The next morning, just before the first day of the Chosen Class...
Elara sat at the kitchen table, half asleep, her chin resting on one hand.
Lalanat walked out of the kitchen and gently placed a cup of tea in front of her.
"Thank you, Lala," Elara mumbled as she wrapped both hands around the warm cup.
Lalanat smiled.
"It's rare to see you like this in the morning," she said. "You're usually wide awake."
"Ahhh..." Elara let out a satisfied sigh before taking a sip. "I slept really well last night. Maybe it was because of the rain."
She stretched lazily before glancing around the room.
"Is Alaric still asleep?"
Lalanat shook her head.
"No. He woke up pretty early. He's outside practicing his sword swings."
"Hmm..." Elara took another sip of her tea.
"The way he's so dedicated to swordsmanship... if he put even half that effort into studying, he'd probably be at the top of the academy."
A familiar voice came from behind them.
"You mean me?"
"Pffft!"
Elara spat out her tea and immediately broke into a fit of coughing.
"Hey! Why do you always sneak up on people like that?" she complained after catching her breath.
Alaric raised an eyebrow.
"You're the one who didn't notice me. I've been standing here since you started talking about me."
Lalanat quietly giggled before handing Elara a cloth to wipe away the spilled tea.
After a brief silence, Alaric rested a hand on his chin.
"Hmm... I was thinking about this year's Chosen Class while I was practicing."
He looked at both of them.
"Something feels off."
"Why are the second-years participating?"
Elara let out a long sigh.
"We've been saying that ever since we heard about it."
"And you only start questioning it now? Right before it begins?"
She shook her head before walking toward the hallway.
"Anyway, I need to get ready for school."
Alaric turned toward Lalanat.
She simply smiled before picking up the empty cups and carrying them back into the kitchen.
Alaric stood there for a moment.
"...Oh, come on."
Shaking his head with a helpless smile, he turned and headed back to his room.
---
The sound of birds chirping outside, along with a dull ache in her back, slowly woke Silvia, who had fallen asleep beside Caelin's bed.
She blinked a few times before opening her eyes.
As her vision cleared, she found Caelin sitting quietly on his bed, half-covered by his blanket, staring out the window.
Silvia slowly straightened herself.
Noticing the movement, Caelin turned toward her and gave her a small smile.
"Morning."
Flustered, Silvia quickly brushed the loose strands of hair away from her face.
"Morning... Umm, how are you feeling?"
"Thanks to you, I'm feeling much better now," Caelin replied with a faint smile.
He coughed lightly.
"Do you mind getting me a glass of water?"
"Of course. Just wait here."
Silvia hurried downstairs.
A few moments later, she returned with a glass of water.
"Thank you," Caelin said as he accepted it.
After taking a few sips, his eyes drifted back toward the window.
Silvia remained standing quietly beside the bed.
She followed his gaze, wondering what he was looking at.
Without turning toward her, Caelin spoke.
"I assume you have a lot of questions."
He paused.
"But... can we save them for another time?"
Silvia blinked.
A gentle smile appeared on her face.
"Of course."
"Don't worry about it."
"Just get some rest."
She turned to leave.
"Can I ask you something?"
His voice stopped her.
Silvia slowly turned back.
She waited quietly.
This time, Caelin looked directly at her.
"Let's say you're walking with empty pockets."
"You come across an old man selling food to provide for his family."
"Right beside him is an orphan, staring at the food with hungry eyes."
"If you could only choose one..."
"...who would you help?"
He placed the empty glass on the bedside table.
Silvia fell silent.
She thought about the question for a moment before answering.
"Myself."
Caelin stared at her, surprised.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Then they exchanged small smiles.
Silvia tilted her head slightly.
"I don't know what answer you were expecting..."
"But in that situation, none of us can help each other."
"If I can't even help myself, helping either of them would only leave three people suffering instead of one."
"So... I'd help myself first."
"I can't carry everyone else's burdens when I'm barely able to carry my own."
Caelin lowered his gaze to his hands.
A small smile slowly appeared on his face.
Silvia watched him with quiet curiosity.
"Why are you smiling?" she asked.
Caelin looked back at her.
"Thank you..."
"...for answering."
Silvia gave him a small nod before quietly leaving the room.
That day, despite it being the last day before the Chosen Class began, Caelin was unable to attend the academy because of his lingering fever.
---
The school bell rang.
Students quickly returned to their seats as chatter filled the classroom.
The first years buzzed with excitement and nervousness over the upcoming Chosen Class, while the second years looked forward to the holidays before their final examinations.
The classroom door slid open.
Alice walked in, carrying a stack of papers.
Without wasting any time, she addressed Class Two.
"You all," she began, glancing around the room, "since this is your final year, you may spend the event however you like. You can take a break, study at home for your final exams, or watch the first years' competitions."
The room immediately erupted into cheerful chatter.
Some students were already talking about going home.
Others planned to watch the tournament.
Just as Alice reached the door, she stopped.
"Oh, and Alaric."
He looked up.
"If you're participating in the final duel, submit your name before the deadline."
With that, she left.
Alaric rested his head on the desk.
"Hmm... why do I even have to submit my name?" he muttered.
"Unless Heidi reaches the finals, I can't participate anyway."
Graneth, sitting nearby, chuckled.
"That's exactly why."
"No one knows which class will make the finals yet."
"Every potential participant has to register in advance."
"Hmmm..."
Alaric stared out the window.
I wonder if Caelin already submitted his...
He stood up.
Guess I'll do it first.
The hallway was quieter than usual.
As Alaric walked toward the teachers' office, a voice called out from behind him.
"Well, well... if it isn't our champion, Alaric Thandor."
The speaker gave a small, respectful bow.
Alaric turned around.
"...Who are you?"
The boy let out an awkward laugh.
"I'm Arasa. First Year, Class Seven."
Alaric looked him up and down for a moment.
"Hmm... aren't you a little big for a first year?"
Arasa scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed laugh.
"I get that a lot."
"Hmmm... I can see why."
Alaric shrugged.
"So," Arasa continued as he caught up beside him, "you're heading to the teachers' office?"
Alaric nodded.
"Yeah. I got called over."
"Perfect. Me too."
The two walked side by side.
After a moment, Alaric glanced at him.
"Wait... if you're a first year, why are you submitting your name? Shouldn't you already be registered?"
Arasa smiled.
"It's not for me."
"It's for Prince Caelin."
Alaric frowned.
"I heard he came down with a fever, so I'm submitting it on his behalf."
Alaric suddenly stopped walking.
"...What?"
"He was fine yesterday."
Arasa shrugged.
"That's all I know."
After a brief silence, they continued walking.
Alaric frowned to himself.
Did he really catch a fever...?
He left before the rain started... didn't he?
Will he recover before the finals?
He let out a quiet sigh.
Still lost in thought—
Thud.
"Ouch!"
Alaric blinked.
"Ah... sorry."
"Can't you watch where you're going?!"
Simon rubbed his shoulder before realizing who had bumped into him.
"...You."
The two stared at each other.
Before Simon could say anything else, Arasa stepped forward.
"Actually... you were the one who came out of the classroom without looking."
Simon slowly turned toward him.
"...You got something to say?"
Arasa straightened his posture.
"I'm saying there's no reason to shout."
"It wasn't entirely Alaric's fault."
The surrounding students gradually slowed down, watching the confrontation.
Simon stepped closer.
Just as the tension began to rise—
Alaric casually placed a hand on Simon's shoulder.
"By the way..."
"I heard Caelin's sick."
"Is that true?"
Simon froze.
"...Yeah."
"I guess."
"Why?"
Alaric looked him straight in the eyes.
"How did he get sick?"
Simon hesitated.
"Probably because of yesterday's rain."
"Hmmm..."
Alaric nodded.
"I see."
Then he gave a small smile.
"Oh... and sorry about bumping into you earlier."
Without another word, he continued walking.
Arasa quietly followed beside him.
Simon blinked.
"...Hey!"
"I'm not done talking to you!"
Neither of them looked back.
From the side, Silvia let out a sigh.
"Can you stop picking fights?"
Simon turned toward her.
"They bumped into me!"
"They apologized."
"Still!"
Silvia folded her arms.
"It's not like you could beat Alaric anyway."
"So stop starting fights you can't finish."
Simon pointed at himself in disbelief.
"...Me?"
He let out an incredulous laugh as Silvia walked away, leaving him grumbling to himself.
After submitting their names, Alaric and Arasa stepped out of the teachers' office.
"I'll head this way," Arasa said.
"Same. See you around."
Arasa smiled.
"If we meet again..."
"It'll probably be in the arena."
"I hope your class makes it that far."
He gave a small wave before walking away.
Alaric watched him disappear down the hallway.
Confident guy...
Or was that a challenge?
He scratched his head.
Eh... doesn't matter.
If Heidi reaches the finals... we'll meet anyway.
With a shrug, he turned and headed back toward his classroom.
---
Meanwhile, on the other side of Valerith...
King Conrad quietly sipped his tea while reading a report from the Bane Nation.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
The door opened.
General Edric stepped inside, carrying another document.
"Your Majesty, a report from Elysium Academy."
He handed it over.
"The final sword duel will take place five days from now."
King Conrad read through the report before placing it on the table.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
General Edric hesitated for a moment.
"Your Majesty... if I may ask."
"What is the purpose of all this?"
Conrad calmly lifted his teacup.
"A small gift..."
"...for a son who has always obeyed his father."
General Edric nodded silently.
Conrad took another sip before continuing.
"I also heard another Thandor won the previous sword tournament."
His expression grew colder.
"I'm sick of that family..."
"...and every drop of their blood."
He gently placed the teacup onto its saucer.
"This time..."
"My son will receive the recognition he deserves."
A brief silence filled the room.
"And once that is done..."
"We'll begin our plans for Bane."
A smile slowly returned to his face.
"...Perhaps the rest will follow."
A quiet laugh escaped him.
General Edric remained silent.
As he turned to leave—
"Oh, General Edric."
He stopped.
"Don't forget to pay them."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
General Edric bowed before quietly leaving the room.
Silence returned.
King Conrad slowly looked at his left hand, hidden beneath a black glove.
He slowly clenched it into a fist.
"This hand..."
"It already paid its price."
His gaze shifted toward his right hand.
"...Now..."
"...it's time to wield the other one."
A quiet laugh echoed through the room.
That afternoon, before sunset, Arasa visited Caelin.
He knocked on the door.
No answer.
"Hmmm..."
Without waiting any longer, he slowly opened it.
Inside, Caelin sat on the edge of his bed, quietly staring out the window.
"Hmm... if you're not asleep, at least say something," Arasa said as he pulled over a chair and sat down.
Caelin slowly turned toward him.
"Ah... sorry. I was lost in thought."
A brief silence followed.
"By the way..."
"What does it feel like to be married?"
The sudden question caught Arasa completely off guard.
He stared at Caelin for a moment before laughing.
"Ahhh... wasn't expecting that."
He scratched the back of his head before clearing his throat.
"Well... it's nothing extraordinary."
He smiled faintly.
"It's like your responsibilities suddenly double."
"And then you have a child..."
His expression softened.
"The world feels much heavier."
"But at the same time..."
He lowered his gaze with a quiet smile.
"Their little smiles..."
"The way they feel safe around you..."
"It makes you feel like you're living as someone worthy..."
"...instead of just surviving because of responsibility."
"You start wanting to protect those smiles."
He let out a quiet laugh.
"I guess that's one of the reasons I decided to fight for our village."
"The people I love were there."
Silence settled over the room once again.
After a while, Arasa looked back at him.
"By the way..."
"Why are you asking?"
Caelin slowly turned his gaze back toward the window.
"I've been thinking about people."
He spoke quietly.
"When someone protects money, they're called greedy."
"When someone protects love, they're called a fool."
"When someone chases a dream, they're called crazy..."
"...or delusional."
He lowered his eyes slightly.
"So I keep wondering..."
"Does everything we protect have to make sense to other people?"
"And if I stop caring about what they think..."
"...does that make me selfish?"
"Hmmm..."
Arasa smiled faintly.
"You've been carrying around quite the question."
Caelin didn't answer.
After another moment of silence, Arasa stood up.
"I met Alaric today."
"He seemed worried about you."
Caelin slowly looked toward him.
"And..."
"I hope you're feeling better before the finals."
"You don't have to come watch my match."
"I'll win anyway."
"So just focus on recovering."
Arasa walked toward the door.
Just as he reached it—
"Arasa."
He stopped.
"Do you think..."
"...we can win?"
Arasa slowly turned around.
He let out a quiet sigh.
"I told you before."
"I don't have another choice."
"The lives of the people I love depend on winning this tournament."
He looked at Caelin one last time.
"You don't have to carry everything."
"Just be there in the finals."
"I'll handle the rest."
With that, he quietly left the room.
Caelin remained sitting in silence, watching the door long after it had closed.
I focused so much on my own pain...
...that I forgot other people are suffering too.
He let out a long breath before looking back out the window.
Outside, the sun slowly disappeared beyond the horizon.
Tomorrow...
The Chosen Class would begin.