At the Saint's mansion, two girls walked out. One had auburn hair and sharp ruby-red eyes—it was Meira. She was much older than when Azazul had left, more mature now, her facial features having developed beautifully.
Walking through the door behind her was a girl with dark-black hair, ivory skin, and dark azure-blue eyes. Her features were striking, though an ugly scar ran across her face. Even so, her beauty could not be ignored.
Both of them walked toward the carriage bound for the academy. Akiko and Meira took their seats on the fine red cushions as the carriage began to move. Since there were no windows, Akiko let her mind wander. These days, the only thing she could think about was Azazul.
'Why do I even think about him so much? I should be glad that loser isn't around anymore…'
Her face remained indifferent, yet there was a faint hint of sorrow in her eyes.
'Does everyone I care for always disappear?'
As far back as Akiko could remember, her life had never been easy, nor painless. She had experienced more than her fair share of suffering. She had always loved her father—a noble man, and one of the deadliest captains of the King's loyal soldiers. They had lived in the second ring until she was five. That was when her father died.
They said it was a work accident, that he died saving thousands of people. Akiko never truly knew the truth; that was only what she had overheard the King tell her mother.
After her father's death, she, her mother, and her sister moved temporarily to the Azaroth Mountains. Her mother wanted to escape the corruption of Bandale. They still had access to their house in the second ring, but they rarely stayed there.
Akiko, her sister, and her mother spent most of their days in Azaroth. Her mother was somewhat special—just like Azazul. Akiko looked exactly like her, and so did her sister.
She rarely went to the battlefield, instead devoting herself to raising her daughters.
But after their father died, their mother changed. She became more introverted. Though she still cared for her children every day, Akiko and her sister could feel the difference. And just two years later, their mother passed as well—murdered by Captain Theodore and his soldiers. That was when Akiko began to suspect that her father's death had been no accident.
That was also why Akiko had decided to join Azazul at the academy. Ever since meeting him, her goal had felt more achievable—not just because of his strength, but because he pushed her to reach her full potential. She had grown stronger because of him.
But now that he was gone, her goal felt vague and unattainable. She could only wish for his return.
Since Azazul had been taken by the deity woman, Akiko had decided to stay with the Saints a little longer. With her sister dead, she had no one left—only her goal. Yet she still carried the heavy burden of that loss.
Akiko was jolted out of her reverie when the carriage came to a stop. She heard teenage voices outside—male and female, many of them.
The driver opened the door. Meira smiled at Akiko and stepped out first. Akiko followed.
The moment she exited, everyone stared at her.
Probably because of my scar, she thought.
Most of them were focused on her face, but their expressions showed admiration rather than disgust. Akiko looked up and saw the massive, lusterless silver gate carved from dull steel. Above it, letter by letter, were the words:
"Bandale High School."
Only the school's logo held any color—a scarlet-red lion's head, its massive maw wide open, razor-sharp ruby teeth gleaming.
The gates opened, and students rushed in.
Akiko and Meira followed. When the gates closed, a siren sounded, and a voice echoed across the grounds:
"Every student and applicant must gather in the dueling area immediately!"
Since Meira had been here once before, she led Akiko toward the dueling area. Along the way, Akiko noticed that every group they passed shot glances at her. Meira seemed unbothered, but it made Akiko uncomfortable.
When they finally arrived, Akiko frowned.
'Dueling arena? More like a damned stadium.'
The arena was enormous—large enough to house the entire school and more. No wonder they had been called here. Akiko and Meira took seats in the last row, while the front row was bathed in sunlight.
Akiko glanced at Meira, who still maintained perfect decorum.
'She really is just the perfect princess, isn't she?'
She then looked to her left and noticed a boy sitting in the next row. When their eyes met, his cheeks flushed red in embarrassment. His azure blue eyes being covered by his wheatblond hair as he whipped his face away....
Akiko's face twisted into a grimace.
'Is it just me… or did making Azazul blush feel way more satisfying?'
A familiar voice echoed through the arena, pulling her thoughts away. In the center stood a tall man wearing red robes, the same crimson as the lion's rubies. From this distance she couldn't see his face clearly, but his features seemed average. His wine-red hair flowed down his shoulders like a river.
"Good morning, students and applicants," he began.
"As some of you may know, I am the principal of Bandale High School. If you are here today, congratulations—you have completed your first step toward admission."
"But let me make one thing clear: just because you made it here doesn't mean you can lose momentum."
The speech had barely started, yet Akiko was already bored to death. She glanced at Meira again, who remained perfectly composed. Right now, she wished Azazul were sitting beside her. At least then she wouldn't be bored alone.
'That weirdo better get his ass over here.'
When the speech ended, the man smiled—she couldn't see it clearly, but she could tell.
Then he spoke again.
"And since we don't have room for everyone, be ready to reach your limits in this elimination match. Be prepared to face anything on the battlefield. Today, don't be shocked if you face two or even three opponents.
The rules are simple: fight until your opponent can't fight back or yields. The winners of every duel will be placed in a free-for-all.
The duels will begin… now!"
'What the hell—an elimination match?!'
As the principal turned to leave, Akiko was suddenly teleported onto the arena floor. Startled, she gathered herself and looked ahead. Across from her stood a boy and a girl.
A hologram appeared before her, glowing runes floating in the air. She read them and smiled.
'This is going to be fun.'
The runes read:
"You are being attacked by two opponents. Defeat them both."
More runes appeared below:
"No weapons. No armor. No elemental magic. No killing."
Akiko slammed a palm into her face and gritted her teeth.
"To hell with this."
Her opponents raised their hands, glanced at each other, then back at her.
Akiko smiled.
'Come on. We don't have forever.'
The boy attacked first, throwing a right hook at her face. Akiko was already gone. In the next instant, she was behind him. A swift chop to the neck knocked him out—just enough force to drop him without causing serious harm.
The girl, who had been watching from afar, froze in shock. Her legs trembled and her heart pounded wildly. She looked down at her shaking legs, then back up—
But Akiko was already behind her.
A calm, gentle voice whispered:
"Never take your eyes off your opponent."
Then she collapsed.
The runes appeared again:
"You have secured victory over Kevin and Maria."
So those were their names.
Before she could take a closer look, Akiko was teleported back to her seat.
She stared at the arena where she had just been moments before, then turned to Meira, who was staring at her with wide eyes.
"What?" Akiko asked.
Meira sighed. "I knew you were strong… but I didn't expect you to one-tap two heirs of the great dynasty clans."
Akiko smiled. "That was nothing, really."
Then her eyes widened. "Wait—what?! Heirs? Of the dynasty clans?!"
Meira chuckled. "Yes, Aki. You just showed the dynasty clans how easily you can defeat their heirs—heirs who are a year older than you, nonetheless."
She looked back at the arena, where two male students were clashing. "I should've told you earlier, but if you ever face an heir of a dynasty clan, do not—I repeat, do not—make their defeat look easy. Otherwise, their clan will see you as a threat and either try to eliminate you or force you to join them."
Akiko sighed. "Little princess, next time you see me in a situation like this, please—please—give me a heads-up. I don't want a dynasty clan on my ass every day."
Meira's eyes widened. "Aki… language!"
Akiko sighed and replied sarcastically, "Okay, okay, Princess. Do you want to throw some red paper in my foul mouth?"
Meira chuckled. "I just might."
Akiko couldn't help but smile too. "Princess, you wish."