The sun was shining high in the sky, casting a warm golden light across the training grounds of the Imperial Palace, where the vibrant colors of nature seemed to dance under its rays. It was midday, and the air was filled with the sounds of distant training, the clanking of swords, and the occasional shout of encouragement. For some inexplicable reason, Cassandra found herself lying flat on her back, staring up at the endless blue above, her chest heaving as if she had just completed a grueling marathon. Sweat poured down her brow and streamed down her sides, soaking her once-pristine training attire—a vivid blue tunic that matched the emblem of her noble lineage.
As she lay there, she couldn't help but reflect on her intense training session. "As expected from your highness." Came a deep voice that broke through her fatigue. A shadow loomed over her, blocking out the sun and forcing her to squint her eyes against the brightness. As she blinked away the dazzle, she saw a tall, muscular man standing above her. His tan complexion glistened with sweat, and his striking deep crimson hair was styled into a spiky brush cut, framing a face that was both rugged and handsome. A large, jagged scar ran vertically across his left eye, but it was shallow enough that she could see the intensity of his mustard-yellow eyes.
"You've completed twenty laps of the courtyard for your first lesson," he said, his voice filled with a mixture of pride and amusement. A broad grin stretched across his face, revealing a camaraderie that had developed over the course of their training sessions.
The man towering above her was none other than Leo McLeod, the swordsman instructor chosen by her father. Despite his aura being considerably weaker than that of his peers, Leo had earned a reputation as a prodigy in swordsmanship, rising through the ranks purely on the strength of his skill. His journey was one of resilience, proving that innate ability was not the only path to greatness.
Cassandra, having undergone an re-examination different form from the first, had discovered that she had the ability to harness aura. However, her father had made the decision to place her under Leo's tutelage, recognising the value of learning from someone who had succeeded without relying on energy first, before awakening her Aura completely.
"Most Dragonoir children would only be able to manage less than half the amount." He said, a laugh bubbling up from within him. Cassandra, having finally caught her breath, began to realize just how far she had pushed herself during this rigorous training session. In the midst of her exhaustion, she couldn't help but notice the twinkle of pride in Leo's eyes—pride not just in himself, but in her potential as well. However, his expression soon turned serious for a moment, and he nodded in acknowledgment of her efforts. "It takes hard work and determination to break boundaries." He stated, his voice steady and filled with an encouraging tone. Despite his well-meaning words, Cassandra felt a surge of annoyance instead. To her, it seemed more like an endless cycle of exertion rather than the uplifting experience he intended.
"For a few weeks, we'll be building up your stamina and endurance." Leo continued, his enthusiasm unwavering. "You might be a dragon, but even his majesty trains daily!" His voice filled with pride, he grabbed onto his bicep, showcasing the muscles that had clearly been honed through years of diligent training. "I'll give you a five-minute break before we start again!" With that, he beamed at her, filled with a passion that was almost contagious. Yet, as she watched him, all Cassandra could do was groan internally, realising that this was going to be a long and gruelling season.
Being nothing but muscle seemed to be something this man took a little too seriously, and it was hard to ignore how his relentless enthusiasm contrasted sharply with her own feelings of fatigue. She couldn't shake the thought that, while he thrived on this rigorous training regimen, she merely wanted to escape and curl up with a good book. Yet, deep down, a part of her recognised the value in what he was saying. Maybe, just maybe, if she could push through the discomfort, she would emerge stronger, more capable, and ready to embrace the challenges that lay ahead. But for now, she just wanted to savour these precious five minutes of respite before the next round of exertion began.
After a long, grueling training session, Cassandra had taken a moment to bathe and refresh herself before moving on to her next lesson, which was all about the intricate and fascinating world of magic. She found herself seated at her sturdy wooden desk, her gaze fixed on her tutor, a woman who appeared to be in her thirties. This enchanting instructor possessed bright blond hair artfully woven into a single braid that draped over her shoulder, with playful bangs framing her face and allowing her pointed ears to peek out from the sides of her head. Above her sharp and captivating forest green eyes, her expression was one of focus and determination as she prepared to impart her wisdom.
The magic tutor was an elven woman by the name of Fayeth Iansalor, renowned for her numerous accomplishments and expertise in the field of magic. Fayeth had risen from humble beginnings, having been born a commoner in a poor village in Raizungu. Driven by her ambition for magic, she left her village behind and journeyed all the way to the imperial capital to study at the prestigious Imperial Academy. There, she excelled, ultimately becoming the top student in the magic department before gaining entry into one of the famed Magic Towers.
Within the realm of magic, there existed two distinct towers: one dedicated to research and the pursuit of knowledge, while the other served a vital role in supporting the army, utilising magic for strategic advantage in times of conflict.
"As I stated before, I'm your magic teacher." Professor Iansalor reiterated with a calm yet authoritative tone, her eyes scanning Cassandra as she finished writing on the blackboard. "I'll be teaching you how to use magic and its various applications." As she spoke, there was no hint of emotion across her face, much like Cassandra. "We first start by measuring your magic level." Indeed, there was no emotion whatsoever; there didn't even seem to be any respect directed toward Cassandra, despite her royal lineage.
Then again, from what Cassandra recalled from her vivid dreams, almost all the mages from the Research Tower were notoriously indifferent. They often displayed a lack of concern for anything that didn't pique their interest, to the point that some would forget essential things like sleep and food, so engrossed were they in their studies.
A clear, empty crystal suddenly appeared on the table in front of Cassandra after the elven woman snapped her fingers with a flourish. It was evident that she had employed magic that could have either been teleportation or the manipulation of a pocket space, both of which were advanced techniques.
The crystal ball resembled the one that had previously been used to gauge energies. "This crystal ball is a specialised magic tool designed to measure various types of energies." She explained, her tone matter-of-fact. "This particular one is specifically for assessing magical abilities." The woman placed her hand firmly upon the crystal ball, and the moment she did, it began to fill with a swirling mist. However, the mist only seemed to occupy a quarter of the crystal ball's interior. "As you can see, my magic only fills a fourth of the crystal ball, which is considered average among magic users." It had been explained to Cassandra, who was now watching the mist disappear from the crystal ball.
Even though she was well known for her numerous achievements in magic, her level was apparently just average. This fact piqued Cassandra's curiosity slightly; she couldn't help but wonder how powerful the higher mages truly were. Not to mention the two Masters who presided over each of the Towers, their prowess shrouded in mystery and awe. What could they possibly be capable of?
"Now, place your hand on the crystal." Following the professor's instructions, Cassandra carefully placed her hand over the crystal ball, which began glowing in response. The soft luminescence was mesmerising, casting intricate patterns of light around the room.
"One fourth…" The professor observed intently as the crystal ball slowly filled with radiant light. "Halfway… Three-fourths…" Her eyes widened in astonishment as the light continued to build, showing no signs of stopping. "Full…? Is that even possible?" She found it hard to believe that she was witnessing the entire crystal ball glowing brilliantly.
"Professor." Cassandra spoke up, pulling the woman's attention toward her. "Is it normal for the crystal ball to have a chip in it?" As soon as she posed this question, Professor Iansalor looked shocked and immediately turned her gaze back to the crystal ball, only to notice that a chip was indeed forming. To her horror, not just one, but several chips began to appear, spreading like cracks in glass.
"No! Get away!" the professor cried out in a panic, causing Cassandra to look over in confusion. Just then, an explosion erupted, shaking the entire room and sending debris flying.
"Your Highness!" The doors to the room burst open, revealing knights with swords drawn, ready for battle. The room quickly filled with a dense cloud of smoke, within which two pairs of coughs could be heard. "Are you there, Your Highness?!"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Cassandra managed to respond amidst her coughing. A strong wind began to blow through the room, forcing the windows open and dispersing the smoke. As visibility returned, it became clear that Professor Iansalor stood with her hand raised above her head, a magic circle glowing ominously above her palm. Wind swirled out from the circle, a clear indication of powerful magic at work.
"I've never seen this happen before," the professor muttered, her voice thick with disbelief. As she spoke, the magic circle vanished, and her gaze fell upon the crystal ball, now shattered and scattered across the desk in front of Cassandra. "So much mana… is this because she's a dragon?" the professor pondered aloud, glancing nervously at Cassandra, who was now surrounded by worried maids and knights, all ensuring she was safe. "I thought this would be boring, but…" A spark of excitement flickered in Professor Iansalor's fish-like eyes as she looked at the princess. The situation was turning out to be anything but ordinary, and she could hardly contain her intrigue at the unfolding events.