Arthur groaned as sunlight streamed through his window, lazily scratching his head.
"Ugh… morning already? I wanna sleep more…"
Before he could even roll over, a small weight landed hard on his stomach.
"Gah! What the hell?!" Arthur yelped, bolting upright. He clutched his stomach, his face twisted in pain. "Do you want to kill me?!"
Hyorinmaru, perched smugly on his stomach in his small dragon form, flicked his tail. "You are ought to be early."
Arthur shot him an annoyed look. "Oh yeah? And whose fault is it that I'm still feeling sleepy?" He rubbed his temples. "If you hadn't kept me in your domain all night, making me spill every single secret about myself, I wouldn't be this exhausted!"
Hyorinmaru's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Weren't you the one who said you wanted to know me more and connect with me?"
Arthur's brow twitched. "So you're pushing the blame now, huh? No wonder you didn't tell me about yourself before. I would've been bored listening to a lizard's life story anyway."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Arthur's eyes widened.
Oh crap…
Hyorinmaru's expression darkened as he slowly looked down at the floor. His voice was dangerously quiet.
"Lizard stories… huh?"
The next thing Arthur knew, Hyorinmaru had tackled him, kicking him square in the chest.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A LIZARD?!"
The two tumbled onto the floor, rolling around in a chaotic mess.
Arthur struggled to pry Hyorinmaru off his face. "I said I was sorry! Damn it, get off me!"
Riven, already fully dressed, watched them with an unimpressed look. "Just get dressed. I'm leaving."
Arthur finally yanked Hyorinmaru off his face like a piece of stubborn lint and groaned. "Yeah, yeah, I'll be right there. Just give me a minute!" He bolted toward the bathroom, muttering under his breath.
Hyorinmaru huffed. "That's what you get for calling me a lizard."
Meanwhile, at the academy, Nathaniel sat alone in the empty classroom, chewing his finger anxiously.
That aura yesterday…
A cold sweat ran down his temple. He clenched his fist, his body still trembling at the memory.
"It was the same as Arthur's… but it wasn't Arthur," he whispered to himself. "That feeling… it was like I was being strangled by a snake. My entire body locked up—I couldn't even breathe."
His hands trembled against the desk.
"What is Arthur? Who is Arthur?"
He closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down. "No… I'm a teacher. I should act like one."
Just then, students began filling the room, greeting him as they passed. Nathaniel straightened up, shaking the thoughts away.
Then, his eyes landed on Arthur.
"…He seems kind of different today."
Arthur greeted him casually. Nathaniel quickly responded, keeping his expression neutral.
Felix and Ronan spotted Arthur and rushed over.
"Arthur! You were so cool yesterday!" Felix beamed.
"How do you feel now?" Ronan added excitedly.
Arthur blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Ronan scoffed. "Don't act dumb! You totally destroyed Damon in yesterday's duel!"
Arthur frowned. "What duel?"
Felix and Ronan exchanged looks.
Arthur turned to Hyorinmaru. "Do you know what's going on?"
Hyorinmaru looked away.
Arthur sighed. "You're still mad, huh?"
Before Hyorinmaru could respond, Seraphina walked into the classroom. Arthur instinctively greeted her, but she ignored him, walking right past.
Arthur frowned. "What's her problem?"
Felix placed a hand on his shoulder. "Oh, you really don't remember, huh?"
Arthur raised a brow. "Remember what?"
Felix smirked and mimicked Arthur's actions from yesterday, tilting his chin up dramatically.
"'You have a beautiful set of eyes,'" Felix said in a deep, dramatic voice.
Arthur's eyes twitched. "I said what?"
Ronan burst out laughing. "You really don't remember?! The way you won against Damon—man, I don't think he's ever gonna mess with you again!"
Arthur's expression remained blank.
Nathaniel sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright, enough. Take your seats. Class is starting."
Nathaniel cleared his throat as the students settled down.
"You've all learned how to communicate with your Zeraphim and have received basic swordsmanship training. Today, we'll discuss something different—our kingdom."
The room quieted down as everyone listened.
"The Kingdom of Eldoria is a land blessed with mana, rich forests, and vast lakes. It is surrounded by three other kingdoms—Velundria, Orlanis, and Zareth."
At the mention of the neighboring lands, the students murmured amongst themselves.
"We were once united," Nathaniel continued. "But as time passed, wars broke out, and we became enemies. Boundaries were drawn, and our alliance crumbled."
His expression darkened.
"Every year, the Sage Academy hosts a Tournament of Power between the academies of each kingdom. However, due to tensions, we can't hold it with all three. Instead, this year, we'll be facing Velundria's Sage Academy."
A mix of reactions filled the classroom.
"Ughhh, another battle?" some students groaned.
Others, however, had a fire in their eyes.
Arthur grinned. "Wait, so we get to fight Sage students from another kingdom? Sounds fun."
Felix raised his hand. "Uh… Sir? When exactly is this tournament?"
Nathaniel sighed. "...Four weeks from now."
The class erupted.
"WHAT?!"
Nathaniel waited for them to quiet down before continuing.
"The decision was made recently. The tournament is meant to test each kingdom's strengths and weaknesses, as well as rekindle the idea of coexistence. From today onward, you will begin training under my guidance."
The students, though still shocked, straightened up with newfound determination.
"Yes, sir!"
Arthur turned to Riven, Felix, and Ronan. "We're winning this tournament, aren't we?"
Riven crossed his arms. "You don't need to tell me that for me to decide."
Felix and Ronan nodded. "Yeah!"
Arthur glanced at Seraphina. She quickly looked away.
He turned, looking for someone else to talk to, and his eyes landed on Leo.
"What about you?"
Leo scoffed. "I have no intention of getting all chummy with my rival. Just know this—if you slow me down, I'll kill you."
Arthur blinked. "…Noted."
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Hyorinmaru, looks like we've got our hands full again."
Silence.
Arthur frowned. "You're still mad?" He sighed. "Alright, how about this? To make it up to you, I'll treat you to that famous restaurant today."
Hyorinmaru side-eyed him. "…I am a Zeraphim. Such cheap tricks won't work on me."
Arthur smirked. "I'll order your favorite dish."
Hyorinmaru's tail twitched. "…Since you insist." He suddenly lifted his chin smugly. "Now, grovel at my feet and beg for my mercy."
Arthur's eye twitched. "Huh? Say that again?"
Hyorinmaru smirked. "Bow down."
Felix sighed. "What's with you two?"
As the group burst into laughter, Arthur grumbled under his breath.
This tournament was going to be interesting.