"Lumia my daughter, you are the hope and the future of Mendacia. I know you will do what is right not just for our people but for the world. One day you will dispel the evil that comes for us. The Oracle's words were true. The fate of the world depends on you."

  "Princess Lumia, there's trouble in the courtyard. Three student warriors—likely from the rogue school—have appeared," Elyssia reported

  "Thank you, Elyssia, your ability is truly remarkable, your spectral animals are extremely helpful ." She glances towards the courtyard. "Let's see what they're here for."

  The two stood at a distance, observing the commotion.

  "YOU DARE COMPARE ME TO THAT? YOU WILL REGRET THIS, RUNT!"

  Elyssia tensed. "Princess, should we intervene? That mage—"

  "Wait," Lumia interrupted, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "I want to see this, I've never witnessed what the rouges are truly capable of."

  "The mage is strong, and has a powerful unique ability, but that rogue is easily evading his attacks."

  The ground trembles. Kai's chains erupt out

  Lumia's focus narrowed on Kai, "What! I've never seen an ability like that... or even heard of one similar. Who is this boy?"

  Elyssia’s voice was urgent. "Princess we should stop this, he is going to kill-"

  "Stop this now!" Lumia commanded.

  Lumia felt it, a suffocating presence, "Why is he looking at me like that. His aura is frightening."

  Kai raises his blades towards Lumia, a chilling bloodlust radiating from him.

  "Don't you dare!" Elyssia leaps in front of Lumia, with two spectral beasts, a wolf and a bear.

  "Kai stop, what are you doing!" Maria and Fido rush over to Kai, Maria places her hands on his arms.

  "Kai, what's wrong?" Fido worriedly asks.

  Kai's breaths are exceedingly heavy, sweat poured down his face, he drops his weapons and clutches at his chest.

  He collapses to the ground.

  An agonising scream tore from his throat.

  Maria drops down with him, "Kai...Kai, what's wrong!" her voice cracks.

  Fido's eyes dart around the frozen crowd. "Are any of you mages a healer!" He shouted.

  But the crowd only backed away in silence, fear rooting them in place.

  Lumia stepped forward, "I’ll help him." She pushed past the onlookers.

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  "Princess, he pointed his blades at you" Elyssia exclaims, "Why would you help him?"

  Lumia didn't respond, her gaze fixed on kai.

  Kneeling beside him, she hovered her hands over his trembling body. A soft light radiated from her palms, its warmth seeping into him. Slowly, the tension in his body eased. His erratic breaths steadied. His screams faded to silence.

  Lumia stood back up, "Let's take him to the infirmary."

  Without hesitation, Fido hoists him onto his back and carefully follows Lumia. Maria quietly trails behind both of them, her thoughts a whirlwind of worry and questions she couldn't ask.

  The crowd still stunned in silence, began to disperse and murmur among themselves. Elyssia snaps her fingers, and her spectral beasts fade away. She then glances at Lumia.

  "Princess," Elyssia said quietly, "Are you sure this is wise? That rouge is dangerous."

  Lumia kept walking, "You're right Elyssia, but..." She exhaled, recalling the bloodthirst in Kai’s eyes.

  "I have questions for him."

  A few hours later...

  The dim glow of lanterns flickered in the infirmary, casting shadows against the wall and the scent of herbs lingered in the air.

  Kai's body twitched, his body ached as if a large ogre was sitting on top of him, he grunts as his eyes slowly open and tries to sit up.

  Maria presses her hands against his chest stopping him from getting up. "You're awake."

  Kai blankly stares at Maria, "Where am I?"

  "The infirmary, at the mage school." Kai's eyes snap to where the voice came from.

  The glow of the lanterns caught the gold in her eyes, making them shimmer. Lumia coldly stares at him.

  His body tenses instinctively, the memories flooded back - the fight, searing pain and then...her.

  Kai's gaze hardened. "You healed me?"

  Lumia nodded, her voice soft. "I did."

  Kai narrows his eyes and pushes himself up, but Maria is quicker, pressing him down. "Don't." Her voice is firm yet filled with concern.

  "Why?" Kai questions.

  Lumia sat rigid, her posture unwavering, as if to remind him she was above him. "Because you were in pain."

  Silence stretched between them. Kai averted his gaze, his jaw tightens.

  "Did I hurt you in some way?" Lumia's gaze flickered with curiosity. "Before you also looked at me with such hatred," her voice quieter now, "Why?"

  Kai says nothing, he stares at the flickering flame from the lantern.

  Lumia exhaled, annoyed at his ignorance. "Once you are properly healed leave." She stands up straight, and turns her back towards them, she whispers towards the ground, "I hope that next time we meet...You don't look so sad."

  Kai still engrossed at the flickering flame, lost in a haunting memory.

  "Kai..." Maria's hand gently grasped his arm.

  "We'll head back to the Rogue school once you’re able to walk." Kai hadn’t even noticed Fido was by his side this entire time.

  "What about the letters?" He tried again to sit up, pushing Maria’s hand away as she attempted to intervene.

  "The Princess already informed the master here. She said they’ll handle the delivery."

  Kai’s gaze drifted to where Lumia had been sitting. "We should leave now, before it gets dark."

  But you're not-"

  "I'm fine." Kai interrupting, swinging his legs off the bed.

  He stands up, his legs tremble, Fido was quick to support him on one side, while Maria steadied him on the other.

  "Have it your way then." Fido sighed.

  "Princess, he should be punished!" Elyssia stampeding next to Lumia, her voice sharp "Not even a thankyou...Those Rogues."

  "Don't discriminate them based on him," Lumia replied, her tone calm, "The other two seemed fine."

  Elyssia scoffs, "Anyone friends with that brute cannot be trusted." She crosses her arms, frown deepening, "Hope we never see him again."

  Lumia smirks, glint of amusement in her eyes as she opens a door to her chambers, "We have the graduation ball for warriors tomorrow night, I'm sure they will be there."

  Elyssia's jaw drops, "I swear, if he makes any trouble-"

  "He won’t," Lumia reassured her, "The King, my Father will be there." Lumia starts to undress herself, "I'm going to run a bath, it's been an eventful day." She added with a playful smile.

  "Yes, your Highness." Elyssia replied with a bow.

  Lumia frowns as she approaches Elyssia, lifting her hand and meeting her gaze. "I’ve told you, I don’t care for formalities in private."

  Elyssia was momentarily caught off guard by the warmth and beauty in Lumia's gaze. "Now, rest up," Lumia continued softly. "You can go in after me."

  "Yes...Lumia." She widely grins.