Ryuji and Yuki continued to the dining hall, where they sat down and enjoyed adequate meals. Better than anything Ryuji has had in the last year or so during his time in the guild. Then they made their way back to class, chatting and getting to know one another better. Occasionally, sharing a laugh. Ryuji sensed a feeling of camaraderie with Yuki. In reality, he was the first friend Ryuji ever made.

As they entered their class, they spied Riki and two others hovering around Ryuji's seat, scheming and giggling. Yuki and Ryuji made their way back to the end of the classroom.

"Something funny about my seat?" said Ryuji irritably.

Riki and his goons looked back in surprise.

"Oh well, if it isn't our infamous peasant! No, nothing funny at all, please have a seat," Riki said with an evil smile as the two goons were laughing silently in the back.

Ryuji observed his seat, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Except there's a slight hint of magic, they were scheming something, perhaps a way to embarrass or hurt him. So Ryuji narrowed his eyes, already piecing together a plan of his own.

With a mocking tone, he said, "How can I, a peasant, sit while my betters are still standing?"

"Oh no, I insist, you know it is rude to refuse a noble's offer," Riki said.

As the two were arguing back and forth, they were interrupted by the arrival of Professor Tomo.

"Everyone, take your seat, please!" said the professor. "You there! In the back! What are you doing? The class has started! Take your seats!"

"You heard the professor, peasant! Take. Your. Seat." Riki said menacingly.

"Fine, as you wish," Ryuji said, then sat on his chair...

A look of anticipation and excitement from Riki and his followers as they watched carefully while Ryuji sat down... Nothing happened...? How come...? Riki looked at one of his followers with rage in his eyes, expecting an answer as to why it didn't work. The follower had nothing but a confused look on his face; he had no idea why it didn't work.

"You should probably head to your seat. The professor doesn't take kindly to disturbances in his class," said Ryuji with a calm look on his face.

Riki scoffs as he walks towards his seat, defeated. As he sat down, magical runes etched into his seat activated, and it seemed as if the wood on the seat itself changed its shape into tiny spikes. Riki jumped and yelped in pain. Made himself a mockery in front of the class and made the professor furious.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Riki?! Do you think yourself funny?! Cut it off and sit the hell down!" The professor yelled angrily.

"B-but... How?!" Riki asked, his gaze shifting to Ryuji, who was staring back with a wicked grin.

"It's him! That damned peasant!" He fumed internally.

"He must've done something while we were distracted by the professor! But how? What did he do exactly? Damn it! You'll pay for this embarrassment a hundredfold! Mark my word, filthy peasant!" His eyes burned with hatred as he glared daggers at Ryuji.

The class continues, it comes and goes, the same as all other classes. Dull and uninteresting for Ryuji. The school day came to an end, and the students headed toward their dorms.

Yuki noticed Ryuji on the way toward his room.

"Hey, Ryuji!" he shouted, catching up to him.

"Do you know where your dorm room is?" Yuki asked.

"All I know is that it's room number 505, at least that's what the headmaster told me," Ryuji replied.

"Alright, I'll show you the way then," said Yuki.

On their way towards the dorms, walking in the vast open areas of the school, surrounded by beautiful greenery and fauna, the two stumble upon the headmaster, chatting with the school's nurse. As she leaves, the headmaster sees the two walking together and meets them with a cheerful smile.

"I see you made yourself a friend, Ryuji," said the headmaster, with pride clear in his eyes.

"It appears so...," said Ryuji.

"Could you give us a moment, please, Yuki? I'd like to speak with Ryuji in private," said the headmaster kindly.

"Of course, Headmaster," replied Yuki as he bowed.

As Yuki walks further away to give the two some space, the headmaster looks towards Ryuji and asks, "So, how was your first day in school?"

"Well, let's see... the students are bigoted idiots, the professors are no better. It seems everyone is just itching for a fight, and the information available to the students seems to be quite outdated. So far, this entire day has been a complete waste of time," replied Ryuji.

"Ohoho! Quite a strong opinion from the start, although I appreciate the honesty. But let's look at the bright side, at least you made a new friend! A powerful one, too!" said the headmaster as he chuckled.

Ryuji sighed.

"What am I doing here, Headmaster? The truth this time, please," said Ryuji irritably.

"The truth?" The headmaster paused momentarily.

"I have been nothing but truthful to you, young one. You are a very talented child, and I firmly believe you will only improve here," he said, with a smile on his face.

"I'm not looking for improvements!" said Ryuji, looking a little irritated.

The headmaster sighs in response.

"Why do the younglings rush so? Patience, child. All will be revealed in time. In the meantime, why not participate in the upcoming tournament?" he asked excitedly.

"I have no interest in beating up weaklings who depend on their families' names," said Ryuji, still irritated.

"Ah, well, I can guarantee you not all my students are that frivolous. I believe lots of my students aim to master their elements and respective skills. Take your friend Yuki as an example. In fact, how about another bet?" said the headmaster provocatively.

"You said there was an alternative reason as to why I brought you to this school. Should you win the Kings Tournament with ease and prove to me that my students are all bark and no bite, then I will tell you everything you wish to know. However, if you find it difficult to win the tournament and encounter worthy opponents, you will continue your education here for the remaining two years. What do you say, young one?" the headmaster finished, his ragged eyes scheming.

"Wasn't me staying here part of the original bet? Why would you suggest such a bet? You gain nothing from this," Ryuji replied, suspicious of the old man's gamble.

"I'm merely interested in seeing how the upcoming events play out. Besides, those 'bigoted idiots,' as you so kindly put it, would not dare even look you in the eye should you win, making your remaining two years a breeze. So, what will it be?" said the headmaster cunningly.

"Fine. Deal. It's not like I lose anything anyway…," said Ryuji.

"Fantastic! Make sure to train well. The training grounds are available for all students. I'm sure your friend Yuki knows the way well," said the headmaster excitedly.

"Anyways, curfew is almost here. Make your way to the dorms if you would be so kind," he finished, ordering them to return.

"Yes, Headmaster," replied Ryuji as he walked away.

He stopped momentarily and looked back at the headmaster. He noticed a hint of sadness in the old man's eyes, which he quickly covered up with a smile.

"He knows more than he's letting on. I will find out what you're hiding, old man," Ryuji thought to himself.

The headmaster's face rests, and the sadness returns, as Ryuji continues to walk away.

"I'm sorry, young one... I wish I could've been more help, but the current circumstances do not allow it," the headmaster thought to himself.

"Sorry for taking so long, Yuki," Ryuji said.

"Don't worry about it. What did the headmaster want?" replied Yuki.

"Nothing important, just checking up on the new student. But you'll be happy to know that I'll be joining the upcoming tournament," Ryuji replied, slightly angry with himself as he fell to the headmaster's provocations.

"Aha! That's wonderful news! I hope we get to meet in battle. I have a feeling you'd be a strong opponent," Yuki replied excitedly.

"Well, let's get some rest for now, and tomorrow I'll lead you towards the training grounds so we can train together," Yuki finished.

The two young knights continue towards their respective rooms. They say their farewells and goodnights before parting ways in those dimly lit hallways.

Ryuji enters his room to the sound of a soft door creaking to find it modest yet well-decorated. Dark wooden furniture polished to a fine sheen, giving it a calm yet studious charm. The sight of it brought comfort and a hint of nostalgia.

He threw himself onto the bed and was absorbed by a comfortable embrace he had not felt in years. His thoughts lingered on everything that had happened today: the snide nobles, the deal, and his first true friend. Slowly, he drifted toward sleep. But it would not come easily…

As his eyes drift into a calm slumber, his mind wanders, and his rest is interrupted. Visions flash in his mind, a vague dream, showing a woman with long, silky, bright, cyan-colored hair shimmering like beautiful starlight, and a gentle, loving smile towering above him, a person he recognizes very well.

She appears to be saying something; her lips move, but no sound is coming out. Her beautiful and loving smile quickly shifts into a look of shock and pure horror, followed shortly by a vision of blood gushing out, covering Ryuji's face as her body slowly falls to the floor.

The dream ends as Ryuji is awakened with a jolt, panting and sweating profusely. His nerves are slowly calmed by the sound of birds singing in the morning. A calm and quiet environment surrounds him, a sharp contrast to the horrid world he was trapped in. With a sigh and sadness remaining on his face, he unwillingly gets up and prepares for a new day.

After his classes, Ryuji makes his way to the faculty offices to register for the tournament, then proceeds to the training grounds with Yuki. It's a big, empty field with sandy grounds to reduce impacts, surrounded by a relatively strong magical barrier to protect the school from any unfortunate incidents.

And it seems to be empty...

"Odd," Ryuji thought to himself. "You'd expect people to train here for the upcoming school event, and yet there's no one."

"It's an impressive arena, but why is it so empty? I thought the King's Tournament was the biggest event in the school," asked Ryuji curiously.

"I'm not sure… It's typically a bit more populated than this..." replied Yuki, shocked and confused.

"It's because they pulled out of the tournament, you idiots!" said Riki mockingly as he appeared behind them.

The two look back to see Riki approaching them with his two followers.

"You really think any of these people dare come face to face against me or the so-called hero's son?!" Riki continued provocatively.

"What did you do?!" yelled Yuki angrily.

"I don't like what you're insinuating, 'young hero.' I merely had a chat with the students here to see whether or not they'd like to continue living after school ends," Riki said menacingly.

"School is merely the beginning. The students were smart enough to avoid a conflict with my friends and me here. And now I'm here to extend this courtesy to you two," said Riki, as his focus seemed to be entirely on Ryuji.

Riki's focus shifts towards Yuki and says, "Yuki, drop out of the tournament. You have no chance of beating my friends and me here."

"And to you, 'Peasant,' I will not extend the same courtesy. You will not drop out of the tournament. You will leave this entire school effective immediately. I have not forgotten the embarrassment you inflicted on me. Now the choice is yours: quit or die here by my hand," Riki said as his eyes stared at Ryuji in pure rage.

Ryuji's attention shifts as he sees Yuki's hand move towards his rapier, and his body movement indicates he is preparing to strike. Having two great houses fight each other over petty differences would be disastrous for the nation. Ryuji takes a step forward towards the trio as Yuki looks on in surprise.

"Unfortunately for us both, I cannot quit this school," said Ryuji.

"It seems that you prefer blackmailing and empty threats. You're a child cowering behind your family over a fair fight. Hah! And you even called me a coward while hiding behind your two underlings. Is that all your great house can procure?" Ryuji said provocatively.

"You dare?!" Riki said, before being interrupted by Ryuji.

"You said that none dared to face you. Well, I'm here. Fight me and prove to me your strength is your own and not some fairy tale you tell yourself. I can defeat you without even using my hands!" Ryuji continued provocatively.

Seething rage could be seen on Riki's face as he got closer to Ryuji.

"Then let us begin. I will make you suffer!" said Riki, furious.

Both students took their places across from each other in the open space of the arena, with the sun setting behind where Ryuji was standing. Yuki and the two underlings stood to the side to watch the match and play the roles of judges.

"No regrets now, Peasant!" Riki said condescendingly.

Ryuji did not respond. He merely stood with his hands tightly tucked in his pockets, waiting, anticipating, and calculating every possible move Riki might make. Clear signs of anger remained on Riki's face.

"Good," Ryuji thought, as Riki fell to his provocations.

"The rules are simple!" said Yuki loudly. "The battle ends when one of the fighters yields or is no longer able to fight. With that in mind, begin!" he exclaimed.

As Yuki's words finished echoing across the open field, golden yellowish particles started forming in Riki's palm, collecting and concentrating on a singular point. In mere seconds, a raging ball of fire formed in Riki's hand, which he hurled in Ryuji's direction. Ryuji took a meager step to the side to avoid it, as it continued in a straight line until it eventually impacted the barrier. Riki's anger was still present while Ryuji remained unfazed.

"Ha! Now try dodging this," Riki said, as more particles collected in both his palms and more fireballs were created. Ryuji still stood in his place, hands firmly in his pockets, with a serious look on his face.