"And now—"
The host's voice rang out across the massive arena, amplified by mana and expectation alike.
"—the representatives of our kingdom's Duke Families will make their appearance!"
A hush fell over the crowd.
It was not forced.
It was instinctive.
Even among nobles, there were moments when silence was the correct response—and this was one of them. It had been years since the heads of all six Duke Families of Arcanora gathered in a single place. Their presence alone carried the weight of governance, war, and generations of authority.
"Lord Kazuma Hirosaki, head of the Kazuma Dukedom!"
An imposing figure stepped forward.
Fiery red eyes swept across the arena with commanding intensity. His wild crimson hair burned like a living flame, framing a face etched with discipline and battle-hardened resolve. His muscular build radiated raw strength, and the heat of his mana presence pressed outward subtly, making weaker spectators instinctively avert their gazes.
"Lady Mizuno Aoi, head of the Mizuno Dukedom!"
A woman emerged with quiet elegance.
Her sapphire eyes were calm, deep, and unreadable—like the ocean before a storm. Translucent blue hair flowed down her back, shimmering faintly under the light. She moved with effortless grace, her presence soothing yet commanding, as though the tides themselves bent to her will.
"Lord Yamada Kiyoshi, head of the Yamada Dukedom!"
A shorter man stepped forward next.
Compact and muscular, with steady brown eyes and neatly groomed dark hair, he radiated reliability. There was no flashiness to him, no need for intimidation. His presence felt like a mountain—solid, enduring, and immovable.
"Lady Kazehana Yuriko, head of the Kazehana Dukedom!"
A woman with pale green eyes danced forward almost playfully.
Her emerald hair flowed freely, moving as if guided by unseen currents of air. Slender and agile, she appeared light as a breeze, yet there was a sharp intelligence behind her mischievous smile. Unpredictable. Elusive.
"Lady Kagayaki Akiko, head of the Kagayaki Dukedom!"
A woman with radiant golden eyes appeared next.
Her silver hair shimmered softly, each step exuding warmth and confidence. Her presence carried reassurance rather than pressure—a comforting glow that eased tension even among hardened nobles.
"Lord Yamikage Shouhei, head of the Yamikage Dukedom!"
Finally, a man stepped forward whose presence chilled the air.
Dark, hollow eyes surveyed the arena without emotion. Pitch-black hair framed his face in controlled disarray, and though his build was slender, the aura surrounding him was deeply unsettling. It was the kind of presence that warned others instinctively—do not underestimate me.
The crowd erupted.
Thunderous applause echoed through the arena as commoners and nobles alike reacted to the rare sight of Arcanora's six strongest families gathered together. Even seasoned academy students leaned forward, unwilling to miss a single detail.
The Duke Heads moved calmly toward the VIP box, their steps unhurried, their expressions composed. When they took their seats, the host resumed speaking.
"And now," he announced, voice rising again, "let us welcome the participants of today's event!"
Six young figures appeared near the Duke Families—each one standing tall, mana restrained yet unmistakably potent.
Beside them, alone and distinct, stood another figure.
Kazuki.
He appeared near the Academy's representative section, standing close to Hikari.
The six heirs turned their gazes toward him almost simultaneously, sizing him up in silence. Kazuki met their eyes without flinching. No hostility. No arrogance.
Just presence.
An unspoken challenge hung in the air.
Yet despite the heirs' prominence, the crowd's attention lingered on Kazuki. This was the first time many were seeing him in person—the grandson of the Sword Saint, stepping onto a stage meant for Duke heirs.
Before the tension could thicken further, the host spoke again.
"Traditionally, this event features three matches between the Duke heirs," he explained. "However, due to the presence of an additional participant this year, today's event will follow a knockout format."
Excited murmurs rippled through the stands.
"Participant rankings," the host continued, "have been determined based on their performance in the Academy's preliminary examinations."
A pause.
"Normally, these results remain confidential."
The host raised his hand dramatically.
"But today—"
An instructor activated an artifact.
Four massive projection screens materialized in the sky above the arena.
The rankings appeared.
And the crowd fell silent.
Regia Nevaris Academy of MagicEntrance Examination Results
1. Takamura Kazuki
Written Evaluation: 96 / 100
Mana Aptitude Evaluation: 70 / 100
2. Kagayaki Aiko
Written: 84 / 100
Mana Aptitude: 76 / 100
3. Yamikage Shin
Written: 78 / 100
Mana Aptitude: 82 / 100
4. Kazuma Takumi
Written: 70 / 100
Mana Aptitude: 88 / 100
5. Yamada Riku
Written: 74 / 100
Mana Aptitude: 80 / 100
6. Mizuno Haruka
Written: 70 / 100
Mana Aptitude: 82 / 100
7. Kazehana Airi
Written: 68 / 100
Mana Aptitude: 82 / 100
"…What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Yamikage Shouhei's voice cut through the silence.
His aura darkened instantly, pressing down on those nearby like a suffocating shadow.
"An almost perfect score?" Kazehana Yuriko murmured, eyes glinting with curiosity as she studied Kazuki. The other Dukes exchanged looks—some shocked, others wary.
"What's the issue?" Hikari asked calmly.
"Don't play ignorant," Shouhei snapped, venom lacing his tone. "How did that brat score higher than our heirs? You dare manipulate the Academy's results for your grandson?"
The accusation sent a ripple of shock through those close enough to sense the exchange.
Hikari's gaze hardened.
"Are you questioning the integrity of Regia Nevaris, Yamikage Shouhei?"
His aura expanded—not explosively, but inexorably. Pressure bore down on everyone present. Lesser nobles felt their knees weaken.
Shouhei did not retreat.
Several Dukes shared his suspicion, though Kagayaki Akiko remained silent, her respect for Hikari keeping her composed.
The tension teetered on the brink.
Then—
Snap.
Hikari raised a sound barrier, sealing their exchange from the crowd. From within his robes, he produced a badge bearing the insignia of a six-winged angel.
A symbol every noble recognized.
"I speak now," Hikari declared, "with the full authority of the Arashiyama Royal Family."
The Dukes' auras shifted instantly.
Silence followed.
"The monitoring artifacts used by this Academy," Hikari continued, "are hand-crafted by members of the Invictus Royal Family."
Eyes widened.
"They are top-tier artifacts entrusted to us to prevent sabotage, infiltration, and demonic interference. They can detect conscious manipulation—and unconscious intent."
He let that sink in.
"The written evaluation is judged by the Veridex Prism—an artifact containing the collective magical knowledge of Invictus. It cross-references every response. It does not err."
The Dukes exchanged glances.
Finally, Yamikage Shouhei exhaled slowly.
"…I see," he said. "Perhaps my reaction was excessive. No foul play occurred."
He inclined his head slightly.
The tension eased.
One by one, the Duke Heads settled back into their seats.
Hikari dismissed the barrier and returned to his place, giving the host a subtle nod.
The event resumed.
But nothing would ever feel the same again.
Kazuki had stepped into the limelight—
And the world had noticed.