Chapter 52: A New Battle
Chapter 52: A New Battle
The Imperial Palace was quiet that evening, its marble halls glowing under the warm light of enchanted lamps. Servants moved in silence, their steps soft on polished floors.
In the throne room, Emperor Kael IV sat with papers spread before him. His face was calm, but his eyes—cold and sharp—moved quickly over the report he had just received. The wax seal of the academy was broken, its contents heavy with urgency.
It detailed everything: the anomaly in the dungeon, the failure of the system, the corrupted monsters, the black mage suspected to be from Lucifer. But the part that made him pause was one single name written in bold strokes—Isolde Ansirad.
He leaned back in his throne, tapping the parchment lightly against the armrest and slowly a smile crept on his lips - it was a smile that holds many meanings.
“Isolde Ansirad, you have yet appeared in a report. How unanticipated this is. ” he repeated under his breath.
For a moment, the Emperor’s gaze grew distant. He remembered Serena, the woman that he once adored but went to another man—graceful, fierce, with a power that many called a gift from the heavens but others whispered was too dangerous to exist. The late Duchess of Ansirad and of course, Isolde’s mother. In fact, he never really expected that he would be able to find her.
While he is in deep thought he suddenly realized something.
“Could it be…?” he murmured as he went through the document he received again.
The report described how the girl fought the earth dragon, not simply with brute force but with precision. How she stood at the center of chaos and somehow turned the tide. And then there was mention of a possible spirit resonance—something exceedingly rare.
The Emperor’s fingers tightened around the report. If she truly inherited her mother’s gift, then…
His smile grew wider. “This will change things.”
He placed the report down, already thinking of the implications. For the empire, for the council, and for the Ansirad family itself and things he can do to monopolize that power.
\-
Far from the capital, inside the grand halls of Ansirad’s ducal estate, Duke Marius Ansirad had just returned from a late council meeting when his butler rushed in, his expression pale.
“Your Grace,” the butler said, bowing quickly. “News from the academy has arrived. There was… a disturbance during the entrance examinations.”
Marius immediately turned, his sharp eyes narrowing. “What disturbance?”
The butler swallowed. “A dungeon anomaly, my lord. Monsters turned rabid under dark influence. A black mage is suspected to be involved. But—”
Marius’ jaw clenched. His aura leaked out without him realizing, pressing heavily against the walls and causing the air to thrum. “And my children? Where are they?” His voice was low, dangerous.
“They are safe, my lord,” the butler quickly assured. “Young Master Sedin sent a message ahead of the official report. Lady Isolde fainted, but she is unharmed. They have her under care in the infirmary.”
Marius froze. He turned sharply, eyes flashing. “She fainted?”
The butler nodded nervously. “Yes, but the message says it is nothing life-threatening. The young masters instructed me to tell you this: ‘Reserve your anger, Father. I have already taken care of everything. Isolde is safe.’ That is Sedin’s exact message.”
For a long moment, silence filled the study. Marius’ fists were clenched so tightly the veins stood out on his hands.
He let out a heavy breath, forcing himself to calm down. Sedin knew what he was doing. If he told him to wait, then it meant things were under control—for now.
“…Very well,” Marius muttered, his tone still laced with fury. “But when I see the academy’s administrators, they will answer to me directly.”
“Yes, my lord,” the butler said, bowing again.
Marius turned his gaze toward the large window overlooking the estate’s training grounds. His thoughts were sharp and restless. They dared let this happen during the exams… if Sedin hadn’t been there… if Ravi hadn’t…
His hand curled tighter. “If anything happens to her again,” he whispered coldly, “Lucifer will not be the only enemy the empire has to fear.”
\-
Meanwhile, in the academy infirmary, the evening had stretched on. The healers had left, the lamps were dimmed, and only Ravi sat beside Isolde’s bed, his chin resting on his arm as he dozed lightly. Sedin stood at the window, arms crossed, watching the moon climb higher.
Then, a small sound.
Isolde stirred. Her eyelids fluttered before opening slowly. The ceiling above her was white, marked with faint runes of healing. For a moment she was confused, her mind heavy.
“…Where am I?” she whispered, her voice hoarse.
Ravi jerked awake, his eyes widening. “Isolde!” He leaned forward, holding her hand. “You’re awake.” Sedin immediately sent a signal to the academy's healers and priests so that they will be able to check her condition.
She blinked at him, then at Sedin by the window. “The infirmary?”
“Yes,” Sedin answered, his voice steady. “You collapsed right after the portal brought us back.”
Memories came rushing back—the dragon’s glowing eyes, the black mage’s twisted magic, the rush of battle, the cries of the other students. And then, darkness.
Her chest tightened. “The exam… the others?”
“They’re safe,” Ravi assured quickly. “Some are injured, but no one died. You did well.”
Isolde let out a breath of relief, sinking back against the pillow. Her body still felt heavy, but at least the weight on her heart lessened a little.
“You scared us, you know,” Ravi added, his voice softer now. “When you fell… I thought…” He stopped, shaking his head.
Sedin finally moved from the window, approaching her bedside. His gaze was sharp as always, but softer at the edges. “You carried too much on your own,” he said firmly. “Next time, don’t think you need to bear everything. That’s why we’re here.”
Isolde lowered her eyes, guilt rising in her chest. But she nodded faintly. “…Alright.”
For a moment, the three of them stayed in silence. The sound of the night wind brushing against the windows filled the quiet room.
The quiet broke when the door opened, and a group of academy healers and a priest entered. Their robes carried the faint smell of herbs and incense.
“We came to check on the young lady,” one of the healers said politely.
They examined her carefully—checking her pulse, channeling soft healing magic over her body, and asking her simple questions. The priest placed a gentle hand over her forehead, whispering a prayer.
“Her body is stable,” the healer concluded after a while. “There are no wounds left untreated. But her mana flow shows signs of exhaustion, and her mind carries strain. That is likely why she collapsed.”
“Can she recover fully?” Ravi asked quickly.
“Yes,of course this is just a common scenerio when a person overexert themselves” the healer replied. “But she must rest. No combat, no magic for a few days.”
After they left, a few professors entered as well after the healer and priest left, their faces showing relief - relief because they knew that if anything happens to the young lady, they wouldn't survive the wrath of the duke.
“Lady Isolde,” one of them said with a small bow, “you no longer need to worry about your examinations. The faculty has already decided—you passed with flying colors.”
Isolde blinked. “…I did?”
“Yes,” the professor confirmed with a kind smile. “The way you fought, the way you carried yourself—it was beyond what we expect from a student. You may rest knowing you’ve earned your place.”
Isolde lowered her gaze. Relief washed over her, though mixed with embarrassment. She had fought, yes, but part of her couldn’t forget that she had also fainted.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
\-
Later that night, when the academy had grown quieter, there was another knock at the door.
Ravi groaned. “Who else could it be? She needs to rest—”
The door opened anyway, and the young man who stepped inside made Ravi freeze.
He was tall, with golden hair that gleamed even under the dim light of the infirmary lamp. His bearing was calm yet commanding, and there was no mistaking his presence.
“Third Prince Theron…” Sedin muttered, his tone sharp with recognition.
Theron gave a small nod, his eyes shifting to Isolde. For a moment, his expression softened. “I heard she woke up. I wanted to see her myself.”
Isolde blinked in shock. She had not expected him to come since no one knew that they actually know each other, they agreed on it on the night they met in the first place.
Theron stepped closer, his eyes watching her closely and he as well placeed a basket of fruits “You fought bravely,” he said, his tone calm but firm. “Few could have survived what you did today. You have my respect.”
Isolde swallowed, unsure how to answer. “Thank you… Your Highness.”
Ravi shifted uncomfortably beside her, while Sedin remained silent, his arms crossed but his eyes sharp.
Theron’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he finally spoke again. “Rest well, Lady Isolde.”
With that, he gave a small bow of respect and left the room, leaving behind a heavy silence but just few seconds her brothers gave her a look that she needs to explain everything, she wanted to tell the truth however at the same time she remembered what they talked about and especially the fact that there are a lot of people who wants the third prince dead not to mention that walls have ears.
"Maybe he is just paying a visit brothers. No need to worry about it" she said to calm them down and luckily they did. Maybe because they have realized that there is no way that she could have met or known the prince. After she clarified everything, Isolde stared at the closed door, her heart uneasy. Why does it feel like there is more to come fro this scenario?