Finally, school resumed. The biggest event of the year was over, and classes returned to their usual, mundane routine. A new King had been chosen, and though many students disagreed with the decision, there was little they could do to change it. Sawano earned the title of Queen, and after some debate, Yuki was granted the title of Jack.

Ryuji's new title brought him unwanted attention. Some students—both male and female—hoped to become his disciples, eager to train under the young king. Others sought to secure his skills and appearance for their houses, through recruitment… and even marriage proposals. Ryuji declined all such advances with quiet resolve.

Ryuji made his way to his classroom, still exhausted from the throngs of students who had approached him earlier.

As he entered, all eyes turned toward him. The expressions were familiar, reminiscent of his first day at the school: some filled with envy, others brimming with opportunity. In the back, however, there was one look that stood out, a proud and happy friend.

Ryuji smiled at his friend in the back and made his way toward his seat, feeling a small measure of comfort amidst the attention.

"Hello, Your Grace," Yuki said sarcastically.

"Hello, Jack," Ryuji replied, a teasing smile on his face.

The two young knights shared a brief laugh before Ryuji slid into his seat.

He scanned the classroom but did not see the young tigress.

"Perhaps she's running a little late," he thought.

Suddenly, she entered. She made her way toward the back of the classroom, a wide grin spreading across her face. Ryuji watched her as she approached.

"Hey!" she called. "Stand up, I wanna talk to you."

Ryuji hesitated for a moment, then stood, keeping his eyes on her.

"Did you need something?" he asked cautiously.

Before he could react further, Sawano curled her fist and swung at him. Ryuji quickly blocked the strike with his palm, and the sudden clash drew the attention of the entire class.

"What do you think you're doing?" Ryuji asked, glaring at her.

"Sawano! What are you doing?!" Yuki shouted, alarmed by her reckless behavior.

"Hah! So, it wasn't a fluke," she said, pulling her hand back.

"Right! I've made up my mind!" she declared, raising her arm and pointing directly at Ryuji.

"You! I choose you, Ryuji Sato!" she said, a joyful grin lighting up her face.

"C-choose me…?" Ryuji stammered, confused by her words. From his right, he heard Yuki gasp in shock.

"Are you telling me the rumors are true, Sawano?!" Yuki exclaimed, still stunned.

"The rumors?" Ryuji asked, tilting his head.

"Rumor has it that women of the Torafuku house can only choose to marry a man who defeats them in honorable combat," Yuki explained, turning quickly to Sawano. "It's said to be their way of maintaining strength. That's why her mother, Kimiko Torafuku, is still unmarried; she's never been defeated."

"Never been married? Does that mean Sawano is adopted?" Ryuji wondered to himself.

"Is it true, Sawano?!" he asked, a hint of impatience in his voice.

"Of course not! Don't be silly, Yuki!" she said, laughing aloud.

"Then what is this about?" Yuki asked, still a little stunned.

"The truth is… I haven't felt my skills improve in a long time," Sawano admitted, staring down at her hand with quiet disappointment.

"But our fight… it was rejuvenating, like life had been breathed back into me," she said. Her voice trembled with excitement.

"That's why I chose you! You shall be mine! We'll train and fight together, till death do us part." Her eyes locked onto Ryuji, intense and unwavering, as she waited for his response.

"Uhm…" Ryuji blinked, taken aback.

"Well, your… 'love confession' is unique, to say the least. But I'm afraid I'll have to decline." His tone stayed calm, though his posture remained guarded in case her reaction turned violent.

"You're the daughter of a duchess," he continued carefully. "I'm sure you'll find opponents far more worthy and far stronger than me, ones who would be far more suitable for you, Lady Torafuku."

"Call me Sawano. It's fine, I didn't expect you to accept right away," she said, a playful grin spreading across her face. "But that doesn't mean I'm giving up on you!"

"Do as you please, Miss Torafuku. But don't expect my mind to change," Ryuji replied calmly.

"My name is Sawano!" she said again, this time with more intensity, as if demanding he use her first name.

Ryuji's right eye twitched nervously. He may look handsome and confident, but the truth was… he had very little experience with women.

"M-Miss Sawano…" he stammered, stiff and awkward.

Sawano and Yuki exchanged glances, then turned back to him, laughter bubbling from both. In that moment, a new friendship was forged—a powerful trio ready to face whatever came next.

Days passed quickly, and the trio's bond only grew stronger. They studied together, shared meals, and trained whenever they could. Time seemed to flow like an unstoppable river.

Eventually, the holidays arrived, a celebration of victory after the brutal civil war. Most students, including Yuki, went home to celebrate with their families, leaving Ryuji and Sawano alone on the quiet school grounds.

Sawano saw a golden opportunity. She hurried through the school, searching for him, and finally spotted Ryuji strolling along the grounds, enjoying the last whispers of the autumn breeze. With a burst of energy, she leaped toward him.

"Hey, Ryuji!" she called out, her voice full of excitement.

Ryuji turned and saw the young tigress approaching, dressed in a crisp white long-sleeved shirt and a short brown skirt. The sight of her made his breath catch for a moment, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks before he quickly tried to calm himself.

"Happy holidays," Sawano said, her smile bright and full of joy.

"H-happy holidays, Miss Sawano," Ryuji stammered, struggling to meet her eyes.

"You've never really had a chance to explore the capital, have you?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"No… I haven't," he admitted. "I've never really had the chance."

"Well, today is your lucky day!" she exclaimed, grabbing his hand.

"Come on! Let's explore! The town is full of activities today, thanks to the holidays!" She began to tug him along eagerly, a wide grin on her face.

"O-okay! I can walk on my own, stop pulling!" Ryuji protested, a tinge of embarrassment coloring his cheeks.

But his shyness didn't last long. Sawano's infectious laughter and boundless energy soon had him smiling and chuckling along with her.

They walked into Kenmeikyo, the capital of the Kingdom of Chiseido—a city of wonder and wealth. The bustling town square was alive with activity, surrounded by a mix of wooden and stone buildings. Street performers practiced simple magic, drawing the eyes and applause of passersby. Towering stone walls encircled the city; a silent but constant reminder of the protection offered to its citizens.

Far in the distance, perched on higher ground overlooking the capital, stood the King's castle. Built to last a thousand years by the nation's finest stone masons, its glamorous design gleamed in the evening light. Warm glows spilled from its windows as nobles enjoyed the court's grand ball.

The streets below were alive with activity. Stands lined every corner, offering everything from glittering jewelry to sweet delicacies. Tourists and visitors from across the continent flocked to the city, celebrating the holiday with laughter and music.

Sawano dragged Ryuji from one stand to the next, eagerly sampling every treat in sight. He couldn't help but giggle at her unrestrained joy. This young lady, he thought, needed little from life, just a good meal and a worthy fight.

As the two wandered through the lively streets, a voice suddenly called out from the side.

"You two make a lovely couple! Care for a souvenir for your fair lady? A ring, perhaps, or a necklace to remember this special night?" The voice echoed.

Turning, they saw an old lady standing by a small stall, her hands full of sparkling trinkets.

"Come, come! So many treasures here, waiting for the right master!" she added with a sly giggle.

Ryuji and Sawano leaned over the stall, inspecting the jewelry as the woman enthusiastically presented her wares. Soon, Sawano's eyes fell on a delicate silver necklace shaped like a heart, with a subtle crease down the center. The moment she saw it shimmer in the sunlight, her face lit up with delight.

"Ah! Excellent choice, young lady!" the old woman exclaimed.

She held up the necklace and demonstrated, snapping the heart into two halves. "See? It comes apart like this."

"And it's enchanted," she added, letting the two halves float back together, connecting as if drawn by magic. "Each piece is attracted to the other. Perfect for two people who belong together."

Her slender eyes sparkled with anticipation. "If you like, I can even engrave your initials on the halves! What do you say?"

Ryuji glanced at Sawano, noticing the delight in her eyes. A smile tugged at his lips. Without hesitation, he decided to buy it for her, a small gesture of thanks for guiding him through the city.

"We'll take it," Ryuji said. Sawano looked up at him, a gentle smile spreading across her face. "Please engrave R and S on the two halves."

The old woman quickly engraved the letters, then handed the necklace to Ryuji. He paid, and with a courteous bow, the merchant thanked them for their patronage.

Ryuji snapped the necklace apart, placing the half engraved with his initial around Sawano's neck, while he wore the piece with her initial.

Sawano froze, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson as she stared at the kind, handsome young man leaning close to put the necklace on her.

Ryuji noticed her reaction and felt heat rise to his own face, realizing just how close they were. Both stood there, blushing, a moment of quiet warmth hanging between them.

Sawano giggled at the shy young man, then grabbed his arm and tugged him along. "Come on! I want to show you something!" she exclaimed, her wide smile lighting up her face. Their necklaces swayed gently around them as they moved.

She led Ryuji toward the castle, and soon they arrived at a balcony high above the bustling city. Below, the streets teemed with life, while the city walls stretched proudly across the horizon. The setting sun painted the sky in warm hues, casting long shadows across the outskirts. Farther away, the mountains of Eterna rose majestically, and atop the highest peak stood The Tower, coming fully into view as the sun sank slowly behind it.

Ryuji was awed by the beauty of the scenery as the breeze brushed his face, though the awe was quickly replaced by an expressionless mask as the Tower came into view. His eyes betrayed subtle hints of sadness, carefully hidden.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Sawano asked softly.

"Indeed… it is. Thank you for bringing me here," Ryuji replied, still masking the weight of his thoughts.

Sawano noticed the young man's expression and quickly tried to change the subject.

"I used to come here a lot and watch the sunset sink behind the mountains, wondering what mysteries lie within that tower," she said softly, a gentle smile on her face.

"But Ryuji, you never told me… what brought you to Kenmeikyo? And our school?" she asked.

"I…" Ryuji hesitated, then met the young tigress's striking eyes. "I'm sure you heard from Yuki, but I'm a villager from the outskirts. I had a teacher, a retired knight from the kingdom of Hikari. She taught me how to fight, how to control my magic… but most importantly, she taught me how to survive," he replied.

"After her… unfortunate passing…" Ryuji's usually expressionless face softened, giving way to a trace of sadness.

"I wandered the outskirts… until I came across a village under attack by bandits. They were plundering the village and attempting to kidnap its inhabitants," he said, his voice steady but tinged with sorrow.

"I quickly intervened and helped the villagers defend themselves. When the dust settled and everyone was safe, they came to thank me and tried to offer a reward, which I declined. They were confused by my actions, and after some questioning, they explained that they had called for adventurers from the guild before the attack. They had assumed I was one of them," he continued.