Chapter 18 - Beasts, Betrayals, and the Burning Eyes of a Prince

🌲 External Training Grounds – Southern Forest of Aethelred

Today, students from all Houses were gathered for a simulated monster defense exercise.

> "We'll simulate a real attack," announced Professor Nyx from the Defense Division.

"Artificial monsters will strike from all directions. You'll be in groups and must survive for 30 minutes."

Alexa glanced at the group list.

And of course…

> Her group: Alexa – Thalionric – Eiden – Veyla

> "Again with the two most dramatic men in the kingdom," Alexa muttered.

> "Hope I'm not who you meant," Eiden teased with a grin.

> "If you're asking—yes, both of you."

---

⚔️ Battle Begins – Simulated Forest Arena

The simulation started.

Monsters of all kinds—mist shadows, thunder wolves, illusion dragons—attacked from every side.

Eiden shielded their back with thick fog.

Veyla summoned crystal barriers.

Alexa conjured a snowstorm that obliterated the first wave.

> "Right side!" Thalionric shouted.

Alexa turned—

Thalionric grabbed her shoulder, pulling her back and stepping in front, blasting a monster with golden light.

> "You can't lose focus."

> "I wasn't. I was just—"

> "Spending too much time interacting with Eiden?"

Alexa stared at him, startled.

> "You're still stuck on that?"

> "I'm just asking…

Since when do you train magic together outside class?"

"Turns out you and Eiden Vaelthorn are quite close without my noticing."

> "Lion… you—"

"Not jealous," Thalionric cut in. But his jaw clenched.

> "You know, Your Highness, you're terrible at hiding dislike."

"And I'm great at hiding desire," Thalionric muttered, turning away before Alexa could respond.

---

💥 Unexpected Attack

Suddenly, the monster aura shifted.

Professors panicked.

> "That's not part of the simulation! Protect the students!"

A black wyvern appeared—real, not an illusion.

Its eyes glowed violet.

Alexa leapt forward, her dragon spirit fusing with her—frost spreading across the ground.

> "A REAL WYVERN?!"

The monster surged—charging straight toward Alexa.

> "ALEXA!!"

Thalionric leapt without thinking, slamming into Alexa and knocking her down—blasting the sky with holy light.

Eiden slashed through the mist and blocked a wave of dark magic from the flank.

Their teamwork—spontaneous but flawless.

The monster was finally defeated through the combined might of Thalionric's light and Alexa's ice-infused spirit blast.

However… one female student was injured.

On her arm—an ominous black thorn emblem.

> "Thorn of Dusk…" whispered Professor Nyx.

---

💌 That Night – Letter from Kaelith Zevarelis (Eldest Brother)

A massive blue spirit bird appeared at Alexa's window.

The letter was sealed in frost.

> Alexa,

I've infiltrated one of Thorn's northern bases.

They're preparing an ancient spell… to sever the royal family and the Dukes from their spirit bonds.

They're targeting you because your spirit is their enemy: the only one with dual elements.

> I'll be at Aethelred within a week.

And if the Crown Prince ever hurts you—

I'll rip every tiara off that royal head.

Alexa let out a teary laugh.

> "Thank you, Kaelith…"

---

🌙 Midnight – Academy Rooftop

Alexa stood alone… until a soft voice broke the silence.

> "You were incredible today."

Thalionric.

> "So were you. Even when you threw me into the ground," Alexa teased.

> "I'm sorry… for what I said earlier."

"I just… don't like seeing you so comfortable with someone else."

Alexa turned, her golden eyes gleaming.

> "You can't monopolize me, Thalionric."

> "I don't want to monopolize you…"

"I just want to be… the one place you feel safe."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

> "And if I fall?" Alexa whispered.

> "Then I'll fall first… just to catch you."

---

🌙 To Be Continued…