The professor stepped down from the platform and was replaced by the academy’s figurehead and headmaster, who had finally decided to show his face.
A man spoken of only in rumors and myths, he had rarely appeared in public, even during his years as a prodigy.
In fact, this was only his fifth public appearance at an academy event.
Azrael Frostre.
"We love you, Lord Frostre!"
A group of fangirls and fanboys shouted in unison from behind the barricade. Even he could give Julius a run for his money when it ca to popularity.
"Ahem..." Azrael cleared his throat, clasping his hands behind his back as he gazed over the sprawling horizon.
Trains and even airships were wrapped in the academy’s banners. It was a sight he had to see for himself. The academy had always been an elite noble institution... but this? This was coverage that even so small kingdoms couldn’t achieve.
"I’ll be brief. I’m only here to announce the special two."
He smiled.
"And that is, of course, in honor of the students who left the Hunt at a record-breaking pace—those who defeated the legendary raven and night hunter, Corvus Raven!"
Azrael’s announcent was the final spark.
The defeat of the legendary dark mage?
Defeated... by a bunch of students? By those two? By Lady D’Arclight and the new rising na, Arden?
"Please, once again, applaud Lady Evelina D’Arclight and Lord Cael Arden for their incredible performance!"
Azrael declared, and the entire city seed to erupt. The academy’s announcent wasn’t limited to that one grand plaza. It reached everywhere.
Light magic, combined with intricate chanical devices, allowed the speech to be broadcast across the entire city.
It wasn’t yet widely adopted technology throughout the kingdom, but since Eryndor was a major economic and technological hub, it had first dibs on such innovations.
Because of course it was, it’s the novel’s main city after all...
"And to make sure our stars of the hour don’t get bored, they’ll be granted a special audience with the kingdom’s most influential figures—just like the nobles."
Azrael laughed, then swept his arm forward. A powerful gust of icy wind smashed through the gates, blowing them wide open. The academy grounds themselves were in ruins.
But the sanctum, which I had already visited, remained untouched. That was exactly where the eting would be held.
"You may go on ahead and skip the rest of the theatrics," Azrael said, turning to the two of us before facing the crowd again to introduce and comnd the other students who had perford well.
"Shall we?" I asked, once again offering my hand.
"Of course." She accepted it, just as she had before, and we walked toward the academy gates.
Our casualness with physical contact drew an even louder reaction from the crowd.
People really are simple once you’re already at the top, huh?
*** Eryndor Royal Sanctum - eting Room
The mont we entered, we were greeted by the faces of the most powerful figures in the novel.
First was the king and queen, one of many who directly served under the emperor. Second was the pri minister, ranked just below the king, the sa one who bought a legendary piece of darkyte. And with them sat the rest of the cabinet.
But that wasn’t the only shocking sight.
We had expected them, but two others ca as a surprise.
Vredemann D’Arclight and Vance Arden.
Both our fathers were seated with them, along with a few other dukes who, while powerful, were barely relevant to the original novel’s plot.
The mont Evelina saw him, her fingers stiffened slightly around mine.
Vredemann D’Arclight sat straight-backed, his posture immaculate as always. His silver hair was combed perfectly, his expression calm... yet the air around him felt colder than Azrael’s magic.
Beside him sat my father.
Vance Arden.
Leaning back lazily in his chair, one leg crossed over the other, a glass of wine swirling in his hand like he was attending so dull afternoon gathering instead of a royal eting.
When our eyes t, he grinned.
For a mont, the room remained silent as we approached the long table. Every pair of eyes followed us.
The king sat at the center, adorned in crimson and gold. His presence wasn’t overwhelming like so tyrannical ruler’s aura might be, but there was a certain weight to it. The kind that ca from soone accustod to command.
To his right sat the queen, quietly observing.
To his left, the pri minister tapped a pen lightly against a stack of docunts.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
"So," the king finally spoke.
His voice was calm, yet it carried effortlessly through the chamber.
"You are the two who defeated Corvus Raven."
His gaze lingered on us with clear curiosity.
Not suspicion.
Not disbelief.
Curiosity.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Evelina replied smoothly before I could open my mouth.
Her noble etiquette switched on instantly. The playful girl from earlier vanished, replaced by the perfect daughter of House D’Arclight.
A faint smile appeared on the king’s face.
"Impressive."
He leaned back slightly.
"A first-year student defeating a figure like Corvus Raven would already be a remarkable story."
His eyes shifted toward .
"But a baron’s son, now elevated to the heir of a marquisate, fighting alongside the daughter of one of the empire’s greatest houses..."
The room grew noticeably quieter.
"...now that is a far more interesting tale."
The pri minister adjusted his glasses.
"And quite the convenient one," he added with a chuckle.
Ah.
There it was.
Politics.
I could feel several gazes sharpen across the table.
Not hostile.
Just... calculating.
Vredemann D’Arclight finally spoke.
"Evelina."
His voice was low but commanding.
"You’ve caused quite the stir."
Evelina bowed her head slightly.
"I simply did my duty, Father."
A pause.
Then Vredemann’s eyes shifted to .
Sharp, asured, and evaluating.
"So," he said.
"You are Cael Arden? The one I have heard so much about?"
Before I could answer—
My father raised his glass.
"That he is."
Vance Arden grinned lazily.
"My son."
And just like that, the atmosphere in the room changed again.
My father really didn’t care, huh? Well... I’d probably be the sa if the goddess of darkness herself had chosen .
Good thing the others don’t seem to sense her. Makes sense, since I was the only one who actually made contact with her. And even better, she doesn’t seem to hold a grudge anymore.
She could tell I no longer had the demonic, heretical eye.
She even seed to respect my newfound power.
Well... thank the gods I wasn’t killed on the spot, I guess.
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