The days at Royal Star Academy followed no simple rhythm. For the average student, classes, training, and sparring rotated like clockwork. But for the elite of the Crown Class, routine was a battlefield of expectation.
Lucas's days began before sunrise. In the Crown Tier training chamber, he sat in silent meditation as flame and frost spiraled around him. Each breath drew in surrounding spirit force, condensing it into the ten-star soul vessels forming within his body. Fenrir and Amaterasu hovered nearby, watching in quiet communion.
"You're overclocking your core again," said a voice behind him.
Lucas didn't open his eyes. "I know."
Elira stood with arms crossed. "You'll burn yourself out before the duel."
"I'm counting on it. Fire refines."
She sighed and left him to it.
---
Crown Class lectures took place only twice a week, but every lesson was equivalent to months of cultivation theory and combat technique elsewhere. Master Kaelen taught spirit control with brutal clarity — forcing students to battle illusions of themselves or restrain their souls inside spirit-lock formations.
Some cracked under pressure.
Lucas never blinked.
---
On the third day, whispers began.
> "It's been confirmed. Elayne Campbell issued a Crown Challenge." "Three days from now — live match in the Spirit Colosseum." "She's an 8-star, but they say she's already beat a 9-star once."
By noon, the entire academy knew.
Lucas Black would face Elayne Campbell, the Blade Princess of the eastern front. The younger sister of Adrian — and one of the few people who did not flinch when hearing his name.
---
In the Crown Class dining hall, a massive chamber with floating gardens and spirit-fed rivers, the tension was unbearable.
Lucas sat alone, quietly eating spirit grains soaked in black tea. Across the room, Elayne walked in, her dual blade spirits shimmering behind her.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the air shifted. The room's temperature dropped.
Whispers silenced. Students stopped moving.
Elayne walked directly to his table and placed her tray across from his.
She sat.
"You fight differently from my brother," she said without preamble.
Lucas didn't stop eating. "And you'll lose differently."
Her lips curled slightly, though not in amusement. "That arrogance… it's how people die here."
Lucas finally looked up, one silver eye gleaming. "Only if they break first."
A flash of blade aura flickered around her before vanishing.
"Three days," she said. "Don't disappoint me."
She rose and left.
---
In the upper rings of the Spirit Colosseum, students lined up hours in advance. The arena would only open on the day of the duel, but anticipation already gripped the academy.
Kael Valen smirked as he watched the list update.
> Crown Challenge Confirmed: Lucas Black vs Elayne Campbell Venue: Colosseum of Stars Conditions: Full suppression allowed. No fatal strikes.
"The Black Flame versus the Blade Princess," he muttered. "Let's see which burns brighter."
And in the highest tower of Crown Hall, Lucas stood alone beneath a starlit dome, training in silence.
His fists burned. His breath froze.
And his eyes never wavered.