The academy no longer felt like an academy.
It felt alive.
Voices overlapped across the grounds.
Laughter, footsteps, announcements—everything moving at once.
Stalls lined the pathways, filled with color and activity.
Clubs showcasing their work. Competitions being prepared.
Visitors arriving.
"…This is insane!"
Jude turned in place, eyes wide.
"…Was it always this big?!"
"…It has always been this scale," Leontius replied.
"…No way," Jude muttered. "…It feels bigger today."
He looked around again, then paused.
"…Hey. Where's Luna?"
A brief silence.
"…She has preparations," Leontius said.
"…On festival day?" Jude blinked.
"…Yes."
Jude scratched his head.
"…She'd probably like this though. Or fix half of it."
Leontius said nothing.
Dormitory — Earlier
Soft light filled the room.
Clara carefully adjusted the final folds of the gown.
Precise. Quiet.
"…Please remain still, Miss."
"…I am."
"…Just a little more."
The fabric settled perfectly.
Clara stepped back.
"…It is finished."
Lunivara looked at her reflection.
For a moment, she didn't speak.
[So it's this moment again.]
Clara watched her quietly.
"…You look beautiful."
A pause.
"…Thank you."
Her voice was calm—slightly softer than usual.
"…Shall we proceed?" Clara asked.
"…Yes."
Arena Grounds
"—HOOOORN—"
The sound echoed across the academy.
Movement slowed. Attention shifted.
"The Royal Family will now arrive."
Silence followed.
Jude straightened immediately.
"…Oh."
The gates opened.
Carriages entered.
Figures stepped forward—formal, composed, distant.
Jude watched—
then froze.
"…Wait."
His voice dropped.
"…That's—"
Lunivara stepped forward.
Not as a student.
Not as an assistant.
But as a princess.
The gown was elegant, refined, and impossible to ignore.
Her presence shifted instantly—higher, distant, untouchable.
Jude stared.
"…That's… Luna?!"
Leontius said nothing.
But for a brief moment—
he smiled faintly.
"…Yes," he said.
"…That is Luna."
Jude exhaled sharply.
"…And I've been arguing with her about paperwork…"
Leontius didn't respond.
The ceremony ended.
The festival resumed.
Noise returned—louder than before.
Shortly after—
"…Jude."
He turned.
Lunivara was there.
Closer now.
Still composed—but no longer distant.
"…No," Jude said immediately.
"…You don't get to just walk up like nothing happened."
"…Nothing happened," she replied.
"…You entered with the royal family."
"…Yes."
"…As a princess."
"…Yes."
Jude laughed in disbelief.
"…That's insane."
"…For me, it is normal."
"…That doesn't make it less insane."
He paused, then straightened slightly—
"…I should bow, right?"
"…Don't."
She stopped him immediately.
He froze mid-motion.
"…We're not doing that," she said.
A pause.
"…We're friends."
Jude blinked.
"…Even now?"
"…Yes."
A beat passed.
Then he relaxed.
"…Alright."
A grin returned.
"…Good. Because I wasn't planning to change."
"…You shouldn't."
They moved into the festival together.
Jude immediately took the lead.
"…Food first!"
"…That is unnecessary," Leontius said.
"…It is today."
He grabbed something from a stall.
"…Try this!"
"…What is it?" Luna asked.
"…No idea."
"…Then why—"
"…Because it smells good."
A pause.
She took it.
A small bite.
"…It's good."
Jude lit up.
"…See?!"
Leontius watched quietly.
Observing.
"…Lunivara."
A voice.
Velarisse stood nearby.
She bowed first.
"…It is an honor, Lady Lunivara."
Jude stiffened slightly.
"…Right—"
He started to bow—
"…Jude."
He stopped.
"…Don't."
A pause.
"…We already agreed."
Velarisse smiled softly.
"…Then… hello, Lunivara."
"…Hello."
Jude exhaled.
"…That's easier."
Leontius and Velarisse stood within proximity—
but did not interact.
No greeting. No acknowledgment.
Lunivara noticed.
[So it hasn't started yet.]
She said nothing.
Later — Backstage
The noise faded.
Her parents stood waiting.
Still. Controlled.
"…Your appearance was acceptable," her father said.
A pause.
"…But your involvement with the sword club is unnecessary."
His gaze sharpened.
"…It reflects poorly."
Her mother added quietly:
"…You should know your place."
The words were not loud.
But they landed cleanly.
Lunivara lowered her gaze slightly.
"…Understood."
No argument.
No resistance.
Because there was none allowed.
Return to Festival
Noise returned.
Jude noticed her first.
"…Hey, Luna."
She approached.
"…You disappeared."
"…I had something to attend to."
He studied her briefly, then smiled.
"…Well, you're back."
"…Come on."
He gestured toward the stalls.
"…We're not done yet."
"…Luna."
Leontius.
She stopped.
"…You returned later than expected, Luna," he said.
"…I had something to attend to."
A pause.
He observed her expression quietly.
"…Nothing important?"
A moment.
"…Nothing important."
"…I see."
No further questions.
Jude glanced between them.
"…Okay, I definitely missed something."
"…You didn't," Lunivara said.
"…You always say that."
And they walked again.
Through light.
Through noise.
Through something that almost resembled freedom.
Even if it wasn't.
End of Chapter 26