Chapter 184: Chapter 184: Sparks and Shifts

The first session with Rauk had ended. Physical training was over for now, and it was time for the second part of the day—magical instruction with Daemar.

Noel was walking away from the training field, wiping the sweat from his neck when a familiar presence approached.

“Pervert,” Charlotte whispered into his ear from behind, just loud enough that only he could hear.

Noel didn’t even flinch. “You’re still going with that nickname? Can you not call me that on campus?”

“So you’re not denying it,” she said, flashing a sly grin.

“That’s not what I meant…” Noel exhaled.

Charlotte tilted her head innocently. “Well, it’s your fault. You attacked me when I was defenseless.”

“…What?”

“I remember clearly. You put your hand on me.”

“That’s because you were about to scream and wake up everyone in the orphanage. Very smart of me, don’t you think… Saint?”

“Shhh! No one can hear that,” she hissed.

Noel grinned. “Then behave yourself. I still have that card to play, and I’m not afraid to use it.”

Charlotte rolled her eyes, then smirked. “You should be grateful. Most people don’t get to start their day talking to someone as charming as me.”

Noel sighed. “You’re impossible.”

Charlotte turned and waved as she walked off toward the exit. “See you later, pervert.”

Noel muttered, “Why do I even try…”

Marcus, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow as Noel joined him.

“…What kind of dynamic even is that?” Marcus muttered to himself.

Noel caught up beside him.

“You two good?”

“Define good,” Noel muttered.

Marcus laughed. “C’mon, let’s get food. Then it’s magic training.”

“Right. Let’s go.”

Noel and Marcus walked side by side through the wide stone corridors of the academy, heading toward the cafeteria. Sunlight poured in through the tall arched windows, casting long shadows across the marble floor.

“How’s the training going for you?” Marcus asked, rolling his shoulder and wincing a bit.

Noel shrugged. “Nothing too crazy, honestly.”

Marcus gave him a look. “Seriously? I can barely move my arms right now.”

“I thought you were used to training all the time?”

Marcus raised an eyebrow. “And who told you that?”

“I overheard you talking with the others. Something about training since you were a kid.”

Marcus gave a small smile. “That’s true. I’ve always trained to protect the people I care about.”

Noel nodded. “That’s a good reason.”

’Close one,’ he thought. ’Almost said too much. Marcus is a friend, but he haven’t told me everything.’

As they approached the cafeteria, Noel spotted Clara sitting alone at a table, clearly exhausted. She was hunched forward slightly, rubbing her temples with her fingers, her plate barely touched.

Noel nudged Marcus with his elbow. “Hey, look who’s sitting alone. Think she could use some company?”

Marcus instantly tensed. “Y-Yeah… good idea.”

Noel smirked slightly but then reminded himself of how awkward things had been for him at times. ’Okay, maybe I shouldn’t laugh. I’ve been there too. Still am, kinda.’

The cafeteria buzzed with activity. Students came and went, most of them carrying trays stacked with food. At another table sat Elyra and Seraphina, enjoying a light lunch. Noel turned toward them and made his way over. It had been a couple of months since he’d last seen Seraphina—and while he’d seen Elyra recently, it was always good to check in.

As Noel reached the table, Seraphina was the first to notice him.

“Well, if it isn’t your boyfriend,” she said teasingly, nudging Elyra with her elbow.

Elyra smiled and looked up. “Oh, hey Noel. How’s training going?”

Noel sat down at the edge of the table. “Fine for now. I’m with Daemar this afternoon. What about you two? How’s the council workload?”

Elyra sighed. “Busy, as expected.”

Seraphina leaned forward slightly, smirking. “Honestly, you should help out more. You do have the position, you know.”

Noel raised a brow. “Your Highness, I believe we agreed I’d be more of a… symbolic figure.”

“True,” Seraphina said with a dramatic sigh. “But helping out your beloved girlfriends wouldn’t hurt, would it?”

Noel blinked. “You told her about Elena too?”

Elyra shook her head. “No, she kind of exposed herself today.”

Seraphina nodded. “We were talking and she got so red, it was obvious. She’s in the bathroom right now trying to cool down.”

“Well, I guess that confirms it,” Noel muttered. “And here I thought I was good at keeping things quiet.”

Elyra gave him a knowing look. “Not when people know you well.”

Seraphina leaned back in her chair. “Anyway, now that our work is done for the morning, we’ll be joining the training with Daemar this afternoon.”

Noel nodded. “Got it. By the way, how’s your brother doing?” He looked at Seraphina directly. “He seemed… different.”

Her smile faded slightly. “Yeah. After that whole mess with the election, my father—King Alveron—was furious. Dior humiliated the imperial family, and with everything else going on, my father’s been… less patient than usual. Let’s just say Dior got straightened out.”

“Understandable,” Noel replied. “Happened to my brothers too .We’ll see how they do during this year’s hunt.”

Elyra perked up. “Can I come this year?”

Noel chuckled. “Yeah. I’m not sure which family’s hosting it this time, but since it’s not mine, probably someone else. And I don’t think the Estermonts participate, right?”

“Nope. Never have,” Elyra said. “I just want to be there to support you.”

“You’ll meet my family then,” Noel added.

Seraphina groaned. “Are you two seriously flirting in front of me? The imperial princess is sitting right here.”

Noel gave her a mock bow. “My apologies, Your Imperial Highness. And future queen.”

Seraphina waved him off. “Apology accepted.”

Just then, Elena returned from the bathroom, her face slightly flushed but composed. She sat down quietly and started eating what was left of her meal. The four of them finished lunch together, a rare moment of calm before the storm of afternoon training.

Once lunch ended, the group made their way back toward the training facility built beneath the outer training grounds. The air was still warm, the summer sun casting golden light over the stone path leading out of the academy walls.

Elyra walked beside Noel, holding a small notebook. “I’ll catch up with Seraphina later. I want to observe Daemar’s lesson more directly this time.”

Seraphina, walking a few steps ahead, didn’t turn around. “He might pair us up, you know. Better prepare your spells.”

“I’m always prepared,” Elyra replied confidently.

Elena, quiet as usual, walked next to them, her gaze focused but calm. She looked over at Noel. “Do you think Daemar will separate us again?”

“Probably,” Noel said. “He doesn’t seem like the type to go easy, even on the first day.”

As they descended into the reinforced training halls beneath the academy, the air became cooler. The stone walls were etched with glowing runes that softly pulsed with mana, and the floors were solid steel-gray, spotless despite the number of students passing through earlier.

Daemar stood at the far end of the room, arms crossed, watching as the returning students filed in.

Noel recognized most of the people from earlier: Clara and Laziel were already inside, chatting quietly. Selene stood by herself, as usual, her cyan eyes scanning the room with precision. Even Dior had returned, standing a little apart from everyone else.

Daemar’s sharp voice cut through the room. “Afternoon sessions begin now. Those who had combat training this morning will switch to magical training. We’re rotating based on your affinities.”

Everyone quickly fell in line.

Daemar continued. “You’ll be doing individual exercises today. I want to see how much you’ve retained, how efficient your casting is, and how you adapt to changing mana flow.”

He looked directly at Noel. “You. Stay behind a moment.”

Noel walked forward without hesitation. He could feel Elyra and Elena glance his way, but he didn’t react.

Daemar’s eyes narrowed. “Nicolas informed me before leaving that I’m to personally guide you through lightning magic. Yes?”

“Yes,” Noel answered. “He mentioned it before he left.”

“Good. We’ll see how you handle it. I’m not an easy teacher, and I won’t slow down just because you’re promising.”

“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Noel replied evenly.

Daemar nodded. “Then prepare yourself. This won’t be like the fire and ice spells you’ve been relying on.”

As Noel joined the others at the start of the lesson, he took a deep breath and focused.

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