Chapter 87: Chapter 87 – Arrived at the Capital

The morning sun bathed the skies of Arcadia Academy in a soft golden hue, chasing away the lingering chill of dawn. Dressed in his formal travel attire, Luca stood before the dormitory gates, his violet hair gently tousled by the breeze as he adjusted his sword belt. Today was the day they would leave for the royal capital.

A grand celebration awaited them—the Honor Ball hosted in the Imperial Palace. A moment of recognition, of titles and medals, of noble pomp and old tensions resurfacing. But for now, it was just them—friends and comrades—gathered on the Academy grounds with the flutter of wings, the glimmer of contracted beasts, and the thrill of travel in the air.

Vincent leaned coolly against his massive wyvern, its silver wings half-folded behind him like a cloak of steel. Kyle was already fussing with his wild red Gryphon, trying to strap down a bag that refused to stay in place. Eric arrived last, yawning, while Elowen petted the snowy feathers of Selena’s Ice Phoenix with quiet awe.

Aiden looked entirely too princely on the back of his golden Alicorn, his armor gleaming, as Lilliane perched behind him—her hands cautiously gripping his shoulders, her expression both flustered and pleased.

Everyone had gathered, and the beasts—magnificent, proud, powerful—stood in a semi-circle like guardians of legend awaiting command.

Since many nobles preferred to travel with their families, the academy had allowed free travel arrangements. For those without escorts—or simply seeking freedom—the academy’s travel facilities were open, especially for students who had contracted mythical beasts.

Luca approached the group, giving a nod to each of them.

“So, everyone’s ready?” he asked.

“Obviously,” Eric said, checking his beast’s saddle one last time.

“The capital isn’t far on beasts like ours,” Selena added, her voice cool as ever. “We’ll be there by dusk if we fly steadily.”

A few last jokes, shared grins, and travel pouches checked—and then, with a collective rush of mana and wind, the beasts took to the skies.

Luca summoned his Kunpeng last. Its size was controlled and graceful, its scaled body glimmering subtly in the morning light as its massive celestial wings unfurled. He stepped up onto it with practiced ease. And then his gaze caught Aurelia’s.

She was standing quietly, watching him. Her crimson hair glowed like fire in the sun, her violet eyes unreadable, arms crossed loosely. But they both felt it—that unspoken thing between them.

Luca tilted his head. “Get on?”

Aurelia didn’t move. Her eyes lingered on his outstretched hand.

Then it hit him.

A slow smile tugged at his lips as he extended his hand more formally this time, his tone playfully dramatic. “Will you, my lady?”

Aurelia chuckled softly, a rare warmth in her expression as a faint blush rose to her cheeks. She took his hand.

“I will,” she replied, stepping lightly onto the Kunpeng behind him.

With one more pulse of mana, the celestial beast rose into the sky, joining the others as the group soared over the vast lands below—toward the capital, toward the future, toward the unknown.

As they soared into the sky, wind rushing past them and clouds parting in their path, the landscape below stretched wide and beautiful—verdant forests, winding rivers, distant snowcapped peaks. Birds scattered as eight mythical beasts passed overhead in stunning formation, their wings like strokes of divine artistry across the sky.

Yet, amidst the breathtaking scenery, Luca’s thoughts drifted.

Should I ask her? About what Kyle said… about her family?

But how would I even bring that up? It’s not something you ask out of nowhere.

His internal storm was interrupted by Aurelia’s voice, casual but laced with curiosity.

“You’re really lucky to have this beast with you that too with your rare affinity.”

Luca blinked. “Huh? Yeah… I guess I am.”

“Hmph,” Kunpeng’s voice echoed in their minds, smug. “See? Even she agrees. You are the lucky one here. And yet you dared place conditions before contracting me.”

Luca almost choked. “Alright, alright—you’re the greatest, I get it. Now drop it, please.”

Aurelia tilted her head, amused. As she liked Luca’s panicked face , as she said in teasing voice “Little Kunpeng, what condition did he make?”

“Aira! Shut up!” Luca cried, face red.

“Hmph! Calling me by that name now, are you? You have no shame,” Kunpeng sniffed. “Fine, I’ll tell her. This guy said… he’d only form a contract with me if I could save you from that dragon. That’s why I had to stop time—for you.”

Luca buried his face in his hand, wishing the skies would swallow him.

But what he didn’t know was that Aurelia’s face had turned even redder than his.

Who would have thought that I will be the one getting embarrassed in this conversation.

Still… it didn’t feel bad. Not at all.

For the rest of the flight, the two barely spoke. Words were exchanged, but often dissolved into awkward silences, stolen glances, and unspoken emotions swirling in the air between them.

Finally, the great walls of the royal capital came into view—tall, majestic, and gleaming in the sunlight.

The thunder of wings faded as one by one, the group descended just outside the grand gates of the Capital.

Each beast landed gracefully—Alicorn’s golden wings folding in a shimmer, Ice Phoenix melting the air into faint frost, Gryphon kicking up small gusts, and the Silver-Winged Wyvern snarling low before vanishing into magical light. Luca stepped down from his Kunpeng and gave it a small pat, whispering a soft “Thanks, Aira,” to which the beast snorted but disappeared without another word.

Everyone retracted their beasts into their contracted seals. The academy grounds were far behind them now; before them stood the grand walls of the royal capital—white stone towers with soaring blue banners fluttering in the breeze.

“Guess this is where we split,” Kyle said, throwing a glance at Aurelia before turning to Luca with a sly wink. “All the best, bro-in-law.”

Aurelia gave him a swift smack on the back of his head, dragging him away by the arm.

“See you tomorrow,” she called over her shoulder to Luca, her eyes lingering on him for a heartbeat longer than necessary.

Luca simply smiled and waved, scratching the back of his head.

Aiden, Selena, and Lilliane took their leave next—each heading off in a different direction, presumably toward wherever their families were. Lilliane, trailing a bit behind the others, gave Luca a small wave. He waved back, thoughtful.

Then only Vincent, Elowen, and Luca were left.

Elowen turned, brushing a lock of green hair behind her pointed ear. “Some representatives from the Elven Forest have already arrived. I’ll be meeting them at the palace tonight.” She gave a graceful bow, then smiled. “See you both tomorrow.”

Luca watched her retreat until she disappeared into the crowd.

Then he turned to Vincent. “Where are we going?”

Vincent adjusted the strap of his satchel and said casually, “We have a house in the capital. Everyone should already be there. Let’s go.”

Luca blinked. “A house? In the capital?”

Vincent only smirked, walking ahead.

They entered the bustling city, passing through marble gates into streets paved in clean gray stone. The atmosphere buzzed with life—noble carriages, street performers, children running with flowers, market vendors shouting over one another, aroma of baked pastries mingling with the scent of perfume and polished steel.

They turned a corner, then another. The street widened, the houses larger and more ornate.

Finally, Vincent stopped in front of a towering iron gate.

Luca tilted his head. “What’s up? Why stop?”

Vincent turned, calm as ever. “We’ve reached.”

Luca followed his gaze forward.

And froze.

Before him stood not a house—but a mansion. A sprawling estate with white columns, statues carved into winged beasts, a courtyard big enough for his Kunpeng to sleep in. The gate alone looked like it was forged from mythril and gold.

Luca’s mouth hung open. He muttered, “That’s… a house? It’s a freaking mansion!”

He stared blankly, his mind blanking as one thought echoed:

Just what the hell is the background of my family?

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