“What? I thought she was dead”

“Have you heard? The prince ditched her for another woman.”

“What a disgrace. Why is she even here?”

Everyone's attention was focused on Maria as she entered the Academy’s ground. Despite the hostile surrounding, the pair paid no mind to the surrounding. However, they didn’t make it far before several male students block their way. The one in the lead stepped out and extended his hand to the pair of young girls.

“Hand it over.” Said the young men.

“Hand what over?” Responded by Maria

“The marriage contract of course. Surely, you know that our relationship is over?”

Elaina step up and bow before the leading young men

“Prince Carlos, sorry to be rude but our mistress just woke up from a coma. Could you settle this business another day?”

“Hahaha… are you sure that she was in a coma and not faking illness to escape the reality?” Carlos laughed.

“You…” Elaina tried to defend her master but she was stopped by Maria's grip.

“You mean this?” A scroll was revealed and immediately taken the attention of everyone around it to the slender arm that was holding it.

Carlos was surprised, and before he managed to grab it, Maria retreated outside of his reach.

“I would hand it to you, but it would be a very boring way to end our relationship. How about this, we will make a bet and if you win, I will gladly hand over this piece of paper for free."

"And if I lost?” Carlos asked

“Then I will have you pay me with that ring you wear on your finger.” Maria pointed at the golden ring on the Prince's finger.

Prince Carlos was in disbelief “In your dream! Do you know much value this ring hold compare to that measly piece of paper?”

“Well, then I guess the money is more important than your loving dream. Goodbye then.”

Maria immediately turned around and was about to leave but the Prince stopped her.

“WAIT!” Carlos shouted “Fine, but I will be deciding the rule of the bet...”

But before Carlos was able to utter another word, Maria cut him off

“I am sorry but it seems like you don’t understand your position: You were the one who comes up to me and demands this measly piece of paper, not the other way around. If you want this piece of paper, you have to play by my rule."

“…” After a long silence, the prince finally spoke: “Very well, what kind of bet do you propose?”

“Well, since our marriage was settled on the ground of tradition" Maria thought for a little then a spark of an idea came to her mind "let’s end this quarrel through one of the traditional Academy battle rules set: Turtle and Dragon… ”

“Wait… you don’t mean…” Prince Carlos baffled.

“Yes, a battle between two of us. Why so surprise? Isn’t that what most of us do here on Academy ground?” Maria looked around.

“Yes, of course, but...” Prince Carlos hesitated.

“Then, would you mind if I take a look at the content inside the ring with my eyes, Prince Carlos-sama?”

“… Suit yourself.” Carlos pressed the ring on his finger. Within a second, a small holographic board pop up from the jewel of the ring showed a room full of golds.

Maria nodded with satisfaction “We will give both items to the SB. they will act as our referees and preside over the match. Is that fair for you?”

The prince silently nodded. The Spectral Brigade, or SB for short, was the Academy’s staff members under the direct command of the pope. If they were the ones who handle this affair, there was no way that Maria can interfere once he won this battle. When the prince was contemplating about the bet, Maria had already gone pass Carlos and was about to leave the area.

“Wait, we haven’t decided on who will be the Turtle and who will be the Dragon yet.” The prince shouted.

“I will leave that to your decision. It doesn’t matter for me either way. Well, see you on the battleground no 7 at noon. I still have some business to take care of until then.” With those few sentences, Maria and her attendant left Carlos and his friends behind. After Maria left the scene completely, Carlos close attendant, David got closer to Carlos and asked

“Is this really wise, my prince? As I know so far, that ring contains one-fourth of your fortune, isn’t it? Are you sure you want to risk it?”

Carlos turned around and sighed:

“I got no choice, David. It is my only chance at severe this cursed bond and officially marries my love. For such a cause, money is not a problem. Besides, how could I lose with such a massive advantage.”

David hesitated for a moment:

“That is what bothers me most. Assuming that her illness did not screw her mind over, why would she give up the right to decide the biggest factor in this match to you? Let not mention that she is not the strongest or the smartest in this Academy.”

Carlos laughed hard and put his arm over his attendant shoulder:

“You just answer your own question, David. She is not bright. Besides, there is something about me that she does not know yet. Assuming that she has something that ensures her winning, then I too have my own method.”

David curiously asked:

“You have some secret weapon?”

Carlos puffed his chest proudly: “Better than that. I got a secret master. She was one of the strongest humans who worked for my father. She is my father's best friend so naturally; she did not refuse when asked to become my master.” Carlos suddenly lost his spirit when he remembered something” It just that I wish I understand even one part of his technique and method.” However, he shrugged it off immediately” Well, just her teaching should be enough to deal with my current problem anyway.” Carlos assured his friends.

“I hope you are right.” A feeling of unease lingered inside David.

“By the way, Entalia, is there any news from my father? I am getting quite anxious because he has been staying silent for the past month or so.” Carlos looked at the only one among his peers to wear full body armor.

A young voice coming from the iron shell “Not yet my prince. Apparently, he is quite busy at the moment. I heard that your announcement has caused him a lot of trouble to deal with.”

Carlos nodded “That is as expected. Fortunately, It will end today. By the way, can you go and spread the news of this match around the Academy? I want to tie up the loose end and announce to the whole school about my freedom after I win the contract from Elisa.”

Entalia bowed in acknowledgment and took his leave to fulfill his master’s wish. Carlos turned to the remainder of his attendants “ and you lot, go and buy me some gifts. I need a suitable gift to ask Leila for marriage. The one that gives me the best gift will be rewarded handsomely.”

The group bowed to Carlos and David before dispersed. Carlos, still felt unease in his heart “Don’t you think it is a bit too early to prepare for a victory celebration?”

“What do you mean? Are you doubting my ability?” Carlos was quite displeased with his friend's remark “David, you have nothing to worry about. This is my problem and it should be solved by my own hand. Just sit aside and enjoy the show like you always do.”

David sighed heavily “As you say, my prince.” And accompanied his master to the Battleground 7, where the future battle began.

Meanwhile, Maria and her personal maid had traveled quite far from Prince Carlos and his goons to arrived at a remote location within the Academy. Elaina was quite confused with her master's actions but repressed the urge to ask. Remember the Elisa back then and Elisa now, she found that the current Elisa wasn’t as bad as the past. Maybe her master did keep her word after all.

“Well, it should be around here somewhere… dig it up, Elaina.” Maria pointed at an empty ground before her.

Elaina obediently used her magic to lift a fair chunk of dirt out of the ground. After several rounds of digging, a small chest was revealed. Maria opened the chest with a key that she pulled out of her pocket. Inside the chest was an old rock engraved with a very strange rune.

Elaina curiously looked at the rock “My lady, what is this… thing?”

Maria nonchalantly responded, “My piggy bank.” or disappointment Maria thought. Then she put it back into the chest and closed it “carry this for me, will you?”

“???” Despite her confusion, Elaina still obeyed her master's order. The chest she carried wasn’t as heavy as she initially thought. However, her master's odd actions were becoming more and more “strange” for her. Holding back the urge to sate her curiosity, Elaina put the mountain of dirt back into the ground and followed her master with the chest to Battleground 7.