After Sora assumed Griffin squad captaincy, he met Tolistine's queen, ministers, and captains of the other magic knight squads: Unicorns and Chimeras.
The queen, stern-faced woman, grilled Sora top to bottom before offering encouragement.
Ministers wore deep frowns, cool toward him—likely eyeing the Griffin captain spot themselves, only for Sora to snag it.
Unicorn captain Rove, veteran triangle-rank earth mage; Chimera captain Jeter, rare wind-fire dual triangle-rank. Private spars followed: Delphlink struggled absorbing earth magic, leaving Sora pinned; against wind-fire duals, Delphlink's aid turned Jeter's line-rank spells against him, overpowering—even beating—the Chimera lead. Post-matches, Rove and Jeter acknowledged Sora's prowess; the trio bonded quick.
In palace, Sora drilled Griffins, patrolled noble squabbles—slotted seamless into the crew. Among commons, Varut fans lingered, but most accepted Sora's captaincy.
On this void holiday, Sora visited the academy to see Louise.
"Louise, back," Sora announced, pushing the door.
A fluffy blonde woman pierced sharp eyes his way, pinching Louise's soft cheek one-handed.
"Ow, ow—mercy, big sis Eleonore," Louise pleaded.
"Ah, Sora!" Louise beamed surprised.
"You—who? Ladies' room—knock first," Eleonore snapped.
"Huh?"
Eleonore whipped her wand; ultra-quick chant loosed a potent water bomb barrage at Sora.
Sora right-fisted it: "Inz Wendy Gluck." [Wind Hammer]
Air orb condensed from his palm, blasted the water mid-air.
Splash—scattered droplets soaked Sora, Eleonore, Louise.
"Not bad—name yourself. Eleonore Albertine Lou du la Vallière, triangle-rank water mage." Eleonore released Louise, wand up, face grave.
"Hey, Vallière? Sora here—line-rank water-fire-wind triple mage, swordsman."
Sora hand-resting on waist Delphlink.
"What're you doing, Sora—sis Eleonore," Louise dashed between, hands out blocking.
"Kidding—she's your sis." Sora released grip, grinned.
"Louise—what's he to you?" Eleonore frowned.
Louise flushed slow, fingers twisting.
"Uh, that—Sora, he's..."
"Louise's man." Sora stepped up, arm-wrapped her close, teased Eleonore with a smirk.
"What! Nonsense—Louise, true?"
Louise buried face in Sora's chest, mosquito-voice: "Yeah."
Eleonore silenced first.
Louise peeked up.
"Unbelievable—Louise snagged a partner? No way. Ahh, eldest daughter here—no, can't let Louise wed before me." Eleonore muttered frantic, dire aura leaking.
Louise shivered, clung Sora tight.
"What's up, Louise?" Sora puzzled.
"Uh, sis Eleonore's 27, unmarried—divorced once. Touchy on it," Louise whispered.
"Talking what!! Louise!!?" Eleonore lunged.
"Eek, no—sis Eleonore!" Louise circled behind Sora.
Sora hand-blocked Eleonore.
"Easy—don't bully Louise. Duel outside."
"You cad—fine, don't like you. Louise so young, you laid hands—my Louise. Lesson time, then drag you home for folks' ruling."
"Duke and Duchess Vallière? Yeah—let 'em know 'bout Louise and me." Sora nodded.
They exited dorm side-by-side, spaced out in academy courtyard.
"Wake up—regret touching Louise," Eleonore.
"Best call I made. You? Might regret lifetime messing with me."
"Hmph, brat talks big. Begin."
"Delph—sharp up. Showtime."
"Oh, partner—let the old bat taste us."
"Your sword—damn, prime-of-life young woman here—who's old bat!!" Eleonore shrieked furious, snapped first spell fast. "Hayata Walter Walter Gelfin." [Water Shock]
Rushing torrent gushed wand-top, hammered Sora.
Sora uprighted Delphlink, braced water pressure, retreated slow under blast.
Not toppled—impressive physique. But pinned.
Eleonore chained next spell, sustaining [Water Shock].
"Sharp Ace Go." [Ice Pick]
Magic pulled ambient vapor, shaped needle-sharp. First-rank water like bombs, but deadlier pierce.
Slender ice lance straight-lined Sora's gut.
"Delph—wind blade!!" Sora yelled.
"Gotcha—go." Sword glowed; cyan blade-edge slashed water stream.
Sora gap-jumped clear.
Whoosh—torrent crossed air, cratered ground; ice lance missed, swept by flow.
Eleonore canceled water thrust, pivoted nimble, tracked Sora.
Sora ten meters off, one-hand Delphlink.
"Watch it—Louise's sis."
"Yah Fell Albrook." [Fireball]
Sora charged, chanting.
Fireball—defend.
"Rou·Water·Guard." [Water Shield]
Air vapor coalesced half-meter front: half-person shield, half-palm thick.
No fireball flew; Eleonore blinked—red gleam on sword, then blazed. Why—flame-enchant blade?
Sora closed perfect, swung—cleaved shield. Flame-water hissed steam.
Shield crumbled, bared Eleonore's startled face.
"Not Louise-pretty, but cute," Sora teased.
"Brat—damn." Eleonore raged. "Sharp Ace Ace—"
Sora felt vapor yanked ambient, air chilled, condensing slim forms.
"Danger—can't let you finish." Sora grinned at Eleonore, pommel-smacked her gut.
"Urk." Eleonore took it, eyes rolled. "Brat—damn."
Duke's pampered sorceress crumpled unconscious, sore loser.
"Sis Eleonore!" Louise rushed over.
"Sora—why so hard? Sis okay?"
"No sweat—out couple hours."
"Hour tops—too much. She's family."
"Alright—my bad." Sora flashed appeasing grin.
"Sis here for what, Louise?"
"Oh—Mother summoned me home once."
"Mother-in-law? Cool—go together."
"Huh? Wait—but Griffin duties?" Louise surprised.
"That? Beg leave from Anrietta. Pack—roll."
"What—too quick!" Louise yelped.
Half-hour later, duo plus out-cold Eleonore crammed hired carriage, headed northeast Tolistine to Duke Vallière.