Yuna did not have time for this.
Her peculiar dream, the golden-haired fanatic, the bizarre glowing lights—
Nope.
Not her problem. Not now.
Rubbing her face with both hands, she got out of bed and stretched, trying to shake off the lingering heaviness in her mind. Something that disturbing, it is only right to decisively ignore it!
She had too much to do.
As the class representative, her responsibilities came first…..as if.
But she has to do it— she has to do what she has to do first. Damn it. That ruined her mood even further. Sullenly putting on her pink heart theme academy uniform, Yuna make her way towards her class.
There was another combat session today, and while most would expect students to be eager for battle—
Yuna already knew how things would go.
And she was right.
The heart class students were barely even trying.
They swung their weapons with minimal effort, dodged the combat puppets only when absolutely necessary, and, in general—
Looked like they were just going through the motions.
Across the training field, the spade class homeroom teacher watched with an expression of clear dissatisfaction.
Her sharp gaze swept over the heart class students, her frown deepening at their lackluster performance. Yet, despite her obvious irritation, she did not step in.
Because standing off to the side, observing with his usual unreadable expression—
Was Professor Veyne.
And since Professor Veyne was not saying anything, the spade teacher had no authority to interfere.
Still, it was clear from the way her jaw clenched that she wanted to.
Yuna, watching this unfold, sighed internally.
She glanced at her classmates—some of whom were talking mid-fight, others dodging attacks lazily, and one even yawning in between blows—
And pinched the bridge of her nose.
Yuna shifted her gaze, her cold eyes landing on Austin.
As always, he was standing beside her, completely at ease, hands in his pockets, watching the sparring match unfold with boredom.
His own spade classmates were struggling against the combat puppets—yet he didn't lift a finger to help. His class rep is working hard trying to give command and coordinate the attack pattern of her classmate as much as possible, paying constant attention to her classmate execution of her order.
Yuna nudged him lightly with her elbow and whispered, "Give it a go as well."
Austin turned his head, his blue eyes flickering with curiosity.
Yuna continued, her tone casual, "I want to see the sword-splitting technique." Well, it is exactly that and definitely not because she can't stand him idling by and not garner 'wow' factor from his fellow classmates as the protagonist.
There was a brief pause.
Then, a small smile curved his lips.
"…Okay."
After all—
He always did what Yuna asked of him.
Always.
Obediently, without question.
The battle between the spade class and the combat puppet ended in defeat.
The students panted, sweat dripping down their faces, some barely holding onto their weapons.
Before the spade teacher could berate them—
Austin stepped forward.
The movement was unhurried, yet the moment he did—
The entire training field went silent.
He stood in front of the combat puppet, relaxed yet poised, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword.
And then—
His aura surged.
A powerful wave of sword energy burst from him, wrapping around his figure like a storm of invisible blades.
The once-unimpressive young man who had been standing lazily at Yuna's side was no longer there.
In his place—
Was a swordsman.
The students held their breaths.
Some had seen it before—at the admission trial.
But this time—
It was clearer.
Sharper.
Austin moved.
The tip of his sword cut through the air, and in that instant—
His sword energy split.
One blade became six.
Six streaks of sword energy, each carrying the exact same level of strength, shot toward the combat puppet from different angles.
The puppet reacted immediately, raising its arms to block, its enchanted metal limbs glowing as it reinforced its defenses.
Yet—
Austin was faster.
He dashed forward, his real sword clashing against the puppet's arm while his six sword energies attacked its blind spots.
The sharp sound of metal against metal echoed.
The ground cracked slightly beneath his feet as his blows landed one after another—relentless, precise, leaving no room for counterattack.
The combat puppet tried to retaliate, throwing a heavy punch toward Austin's torso.
Yet just before it could connect—
Austin twisted his body mid-air, narrowly avoiding the strike.
He landed lightly, his sword already slashing upward.
A deep gash appeared on the puppet's side.
A few more attacks—
And the enchanted metal of the puppet began to crack.
Gasps filled the air.
Some students exclaimed aloud.
The ones who had witnessed this technique before were no less stunned.
Because seeing it again, this clearly, in full battle—
It was something else.
The spade class homeroom teacher had her eyes locked on him, observing every movement.
The crown prince, seated at a distance, was watching with rapt attention.
Enyo, usually indifferent, was also focused.
Everyone's gazes were drawn to him.
As expected of the protagonist.
Once he made a move—
He commanded attention.
The battle didn't end in victory—Austin didn't fully defeat the puppet—
But when the dust settled, the damage he inflicted was undeniable.
Alone, he had done more than an entire class.
And as he sheathed his sword, walking back toward Yuna—
He barely seemed out of breath.
The moment Austin stepped back from his match, the air still humming with residual sword energy, the Crown Prince moved forward. His black hair caught the light, his violet eyes sharp with newfound resolve.
Maybe it was the competitive spirit in him, or maybe it was simply time to display his strength, he step forward to challenge the combat puppet alone as well.
A hush fell over the students as he entered the arena. The combat puppet, already activated and ready, turned its glowing gaze upon him. Unlike before, the Crown Prince no longer needed to hold back to lead his classmates. He can exert full force alone.
He raised his hand, and instantly, a complex array of glowing magic circles bloomed into existence in the air before him. The circles pulsed, intricate runes shifting within them—a clear sign of Caster Magic at work.
A surge of violet flames erupted from the circles, launching forward in a controlled arc. The puppet's metal body gleamed, its defensive protocols activating as it dodged, but the flames curved mid-air, slamming into its left side with a loud boom! The heat visibly warped the surface of its armor.
The students gasped. A precise, controlled attack—not a single wisp of mana wasted.
The puppet retaliated immediately, launching forward in a burst of speed. The Crown Prince stood still for a moment—then, his mana flared violently. Primal Magic, raw and unfiltered, surged around him, amplifying his physical abilities. His foot dug into the ground as he sidestepped, dodging the puppet's blow with inhuman swiftness.
Then, without a wand or conductor, he formed a compressed spear of violet mana in his palm. Pure magic. Primal Magic.
He thrust the spear forward just as the puppet turned—the mana lance struck its chest, sending a rippling shockwave through its body. The puppet staggered back, metal screeching under the impact.
More gasps from the audience. A direct hit.
The puppet, though damaged, quickly adapted. With a sharp whirring sound, it shot forward again, aiming to close the distance.
The Crown Prince lifted a single finger. Golden chains erupted from the ground. They coiled around the puppet's limbs, tightening with an audible snap!
A Contract Magic binding. The puppet thrashed, struggling against the restraint, but it couldn't break free instantly. For a brief moment, he held complete control over its movements.
However, the puppet was designed to resist such tactics. Its body trembled, then released a sharp mana pulse—shattering the chains and rushing forward again.
But the Crown Prince was already moving.
With another flash of Primal Magic, he redirected his mana inward, reinforcing his own body. He didn't dodge this time—he blocked.
A loud impact rang through the field as the puppet's strike collided against his mana-fortified arm. His feet slid back slightly, but he didn't falter.
And then—a second Caster magic circle activated beneath his feet.
In an instant, his figure blurred, seemingly teleporting to the puppet's blind spot. A second spear of mana formed in his hands, sharper, more refined than before.
With a precise throw, the spear pierced into the puppet's side, embedding deep and leaving a visible dent in its armor.
The puppet recalibrated, but the match had reached its conclusion. Though he had not defeated it, he had undeniably left his mark.
As the Crown Prince stepped back, exhaling lightly, the Diamond class teacher smirked. He adjusted his extravagant attire, clearly pleased. "As expected of my student." His tone was laced with pride.
The students whispered among themselves, impressed by his combination of Primal, Caster, and Contract Magic. There are six types of using mana for mages and the crown prince was able to use three types at such a young age, his label as a young genius mage is not for show.
The Spade class teacher, despite her earlier disapproval, looked intrigued.
Then, as if drawn by instinct, the Crown Prince's gaze shifted.
His violet eyes met Austin's blue ones.
There was no direct challenge, no hostility—just a silent exchange. A wordless acknowledgment.
Yuna, who had been watching the whole thing, sighed dramatically.
"As expected of important side characters…" she muttered under her breath.
Celeste, beside her, whisper in her ear. "Men."