"So, Doc. What's the situation with the prince's condition?"
Michael leaned back on the plush velvet sofa, one hand touching his chin in that contemplative gesture he always used when discussing serious matters. His golden eyes watched the elderly physician carefully, looking for any hint of concern beyond what would be stated aloud.
The sitting room of Sun Mansion's East Wing was spacious and elegantly furnished—far more luxurious than anything the academy provided. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting geometric patterns across the polished marble floor. The air carried a faint scent of jasmine from the enchanted incense burner in the corner, meant to promote calm and clear thinking.
Grand Physician Aldous stood straight by the massive stone fireplace, his long white beard braided with golden threads catching the light. The old man's white eyes—sharp as ever, not a hint of blindness—swept over the room before settling on Michael. No nonsense, no fluff. Aldous wasn't the type for bedside chatter.
"His condition has stabilized," Aldous said flatly, voice like dry parchment rustling. "Though Prince Agni placed himself under extreme stress. His body is... completely ruined. Still recoverable. One month should suffice to restore him to fighting shape."
He adjusted his medical coat, the Radiant Sun and Crown badge gleaming. "What ultimately kept Prince Agni alive was achieving Chain Strike during combat. The mana circuit evolution that occurs during such a breakthrough essentially reinforced his deteriorating pathways. Without that advancement, his body would have completely shut down within minutes of the battle's conclusion."
Ignatia adjusted her glasses with one finger, the movement precise and deliberate. The lenses caught the light, briefly obscuring her Heterochromia eyes—one crimson red, one ice blue. She sat with her legs crossed, posture perfect, white hair pulled back into a severe bun that matched her no-nonsense attitude.
"That's an issue." Her voice was crisp, cutting through the heavy atmosphere like a knife. "He won't be able to take the written examination scheduled for next week."
From the balcony, Suzzy let out a laugh that didn't quite reach her eyes. She was leaning against the railing, arms crossed, her casual stance at odds with the tension in the room. "Wow, seriously? You're thinking about that right now?" She turned to face them, shaking her head. "Think about how painful it must be for him to be in that state."
But then her expression shifted, brightening as she gestured outward with one hand. "Well, anyway... seriously, Sun Mansion is amazing! To think we have a view right here, overlooking the entire city. It's beautiful."
And it really was. From this height—you could see everything. The academy rose like crystalline towers in the distance, their enchanted walls gleaming in the sunlight. Beyond that, the city sprawled out in organized chaos—residential districts, merchant quarters, the glittering ribbon of the River cutting through it all.
Micheal spun around on the sofa with exaggerated pride, rubbing his hands together. "Well, you guys can thank me for securing this location!" His grin was shameless. "Pulled some serious strings to get us set up here."
Ignatia sighed, long and suffering. Her white hair shifted slightly as she shook her head. "I believe, Doc, you'll be staying here until the prince has fully recovered?"
Aldous nodded once. "Yes. Unless His Majesty requires my personal assistance elsewhere."
As if on cue, the black-masked assistant—He placed a porcelain cup of steaming tea on the side table next to Doc Aldous, then retreated just as quietly. The whole interaction took three seconds.
The door to the sitting room opened, and Darius walked in with his characteristic easy smile. His blue-green hair was slightly damp. In one hand, he held a tall glass of water, which he immediately raised to his lips and drank deeply.
"Hope I didn't miss anything important," he said between gulps. "Seriously, I've been so thirsty.
He finished the water and set the empty glass down with a satisfied sigh, then looked around at everyone. "So, are you guys ready for the written exams? We could prepare here at the mansion—plenty of space and resources. Or we could head back to the academy dorms. The room construction for us is completed now, right, Michael?"
"Yep." Michael nodded confirmation.
Ignatia's voice cut through the casual conversation with the sharpness of a blade. "You are all to leave. Immediately."
Everyone turned to stare at her.
She adjusted her glasses again, her heterochromatic eyes sweeping across each person in turn. "This mansion is not a vacation resort for you all to enjoy. It is not a group study location. Its singular purpose is to accommodate Prince Agni during his recovery period and security. Any other plans require his permission."
Her tone became even sharper. "Furthermore, it seems each of you is completely slacking off on your responsibilities for monitoring our Talent Advancement Program candidates. There are reports to compile, evaluations to conduct, and sponsorship recommendations to finalize."
A collective groan rippled through the room.
Michael's shoulders slumped. Suzzy's head dropped forward dramatically. Even Darius's usual smile faltered slightly.
Certainly, no one wanted to leave the comfort of the mansion. The academy dorms were nice enough, but this? This was luxury. Marble floors, enchanted climate control, gourmet meals prepared by professional chefs, private libraries, and that incredible view.
But Ignatia's word was essentially law among their group in absence of lyralei. When she made a decision, arguing was usually pointless.
As the days passed and exam preparation consumed everyone's attention, various developments unfolded across the academy:
Darius and Michael worked together on preparing comprehensive Talent Advancement Program reports under Ignatia's exacting supervision.
Micheal hummed absently as he flipped through a stack of papers, his reading glasses perched on his nose. "We've got ten reports to file, huh..." He scanned the list, frowning. "Two in combat specialization, rest are theory-centric students."
He paused, eyes catching on a name at the bottom.
"Dhaga..." Micheal turned to Darius, who was slouched in his chair across the desk, pen spinning between his fingers. "Who is this? Last-minute addition to combat classes? Why?"
Darius hummed, not looking up from his own paperwork. "We'll discuss that later. Let's get the program files sorted first—otherwise Ignatia's going to have both our heads."
Smart priorities.
Speaking of which—
"I've finished preparing the mock exam questions for our investments." Ignatia strode into the study room, arms full of organized folders. Her efficiency was almost supernatural.
She set the folders down with a decisive thump.
"Proper combat evaluations were compiled from the Class Selection Exam recordings," she explained, sorting through files as she spoke. "And I've prepared separate written mock exams for all students currently enrolled in TAP."
"You both are to conduct these exams and I will be checking on the prince 's condition.."
Micheal and Darius exchanged glances. This was going to be a long week.
Meanwhile, Lyralei stayed a ghost—no one spotted her amid the chaos.
Meanwhile, in another part of the city—
Vera stood outside the academy gates, arms wrapped around herself despite the warm afternoon. She watched as Lilly finished strapping her travel pack, adjusting the buckles with practiced efficiency.
"Don't worry!" Lilly flashed a bright smile, waving enthusiastically. She held up a worn leather map. "I'll be back in a blink!"
They'd been map given by lyralei together— route, connection that needed physical verification. But the trail had split, forcing them to divide their efforts. Lilly would track the physical path while Vera handled connection and coordination from the academy.
Made sense tactically. Emotionally? Different story.
"Quit crying like I'm a husband going off to war!" Lilly called out, already backing toward the street.
Vera's eyes were watering. "Well, I have to be alone with the other Sun heirs now..." Her voice wobbled slightly. "They're going to eat me alive!"
"They will not eat you alive!" Lilly laughed, shaking her head. "You'll be fine! Promise!"
And then she was gone, disappearing into the afternoon crowd with the easy confidence.
Vera stood there for a moment longer, then wiped her eyes and turned back toward the academy grounds.
She had work to do.
Back at Sun Mansion, in the medical wing—
Agni remained unconscious.
His recovery was slow but steady, exactly as Doc Aldous had predicted. His body was healing itself, but the damage had been extensive. Weeks, not days. That was the reality.
Suzzy wandered into the medical room in the afternoon.
She hummed thoughtfully.
"So, he's gonna be sleeping the whole month?"
Suzzy beamed, undeterred. "No worries, then! I'll make soups every day for his recovery. Best meals when he wakes up—guaranteed!"
She spun on her heel and bounced out, twintails swishing.
Aldous blinked again, turning to the masked figure. A faint shrug. Kids these days.
And just like that, in the blink of an eye, a week passed.
Study sessions cramped together. Mock exams were taken, graded, retaken. TAP reports were filed. Ignatia's standards were met (barely). Sleep became optional. Coffee became mandatory.
And then—
The day of examination arrived.
Morning light broke over Aethermoor Academy, casting long shadows across the testing halls. Students filed in with various expressions—confidence, terror, resignation, determination. Some had prepared meticulously. Others had crammed the night before and were now riding on caffeine and prayer.
The written exam would determine theory classes ranging from C-B-A-S.
For first-years, it was the last major hurdle before the semester truly began.
No pressure.