With summer vacation now underway, almost every student had left the Academy.
That morning, Sora and Louise had said their goodbyes to Tomoji Ren and Tabasa. Tabasa was returning home to Gallia, while Tomoji—ever the schemer—decided to accompany her, both to spend more time together and, conveniently, to avoid her own troublesome family during the holidays.
"Goodbye, Sora. Miss me while I'm gone, okay?" Tomoji said warmly before boarding the carriage. She hugged him tight, pressing close enough that her soft chest rested firmly against his.
"I will," Sora replied with a grin. "And you too, Tabasa. Don't forget me either. If you ever run into trouble, just call me—Louise and I will handle it."
Tomoji's lips curved knowingly. "Count on it."
Then Sora stepped toward Tabasa. Without hesitation, he reached out and pulled the petite girl into a hug.
Tabasa trembled ever so slightly. For a fleeting moment, the urge to confess welled up in her chest—but she smothered it. Her uncle's influence was dangerous; if he ever learned about Sora, it could put him in real peril.
So she said nothing. She merely turned away, slipping into the carriage before he could read her expression.
"See you again soon, Sora," Tomoji called, half out the window, waving. "Take care, Louise—see you next term."
Louise hesitated, her tone awkward but genuine. "You too… take care, Tomoji."
"Got it!" Tomoji said, climbing in beside Tabasa.
The carriage rolled away from the Academy gates, heading north toward the Gallian border.
Sora watched it vanish into the distance, hands on his hips. "Well, Tomoji and Tabasa are gone too. So, nothing left here but you and me, huh? When are we heading to your place, Louise-chan?"
Louise's heart gave a small, traitorous flutter. She turned her face away. "Let's… wait a little longer," she muttered.
She knew exactly what he meant. Sora had already joked about meeting her parents—and the idea of appearing too eager made her stomach twist. If I rush him, he'll think I really want to marry him, she thought, cheeks heating.
Sora caught on instantly, of course, and smiled in quiet amusement.
They wandered to the small terrace beside the dining hall. A few tables and parasols had been left out for the handful of staff and students still around. Settling under one umbrella, they ordered snacks and drinks.
Louise flipped through her notebook while Sora turned his attention to the Founder's Prayer Book, opening it for what felt like the hundredth time.
He'd tried everything—fire, water, even a few minor spells—but the pages remained blank. If the Headmaster hadn't sworn repeatedly that it was an ancient treasure of the Founder, Sora would've tossed it into a lake by now.
He sighed, closed the book, and set it aside.
Then he raised his right hand, palm up, and focused.
A faint red glow ignited above his fingertips, swelling slowly into a blazing orb the size of a fist.
Fireball.
Silent casting—the sign of true magical control. But for lower-level magicians, the process took time and drained power quickly. Only Triangle-level mages could do it swiftly and with real force.
Sora dispersed the hot sphere before firing it. Even that small effort burned up nearly half his mana. His rate of control was better than most, though still far from extraordinary.
He thought back to Tabasa's wind magic—the raw efficiency, the seamless power. Even with Delphlinka's aid, he'd barely managed to keep up that day.
If I want to get stronger, I'll have to break through to Line-class soon.
After one semester of training, his magical output had nearly doubled. One more push might do it. Tomoji, if she were here, would probably sigh and call his progress downright monstrous.
The Academy was utterly still—only the chirping of distant birds and the whisper of wind through the courtyard.
For the first time in weeks, peace surrounded them.
By evening, they came out again to enjoy the warm dusk breeze. Oil lamps glowed on the tables, pushing back the shadows. On a nearby table, someone had gone to the trouble of setting up two candles and a small vase of roses.
Sora groaned inwardly. A candlelit dinner… and I didn't think of it first.
He was still berating himself when he spotted the couple occupying the table.
A blond boy sat there twirling a bouquet dramatically. His carefully waved hair shimmered in the candlelight.
"Ah, Montmorency," he declared in anguish, pressing a hand theatrically over his heart. "Why won't you see the truth? This moon—this radiant night sky—reflects my love for you!"
Across from him sat a pretty blonde girl with elegant curls tied behind her head, a scattering of freckles across her cheeks. Her tone, however, was anything but romantic.
"Is that so? Funny," she said dryly. "And what about Katie? Or Ciel? Or Feite?"
"Oh, Montmorency, those were… fleeting mistakes!" cried the blond boy—Guiche de Gramont, better known around campus as Kisio to those who mocked his flirtations. "You're the one I truly love! The others were… distractions."
Sora watched with half an amused grin. Louise covered her face.
"Ugh," she muttered. "I can't believe we're watching this."
Montmorency sighed. "Have a drink, Guiche." She poured two glasses of red wine.
"No, no, not yet!" Guiche said, brushing his golden hair aside dramatically. "Not until you kiss me, my radiant flower!"
"Fine," she snapped with fake sweetness. "But just one."
As he leaned in—eyes closed, lips pursed—she slipped something unseen from her sleeve. A subtle powder shimmered purple as it dissolved into his drink.
Her smile didn't waver. "Now, drink."
Guiche downed the glass in one gulp and sat back, beaming stupidly.
"Ah, Montmorency… my Montmorency," he said dreamily, clutching her hands. "You're the sun in my sky, the song in my heart. Please—never leave me!"
Montmorency smirked. "So, now you understand?"
"Of course! I'll never flirt with another again!" Guiche insisted eagerly. "You're the only one for me!"
Louise frowned deeply. "A love potion."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sora asked, intrigued.
"It's an alchemical charm made by water magicians," Louise explained. "Anyone who drinks it falls hopelessly in love with the first person they see—mind, heart, and soul. Completely devoted."
"Isn't that…" Sora raised a brow. "…incredibly useful?"
Louise gaped at him. "No! It's illegal magic! It warps a person's will."
She stood abruptly. "I have to stop her."
Sora gave a low hum, thoughtful rather than concerned. Illegal or not… that kind of potion could definitely come in handy someday.
"Montmorency!" Louise strode right up to the couple, righteous fire blazing in her eyes. "I know what you did! Undo it at once!"
Montmorency looked up lazily, unimpressed. "Oh, if it isn't Louise the Zero. Don't meddle in other people's business. Guiche was irritating half the school; I just wanted him to stop bothering everyone."
"You can't use something like a love potion for that!" Louise snapped. "It's forbidden! Give him the antidote now!"
Guiche stepped protectively in front of Montmorency, his eyes burning with unnatural affection. "Stay away from her, Louise! Don't make me get rough!"
Sora walked over, sliding one hand casually onto the hilt of Delphlinka. "And what, exactly, are you going to do?"
Guiche wavered, the memory of Sora's strength flickering behind his cloudy eyes. But love overcame common sense—he raised his rose-tipped wand, trembling yet defiant.
Sora's expression hardened. His thumb flicked the card at his waist open with a metallic snap.
The air between them grew taut.
The battle was about to begin.