The flickering glow of candlelight danced along the dark stone walls of the Academy's inner council chamber, casting elongated shadows across a long oak table where a critical meeting was underway.
The scent of old parchment, wax, and tension filled the air.
Queen Adrian sat at the head of the table, robed in deep sapphire trimmed with silver thread, her family crest, the crowned phoenix of Eldoria, embroidered above her heart.
Though regal in bearing, her expression was grim.
Around her sat the Headmaster of the Royal Academy and five trusted advisors, nobles, scholars, and military minds who had gathered to determine the final roster of the Academy's elite Class S.
The headmaster cleared his throat and unrolled a parchment scroll.
"Your Majesty, the trials have concluded. The assessments have been reviewed thoroughly, intellectual scores, practical aptitude, martial skill, character evaluations. We've narrowed it down to ten exceptional individuals."
Queen Adrian gave a slight nod.
"Let us hear the list."
The headmaster read aloud, his voice steady.
"Lord Luke of House Greythorne. Princess Gwenevere Eldoria. Lady Elysia of House Ravenshade. Lord Edward of House Fairfax. Lady Sarah of House Maplewood."
He paused.
The rest of the names were more controversial.
"And… five commoners. Tamsin Redwillow, Jorah Cael, Linette Bray, Callen Merek, and Rylen Vos."
Murmurs immediately broke out among the advisors.
One, Lord Arrenton of the Council of Arms, scowled.
"Commoners? In Class S? This is the elite tier, reserved for the future leaders of Eldoria. Trained tacticians, governors, military commanders, not merchants' sons and blacksmiths' daughters."
Another advisor, Lady Selene Rihne, folded her arms.
"And yet, these 'commoners' outperformed several noble-born candidates. Callen Merek solved the economics puzzle faster than any other student. Rylen Vos outdueled three ranked martial candidates. And Tamsin Redwillow's agricultural strategies during the practical trials were praised even by the Crown's farming overseers."
Lord Arrenton scoffed.
"They may have talent, but they lack refinement. No training in court politics, no understanding of noble customs. Their presence could sow tension within the class."
"They earned it," Queen Adrian said sharply, silencing the room. "This academy was not built to maintain the status quo! It was built to find the brightest lights in Eldoria, wherever they come from. We cannot allow tradition to blind us to excellence."
One of the advisors, a tall, slender man with a sharp jawline and icy blue eyes, spoke up.
His voice was low but laced with authority.
"And what of Lord Luke Greythorne? He is undoubtedly gifted, but there are some who question his suitability. His heritage is a double-edged sword, Your Majesty. His potential is immense, yes, but his connection to the Greythorne legacy could cause trouble in the future. His loyalty could be in question."
Queen Adrian's eyes flashed with a coldness that sent a ripple through the room.
"Lord Greythorne is a loyal servant of the crown, and his actions during the trials proved his worth. He will be placed in Class S, as will the others who have earned their place."
She paused, her gaze settling on the advisor.
"You will not second-guess my decisions. The Greythorne legacy is one of strength and honor, and I will not allow any of you to speak poorly of the boy or his family."
The advisor who had spoken faltered for a moment but bowed his head in respect.
"Of course, Your Majesty. My apologies."
Another advisor, a woman with dark hair pulled back into a tight bun, leaned forward slightly.
"What about the Princess? She has always been a strong-willed child, but I question whether she can handle the weight of being in Class S. Will she be distracted by her duties as a princess? Shouldn't her training be more focused on her royal duties?"
Queen Adrian regarded her daughter's name with a softness that was nearly imperceptible.
"Gwenevere is a natural leader. Her sense of duty and determination has been proven time and time again. If anything, she will be stronger for it. The crown cannot be handed down to someone who does not understand the people, and Gwenevere's heart is with them."
The Headmaster, who had been silent up until this point, cleared his throat.
"I would also like to bring up Lady Elysia. She is very intelligent and a brilliant strategist. But I must admit that I have concerns about her temperament. She can be distant, and I worry that this might hinder her ability to connect with the other students. Class S is about unity, not isolation."
Queen Adrian's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Elysia Ravenshade will be more than alright. Her isolation is not a flaw, but a strength. She has the intellect where others do not. And I have no doubt that she will find a way to connect with her peers when the time comes."
Lord Arrenton pressed again.
"And what of the nobles whose children were excluded? You risk offending powerful houses."
"I am not blind to the cost," Queen Adrian said, her tone cooling. "But I am more concerned with what we gain. A class that reflects the future of Eldoria. Nobles and commoners, side by side. The kingdom's survival depends on cohesion between the classes, not a deeper divide."
The Headmaster nodded in support.
"If I may, Your Majesty, Class S is not just a ranking. It is a symbol. A statement. That we, the crown and the Academy, believe in progress. A nation thrives not on lineage alone, but on merit and unity."
Lady Selene looked thoughtful.
"Perhaps it will serve as a test for them as well. If these ten cannot learn to work together despite their backgrounds, then none of them deserve to lead."
There was silence, then slow nods.
The final decision was made.
The names had been chosen, and they would go to Class S.
As the meeting drew to a close, Queen Adrian stood.
"We cannot afford to make mistakes with this class. They will be the ones who carry Eldoria forward. I trust you all understand the gravity of this decision."
The Headmaster nodded gravely.
"Of course, Your Majesty. We will do everything in our power to guide them."
"And remember," Queen Adrian said, her eyes hardening, "if any of these students falter, if they show even the slightest sign of turning against the crown, they will be dealt with swiftly. Do not allow any weakness to creep into their ranks."
With that, the Queen turned and exited the room, her regal presence leaving the advisors in stunned silence.
The weight of her words hung heavy in the air.
…
That Same Night
…
The Academy's vast stone corridors had long since quieted.
Most students were asleep or in their dormitories, recovering from the exhaustive trials of the past three days.
But beneath the arched colonnades of the eastern courtyard, a soft golden light glimmered from a line of gently swaying lanterns, illuminating a quiet, moonlit space filled with ivy-wrapped pillars and marble benches.
Luke stood near the edge of the garden, eyes turned upward to the night sky.
The stars glittered like scattered silver dust, and the moon hung heavy and full.
He inhaled deeply, letting the night air clear his mind.
"You always find the quiet places, don't you?"
Luke turned at the voice and smiled.
Gwen stepped lightly into view, her long braid hanging over one shoulder, the soft folds of her academy robe catching the lantern glow.
She looked tired but serene.
"I could say the same about you," he replied. "You walk like a shadow when you want to."
She gave a small laugh and moved to sit on a nearby bench.
"I couldn't sleep. My mind's still buzzing from the trials. And… everything else."
Luke leaned against the stone railing, folding his arms.
"You're thinking about the results?"
"I suppose," she said. "But more than that… I'm thinking about what comes after. This academy. The expectations. The politics. It's not just a school. It feels like the whole kingdom is watching us."
Luke nodded.
"They probably are."
There was a moment of silence between them.
The garden, despite being within Academy walls, felt detached from the world, like a pocket of stillness untouched by unrest or duty.
"I heard whispers," Gwen said softly. "About who might be in Class S. About commoners making the cut."
Luke didn't answer right away.
He looked up again at the sky.
"If it's true, they deserve it. Some of them did better than the nobles."
"I know," she replied. "And I think it's the right choice. But it's going to cause tension. You know how some of the houses are."
Luke glanced at her, studying the flicker of worry in her eyes.
"You're strong, Gwen," he said. "You've trained your whole life for the pressures of court, for leadership. If anyone can handle it, it's you."
She gave him a small smile, grateful, but tired.
"What about you?"
He shrugged.
"I'm just a noble's son who knows a thing or two about a sword and trying to figure things out one day at a time."
"That's not true," she said gently. "You're more than that, Luke. You're someone people look to, whether you realize it or not."
Luke's expression faltered for a brief moment, vulnerability slipping past the usual calm in his eyes.
"Sometimes… I wonder if I'm just trying to fill a mold everyone else has made for me."
Gwen stood and walked over to him.
Not too close, but near enough that their shoulders nearly brushed as they both looked out over the sleeping academy grounds.
"We all wear masks," she said. "Some are just harder to take off than others."
Luke let out a breath.
"Wise words, princess."
"I have my moments," she said with a slight grin.
The two of them stood there in silence, letting the wind carry away the weight of their thoughts.
For a while, there were no titles, no trials, no expectations, just two young hearts trying to understand the world they'd been born into.
"Whatever happens tomorrow," Gwen said quietly, "I'm glad you're here."
Luke turned to look at her, and his voice softened.
"So am I."
The bells in the distance rang once, signaling the hour.
Gwen glanced toward the dormitory towers.
"We should get some sleep," she said.
Luke nodded.
"We'll need our energy. Tomorrow's going to be… something."
Luke takes Gwen's hand and lightly kisses the top of it.
"Goodnight," he says, gently smiling.
"Goodnight," she whispers.
He turns his back and begins walking back through the lantern-lit halls.
Gwen's cheeks lightly blush and her heart flutters.
She couldn't help but smile as she looks back up into the beautiful night sky.
She then turns in the separate direction and heads for her room.