City of Levre

After passing the identification check, we enter the city, and the first thing we see is ongoing construction of four-story buildings lining the main street. I am still able to see the old inner wall from here, where the capital’s boundary used to end. I am amazed by how much development has taken place in just five years.

Beside me, Amelle simply smiles as her eyes wander over the construction workers and the busy streets. Has she been to the capital before? I suppose a villager like her might have traveled here to sell livestock or harvests, even if her village is quite far away.

“Do you know where the academy is?”

“It’s on the north side of the city! This way!” She leads me toward the old inner wall, casually taking my hand as we walk together. “Wait, don't tell me this is your very first time here?”

“It is actually my first time setting foot here,” I reply smoothly. It isn't entirely a lie. This part of the city hadn't been built yet the last time I was in the capital. “You seem remarkably well-acquainted with the city.”

“Yup! I’ve come along with my dad plenty of times. He always gets the short end of the stick, driving our harvest carriage all the way to the capital alongside whatever mercenaries our village chief hires… especially since he has an ice spirit that can keep our products fresh.”

What am I doing? It is as if I have been doubting everyone—no, everything—since I parted with Master Long Kai.

I cannot deny that I felt at peace when I was by his side.

“Hmm? Wait a second... Is that a sword at your waist? Huh, it doesn’t look like a normal blade at all!” Amelle leans in close, peering curiously at the weapon hanging at my side.

“Ah, this? It is an Eastern blade called a tachi. I am currently studying the art of swordsmanship.”

“Huh? Why do you spend your time on swordsmanship? Don't you have a spirit contract?” She tilts her head in genuine confusion.

“I do.”

“So, you’re training in both swordplay and spirit arts? Why bother putting yourself through grueling martial training if you already have a spirit?”

“I am simply striving to be stronger without over-relying on spirit power. Mastering both techniques will make me a far more capable person.”

“Whoa! That actually makes total sense! You’re so diligent, Lumi! I really need to work hard like you! Now I’m fired up! This is exactly why I love the city way more than my village—there are so many amazing people to learn from!”

I let out a chuckle, unable to resist asking, “So... did Duke Dominique select you for the scholarship because you are always this energetic?”

Hearing that, her cheeks flush a bright, embarrassed pink. “Aww, thank you so much!”

“That... was not meant as a compliment.”

We walk past the central avenue and the royal castle area—the place where I spent all eleven years of my past life.

“Are you amazed by the Royal Castle, Lumi? It is so big that the late royal castle wouldn’t hold a candle to it.”

“Yeah…”

It takes us an hour from the southern gate to arrive at the Levre Academy complex. Located on the north side of the royal palace, the campus features three huge five-story main buildings flanked by three massive dormitories. At the center of them all stands a towering clock tower, easily twice as tall as the surrounding structures.

I’ve seen this view many times from the royal castle before, but seeing it up close… this place is even grander than I imagined.

The good thing is that we arrived just before sunset. I can see academy personnel starting to light the oil streetlamps surrounding the campus.

We head toward the clock tower, which houses the academy administrative office, teachers' rooms, laboratories, and the National Library of Verdun. I’ve always wanted to visit the library, knowing its collection of books must be far superior to anything else in this kingdom.

We step through the clock tower’s grand entrance and are immediately greeted by a refined receptionist.

“Welcome to the academy administrative office. How may I assist you today?”

“We are here to complete our student registration. Here is my invitation letter,” I say, drawing the letter from my travel bag and presenting it to her. Amelle hands hers over as well.

“I see... Ms. Luminera and Ms. Amelle. Principal Orphus instructed me to direct you both to his office upon your arrival. Please take the staircase to the third floor—his office is located on the right side of the main corridor. I shall process your documentation and dormitory assignments in the meantime.”

It makes sense why he wishes to see me—after all, he personally sponsored my admission. I just hope that he does not recognize me, especially given that we crossed paths on a few formal occasions in the past.

“Thank you for your assistance.”

Amelle and I ascend to the third floor, where we easily spot a set of double doors far larger than any other in the corridor. Above it hangs an ornate wooden sign carved with the words: Principal's Office.

We knock on the heavy oak, and a deep, polished voice echoes from within: “Enter.”

As Amelle pushes the door open, we step inside to find a tall man with long, fiery red hair and gold-rimmed spectacles seated behind a mahogany desk. He is Duke Nashville’s firstborn son, Orphus. His handsome appearance used to command the admiration of noble ladies at royal banquets. Even I must admit, his presence is undeniably imposing.

He sets down his fountain pen and fixes his sharp gaze upon my companion. “You are Amelle, correct?”

“Yes, Principal Orphus!” Amelle responds, snapping to attention immediately.

“Duke Brian spoke highly of you during our last meeting, particularly that you are the chosen scholarship recipient from the Dominique territory this year. I expect you to serve as a role model for others. In exchange, should anyone within this academy attempt to target you over your origins, I shall intervene personally.”

“Understood, sir! I won't let you or Lord Dominique down! Thank you very much!”

His eyes then shift smoothly toward me, inspecting my posture and the sheathed weapon resting at my hip. “And that leaves you, Luminera. Am I correct in assuming you are the disciple Master Long Kai mentioned in his letter?”

“That is correct, Principal Orphus... I am his disciple, and a practitioner of Bannōdō—a technique that Master Long Kai crafted himself.”

“Master Long Kai rendered great assistance to my house, coming to our aid on several critical occasions... That is why, upon learning he had taken a disciple, I personally requested that you enroll at this academy.”

I can only manage a wry smile upon hearing that... I knew my master frequently took on errands across the kingdom, but I never realized he was securing favors from nobility. That certainly explains where he procured the coin for his endless supply of wine!

That wine, though... I always knew he was sneaking drinks when he thought I wasn't looking. I told him to stop hundreds of times... In my next letter, I shall thoroughly lecture him about his health!

“Tell me, then… Are you truly as formidable as he claims?”

“I only turned thirteen a week ago, and I have trained in swordsmanship for a mere two years. Compared to my master, who has wielded a blade for over half a century, I am still an infant in the martial arts.”

“Is that so? Then... Volt.”

In a flash, the principal summons a spirit that materializes as a sphere of lightning above his head. It unleashes a blinding streak of lightning directly toward us.

Feather Step... Quick Draw!

Reflexes forged over two years of Master Long Kai’s ruthless training instantly take over. Within a split second, I slide smoothly to the left while unsheathing my tachi in one fluid motion. Sweeping my blade in an arc, I slice the lightning bolt mid-air, dispersing the electrical surge before it can harm either of us.

“Kyaa!” Amelle screams, instinctively dropping to her knees and covering her head on the crimson rug covering the office floor.

I exhale as I settle back into my stance. With my tachi drawn before me, I glare at the principal with suspicion.

“What is the meaning of this, Principal Orphus?”