Seven Years Later
The morning sun cast golden light over Leonheart Manor, glinting off the polished armor of the knights assembled in the courtyard. Cedric stood at attention, his once-scrawny frame now honed into that of a warrior. At eighteen, he was taller, his sharp blue eyes carrying the weight of years of training—both in the shadows of the Umbra and in the depths of the forest with his forbidden spear and sword.
Aveline, now a young woman of striking presence, adjusted the straps of her travel pack with practiced ease. Her light blue hair, longer now, was tied back in a braid that fell over one shoulder, and her Leonheart-blue cloak fluttered in the breeze. She shot Cedric a sidelong glance.
"Try not to slow me down," she muttered, though there was no real bite to it.
Cedric smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it, my lady."
Godfrey's Command
Duke Godfrey Leonheart loomed before them, his presence as commanding as ever. His gaze settled on Cedric.
"You've served this house well," he said, his voice low but carrying across the silent courtyard. "But your duty is not yet done. The Royal Academy is a nest of politics and hidden daggers. Aveline will need your blade—and your eyes."
Cedric bowed. "I understand."
Godfrey's hand came down heavily on his shoulder. "Good. Then go. And remember—Leonhearts do not kneel to anyone."
Behind them, the remaining Umbra operatives stood in formation. Kael, now the squad's grizzled commander, gave Cedric a curt nod. Ryn, still as sharp-tongued as ever, tossed him a small dagger—a parting gift.
"Try not to get yourself killed, kid," he said. "Academy brats are worse than monsters."
The Journey Begins
The road to the capital stretched long before them, winding through rolling hills and dense forests. Aveline rode her chestnut mare with effortless grace, while Cedric kept pace beside her on foot—his years of endurance training making the trek trivial.
"So," Aveline said after hours of silence, "are you going to keep pretending you don't have a second element, or should I just ask outright?"
Cedric nearly tripped over his own feet.
Aveline smirked. "Please. I've seen you heal cuts overnight. And that time you 'accidentally' put out the kitchen fire with a wave of your hand? Pathetic acting."
Cedric exhaled sharply. "You never said anything."
"Because I was waiting for you to tell me," she shot back, her tone laced with something dangerously close to hurt.
Before Cedric could respond, the thunder of hooves interrupted them. A group of riders approached from the opposite direction—their crimson cloaks marked with the Stirling sigil.
At the head of the group rode Vivienne Stirling, now a stunning young woman with auburn hair cascading over her shoulders. Her emerald eyes sparkled with amusement as she reined in her horse.
"Well, well," she purred. "If it isn't my two favorite people. Off to the Academy, I presume?"
Aveline's grip tightened on her reins. "What's it to you?"
Vivienne's smile was all poison and honey. "Oh, nothing. Just that I'll be there too. Isn't that wonderful?"
Cedric groaned internally.
This is going to be a long year.
The Capital's Grandeur
By the time they reached the capital, the sun was setting behind the towering spires of the Royal Arcane Academy. The massive structure loomed over the city, its walls etched with ancient runes that pulsed faintly with stored magic.
At the gates, a stern-faced professor checked their admission scrolls.
"Aveline Leonheart," he read aloud, then glanced at Cedric. "And…?"
"Her attendant," Cedric said smoothly.
The professor's eyebrow rose. "Attendants don't usually carry two swords and a spear."
Aveline rolled her eyes. "He's overprotective. Ignore him."
As they stepped through the gates, the weight of the Academy's legacy settled over them. This was where the kingdom's future leaders were forged—where alliances were made and broken, where secrets held more power than spells.
And somewhere within these walls, Cedric would have to guard not just Aveline's life, but the truth of his five cores—especially now that two were awakened.
The Grand Arrival
The Royal Arcane Academy loomed over the capital like a crown of stone and magic, its towering spires piercing the clouds. At the base of its ivory steps, a sea of students gathered—some in fine silks, others in practical travel leathers, all buzzing with anticipation.
Aveline Leonheart adjusted the silver brooch at her collar, the Leonheart crest gleaming under the sun. Beside her, Cedric stood with his arms crossed, his weapons hidden beneath a spatial cloak—a basic enchantment that allowed mages to store items in a pocket dimension. To the untrained eye, he looked unarmed.
"Try not to embarrass me," Aveline muttered, though her fingers tapped nervously against her thigh.
Cedric smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it, my lady."
A sharp elbow to his ribs shut him up.
The Faces in the Crowd
As they moved through the gathering crowd, Cedric's sharp eyes cataloged the notable figures:
Kyle Blackwood
House: Blackwood (Shadows & Espionage)
Appearance: A lean young man with sharp, fox-like features and ink-black hair tied in a low ponytail. His smirk was as polished as the daggers hidden up his sleeves.
Notable Trait: Leaned against a pillar, already scanning the crowd like a predator.
Luna Thorntorn
House: Thorntorn (Defense & Siege Warfare)
Appearance: Towering over most students, Luna's muscular frame was impossible to ignore. Her bronze skin and braided dark hair gave her the look of a warrior, though her sharp green eyes held unexpected warmth.
Notable Trait: Laughing loudly at something, her voice carrying like a war horn.
Jin & Jina Pembroke (Twins)
House: Pembroke (Exploration & Monster Hunting)
Appearance:
Jin: A wiry boy with sun-bleached brown hair and a permanent sunburn.
Jina: Her twin, identical in mischief but with a wilder glint in her hazel eyes.
Notable Trait: Bickering over a map, their movements eerily synchronized.
Dyre Williom
House: Minor nobility (Unknown specialty)
Appearance: A lanky boy with messy straw-colored hair and too-big robes. His nervous energy was palpable.
Notable Trait: Tripped over his own feet twice in five minutes.
Princess Dianaa Winterlord
House: Royal Family (Ice & Divine Magic)
Appearance: Flawless porcelain skin, silver-white hair cascading down her back, and a gaze so cold it could freeze fire.
Notable Trait: Surrounded by a bubble of empty space—no one dared approach.
Ivo de Lara
House: Military Family (Tactical Warfare)
Appearance: Broad-shouldered, with a military buzz cut and a scar cutting through his left eyebrow.
Notable Trait: Already drilling a group of nervous students on "proper formation."
The Tension Before the Storm
A hush fell as a projection orb flared to life above the academy gates. The image of Headmaster Orlan materialized—an elderly man with a beard that defied gravity.
"Welcome, future pillars of the kingdom," his voice boomed. "Tomorrow, the entrance trials begin. Tonight… rest. For many of you, it will be your last peaceful sleep."
The orb flickered out.
A beat of silence—then chaos erupted as students scrambled for the dormitories.
Aveline exhaled sharply. "Dramatic old man."
Cedric's hand drifted unconsciously to the hidden spear at his back. "He's not wrong."
Somewhere in the crowd, Vivienne Stirling's laughter rang out, sharp as a blade.