Arthur stood in front of the chariot.
White fabric draped over him, gold trimming catching the morning light.
Verona lingered by the doorway, fingers laced together. She smiled softly.
"Take care… Arthur."
Arthur nodded. "Mm."
Elizabeth stepped forward, hands folded properly."Good luck… young master."
Arthur returned a small smile."Thanks, Nena."
The guard pulled the chariot door open. Arthur turned to step inside—
"Big brother!!"
The voice hit him like a spark snapping in dry wood.
Evelyn came running, shoes slapping against the stone.
Her white curls bounced everywhere as she launched herself at him, arms wrapping around his waist like she could anchor him there.
"Good luck!" she chirped, breathless.
Arthur laughed quietly and ruffled her hair."Thanks."
She walked back to Verona.
Arthur stepped inside.
The door shut and the wheels began to turn.
Home receded from view.
——————
By the time they reached the Preliminary Academy, Arthur felt like his insides had been shaken loose.
The chariot stopped.
He stepped down carefully, pressing a hand to his stomach.
His face was pale.
Ban smiled proudly."Congrats, Master Arthur... you're improving. "
Arthur swallowed.
His voice came out thin."Thanks… Ban."
Ban chuckled. "Alright then. Good luck."
He mounted his horse and rode off.
Arthur watched him leave, then turned to the academy gates.
A line of plain-clothed children waited.
An instructor checked names one by one.
Arthur lowered his head as he approached.
Before he could pass, someone stepped in front of him.
"You must be from the Valtoria household. Greetings."
Arthur looked up."Can I… go in? I'm not feeling well, sir…"
The instructor stared, like he'd grown another head.
"Did he get sick from a ride? Isn't he a noble?"
Arthur squinted."Um… sir, you're kinda blocking the way."
The man stiffened.
He cleared his throat. "Ah—my apologies. Right this way."
He led Arthur inside.
The hall was massive. Marble floors polished so clean they almost reflected faces. Noble children clustered together, laughter sharp and loud.
Arthur felt small.
"Wait here with the others," the instructor said."You will be addressed shortly."
Arthur nodded.
The instructor left.
His eyes wandered—landing on a black-haired figure near the reception desk.
Leo glanced at him briefly, then looked away.
Arthur exhaled slowly. "Still as cold as ever… he hasn't changed."
At the desk stood a young man with a sharp, no-nonsense expression.
"Welcome," he said, his voice steady. "I'm Varian Steele."
His gaze moved across them briefly before continuing.
"You're here for the Blade Awakening Ceremony. Tomorrow, you'll receive your blades and officially begin your path as sword mage candidates."
A short pause.
"Until then… today proceeds as normal."
A boy raised a hand. "Does that mean we'll stay overnight?"
"Yes," Varian replied.
A chorus erupted. "Ehhh?!"
"Fear not," Varian said. "As nobles, you will have private rooms... you'll be comfortable."
A girl crossed her arms. "Do you think that's enough to make us stay?"
The crowd shouted again.
Varian pinched the bridge of his nose. "Seriously… there is no pleasing you nobles, is there?"
But the noise only grew worse.
He slammed his hand on the table silencing the crowd. "Room assignments are ready. Check the board."
He walked away like he was done with the world.
The children surged forward towards the board.
Arthur scanned the list.
' Room 4.'
He walked down the corridor slowly until he found it.
He opened the door.
Inside, a cheerful boy with messy black hair and green eyes tossed a rock into the air and caught it repeatedly.
Arthur froze.
The boy noticed him and grinned."You must be my roommate. I'm Felix Arden."
He extended his hand.
Arthur stepped in and shook it. "Arthur Valtoria."
Felix froze. "Valtoria?! M-my lord—"
Arthur waved his hand. "Relax... just Arthur is fine."
Felix's face lit up. "Really…?"
Arthur nodded. "Yeah... we can talk normally."
Felix's grin widened. "Alright then—Arthur! Still... I didn't know I'd get a noble roommate."
Arthur paused. "Why are you here? The board didn't say I'd be paired."
Felix scratched the back of his head. "Well... the commoner rooms filled up. The Instructor said I'd share, I didn't expect it'd be with… someone like you."
Arthur asked lightly. "Someone like me?"
Felix panicked. "I mean—"
"It's fine."
Arthur lay on his bed, which was opposite Felix's and stared at the ceiling for minutes.
"Hey… Felix. What's life like being a commoner?"
Felix leaned back on his own bed.
"I guess you could call it freedom. We do what we want. In the city, everyone is family. Friends come easy."
Arthur's gaze never left the ceiling."Is that so…"
Felix continued, unaware of the shift in Arthur's voice.
"Adults have normal jobs—swordsmiths, traders, farmers. My father's a well-known swordsmith."
Arthur turned slightly. "So you know how to make blades?"
Felix shrugged. "Not really. I just hang out with friends."
Arthur went quiet.
Felix glanced at him. "What about you? Do you have any friends?"
The silence stretched.
Arthur finally said. "None. I haven't really… made friends with other nobles."
Felix softened. "Being a noble sounds lonely."
Arthur smiled faintly. "You could say that."
Felix jumped up."Well then! I'll pull you out of your noble loneliness."
Arthur glanced at him.
Felix stretched his hand forward. "Let's be friends... Arthur."
Arthur stared at the hand like it was something fragile.
" He wants to be friends..." he thought.
He slowly reached out and shook his hand.
Felix's grin widened. "We're friends now."
Arthur looked at Felix." Is this how people become friends?" He whispered.
Warmth settled in his chest. "I… have a friend."
—————
Arthur and Felix stood at the doorway.
Felix rubbed his belly." The food served here are the best."
Arthur's hand hovered on the door's handle." You really are a big eater... Felix."
Felix smiled." I'm lucky I got to eat with you nobles."
Arthur opened the door and they both stepped in.
The room was dark and the only source of illumination was the moonlight that passed through the window.
Felix turned to the lamp on the table." I'll light it up."
Arthur dropped on his bed." Leave it as it is."
Felix turned to him." You sure ?"
Arthur nodded.
Felix lay on his bed, arms spread wide ande stared at the ceiling.
"Tomorrow's the blade ceremony," Arthur murmured.
"I've always dreamed of wielding one," Felix replied.
"Why? Your dad's a swordsmith."
Felix shrugged."I grew up watching blades being forged, but I've never had one of my own. Besides there's a difference between the blades."
Arthur hummed.
"I heard blades choose their wielder," Felix continued. "I just hope mine isn't a chipped old blade."
Arthur laughed softly. "I hope one chooses me at all."
Felix laughed too.
Arthur hesitated. "Can I ask something?"
"Sure."
"Why do you want to become a sword mage?Your dad's a swordsmith—you could've just followed the business."
Felix was silent for a second, then spoke .
"Well… I don't tell people this, but… I want to get stronger. Strong enough to become the Sage King."
Arthur blinked. "Sage what now ?"
Felix stood by the window, moonlight spilling over him.
"The strongest sword mage in the kingdom. Respected and powerful enough to change things. Kind of looking like a second king."
Arthur asked quietly."Do you want the status?"
Felix stared at the moonlight. "Others might, but not me . I want to change this world. The discrimination between nobles and commoners… I want it gone."
He turned to face Arthur, the moonlight casting shadow." And when I create a new world, I'll be its hero."
Arthur felt something flicker in his chest. "He wants to change the world..."
He smiled without realizing it.
Felix noticed. " I don't recall saying anything funny."
Arthur stood." Sorry... you just remind me of someone I looked up to that's all."
His expression got serious." Felix... I'll be the one to become this hero. The Sage King."
Felix's eyes sparkled." Competition... huh? I knew it would show up eventually."
He sighed." Nevertheless, I'm glad it's my friend."
He brought his hand forward and smiled." You're my rival. I won't lose."
Arthur shook it."May the strongest sword mage win."
——————
The next morning, the auditorium buzzed like a shaken hive.
An old man floated in on a tattered mat, half-asleep,
He tapped his staff.
Reality shattered. Marble floors dissolved into golden sand. Blue sky stretched endlessly above. Wind howled.
Children gasped.
"Today, your blades choose you."
Light burst from above.
Hundreds of glowing swords filled the sky, humming with their own aura.
"Let the blade awakening ceremony… begin."