The day flew by. Lunorette stretched lazily, thinking, *Finally, this damn class is over.* She also wondered if Moyu had corrupted her lately—why did she suddenly hate attending lessons?

*It must be because I haven’t listened to music all day!*

Lunorette decided.

After class, students had free time, though homework remained. For Lunorette, the Chief Student of Rockefeller Academy, it was no trouble.

As usual, she waved goodbye to classmates, packed her books, and headed to her dorm. Several teachers checked on her, but she politely assured them she was fine. As Chief Student, Lunorette received treatment rivaling Imperial Princess Wensidia’s.

Holding her textbooks, Lunorette walked alone down the corridor. She pondered how to solve Moyu’s money problem tomorrow. Yesterday, she’d impulsively spent all their cash—Moyu was probably starving, meaning Lunorette would face the same tomorrow. She needed a plan.

"Hmm?"

At the corner, a golden-haired girl suddenly appeared. The other seemed just as startled, freezing mid-step and staring. Lunorette, arms full of books, hesitated. Seeing the hope in the girl’s eyes, she instinctively wanted to look away.

"Hello, Wensidia," Lunorette said calmly, bowing politely like always.

"L-Lunorette..." Wensidia stammered, tongue-tied despite being older. She looked like a nervous underclassman.

"If nothing urgent, I’ll take my leave, Wensidia." Lunorette gave a formal noble bow and walked past the girl’s dazed gaze.

*Still can’t say it out loud...* Wensidia thought, heart sinking as Lunorette vanished. The empty corridor echoed her loneliness.

Outside, on the grass, Lunorette spotted a tiny figure swinging a sword. It was a petite girl in academy uniform, her single ponytail swaying. Sweat dripped from her determined face as she gripped an oversized blade.

*A hardworking kid,* Lunorette judged.

Josephine wasn’t outstanding among first-years—just an ordinary student from a minor noble family, far less influential than Caina or Wensidia. Yet she idolized Lunorette and trained harder than most to close the gap.

"This is inefficient," Lunorette called out. Josephine jumped, turning to find her idol standing right there.

"Swinging with brute force isn’t enough. Draw out your mana. Feel its flow during practice—it’s crucial." Lunorette set down her books, stepped behind Josephine, and guided her hands. "Grip matters too. Face your enemy; keep your eyes forward. Earlier, you swung mindlessly. Control your mana—let it serve your sword naturally."

Josephine flushed crimson, overwhelmed by the touch of her beloved senpai.

Lunorette wasn’t sure why she’d done this. *Well, Moyu lured her using my body anyway. A little guidance won’t hurt.*

Footsteps approached from behind. Lunorette quickly pulled away, standing still without turning. The steps halted at a distance.

"I hate chatty men," Lunorette sighed.

"Lunorette, allow me to challenge you," the boy behind her said, unfazed as always.

"Senpai..." Josephine worriedly glanced between them.

"It’s fine. I’ll end this fast. Theos, you never learn. It’s troublesome." Lunorette smiled faintly. "Let’s change the rules. This time, we fight with real swords."

Theos drew his blade—the pride of House Fdisas, the Knight’s Sword. "No matter the method, the result won’t change."

Lunorette picked up her books, whistling casually as she strolled off the grass. Her meaning was clear: change venues. Theos, sharp as ever, followed. Josephine stood frozen, then hurried to find Caina.

Lunorette stopped at a desolate clearing—the academy’s most remote spot, once a training ground now abandoned. Rumor said it’d become a new classroom building soon.

"Theos, I know you crave my seat. But it’s mine," Lunorette declared, turning with fierce resolve. "You’re a high noble—your father’s a duke, your status towers over mine. But being top student is my pride. I won’t yield that."

"If it were easy, it wouldn’t be first place. I am Fdisas’s pride. Rockefeller’s top spot is mine."

"Then there’s nothing left to say. I’ll crush you—and your male ego—fair and square." Lunorette drew a sleek black sword, rarely used at academy. Its polished blade glinted faintly, forged by Imperial Capital’s finest smith.

"I want you to fight with the Holy Sword Remiel. Use your full strength." Theos leveled his sword at her.

"I refuse. I won’t waste the Holy Sword on duels. Only to protect precious friends." Lunorette’s Holy Sword was rarer than any Magic Artifact—unique in the empire.

"Then begin. You strike first." Theos yielded politely. Lunorette charged without hesitation.

Clang!

Steel clashed, sparks flying. Their figures blurred across the clearing, vanishing and reappearing. Mana erupted—green storms sliced the air like razors; solar beams slammed into the earth. Energy collided violently.

These were the academy’s two strongest, idols to countless students. Yet their rivalry was old news.

Swords rang under the setting sun. One blade flew off; Theos crashed to the ground. A sword plunged beside his cheek, its chill grazing his skin.

"I win, Theos." Lunorette stood over him, calm and towering.

He’d never beaten her. The gap felt like a raging river.

"I lost." Theos admitted cleanly. Noble honor demanded grace in defeat. No need for a man to nitpick losses to a girl.

Lunorette sheathed her sword, gathered her books, and left. *Caina will be mad I’m late.*

"Someday, I’ll surpass you." Theos called after her.

"I look forward to that day." Lunorette smiled, walking on without turning.

By the time she reached her dorm, night had fallen. Dinnerless and troubled, she set down her books, heading for the cafeteria.

"Luno-chan, you’re late! Something happen?" Caina greeted her.

"Nothing much. Just Theos challenging me again."

"Ah. Oh! Look what I found!" Caina grinned, holding up an ornate medal. Crafted from precious metal, it bore royal insignia and a central sword emblem.

"My Knight’s Medal? Where’d you dig this up?" Lunorette asked, unsurprised.

"From your cabinet! Since you’re meeting the princess tomorrow, you must wear it~"

"Right. It’ll set the tone."

"But tomorrow, you’ll be Moyu-chan. Should we tell her?"

"No need to hide it. Besides, this court summons is serious. I’ll need your and Saria’s help preparing."

Unaware of the chaos awaiting her at court, Lunorette only fretted over what to wear.