.
The captain of the guards dismounted.
He approached the Great Elder and bowed.
"Greetings, Great Elder of Sunstone."
He turned toward the carriage.
"Lord Riven is here."
The captain opened the carriage door.
A young man stepped out.
Riven Veylor.
He was accompanied by his mother, the Queen of Valtheris.
Riven looked toward the academy.
The Great Elder smiled.
"Welcome, Riven."
Riven returned the smile.
"So you're the Great Elder."
"Yes. I am."
The two shook hands.
"It is nice to finally meet you."
Riven nodded.
"I am Prince Riven of Valtheris."
Neil smiled.
"I've heard your name before."
"I decided to join Legion Academy because I've heard many great things about this place."
Neil chuckled.
"That means the academy must be quite famous."
"I suppose so."
Riven looked toward the academy.
"I came today because I heard the uniforms were being distributed."
"They are."
Neil gestured toward the academy.
"Your uniform will be prepared shortly. You'll just need a little patience."
"Of course."
Neil then turned toward Riven's mother.
"And you must be the Queen of Valtheris."
She gave a graceful nod.
"Yes."
Neil respectfully took her hand and greeted her with the courtesy appropriate for royalty.
Riven's mother smiled.
"My son made the decision to join your academy. He speaks about Legion Academy quite often."
Neil looked toward Riven.
"That is good to hear."
He turned back toward the Queen.
"Legion Academy isn't simply a place where students learn. We teach them to understand their abilities and master their own potential. And, as they grow, they can rise through the ranks."
The Queen nodded.
"I understand."
She looked toward her son.
"I leave him in your hands."
She reached out and gently adjusted Riven's clothing.
"Stay well, my boy."
Riven smiled.
"I will, Mother."
She smiled back.
"Good."
She returned to the carriage.
The captain closed the door.
The soldiers mounted their horses.
Before leaving, they saluted Riven.
Riven returned the gesture.
The carriage slowly departed.
Neil watched it disappear.
"I hope you enjoy your stay at the academy, Riven."
Riven smiled from inside the carriage.
"I think I will."
Neil turned toward the gathered recruits.
"Now, regarding your uniforms…"
Everyone became attentive.
"Your uniforms will be distributed shortly. I ask that all of you remain patient while we prepare the correct sizes."
He looked across the crowd.
"While you wait, you are free to speak with one another. Get to know your fellow recruits."
His expression softened.
"You may also approach our senior Scouts if you require guidance. They can explain the academy's system and what you should expect when your training begins."
He paused.
"The rules and regulations will be given to you once you officially enter the academy."
Neil lowered his hand.
"Thank you."
The recruits immediately saluted.
Neil returned the salute.
Then he smiled.
"So far, I've noticed something."
He says to the lords
"This year's recruitment may be one of the best we've seen."
He looked over the students.
"I can already sense students with remarkable energy."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"I want to see what all of you can accomplish once you enter the battlefield."
Kelvin smiled.
Neil continued.
"And several of you have their children joining us this year."
He suddenly paused.
"Come to think of it…"
He says in his mind
His expression changed slightly.
"I haven't seen Chad or Mason in quite some time."
He thought for a moment.
"Chad told me he was going to another kingdom for a family wedding."
Neil shrugged.
"I suppose their uniforms can simply be delivered to them."
He turned toward three Scouts.
"You three."
The Scouts immediately stepped forward.
Neil gestured toward them.
"I want you to deliver Mason Lord Chad's son, uniforms to their village."
The three Scouts straightened.
"Can I entrust you with that mission?"
"Roger that!"
They immediately saluted.
"Get your horses ready."
"Yes, Great Elder!"
The three Scouts hurried away.
Neil turned around and entered the academy.
Bruno followed beside him.
Kelvin, Ackman, and Nerissa followed behind.
Janelle watched them disappear through the academy doors.
She looked around at the countless recruits.
For a moment, her expression became serious.
"I honestly don't know who I'm going to face in this academy."
Duke looked at her.
"Neither do I."
Janelle looked toward the enormous academy building.
"And I don't know what kind of demons we'll eventually face."
She clenched her fist lightly.
"But there's one thing I know."
She smiled.
"I'm going to become strong."
Duke smiled.
Janelle continued.
"If possible, I want to reach the rank of Great Elder."
She paused.
"No…"
Her eyes sharpened with determination.
"I want to become a Lord first."
She looked toward the academy.
"And when I become strong enough…"
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Maybe one day I'll become the Great Elderess."
Duke looked at her.
Then he smiled.
"That's a great ambition."
Janelle turned toward him.
"What about you?"
Duke looked upward at the sky.
For a few seconds, he said nothing.
Then—
"I don't know."
Janelle blinked.
Duke continued quietly.
"I've never really had anything that pushed me toward a particular goal."
Janelle stared at him.
Duke kept looking toward the sky.
And for the first time, the two of them stood together at the gates of Legion Academy—
unaware of how much their lives were about to change.