Palmila reached her home. There, she saw Queen Johna with her mother. Under her breath, she muttered, "Couldn't you just wait for me?"
Her mother immediately spoke, "So you're finally here. Do you know how worried I am?"
Palmila replied, "Don't worry, Mom. I'm alright. I've already told Dad."
Queen Johna, holding her teacup, said calmly, "You should take a seat, Palmila." Then she moved to the main topic. "Palmila has decided to return—but only if you give her permission."
Her mother responded firmly, "You know I have supported both of you until now, but not anymore. I cannot see my daughter go through that trauma again."
Queen Johna replied, "You have every right to feel that way, but sacrifices are needed for success. Think of it as a sacrifice."
Her mother snapped back, "It's a sacrifice for you, not for us. It's horrible. No one believed my daughter back then, and now suddenly everyone wants her to return just because you remembered she exists?"
Palmila interrupted, "Enough, Mom! I know you're worried, but you can't say that because I'm the one who wants to return. It's my decision."
Her mother shouted, "Shut up and go to your room!"
Just then, Ms. Mia appeared at the door. Seeing her, Palmila's mother's anger instantly faded.
She welcomed her warmly, "Mia! How have you been? It's been a long time."
Mia smiled, "I'm good. Can I talk to you for a bit?"
Queen Johna signaled Palmila to return to Totsuki, indicating she would handle things here. Meanwhile, Mia and Palmila's mother talked like childhood friends until nightfall.
Later, Mr. Leo (father of Arin and Mia's husband) arrived to pick her up. He and Palmila's father, Mr. Trimasu, saw the two women slightly drunk and laughed.
"Everything has changed, but these two are still the same as always," Mr. Trimasu said.
Leo chuckled, "Hmm… maybe Palmila can return to Totsuki now."
Palmila's father had supported her from the beginning, trusting Mia and Leo because of their long friendship.
Palmila came downstairs, saw Leo, and ran to him. "Uncle Leo! Uncle Leo!" she exclaimed, hugging him tightly. "I missed you so much!"
She glanced at her father, realizing how quickly the mood had changed.
Leo then took Mia home. At the door, Arin asked his father, "What happened to Mom?"
Leo smiled slightly, "Nothing, kid."
Next Day
Palmila's parents helped her pack. As she brought her bags downstairs, her mother said, "Don't give up. You know that whenever you want to come back, we are always here."
Her father added, "I know you're a strong girl, but don't lose hope, okay? Stay strong."
Palmila got into the car driven by her royal secretary, Kamui, heading toward Totsuki.
As she stepped out and looked at the grand black gates of Totsuki, she sighed, "Ah… my destiny always brings me here. But it's a relief, though. I like being here."
Kamui smiled, "It's been a long time since I've seen that look on your face."
She guided Palmila to her room, carrying her bags. There, Palmila met her roommate again—Rank 13 Tin Tin, a Chinese swordswoman known for her exceptional swordsmanship.
Tin Tin was shocked. "Queen!" she shouted loudly.
The other roommates came into the living room. "What do you mean, queen?" one of them asked.
Among them was Rank 25 Hana, a Japanese student known for her calm personality and meditation skills. Seeing Palmila, she said, "What… the heiress?"
Palmila sighed, "Huh… just calm down. I'm just like you."
Tin Tin and Hana said in unison, "We are not the same, Queen Heiress!"
Palmila smiled awkwardly, "Yeah, but I mean… you can just call me Palmila, alright?"
Next Day – Interview Round
After settling in, the interview round began. Berry, Palmila, and other ranked students entered the room where selected candidates were waiting. They took their seats.
"Yes, you may enter," Palmila announced.
We then see parallel scenes of Berry and Palmila interviewing students, highlighting their long-standing rivalry.
Kamilaa said to Palmila, "I thought people like you don't choose the weak. So why am I here?"
Palmila replied, "Because I want you to be here. Now, sit down."
Palmila continued, "I will only ask you three questions. Whether you are selected or not depends on your answers."(Inner voice: Let me see what you've got, Kamilaa.)
"First question: Why did you shoot at 4000 KP speed?"
Kamilaa answered, "Because I couldn't shoot any higher. That's all."
Palmila responded, "At 4000 KP speed, you can't shoot below five. So what are your intentions? That's what I'm asking."
At the same time, we see Berry asking Amelia—who ranked first in the archery trials—"Why do you want to join Totsuki?"
Amelia replied, "Because I want to defeat someone."
We then return to Palmila, her sharp gaze fixed on Kamilaa, curiosity building…