From the tall windows of the great hall, the main courtyard of the duchy lay in full view.

  Hundreds of soldiers marched in formation. Riders drilled atop their magical beasts. The forges burned relentlessly against the night.

  The war had not yet begun…but Duke Douglas had already lit the fuse.

  Two days later, night fell over the Douglas manor. Torches and lanterns perfumed the corridors with smoke and warm wax. In the side chambers, officers reviewed maps and received tense-faced messengers: the mobilization was advancing quietly.

  Sofía had invited Emily to dinner. After three weeks without seeing Lusian, she feared distance might cool the bond between them. The noble social season lasted barely four months; afterward, each family returned to its territory, and meetings became rare.

  Emily entered in understated elegance and offered a graceful curtsy.

  "Greetings, Grand Duchess. I hope your journey was fruitful."

  "It has been some time since I last saw you," Sofía replied with a faint smile. "How is your family?"

  "We are calmer now, Your Grace. Thank you for asking," Emily answered politely.

  Sofía nodded, then continued in a firm yet cordial tone:

  "Lusian's sixteenth birthday is approaching. As his fiancée, it is your responsibility to organize the event. Invite the noble houses—you may use whatever resources you require. I know this is a difficult time for you, but keeping your mind occupied will help."

  Emily straightened slightly, encouraged.

  "As you wish, Your Grace. Thank you for your consideration."

  In the main hall, Marta and Catalina crossed the corridor. Marta cast Sofía a look heavy with resentment; the grief over her son's death consumed her, and her frustration showed in every gesture.

  Sofía noticed, yet did not lose her composure.

  "Though I sympathize with your loss," she said coolly, "I will not tolerate disrespect."

  Catalina quickly intervened.

  "Our apologies, Your Grace. We were merely passing through. If you'll excuse us, we shall take our leave." She curtsied and guided Marta away.

  Lusian, who had been watching from the corridor, followed them with his gaze before approaching.

  "What did they want?" he asked.

  "Most likely to gather sympathy," Sofía replied with a soft sigh. "By the way, isn't Albert pushing you too far with your training?" she added, noticing the bruises on her son's face.

  Lusian shrugged, exhausted.

  "Ever since I showed him a new spell, he won't leave me alone. He wants it perfected."

  At that moment, Emily approached with a shy smile.

  "Hello, Lusian. Would you like me to treat your injuries?"

  "I'd appreciate that," he replied sincerely. "Thank you."

  Dinner passed quietly, but Emily soon felt something strange. She placed a hand over her chest.

  "What is this?" she asked, slightly alarmed.

  Sofía reassured her calmly.

  "Do not worry. It is not harmful. It will simply take time for your body to assimilate the strengthening of your mana core. The meal was prepared with meat from the King of the Cymopelia Forest. It is a treasure in itself."

  Emily's eyes widened.

  "The King of the Forest? You hunted something like that?"

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  "Yes," Lusian answered with pride. "Thanks to my mother."

  Once Emily had recovered, Lusian accompanied her to the Sanctuary of the Arcane Spring, in the northern district of the capital.

  Surrounded by rune-lit ponds, the sanctuary was renowned for stabilizing mana after sudden enhancements.

  "You'll feel better here," Lusian said. "The energy of this place helps balance the core."

  "Thank you for bringing me," Emily replied, breathing more steadily. "How was the trip to the Cymopelia Forest? Dangerous?"

  "Exhausting," he admitted. "And the return… even worse. There were certain complications."

  Their conversation was interrupted by a familiar voice.

  "Lusian!"

  Kara approached with decisive steps, a group of guards trailing behind her.

  "Looks like you're here to stabilize your mana as well."

  Lusian raised a brow at her escort.

  "I see you're well protected. I'm surprised you're still allowed out. If I were your father, I'd have locked you in a dungeon for a couple of years."

  "You're insufferable," Kara shot back. "And I heard you once escaped yourself. You have no right to judge me."

  Emily looked between them, confused.

  "Excuse me, but… since when are you two so close?"

  They answered simultaneously:

  "We're not."

  Emily arched a brow.

  "It certainly seems otherwise."

  Kara smirked.

  "I would never be friends with someone who moves that much in bed."

  Emily flushed. Lusian clenched his teeth.

  "Hey! That's a misunderstanding. And you—stop saying things that can be taken the wrong way. Besides, it was your fault."

  "Don't be so dramatic," Kara replied provocatively. "Why don't I show you that you're no longer a match for me?"

  "You want to?" Lusian smirked. "I could use the exercise. If you lose, you'll wear the academy uniform for a week."

  Kara narrowed her eyes.

  "Fine. But if you lose, you'll obey me for a week."

  A commotion rippled through the park as knights from Houses Douglas and Bourlance surrounded the clearing, forming an improvised coliseum. Lusian drew his sword, his eyes flashing with determination.

  "Just because you've gained a bit of strength, you think you can defeat me?" he said with a crooked smile. "How disappointing."

  "I'm not just stronger… you'll soon find out," Kara replied, adjusting her grip.

  Without warning, she struck first.

  Steel collided with a thunderous clang that echoed across the park. Lusian felt his hands tremble—the physical enhancement spell amplifying Kara's strength far beyond expectation. He understood instantly: a careless hit would be devastating.

  He combined blade and magic. Black thorns erupted from the ground. Dark spheres shot forward like lightning. Spears burst from the earth with lethal precision. Every movement was calculated to prevent Kara from preparing her feared area attack.

  Kara sensed his improvement and frowned. She activated the mana armor her father had taught her—a radiant shield enveloping her entire body. It absorbed physical blows and reduced magical damage. With that advantage, she launched an explosive counterattack: each swing of her blade released twin arcs of mana that split the air, forcing Lusian backward.

  In a rapid exchange, Lusian blocked her sword—only to be caught by a direct kick to the face. He staggered. Kara seized the moment and unleashed her area attack. A shockwave of magic exploded outward, sending dust and leaves skyward. Lusian reacted instinctively, firing a bolt to deflect part of the force, but the blast still tore at his clothes and flesh. Blood trickled from his mouth.

  Determination hardened his gaze.

  He activated the area spell he had refined with Albert.

  Two dark mana blades floated around him, striking Kara in alternating patterns. They appeared behind her, slashed, vanished, and reappeared at his side—forcing her to move without pause. Though her armor mitigated the damage, the relentless pressure began to draw blood and sap her stamina.

  The clash reached its peak when Kara, burning through the last of her mana, channeled everything into a final strike. The ground trembled beneath the concentrated energy. A blinding radiance enveloped her sword.

  Lusian did not hesitate.

  Dark mana cloaked his body. In one fluid motion, he merged his twin blades to intercept the blow. The collision thundered across the park, shockwaves scattering leaves and debris into the air.

  Gradually, Lusian's assault became overwhelming—precise cuts interwoven with relentless mana blades—until Kara could no longer defend. Breathless, she staggered, blood trailing down her brow.

  "You…! You're cheating!" she shouted, face flushed and chest heaving. "How are you still holding mana? What affinity do you have, you damned fraud?"

  "You think I'd reveal my secrets—just like you did, lunatic?" Lusian replied, lowering his sword slowly, exhaustion and triumph mingling in his expression.

  Emily had observed the entire duel carefully. After assessing the mana expenditure, she reached a swift conclusion. Kara, level fifty-six with Delta affinity, was formidable. Yet Lusian, level fifty-four with Epsilon affinity, had matched—and even surpassed—her magical endurance. His superior affinity explained the efficiency of his spells and his remarkable control of mana despite the slight level gap.

  "That's enough, both of you. I'll treat your injuries," Emily said firmly, stepping forward.

  Kara glanced at her, her tone softening slightly.

  "Thank you. I appreciate your kindness… Lusian should learn from you."

  "Lusian, do you have any broken bones?" Emily asked as she examined him.

  "The clothes I'm wearing aren't like the academy's useless uniforms," Lusian replied with a half-smile. "They're imbued with high-level defensive enchantments."

  Kara rolled her eyes, pride flickering.

  "Always so arrogant. I don't need that trash. My ability is more than enough."

  "Well… your ability didn't stop you from getting hit," Lusian teased, adjusting his sword. "I look forward to seeing you in a dress when we return to the academy."

  Albert, who had been watching from the side, stepped forward with approval.

  "That was a fine fight, Kara. You've grown stronger."

  Emily exhaled softly, reflecting on what she had witnessed. Power was not merely numbers—nor levels alone. It was strategy, mana control, discipline of body and spell alike.

  And tonight, both of them had proven it.