"Now, let us welcome them. Of course, everyone already knows who they are: CIRO and The Kings," the headmaster announced, his voice filled with pride.

The room filled with enthusiastic applause as CIRO and The Kings took the stage, their confidence and camaraderie evident.

When Aeron, the leader of CIRO, known for his calm demeanor and sharp intellect, stepped forward to the podium, the crowd quieted, anticipation hanging in the air.

“Thank you, Headmaster,” he began, his voice steady and confident. “We’re truly honored to be recognized today. This journey wasn’t easy—there were sleepless nights, challenging moments, and times when each of us felt like giving up. But through it all, we had each other.” He glanced back at his teammates, who nodded at him encouragingly. “We learned that success isn’t just about individual skill; it’s about trust, unity, and pushing each other to be the best we can be.”

The crowd applauded warmly as he finished, and a few whispers of admiration could be heard.

Next, Ermis, one of the strongest members of The Kings, approached the podium, flashing a confident smile. “Battles are ugly affairs,” he began, before the team leader quickly covered his mouth with a grin, prompting a wave of laughter from the audience.

Recovering, the leader of The Kings stepped up with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Well, The Kings are all about taking risks and breaking boundaries. We don’t play it safe, and maybe that’s why we’re here today. We might have stumbled along the way, but every setback pushed us to come back stronger. To anyone out there thinking of giving up, just remember: setbacks are only setups for a comeback.”

A wave of applause followed his bold words, and the audience looked on, impressed by his spirit. Both teams had brought something unique, inspiring everyone in the hall in their own ways.

As the speeches concluded, the headmaster raised his hands for silence. "Let this be a reminder to everyone that with courage and dedication, anything is possible. CIRO and The Kings have shown us what true commitment looks like."

With that, the ceremony came to a close, but the inspiration it sparked lingered in the room. Many left that day not only in awe of CIRO and The Kings but with a renewed drive to chase their own dreams and strive for excellence.

“Hey! Aren't you the abandoned princess?” Mikhailla sneered, her voice echoing through the hallway as she looked at Lethyxia with a mocking smile.

Lethyxia kept her expression calm, refusing to engage. She simply turned away and began walking, hoping to avoid unnecessary conflict.

“Hey! I’m talking to you!” Mikhailla’s voice grew harsher as she stomped forward, grabbing Leth’s hair and shoving her against the wall. “You little brat! Maybe the emperor took you in because he pities you!” she taunted, her friends snickering behind her.

“If you’re done talking, let go of me,” Leth replied, her tone steady, unfazed by Mikhailla’s aggression.

Mikhailla’s face twisted in anger, and she shoved Leth to the ground, drawing laughter from her friends as Leth’s clothes were soiled with dust. Leth remained calm, still showing no emotion as she sat there.

“Have you heard what happened at La Maison Fleur five years ago?” Leth asked softly, her voice carrying an unsettling calm. “About how some of the maids were found... unrecognizable?”

A chill passed over Mikhailla and her friends, their laughter fading. Mikhailla tried to brush it off, forcing a laugh. “So what? Did you kill them? And the emperor has no idea? You’re just a pretender,” she scoffed.

“Oh yes, I am,” Leth replied with a quiet smile as dark shadows began forming around her, swirling in the dim light. “And you could be next.” Her eyes held a dangerous glint, her smile sending shivers down their spines. Mikhailla’s group suddenly found themselves unable to move, frozen in fear.

“Wh-what’s happening?! What did you do to me?” Mikhailla gasped, trembling.

“This is the price for crossing the wrong person,” Leth said darkly, her shadows creeping closer, ready to envelop Mikhailla.

“It’s forbidden to use magic to harm others! The headmaster will punish you!” Mikhailla shouted, panicking.

“Oh?” Leth raised an eyebrow, her tone mocking. “Do you really think the headmaster would sense something... unusual?” She smirked, sensing someone approaching. In an instant, she erased Mikhailla’s memory of the incident, her shadows dissipating as if nothing had happened.

“Oh, Mikhailla! What’s wrong? And—Leth?” Azel’s voice sounded as he rounded the corner, noticing Leth’s disheveled state. He hurried over, a concerned look in his eyes.

“Azel... it’s... nothing,” Mikhailla stammered, quickly looking away, unwilling to mention her failed bullying attempt.

“Azel,” he said warmly, turning to Leth. “And you must be Leth?”

“Yes…” Leth replied, offering a small nod.

“What happened?” Another voice joined them—Aeron, his eyes narrowing as he took in Leth’s dirtied clothes. His face darkened, piecing together what had occurred.

“I... I’m sorry!” Mikhailla burst out suddenly, her face flushed with embarrassment before she turned and ran down the hall, her friends close behind.

Leth chuckled lightly, watching them go. “Serves them right,” she murmured, brushing some dust off her clothes.

“Are you alright, Leth? Did you get hurt?” Aeron asked, his eyes softened with concern.

“I’m alright... I think,” she replied, giving him a reassuring smile.

Aeron sighed, then called over Selena, who approached with a knowing grin. “So, this is the Leth I’ve heard so much about?” she teased, glancing at Aeron.

“Selena, can you heal her and clean up her clothes?” Aeron asked, ignoring the teasing.

Selena chuckled, placing her hands over Leth as she removed the dirt and healed any small scrapes. “There you go,” she said with a smile. “All cleaned up and as good as new.”

Selena, Azel and Aeron brought leth to her dormitory before heading to their room.

“You’re Lethyxia, right?” Sienna asked, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and excitement.

Lethyxia turned, her gaze warm and welcoming. “Hi! You must be Sienna.” Her smile was genuine, and she seemed just as intrigued.

“That’s right…” Sienna’s cheeks flushed a little as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re in the magic class, aren’t you?”

Lethyxia nodded, her eyes lighting up. “Yeah! So… does that make us classmates?”

Sienna’s smile turned into a full grin, her excitement unmistakable. “Looks like it. I’ve heard a lot about you!”

“Good things, I hope?” Lethyxia teased, raising an eyebrow playfully.

“Oh, absolutely,” Sienna laughed, feeling a sense of ease she hadn’t expected.

"Yuiiii!" Sienna giggled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I can't believe my roommate is the princess… You're even more beautiful in person!"

Yui’s cheeks flushed, a modest smile crossing her face. "Oh… you're flattering me," she replied, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Just then, the school bell rang, echoing through the corridors. Both girls glanced at each other, their expressions shifting from excitement to readiness.

"Guess we’d better get to class," Yui said with a grin.

Sienna nodded enthusiastically. "Right! Let’s not keep the professors waiting."

Together, they joined the flow of students heading down the hallway, a sense of anticipation filling the air as they walked side by side to their first class of the day.

That day, everything went smoothly, with Lethyxia and Sienna quickly finding their rhythm in class. They navigated through spells, incantations, and theory with ease, exchanging glances whenever one of them caught on to a difficult concept before the other.

During lunch, they laughed and shared stories, each learning more about the other’s life and dreams. Sienna admired Lethyxia’s quiet confidence, while Lethyxia found comfort in Sienna’s warmth and optimism.

As the day drew to a close, they both felt the spark of a new friendship, stronger than either of them had anticipated.

When the class ended, they returned to their dorm, exhausted but satisfied from the day’s lessons. The quiet glow of dusk filled the room as they changed into their night clothes, talking softly about their favorite parts of the day.

Sienna couldn’t stop smiling. “It’s strange, but I already feel like I’ve known you forever, Lethyxia.”

Lethyxia chuckled, brushing her hair out. “Same here, Sienna. I guess roommates just click sometimes.”

They each settled into their beds, the soft blankets inviting them into restful sleep. The silence was comfortable, a gentle peace settling over them.

“Goodnight, Sienna,” Lethyxia murmured, closing her eyes.

“Goodnight, Lethyxia,” Sienna replied, already drifting off, her heart light with the beginning of a new friendship and the promise of tomorrow.

“I guess laying low for a while isn’t so bad,” Lethyxia thought, her smile turning darker as a thrill sparked within her. “Besides, I think that person is here. Can’t wait to see what surprises may come.”

Lethyxia stood by the window, her gaze sharp and focused as she watched the night unfold over the academy grounds. Behind her, Sienna was fast asleep, oblivious to the dark energy pulsing through the room.

“Find that person,” she commanded in a low voice, her tone laced with an authority that sent her shadows leaping into action. In an instant, the dark tendrils swirled from her, slipping through the window and fanning out like silent specters, sweeping through the academy’s halls, corridors, and hidden corners. They moved swiftly, unseen, gliding through walls and shadows as they searched, obeying her command with unerring loyalty.

As she waited, a faint thrill bubbled within her, anticipation sparking with each moment. She could almost feel the shadows feeding back glimpses of faces, movements, and whispers as they scoured every inch of the academy for any trace of the presence she had sensed. It was only a matter of time before they found their target, and when they did, the real game would begin.

With a dark smile, Lethyxia leaned against the window, her eyes gleaming as she whispered to the night, “I wonder... are you ready for me?”

Meanwhile, in the deepest part of the forest, the night was thick and silent, broken only by the eerie whispers of wind through ancient trees. At the center of the clearing stood a man, gazing up at the ruins of a long-abandoned, crumbling mansion. Vines crept along its stone walls, and shattered windows stared blankly back, as though holding secrets of a forgotten time.

A shadowy figure emerged beside him, its form flickering like smoke. “Your memories haven’t come back yet?” it asked, its voice like a low hiss, filled with a strange mix of curiosity and impatience.

The man sighed, rubbing his temple as if trying to ease a headache. “Memories?” he repeated, his voice distant. “Only fragments... glimpses that feel more like dreams than anything real. Faces I can’t place, words that vanish before I can understand them. It’s as if something is keeping them just out of reach.”