The royal courtyard buzzed with activity, nobles in riding gear and hunting attire moving with a mixture of excitement and rivalry. Flags bearing the royal crest flapped in the wind, and the king's heralds announced the beginning of the day's events. Alex surveyed the scene from the edge of the arena, his black tunic paired with fitted black pants and reinforced leather boots, hair tied neatly in a man bun. Every detail of his outfit had been planned—practical yet commanding, showing readiness without arrogance, a statement that he was there to perform, not to entertain.
Beside him, Kael adjusted the strap of his sword sheath, his Air mana subtly humming around him. Riven stood tall, arms crossed, his black-and-silver hair glinting in the morning sun, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"Cupcake," Riven said, nodding toward Alex with a teasing gleam in his eyes, "I see you didn't just show up for the scenery."
Alex allowed himself a small grin. "I wouldn't dare. Not with the stakes this high."
Kael chuckled. "Your cupcake seems to have quite the entourage of gifts, doesn't he?" He shot Riven a playful glance. "Daggers, a sword… trying to spoil him, or are you collecting points for yourself?"
Riven's grin widened. "You'll see, it's nothing compared to what I plan to do. But yes, a little spoiling is allowed."
Alex rolled his eyes, though he felt a surge of warmth at the familiar teasing. "Enough chatter. Let's focus. The king doesn't wait for leisurely conversations."
A horn sounded, signaling the start of the competition. Teams moved to their starting positions, and Alex, Kael, and Riven mounted their horses, forming a triangle as they prepared to navigate the forested course. The king himself raised a hand, and the competition began.
The first challenge was a swift run across uneven terrain, obstacles springing up magically along the path. Alex's newly forged daggers danced in his hands, channels of fire mana flickering along their blades as he moved with precision. Kael's sword gleamed as he infused it with Air mana, each swing slicing through the magically enhanced targets with ease. Riven covered their flanks, his presence commanding and dangerous, allowing Alex and Kael to move in perfect synchronization.
From the sidelines, the Crown Prince's eyes followed their progress. His expression was carefully neutral, but there was no mistaking the fascination as Alex's skill and composure became apparent. Other nobles whispered, exchanging surprised glances at the young Lord of Rosetta's coordination and the seamless teamwork of his unusual trio.
By the time the team reached the final obstacle, a magical barrier simulating a wild creature, Alex's daggers and Kael's sword moved in concert, elemental mana streaking across the clearing. With a final push, the barrier dissipated, leaving them victorious at the first stage.
Kael hopped off his horse, wiping sweat from his brow, and grinned at Alex. "I still don't understand how you got weapons like that. You're collecting a lot of attention lately, Alex."
Alex let out a soft laugh, brushing his hair from his forehead. "You mean from My loyal supplier?"
Kael smirked, glancing at Riven, who was dusting off his tunic and grinning like he knew the inside joke. "Ah… so it is Riven who's responsible for these gifts. Not that I'm surprised. The man has quite the collection of favors to bestow on his favorite cupcake."
Riven raised an eyebrow, mock-offended. "Careful, Kael. You might be the next on my list of people who deserve the world… Cupcake, of course, owns a permanent spot."
Alex giggled softly, shaking his head. "I'll keep that in mind."
The team moved toward the side of the arena, Riven clapping Alex on the shoulder. "We make a great team, Cupcake. Don't forget it."
Alex's thoughts lingered on that moment as they walked back toward their mounts. The thrill of wielding his new weapons, the camaraderie with Kael and Riven, and the subtle attention from the nobles around them—all combined into a heady mix of excitement and anticipation. A week from now, he would face more challenges, but for now, victory was sweet, and his Cupcake nickname lingered warmly in his mind.