The Magic Knights all knew that the captain of Crimson Lions, Fuegoleon Vermillion, and the captain of Silver Eagles, Nozel Silva, have maintained an intense rivalry since they were children.

However, they would only meet a few times at banquets, which was not enough for them to form such a rival relationship.

Everything happened because they are fated to be that person's disciple.

oOo

Clover Kingdom

Year 1614

Their first lesson would take place in Silva Residence.

Fuegoleon was walking around the castle, and he was lost.

He didn't think it was his fault though. He wouldn't have come here had it not been for that Old Hag!

He blamed Freya, who would soon be his master.

Walking through the hallway, he saw Nozel. He rushed to where the Silva boy was.

"Nozel! Thank God you're here!"

"..." Contrary to Fuegoleon's enthusiasm, Nozel gave him a cold glare, humming, "What's the matter?"

"Are you heading to the classroom!? Me as well! So let's go together, shall-"

"No."

And there came a blunt answer. Their conservation ended in less than 10 seconds.

Fuegoleon: !!!?

Ignoring the crimson-haired brat, Nozel kept going.

"Hey wait me!!!" Fuegoleon chased after. He couldn't understand why he was given a cold shoulder.

Still, Nozel did have his own reason.

Because he didn't want this brat to attend the class with him and then discover his secret of not being able to control magic.

As Fuegoleon started chasing him, he also began to speed up.

"Stop following me!"

"No! Because I will be lost!"

"It's not my business!"

"But it's mine!"

Nozel: You are annoying!

oOo

They ran around the castle, which was quite an amusing scene.

Nozel felt exhausted. Yet, he did not allow himself to stop running. It was his fear that someone would discover his secret. It might sound inappropriate to have such agitation – but he promised that he would turn this feeling into an illusion someday.

The noble often made secret tunnels used for escape. The Silva House was no exception.

One of the back doors was camouflaged, hidden behind a picture. Nozel took advantage of it to cut Fuegoleon out.

He succeeded. Although it took him longer to make for the classroom, it was much better than to have "someone" follow. He sighed in relief as he corrected his posture, waiting patiently for his master to come.

The typical honor student.

On the other hand, Fuegoleon was thinking of playing truant on his first day.

His parents, and of course Theresa, would scold him for this – but what if he had good excuses then?

He was lost while the Royal Preceptor neglected him, his fellow student bullied him irrationally.'

Fuegoleon giggled at his own (self-claimed) ingenious plan, not paying attention to the surroundings. He jumped around and accidentally bumped into someone.

"Ack!"

His feet lost their balance and were about to strip. Yet, the person grabbed his wrist and pulled him. This made him fall upon the breast of his savior.

'... Soft?' He looked up, finding himself in the arms of a woman.

"Are you alright?"

An exceptional beauty – as if she was a goddess stepping out of a painting.

Badump badump

Her hair was a bright reddish-pink color, similar to that of a rhodolite garnet stone – and it plunged over her waist. Fuegoleon doubted if there's any other woman that could have virility-rose eyes setting his heart a thump.

All mesmerized him.

"-oy!"

"Boy!"

Her calling cut off his thoughts as he came back to his sense. Only then did he realize he was still leaning on her, being embraced.

"I'm sorry!" He got out quickly, and feverishly.

The woman chuckled at the sight, offering to help.

"Can I give you a hand? Are you perhaps lost?"

She must have recognized that he was a Vermillion based on his clothes. Yet, he couldn't make heads or tails of her identity.

Although she seemed to be a noble of birth, she wore modest attire which consisted of a white gown extended over her knees and a light hooded robe. She carried a few books along, which showed that she might be a scholar.

But could scholars get access to the royal palace?

"Well, I am heading to the classroom but got lost halfway." He scratched his head, hiding the fact that he just intended to skip a moment ago.

The Royal Preceptor's a prissy Old Hag, he assumed, but her assistant but be this beautiful maiden.

"I can guide you to the room," she said, proffering her hand, "It's a coincidence that I have to go there as well."

Fuegoleon grabbed it and grinned as they walked together, chitchatting along the way.

He has taken quite a liking to her – the feeling near to that of both "respect" and "caring".

He's surprised by how this woman can put up with the rumored Old Hag!

So, he pitied her.

"Here we are, the classroom." We stopped at a doorway as she turned the doorknob with her right hand.

It was then that Fuegoleon realized something.

"Right, Miss! I am Fuegoleon Vermillion. Can I know your name?"

"Freya. You can call me by whatever you like, though."

"The name suits you, Miss" He exclaimed, nodding that even her name was much more sonorous than the Old Hag's-

Wait, isn't the Old Hag also called Freya?

"W-Wait what!??"

Freya opened the door, to see that Acier's son had already waited there.

"Since I will be in charge of your education from now on, please get accustomed to it, will you?" She said, with a smile like a blossom shining in the garden, the vivid hues just paled in comparison.

Fuegoleon stood there, silently and contemplatively.

- "..." I got sucked!!