Zaky regarded the young woman beside him as someone extraordinary. Her slender frame, flawless white skin, and an air of elegance made her seem like a princess descended from the heavens. If her eyes were blue, Zaky thought, she would surely captivate anyone.
Merlin, on the other hand, felt trapped by her earlier lie. Her primary goal was revenge, but if her deception could turn the Black Clan leader into a better person, wouldn't that bring peace to the land? The thought left her conflicted and unsure of what to say.
"Alright, I'll like you if you change and become a good person. Prove it to me first. For now, let's just be friends," Merlin said, extending her hand in a gesture of friendship.
Zaky eagerly shook her hand, determined to change for the better and show that the Black Clan wasn't entirely evil. Merlin, however, had no grand expectations—her only hope was to reform someone, even if it meant using lies.
Despite his intimidating scars and fearsome appearance, Zaky's tall and muscular physique exuded a certain rugged charm. Without realizing it, they had arrived at the Academy. Merlin quickly approached the gatekeeper to inquire about enrollment, her primary aim being to return to the Academy and seek revenge after her year-long hiatus caused by blindness.
"I want to register for the tournament," Zaky declared confidently, speaking before Merlin could.
"Alright. What's your name and clan?" the gatekeeper asked.
"Zaky, from the Black Clan. This is Merlin, from the Blue Clan," he replied enthusiastically, unaware of the implications of mentioning Merlin's name.
The annual inter-clan tournament was a prestigious event attended by martial clans from across the land. Participation required mastery of inner strength and fundamental combat skills—qualities not everyone possessed. The tournament was fiercely competitive, with the winner gaining both honor and valuable rewards.
"Merlin, is that you? Are you joining the tournament too?" the gatekeeper asked, recognizing her from her time at the Academy and the infamous incident that left her blind.
The poisoning incident a year ago, orchestrated by her so-called friend Sujin, had blinded Merlin and forced her to leave the Academy. The case was hushed up due to Sujin's royal connections, leaving Merlin seething with a desire for revenge. However, with her soul now occupying a different body, she was determined to return stronger.
"No, I'm just here to enroll as a new student. Is it still possible?" Merlin asked, unaware of the tournament's significance.
The gatekeeper glanced at her curiously. "New student enrollment is closed until the tournament ends, which could take up to three months depending on the number of participants. Why not join the tournament instead?"
Merlin hesitated. "I'm not interested in competing. I'll just watch," she replied, reluctant to participate in a tournament she wasn't prepared for.
The gatekeeper handed both Zaky and Merlin participant cards, assuming they were both competitors. Confused, Merlin accepted the card, thinking it was merely an entry pass to observe the tournament.
As they entered, their presence together drew stares. The sight of members from the rival Black and Blue Clans walking side by side was unheard of, fueling whispered speculations and suspicious glances.
From her concealed vantage point, Lucy, now disguised as a small, adorable cat perched on Zaky's horse, watched the unfolding events in disbelief. "He's clueless! Merlin is completely out of her depth in this world," she thought. Merlin's acceptance of the participant card was a critical mistake, one that would undoubtedly drag her into unforeseen trouble.
Inside, Merlin couldn't shake the hostile stares directed at her. "Why are they looking at me like this? Did I do something wrong?" she wondered, oblivious to the animosity rooted in her clans' enmity.
Her fragmented memories of the princess's life offered little help in navigating the Academy's intricate social dynamics. But she knew one thing: her revenge against Sujin was non-negotiable.
Zaky, meanwhile, was intrigued by Merlin's potential. He believed her to be a hidden prodigy and was excited that she, too, appeared to be competing. He was entirely unaware of her lack of preparation or knowledge about the tournament.
As they made their way deeper into the Academy, Merlin scanned the faces around her, searching for Sujin. Each step brought her closer to her ultimate goal—revenge—though the path ahead remained riddled with unknowns.