I am woken up by the feeling of ice cold water being splashed on my face. In stupor, I jump up, wipe my eyes, and look around me. The first face I see is the Maestro’s, looming over me, wearing a devious grin.

In all honesty, though she has her quirks, the Maestro is… very easy on the eyes. In terms of looks, even ignoring her sculpted body, she puts the average woman to shame. Her pale skin, her dark eyes, and her short raven black hair complement each other perfectly, combining her striking elegance with a sense of intrigue that comes when looking at her. If it wasn’t for the scar under her left eye, her face would be utterly spotless, but even then, I think it enhances her charm. Sebastian might be proud, thinking he humiliated her by giving her that scar, but I think it speaks volumes to her unyielding character.

‘This isn’t bad at all, but she is kind of close…’

When she realizes I’ve woken up, the Maestro speaks to me. “That was a wonderful performance, Alden. Especially that thing you did at the end, it seems you’ve found a new way to use your ability! How wonderful to see my babies grow so fast!”

Before I can reply, Tianna pushes her long hair behind her ears, uncovering her face, and shares a few words as well. “Y-yes, what a strange ability that was… And you too, Ms. FullCastle, t-to think you’d be able to so thoroughly hypnotize me…!! I-I guess that’s to be expected for someone of your lineage!”

‘Yeah… Now that I think about it, does Sylvia not want to hide her [melody] anymore?’

Sylvia, who appears to have been woken up before me, offers Tianna one of her radiant smiles, the ones that could illuminate a room plunged in darkness, the ones that make my heart skip a beat, and replies to Tianna’s praise. “You flatter me Tianna, you broke out of it almost immediately. Also, since you are my senior and a second stage, I’d prefer if you could just call me Sylvia.”

“T-That’s… unlike Ronald, I’m a commoner Ms.FullCastle, I don’t think that’s appropriate…”

Sylvia refuses to back down. “Please, I insist.”

“B-but…!”

Ronald, now next to Tianna, speaks into her ear. There is no way to tell what he told her, but whatever it is that he said, it compels Tianna to agree to Sylvia’s request. She fidgets with her hair more vigorously as she continues to speak.

“T-that’s not all..!”

Tianna turns to Alex and Clay. She runs her fingers through her hair,

“Both of you performed equally well! T-the support you provided was exemplary. I tried to get to the boy with the shield, but I couldn’t do so at all! You, Alex…right? I think that’s what I’ve heard others call you…”

Alex turns his eyes away from his shattered warchord to look at Tianna. “Alexander… but yes, Alex is fine.”

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“I-I see. Well, Alex, I couldn’t get rid of you no matter how hard I tried! You put your body on the line, avoiding the incapacitating attacks, and allowing only the superficial ones to hit. Rather, you intentionally let yourself be hit if you judged it wouldn’t knock you out. T-this would be a ridiculous strategy for anyone else, but not for you. T-that healing ability of yours is ridiculous, I’ve rarely seen one so potent at just the first stage before!”

‘Woah, she’s talking a lot all of a sudden.’

She then turns to Clay. “And you, Y-your willingness to sacrifice yourself just to destabilize my footing was admirable! I’m not sure anyone else would have the grit to do what you did!”

Clay, deserving of his title of a great family heir, bows respectfully. It seems he isn’t too bothered by their difference in status either. “Thank you for your praise.”

Tianna does the same, but with a bit less elegance. “M-my pleasure!”

Finally, she switches her focus onto the entire cohort of second quarter students. While looking at the ground, scared to meet anyone’s gaze, she speaks to all of us. “O-of course, this isn’t to say that the rest of you did poorly. Y-you all did well, considering that I am a second stage [enlightened]...!! You all have a lot to improve on, but this year’s [enlightened] from Lauderdale look very promising… I think so at least!”

The Maestro finally gets away from me to give a closing speech. “Thank you Tianna for your words of encouragement! Now, I’d like to apologize to the fourth quarter students who did not get the chance to show their skills. There will be other opportunities, believe me! This training session has been very insightful for me as well, I’ll adjust our future training regimen, look forward to it!-”

‘...Somehow, that sounds a bit scary…’

“-As for today though, I’ll let you all go, training is over! Scram!”

Now freed, everyone disperses. Sylvia makes her way to Ivana, as they usually hang out together. Before they can leave, however, I approach them. Usually, I’d look for Adam, or Zora, or I’d contact Sophia and the others to train, but today I need to speak with Sylvia. I’m not sure why I feel so strongly suddenly, but there are some things I need to ask her.

“Hello girls.”

Ivana turns around, she’s the first to speak to me. “Well if it isn’t our friend, Alden. Did you want to join us? We’re going to DaiKar for lunch, too lazy to make something in the kitchen.”

I scratch the back of my head, knowing what kind of teasing from Ivana my next words will engender. “That… actually sounds like a great idea, but no… I’d like to borrow Sylvia for a bit.”

I look at Sylvia. “ Do you think we could have a talk?”

Ivana’s eyes expand, and a mischievous grin forms on her face. She places her hand over her mouth in shock, and feigns being concerned for Sylvia. “Oh my, you want to take Vivi away!? What do you plan to do with her!?”

‘I knew it…’

Sylvia smiles and responds to my initial request. “I do have some free time, Alden.” She turns to Ivana. “Can I meet you later, Iva?”

Ivana then places the back of her hand over her forehead, and continues her act. “To think… I’d be abandoned and betrayed by my best friend in such a way…and for a man none the least, what a cruel world!!”

Sylvia grabs Ivana’s hand and stares into her eyes. “Oh, I see what this is! If you want, you can have a private talk with Alden later too!”

Ivana instantly breaks character and her cheeks redden. “W-what!? Have I finally corrupted my sweet and innocent Vivi…? I’ll have to go somewhere and think about what I’ve done for a bit…”

With a slow step, Ivana leaves towards the women’s dorms, slouching.

“See you later!!” Sylvia says while waving goodbye.

“You sure have gotten better at teasing people, haven’t you.” I say to Sylvia.

“Well, Ivana is a great teacher. Though… I didn’t think she’d react like that, it’s quite cute, I might take a liking to this!”

‘Ivana… what have you created…’

Sylvia steps forwards, placing herself a few meters before me. Her entire figure basks in the soft, golden glow of the morning sun, and her equally golden hair dances in the soothing wind. As she turns around, the rays of light form a crown around her body, making her seem almost otherworldly. Her piercing blue eyes then shoot straight for mine, with a depth that seems to draw in everything around us. She clasps her hands behind her back, standing with elegance, and with a faint smile, she breaks the silence. “Shall we find somewhere to talk?”

My heart rate increases slightly. “Y-yes, we shall.”