Noon arrived faster than they expected.

They barely had time to rest before the bells of Yumaris rang — a clear, chiming sound that didn't echo through the air so much as sink into it.

The Youm here was so dense that even sound seemed heavier. Students stepped out from their rooms, gathering toward the main street leading to the Arena.

And there… they finally saw it.

Other academies.

Dozens of uniforms—dozens of colors—each one sharp and proud, representing rank and reputation.Forsaken Peak suddenly felt painfully plain in comparison.

Even the arrogant ones in their group went silent.

They weren't just among strong academies now.They were surrounded by academies the continent respected.

They hadn't even reached the Arena yet when a group stepped directly into their path. Their colors were silver, trimmed with white-gold.

Celestium Crown Institute.

Forsaken Peak froze immediately.

One boy in front wore a mantle that shimmered faintly in the sun. His expression held that effortless superiority that comes from never knowing what it's like to be beneath anyone.

"Well… look who decided to show up again this year," he said, smirking. "Forsaken Peak. Still alive, I see."

No one dared to answer him.

"Last year's humiliation wasn't enough? Or do you enjoy losing?"

Silence.

He wasn't wrong.He knew he wasn't wrong.

He walked right up to their front line, smiling with a cruel kind of enjoyment.

"And look at you all — quiet as mice. Pathetic. If you already know you'll lose, you should've just stayed in your rooms."

Then his eyes shifted — toward Lynnor.

And when he saw the revealing dress — he raised his brows.

"Well, well… looks like Forsaken Peak finally has something decent to look at," he said, walking closer. "Why don't you jump ship, hm? Celestium Crown actually has men who can treat a woman properly."

He smirked — proud of himself.

Lynnor blinked once, slowly.

Then she laughed.

Not loud — just enough to sting.

"You think you're a man?" she tilted her head. "You're a child who's seen a spark and thinks he understands fire."

His face darkened.

She leaned a little closer.

"Tell me — how many layers of trash would I have to dig through before I find your academy at the bottom?"

Forsaken Peak students panicked instantly.

"Lynnor! Stop—!"

She ignored them.

"If Celestium Crown thinks it is the pride of the continent, then the continent's standards have clearly rotted."

The boy's killing intent flashed across his eyes.

"You're pushing your luck, woman."

"And you," she replied calmly, "are mistaking a volcano for a candle. Go play with children. Adults are talking."

The boy clenched his jaw so hard his cheek twitched.

He turned away sharply.

"You'll regret that."

He left — Celestium Crown stepping aside with him, but not without throwing hateful looks like daggers.

Forsaken Peak teachers immediately turned on Lynnor.

"Are you insane?! You just insulted Celestium Crown! Do you want us all destroyed?!"

Lynnor didn't even look at them.

"Tell me something," she said. "Was that the first time they spoke down to you?"

No answer.

"Exactly. You're used to it. You've been bowing your heads so long you call it 'avoiding trouble.'"

Her voice wasn't loud — but each word hit like a slap.

"If you accept every insult just because someone is above you, then you're worse than weak. You're worthless. And you disgrace the founder you pretend to revere."

The group went silent.

Because it was true.

Lynnor exhaled softly, irritation still on her face.

"No matter what happens— I will never throw away my pride."

Then she walked ahead with Aramith and Mozrael — choosing seats far from everyone else.

When every other academy and institution had settled, Aramith looked through the throng.

Every group was given their own part to sit in.

And the highest seats were reserved for the top groups.

Their places were enclosed, so no one saw them.

All but one group, which Aramith immediately recognized.

Their curtains were opened wide, and within, a girl sat on a chair, her legs lazily crossed, and her head resting on her chin as she observed.

Her outfit made her easy to identify.

Serephene Bone. She was at the meeting.

Aramith knew she'd recognize him.

I wonder if Father Ilthane knew this before deciding to disguise us.

From behind, a woman came up to Serephene to report something. And when Aramith saw her face, his heart sunk

Elira!

He trembled when he remembered the frightening aura her lizard had.But it made sense now.

So this is the princess she was referring to. What did she want?

He was about to inform Mozrael, but changed his mind.

In the covered seat, Serephene asked.

"Did you find anything?"

Elira shook her head. "I checked their group, but they didn't send him here.

Serephene remained expressionless unnder her mask.

"But still, keep an eye on them. If you find any star student we can use as a bargain, take them."

She said it so casually like she was just asking her to run a simple errand.

"So all I have to do is get you someone important we can trade with. Even a teacher?"

She didn't answer her question, but asked one instead.

"What kind do you need?"

Elira looked around, thinking for a moment, "Lots of structures here. The lizard would have worked, but I prefer a Leopard."

Serephene nodded and raised her hand. A bone shaped leopard filled her palm.

Elira took it and placed it in the bell. It shimmered a little, then she kept it away.

Down below, a keeper appeared in the center of the arena.

"Thank you all for coming here, all invited guests."

The keeper raised one hand, and the arena grew quiet again.

"As stated, the contest will be conducted through sparring matches between academies. No sides will be favored, and rules will be enforced strictly. Tomorrow, representatives of each academy will gather here. Their opponents will then be decided by random draw. There will be no negotiation."

She paused, making eye contact with as many groups as she could.

"Also, no fighting is permitted within the city of Yumaris unless overseen by a keeper. If you must duel, both parties must consent, and we will schedule it within this arena. Any violation will result in disqualification and removal. Also, you will be permanently banned from coming here."

Murmurs rose, though small ones, and the air remained tense.

"And now," she continued, "the final announcement."

Everyone went still.

"This year, for the first time, one may choose to skip all battles and go directly to the final stage."

Silence spread across the stadium like frost.

Skipping straight to the finals? Thas sounded unreal.

"All they must do," the keeper continued, while making as much eye contact as possible. "is step into the arena now."

No one moved.

No one even breathed.

That rule was insane.

That meant whoever stepped forward believed themselves untouchable.

There had to be some catch to it.

Seconds passed.

Still no one—

Then there was a soft sound.

A single heel, gently tapping against stone.

Everyone turned.

She walked out from the shadowed side hall, looking calm, and unhurried, the hem of her white dress brushing the floor. Snow formed beneath her steps, melting into cold mist that curled around her ankles.

The temperature itself seemed to drop.

Students from all different groups froze, forgetting to breathe.

Because they knew who she was.

Some even stood up instinctively — like it was disrespectful to remain seated in her presence.

The keeper's eyes widened.

"Kesha Frostborn… of the Glacial Empire?"

Her presence alone silenced the arena more than any rule ever could.

Aramith's entire world blurred for a heartbeat.

It couldn't be her. Not here. Not now.

But it was.

The same girl who once held his hand and told him—with tears burning her lashes—to beg his father for mercy.The same one who called him "husband" and refused to let go until the day he vanished.

Everything in his chest twisted violently.

Lynnor glanced at him, stunned.

"You… remember her?" she whispered. Then she tried to joke about it. He can't remember her.

"You see someone like her, and you're crushing hard. Look at you." She laughed, but Aramith didn't respond.

"You like her?" She asked again, trying to find out if Aramith was just staring like everyone else or his memory was the issue.

Aramith couldn't answer.

He was just trying to breathe.

Lynnor lowered to whisper to Mozrael, who'd also noticed the change in Aramith. "I told you to be careful before someone else stole him from you. Look at how he's looking at her."

But Mozrael didn't understand what Lynnor wanted her to do.

"Kiss him," she whispered, winking.

Mozrael's face reddened a bit.

"What is wrong with you?" She tried punching her, but she dodged, laughing, though glancing at Aramith.

It's not possible for him to remember her, right?

She didn't know Aramith had regained his memories and knew even more than she did. he wanted to know what Lynnor's goals were before doing anything. But now...

Kesha looked at no one as she simply stepped into the arena.

The keeper swallowed.

"As for the condition… five challengers may step forward. If all five manage to defeat her, she will be disqualified, and they will take her place in the finals."

No one moved. Not a single academy dared.

Not even the prideful Serephene, or the Celestium Crown, or even the other greater academies.

The time passed.

And with it, the chance.

The keeper exhaled shakily.

"…very well. She has passed. She will proceed directly to the final stage."

Kesha didn't so much as acknowledge the crowd.

She simply turned, walking away with the same cold elegance she had entered with.

And as she stepped off the stone—

Aramith's heartbeat slammed in his chest like a blade trying to break out.

He pressed a hand against it, trembling softly and trying to anchor himself in the present.

His past had just walked back into his life.

Cold… and silent.

Is she alone, or she's here with Lia?

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