Chapter 20 - Chapter 20: Arrival at Ariana Academy

🏛️ Scene 1 — First Glimpse

The royal carriage rolled through gilded gates into a stone colossus that was less a school and more a kingdom.

Ariana Royal Academy.

Built across an ancient mountain plateau, the campus looked carved from time itself—its towers etched with runes, its walls taller than fortresses. Banners of the 20 great noble houses fluttered in the wind.

Alicia leaned out the window. "It's huge," she whispered.

William stared forward, silent. "So are the expectations."

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👥 Scene 2 — Whispers

As they walked through the entrance archway, every step echoed.

Eyes turned.

> "Is that the boy from the Mana Volcano?" "That's the girl who forged her weapon from pure wind..." "A commoner? At a royal academy?"

Alicia heard every word. Her grip tightened on her satchel. William noticed—but didn't say anything.

He didn't need to. Lyra's voice was already inside him:

> "Do you hear them? Good. Let it sharpen you."

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🧠 Scene 3 — The Headmaster's Address

The Great Hall glowed with golden chandeliers and floating runic glyphs. Over a thousand students filled the space—humans, elves, dwarves, beastkin, all in fine academy uniforms.

Then silence.

A cloaked man stepped onto a floating platform: Headmaster Caelis.

He was regal, severe—his presence enough to quiet the hall.

"Welcome to Ariana Royal Academy," he said, voice cold and precise. "Here, rank is earned. Not given. And weakness is not tolerated."

He explained the system:

Four ranks: A to D.

Duel Grounds: open combat, regulated.

House Points: honor system among nobles.

Forbidden Forest: off-limits—enter at your own risk.

Then, a smile. Thin. Dangerous.

"As a welcome gift… every new student will participate in a trial duel. Spirit vs. Spirit."

Gasps.

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⚔️ Scene 4 — Trial Begins

Names echoed through the hall.

"William Montelo."

He stepped forward, calm as glass. Every eye followed him.

"Opponent: Caden Velhart."

A tall noble boy with platinum hair and black gloves descended the opposite stair. The air shimmered slightly around him — frost magic.

"You're the volcano rat?" Caden sneered. "Cute. Let's see if the mountain cooked your brain."

William didn't respond. He simply drew his sword — a clean, deliberate motion. Lyra pulsed.

> "Steady. Don't swing to win. Swing to protect."

The bell rang.

Caden surged forward instantly — blades of ice forming around his arms. The air dropped ten degrees.

William sidestepped a jagged strike, deflecting a frost burst with the flat of his blade. Sparks flew. The duel circled — fast, brutal.

Caden launched spell after spell: shards, spikes, freezing winds.

William blocked what he could. Dodged what he couldn't.

But never countered.

The crowd began to whisper:

> "He's being pushed back." "Where's his soul strike?"

Caden laughed. "Come on, Montelo! Show me that fire!"

William exhaled.

Then moved.

In one motion, he flowed beneath a bladed wave, spun low, and brought his sword upward in a glowing arc — not wild, not flashy. Precise. Absolute.

Silver-black light carved through Caden's defenses.

A crack split across the noble's shoulder guard — and blood drew a fine line along his jacket.

Caden stumbled.

Silence.

William didn't follow up.

He simply stood, sword lowered.

"I told you to stop proving something," Lyra whispered. "You finally listened."

"You'll regret that," Caden hissed, clutching his shoulder.

William turned.

"Learn how to lose first."

The crowd was dead silent.

Then, whispers began again — this time, awe.

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🌀 Scene 5 — Alicia's Duel

Alicia's name rang next.

She faced a beastkin noble girl from Kazar Jungle—graceful and fierce.

Their blades danced, wind clashed with claw, speed met agility.

But Alicia kept her heart steady.

In the final exchange, she used a feint—then disarmed her opponent with a spiral of air.

Victory.

The crowd murmured. But not all of them were surprised.

From the upper rows, a noble boy and girl stared down in shock.

Their faces pale.

One whispered: "That's impossible… it can't be her."

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🌟 Scene 6 — Alicia's Stand

Headmaster Caelis raised a hand.

"Name, girl?"

Alicia stepped forward. Her voice was steady.

"Alicia Wanhart. Daughter of Anna, commoner… and Lord Veyron Wanhart."

Gasps.

"I was born from one night," she continued. "Forgotten by him. But I carry his blood—and my mother's strength."

She opened her satchel and pulled out the scroll her mother had given her.

It glowed.

Ancient glyphs ignited. Magic surged around her—an aura that startled even the professors.

Caelis narrowed his eyes.

"Mix-blood… awakened?"

Alicia nodded.

"Proudly."

The noble boy and girl in the crowd—her half-siblings—stood frozen.

Alicia turned away from them, head high.

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👑 Scene 7 — The Princess Watches

From a tower balcony above, a young woman in a white and gold gown watched.

Golden eyes. Silver circlet.

She smiled faintly.

"Montelo and Wanhart…" she whispered.

Her guard asked, "Princess, shall we arrange contact?"

"Not yet," she said. "Let's see how far they'll rise."

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📜 Chapter End Quote:

> "To step into greatness, one must first walk through fire. Then… through judgment."