Anticipation and Banter

The politics classroom gradually filled as the lecture's start time approached. The room had an air of solemnity, with walls lined with shelves housing thick tomes on governance and diplomacy. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, painting golden streaks across the polished stone floor.

Casial leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smirk. "Good thing we came early, or someone else would've taken these seats," he said, gesturing towards the elevated back row they'd claimed.

Aqua and the others nodded in agreement. The class was sparsely attended compared to other subjects, a testament to its lack of popularity.

Casial stretched lazily and yawned. "Aqua, wake me up when it's over, will you?" he joked, his tone light but dripping with boredom.

Claire's expression darkened, and before Casial could react, she kicked his leg beneath the desk. "You'd better not sleep, or I'll make sure you regret it during our joint training session," she warned, her tone sharp.

Aqua's interest piqued. "Joint training session?" he asked. "Is there a session between swordsmanship students and mage students?"

While Claire and Casial continued their sibling squabble, Emilia, seated quietly beside Claire, mustered the courage to respond. "Y-yes," she said softly, her voice hesitant but sincere. "The academy holds joint sessions so students can gain experience fighting against each other."

Aqua found himself intrigued. The prospect of sparring with mages fascinated him, and he silently made a note to look forward to such a challenge.

Casial finally stopped bickering with Claire, his grin widening mischievously. "Claire, you'll be no match for Aqua. Even I wasn't his equal when we sparred this morning—and he was holding back," he said, clearly enjoying the chance to brag on Aqua's behalf.

Claire raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard. "Morning training? Sparring? You woke up early—and trained?" Her tone conveyed genuine surprise, not at his loss but at his sudden display of dedication. She sighed, half in disbelief. "Maybe these four years at the academy will shape you into something worthwhile."

As she spoke, her gaze flicked to Aqua. While Claire herself wasn't confident she could best him in a duel—knowing full well he had an extraordinary amount of mana—she couldn't deny she was impressed.

The conversation shifted as a tall, stately man entered the room, his formal robes trailing behind him. He carried a stack of leather-bound ledgers, each marked with the academy's crest. The murmur of the students quieted slightly, though Aqua, Claire, Casial, and Emilia remained absorbed in their own discussion, their casual chatter brushing against the gravity of the lecture hall.

For a moment, Aqua glanced at the sunlight dancing across the room and thought of the challenges ahead—both the lessons and the sparring sessions. A faint smile played on his lips as excitement stirred within him.