Fixing her stuff, the girl gradually looks at him, as if intending to give her thank but was stuck right at the moment their eyes met.

His crystal-blue eyes and ash-gray hair. This air of longing he’s giving off right now. Who is he? Upon looking, this girl can’t help but to feel complicated.

The mask on Claud’s face is quivering, together with his whole body, when finally, the girl looked straight in his eyes.

“Stella…” Claud can’t help but to feel anxious. Will she recognize me? It’s definitely her! I will not be mistaken.

“You…” Finally, tears started forming in her eyes, as if she had realized something.

“Silly girl.” Shaking his head slowly, Claud smiled dotingly underneath his veil. “I am he...”

Before he could finish, he was quickly hug by this girl, already sobbing. Claud was in an awkward pose, as if

going to hug her but was hesitant so he was frozen. Then he gently enclosed her in his warm embrace, years of longing

fading away into bliss. He wanted to surprise her but he was surprised instead.

“Hey, you’re a big girl now. Stop crying. I kept my promise. I am here now.” To comfort Stella, Claud keep telling her these words. He’s not a wordy person but to Stella, of whom he was the closest with, he’s carefree and can show his true self.

“Yeah, I know you will keep your promise. I never have doubted you.” Now, wiping her tears, she revealed a warm and simple smile. She felt so happy, the happiest moment in the whole three years they’ve been apart.

Claud, released her, gently took off his mask and gave Stella a kiss in her forehead, turning her beautiful face beet-red. Seeing here bashful appearance, Claud lightly chuckled. Embarrassed, Stella avoided his gaze, continuously fiddling her books.

Our princess, on the other side, felt a little prick in her heart seeing this. Who is she? This is? They seem to know each other and really close. What am I thinking? Collecting her thoughts, she seemed unperturbed but inside, felt quite indignant on what’s happening between those two.

Having known him to be her fiancé made her loathsome to some extent, thinking that he’s after her social status and background, but it’s not the case. She realized that for him, it doesn’t really matter. In their previous interactions, he never made any move to get into her good side. And that heroic act? Most likely, her sister has been pulling the strings and calling the shots. What made it even more puzzling is that, during their talk about their relationship earlier, he never even spoke a single word. No disagreement or approval. What is he thinking? And now seeing this, she noticed that he’s different from the others. He might be cold and aloof, not wanting to socialize with others, but is warm, friendly and gentle with those he placed great importance to. And this girl? He treated her dotingly with unusual gentleness, just like a man to his lover. And he even kissed her in the forehead! Though she wasn’t able to see whole his face, that was hidden by Stella’s head, she can tell how happy he is at this moment just by looking at his smiling eyes. She wanted to peek but Claud already put on his mask.

“You’re in such a hurry. Where are you going?” He helped her stand up.

“Ahhh, yeah I almost forgot! Let’s catch up later. See you around, Claud!” And she took off before Claud can even make another word.

“Okay, see you then.” He helplessly yelled back with a smile while slightly raising, as if to give a wave then he turned back, looking the same as he previously was, cold and aloof. She never even told me where and when to meet. She’s quite busy.

They went back to their room and what surprised them was that everyone’s look of anticipation. As if a hero is coming back to a capital after a long battle or a great adventure and was going to be rewarded by the king. Some stood there with a hint of fanaticism in their eyes. Others, with undisguised infatuation. And for bitter ones, a hint of disgust and hidden jealousy, expressed through words of sarcasm and ridicule.

Upon seeing the “hero” arrived, the crowd flocked over.

“Ayieeh! He’s here!” A girl, the first one to notice, yelled.

“Bro, you’re great! My name’s Mikel… Mikel Stockinger.” A lively dude butted on the other side while tapping at his right shoulder.

“Heh, you just got lucky.” An arrogant guy sitting at an armchair’s table at the right most part of the room.

“Seems more likely.” Added by those who are most likely his lackeys.

“Hey, stop pushing. I wanna see him!” Another girl said.

“Look! He’s so cool!” Another girl, pointing at him with her right forefinger, while tugging with her left hand to another girl.

Ugh. I hate this! He’s not used to this kind of situations and would find chances to avoid the limelight as hard as he can. Still figuring out how to come out in this commotion, he tried making his way to his seat. But still, they flocked around him. It was then that someone in a dark-green tunic entered the room. She looked like an off-duty knight who’s going on for walk to get some fresh air. Basing on her looks, she seemed to be in her mid-twenties. There’s a green ring on her right forefinger, signifying her status as a knight mage. After everyone settled down, she went straight to her introduction.

“Hello everyone. My name’s Carol Einsworth. I’ll be you class advisor as well as your arcane arts fundamental instructor. Nice meeting you.” She said while placing some old-looking magic books on the teacher’s table in the front.

“Ma’am Carol, are we going to start our class now?” The ever-lively Mikel asked, his eyes glittering with passion.

“Nope. We’ll have a run through on your names first. Everyone will be introducing their selves and share a basic information about yourselves.” She said tactfully. “And since you spoke first, then I think your fine with going first, would you?”

“He-hehe-he.” Oh boy! Better keep my mouth shut next time… “Ahmmm, my name is Mikel Stockinger, fifteen. I specialized in wind element magic and loves daggers. I also use throwing ones as well.”

“Okay, anything else? If there’s none, you can sit down.”

“I’m from a merchant family.” Then he promptly sat down.

“Who’s next?”

The class slowly got to know each other through these introductions. Almost half of the class has already introduced their selves when someone, hurriedly made a brief entrance, taking everyone’s attention.

“Sorry for being late. Oh! Miss Carol I…”

“It’s okay. I know where you’ve been. Just go and take seat. We’re in the middle of getting to know everyone.”

“Thank you, Miss Carol!” Screening through the crowd, she looked at me then hurriedly took the empty seat on my left. After settling down, she looked at me again and beamed a sweet smile. Oh! She had never changed.

Now, everyone’s looking at us with a “what’s with you guys” expressions when Miss Carol tapped her table, signaling everyone to continue with the introduction. Thank you, Miss Carol! Stella noticed this too and turned her attention to the speaker as well.

The introduction continued. It was now Francheska’s turn.

“I’m Francheska Irene Fernis, daughter of Hollen Luther Fernis, second princess of the empire. I practice fire and water magic arts.” She made her introduction simple but almost everyone in the room was intimidated aside from the high-ranking nobles.

“My name is Maristella Lou Cernis. I came from the household of Glimmes, one of the guardian families of the empire. We specialize in light magic. I know a little bit about sabers. And… and…” Looking at Claud, she was at lost for words. Seeing her childhood best friend made her really happy. But it seems that something has changed within those years of them being apart. It might not be a simple feeling of friendship anymore but something much deeper, more profound.

“Ok Maristella, you can sit down.” Looking at me, Stella smiled again and promptly sat down.

My turn. The earlier commotion was now gone but still, everyone’s been looking intently on me, as if trying to pry deep into my secrets.

“I’m Claud Ashwell, twelve years of age. I came from Belanore, a tiny village east of this empire’s Ashcalon kingdom. A dual-element mage of light and dark affinity. I work best with swords.”

After my introduction, Miss Carol gave a brief orientation of school rules and the will-be schedules. Together with Maron Basselt, we will be instructed in combat and magic training. Also, we will be guided in advance on our soul ring forming to pass and become a knight mage apprentice. The brief went really well but to everyone’s surprised we are immediately instructed to have a party of three. There’s a total of sixty people in our class so it’ll be equally divided into thirty groups. Without any squabbles, Stella picked me as her companion. There’s also Mikel who wants to party up with us but after sensing hostility, his neck shrank, seeing Ceska who’s already walking towards me, while keeping a cold stare at him.

Wryly smiling, Claud already knew what’s coming.

Ceska has been feeling restless since witnessing the kiss earlier and had been more prominent when Stella reappeared. What’s worst is that she chose to sit beside Claud. She can’t even understand this feeling. Is this what you call jealousy? It can’t be! Though she does not see Claud as her fiancé, the feeling of something being stolen was not a good experience. So, she made a move, acting high and mighty and approach the two people who is sitting at the back.

“Since it is like this, I would like to form a party with capable individuals. Don’t be mistaken, I just chose you because you’re quite decent unlike those nobles who only talk big with no skill to back it up.”

“What’s there to explain? You choosing to party with us isn’t our honor but is your fortune! You don’t know him. There’s so much more than what meets the eye!” Stella retorted with great displeasure.

Claud has been her greatest confidant and best friend since young so hearing someone belittle him would be like a great offense to our young maiden here. She wouldn’t want anyone saying unpleasant things about Claud and would try her very best to defend him. Such was our young miss Stella now. She became a little bit protective and possessive of Claud since they have never been apart for a very long time. One thing is that, after seeing the more matured him, her heart began beating erratically and felt like there were little butterflies fluttering in her belly, especially after that kiss in the forehead. In that instant, her face became red as an apple from a rosy, pinkish-white hue. Oh, being young is so good! This subtle transformation might have just been in an instant but the three years of being apart made a great contribution. Love at first sight is like a fleeting splendor of a shooting star but something that was developed and carefully nurtured is like an aged wine, the longer it was preserved the better and stronger it will taste. But this might not be true every time. Some things that began with a flash of brilliance will forever be etched within, depending on the people involved and sometimes, a carefully brewed one might lose its flavor all of a sudden.

This girl! Saying just a few sentences invoke a goddess’ wrath! Ceska understood well that things won’t end well having said these words like this but thinking that she has too high of a status to take back her words and make an apology, she just continued to be indifferent, ignoring our fuming Stella.