Weeks blurred by in a rush of relentless training, whispered strategy sessions, and mounting court rumors.
Lucien and Elara’s joint practice sessions grew sharper, their shadow affinities syncing with increasing fluidity.
The Duke watched their progress with guarded approval, while the Duchess offered pointed reminders about appearances.
The ambush lingered like a scar-motivating, but never forgotten.
Then came the day they had both anticipated and dreaded: the formal entrance ceremony at the Royal Arcane Academy.
The academy grounds sprawled like a jewel amid the capital’s outskirts-towering spires of white stone, lush gardens, and lecture halls humming with latent magic.
Carriages from noble houses lined the grand avenue, students in crisps uniforms mingling with parents and retainers.
Lucien adjusted his dark green-and-black academy jacket, the Nightshade crest prominent on the shoulder.
Elara looked every bit the composed villainess in her elegant violet-trimmed attire, though her bandaged shoulder was now fully healed.
“Remember,” Elara murmured as they stepped onto the main courtyard, “eyes everywhere.
Especially today.”
No kidding.
This is ground zero for the plot.
Keep it together, delivery boy.
One wrong move and we’re speedrunning the bad ending again.
The ceremony unfolded swiftly under a bright sky.
The headmaster, an elderly mage with a flowing beard, drowned through welcomes and warnings about dueling regulations.
Lucien scanned the crowd, heart picking up pace.
Then he saw her.
Cecelia arrived near the end of the processional, escorted by church representatives in white robes.
Golden hair cascaded like sunlight down her back, framing a face of gentle beauty and quiet determination.
Her simple white-and-gold academy uniform stood out amid the opulent noble finery.
A soft aura of divine mana seemed to radiate from her-subtle, but unmistakable to those attuned to it.
Whispers rippled through the assembled students.
“The Saintess candidate…”
“Common-born, yet chosen…”
Lucien’s stomach twisted.
There she is. The source of this chapter is g.com.
The heroine herself.
In the novel, this is where the bullying starts and the Nightshades plant the seeds of their own destruction.
Not today.
Absolutely not today.
Elara’s hand brushed his arm-a silent warning or shared tension.
“Golden girl has arrived,” she said under her breath, tone carefully neutral.
“Mother will want us to observe closely.”
The headmaster called for new students to introduce themselves briefly.
When Cecilia’s turn came, she stepped forward with poised that belied her common origins.
“My name is Cecilia Vale,” she said clearly, voice carrying warmth.
“I am honored to study here and hope to learn from all of you.”
Polite applause followed, though some nobles exchanged sneers, Prince Adrian, standing with the royal contingent, offered her a small nod of acknowledgement.
Lucien caught the prince’s gaze flickering toward the Nightshade siblings.
After the formalities, students dispersed toward their assigned dormitories and orientation groups.
Lucien and Elara moved through the crowd, drawing stares.
A group of lesser nobles parted for them, but Cecilia stood nearby, speaking with a friendly red-haired boy who appeared to be a knight’s son-one of the capture targets Lucien vaguely remembered.
As they passed, Cecilia turned.
Her bright blue eyes met Lucien’s directly.
For a moment, surprise flickered across her face-perhaps sensing the shadow affinity that clung to him like a second skin.
“Hello,” she said warmly.
Offering a small curtsy.
“You must be from the Nightshade family.
I’ve heard… stories.
I hope we can start a fresh here at the academy.”
Oh man, she’s genuinely nice.
This is dangerous.
One polite response and I might actually derail the entire route.
But if I’m too friendly, Elara might get suspicious.
Damn she has a nice ass though lowkey shii no wonder most readers in the novel were simping for her including me of course.
“Lucien Nightshade.
Likewise, Miss Vale.
The academy seems full of opportunities.”
Elara’s smile was cool and measured beside him “Indeed.
Let us all strive for excellence.” The words were perfectly civil, but the subtext simmered-stay out of our way.
Cecilia didn’t flinch.
“I look forward to it.”
As they continued walking, Elara leaned closer.
“She’s bolder than expected.
The church must have high hopes for her.”
“Or she’s just genuine,” Lucien replied quietly.
Elara shot him a sharp look.
“Careful, brother.
Genuineness is a luxury we can’t afford.”
The rest of the day moved quickly-dorm assignments (Nightshades in the elite eastern wing), scheduled briefings, and a grand welcome banquet that evening.
Lucien caught glimpses of Cecilia throughout: helping a struggling student with directions, laughing with the red-haired knight, and drawing quiet admiration from professors.
During the banquet, Prince Adrian approached their table briefly.
“An eventful start to the term,” he noted, eyes flicking toward Cecilia across the hall.
“The balance of power shifts in interesting ways.”
“Change can bring strength,” Elara replied smoothly.
Lucien added nothing, but his mind raced.
She’s here.
The heroine is fully in play.
Time to navigate this minefield without blowing up the family.
Later that night in the quiet of his new academy room.
Lucien stared out the window at the illuminated grounds.
Elara had already sent a note suggesting they meet early tomorrow to discuss “observations.”