The afternoon sky above Aethelred Academy turned gray. A magical pressure blanketed the main courtyard where the spirit summoning ceremony would take place. Young nobles from all four Houses gathered, magic murmurs and whispered intrigues echoing in the air. But all fell silent... when a carriage bearing the crest of the Crystal Dragon stopped at the academy gate.
"That... that's the Zevarelis crest," one noble whispered.
From the carriage stepped a man with pale silvery-gray hair and cold golden eyes, clad in a long midnight-colored cloak. Lucian Zevarelis — eldest of the Southern Duke family, second only to his father in swordsmanship.
A frosty aura trailed his steps. Each glance carried pressure. No one dared speak.
Alexa, who stood with Eiden and Seraphina, widened her eyes. "B-Brother Lucian?"
Lucian turned. His gaze softened slightly. "Alexa. You look thin."
"Wha— Brother!" Alexa huffed in frustration, her cheeks flushing red.
Suddenly, footsteps interrupted them. A tall figure with golden hair stood before Lucian, expression unreadable.
Thalionric Arelthia. The Crown Prince of Solveria.
Their auras clashed. The wind stilled. Students instinctively stepped back.
"Your Highness," Lucian said flatly. "Lucian Zevarelis," Thalionric replied, unflinching. "Your arrival at the academy is... abrupt."
Lucian held his gaze. "I move swiftly when it involves my little sister."
Alexa turned pale. "No... don't tell me you two—"
Eiden whispered in panic, "This is... the stare-down of two men who love you in different ways, Alexa..."
---
Meanwhile, the inter-House spirit summoning ceremony began. All students stood in their designated spots. The spirits that appeared would reveal their magical affinity and spiritual strength.
House Lunaris: Alexa, Eiden, Seraphina. House Solven: a haughty noble named Leivand Calforn, descendant of dark mages, with faded golden eyes and a smug grin.
"I heard House South has a name, but nothing more. Prove you're more than an ice flower, Zevarelis," Leivand taunted.
Alexa stared calmly. "Don't regret it if my ice snaps your tongue."
---
Alexa's magical aura burst forth. Snowflakes fell around her. Frozen wind circled. Water and ice magic formed an intricate circle. From its center, a translucent dragon with pale blue crystal scales emerged. Its eyes glowed gently, yet its presence cracked the ground beneath.
The Zevarelis family spirit: Nivaryn, the Eternal Ice Dragon.
Silence fell.
"A... Apex-tier Spirit..." murmured the Headmaster. "A pure inheritance from Zevarelis."
Thalionric stared at Alexa in silence. His gaze was sharp. He looked at Nivaryn, then at Lucian who stood at the arena's edge.
Their eyes locked again. Their auras spoke louder than words.
---
Seraphina stepped forward. Her gentle aura summoned a silver-winged deer—elegant and pure. Eiden followed, summoning a white wolf with green eyes, swift and loyal.
"Alexa... your spirit's a dragon?" Eiden whispered. Alexa gave a small smile. "If he gets serious, the entire area could freeze."
---
As the ceremony neared its end... Seraphina suddenly clutched her head. "My head... voices..."
Alexa turned sharply. Her icy aura lit up. "Seraphina! It's an illusion spell attack!"
Leivand Calforn laughed from afar. "Oops. I was just... testing your friend's mental fortitude."
"STOP IT!" Alexa shouted. Nivaryn's aura exploded, blowing Leivand back with a miniature ice storm.
---
Thalionric stepped forward, standing beside Alexa. "You dare touch someone she protects? Even her friends fall under my responsibility."
Leivand smirked, "Oh? Seems like everyone wants to play protector of the Silver Rose..."
Footsteps echoed. Lucian entered the arena.
"And I don't appreciate anyone laying hands on our family's flower."
Two auras flared:
Thalionric Arelthia — blazing golden light Lucian Zevarelis — piercing, frozen sharpness
"This isn't an official duel—" Eiden muttered in panic.
But the Headmaster spoke calmly, "Let them. A controlled clash of auras. It will be educational for the other students."
Their powers surged. One like the sun of the kingdom. One like the night that freezes.
And Alexa? She looked at them both, then raised her hand.
"If you two fight and damage this spirit arena... I'll personally freeze you both."
---
[End of Chapter 18]