The bell rang, signaling the end of their second class of the day. Some first-year students headed back to the dorm, eager for a bit of rest, while others excitedly discussed plans for a night out in the capital. But as they left the lecture hall, a sudden commotion caught their attention. Upperclassmen were sprinting down the corridor, all heading toward the academy’s central arena.

Curious, Martin caught the sleeve of a passing third-year student. "What's going on?" he asked.

“There’s an exhibition match,” the student replied, barely able to contain his excitement. “Third-year Ellie Camberwell against second-year Jun’de Liu. They’re both top students, and it’s going to be incredible!”

Marge’s eyes lit up, and Hans immediately perked up as well. Without a second thought, the first-years joined the throngs of students crowding toward the arena. The space was packed, buzzing with excitement as the students jostled for a good view of the action.

As they took their seats, Master Khan stepped into the center of the arena, his presence commanding immediate attention. Raising a hand for silence, he addressed the crowd. “This evening’s duel between Ellie Camberwell and Jun’de Liu will be fought with their ring powers fully activated. This is a rare opportunity, so watch closely. The match will end only when one combatant falls or surrenders.” His gaze swept over the students, ensuring they understood the gravity of the match.

In the left corner stood Ellie Camberwell, her short silver hair catching the arena lights, giving her an almost ethereal glow. Her face was set in fierce concentration, her piercing gaze never wavering from her opponent. On the opposite side, Jun’de Liu waited, exuding a calm confidence. His attire—a sleeveless orange tunic—was similar to Master Khan’s style, airy and functional. His lean, toned figure, combined with his pale skin and serene expression, reflected his Eastern heritage.

With a powerful shout, Master Khan signaled the start of the match.

Jun’de moved first, launching himself forward in a whirl of wind and dust. His ring, the Dusty Dancer, allowed him to manipulate and air with remarkable agility. As he dashed toward Ellie, a cloud of dust and swirling winds formed around him, obscuring his movements. His weapon of choice, a baton stick called bō, was poised to strike.

Ellie grinned, unfazed. She tapped into the power of her own ring, the Diamond Valkyrie. With a faint shimmer, crystalline armor began forming along her arms, each facet gleaming under the arena lights. The crowd gasped as Ellie’s arms transformed into solid diamond, providing her with an unbreakable defense.

Jun’de closed the distance with a swift leap, swinging his baton at her in a blur of motion. But Ellie was ready. She blocked his attack effortlessly, her diamond-armored forearms absorbing the impact without so much as a scratch. Undeterred, Jun’de danced around her, moving with a speed that left first-years like Hans and Martin in awe. Dust and sand whirled with each of his steps, a tornado of movement that kept him elusive and difficult to track.

Ellie retaliated, summoning diamond shards in her hands and hurling them toward Jun’de. Each shard sliced through the air, glinting menacingly, but Jun’de was quick, evading each one with an almost airborne grace. He flipped, twisted, and dodged, never staying in one place long enough for Ellie to get a clean hit. The crowd erupted into cheers as the arena became a chaotic symphony of diamond and dust.

The intensity of the match grew as Jun’de countered Ellie’s attacks with more sand, swirling it into a dense storm that enveloped the center of the arena. The storm intensified, and Ellie’s vision blurred as Jun’de’s sand blocked her view. But she showed no signs of fear. With a steady breath, Ellie called upon the full strength of her ring. Her entire body glistened as diamond armor encased her from head to toe, transforming her into an unbreakable warrior.

With a defiant yell, Ellie charged straight into the heart of the sandstorm, her diamond armor refracting the light and making her appear like a shining comet plowing through darkness. Jun’de met her charge head-on, his baton coated in hardened sand as he swung with all his might. A blur of motion erupted at the storm’s center as the two clashed, their forms almost indistinguishable through the swirling sand and light.

Then, as the sandstorm began to subside, the crowd gasped. Jun’de staggered back, clutching his stomach where Ellie had landed a powerful blow. He wavered for a moment before dropping to his knees, breathing heavily.

Master Khan raised his hand, bringing the match to a close. "Winner: Ellie Camberwell.”

As the cheers and applause filled the arena, Ellie extended a hand to Jun’de, helping him to his feet. The two shared a respectful bow and exchanged smiles, acknowledging the skill and effort each had brought to the match.

The first-years were left in awe, the sheer power and mastery displayed by their upperclassmen leaving a profound impact. Hans couldn’t take his eyes off Ellie, admiration written all over his face. “That was… incredible,” he murmured, still entranced by the sight of her diamond-clad form.

Martin turned to Ika, his eyes wide. “If that’s what we have to look forward to… I don’t know if I should be excited or terrified.”

Ika nodded, her gaze lingering on the spot where Ellie and Jun’de had stood. “It’s inspiring… but it shows us just how far we still have to go.”

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——

As the crowd began to disperse, Hans sat alone on the arena’s edge, staring at the spot where Ellie and Jun’de had stood. He couldn’t shake the feelings of inadequacy and frustration swelling within him. While he watched, captivated, by their duel, the reality of his own performance settled heavily on his shoulders. Of all the practice matches he’d been through since arriving at the academy, he hadn’t managed to win a single one. Each loss was like a weight pressing down on him, and now it felt unbearable. His eyes stung as tears began to form, trickling down his cheeks before he could stop them.

Just then, a voice cut through his quiet despair.

“Hey, first-year! Catch this.”

A neatly folded handkerchief sailed through the air, landing softly against Hans' face. Startled, he looked up, hastily wiping his eyes as he searched for the source. There, standing with an easy grin, was none other than Jun’de Liu himself, still exuding a laid-back confidence even after his intense match.

Jun’de leaped over the small barrier between them, landing effortlessly beside Hans. Up close, Hans could see the calm composure in his senior’s face, a quiet strength that didn’t need to shout. Jun’de’s gaze softened as he took in Hans' red, tear-streaked face.

“Why the tears?” Jun’de asked with a gentle tease. “Never seen a great match like that before, huh?”

Hans’ cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He tried to speak, but the words seemed to catch in his throat, weighed down by all the insecurities he had been carrying. Jun’de tilted his head, waiting patiently, his expression warm and unhurried.

After a moment, Hans finally managed, “I… I just feel weak. I can barely keep up in any of the matches, and watching you and Ellie—it's like you’re both miles ahead of me. Every loss just… makes me feel smaller.”

Jun’de listened quietly, nodding with understanding. Then he offered a slight smile. “Hey, everyone starts somewhere. You think Ellie and I just woke up one day and could do all of this?” He gestured around the arena. “It took years of training, of failing over and over again. We’ve all been through what you’re feeling. Believe me.”

Hans glanced up, surprised. “Really? Even you?”

Jun’de laughed, patting Hans on the shoulder. “Especially me. When I first started here, I couldn’t control my powers at all. I’d trip over my own dust clouds half the time. There’s no shortcut. You just keep at it, day by day.”

They sat in silence for a moment, and as Hans absorbed Jun’de’s words, the heaviness in his chest started to lift, just a little. He looked back at his senior, whose calm, supportive presence was unexpectedly reassuring.

“Thank you, Jun’de,” Hans murmured, still embarrassed but feeling a spark of hope reignite.

Jun’de stood, his posture relaxed but resolute. “Don’t give up. There’s a lot of power in persistence. You keep pushing, and one day, you’ll stand here with that same confidence.” He gave Hans one last encouraging smile. “See you around, first-year.”

As Jun’de walked away, Hans watched him go, feeling the weight of his words settle within him. Just before exiting, Ellie glanced back at the two of them, a hint of acknowledgment in her gaze as she observed the brief exchange.

Hans held the handkerchief in his hands, feeling the fabric as if it were a small token of strength. He would keep going—step by step, match by match—until one day, he could meet Jun’de and Ellie as an equal.

——

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the twin moons began to rise in the night sky, clusters of first-year students gathered eagerly at the academy gates, preparing to explore the capital city of Aurelia for the first time. Flo stood near the entrance with a few other students, anticipation lighting up her face. She had taken extra time that evening, curling her hair, adding a hint of makeup, and wearing a loose mini dress that showed off her figure—a look that turned a few heads.

After a few minutes, Martin finally arrived, his noble confidence apparent as he strode toward the group. Although he was meant to lead the excursion, he was fashionably late, but he greeted them with a smile that suggested he was right on time. As someone from a prominent family with ties to Aurelia, Martin had explored the city countless times; his family even owned a mansion in the Noble Wing. Beside him was Marge Verdant, whose family background afforded her similar familiarity with the capital.

Flo raised an eyebrow as they approached, tapping her foot with playful impatience. "You’re late!" she teased, her voice filled with excitement. "Where’s Ika and Hans?"

Martin shrugged as they approached, but just then, Ika appeared, hurrying towards them. Her usual casual style was gone; she wore a short tunic paired with a mini skirt, her dark hair flowing loosely down her back. She, too, had applied some makeup, and there was a hint of excitement in her eyes. Marge raised an eyebrow, grinning as she took in their outfits. "Looks like the girls went all out. Maybe I should have tried harder myself.”

They laughed, the group brimming with energy as they took in the warm glow of the city ahead. Someone asked about Rem, but Martin explained that she’d decided to stay back, still not quite in the mood to explore. "And Hans?" Flo asked, scanning the group. “Has anyone seen him?”

Ika shook her head. “No one’s seen him since the exhibition match between Ellie and Jun’de earlier. Maybe he’s just not up for it.”

With that, the group headed into the city, excited to wander Aurelia’s bustling streets, taste desserts at the vendors Marge had raved about, and bask in the vibrant nightlife of the capital. But meanwhile, back at the academy, Hans had decided to stay behind. He needed time to think, to let the weight of his resolve settle within him. Determined to improve, he wandered through the academy grounds, finding himself in unfamiliar territory as he turned down a quiet, dimly lit corridor.

Just then, a faint sound caught his ear. Curious, he followed it and peeked around the corner, his eyes widening. There, under the moonlight in a secluded courtyard, was Ellie Camberwell. She was moving with precision and grace, her silver hair glinting under the moon’s soft glow as she practiced her combat moves alone. With a flick of her wrist, her ring conjured a spear made of diamond, which shimmered as it materialized. Her movements were fluid, a mesmerizing blend of strength and elegance, as though she were dancing through the night.

Hans stepped forward, mesmerized, but he stumbled, the sound catching Ellie’s attention. She paused, turning to look at him, a faint smile appearing on her lips. “Ah, the first-year who was talking to Jun’de earlier,” she said, a hint of recognition in her voice.

Hans flushed, both surprised and embarrassed that she remembered him. Ellie approached him, her gaze assessing as she sized him up. She reached out and lightly knocked on his shoulder. “You’ve got a lot of potential,” she remarked, her voice calm yet confident. “But you don’t know how to harness it.”

Hans swallowed, feeling a rush of courage mixed with desperation. In a soft, almost pleading voice, he said, “Help me unlock my potential. Teach me.”

Ellie raised an eyebrow, looking at him thoughtfully. “Isn’t Master Khan’s class enough for you?”

Hans clenched his fists, meeting her gaze with unwavering determination. “I want to be better… stronger.”

Ellie’s expression softened, a small smile curving her lips. “All right,” she said, nodding. “Come here every night, and we’ll see how far you get in a month.”

A huge smile broke across Hans’ face. “Thank you! I won’t let you down!”

Ellie gave him a nod, and with that, she turned back to her training. Hans stood there for a moment, a new sense of purpose igniting within him. This was his chance—a chance to prove himself, to learn, and perhaps, to finally stand on equal ground with the upperclassmen he so admired.