Louise and Sora finally arrived at the grand hall, a little breathless. Princess Anrietta, seated at the head of the table, glanced over at them.
Louise's cheeks were slightly flushed, but her uniform was neat. Good, Anrietta thought in relief. At least that man hasn't done anything improper.
Led by the princess, everyone offered a morning prayer to their ancestors before breakfast began.
Even as she smiled politely, Anrietta's eyes kept drifting toward Louise's table. The quiet, reclusive Louise—who never mingled easily with others—was now laughing naturally with that red-haired and blue-haired pair beside her... and that man.
Why, Louise? Don't you need me anymore? A pang of unease ran through her chest. The food on her plate suddenly lost all flavor.
"Your Highness, is the meal not to your taste?" the headmaster asked, concerned.
"Oh, it's nothing. I just didn't sleep very well last night," she said with a polite smile.
"I see. It must be difficult adjusting to the academy after the palace. My apologies," he replied kindly.
"It's fine," she said, shaking her head faintly.
Then she caught sight of Sora wiping a crumb from Louise's lips—and casually popping it into his mouth. Her entire body stiffened. That shameless man! she thought, clutching her fork. How infuriating... and how enviable.
After the meal, the students dispersed to prepare for the day's activities.
Before long, the teachers assembled everyone in the main square, where a large stage had been set for the Familiar Exhibition. Each second-year student would demonstrate their summoned familiar's ability, while first- and third-years, along with the faculty, would watch from the audience.
Princess Anrietta sat beside the headmaster in the judges' section. Around them stood guards from both the palace and the academy, forming a security ring. Nearly everyone's attention was on the main stage.
Behind the teachers' platform, however, a shadow slipped quietly away.
On stage, student after student presented their familiars, but Anrietta's enthusiasm was lukewarm. She had come to the academy under this pretext mostly to see Louise—but since arriving, she'd seen her dear friend glued to that man's side. The sight stirred a quiet fury within her.
Then Zerbst Chuluk stepped onto the stage, and flames burst six meters high, making Anrietta turn sharply. Chuluk and her salamander familiar moved in perfect sync—casting rings and serpents of fire, then hurling bursts that exploded overhead like blazing stars.
As a royal magician herself, Anrietta immediately recognized mastery. Both mage and familiar were operating solidly within the Triangle-Class—a level of skill even nobles admired.
When the performance ended, Anrietta applauded warmly. "Headmaster, who is she?"
The old man stroked his beard proudly. "That is Zerbst Chuluk, a talented fire magician from Garmania. She's well-known in the Magic Knights."
"Ah," Anrietta nodded knowingly. "The daughter of the Prince of Fire—the one whose marriage was arranged against her will."
Chuluk waved to the cheering crowd and stepped from the stage, beaming.
Next came Tabasa and her wind dragon.
Anrietta's eyes sparkled. "A wind dragon! They can carry riders through the sky. Even now it's a Triangle-Class familiar—and once grown, it will rank as a powerful Square-Class."
"Indeed," the headmaster said, pride in his voice. "To summon such a creature proves Tabasa herself is exceptional. She's also known as the Snow Wind Mage, specializing in magic that blends water and air."
Tabasa's performance drew everyone's breath. Her wind dragon dipped, soared, and rolled through the air in dazzling maneuvers, yet she never wavered in her saddle.
"That was magnificent riding," Anrietta said, standing to applaud.
Tabasa nodded in acknowledgment and guided her dragon to land.
"Then the winner is—" Anrietta began.
"Wait!"
Sora's voice rang out from the crowd. Shock rippled through the audience. Palace guards narrowed their eyes dangerously—interrupting the princess was nearly a crime.
"And Louise's familiar hasn't performed yet," Sora said boldly as he bounded onto the stage.
Louise hurried after him.
"Louise?" Anrietta said, astonished. "I heard your summoning failed. Do you still intend to compete?"
Louise squared her shoulders, determination flashing in her eyes. "Please allow me and my familiar to take part, Your Highness."
She paused, then added firmly, "Sora is my familiar—and he's not inferior to anyone else's."
Anrietta was taken aback. Her timid friend—so assertive?
Sora blinked in surprise, then grinned. "All right. In that case, Princess, please enjoy our performance."
Anrietta hesitated, then nodded. "Since Louise herself insists, let's see what you can do." She eased back into her seat, intrigued.
Sora and Louise exchanged a quick look. Sora drew Delphlinka, the intelligent sword, from her waist.
"Let's give them a show," he murmured.
"Do your best," Delphlinka's voice chimed, tinged with excitement.
Anrietta's eyes widened slightly—she recognized a sentient weapon when she heard one.
The headmaster leaned over to clarify, "Sora's swordsmanship is extraordinary. That blade, Delphlinka—the Sword of Wisdom—can absorb and release magical energy. Together, their power rivals that of a Triangle-Class magician."
On stage, Sora took his stance. Then he began to move.
It wasn't just swordplay—it was dance.
Graceful. Precise. Every step, every pivot traced arcs of invisible rhythm, the sword shimmering like liquid silver. The audience, captivated, fell silent.
Even Anrietta, who had braced herself for mediocrity, could only stare. Her lips parted slightly, the faintest breath catching in her throat.
As the final note of the "sword dance" stilled the air, Chuluk and Tabasa exchanged a glance. Without warning, they raised their wands and fired a large fireball and wind sphere toward the stage.
Cries erupted from the crowd.
"Let's go, Delphlinka!" Sora shouted. He leapt high, blade flashing. The sword intercepted both projectiles at once, light streaking outward as Delphlinka swallowed their mana. But the shockwave knocked Sora backward; he landed hard, sliding three steps but staying upright.
Gasps echoed through the audience. The sword still glowed faintly, alive with stored energy.
Spinning it once in a flourish, Sora lowered the blade and released the absorbed magic—the final note of his performance.
At that very moment, a deafening boom shook the earth.
All eyes turned toward the rear of the academy.
A colossal stone giant rose behind the teaching building, its heavy steps rumbling as it tramped across the grounds.
"An earth golem—that's a Fokie of the Clod!" someone shouted.
"Tabasa!" Sora cried.
Tabasa ran forward, vaulting onto the wind dragon's back. It swooped low across the stage, and Sora leapt up behind her, pulling her close with one arm as they lifted off.
The wind dragon surged into the sky, streaming past the academy walls in pursuit of the massive golem.
Down below, the students and teachers broke into chaos, rushing toward the gates to see what would happen next.