After dinner, the room gradually fell quiet.
The only sound was the soft crackling of the candle on the table, its warm light filling the room.
For a while, nobody spoke.
Alaric leaned back in his chair and slowly looked up at the ceiling.
His expression was unusually thoughtful.
Elara and Lalanat, sitting across from him, both noticed.
"I'm not sure about tomorrow anymore," Alaric muttered, almost as if he were only thinking out loud.
Neither Elara nor Lalanat answered immediately.
Lalanat quietly held her cup between both hands, her thumbs slowly brushing around its edge.
After a moment, she spoke.
"I wonder if Heidi is okay."
"Yeah... I wonder too," Elara replied.
She lowered her gaze toward her cup.
"She got struck in the face twice. It might not have hurt much while the adrenaline was taking over, but it'll probably hurt once it wears off."
Lalanat nodded quietly.
"And tomorrow is the final," Alaric added.
That was enough to silence them again.
Nobody seemed to know what else to say.
After a while, Elara stood up and carried her cup toward the sink.
"How about we go visit her tonight?"
Both Alaric and Lalanat looked at her.
Elara turned back toward them.
"I mean, there's no point sitting here wondering how she's doing. We might as well see her ourselves. And we'll be able to tell whether she's in any condition to fight tomorrow."
Lalanat immediately stood up.
"Yes. Besides, I think it's only natural that we visit her, considering how much time she's spent with us."
She carried her cup to the sink and placed it beside Elara's.
"All right, then. Let's get changed and head there as soon as possible," Elara said.
Both nodded.
A short while later, they had changed into warmer clothes and met downstairs.
Together, they headed toward the first-year residence to check on Heidi's condition.
---
On the other side of the academy, Arasa had finished dinner with Caelin and the others at their residence.
After eating, everyone remained around the kitchen table for a while, simply resting.
Caelin sat across from Arasa.
Nearby, Silvia quietly prepared tea for them.
For several moments, the room remained almost silent.
Then Simon suddenly walked into the kitchen, brushing a hand over his stomach.
"Woah... I feel so relieved."
He lazily pulled out a chair and sat beside Arasa.
"It's still hard to believe you're a first-year," Simon said, looking at him.
Arasa stared back at him.
"Is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult?"
He straightened himself in his chair.
Simon shook his head.
"It's not like that. The other day, I saw you with Alaric, and we almost ended up fighting too. So I assumed you were a second-year from a different class."
Before Arasa could respond, Silvia returned with the tea.
She placed the cups on the table before taking a seat beside Caelin.
Everyone took a cup.
Everyone except Simon.
Simon looked down at the empty space in front of him.
"Wait. Where's mine?"
Silvia gave him a single glance.
Simon immediately understood.
"...Right. Never mind."
He quietly stood up and returned to his room.
For a brief moment, nobody said anything.
Then Caelin let out a small sigh.
"So... about tomorrow."
Arasa took a sip of his tea, his gaze following Caelin.
Silvia remained quietly beside them, listening.
"Despite Heidi's condition, we still need to be careful with Alaric," Caelin said firmly. "We don't know what he'll come up with."
He paused.
"And once again, just because he's younger than you, don't underestimate him."
Arasa smiled faintly.
"Yeah. You've reminded me of that a few times."
He placed his cup down.
"But..."
His expression slowly became more serious.
"Just this once in my life, I feel like I'm already winning before I even draw my sword."
Caelin stared at him.
Silvia remained silent.
Arasa lowered his gaze toward the cup in front of him.
"Because, Caelin... it's not who I'm facing that's bothering me."
He took a small breath.
"For me, it's what kind of weight my blade is carrying."
His eyes returned to Caelin.
"And this time, I think mine is heavier than any reason Alaric has to win."
He paused, then shook his head.
"No... let's say it's heavier than anyone else's right now."
His fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the table.
"So I really have to win tomorrow."
A faint smile returned to his face.
"And I will."
The soft crackling of the candle filled the room.
For a while, nobody spoke.
Then Caelin finally broke the silence.
"How about we head outside and practice some moves and swings?"
Arasa's expression immediately brightened.
"Ahhh... you know I can't decline you."
He pushed his chair back and stood.
Before leaving, he turned toward Silvia and gave her a small bow.
Silvia nodded and smiled faintly.
Her gaze followed the two of them until they disappeared outside.
She remained sitting alone at the table, slowly sipping her tea.
Then something about the name suddenly caught her attention.
"Arasa...?"
Her eyes widened slightly.
"That kind of rings a bell."
She thought about it for a moment before quietly shrugging.
"I wonder why."
Silvia gathered the cups from the table and carried them toward the sink.
---
Not far from the back of Elysium Academy stood the residence of Principal Clerk.
Inside, Principal Clerk sat among a group of women, drinking and laughing as the room filled with noise.
Two women sat on either side of him, occasionally pouring more wine into his cup.
Empty wine bottles were scattered around the room, along with several pieces of broken glass.
"You still look so young despite your age, Principal Clerk," one of the women beside him said with a small smile.
"Haha, do you really think so?" Clerk laughed. "Or is it my money that's making me look good?"
The women laughed.
One of them lightly slapped his chest before joining in.
For a while, the room remained filled with laughter and drinking.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
The laughter suddenly stopped.
Everyone fell silent.
"Oh, it's my money coming again," Clerk said with a grin as he looked toward the women.
A maid opened the door and stood beside it.
Principal Clerk approached the entrance.
Standing outside was General Edric, accompanied by five soldiers.
One of the soldiers tossed a bag of coins toward Clerk.
Clerk caught it and immediately smiled.
He shook the bag slightly, listening to the coins clinking inside.
Then he nodded and turned as if he were about to return inside.
"Principal Clerk."
Edric's voice stopped him.
Clerk glanced back.
"This isn't from King Conrad," Edric said. "Consider it advice from me."
His expression hardened.
"I think you should quit this habit of yours. Or resign from your position."
Clerk's smile faded slightly.
"If what you've been doing becomes known to the other four kings, this won't end well for you."
One of the soldiers stepped forward and brought Edric's horse closer.
Edric grabbed the reins and mounted.
"This isn't a threat, like I said."
He looked at Clerk one last time.
"But you're digging your own grave. I hope you keep that in mind."
With that, Edric turned his horse around.
The soldiers followed behind him as they rode away.
Principal Clerk remained standing in the doorway, watching them disappear into the distance.
Slowly, his expression changed back into a grin.
He lifted the bag of coins into the air.
"Another payment!"
The women immediately clapped and laughed.
One of them poured him another drink as Clerk returned to his seat.
The laughter began again.
---
Meanwhile, Edric and his soldiers continued riding toward the palace.
"Hm... that old man really knows how to have fun," one of the soldiers said with a laugh.
Another soldier chuckled.
"Money and power really are everything in this world."
"Yeah," another added. "Humans are full of desires, after all. Money and power can be pretty useful when it comes to satisfying them."
Several soldiers nodded in agreement.
Edric remained silent, listening to them.
After a while, he suddenly stopped his horse.
The soldiers stopped as well.
Some of them looked around the area while waiting for him.
Edric slowly turned his head toward them.
"Listen, you guys."
The soldiers immediately straightened in their saddles and looked at him.
"Money and power certainly matter," Edric said firmly.
"But don't mistake something that matters for something that means everything."
He looked ahead.
"Look at Principal Clerk."
His expression became serious.
"That's what happens when a person becomes controlled by the very tools that gave him power in the first place."
He paused.
"Money and power can help you build your life."
"But if you become controlled by them, they'll eventually become the tools you use to dig your own grave."
The soldiers fell silent.
Edric slowly kicked his horse.
"Let's go."
His horse began moving, gradually picking up speed as he headed toward the palace.
The soldiers exchanged glances.
A few shrugged before following behind him.
The sound of their horses' hooves gradually faded into the distance.
---
Alaric, Lalanat, and Elara stepped inside the residence of Heidi and her friends.
Kai welcomed them at the door and led them toward Heidi's room.
They found her sitting quietly on her bed, her head wrapped in bandages. Beside her sat Tina, holding an empty bowl.
As they entered, both Tina and Heidi looked toward the door.
Heidi let out a small laugh, brushing the back of her neck.
Elara and Lalanat slowly sat beside her bed.
"Are you okay?" Lalanat asked.
Heidi laughed softly.
"Ahh... he really got me there. But I'm fine now."
She smiled faintly.
"That's good to hear," Lalanat said.
Silence followed.
Heidi's smile slowly faded as well.
Alaric stood beside the door, leaning against it. He was unusually quiet.
Heidi looked at him for a moment before quietly lowering her gaze toward her hands.
*Is this really the end for us?*
She bit her lip.
*I won the battle... but it feels like we're losing the war.*
Elara slowly reached over and tapped her shoulder.
Heidi looked at her.
A tear began forming in the corner of her eye.
"You don't have to hold it in," Elara whispered.
A moment later, the tear rolled down Heidi's cheek.
She quickly covered her face, trying to wipe it away.
No one spoke.
They simply remained where they were, each lost in their own thoughts.
After a while, Heidi dried her tears and slowly caught her breath.
Alaric finally stepped closer.
"Do you at least want to try?" he asked.
Heidi stared at him in disbelief.
For a moment, no words came out.
"Well... if you do, we can at least try to make it work."
He paused.
"But it'll put me in a tight position."
Elara looked at him.
"But the rules say two of you need to be in the arena to fight. And seeing her condition..."
She glanced toward Heidi.
Heidi lowered her gaze.
"She doesn't need to fight," Alaric said.
"She just needs to be there."
Everyone looked at him in silence.
For a moment, nobody said anything.
Outside the door, Kai and Benjamin pressed themselves against the wall, trying to listen to the conversation while repeatedly reminding each other to stay quiet.
"Wait... why is everyone so quiet?" Benjamin whispered.
Kai immediately raised a hand.
"Shhh."
Alaric looked toward Heidi again.
"So... do you?"
Heidi nodded slightly.
Just then, Alaric walked toward her and gently brushed some of her hair aside.
"Okay, then."
He slowly turned toward the door.
As he opened it, he suddenly found Kai and Benjamin standing awkwardly outside.
They immediately straightened themselves, trying to look innocent.
Alaric simply looked at them for a moment before speaking.
"Just be there tomorrow. We'll do everything we can."
He looked back toward Heidi.
"So rest well tonight."
With that, he walked out.
Elara and Lalanat followed him, giving Heidi small waves as they left.
"Goodbye," they whispered.
Heidi waved back weakly.
Her mouth remained slightly open as she stared toward the doorway, still processing what Alaric had just said.
Kai and Benjamin hurried inside.
"Whoa... that's Alaric Thandor," Benjamin said, clearly impressed.
Kai nodded.
"Perhaps he might actually win tomorrow."
Beside Heidi's bed, Tina let out a huge breath.
"They suddenly came in... I was trying my best not to even breathe loudly."
She exhaled again.
Heidi remained staring at the doorway.
She was still trying to process everything.
---
As Alaric, Elara, and Lalanat walked away from the residence, Elara spoke from behind him.
"What are you thinking?"
Alaric kept walking without answering.
"You're fighting alone? Is that what you're saying?" Elara asked, following behind him.
"Yes."
Lalanat frowned.
"Alaric, that's a little too reckless."
"It's not like we have another choice," Alaric simply replied.
He continued walking.
Elara and Lalanat followed close behind, almost as if they were chasing him.
"Why do you have to put yourself on the line for someone you just met?" Elara asked.
Alaric stopped.
For a moment, he remained silent.
"I mean..."
He slowly turned toward them.
"She hasn't given up."
He paused.
"And she earned this opportunity."
His expression became more serious.
"It just feels wrong to give up on something someone earned with blood..."
He looked toward the ground.
"...before the person who earned it even has the chance to."
He fell silent for a moment.
"Besides..."
His eyes lifted again.
"I promised Caelin that I'd fight this battle."
With that, Alaric slowly turned and continued walking.
Elara and Lalanat simply stood there, watching him.
Neither of them spoke.
After a moment, they slowly followed.
Together, the three of them made their way back toward their residence.