Carol walked toward the public library, the events of the previous day weighing heavily on her. Her uncle’s cold words, the Mantis’s overwhelming power, and her own narrow escape felt like a physical burden. She knew there was only one solution: she had to get stronger, regardless of the cost.

  Inside, the library was a sanctuary of hushed whispers and the scent of old parchment. Carol found the advanced section, pulled a thick volume on Wind Theory from the shelf, and sat at an isolated table. As she cracked the spine of the book, she realized she wasn't alone. A boy sat across from her, his eyes narrowed in a wary, sharp expression.

  Carol tried to focus on the text, but his gaze was like a needle against her skin. Finally, her patience snapped.

  "Uhm..." she began.

  The boy immediately looked down, pretending to be absorbed in his own reading.

  (This guy...) Carol clenched her fist. "Can you stop staring at me like that? It’s distracting."

  He remained silent, offering no apology. Angered by the blatant disrespect, Carol reached under the table and stomped firmly on his boot.

  "What was that for?!" the boy hissed, his face contorting in pain.

  "For ignoring me and ruining my focus with that creepy staring!" Carol shot back.

  A chorus of "Shhh!" erupted from the nearby librarians. Both of them slumped in their seats, flushed with embarrassment, but Carol leaned forward to press him.

  "At least tell me why you were watching me."

  "I was just... this is my spot," he muttered.

  "And? It’s a public library. Anyone can sit here."

  "Still... it’s my place. The only place where I can actually be myself."

  "Oh, how sentimental," Carol mocked.

  "W-what did you just say?"

  "Listen, I don't know who you are, but you clearly have 'Loner' written all over your face," Carol said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You sit in the darkest corner of the room where no one can see you, and you don't talk to a soul. I suspect that's the whole reason."

  The boy flinched, looking as if he’d been struck by a physical blow. "I think I’ve heard enough..."

  "Heh. Worth it," Carol whispered, performing a small fist-pump of victory.

  "But honestly, I’m not a loner by choice." His tone shifted, becoming unexpectedly somber. "Do you know about the Nature Holder?"

  "The Nature Holder? One of the Seven?"

  He nodded slowly. "I’m the third child of the current Holder. And the third Prince of the Elraria Kingdom." He met her eyes again, the intensity returning.

  "Wait, a Holder can rule an entire country?" Carol asked, her skepticism showing.

  "If their achievements and power are grand enough, the Church grants them sovereignty."

  (That’s news to me...) Carol thought. (I didn't realize a Holder's authority could reach that level.)

  "Mind if I ask you something else?" Carol asked. "Do you know anything about the previous head of the Gaia Holder?"

  The Prince’s expression remained blank. "The previous head? No. I’ve never heard of them."

  "I see."

  "Well, if that’s all, I’ll take my leave," he said, pushing his chair back.

  "Huh? Already?"

  "Of course. I prefer not to linger with people like you. Who knows when you'll try to use me like everyone else does?"

  "What do you mean by 'using' you?"

  He stopped, turning back with a look of genuine confusion. "You... you don't want something from me?"

  Carol shook her head firmly.

  "I'm a Prince! A Royal!"

  "So? I literally picked a fight with the daughter of the Ignis Holder yesterday. A title isn't a big deal to me."

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  The boy stared at her for a beat before bursting into a sudden, surprised laugh. "You're... you're something else."

  "What's so funny?"

  "It’s just..." He looked up, a sad smile touching his lips. "People always try to take advantage of my status the moment they find out who I am. Since I came to this academy, I haven't known who to trust."

  "No wonder you're hiding in corners," Carol said, standing up. "Then, how about you stop rotting in the dark and come train with us?"

  "Training?"

  "I'm not forcing you. But training with a group is better than wasting away by yourself."

  "That's... absurd," he snorted, but his eyes brightened. "Fine. I accept."

  "Good! So, what’s your name?" she asked, offering a hand to welcome his presence.

  "Noire. Noire von Elraria." he replied, accepted the offered.

  "Nice to meet you, Noire. I'm Caroline Erlikh. Just Carol if you want to know."

  The following morning, Carol led Noire to the training grounds. Aria was already there, arms crossed impatiently, while Rein and Revir were deep in a quiet discussion.

  "You’re late!" Aria barked.

  "Sorry, sorry," Carol waved it off. "I had to pick up a friend along the way."

  The group stared at the newcomer in confusion.

  "And you are...?" Aria asked, her eyes narrowing.

  "Noire. A pleasure to meet you, Daughter of Ignis."

  "Oh? You’ve heard of me?"

  "Everyone on campus knows who you are," Noire said, his smile turning a bit mischievous. "The 'Brute Lady' who solves every problem with a sword!"

  Aria’s smile vanished. She stepped forward and delivered a swift bonk to his head with her wand.

  "Choose your next words carefully if you wish to see tomorrow," she said, her voice dropping to a low, menacing growl.

  "Y-yes, ma'am..." Noire muttered, rubbing his scalp.

  "He’s also the third Prince of Elraria," Carol added, stepping in.

  "Y-you mean... the Nature Holder’s son?!" Saria stammered, her legs giving out as she slumped to the grass in shock.

  "Hey, stay with us!" Aria kneeled beside Saria, realizing the girl was simply overwhelmed by the social pressure.

  "Anyway, why would a Prince want to join a session like this?" Rein asked.

  "Carol invited me. We met in the library yesterday and... had a talk."

  "I see," Rein replied, eyeing Noire's gear.

  "The more the merrier," Revir said with his usual easy-going grin. "But can you actually cast anything?"

  "I have some affinity for Plant magic... and a Vergus spell."

  The group went silent. Even Carol looked shocked. "A Vergus spell already?"

  "It’s nothing special." Noire drew his wand and chanted: "Vergus: Shildia."

  The wand surged with ender, expanding and hardening into a heavy, ornate shield.

  "Impressive," Aria admitted, her eyes gleaming with a competitive fire. She drew her broadsword and drove it into the earth with a resounding thud. "But a shield is only as good as the person behind it. It’s time for hell, all of you."

  The days that followed were a blur of exhaustion. Under Aria’s relentless tutelage, the group was pushed to their breaking point. Rein struggled to keep his Vergus spear manifested, while Revir worked on his striking speed. Saria, fueled by a new spark of courage, focused on her barriers. Noire turned out to be a natural, his shield holding firm against Aria’s brutal swings.

  Carol, however, felt a mounting frustration. She couldn't land a single clean hit on Aria.

  "Is that all?" Aria taunted, standing perfectly still. "Where’s that attitude from the forest back then? Have you gone soft?"

  Carol took a deep breath, centering her ender. She stomped her boot, a complex magic circle erupting beneath her. "Wind Agnis!"

  She vanished in a blur of speed, appearing directly in Aria’s blind spot. She swung with everything she had, the gust of wind finally forcing Aria to skid back several feet.

  "That’s enough," Aria said, a satisfied grin appearing. "That’s it for today."

  Carol exhaled, leaning on her sword. "You're a monster, Aria. Can't believe that this type of training is the one you always take."

  "Well, atleast you managed to cast two spells simultaneously instead of one," Aria noted. "That’s real progress. You’re finally moving away from relying on those artifacts."

  "Yeah," Carol smiled, looking at her blade. "It feels different."

  "Alright, good work, everyone!" Aria called out. "Get some rest. The exams are only a few days away. I hope all of us can pass this exam and survive."

  Everyone nodded at her statement, tired for today, but satisfied of their progression.

  "I'll see you guys again on the exam. Now, dismissed!" Aria exclaimed, the sky at the time became brilliant hues of red and oranges.

  In the depths of a lightless dungeon, the hooded figure adjusted the dials on a massive glass vat. Inside, an abomination thrashed, a grotesque fusion of two different monsters, their flesh stitched together by dark Ender.

  "This grimoire is more intricate than I anticipated," he muttered, rubbing his temples. "But no matter. A hybrid creature fueled by my Ender... that should be enough to start a proper festival."

  A sinister laugh echoed through the damp stone walls.

  "I wonder how the Priestess will feel when the chaos begins. If you had only awakened your power instead of watching your village burn, I wouldn't have to work for these power-hungry Holders."

  He pressed his hand against the glass, his eyes reflecting the creature's agony.

  "Nonetheless, I will await your resurrection," he whispered. "I want to see exactly how your 'Revenge' unfolds when the world finally breaks."