Prologue

What is the price of living a peaceful life as a noblewoman? How big is the imagined difference versus living just as a normal civilian? What do you have to sacrifice to gain respect?

Is the sacrifice even worth it all?

The thoughts ran the young shopkeep apprentice's head like boiling blood. It is skin melting and absolutely horrendous, even if it was vital initially. To Rosalia, this boiling blood is what she had experienced a year... nay, two years ago.

She still remembers it: Arcana Academia. 

The most prestigious magic academy in all of the Kingdom of Hearts. With over fifty thousand students studying different kinds of magic all at the same time, it is a surprise how an establishment like this lasted for so long without cracking. The secret lies on its donors and benefactors: the academy's longevity lies on the funds from each of the noble houses of the Kingdom, effectively collaborating to have each of their school-aged heirs have a great time in the academy.

One of those heirs happens to be a genius among all her peers. It would have been common and virtually unknown if a person was the top of their class, for there are many classes. And with these fifty thousand students, maybe a thousand of them could have been top of their classes.

This girl, however, stands atop all those class-toppers. Managing to excel in the theoretical aspects of magic, and several of its magical applications, she earned it all. However, no one seemed surprised. This lady who stands above all the rest, is the daughter of a noble after all. And not just any noble: she is the only daughter—la unica hija—of the noble house overseeing the defense of the Kingdom.

"She's always so cool!"

Whispers spread around as she passes by them. Her dazzling pink hair like strawberries, her glistening blue eyes which shine like the stars in the night sky, and her meek demeanor are only some of the reasons why people like her. Underneath that façade they've built for her however...

"Nice to meet you, Miss Rosalia!"

"Uhh- i- it's n- nice t- to m- m- meet you t- too..."

Oh my God she's adorable, thought the student as he passed by, while she scurried away. However, that shyness did not tank her reputation. Rather, it soared to even greater heights.

That girl... is Rosalia Lynne Dynohart.

And at that exact moment, almost everyone has heard tales of Rosalia's feats: her scoring a 98 on a placement exam, hitting nearly all the targets in a magic duel simulator, and reciting the Code of Magicians; it is no surprise that she had a bright future ahead of her: as a magician and as the heiress to the noble house of Dynohart.

"She had it all figured out," said Kiara, one of Rosalia's classmates. "I asked her how this certain alchemical formula worked, and she showed me the background of it, it's amazing!"

"To be fair, she does indulge in magic endeavors as a noblewoman herself..." pondered Darcy Tartini, Rosalia's best friend. "I've been around those types of people: meek and studious. I am surprised she doesn't have glasses yet."

"Joke fell a little flat, Darcy."
"Oh come on! I thought it was a great joke!"

Darcy drank her water. "Still, it is very inspiring that someone like her is able to do something like that, even if she is from a noble family."

But of course, not everyone is head over heels in love with Rosalia's charms.

"Inspiring? Give me a fucking break. I bet all that lack of bravado and competence is just for show," muttered Griselda. 

"Ugh I swear!" said Mara, who slammed a glass of water on the table, startling Griselda. She continued, "I bet she pleaded the profs to let her be better than me!" Perhaps Mara was bitter losing to Rosalia in a duel once for a performance test, placing her in the B rank instead of the A she wanted. "She may look like she has it all, but that stupid idiot ain't got shit on me. When I see her, I will challenge her to another duel!"

"Oh please, she was just a step ahead of you."
"Maybe two..."

"I don't wanna hear the opinion of two bimbos trying to put her on a pedestal!"

"What the fuck did you call me?!" 
"Darcy, please, calm down-"

"I said: BIMBOS."

"Do you wanna say that to my face, cutting board?"

"Okay, THAT'S IT-"

"Alright, alright, everyone just calm down."

The calm and collected voice of the princess seemed to have reset the mood. In case you did not read it yet, yes, the Royal Kingdom of Hearts's princess is a student in Arcana Academia.

Princess Sharlene Sylvia Leonhart, the youngest daughter to the ruling monarch, King Algiers Cole Leonhart. She has the face and voice fit to soothe anyone. Prim and proper, just like a true princess should be; a highly competent magic user; and a skilled negotiator; she has the makings of a great leader. Too bad she has the crown prince to pass through before she could even taste the sweet nectar of monarchy. By the looks of it, however, she could be getting there.

"Your Highness. I didn't know you were here."

"Of course I am. I'd rather not see some of my father's subjects fight for petty reasons."

"You oughta stop Darcy, she doesn't like anyone rough-housing."
"I know, I know. But I don't trust her even if she is the royal princess."

Sharlene sat next to Kiara and Darcy. Suddenly, Kiara and Darcy felt the homeliness of Sharlene, who eventually tensed down. "I don't think I've seen you around this table before, who might you be?"

"Darcy Tartini," said the lady, bowing for gesture. "I'm a friend of Rosalia's. It's nice to meet you, Your Highness."

"Oh please, don't be so formal! Call me Sharlene," she replied, waving her hand to signal. "I don't mind it, we're in the academy as students anyway so we are all equals here. Isn't that right, Mara?"

Mara scoffed. 

"Mara?"

Mara jolted in embarrassment and pouted. "Well if you say so, I guess that's right."

Darcy chuckled. "Maybe I shouldn't be putting Rosalia in a pedestal after all. We could find something else to excel at that she can't... say... like public speaking!"

"Christ, Darcy, that's brutal!" Sharlene poked her shoulder playfully as Darcy and everyone in their table laughed. But just as they started warming up to each other again...

"Sorry I'm late, Darcy, I just had something to do a-and... uhh..."

"No need to be all formal Rosalia, you made it just in the nick of time!"

"A hell of a long damn nick," Mara scoffed.

"Mara, calm down, the esteemed guest is here," Griselda mocked.

"Sorry sorry it's just that I had to prepare for the Arcane Deux Competition-" Rosalia bowed in embarrassment. After a while, she looked around at their shocked faces. Rosalia panicked, thinking she had insulted them.

In reality, they were all in awe: Rosalia had entered the most prestigious competitions of the Kingdom: Arcane Deux. 

The competition is similar to researches. Whoever had the most revolutionary magic research gets the first prize award and the title of the Hero of Knowledge. The headmaster of Arcana Academia himself awards the title to the person who wins the first prize, and there are over two hundred participants in Arcana Deux: even those who come from establishments outside of Arcana Academia can qualify and win the first prize.

Perhaps Rosalia did not realize the scope of Arcana Deux until she saw the shocked faces of her peers.

"You can't be serious, Rosa-"

"She is," Darcy interrupted. "She's very serious."

"That's not the look of determination," Griselda remarked.

"But it is a look," Darcy replied.

Sharlene had the more normal look in her face, which Rosalia was comfortable seeing. However, underneath that facade is a salty demeanor Sharlene is feeling a lot of. The esteemed princess could not believe that out of everyone in the Arcana Academia, she was the one to be qualified for the Arcana Deux and not her. The feeling of betrayal rose up in her and she silently glared at Rosalia while keeping a somber smile. 

She knew she had to do something, she was not about to let her beat the royalty in every single thing in Arcana Academia. The lion is not about to take a jab at second place. If there is anyone in the goddamn motherfucking Kingdom who can be the Hero of Knowledge it should be me and JUST me, Sharlene thought, biting her lip, remembering everything about Rosalia Lynne Dynohart.

That very moment in the wide school cafeteria, was the moment everything changed.

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The day of the Arcana Deux arrived.

Everyone is on edge, just as the norm is for magic competitions. This particular competition was held in an open field in the center of Arcana Academia. The field had a stage and a bunch of stalls where the researchers showcase their magic researches.

Rosalia had been fighting tooth and nail to get into this competition. Sleepless nights, being scolded by her mother because for Supported by her friend Darcy Tartini, on the stands closest to her stall, she watched everything around her making her feel more nervous than ever. Darcy started to get worried for her friend, hoping that she wouldn't do anything rash that will cost her the competition.

Kiara also accompanied Darcy, making sure she wouldn't do anything rash to help Rosalia. "Hey, hey," Kiara nudged Darcy. "It'll be fine, I'm sure of it. She's gone this far, she'll probably make it all the way. I'm sure of it."

Darcy sighed. "You're right, I shouldn't be that worried for her." She smiled in determination. Rosalia, looking at the stands, sees Darcy waving her hand. She looked at her palm and clenched it into a fist. Closing her eyes, Rosalia muttered, "She didn't just come here so that I can mope around, she wanted to see me win." 

She looked across the stands and found her parents, Duke Alfred and Duchess Mary, there on the chairs sitting next to the King. Mary gave her a smile, while Duke Alfred was stern. Both of them wanted Rosalia to win the competition, because it would be the greatest honor to their family, the Dynoharts. Duke Alfred, in particular, was more stern and strict towards Rosalia because he wanted her to prove to him that she can make it in life, as a magician and as the next heir to the Dynohart house.

Rosalia, upon seeing her father give her the look of a military commander, smiled. Darcy, upon seeing her friend smile, chuckled. 

"What's so funny?"

"It's nothing. I just never thought I'd see silent encouragement in real life before my eyes."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't mind me." Seeing as her friend was finally ready to crush the competition, Darcy nudged Kiara. 

"Hey you wanna get a bite to eat before we watch Rosalia's demonstration?"

Kiara nodded. "Yeah! Let's go get some food!"

As Darcy and Kiara both left the stands where they were, on another part of the stands is Princess Sharlene, standing far away from the center, where King Algiers Leonhart sat. It was already apparent Sharlene and her father's relationship worsened because she wasn't qualified for the Arcana Deux. His aide, Marquis de Sant, saw Sharlene with a disdainful look in her eyes and was worried of her.

"Your Highness, shouldn't you be concerned that Lady Sharlene would-"

"I'd rather not tamper on the well-being of a failure," the King replied. Marquis stepped back, knowing the King was stern and nonchalant in his words, although harsher than Duke Alfred, who was more caring towards Rosalia than the King was to his youngest daughter. It is almost as if their relationship is estranged.

Aether Lux, the current headmaster of Arcana Academia, sat beside the King. "You should try to cheer up more often, Your Highness," he calmly responded, much to the chagrin of Marquis de Sant.

"Watch what you say to His Hi-"

"Let him reply, Marquis." The aide was quite shocked with how he was acting. "You were saying, Lux?"

"Look at these hopeful young'uns. They would make fine heroes wouldn't you say, my liege?"

The King nodded out of respect. "These people are the future of our generation. It's a shame the princess couldn't qualify for it."

The headmaster smiled. "Arcana Academia offers a lot to the students, so you don't have to rush."

I wish I didn't have to rush... the King thought. She's turning sixteen in a few days, and she couldn't reach this level of magic aptitude. I didn't want for it to be this way, but she needed to know the consequences of missing the opportunity. I'm sure she hates me now, but this experience is the only way she can learn.

Meanwhile, Sharlene is seething with hate. My father, King Algiers, wanted me to be in the forefront for Arcana Academia. She had to ruin everything and take it all from me! Well guess what, bitch. You took everything from me, now I will take everything from you.

The presentations conclude, and the presenters are given a moment to relax and meet with others before going back to the stands. Rosalia, exhausted after her demonstration, is met by Darcy and Kiara.

"Hello there, Miss Champion!"

"I haven't won yet, calm down..."

"It's an omen for the future! You'll definitely crush this!"

"I hope so..."

"Damn, you look beat up. C'mon, let's sit down somewhere."

Darcy, Kiara, and Rosalia head to the stands to wait. Rosalia tells them about the demonstration, as Darcy and Kiara listen in. Rosalia pointed out how much she would explain concepts to the judges and that the actual demonstration was not as bad as the explanation and theoretical background stuff. As they were talking, Darcy and Kiara saw Duchess Mary go towards them and they suddenly jolted.

"Lady Mary!"

They exclaimed and knelt down before her, while Rosalia was in awe seeing her mother before her. She was confused, knowing not why she was there in front of her.

"Lady Mary, I-"

The duchess hugged Rosalia. Darcy and Kiara looked up. At first they saw the sight of the Duchess, but when they rose up, they found the sight of a mother proud of her child. She held Rosalia tighter in her hug, with Rosalia taking the full force of her mother's hug. She was proud of her, and she knew it from the bottom of her heart and soul.

"You've grown so much, my dear Rosalia," she expressed. Rosalia, upon hearing that, smiled gleefully and replied, "I'm so glad I was able to make you happy... Lady Mary."

"Please Rosalia, you don't need to be so formal."

"I mean... Thank you... mom."

As she walked back to her seat, Rosalia had a much stronger look of determination to win. The qualifiers were all called back.

"Make us proud, Rosalia!"

Rosalia looked back and waved her right hand. In that moment, Darcy knew she was determined to make it. All of her hard work and determination will eventually pay off, in the grand ceremony. Aether Lux stood up next to the podium, intending to give the award, as was the custom in the Arcana Deux.

The hopefuls all gathered around, some praying to their gods and deities that they might win the competition. Some are confident that they are going to win, even yawning as if they have already won. Some were waiting intently but are not sure of their chances in winning. But the two Heart Families had contrasting looks.

Rosalia was calm and collected. Darcy was in awe, she had never seen Rosalia this determined to win a competition before. Duke Alfred gave Rosalia the nod she needed while Duchess Mary had the look Duke Alfred had before the competition began. The Dynoharts were ready to know the one who would be called the Hero of Knowledge, the ultimate honor for a student-magician.

Meanwhile, the Leonharts were in a varying degrees of mood. King Algiers was ready to get it over with knowing Sharlene was not in it. Sharlene looking disdainfully at Rosalia, but became shocked to see Rosalia's more confident and calm expression. Marquis de Sant is nervous how the King would react, as the headmaster stood in front of them, where the podium was.

"Esteemed ladies and gentlemen, nobles and professors, civilians and students, I thank you all for coming to this event..."

As Aether Lux was giving his speech, Marquis de Sant was given the name of the winner of the competition as per judge records, surprising him. He looked at the King, hoping that he wouldn't explode when the name was called.

"And the winner of the Arcana Deux Magic Research Conference is..."

Hearts beating. Hopefuls waiting. The silence was so tense, the break would be massive. But as soon as the headmaster said the winner, the roars and cheers started getting more intense. Some already knew it would be that person, but it was still surprising to hear it from the mouth of the headmaster.

Rosalia Lynne Dynohart.

Confetti blew every step she walked. Each pace she could hear screams of joy, and in every place she looked people nodded clapping, Darcy and Kiara were going crazy congratulating her, Duke Alfred and Duchess Mary finally both smiled as Rosalia walked up to the stage to receive the accolade from the headmaster, Aether Lux.

Before he handed the award, Rosalia bowed as a sign of respect. "I knew you had it in you, Lady Rosalia. You are the pride of Arcana Academia and I am so glad to bestow this honor to one of the most promising student-magicians in this academy."

"It is my pleasure, Headmaster Lux."

"No need to be so formal, Lady Rosalia! Come, let the Kingdom know of you, Rosalia Lynne Dynohart, daughter of Duke Alfred Thyme Dynohart and Duchess Mary Shelley Dynohart, the pride of Arcana Academia, and finally..."

Lux put a ring on her index finger, it was a diamond, shining bright like the stars in the sky. Rosalia's eyes glowed.

"...the Hero of Knowledge. Congratulations, my dear."

---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----

As everybody celebrated, Sharlene left.

How... HOW?! That was supposed to be my accolade!! Fucking Dynoharts, the next time I see them, I will take everything from them! Rosalia... you wretched fucking bitch! When I get my hands on you, I swear you will be wrapped in a world of motherfucking pain from which you will never return! I will have my revenge, and nothing is gonna stand in my way!

Suddenly a mysterious creature wavered around Sharlene. It was black, reptile-textured, with a pungent odor more terrible than a dirty swamp. It slithered around until it caught Sharlene's leg. She yelped, but no one could hear her. She screamed, but no one noticed, not even her father King Algiers, nor his aide (and by extension her legal guardian) Marquis de Sant. Hell, no one noticed she was already being entrapped by this snake-like creature. She had no one to turn to.

"W-Why...?"

She fell into a deep pit of darkness, as the creature continued to slip past her dress, going inside her clothes. Sharlene trembled as she fell her heart sink.

"Leonhart, not so much a fierce lion anymore eh?" The creature's breath stank so much it could make someone puke... but not Sharlene. She was already trembling so much in fear that she couldn't move or do anything, but gag. The creature slid up into her, and she felt it going through her breasts.

N-no please, not there!

She tried yelping but the sounds couldn't be made out, and at this point the snake like creature started slithering through her breasts, fondling it in every moment it can. Finally, Sharlene broke out of the darkness pit and screamed out:

WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT?!

My my... such a vulgar princess. 

Sharlene moaned as the creature slithered back out of her dress, looking directly into her eyes.

"I will make you an offer you cannot refuse. Do you wanna see the Dynoharts family name ruined?"

"Yes..." Sharlene replied, attempting to clench her fists. "Those bastards took my chance to reconcile with Father away, and I simply cannot let that slide!"

"Very well then," the creature slithered through her, eventually reaching to her back. Sharlene groaned and moaned some more, as the creature looked to her eyes again, holding a black potion. "With this, you will surely destroy their name. But before I can do this. Swear to me that you are to destroy the Dynoharts."

"I- I-"

The creature slid back in and fondled her breasts whereupon Sharlene moaned really loud: "Ahn~ I swear! I SWEAR! The Dynoharts will fall... I'll make sure of it- ahn~"

The creature finally slid outside of Sharlene, who dropped down gasping for air.

Memento Mori... Dynoharts. The creature maniacally laughed as he planted the potion into Duke Alfred's pocket and disappeared.

Marquis de Sant noticed Sharlene kneeling down assuming she cried. "Are you alright, Your Highness?"

"I'm fine, Marquis... thanks for the concern." Sharlene looked at the Dynoharts leaving, seeing the black potion with them, as she slowly grinned.

Your days are numbered, Rosalia!