Alex was now sitting inside Miss Selena Vega's office. The atmosphere was calm, except for Selena's exasperated sigh as she stared at him with folded arms.

"What the hell are you planning to do now by adding yourself to a duel for the Apex title when you don't even show your face to the academy properly?" she said, pinching the bridge of her nose.

Alex leaned back casually, a faint smirk on his lips. "Well, I can't argue with that. But it was a good opportunity to confirm my safety and comfort when I leave on that mission with that annoying princess of the elves."

Selena stared at him for a moment before sighing again. "Well, now I can't argue with that either. But what are you going to do about the responsibilities of an Apex if you win? Have you even thought about that? Considering you didn't care about them before when you won the title in the past."

Alex tilted his head, pretending to think deeply. After a moment, he replied, "I'll think about it when it comes to that. I have something in mind."

Selena leaned back in her chair. "Please think about it carefully, Alex. I don't want the first years to be a mess like right now."

"I will," he said simply.

Selena nodded in satisfaction, but before she could say anything else, her EtherPad buzzed. She glanced at the screen, and a sly smirk formed on her lips. "Looks like the news got to her."

"Who is it?" Alex asked suspiciously.

Selena tapped the screen, and a holographic image flickered to life — a beautiful woman who looked like an older version of Selena, exuding elegance and authority. Alyssa Vega.

Her commandimg voice came as she said.

"You better not lose and tarnish my name, brat," Alyssa said with a calm but deadly smile. "Or there will be hell to pay. I'll bury you alive myself."

Alex's mouth twitched. "How did you even know I was in her office?"

Alyssa's smirk widened. "You could say it was a mother's instinct."

"Mother's instinct my ass," Alex muttered, then glanced accusingly at Selena. "You told her, didn't you?"

Alyssa gave an innocent smile. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Alex sighed heavily, leaning back in the chair. "You didn't call just to tell me that, did you?"

Before Alyssa could respond, another holographic figure appeared — a silver-haired girl with sparkling red eyes, buzzing with excitement.

"Brother! Is it true you're going to fight against Brother Alden and Ethan for the Apex title?" Lily's voice practically crackled with energy.

Alex blinked, then sighed again. "Did she tell you that?"

Lily nodded quickly, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Yeah," Alex admitted, "I'm going to have a match with them for the title."

Lily's eyes sparkled like starlight. "Then I'm coming to watch it!"

Alex smiled faintly. "Too bad only students are allowed to roam freely in the academy. Any outsider needs the Headmaster's permission."

Lily pouted adorably, puffing her cheeks.

Alyssa reached over from her side of the hologram, patting Lily's head gently. "You don't have to worry about that, Lily. Don't forget who I am. I'll take permission from Aldric Verlane myself."

Lily's eyes brightened instantly. "Really?"

Selena chuckled softly, amused by the exchange.

Lily stuck her tongue out playfully at Alex.

Alex's eyebrow twitched, but he smiled with forced patience. "All right, fine. Sometimes you should realize how lucky you are to be blessed with a big brother like me."

Lily smirked mischievously. "I hope Brother Alden beats you to a pulp."

Alex's mouth twitched again. "Wow. Such faith."

Selena covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

"All right, all right," Alex finally said, standing up. "Now I have to meet someone else too. Goodbye."

Alyssa nodded with a teasing smile. "Goodbye. We'll be there in an hour."

The call ended, and the holograms faded. Alex turned to Selena, sighing. "Who else knows?"

Selena leaned back with a knowing grin. "I heard Duke Reyneard and King Edward are also coming."

Alex's jaw dropped. He had requested the match to be kept low-profile, scheduled within just three hours — yet the news had spread so far that the most powerful figures in the kingdom were coming to watch just a mere duel.

'Don't these people have anything better to do than watch a duel?' he thought, expression flat.

Selena burst into laughter, clearly reading his face. "I know exactly what you're thinking. But don't worry, they don't have that much free time. I think they're coming to see if you've gained any exceptional abilities inside that Paraflux Dungeon."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Then, his lips curled into a faint smirk. "Well, let them come. It doesn't matter what they want to see. I'll show them exactly what I want."

Alex stood up from his chair, stretching slightly as a faint smile formed on his lips. "All right, it's time to go."

Selena nodded, her expression softening. "Good luck with the duel."

Alex chuckled lightly. "Thanks," he said before turning toward the door and stepping out of her office.

The corridors of Zenith Academy were quieter than usual, sunlight spilling through the tall crystalline windows and reflecting off the white marble floors. Each step echoed faintly, the atmosphere thick with an anticipation he could almost taste.

He made his way toward the academy's training grounds. The familiar scent of mana-infused air filled his senses. 'She said she'll be here,' he thought, scanning the empty corridors that led to the advanced training chambers.

Just as he reached the hallway, his EtherPad buzzed. The screen lit up with a single message:

"Come to Training Chamber No. 2."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Training Chamber No. 2, huh?" he muttered before heading there.

The moment he reached the door, it hissed open automatically with a soft mechanical hum. A gust of cooled, filtered air brushed against his skin as he stepped inside.

The chamber was enormous — a technological marvel designed for elite-level combatants. The walls shimmered with light, allowing them to morph between environments — from desert dunes to snow-covered mountains or dense jungles.

Dozens of holographic projectors lined the ceiling, capable of recreating realistic opponents for sparring sessions. The floor could shift in texture — one moment steel, the next grass or sand — adapting to the training mode. Suspended drones drifted silently above, recording and analyzing every movement for post-training feedback.

It wasn't just a room — it was a full simulation arena capable of mimicking nearly any terrain on Etheron.

Alex was about to take another step when a smooth, teasing voice filled the chamber.

"So, you've finally come."

He turned toward the sound — and froze.

Standing under the soft glow of the chamber lights were Alicia von Crestvale and Evelyn williams .

Both wore matching sports bra's that clung tightly to their toned figures, paired with short compression shorts that highlighted their long, sculpted legs.

Sweat glistened on their sun-kissed skin tracing down their collarbones and abs, giving them a radiant glow. Their bodies looked powerful yet graceful — the kind of beauty forged through strength and discipline.

Alicia's snow-white hair was tied into a loose ponytail, her emerald green eyes sharp and mischievous, glinting with confidence.

Evelyn, on the other hand, her golden hair clung slightly to her neck, her her eyes matching the color of her hair were calm but filled with amusement and hesitation.

Both women looked like they had just finished an intense sparring session. Their breathing was steady but heavy enough to make their chests rise and fall in a way that made Alex's brain short-circuit for a moment.

He blinked — once, twice — before realizing his jaw had gone slack.

'Did I… did I come to heaven by accident?' he thought blankly.

Alicia smirked, noticing his expression immediately. "You can close your mouth now. I know we both look divine and — in your words — hot as hell."

Evelyn chuckled softly, covering her mouth as her eyes sparkled with amusement.

Alex snapped out of his daze, shaking his head quickly. "Who said you guys look divine?" he said, crossing his arms, trying to sound nonchalant. Then, after a beat, he added with a smirk, "Okay, maybe a little bit. But still no match for me."

Both women exchanged glances and sighed at the same time.

Evelyn then said, "Well, I'm done with my training, so I'll leave you two alone now."

Alicia smiled sweetly. "Thanks for the understanding."

As Evelyn walked past Alex, he couldn't help but notice the sideways glance she gave him — a sharp, unreadable one that lingered for a second too long.

'What was that?' he thought, watching her disappear through the sliding doors. He shook his head. 'Never mind.'

But the moment Evelyn left, Alicia suddenly lunged forward.

Before Alex could react, she tackled him straight to the ground, pinning him beneath her. The impact wasn't harsh — more like a surprise ambush from a predator claiming its prey. Her knees rested beside his hips, her hands pressing firmly against his chest as she leaned forward, eyes gleaming with dominance.

'Oh great,' Alex thought, staring up at her. 'Now she's on top of me. And she looks way too comfortable with it.'

"What are you doing?" Alex asked flatly. "I'm pretty sure you just called me here to talk. And why was Evelyn even here? I have a duel coming up in an hour, so make it quick."

Alicia grinned down at him, her hair falling over one side of her face. "Oh, about Eve? We always train together."

"Then why didn't you call me after she left?" Alex asked, narrowing his eyes. "I find it oddly suspicious. Did you just want to show her off?"

Alicia froze for a split second, her breath hitching. "W–Why the hell would I do that?" she stammered, her cheeks flushing faintly.

Alex's smirk widened. He could tell she'd given herself away. 'So that's what this was about. She wanted to show off. How evil can she be?' he thought, amused.

And yet, in that same moment, another thought passed through his mind — one that made his chest tighten slightly.

'Maybe that's why I like her.'

Without warning, Alex reached up, sliding his hand behind her neck and pulling her down. Before Alicia could react, his lips pressed against hers in a firm, deliberate kiss.

Her eyes widened in pure shock, her body stiffening as her mind blanked for an instant. Her heart pounded so hard she could hear it in her ears. But as his warmth seeped through her, the surprise faded — replaced by a rush of heat that made her breath catch.

Then, slowly, she kissed him back.

The chamber's ambient hum faded away. For that brief, electric moment, nothing else existed — just the two of them.

------

A/N:

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