Cairo was sprawled on a luxurious sofa, eating ice cream directly from the carton and watching TV.

  Don't you think you're spending a lot of time here?

  Cairo said, with his mouth full. Your beloved is a million-to-one shot to ever come here, and I'm comfortable here.

  She's not my beloved. I wish she were. Dio began to imitate Cairo in a deep, exaggerated voice . The phone rings... 'Eva? What?' Cairo: 'Hello Eva, it's Cairo.' Eva: 'What do you want?' Cairo: 'I just wanted to check on you.' Eva: 'I'm fine.' She hangs up. Cairo screams: 'My god! Her voice is so beautiful! I want to see her in person!'

  !Cairo said, Shut up , throwing a spoon at him.

  Suddenly, a soft chime sounded from the control panel at the main door. Dio looked at the camera screen.

  It was Clara.

  His eyes widened. Cairo.

  "What?"

  It's Clara. Outside

  Cairo jumped to his feet. "What?! Use water magic on yourself, quickly! Come on!

  Dio rushed to the bathroom. There was no time. He stripped off all his clothes and created a whirlpool of water around his body, cleaning him in seconds. Cairo! Wind!

  Cairo sent a wave of wind that dried Dio instantly. Dio ran to his bedroom, put on an elegant set of loungewear, and sprayed a generous amount of the cologne Eva had gifted him. Meanwhile, Cairo was cleaning up the mess of ice cream and potato chips he had left behind.

  Don't be nervous, Cairo said, seeing Dio run his hand through his hair for the tenth time. And don't let your tongue get out of control like the first time.

  Dio granted her access and nervously watched the camera as she ascended in the elevator. When the doors opened, she was standing there, wearing her cloak as usual, but he could see different clothes underneath, not the academy uniform. She looked a little embarrassed.

  Hello, Dio said, trying to sound calm. I was just training. Sorry for the delay. Did something happen?

  I... I wanted to.. Her face turned red. Help me train.

  Cairo was standing in the background. Just that? My god. Dio sighed and began to push Cairo towards the door. Get out.

  I don't want to! I want to watch the training session! Cairo laughed.

  He can stay," Clara said quietly. I don't mind.

  Dio sighed. Fine. Let's go to the training hall.

  They entered the hall, and Cairo sat on a chair in the corner, having stolen a new bag of potato chips and started eating loudly.

  So, Dio said. "What happened all of a sudden? You want my help with training?

  I... I want to become stronger than you. And to defeat you, she said with embarrassment. And the mid-year exams are coming up.

  Dio laughed. Of course I'll help you. I know what your problem is.

  My problem?

  You specialize in several types of magic, but you haven't found your true specialty yet. I think shadow magic would suit you.

  She looked at him with surprise. Shadow magic? That's... the principal magic.

  Yes. And now you're going to train in it.

  Professor! Cairo shouted from his chair. Don't you think teaching her a magic she doesn't know how to create is the height of foolishness?

  Dio said confidently ,No, I don't think so. Because I have the complete knowledge to teach her. And instead of being useless, go to my room and bring a lot of paper.

  Cairo came back with stacks of paper, and Dio began to explain. Clara was shocked. He was explaining like a madman, drawing complex runic circles, and clarifying theories of energy flow in ways she had never heard before. His passion for knowledge was contagious.

  They continued like this until night fell. Cairo had left long ago. Dio noticed that Clara was yawning, her eyes half-closed, but she was pushing herself hard to continue.

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  Dio stood up. It's time for bed, beautiful.

  She was half-asleep. Yes... let's go.

  He gently took her hand, led her to his bedroom, and placed her on his bed. He covered her with the blanket. He laughed to himself. What? Am I a eunuch for not taking advantage of this moment? He laughed some more and slept on the bed beside her.

  Dio woke up to the sound of a scream.

  What happened?! Why am I sleeping next to you?! Clara was standing over him, screaming.

  Dio sat up and feigned shock. What's wrong with you, woman? Have you forgotten everything? It's not like you were drunk. After we did what we did, you want to throw me away like a whore? I can't believe how heartless you are!

  No! Impossible! I remember that night fell and I was very sleepy! It's impossible that we did that!

  Dio laughed out loud. I'm just kidding, you fool. you were very tired, so I put you in bed. That's all.

  Ouch! Clara grabbed his ear and pulled it hard. Apologize!

  Ow! Apologize for what? For my joke?

  Then I won't talk to you again! I'll ignore you forever!

  Alright! Alright! I'm sorry! Maybe I took it a little too far!

  She let him go. Good. Now, go and train before Gabriel's lecture.

  Yes, ma'am. Clara stood up to leave and go back to her floor. As soon as she turned around, Dio took off all his clothes and stood completely naked while rummaging through his closet.

  Clara froze in place, shocked and embarrassed.

  What's wrong? Dio said nonchalantly. Is this the first time you've seen a naked man? My god, you really are a child. Close the door behind you; I don't want to get cold.

  She looked at the floor, went out, and quickly closed the door. Dio laughed. She looked.

  When Dio entered Gabriel's lecture hall, Mathis's lecture was still going on. Mathis looked at him with a look full of suppressed hatred. Dio decided to wait outside. When the lecture ended, Mathis came out, shooting him a look of disgust.

  Dio entered the hall but noticed something strange. Clara was repeatedly glancing at Matthew , quick, fearful glances. And Matthew was giving her strange, cold looks. Dio had a bad feeling.

  The lectures finally ended. But right after the last lecture, Clara disappeared. And Matthew too.

  Cairo, where did they go?

  I don't know.

  Dio felt anxiety gnawing at him. He started looking for them. He finally found them, under an abandoned staircase in one of the back corridors.

  Matthew was holding Clara by the neck, pushing her against the wall.

  You commoner, Matthew whispered. Don't think you're something just because you got into this class out of pity. You are nothing more than a servant in my family. Do you understand? Then he touched her behind and said, At least you have a perfect body to get in here.

  In that moment, Dio's world stopped.

  Everything turned red. The sound became muffled, as if he were hearing from underwater. There was no more Matthew. There was no more Clara. There was only one thing.

  He moved.

  It was an erasure. He rushed towards Matthew with a blurry speed. There was no time for a reaction. Dio's fist collided with Mathis's face, sending him flying to crash against the opposite wall.

  Who the hell...? Matthew muttered, blood pouring from his nose. He saw Dio and laughed insolently. Oh, right. You're fucking this whore. Have you developed some feelings for a servant?

  Dio didn't answer. He grabbed him by the collar and started hitting him. Matthew summoned a wall of earth, but Dio didn't stop. He touched the wall, and with his will, moisture flowed from the air, and the solid earth turned into useless mud. Then he continued hitting him.

  Dio, stop! Clara screamed, trying to pull him away, but he wasn't listening. He was in another world, a red world of rage.

  He continued to hit him, until he felt a strong hand grab his shoulder. It was Gabriel. Calm down, boy!

  Let me go! Dio shouted, trying to squirm away. He left Gabriel no other choice. He struck him with a precise blow on the back of his neck, and Dio sank into darkness.

  He dreamed, but it was different. It was beautiful.

  He was in a simple, bright house. He saw his mother smiling. He saw Mia laughing. He saw Cairo, Eva, and Leonardo, and even Alessandro. And he saw Clara, wearing a simple dress, cooking and laughing. And there were children. Beautiful children, with his features and hers. He felt a pure happiness, a deep peace...

  He woke up.

  He was sitting on a wooden chair in the middle of the principal office. Everyone was there. Gabriel, Sophie, Mathis, and even Philip. And Lily Knoxville, sitting behind her pink desk, her violet eyes staring at him coldly. And Clara was standing in a corner, trembling.

  And that bastard Matthew, his face swollen and covered in bruises, was standing next to his uncle, Mathis.

  Matthew said in a pained voice ,Madam Lily Knoxville. This is an unspeakable insult. This man attacked me from behind, treacherously, and started hitting me.

  Dio spat on the floor. Weak bastard. You couldn't even defend yourself. Say those words that came out of your mouth again, and I'll kill you.

  Who will you kill, child? Mathis said, a frightening magical aura beginning to emanate from him. In front of me, you say you will kill the heir of the Eisengard family?

  Shut up. Both of you.

  Lily's voice was calm, but the aura that emanated from her made Mathis's aura look like a candle in front of the sun. Tell me, Dio van der Wood, what happened? Clara, the only witness, refuses to speak.

  Dio looked at Clara and saw the fear in her eyes. That bastard put his hand on her neck and threatened her.

  Lily looked at Clara. Is this true?

  I... refuse to speak.

  Dio felt a small sting of betrayal. But his blood was still boiling. My blood will not calm down until I punish him.

  He stood up from his chair, his hand on the hilt of the Sword of Life. I challenge you to a duel, Matthew Eisengard. A duel that will end with the hand of one of us. I wanted your head, but I know you are a coward. Will you accept or refuse?

  He stare at Matthew . Don't tell me the Eisengard family refuses duels?

  Child, do you know what you are talking about? Mathis growled.

  And you, Dio said, staring at Mathis. Just wait your turn. Two years.

  A tense silence filled the room. Then, Lily Knoxville smiled.

  Alright. The duel will take place. Tomorrow, in the main fighting arena.

  Gabriel laughed loudly. Dio! I feel proud! You are the first person to call for an official duel within the walls of this academy!

  Sophie said with a yawn. ,He's like Corvus in a way.

  A lot of people will come to watch this, Philip said quietly. Dio van der Wood versus Matthew Eisengard.

  It seems Matthew is about to lose his hand. After all, he will be fighting my colleague.