Lyra felt a mixture of excitement and curiosity as she walked alongside Kloud toward the arcane duel arena. The academy's grounds buzzed with energy, students and faculty alike eagerly anticipating the spectacle. Kloud, ever the gentleman, had extended his arm to her, guiding her through the throng of people with a confident ease that she admired.

As they neared the arena, Lyra noticed a group of students waiting by the entrance. Kloud waved to them, and they turned to greet him with smiles.

"Lyra, this is gang or...part of it," Kloud introduced. "This is Urian, my brother Jae-Sun, my sister Sky, and Luka."

Urian, a tall, dark-skinned man with a blonde buzz cut and piercing green eyes, stood with an air of unspoken authority, his arms crossed. His expression was calm yet stern, offering only a nod in acknowledgment. Lyra felt the weight of his quiet strength, a presence that commanded respect without uttering a word.

Jae-Sun, bright and energetic, was the first to greet her. "Hi! I'm Jae-Sun! I've heard so much about you. The rumors are true, you're quite stunning," he said with an innocent smile. His soft blonde curls bounced lightly, and his almond-shaped blue eyes radiated warmth and sincerity.

Lyra returned his smile, charmed by the young elf's gentle demeanor. "Thank you, Jae-Sun. I didn't realize I was the subject of such attention," she responded with a light, almost bashful laugh. She knew she was being noticed, but she hadn't anticipated this level of admiration from elves, known for their unparalleled beauty.

"Your name is written all over the boys' bathroom. Trust me, the guys here think you're absolutely gorgeous. They're just staying away because they think Kloud got to you first," Luka chimed in, flashing a mischievous grin.

Luka had a youthful, playful air about him, with freckles dotting his face and soft brown curls that framed his mischievous green eyes. Despite his teasing nature, Lyra sensed a genuine kindness beneath the surface. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Lyra," he added with a wink.

Lyra blushed slightly and gave Kloud a questioning glance. "You never mentioned this to me," she said, raising an eyebrow before turning back to Luka. "The pleasure is mine."

Kloud chuckled, clearly amused. "I told them we're just friends. But honestly, with how you carry yourself, I assumed you were already taken," he admitted, giving her an appreciative once-over.

"Actually, I've recently become single," Lyra corrected him with a poised tone. "I ended things before I arrived here." The boys responded with a collective "ooo" and a few whistles, reacting to the news.

"Damn. What happened? Was it the long distance thing?" Luka asked, genuinely curious. "Because I totally get it, but if I were him, I'd follow you anywhere."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Lyra. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Jae-Sun said gently, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Lyra offered them a soft, grateful smile. For some reason, she felt comfortable opening up to them. "It's alright. I've never really talked about it before. I haven't had... friends," she admitted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear nervously. It was true—her life had left little room for friendship. "He lied to me about something deeply important. So I left to pursue something else that mattered to me—learning to master my magic."

The group, except for Urian and Sky, quickly surrounded her, offering a warm, supportive group hug. Jae-Sun stepped back with a sympathetic smile. "Well, we're glad you're here, Lyra. And you've come to the right place for learning magic. This academy is full of magic users who understand the importance of following one's passions."

Sky, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke with a touch of bluntness. "He sounds like a real jerk," she said, cutting straight to the point.

Sky, a striking elf with high cheekbones and hazel eyes that seemed to pierce through any pretense, wore her short, silky black hair with an effortless grace. Her porcelain skin and intricate tattoos added an edge to her otherwise delicate appearance, making her look like a living work of art.

Luka nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "Absolutely. He sounds like a jerk. You just point him out, and we'll take care of him." He leaned an arm over Lyra's shoulder, his tone protective.

Lyra offered a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "That's very kind of you, but I wouldn't want anyone to get hurt over this. Besides," she paused thoughtfully, "I still care for him. He's been my closest friend since I can remember."

Kloud, standing by quietly, absorbed her words with a mix of concern and resolve. His feelings for Lyra had deepened over the week, and he felt a growing sense of protectiveness. Whoever this man was, Kloud had settled that he would not let him harm Lyra again.

Clearing his throat gently, Kloud placed a reassuring hand on Lyra's back. "Consider us your best friends now," he said with a warm, yet determined smile. "And we should head to the arena before the fight begins. We wouldn't want you missing your first arcane duel."

"What?! This is your first arcane duel?!" Luka exclaimed, his excitement palpable. "First round of drinks is on me!" he shouted before dashing off towards the "Sprites and Wine" booth.

"You're in for a real treat," Jae-Sun added with his usual enthusiasm as the group headed towards the arena. "Everyone's been eagerly waiting for this battle all year. Urian's significant other is dueling Rain, who's like a little sister to us. We're cheering for both of them!"

"I'm betting on Monday," Sky interjected with a huff. "Rain is too rash and inexperienced. Monday is an archangel while Rain's just a water caster."

"Don't underestimate our little sister," Kloud said with a confident grin. "She's been trained by our dad. She's got the courage and the grit to give Monday a run for their money."

Lyra's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "It sounds like this will be an exciting match to watch," she said with a smile.

The group settled into their seats, Lyra positioned between Kloud and Sky. "If you're hungry, I can text Luka to bring you something before the battle starts," Kloud offered to Lyra, his glance ever so gentle.

"Oh, no need," Lyra replied with a warm smile. "I ate just before heading to the library. But thank you, Kloud." 

She then playfully nudged him. "So, it sounds like you're rooting for Rain."

Kloud smirked. "Definitely. But I have a feeling Monday will come out on top. Rain's challenging them because she's not fond of how mockingly playful Monday can be. Those two do not get along at all."

The arena was abuzz with excitement as the crowd filled the stands, their voices rising in anticipation. The stage was set for an impressive duel, with a large circle marked out in the center, surrounded by protective wards that shimmered in the fading light. 

Lyra looked around, taking in the energy of the crowd. "It seems like everyone's really invested in this match," she said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"You have no idea," Jae-Sun said with a grin. "Arcane duels are a big deal here. They're not just battles; they're performances. Every move, every spell is scrutinized. It's like a show of pure skill and artistry."

Sky nodded, her eyes focused on the arena. "And this duel is particularly interesting because it involves Rain. She's got a lot to prove, especially with her challenge against someone as formidable as Monday."

As they spoke, Luka returned with a tray of drinks, handing them out with a flourish. "Here you go, everyone! Enjoy!"

Kloud accepted his drink with a nod, and Lyra thanked Luka, taking a sip of her cocktail. The group settled in, their attention now fully fixed on the arena as the lights dimmed and a hush fell over the crowd.

A loud horn sounded, signaling the start of the duel. The competitors emerged from opposite sides of the arena, each greeted with cheers and applause from their supporters. Monday, an ethereal figure with shimmering white hair and four majestic wings extending from their head, stood tall and regal. Their blue eyes sparkled with an almost unreal beauty, framed by a soft blue holy hue that illuminated their form. Dressed in a flowing white and soft blue armor adorned with a luxurious fur coat, Monday exuded an otherworldly grace and perfection. 

On the other side, Rain, with her long ocean wave-colored hair pinned up for the battle, stood with fierce determination. Her piercing ocean eyes revealed her readiness and focus as she prepared to face her formidable opponent.

"Looks like the duel is about to begin," Kloud said, his gaze fixed intently on the arena. "Rain's been training hard for this. I hope she can hold her own." He glanced over at Lyra, noticing her stunned expression. "Lyra? Is something wrong?"

Lyra's eyes widened in shock as she held her breath, unable to tear her gaze away from Rain. Time seemed to freeze as she took in the sight before her. "That's my little sister." she gasped, barely audible over the crowd's loud cheers.