"Ughhh…"

A low groan escaped my lips as consciousness clawed its way back.

I opened my eyes.

White. Stark, sterile white.

'Hm? An unfamiliar ceiling.'

I blinked, trying to clear the fog in my brain.

'Where am I?'

I turned my head slightly. Rows of white beds. The sharp, stinging scent of antiseptic mixed with the earthy smell of healing herbs. The light filtering through the curtains was a deep, burnt orange.

It was already evening.

Then, the memory hit me like a physical blow. The arena. The ice pillar. The sensation of my ribs cracking.

'Oh, yes. The duel.'

I let out a dry chuckle that hurt my chest.

'I got beat up and fell unconscious. Not my finest moment, but at least I made the Princess sweat.'

I tried to sit up, but my body felt like it had been run over by a carriage and then reversed over for good measure. Every muscle screamed in protest.

I tried to lift my right arm, but I felt a weight anchoring it down.

I looked to my side.

There, sitting on a wooden stool beside the bed, was Ariana.

Her head was resting on the mattress, her silver hair fanning out over the white sheets. She was fast asleep, her breathing soft and rhythmic. But her hand…

Her small hand was gripping mine tightly, entwined fingers refusing to let go even in sleep.

'How long has she been here?'

I looked at the uncomfortable angle of her neck.

'She's going to be sore when she wakes up sleeping like that.'

I watched her for a moment, a warmth spreading through my chest that had nothing to do with healing magic.

I squeezed her hand gently.

"Ariana?" I whispered, my voice raspy. "Wake up."

She stirred immediately. Her body jerked, and her head shot up. Her violet eyes were wide, disoriented, scanning the room in panic before locking onto my face.

"Lucien?"

"Hey."

"You're awake!"

She didn't hesitate. She threw herself forward, wrapping her arms around my neck—mindful of my ribs, but desperate enough to need the contact.

"You idiot!" she sobbed into my shoulder. "You scared me! You looked dead when they carried you out!"

I patted her back with my free hand, wincing slightly but smiling.

"I'm okay," I soothed her. "I'm alive. Just a few broken bones. Nothing a potion can't fix."

She pulled back, wiping her eyes, looking me over critically.

"How long was I out for?" I asked.

"Four whole hours," she sniffled. "The healer said you completely exhausted your mana core. You fell into a state of Acute Mana Exhaustion."

"Four hours, huh…" I muttered. That explained the heavy fatigue.

"And you?" I asked, brushing a stray hair from her forehead. "What about your assessment? Did you miss it?"

"No," she shook her head, a hint of pride breaking through the worry. "I fought. I won."

"Oh? How?"

"I… I drugged him," she admitted sheepishly. "Paralysis mist and a wind blast. It took fifteen seconds."

I laughed, which turned into a cough.

"That's my girl. Efficiency over honor."

Just then, the sound of clipboard tapping echoed from the entrance.

The Head Healer, a stern woman in her fifties with glasses perched on her nose, walked in. She saw me sitting up.

"So, you are awake, Cadet Ashborne."

She walked over, checking the mana-monitor crystal beside my bed.

"How are you feeling? Any dizziness? Nausea? Sharp pain in the sternum?"

"Just stiff," I replied, rolling my shoulder. "And thirsty."

"Good. Your ribs have knitted back together thanks to High-Heal, but your mana is still critically low. Do not cast any spells for at least twenty-four hours. Understood?"

"Understood."

"Then you are free to go. We need the bed for students who actually know how to dodge."

She scribbled something on her clipboard and marched away.

I swung my legs off the bed. My uniform had been cleaned and folded on the side table.

I dressed quickly behind the curtain, with Ariana waiting outside.

When I emerged, I checked the clock on the wall.

5:15 PM.

We walked toward the exit of the infirmary. The hallway was quiet.

Grrrrrrr…

A loud, ferocious growl echoed in the silence.

I stopped.

Ariana froze, her face turning bright red. She clutched her stomach, looking down at the floor.

"I… I missed lunch," she mumbled. "I was waiting for you."

I smiled, about to tease her.

GRRRRRR…

An even louder, deeper growl erupted from my own stomach.

Ariana looked up. I looked down.

We stared at each other for a second, then burst out laughing.

"Ha, ha! It seems we are both starving," I said, offering her my arm.

"Starving," she agreed, taking it.

"Come on," I said, leading her out into the evening sun. "Let's go back to Kitchen 21. I think I have some leftover premium steak with our names on it."

"Steak sounds perfect."

***

The next day at the Academy, the walk to the lecture hall was… different.

I was used to stares. For the past two months, I had been looked at with disdain, fear, or open hostility. I was the Villain, the bully, the fallen noble.

But today? The weight of the gazes had shifted.

As I walked down the marble corridor, the sea of students parted. They didn't just scramble away in fear; they stepped back in caution.

Whisper. Whisper.

"Is that him?"

"That's Lucien Ashborne."

"The one who fought the Princess yesterday?"

I kept my gaze forward, face impassive, but my ears picked up everything.

"I heard he uses a gun. Aren't those just useless."

"He didn't use a single offensive spell. Pure physical enhancement and that weapon."

"He forced Her Highness to use a Tier 4 spell. If he hadn't been knocked out, he might have won."

"Scary…"

I suppressed a smirk.

'Fear is good. But respect is better. It seems I finally have both.'

I reached the door of the lecture hall.

As I stepped inside, the usual chatter died down instantly.

I scanned the room. The front row center seat was still empty—a glaring reminder of Kael's suspension.

I began to walk toward the back row.

"Cadet Ashborne."

A clear, melodic voice stopped me.

I paused and turned.

Princess Celestia was standing by her desk. She wasn't surrounded by her usual entourage. She was looking directly at me, her expression serious.

The entire class held its breath.

"Princess," I nodded politely.

She hesitated for a moment, gripping her staff.

"Are you… alright?" she asked. "The impact yesterday. The Healers said some of your ribs broke."

I tapped my chest lightly.

"I'm fine, Your Highness. It takes more than an ice cube to keep me down."

A few students gasped at the casual disrespect, but Celestia didn't get angry. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips.

"An ice cube…" she shook her head. "You are the first person to call Absolute Zero Pillar an ice cube."

She stepped closer, lowering her voice so only I could hear.

"You held back, didn't you?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know what you mean."

"You had a dagger at my throat before the burst. If you had thrust it instead of hesitating…" She let the sentence hang. "And that weapon. You aimed for my shield, not my body."

She looked me in the eyes, a new light shining in hers. It wasn't friendship—not yet—but it was acknowledgment.

"Thank you for the match, Lucien. It was… illuminating."

"Next time, I won't miss," I replied simply.

"I'll be ready."

She nodded and sat down.

I walked to the back of the room, feeling the eyes of the class boring into my back.

I slid into my seat beside Ariana.

"Show off," she whispered, hiding a smile behind her book.

"Jealous?"

"Maybe a little."

****

[After Class]

The lecture ended without incident. The instructor droned on about mana theory, and for once, no one tried to pick a fight with me. Kael's absence made the room feel strangely peaceful.

As I was packing my bag, the door opened.

Instructor Samantha stood there. She didn't step inside; she just leaned against the frame, her arms crossed.

"Cadet Ashborne."

Her voice cut through the noise of the departing students.

I looked up.

"Instructor?"

"My office," she said curtly. "Now."

The students around me froze, exchanging glances. Was he in trouble? Did he break a rule during the duel?

I, however, knew exactly what this was about.

I slung my bag over my shoulder.

"Go ahead to lunch," I told Ariana. "I have a feeling this won't take long."

"Okay," she nodded. "Don't get expelled."

"I'll try."

I walked down the stairs and followed Samantha out into the hallway. Her cape swished silently behind her as she led the way to the faculty building.

She didn't speak until we were inside her office and the door was firmly shut.

She walked behind her desk, picked up a file, and dropped it in front of me.

"I completed my investigation regarding Cadet Kael's suspension and your allegations," she said, her grey eyes locking onto mine.

"And?" I asked, keeping my face neutral.

"Sit down, Lucien."

I sat.

Samantha leaned forward, resting her chin on her interlaced fingers.

"We need to talk about what you 'knew' regarding the CrystalVale attack."

The air in the room grew heavy.

It was time for the real interrogation.

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