"Will you calm down already? No one could have bought that armor—it costs half a million gold. Why are you rushing like that? We're supposed to be out for a walk," the light elf said irritably to her companion, who was striding quickly toward the clothing store Kerry & Co.
The dark elf clicked her tongue in annoyance, though she did slow down a little.
Many passersby couldn't help but glance their way.
And it wasn't only because of their status or expensive clothing.
Both elves possessed such striking and captivating beauty that some particularly impressionable onlookers instinctively began whispering to one another, comparing them to beings stepped straight out of ancient legends about gods.
The light elf's name was Samantha, and her companion was Cassandra.
Both were tall and carried the natural grace characteristic of their race.
Samantha had fair skin, long blonde hair that fell loosely to her shoulders, and blue eyes—a typical appearance for a light elf.
Cassandra, by contrast, was the complete opposite of her friend.
Dark skin, snow-white hair tied in a high ponytail, and dark crimson eyes—a trait extremely rare among dark elves.
Even among her own kind, such a feature was considered a mark of noble blood.
Although light and dark elves were regarded as one people, countless differences still existed between them, ranging from culture and traditions to appearance and worldview.
Both girls came from influential families.
Samantha was the daughter of the Queen of the Light Elves.
Cassandra was the daughter of the Dark Elves' Matriarch.
Upon entering the academy, contrary to everyone's expectations, they had unexpectedly hit it off almost immediately and gradually become close friends.
Today's walk through the city had originally been no different from any other.
At least until Cassandra remembered the armor again.
She had practically fallen in love with the Harbinger at first sight.
Unfortunately, the armor was not designed for pure mages.
For all her talent, Cassandra lacked the necessary physical attributes and therefore couldn't use it to its full potential.
Still, that had never stopped her from occasionally coming by just to look at it.
After waiting for Samantha to catch up, Cassandra silently continued toward the shop.
"By the way, you really shouldn't have skipped today's trial," Samantha suddenly said, glancing at Cassandra. "There was one rather interesting person there."
Cassandra let out a quiet snort.
"An interesting person among applicants? Don't make me laugh."
Her voice carried open disdain.
Unlike Samantha, she hadn't even bothered attending the newcomers' trial, considering such a spectacle beneath her attention.
In her view, most applicants fell into only two categories: either weak, utterly unremarkable candidates, or pompous idiots who sincerely believed status alone was enough to make them someone important.
Samantha only smiled faintly.
"A half-elf, to be precise. A dark half-elf."
After saying that, she fell meaningfully silent, carefully observing her friend's reaction.
As a pureblood dark elf and heir to the throne, Cassandra simply couldn't ignore such information.
Her pace unconsciously slowed.
"A half-elf?" Genuine surprise appeared in her voice for the first time. "The Matriarch never mentioned sending any half-bloods."
A thoughtful expression appeared on Cassandra's face.
Normally, her mother informed her in advance about any representatives of their people—or related figures—who were planned to be sent to the academy.
But this time, there had been no warning or mention at all.
"That's right, a dark half-elf," Samantha nodded. "But that's not even the most surprising part."
She paused briefly, clearly enjoying her friend's growing curiosity.
"He won three fights without revealing his magic even once."
Cassandra slowed again.
Now her interest had genuinely awakened.
Just who could her mother have sent to the academy with talent like that?
Perhaps someone from the Outer Circle she simply didn't know?
Unlike the light elves, dark elf society was rigidly divided into castes.
The Outer Circle consisted of ordinary elves and half-bloods who did not belong to noble families. Among humans, they would have been called commoners.
The Inner Circle was made up of nobles who had proven their worth and usefulness to the people of the dark elves.
Above them stood the houses closest to the Matriarch—the most influential families that formed the political core of the state.
Cassandra knew the members of both the Inner Circle and the favored houses quite well.
Yet she couldn't recall a single talented half-elf matching Samantha's description.
Samantha noticed her friend's expression gradually becoming more focused and smiled faintly.
"But that's still not the most shocking part."
She even lowered her voice slightly now, as if sharing an especially important secret.
Cassandra shot her an irritated look.
"What else happened? Just tell me everything already and stop playing games with me, Samantha."
Though her interest in the mysterious half-elf had undeniably appeared, she had no patience for endless theatrical pauses.
Samantha puffed out her cheeks dramatically.
"You're so boring."
She even stuck her tongue out at Cassandra, earning an even more annoyed glare in return.
"Fine, fine," Samantha quickly surrendered. "During the second trial, that half-elf displayed equally high talent in both magic and swordsmanship."
This time, Cassandra said nothing.
Samantha continued, now more serious:
"When he took the test, the sphere shone so brightly that many people had to cover their eyes."
"Samantha," Cassandra replied dryly, "you do realize the sphere always glows brightly."
Samantha let out a heavy sigh.
"Fine, let me put it simply," she said calmly. "He's stronger than both of us."
This time, Cassandra came to an abrupt halt.
She knew Samantha far too well not to recognize when she was being serious.
"Describe him," she said firmly. "Appearance, weapon, fighting style. Name too, if you remember it."
Samantha thought for a moment.
"Tall. Long black hair tied in a ponytail. Quite an attractive face. Eye color... dark, I think. In the first fight, he somehow survived a direct fire attack. He may have used magic then. In the following matches, he incapacitated his opponents using only his sword's sheath and hilt instead of the blade itself. His fighting style feels familiar to me, but I can't remember where I've seen it before."
Cassandra mentally sorted through every half-elf she knew who might fit the description.
Yet every single one who even remotely matched what Samantha described had long since passed the age limit for entering the academy as a stufon.
"When we return to the academy, I'll contact the Matriarch and confirm whether she sent anyone here," Cassandra said thoughtfully.
Continuing their walk in silence, the girls soon arrived at Kerry & Co.
As soon as they entered, they noticed Nael and a human shop clerk animatedly discussing something near the counter.
Upon seeing the newcomers, the human looked at Nael with sincere sympathy.
"I feel sorry for you, but you'll survive this and only come out stronger," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder before walking away with the most serious expression possible.
Samantha and Cassandra exchanged glances.
Nael looked noticeably nervous.
"Greetings, Samantha, Cassandra. How may I help you?" she asked.
"Hello, Nael. I want to see the armor," Cassandra said calmly.
"There's been a slight problem... it was sold today."
Trying to remain composed, Nael clasped her hands behind her back and lowered her gaze slightly.
Cassandra had already been about to approach the display case and didn't immediately process what had been said.
She stopped and looked at Nael with faint confusion. For a brief moment, she thought the elf was talking about some other armor.
"Nael, I'm talking about the Harbinger."
Nael only exhaled inwardly.
Strangely enough, part of her was actually pleased by what had happened.
The Harbinger had sat collecting dust for years without a buyer, more decoration than actual merchandise.
To use it properly, one needed exceptional talent in both swordsmanship and magic.
That was exactly why Nael had never expected some random half-elf not only to take interest in the armor, but to actually buy it.
Walking over to the display case, the girls saw another suit of armor.
The Harbinger was gone.
"Cassandra, I already told you. It was sold today," Nael repeated nervously.
Cassandra slowly turned toward her.
Under her heavy gaze, Nael visibly paled.
"Calm down, Cassandra. You're scaring her," Samantha intervened, placing a hand on her shoulder.
The oppressive atmosphere gradually faded.
Samantha turned to Nael, and the last traces of lightness vanished from her voice, replaced by the natural authority expected of an heir.
"Now tell us everything in detail. Who bought the armor, and when?"
Nael nodded quickly and, collecting her thoughts, began recounting everything from the moment a half-elf in academy uniform had entered the store.
Noticing his interest, Nael had decided to show him the Harbinger, fully convinced that would be the end of it. Even if he liked how the armor looked, the artifact's requirements should have quickly discouraged him from buying it, and in the worst case, she could simply offer him a less demanding model instead.
However, nothing went as she expected.
The half-elf tried on the armor without the slightest difficulty.
After that, she quoted the price, expecting the absurd amount to make him reconsider.
Instead, he calmly agreed.
Paid for the purchase.
Sealed the artifact.
And simply left.
"Describe this half-elf," Samantha requested, frowning slightly.
Yet what concerned Samantha even more was another matter—how could an ordinary-looking half-elf possibly possess enough money to buy the Harbinger? It made absolutely no sense to her.
"Tall. Wearing a black academy uniform. Long black hair tied in a ponytail, dark eyes, and fairly attractive features."
"Did he give his name?"
"No. He simply bought the armor and left without introducing himself."
Samantha looked at Cassandra.
"That's most likely the same half-elf I told you about."
A talented dark half-elf of unknown origin who had suddenly appeared at the academy, and on top of that purchased the very armor Cassandra had had her eye on for so long—at this point, it all felt less like coincidence and more like someone's particularly clumsy attempt to move pieces behind her back.
Cassandra understood she needed to contact the Matriarch as soon as possible and get answers.
Hearing Samantha's words, she only gave a brief nod and headed for the exit.
After bidding Nael farewell, Samantha silently followed after her friend.
The return trip to the academy passed in silence.
Both were thinking about the same half-elf, though in very different ways.
Cassandra was filled with irritation and a desire to find out exactly who had dared step into her path, while Samantha was far more interested in discovering what kind of power this mysterious half-elf truly possessed—and who stood behind him.