The Brightmore carriage rolled steadily along the stone-paved road beneath the warm afternoon sun. A cool breeze drifted through the open window, carrying away the summer heat.
Inside the carriage ,Selena sat with her eyes tightly shut.But every time she closed them...
All she saw was blood.
An injured Lucian.
And a familiar figure standing motionless in the distance.
"..."
Her breathing became uneven and suddenly Selena's eyes flew open."Haa..." . Cold sweat covered her forehead despite the pleasant weather. She took several deep breaths before finally calming herself.
Just then, the carriage passed through the gates of the Brightmore Estate.The carriage slowly came to a stop before the mansion.
As Selena stepped down, the butler and several maids immediately bowed. "Welcome back, Young Mistress."Selena forced a faint smile.
Without wasting any time, she turned toward the butler. "Is Father available?"
The elderly butler bowed respectfully "Yes he is young mistress ,But if it is a small matter, you may tell me. I can handle it personally or inform the Marquess on your behalf."
Selena gently shook her head "It's alright .I'll speak to him myself."
The butler nodded "As you wish mistress."
_______________________________________
Selena slowly walked through the mansion before stopping outside the Marquess's office.
Knock.
"Father... may I come in?"
A familiar voice answered from inside"Come in, Selena."
She pushed the door open.The office looked elegant. Expensive paintings decorated the walls.Several ceremonial weapons were displayed proudly. A large wine cabinet filled with rare collections stood quietly in one corner.
Behind the desk Marquess Adrian Brightmore was speaking through a Telecommunication Crystal.
He noticed Selena entering and gestured toward the nearby couch "Give me five minutes."
Selena quietly nodded before taking a seat."..Yes."
Adrian continues "Transport the salt shipment through the eastern forest."
"And hire one of our retainer guilds to escort the convoy."
He glanced through another document.
"What about recruiting Pravi from Dawnbreak ?". He picked up her profile."I want her in our service.She's talented.Go negotiate personally and if money is the problem...meet whatever price she is demanding .
The other line mentions"Lord brightmore she refused the first time because she wants to work in dawnbreak . It is her fathers guild"
Adrian scoffs "come on try another time . Make sure you tell her the benefits she will get if she is with us"
Seeing that her father is busy , she signals her father that she will come again .
She walks out of the study hall and goes to her bedroom . She removes her coat and places the sword in the rack . Then she lies on the bed , her hair spread across the sheet.
She lets out a long sight, she rises her shivering hand up . "I am getting this scared seeing some blood , how can i become a royal captian" .
She turns her head and stares at the sword rack . She has a collection of expensive swords . Some were decorated withs rubies and diamonds .
Out off all the swords , her eyes fall on a half broken wooden sword . It have designs engraved on it .it was her first sword .
Staring at that sword , it reminded her of the day the sword was broken .
________________________________________
In the training grounds of Valden , a thin figure was swinging a wooden sword under the bright sun . Her sword is covered with a thin layer of water . "One .... two ..... one ...two" . She practices using her water elemental magic
A voice disturbs her count "Oiiiii Selena come , it is time for lunch . Mom made us sandwiches.
Selena stops her count and walks towards the two figures . Under the tree were Aarav and Elara .
Selena greets Elara "good afternoon mother" saying that Selena sits beside her .
Elara opens water bottle and has both of them wash their hands. After they washed their hands and wiped them dry . She places over many sandwiches for them
While eating selena compllains to Elara "mother , Its been 6 months since the academy started and Aarav has still not made a single friend. He keeps roaming around me all day ."
Elara patting Aarav's head "Why Aarav , you have to make more friends . Are they bullying you "
Aarav shakes his head"nooo , i feel like maybe they will hate me or think i am annoying . I feel scared to open up before them . But Selena is not like that . She understands me"
Elara looks at Selena "you know how shy he is right . Take care of him okay " Selena rolls her eyes "okay , well he is my fiance , if not me who will take care of him huh"
Selena leans into aarav and like thst they enjoy the afternoon
A week passes , the classes in academy are going smoothly except for the history class . the first period is over and all the students let out a sigh .
before the sevond could start , principal aldron enters the class and beside him a silver hair boy , not so older than 15 was walking with him . The principall asked him to introduce himself . The kid bowed "my name is Lucian , i hope we have a good year" . The principal makes him sit beside Aarav .
"Hi i am lucian nice to meet you" he greetd to Aarav . Aarav face beet red "nice to meet you i am Aa... aa... vale" . Lucian gave a confused look "hi aavale".
"He is Aarav Valden , and nice to meet you i am Selena brightmore , his fiance ". Selena extends her hand backing up Aarav."Aarav is a bit of the shy kind"
Lucian shakes her hand and after that he extends his hand towards Aarav too . Aarav shyly shakes his hand . Soon lucian and Aarav become acquintances.
The academy soon settled into its usual rhythm.
Every morning ,students attended lectures.
Every afternoon, the training grounds echoed with the sounds of wooden swords colliding.
At first, nothing seemed different. Lucian got along surprisingly well with both Aarav and Selena.
Whenever the professors assigned group exercises, the three naturally ended up together.
During lunch breaks, they often sat on the same benches discussing lessons, complaining about homework, or simply enjoying the quiet.
To Aarav it felt as though he had finally made another friend.
________________________________________
Days slowly turned into weeks.
And little by little everyone began to notice Lucian.Whether it was written examinations...Swordsmanship...Or magic theory...
The silver-haired boy excelled in almost everything except he could not manifest his mana into magic .
But even then the professors couldn't hide their admiration.
"Excellent. As expected of Lucian."
"Perfect stance."
"Outstanding control."
The words became so common that students no longer found them surprising.
Some admired him while others envied him.
Selena belonged somewhere in between.
_____________________________________
"Seriously...He acts like he knows everything." Selena crossed her arms as the three walked through the academy courtyard "He didn't have to show off like that after winning. What a brat."
Aarav chuckled."I don't think he was showing off. He just won the match."
Selena pouted"You always defend him."
Lucian scratched the back of his head awkwardly "I wasn't trying to show off..."
Selena simply huffed and walked ahead.
Lucian looked helplessly toward Aarav.
"..Did I say something wrong?" Aarav laughed softly "I absolutely have no idea."
______________________________________
The following week , the Swordsmanship professor announced a practical duel.
"Lucian and Selena ,Step forward."
The two stood opposite each other.
"Begin!"
The instant the signal was given ,Lucian disappeared.
Selena's eyes widened "So fast—!"
CLANG!
Her wooden sword barely managed to block the first strike.
A second later CRACK!
Her sword broke and was knocked out of her hands. Before she could react Lucian's wooden blade stopped just inches from her neck.
"...Match over."
Silence filled the training ground. Even Selena herself couldn't believe it.She hadn't landed a single hit. She felt weak and useless
"..."
Without saying a word she picked up her broken sword and turned around and ran.
Aarav wanted to chase after Selena but a voice filled with disdain stopped him .
"Wow that commaner did defeat that brightmore kid huh ." Aarav turns to see who that voice belonged to.
It was from a tall figure about 6 feet tall .He had a well built body , he stood behind aarav.
"Excuse me senior..." aarav asked him to move
"It is Hugh Rockwell , Young master Valden. And i am sorry " hugh moves as aarav runs to chase after selena .
"Selena!"
Aarav chased after her.
He eventually found her sitting alone on the academy staircase. Her shoulders trembled slightly.
Aarav carefully approached.
"...Are you alright?"
No answer.
He slowly sat beside her "It's only one match, You'll win next time."
Selena suddenly stood up. "Only one match?" She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "My dream is to become a Royal Army Captain.If I'm this weak...How am I supposed to protect anyone ? How am i supposed to lead an army?"
"How will any one respect me huh" .She took a deep breath before forcing herself to calm down. "...Aarav.I want to be alone for a while."
Aarav hesitated ,Then quietly nodded." ...Okay If you need me...I'll be nearby."
He slowly walked away ,Watching until she disappeared from sight.
________________________________________
The following week ,Selena returned to the training grounds even earlier than usual.
She trained before classes. She trained after classes. Even during lunch breaks. Her hands became covered in blisters.
Yet she refused to stop.
One afternoon ,Lucian quietly approached her.
"...Mind if I join?" Selena lowered her sword.
"What?" Lucian pointed toward her stance.
"I've been watching.You're practicing exactly the way the academy teaches."
"And that's your problem."
Selena frowned."What do you mean?"
Lucian picked up a wooden sword."Fight me."
The two exchanged several blows. Selena rushes towards Lucian . Lucian predicts every blow and blocks it with ease . After only a few seconds ,Lucian stepped back.
"See? Every swing.....Every step.....Every guard. It's straight from the textbook."
"It's predictable."
Selena blinked "No professor has ever said that."
Lucian smiled awkwardly. "I grew up near the frontier."
"Out there...Monsters don't fight according to textbooks.Neither do bandits. If you only learn what's written in books...You'll lose against people who've fought real battles."
For the first time ,Selena looked at Lucian differently.Not as the talented transfer student...But as someone who possessed experience she lacked.
"...Will you teach me?"
Lucian looked genuinely surprised "Me?"
Selena nodded.
"I don't want to lose like that ever again.I want to become stronger I want to become a Royal Army Captain."
"So...Will you help me?"
Lucian smiled.
"Sure ,I'd be happy to."
The two picked up their wooden swords once more.
Nearby beneath the shade of a large tree ,Aarav quietly watched them. A small smile appeared on his face.
"...Looks like Selena finally found someone who can help her.I'm happy for her."
He truly meant those words. He turned around and slowly walked back toward the classroom .