That night, Hirano fell asleep in Kaito's arms with a blissful smile.
Only their respective Maidens harbored a hint of resentment, with Hirano's Maiden being particularly gloomy.
Waking in the morning, Kaito was feeling refreshed, and Hirano was radiating happiness.
Like a married couple, they cared for each other, washed up, and then ate the food brought by the mages from the cafeteria.
It was surprisingly delicious.
Raya Lucaria Academy was truly wealthy and generous!
Even the simple breakfast consisted of delicacies ordinary people couldn't enjoy. What about the reportedly lavish lunches, dinners, and even midnight snacks?
Perhaps even more luxurious!
In their words, as mages, they needed nutritious food to replenish their bodies. Daily meditation might not consume much energy, but during rigorous magical training, substantial meals were necessary.
After breakfast, they left the building. Mages would enter later to perform cleaning spells, ensuring everything was spotless.
Used linens were taken away for washing and replacement.
That was their standard.
Returning to the training grounds of Raya Lucaria Academy, the spectator stands were still full. A few Tarnished from earlier had left, but those who had lost chose to stay and continue watching.
They hoped later Tarnished would challenge the stronger mages, allowing them to glean information from those battles.
After the challenge cycle ended, most would head to the Roundtable Hold to boast or share strategies.
After sitting in the stands for half an hour, following another Tarnished's defeat at the fifth mage, Hirano's number was called.
Yes, she was here to challenge too.
In fact, she came every month to gain combat experience and test the magic she had learned.
With Kaito's words of encouragement, Hirano walked onto the field with a smile. The opponent sent was a female mage.
Hirano was a familiar face to Raya Lucaria Academy.
Many mages at the Academy even frequented her ramen shop.
It offered not only affordable ramen but also expensive varieties!
They often indulged in the pricey ramen dishes, leaving fully satisfied.
Soon, the battle began.
Hirano didn't use her Snow-Snow Fruit abilities. Instead, she wielded a magic staff and engaged the mage in a magical duel.
They circled each other, remaining vigilant, chanting incantations.
As if by unspoken agreement, they simultaneously launched attack spells while quickly maneuvering around the arena.
Then came a flurry of attack and defense spells; they bombarded each other with long-range magic until one was defeated.
Clearly, Hirano won this round with ease.
After a few minutes of rest, she entered a meditative state to quickly recover her mana.
If she couldn't recover in time, she could purchase mana restoration potions from the Academy.
The challenges at Raya Lucaria were relatively fair, but due to time constraints, you couldn't just wait to recover to peak condition. You had to rely on such methods.
Either you paid for potions to challenge at your best, or you continued fighting while fatigued.
The referee would provide free healing spells for physical injuries and stamina, but mana recovery cost money.
Besides direct replenishment, there was no other way to quickly restore mana!
The second match began.
Seeing her opponent use a magic sword, Hirano transformed her staff into a magic sword as well, still not using her Snow-Snow Fruit abilities.
The magic swords either blazed with fire or crackled with lightning.
They also used Magic Armament to enhance themselves, engaging in intense close-quarters combat.
In this area, Hirano was at a slight disadvantage, but her ample mana slowly turned the tide.
Moreover, she had received a martial arts card from Kaito. In close combat, she was not inferior, even superior. Her opponent's initial all-out assault had simply put her on the defensive.
After a while, the third and fourth matches began.
After the fifth match, she started using her Snow-Snow Fruit abilities. Many mages in the Academy began paying close attention.
Hirano's unique power, including her elementalization, had already made her a celebrity at the Academy!
Too bad she was a Tarnished; otherwise, Raya Lucaria would have gladly recruited her.
The sixth match was difficult; her Snow-Snow Fruit was countered by Magic Armament.
After the seventh, though she tried to struggle, she ultimately lost.
Thankfully, it was a controlled match. Hirano wasn't seriously injured. After receiving healing magic, she returned to the stands.
"You fought well! I'm quite impressed with your performance."
"Hehe, thank you for the compliment!"
Being praised by Kaito naturally made Hirano very happy.
Her disappointment from losing the challenge faded, replaced by renewed joy.
Next was not Kaito, but another Tarnished.
But that Tarnished was too weak, attempting a quick resolution but getting countered by a mage and swiftly eliminated in the fifth match.
Next up?
It was Kaito's turn!!
As he walked from the stands onto the field, many mages were curious about this unfamiliar face. Among the Tarnished, some recognized him.
Kaito.
The current king of Stormveil Castle!!
The only Tarnished who had defeated Godrick the Grafted and obtained a Great Rune!
Undoubtedly, Kaito was the strongest Tarnished present, perhaps even stronger than any at the Roundtable Hold.
After all, they didn't have a Great Rune, but he did!