In the afternoon, as Emily was heading to visit Lusian, she ran into Alejandro and Manuel, who greeted her cheerfully.
—Congratulations on your first victory, Emily —said Alejandro with a smile.
—I'm very proud of you, dear sister —added Manuel.
Emily thanked them and asked how they were doing.
—Good. What are you doing here? This is the men's quarters —remarked Alejandro.
—I'm going to see Lusian to help him with a healing spell —Emily explained.
Alejandro, visibly annoyed, replied:
—There's no need for you to get any closer to him. You know we're going to help you break that engagement.
Concerned, Emily responded:
—I don't want you to do anything that could put anyone in danger.
Alejandro tried to reassure her:
—Sister, we're not in danger. Everything is going according to plan. Look at the crest I'm wearing on my chest.
Surprised, Emily asked:
—You joined the king's knights?
—Yes, I want to earn Prince Andrew's favor and reclaim the lands that belonged to my family —Alejandro affirmed.
Emily, with a hint of sadness, asked:
—So you won't return to our territory anymore?
—I'll visit when I can, I promise —he replied.
In the distance, Emily saw Lusian walking alongside a black wolf and quickly approached.
—Where are you going, Lusian? You should still be resting —she said, worried.
—Instructor Casandra asked me to help with one of her classes —Lusian replied, petting the wolf Umber.
Emily insisted:
—At least let me help you recover a bit first.
Lusian, confident, replied:
—I don't think that's necessary. Besides, your friends seem pretty upset.
Uncomfortable, Emily called them over. Alejandro and Manuel complied, though with evident reluctance.
—Don't expect formalities —Alejandro commented arrogantly—. This is the academy.
—Here, hierarchies are measured differently —added Manuel, mimicking his posture—. I trust you understand.
Emily, surprised by their attitude, scolded them:
—You should behave properly.
Alejandro, defiant, congratulated Lusian for defeating Kara twice and expressed his desire to face him once he recovered, to "wake him up from his dream world." Lusian responded confidently:
—Sure, whenever you want. I'll help you see reality. Sorry, but I have things to do. Have a good day… —he murmured as he walked away, barely audible— away from me.
Emily stepped forward before he could leave completely.
—Wait, Lusian. Let me come with you.
Alejandro watched them leave, noting with frustration that his sister's attention toward Lusian seemed even greater than before. But his expression changed when he saw them enter the Beast Taming classroom, where Instructor Casandra Lloyd received them with a measured smile and a look that showed genuine interest.
Instructor Casandra welcomed Lusian enthusiastically and cast a curious glance at Umber, the imposing wolf accompanying him.
—Welcome to my class, Mr. Lusian and Miss Emily! —she exclaimed cheerfully—. I have requested your help for a demonstration for my students about the magnificent control possessed by the greatest beast tamer in the kingdom: Duchess Sofia.
—I'm ready to help, Instructor Casandra —Lusian replied confidently, maintaining the calm that always characterized him.