The heavy double doors of the Energy Research Facility groaned on iron hinges before shutting behind Class 1-C, cutting off the chatter from the central hallway. Inside, the facility opened into a wide, cavernous hall built from reinforced runic stone. Thick glass conduit pipes traced the seams of the high vaulted ceiling, humming with a low, rhythmic vibration as pale blue energy pulsed through them like a sluggish heartbeat.
In the center of the hall sat three circular brass platforms, each dominated by a central pillar topped with a polished obsidian orb. Technical staff in slate-gray coats hovered over the base of each pillar, fine-tuning brass dials and delicate, glass-encased gauges.
Professor Mary stepped to the front, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor.
"Settle down," she commanded, turning to face the group. "As I stated in the classroom, this evaluation is purely a baseline measurement. The devices before you are Energy Signature Analyzers. The number of circles you light up signifies your level. This energy analyzer can only measure up to Level 5, which is why there are only five circles."
She gestured toward the head technician standing by the primary platform. "We will proceed alphabetically. Step forward when your name is called, place your hand flat against the core, and hold still until the mechanism registers your energy signature."
Near the middle of the group, Lucian, Tresca, and Lucelle stood together. Lucelle tilted her head, her golden eyes scanning the glowing conduits overhead before leaning closer to Tresca.
"Have you ever tested your level back home?" Tresca asked, her voice low and even, keeping her eyes fixed on the front.
"Yes," Lucelle replied in a soft whisper. "My family only allows its children to attend the academy once they achieve a certain mastery over our martial art. They tested my aura level back home to determine which specific style suited me best."
Tresca glanced toward Lucian before offering a quiet, almost imperceptible sigh. "Lucian is also roughly around the same level—just a tad bit weaker than me in terms of raw magic, but he is faster and far more crafty. I am stronger, but practically speaking, we are almost equal."
Lucelle's golden eyes brightened slightly with genuine interest. "If you turn out to have broken through to Level 2, do you want to have a mock fight later?"
She then shifted her gaze toward Lucian, a slight spark in her eyes signifying that she wanted to challenge him as well.
Tresca, equally curious to gauge the true combat ability of a ducal heiress their own age, allowed a rare, subtle smile to touch her lips. "I would be glad to," she agreed readily. "It will be a good test for all of us."
"First student," the head technician called out, his tone flat as he tapped his slate against his palm.
A boy near the front stepped up, his hands visibly trembling as he pressed his palm against the cold obsidian orb. The brass gears within the pillar ground together with a harsh, metallic click, sending a faint vibration through the stone platform. The glass conduits hummed, trying to draw out his latent force—and then sputtered out into silence.
Not a single runic ring illuminated.
"Unclassified," the technician announced, marking down the result. "Failed to meet the baseline threshold."
A quiet ripple of murmurs washed through the waiting rows. Failing to light even the first circle didn't mean a student lacked energy entirely; it meant they were still inept at controlling the mana or aura in their body, unable to even trigger the array.
One by one, students stepped forward to place their hands on the core. Most were Level 1, lighting only a single circle. Some managed to make the second circle flicker erratically, standing right on the verge of breaking through to Level 2 before the light died down.
A very select few managed to achieve Level 2.
When Dylan Agate—a boy from the Marquis household—stepped onto the platform, he placed his hand down with a calm, composed expression. The brass pillar clicked as energy surged through the conduits, snapping the first ring into a bright blue, followed almost instantly by a solid second circle.
"Level 2," the technician called out.
Professor Mary wrote the score into her master ledger with a quick stroke of her quill before calling the next names up to the platform.
When it was Lucian's turn, he stepped up calmly, placing his palm flat against the orb. The brass pillar whirred, illuminating the first ring cleanly, though the second ring remained dark.
"Level 1," the technician noted.
"Good. Step down, Lucian," Professor Mary said, recording the result.
Tresca stepped up shortly after. As soon as her hand touched the stone, a steady flow of energy surged through the base. The first circle snapped alight immediately, followed by the second ring glowing a solid, unmistakable blue.
"Level 2," the technician announced.
Professor Mary closed her master ledger with a firm, singular snap, her sharp gaze softening as she looked across the assembled class.
"That concludes our baseline evaluations for today," Mary announced, her voice carrying clearly across the quiet research hall.
She paused, letting her eyes linger on the few students who were still staring down at the floor, visibly despondent after failing to ignite even a single circle on the analyzer.
"For those of you who failed to light a circle today, do not take this as a sign of failure or lack of talent," Mary said, her tone firm yet reassuring. "Failing to trigger the array does not mean you lack power or talent. It simply means you have yet to master the basic circulation and control of the energy inside your body. It merely signifies that you have a lot more room to grow, and that is precisely why you are here at this academy."
She dusted off her hands and motioned toward the heavy exit doors.
"Work hard in your practical courses, learn proper control, and your results will reflect it during the next evaluation. You are dismissed."
Once the class filed out into the main corridor and dispersed, Lucian, Tresca, and Lucelle walked together away from the research facility.
As soon as they were out of earshot from the other students, Lucelle turned toward Tresca, her golden eyes lit with anticipation.
"So," Lucelle brought up, a small smile playing on her lips, "now that we know you've officially broken through to Level 2, when are we having that match?"
"There is still a lot of time left today, so I am free," Tresca replied, glancing around the crowded corridor. "Though I do not really have an idea where we can do it without causing a scene."
Lucelle's eyes sparkled with excitement. "The mansion I'm renting has a training ground! We can do it there."
Tresca, seeing Lucelle's excitement, couldn't help but agree with a small nod.
Before they could finalize the plan, Lucian intervened, stepping between them with a calm smile. "We should have lunch first before doing anything strenuous," he said smoothly. He then turned his gaze toward Lucelle, adding, "I would also like to have a match against you, Lady Lucelle. My lady just broke through to Level 2, so I think it would be fairer to let her see how her opponents move first."
Lucelle's eyes lit up, looking even more delighted at the suggestion, as it meant she would get to fight two people today instead of just one.
Lucelle then suggested, her voice full of enthusiasm, "Why don't we just have lunch at my mansion? I'll have my head maid prepare it for us!"
Tresca and Lucian exchanged a brief glance before accepting the offer, finding no reason to decline a private, well-prepared meal before their sparring sessions.
Shortly after leaving the academy grounds, the trio arrived at a sprawling estate situated in the residential district. The mansion was grand, featuring manicured gardens and high stone walls, but its most impressive feature was the expansive, private training ground in the rear courtyard, complete with reinforced boundary barriers and weapon racks.
As soon as they stepped through the main entrance, a tall woman in a sharp, pristine maid uniform bowed deeply in greeting.
"Welcome back, Lady Lucelle," the head maid said smoothly, her tone perfectly composed.
"Prepare a hearty lunch for three, please," Lucelle instructed cheerfully. "And have the training field prepared—we'll be using it right after we eat."
"Right away, My Lady," the head maid replied with a crisp nod before quietly taking her leave to fulfill the orders.
Tresca looked around the expansive grounds before turning to Lucelle. "Does House Moonfield own this estate? Mansions within the academy residential district are quite rare."
"Yes," Lucelle replied, a comfortable smile on her face as she gestured toward the main manor. "This mansion is always reserved for our family whenever anyone from House Moonfield comes to the academy."
Lucelle then added, "Our family's training style requires specialized equipment, so it's much more convenient for us to have our own private space like this."
"I see. I can't help but look forward to seeing your martial arts," Tresca smiled at Lucelle.
Lucelle returned the smile, her eyes brightening. "You won't be disappointed. My family's techniques are built for real combat, so I hope you two don't hold back either."
Before long, the head maid returned to inform them that lunch was served. She led the group into a spacious dining hall where a generous spread of freshly prepared dishes already laid waiting on a long mahogany table.
They ate at a steady pace, keeping the conversation light as they finished their meal. Lucian kept his focus on observing Lucelle's general demeanor and movements, taking mental notes for the upcoming spar.
Once they finished, Lucelle stood up and stretched her arms slightly. "Alright, lunch is done. Let's head to the training field."
They followed her out to the rear courtyard. The training ground was broad and well-maintained, surrounded by high stone walls reinforced with magic-dampening arrays. Standard wooden weapons rested neatly on racks along the perimeter.
Lucelle walked over to a rack and retrieved a wooden weapon resembling a thin, light rapier, swinging it once to test its balance. She then picked up a standard wooden sword from the rack and tossed it toward Lucian, though she gestured back toward the wall.
"You can go pick whatever weapon you prefer from that rack, Lucian," Lucelle said, stepping into the center of the field and settling into a sharp, narrow stance. "Let's see what you've got."
"I don't really use weapons," Lucian said, pulling a pair of fitted leather gloves from his coat. "But can you permit me to use these gloves? They simply help me deflect weapons without hurting my hands."
Lucelle glanced at the gloves and nodded without hesitation. "Fine by me. Use whatever lets you fight at your best."
While Lucian pulled the gloves over his hands and flexed his fingers to adjust the fit, Tresca moved to the edge of the training field, taking a seat on a stone bench to watch.
Once both fighters were in position, Lucelle raised her wooden rapier, aligning the tip directly toward Lucian's chest. Lucian took a light, balanced stance, keeping his hands low and relaxed.
"Please go easy on me, Lady Lucelle," Lucian added, a calm smile on his face.
Lucelle smirked, her grip tightening on the hilt of her rapier. "No promises."