*SWOOSH*

An enchanted blade cut through the air aiming straight at the head of the black-haired boy, but was dodged with ease as the target of the strike kicked off the large tower shield and, sending the light male light magician wielding back.

"AS IF I LET YOU GET AWAY THIS TIME!

"

A female light magician teleported right behind the boy, slamming down the massive greatsword, aiming to chop the opponent in half with the sheer mass of her weapon.

"I do not consent to that.

"

*SHING*

*thump*

"!!!

"

The devilishly handsome black-haired boy smirked and waved his hand now enveloped in dark murky mist vaguely forming the shape of a one-handed sword – and cut the greatsword cleanly in half.

"HMPH!

"

But there was no room to breathe out in relief after dodging the attack as the previously kicked man was now charging at the boy using the tower shield as a ram to knock him out, giving the woman time to compose herself – throw away the now useless piece of metal – and encase her hands in the orbs of light making them into boxing gloves.

"Ghost.

"

With no way to escape, stuck in the rock and the hard place – or rather the massive shield and the oncoming light-clad fist, the black-haired boy didn't lose his head and merely smirked, proudly chanting an incantation.

*WHOOOSH*

*SWOOSH*

The next moment his entire body turned into blackish mist and spread thin across the entire battleground as both attacks from his opponents merely passed through without causing andy damage.

"He is doing this again already! Damn it!

"

"…

"

The woman cursed furiously and closed her eyes – and the man followed her example.

The next moment their bodies got surrounded by pillars of light – which started expanding, seemingly swallowing all the murky black fog in the area.

*WHAM*

"Ghh…!

"

The gold-haired man was suddenly kicked in the back, even though no one was anywhere near him, making him groan in annoyance, but that wasn't enough to make him stop the cast.

*SLAM*

"Urgh…! You little **er…!

"

The woman was next one to be kicked in the same spot as her companion, but her response was a little more wordy, even though she also didn't stop expanding the area of her pillar of light – which already started overlapping with the pillar of her companion.

*SLA-thunk*

"AHA!

"

only a few seconds later, there was an attempt to kick the gold-haired man again – but this time he was prepared and caught the leg of the culprit…

"…huh…?!

"

…or rather what he thought was the leg of the culprit and what in fact turned out to be leg-shaped solidified darkness…

*BOOOOOM*

*SLAM*

"RIRIO?!

"

…which ended up exploding right then and there, sending the man flying, and forcibly releasing his pillar of light while causing the gold-haired woman to cry out loud.

"In real combat, you would freak out like that too?

"

*WHAM*

"UUURGGHHH…!

"

A single murky-black orb appeared in front of the woman's face and the boy's voice called out to her before suddenly a pair of hands appeared from below the woman's feet, grabbing her ankles and slamming her to the ground, pushing all the air right out of her lungs, knocking her out and ending her spell as well.

"Alright! Stop! That's enough!

"

Suddenly a fourth person arrived at the training ground behind the main castle, clapping their hands to get the attention of the fighting people.

…or rather the one still conscious…

"I was under the impression that sir Carestas and Lady Yarvestreg were supposed to train with you, sir Zoemi, because they refused to settle with you winning by fluke the first time… then how come whenever I see you train with them so they could prove their strength, they are getting more and more beaten up each time…?

"

The person turned out to be Veo, the short brown-haired girl in a maid's uniform who was one of the two attendants of the first prince Horeo.

"Honestly – their problem is that their cooperation is perfect – If one attacks, the other one would compliment them in the best possible way – which makes it easy to counter as long as their opponent is fast enough and can read the signs. Also, I have been training with them all the time for ten days straight, I kind of figured out their fighting style… they rely too much on magic and enchantments to overpower their opponent, while their technique is lacking… the typical problem of strong magicians.

"

The black-haired boy showed up by the girl's side as the murky water bubble surrounding him stopped reflecting the light at a certain angle, making him visible again.

"…that makes me want to train some more…

"

Veo glanced over at the unconscious members of the King's Guard and sighed.

"What brings you here? Are you also up for a practice fight?

"

"No. My prince has called for you, there is a visitor that, and those are his words – might be useful – so he askes for your presence.

"

Zoemi asked with a refreshing smile but Veo merely shook her head without a moment of hesitation and revealed her objective.

"Ah, of course. I will go to him immediately once I heal those two.

"

The black-haired boy raised his brow for a moment, but then nodded and turned right around, walking towards the gold-haired woman first.

——-

A few minutes later, Zoemi was following Veo through the royal castle's corridors that he had seen enough times already to learn the way by heart.

Soon enough the two of them got to their destination, a small meeting room prepared for private gatherings.

*knock* *knock* *knock* *knock*

"It's open.

"

The brown-haired girl knocked on the door and the voice of the first prince resounded from the inside, indirectly giving them permission to enter.

"My prince, I brought him. Now if you allow me, Patishi asked me to be her taste tester for a new recipe.

"

Veo opened the door but didn't enter the room, stopping at the doorstep and bowing her head, before she turned around and made way for the black-haired boy.

"My prince, it's a pleasure to be allowed in your presence, as always.

"

Zoemi walked in and immediately bowed his head to the gold-haired boy seated casually on one of the armchairs – and only after greeting the definitely most important person, he turned to the guest.

A green-haired second-year student from the Aspakeony Academy – Reo Serentii Moyena.