The students sat in a vast hall adorned with golden banners.
The advanced class was reserved exclusively for the children of the eight families, but to everyone's surprise, Ami had received an exceptional scholarship to attend.
The atmosphere was charged with arrogance and prestige, and everyone wanted to prove their worth.
Saruto sat in the back row, trying to hide as much as possible.
But he was met with disdainful glances from some of the nobles, who couldn't accept Ami's presence among them.
Next to him sat the Star Princess, Alizia Asterion, whose silver eyes shone with an eerie warmth.
She smiled at him and said in a low voice,
"Don't pay them any mind... You truly belong here."
Saruto felt the warmth of her words, but he didn't comment.
The history teacher entered, an elderly man with a long beard and a deep voice.
"Today we will talk about the history of our world... about thousands of years of wars, and how they ended with the peace treaties under which we live today."
He projected a giant map onto the wall, indicating various locations:
Noble families waged endless wars to control continents and resources. But thanks to the sacrifices of our ancestors, the kings agreed to end the conflict... and today we live in peace thanks to them, a peace based on mutual respect.
In the middle of the lesson, a tall young man with a cold aura stood up. This was Lucien of the Navarre family—the Ice Princes.
He smiled sarcastically and said loudly,
"All this history doesn't change the truth... Our ancient family humiliated the Luin family in past battles. They are nothing but scum who boast of their strength."
Silence fell. A smile spread across Lucien's face, as if he were showing off to everyone.
In the back, Saruto's heart pounded.
He couldn't contain himself as his family was humiliated before his eyes... Then he stood up suddenly, his voice strong despite his attempts to hide it:
"Don't you remember the Battle of Dawn, Ice Heir?" When the fourth founder of the Luwin family crushed your ninth... and forced him and his entire army to their knees?
The place froze.
All faces turned toward him.
Even the professor himself was astonished by the precision of the details.
Veins of anger bulged on Lucien's brow.
"How dare you, a mere citizen... speak of the Ice family in such a way?!"
He strode heavily until he stood before Saruto, then pointed a finger at him.
"I challenge you to a duel... here and now!"
Whispers rose among the students. Some had been eagerly awaiting the scene, while others looked at Saruto with disdain.
"This is the end of him... how dare a commoner stand against the heir of Navarre?"
The professor tried to intervene, but in the end, he crossed his arms and said sternly,
"If you are both ready... let's turn this lesson into a practical exercise. The fight will be under my supervision. And don't forget to remind you: the rules are clear... fight to the point of exhaustion or surrender."
And so... the first spark ignited between the disguised Saroto and Lucian, the son of the Navarre family, right in front of everyone's eyes.