The village of Fey Bell was a sight to behold. Situated far east of Dawn, it was one of the largest and most prosperous settlements in the southern territories. Unlike Dawn's peaceful mountain views, Fey Bell was surrounded by the vast blue expanse of the sea, its coastline lined with ships and bustling harbors. The village had grown over the years, becoming a major hub for commerce and military activity. From here, the best cadets of the southern villages would board ships to travel to the prestigious academies in the north.

In the distance, rising tall and proud against the horizon, stood the Great Lighthouse of Fey Bell. Its light was visible for miles, guiding ships safely to shore. The structure had been standing for centuries, a symbol of the village's strength and resilience. It had also become a landmark for the cadets training in the region, as it marked the point where their journey to the north would begin.

However, despite its beauty and grandeur, Fey Bell was no peaceful retreat. Like many other villages in the southern territories, it was undergoing its own military training program. The grueling three-year training had already pushed many recruits to their limits. Now, as they neared the end of the second year, only the strongest and most determined remained.

Among them was a young girl known to the villagers as Olivia, though that was not her real name.

The sun was setting, casting warm orange hues over the horizon, as Olivia walked along the edge of the village, her red hair shining in the fading light. She looked out at the sea, her eyes—stormy gray like the clouds before a tempest—narrowed in thought. It had been almost a year since she arrived at Fey Bell, but the weight of her hidden identity still lingered heavily on her shoulders. Olivia was none other than Eveline, a princess in disguise.

By her side, Rosa, her loyal companion, was deep in conversation. Rosa had followed Eveline all the way from the noble territories, her concern for the young princess overwhelming her initial reluctance to leave the castle behind. Rosa's long black hair was braided elegantly, and her sharp green eyes showed a hint of exasperation.

"You know," Rosa started, arms crossed as she eyed Eveline, "you could have just trained in the Land of Nobles like everyone else. There was absolutely no need to run off to some village at the end of the world."

Eveline—Olivia, as she insisted on being called—turned to her with a soft sigh. "We've had this conversation a hundred times, Rosa. You know why I'm here."

"But you could have trained with the nobility! The military training there would have been just as effective. Instead, you've dragged me to this… rough place!" Rosa waved a hand around, gesturing to the rustic village around them. Though Fey Bell was impressive in its own right, it was nothing like the luxurious castle they were used to. "And the people here are far less refined. Even the training is unnecessarily brutal."

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Eveline couldn't help but smile at her friend's outburst. Despite Rosa's complaints, she knew that the woman had only come along out of worry and care. The relationship between them was more akin to that of sisters than a princess and her attendant.

"Military training with the nobles?" Eveline chuckled. "You mean the training where everyone is too afraid to go all out because they don't want to upset some noble family if someone gets hurt? There's no competitiveness there, Rosa. It's all just an act."

Rosa frowned, looking unconvinced. "The nobles still take the training seriously. Besides, the accommodations there would be far better. And you wouldn't be risking your life against—" She cut herself off, her gaze shifting toward the large training grounds where the cadets had been pushed relentlessly for months. The trainers here were different, and James, the retired warrior who led the program, was notorious for his intensity.

"Exactly." Eveline's voice softened, and her eyes grew serious. "Here… it's real. The training is hard because it has to be. James—he's tough, yes, but that's the point. He's a warrior who fought on the frontlines. I've learned more in this village in one year than I ever could've learned in the Land of Nobles. There's no coddling here, no tiptoeing around because someone might get upset. This is what I need if I'm ever going to become strong."

"You could have been ready at home too, with proper protection," Rosa muttered, though her argument was half-hearted now.

Eveline smiled warmly, placing a hand on Rosa's shoulder. "I appreciate your concern, truly. But this is the path I've chosen. And besides..." she grinned, "aren't you curious to see how far I can go?"

Rosa sighed again, though there was a faint smile on her lips now. "I suppose it's too late to change your mind. But I swear, Eveline—if you get yourself hurt, I'll drag you back to the castle myself."

"I'll hold you to that," Eveline said with a laugh.

As the two walked back toward the village, the sounds of training still echoed in the distance. Cadets were sparring, their grunts and the clash of weapons filling the air. The day was nearly over, but their work was never done. Eveline glanced toward the training grounds where James was standing, observing the cadets with his sharp, experienced eyes.

James was unlike any instructor Eveline had ever met. His presence alone was enough to command respect, and his training methods were merciless. Yet, it was precisely because of that ruthlessness that Eveline felt she had made the right decision. Under his guidance, she had grown stronger, sharper, and more resilient. He pushed every cadet to their limits, and those who couldn't keep up were forced to drop out. There were no exceptions, not even for her.

As the second year of training was coming to a close, Eveline knew that the real challenges were just beginning. Soon, she and the other cadets of Fey Bell would have to prove their worth, not just to themselves, but to the entire southern territory. And beyond that lay the academies of the north, where the best of the best would gather to face trials far greater than anything they had experienced here.

But for now, Eveline was content. She had chosen this path for a reason, and every day she felt herself getting closer to her goal.

The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: she was ready for it.