The coliseum of the Royal Academy thrummed with the energy of the final duels. The stands were packed with students, masters, and invited nobles; the air smelled of mana and sweat.

  In the runners-up category, Adela—second place among the mages—faced Kara, runner-up among the knights.The battle was brutal: lightning crashing against steel, magical roars colliding with the metallic echo of a blade.In the end, Kara shattered Adela's defensive circle with a precise charge, claiming victory amid cheers and stunned applause.

  In the third-place bracket, Emily—the gentle healer of the magic class—fought Andrew, third among the knights. Their duel was technical and elegant, more dance than war, but the knight's final strike broke her defense. Andrew was declared the victor.

  In the fourth-place match, Katherine—the fire strategist—confronted Jean, fourth among the knights.The field blazed with golden flames. Jean tried to endure, but a controlled explosion hurled him beyond the circle. Katherine raised her arm in triumph, sparks and smoke swirling around her.

  Finally, the most anticipated moment arrived.

  Lusian Douglas, champion of the knights, would face Elizabeth Valtoria, champion of the mages.

  Silence fell over the coliseum.

  They regarded one another from opposite ends of the magical circle: he, sword held in low guard; she, staff resting lightly against the ground, wearing the serene smile of someone who trusted completely in her power.

  The field master raised his hand."Begin."

  The circle ignited—and in that instant, Lusian activated a basic Rank 5 spell.

  A veil of dark mana wrapped around his body like a second skin, dispersing the dust at his feet. Then he ran.

  Each step thundered like a drumbeat.With every meter he closed, the magical pressure intensified.

  Elizabeth countered immediately: arcs of lightning slashed through the air, blinding lines crossing the arena. The bolts struck him violently, making his body shudder—but Lusian kept advancing.

  His skin burned. His breath faltered. And still, he did not stop.

  The audience held its breath.

  Elizabeth raised her staff for the decisive strike—but Lusian broke through the wave of energy at the final second, his body wreathed in smoke and crackling electricity.

  The blunt edge of his blade touched her shoulder.

  A heartbeat of silence—then a roar of applause.

  The referee's voice rang out:"Victory to Lusian Douglas!"

  Breathing hard, Lusian planted his sword against the ground. He looked at Elizabeth, who was still smiling despite the sweat on her brow and the sparks that danced faintly around her.

  "Did you enjoy it?" he asked with a tired grin.

  Elizabeth tilted her head, amused."Yes… very much." Her eyes shimmered. "We should do this more often."

  The crowd erupted again, but Lusian barely heard it.

  The echo of the clash, the sensation of mana scorching his skin, and the look in that mage's eyes—all of it would remain etched into his memory.

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  The day of the closing ceremony arrived.

  The echo of speeches and applause still lingered in the corridors as the banners of each noble house were lowered one by one. Outside, carriages waited in orderly lines. The air carried the scent of farewells—rolled parchment, hollow promises, and glances that struggled to hide nostalgia.

  As the principal families prepared to return to their territories, the Academy began to empty. Common students—those without lineage—would remain a little longer, fulfilling minor duties before the final closure.

  In a secluded chamber at the back of the mages' wing, two figures stood in silence.

  Lusian and Elizabeth.

  Locked in an intense kiss, they clung to one another as if time itself might pause for them. The shadows of sunset filtered through the window, bathing the room in golden light that made the farewell all the more painful.

  Lusian's heart pounded—not only with desire, but with the certainty that this would be one of the last moments he could hold her like this, without masks, without titles.

  Elizabeth threaded her fingers into his hair, and for a second, the world seemed to dissolve.Heat gathered between them, the brush of their bodies igniting a quiet urgency. Each breath, each heartbeat, drew them closer to something forbidden.

  Yet even in the midst of that storm, they knew they could not go further.

  "Elizabeth… it's a shame the academic term has come to an end. From now on, it will be harder for us to meet—or even stay in contact."

  She lifted her gaze, her eyes shining with sadness and resolve.

  "Yes, Lusian. But we cannot let that stop us. We'll write to each other often, won't we?"

  He smiled faintly and caressed her cheek, as though trying to carve every line of her face into memory.

  "Of course. But we must be discreet. Our correspondence cannot risk discovery."

  She nodded, lowering her eyes. For a moment, her lashes trembled, as if holding back something deeper.

  "We can do it safely. Send the letters to my brother—he'll act as our intermediary. He'll help us keep everything secret."

  Lusian pulled her close again, feeling the slight tremor of her body against his.

  "I trust you, Elizabeth. If anyone can persuade your brother to help us, it's you."

  She held him tightly, as though fearing that releasing him would cause the world to crumble.

  "Don't worry," she whispered near his ear. "My brother will do as I ask."

  Their breaths mingled once more. Outside, the bells of the main courtyard marked the end of the day—and with it, the end of a chapter.

  Capital of the Kingdom of Carpathia — Two Days After the Academy's Closure

  Morning rose slowly over the capital. The air still carried faint echoes of celebration, yet the Bourlaunce estate stood in unusual silence.

  Kara stirred at the soft click of the front door. From her window, she saw her mother walking along the cobbled path, wrapped in a gray mantle. Without hesitation, she slipped from her room and leapt into the garden, following her in silence.

  Sensing footsteps behind her, Sylvi stopped without turning.

  "I'm going to meet your grandmother. Would you like to come?"

  Kara answered without pause.

  "Of course I'm coming."

  Sylvi smiled, a hint of pride in her expression.

  "I'm very proud of you, my precious daughter. You fear nothing—not even your father's punishments."

  Kara arched a brow."You're not going to tell him, are you?"

  "That depends on how you behave along the way, my dear," her mother replied with a faint smile.

  Kara sighed."I promise not to cause trouble."

  They walked along the cobbled paths that connected the capital to the outer gardens, a quiet area few dared approach without permission. The chosen meeting place was discreet—a clearing among ancient poplars used by certain members of Sylvi's bloodline.

  Before they arrived, several figures emerged from the shadows: warriors and mages bearing the family emblem upon their cloaks.

  "You said you would come alone," a firm voice declared. "Who is the woman with you?"

  Unfazed, Sylvi answered calmly.

  "It seems age has begun to weigh on you, Mother. You cannot even recognize your own granddaughter."

  Linn frowned, startled.

  "Granddaughter? She is your daughter… but why is she with you?"

  Sylvi let out a brief laugh."Well, it turns out she resembles me more than I expected."

  Kara stepped forward and inclined her head slightly.

  "It is a pleasure to meet you, Grandmother. I have long wished to do so."

  Silence settled over the clearing. At last, Linn raised her hand, signaling her people to lower their weapons.

  "My apologies… it seems old age is finally catching up with me," she said, approaching slowly. "I am glad to see you both safe and well."

  Sylvi and Kara stepped forward to embrace her. Linn could not hold back her tears; the years of separation weighed heavier than any reproach.

  At that moment, a younger figure emerged from among the guards and ran toward them.

  "Sister!" Brigir cried, throwing herself into Sylvi's arms. "I've missed you so much… It's such a relief to see you safe—together with your daughter. It must have been so hard for you."

  Sylvi held her tightly, smiling through a mixture of nostalgia and relief.

  For the first time in many years, Sylvi's family stood reunited.