Chapter 12 : A Farewell Without Warmth

The carriage moved steadily along the grand roads of Eldoria, its wheels rumbling against the stone path. Inside, Lucian sat with his arms crossed, staring out the window at the endless fields and rivers stretching beyond the horizon.

He was finally leaving Ashford Manor—not as an honored son, but as an unwanted heir sent away.

His father, Duke Reynard Ashford, hadn't given him any warm words of farewell. No banquet, no celebrations—just an order.

"You will enroll in Celestia Academy and prove yourself. If you fail, do not return."

Lucian clenched his fists. That was it. No encouragement, no expectations—just a challenge thrown at him, as if he were nothing but a disposable piece on the chessboard of noble politics.

The Ashford family's reputation was built on summoning abyssal creatures, yet he—Lucian Ashford, a direct bloodline descendant—had defied that fate by summoning fairies.

It wasn't just an act of rebellion. It was an unforgivable betrayal to his bloodline.

He could already hear the whispers within his own family:

"He is not fit to be an Ashford."

"A disgrace to the bloodline."

"The only reason he's being sent to Celestia Academy is to get rid of him."

Lucian exhaled sharply, pushing away his thoughts. Fine. If they thought so little of him, he'd prove them all wrong.

His thoughts drifted back to his brother—Darius Ashford.

The eldest son. The one destined to inherit everything.

Unlike Lucian, Darius embraced the family's abyssal summoning heritage and was already an advanced summoner in Celestia Academy's Elite Class.

Darius had only offered him a single glance before Lucian left.

"Don't embarrass our name."

Lucian smirked. Tch. That arrogant bastard didn't even consider him a threat.

But that was fine.

Because one day, he would surpass them all.

After two days of travel, Lucian finally arrived at the heart of Eldoria—Celestia Academy.

The sight before him was breathtaking.

A massive, sprawling city-like campus stretched over miles of enchanted land, filled with grand ivory towers, glowing mana crystals, and students from every noble family across the continent.

Floating islands hovered above, connected by glowing bridges of pure mana. Elemental beasts roamed freely as part of training grounds, and a giant Colosseum of Summoners stood tall in the center.

Lucian whistled lowly.

"Tch… This place is ridiculous."

Celestia Academy wasn't just a school. It was a battlefield for the strongest.

And today, that battlefield would decide his fate.

The students gathered inside the Grand Coliseum, a massive circular arena capable of seating over fifty thousand spectators. The ground was enchanted to withstand even the most devastating summoning spells.

Lucian stood among hundreds of first-year students, his sharp blue eyes scanning his surroundings.

Above them, a floating platform hovered, where Headmaster Alden Greaves stood with the academy's professors. His piercing gaze swept across the new students.

Then, his voice boomed across the arena.

"Today, we determine your Class Level!"

The air grew tense.

Every student knew what this meant.

Every first-year student was categorized into three class levels:

Elite Class: The top 10%—those with monstrous talent, noble prodigies, and those who had already proven themselves as future champions. They received the best resources, best training, and were personally mentored by top-tier summoners.

Standard Class: The middle 60%—competent summoners with stable potential. Most noble students and talented commoners fell into this category. They received a balanced education but lacked the privileges of the Elite Class.

Low-Class: The bottom 30%—those deemed unremarkable or weak. They received no resources, no mentors, and were often treated as mere background characters in the academy. Many never made it past the first year.

Lucian's expression darkened.

Low-Class meant humiliation. It meant being crushed under the boots of the stronger students.

And worse… his enemies would be waiting for him.

The Ashfords were one of the strongest noble families in Eldoria.

But they weren't the only ones.

The Vermillion family stood as their equal, ruling over the eastern territories of the empire.

For centuries, the Ashford and Vermillion families had been at war—politically and in battle.

And now, their heirs would clash in Celestia Academy.

Lucian already spotted several members of House Vermillion standing together, their red uniforms marking them distinctly.

At the center of them stood Gaius Vermillion, the eldest son of the family.

His golden eyes locked onto Lucian, lips curling into a smirk.

"Well, well… If it isn't the fairy summoner."

A few of his lackeys chuckled.

Lucian met his gaze without flinching.

"Vermillion scum. You reek of desperation."

Gaius's smirk twitched.

"Let's see if you can even make it past the test first."

Lucian scoffed. They would regret underestimating him.

The test format was brutal.

Each student would enter an illusionary combat realm, where they had to survive against summoned enemies for five minutes.

Those who dominated their enemies would enter the Elite Class.

Those who fought competently would enter Standard Class.

And those who failed to last would fall into Low-Class.

Lucian clenched his fists.

This wouldn't be easy. His mana reserves were still too low, and he couldn't yet unleash the full potential of his fairies.

But there was no turning back.

"Candidate 107—Lucian Ashford."

His name echoed across the arena.

Lucian exhaled, stepping forward.

The moment he entered the test grounds, the illusion activated—and he was surrounded.

Five monstrous, snarling beasts emerged from the darkness. Their crimson eyes burned with killing intent.

Lucian's heart pounded.

His fairies—Nyx, Sylphira, and Lys—materialized beside him.

But unlike before, he could feel the strain on his body. The academy's restriction spell was suppressing him, limiting his ability to fully utilize their power.

Damn… they're making sure I don't cheat my way into Elite Class.

Lucian gritted his teeth. He couldn't rely on his fairies to wipe out his enemies like before.

He would have to fight smart.

The beasts charged.

Lucian drew his dagger.

"Tch. Guess I'll do this the hard way."

The battle for his future had begun.