Minutes dragged on in heavy silence. Dust settled slowly over the ravaged zone, shrouding the survivors in a gray veil. Twelve students still stood, exhausted, gasping for breath, drenched in sweat and caked in dirt. Facing them, Lamia showed no sign of fatigue—not a drop of sweat, not a hair out of place.
She eyed them for a long moment before speaking, her voice calm and sharp as a blade.
"Aria Eternhal. Leonard Grandcester. Leslie Daven. Ben. Oria. Sasha. Miore. Daniel Hautherra. Kael Vorne. Runa. Elias. Seraphine Luthaine."
She paused, letting each name echo.
"You are now the twelve of Class Primerra. Be proud of that name: I chose it myself."
She continued without giving them time to react.
"Your uniforms and books await in the dorms. The Academy's servants will handle everything. No special treatment for nobles here. You'll all have rooms fit for nobility… shared two or three to a room."
She listed them off briskly:
"Girls: seven. Leslie, Aria, and Miore together. Runa and Seraphine. Sasha and Oria.
Boys: five. Leonard, Ben, and Kael together. Daniel and Elias.
That's it for today. We'll discuss your… performances tomorrow."
Some opened their mouths to protest, but their bodies wouldn't obey. The test ended like that.
The devastated zone faded like a mirage. The Academy's main entrance reappeared, pristine. Tears flowed there, grimaces of disgust… and, for some, a flicker of quiet joy.
Aria smiled to herself. This is just the beginning.
A familiar voice rose behind her.
"You've got a long way to go, little sister. Don't forget: the goal is Vespia."
Zach Eternhal stood there, impeccable, a servant two steps back.
"But… I get it. You want to savor the moment. I'm proud of you."
He turned and walked away.
Aria let out a long breath.
"The prof's serious?" Leslie snapped. "Aria, fine… but why do we have to room with the commoner?"
Miore fixed her with a smirk.
"I amuse you? Do you even know who you're rooming with?"
Aria raised her hands to calm things down.
Nearby, Oria was thrilled inwardly. No noble in my room… this'll be easier. Or so she hoped.
"You really planning to bring your summons to the room?" Leslie asked, eyeing the bear and rabbit. "A bear and a rabbit? Seriously?"
Sasha shrank timidly behind the bear's furry bulk.
"I… I can't sleep without their fur. And… they're not objects. They're my summons."
Seraphine eyed Runa with a faint smirk.
"Better than nothing, I guess. You've got potential… I'd have preferred the princess, but a servant will do."
Runa clenched her fist.
"Call me a servant again, and I'll smash your face."
Aria sighed. The girls' side promised to be… explosive.
The boys weren't any better.
"I'm not weak! Say it again!"
Kael had already grabbed Ben by the collar.
"I'll say it as many times as you want, peasant! I'd rather room with a pig… at least it knows how to fight, unlike you. Your punches slowed everyone down, deadweight!"
Leonard tried to pull them apart, face drawn.
"My sister… why'd you stick me with this group…"
Off to the side, Elias and Daniel were already heading to the dorms without a word.
The arguments dragged on a bit longer, but exhaustion won out. Everyone headed in.
Later, in the moonlit gardens, Kael sat alone on a bench. Runa joined him and sat beside him quietly.
"Mom's doing well, Kael…" she murmured softly. "She couldn't come see you, but she told me to remind you: no matter what, you're still her son. She loves you."
Kael lowered his eyes. He and Runa were twins, torn apart by their father's cruelty. An accidental birth with a servant. The father had ruined their mother's life, destroyed her reputation, kept the boy, and discarded the girl. He wanted a male heir, nothing more.
"She doesn't hate me… that's something," Kael whispered. "Once I graduate, I'll protect her. You and her."
Under the silvery light, they hugged. A tender moment that clashed sharply with the icy atmosphere of the Grandcester manor.
There, in the west wing, Marquis Grandcester faced Lamia, his face flushed with rage.
"You're my daughter! When will you understand that honor matters? You vanish, you play around, you sow chaos and humiliate half the nobility!" He coughed violently. "As worthless as your mother. You shame me!"
He hurled a glass at her. She dodged with a flick of her head.
"With all your power… you could've aided the Hero. Defeated Vespia. You've got the talent—the one good thing in you—and you waste it on this ridiculous academy! Fight, Lamia! Defend your country!"
He was panting.
"All for the pathetic dream of a woman who abandoned us."
Lamia stared at him unflinchingly.
"Done? Finished?"
She flashed a cold smile.
"Father… you're getting old. Stay out of my business. Your attention always has a nasty habit of killing the women around you."
The marquis bellowed her name.
The slap landed, hard enough to split her lip.
Morgan Grandcester—Leonard's mother—stood there, hand still raised.
"Watch your tongue, Lamia. Growing up doesn't mean you can insult your father. You're a Grandcester. The blood of the mighty runs in your veins… and you do nothing with your life but this little job. We're glad your depression's over, but don't take it as license to act entitled."
Another slap cracked.
"Leonard will be the heir. We called you here to remind you… and to say we're done helping you. You can stay, but if there's trouble, don't come crawling to the Grandcesters. Advice: find a husband, give him children, or you'll die leaving nothing behind."
Lamia glared at them both, eyes blazing with restrained fury. Then she turned, slammed the door so hard it splintered.
The evening had been exasperating—for Vespia and for her.
But tomorrow was a new day.
As expected, the night passed uneventfully.
The next morning, in Classroom Primerra, the twelve sat impeccably in their new black uniforms edged with silver.
Lamia entered.
"Good morning, everyone. Class begins."
End of Chapter 5.