The Enchantress

Liam was analyzing documents related to his faction while keeping an eye on the ongoing examination. He watched his cousin's performance as she fought against a human opponent.

The match didn't even last twenty minutes before Elisabeth moved on to another target. Though the human had performed well, she was still no match for the Elven princess.

"She's gotten stronger since last time."

"Oh, Sahara's here too? Are they going to fight?"

Darell scrolled through the hologram, and one match caught his attention: Ingrid Set Tertius and...

"Who's that human?" he asked his fiancée.

Helena sorted through some documents.

"I think his name is Eden. His family is close to the Moonshades. He's not bad, huh? Wait, what's that?"

"Light? How is that possible?" The prince's calm facade suddenly shifted to shock after Eden's technical move left him in doubt. His blue saber, now turned golden, could only mean one thing.

A Light-type Sword Aura?

He abruptly grabbed his phone, calling one of his subordinates.

"Investigate this Eden. I think he might be a child with Arcadia royal blood."

Leonard was causing him enough trouble, and the fact that his younger brother was a waste only added to his confidence. But someone with a light affinity had appeared out of nowhere. He didn't know what to make of it. Little did he know, he wasn't the only one shocked in the room.

"It will be done, Prince," the subordinate replied, hurrying out. It was one of the rare moments the crown prince lost his composure.

"That bastard's still aura farming," Daemon muttered to himself. He had better things to do than watch Eden show off.

"Leaving?" Kara asked.

"Yeah, I've got stuff to do."

....

He walked down the hallway toward the infirmary, where all the students who had already lost were receiving treatment. And there she was—the one he'd come to find.

She walked awkwardly, leaning on a cane, her long black hair braided, revealing her pointed ears.

"She really deserves an Oscar," he thought, amused.

He approached, flashing a polite smile.

"Lady Sahara, I was impressed by your performance."

She turned her head, seeming slightly surprised, before replying in a soft voice: "You flatter me, Lord?"

He bowed slightly. "Daemon of the Indivar lineage."

"Oh~" Her smile widened, and she adjusted her monocle with a dramatic gesture. "I've heard much about the noble Indivar lineage. But I didn't know the heir was such a handsome man.~"

Daemon blushed despite himself, then cleared his throat to regain his composure.

"You seem to have trouble walking. May I assist you?"

"Such a gentleman~" She extended her arm without hesitation. "I never refuse help from such a charming lord."

He slipped his arm under hers, matching his pace to her exaggerated limp.

"So, how was your fight against Elisabeth?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"Ah, you were watching?" She let out a dramatic sigh. "I lost, of course. A mere elf like me can't compete with the heiress princess."

"Holding out against her for so long is already an achievement."

The conversation continued lightly with gentle jokes. As the hallway grew emptier, he said,

"I'm sure you're a talented mage, especially with your telekinesis ability."

"Ah, you hold me in high regard, young lord. But with this weak constitution, I can hardly do anything."

She smiled, but Daemon noticed her nails digging slightly into her cane.

If only she hadn't been forced to change her plans at the last moment because of this...

"What do you think of my little letter?" he suddenly asked.

"Hm?" She blinked, perhaps playing ignorant. "I don't know what you're talking about. Did you send me a love letter, by any chance?"

"Maybe." He shrugged. "I assume you get a lot of those?"

"Fufufu… I wish I could be modest." She adjusted her monocle again, her smirk widening.

Daemon blushed once more before his expression instantly turned annoyed.

"I'm sure Lord Daemon didn't come here just to court me?"

"You're right." He lowered his voice. "I came to invite you to my faction."

"Oh~ is that it?" She feigned disappointment, as if it truly mattered. "I'm honored, but I'll have to decline. You know how Elves—"

"A dark elf, you mean?" he interrupted.

"Hm?" She raised an eyebrow. "The skin color joke was a bit—"

"It wasn't a joke." His eyes hardened. "Or do you prefer I call you a witch?"

Sahara glanced at him sideways, her smile unwavering.

"So it was you who sent the memo?" She adjusted her monocle once more.

"Your manipulation won't work on me."

Daemon knew exactly who he was dealing with. Sahara wasn't just a talented student from a fallen noble family. She was a half-elf enchantress. With the Isis human lineage's innate mana sensitivity and the elves' unique traits, plus being the sole disciple of the Hyls sisters.

With just one glance—or more precisely, her enchanted artifact (the monocle)—one could easily become her lovesick puppet. The only way to counter it was to already be head over heels for someone else or to be aware of the enchanting artifact. Of course, this unique artifact was created by her masters, the Hyls sisters.

From the first glance, she had subtly tried to influence him, but he had detected every attempt, though it was becoming harder to protect himself from her assaults.

"I see you know a lot about me. Fufufu."

"Enough to know you don't need to subtly use your daggers… or your cane-sword."

She burst into laughter. "You're funny." Of course, she didn't have a weak constitution or a hip problem. There were places where weapons weren't allowed, but with her cane-sword, she could always protect herself.

They continued walking, Daemon still supporting her.

"Are you going to walk straight, or do you plan to keep playing the invalid?"

"Every young lady needs a man's support… especially a sword genius's."

"So I wasn't that unknown to you after all."

"Indeed." Her smile turned mischievous. "So you came to blackmail me?"

"It's more of an alliance. On solid grounds." He lowered his voice again. "I'll help you get revenge on the Dawnflares… and you'll find me a lineage extractor."

Sahara stopped abruptly.

For the first time, she narrowed her eyes, her smile widening even more.

"…Interesting. But I don't need anyone for my revenge."