My Magical System

Morning sun casts majestic glow beneath it, showering the academy with bright sunlight, and emblazoning the towering spires and ancient stone walls that had stood for centuries with golden lights.

A fresh breeze passed across the courtyards, causing the countless banners bearing the academy's crest to flutter slightly.

Such fine weather perfectly contradicts the institution's current state.

The war between the Red Tyrant Clan and the Blue Serpent Clan continued without end.

What had started as a dispute between two powerful student organizations had evolved into a conflict that engulfed nearly the entire academy. One after another, lower ranked clans abandoned their neutrality and pledged allegiance to one side. Those who refused to choose often found themselves caught in the crossfire.

The academy had become a battlefield divided into territories.

Training grounds were converted into battlefields. Workshops no longer produced projects for class assessments but instead forged enchanted weapons and defensive artifacts to support each of their clans.

The academy's once vibrant atmosphere had long since vanished.

In its place remained only fear, suspicion, and the constant expectation that another battle could erupt at any moment.

Yet everyone understood one thing.

This was never merely a war between students.

It was a proxy war between colossal families whose influence extended far beyond the academy's walls.

In this case, the academy was merely the stage.

The true players were the top families standing behind the curtains.

Even the academy's administration dared not interfere.

Although the academy possessed elders whose strength rivaled national heroes, provoking either of these two clans backers could ignite political turmoil throughout the kingdom. Any careless action might shatter the fragile balance maintained among the great noble families.

Thus, the administration chose the only option available.

They remained neutral.

As long as no civilians were involved and no sacred academy laws were violated, they would not intervene.

Meanwhile, deep beneath the academy, inside the headquarters of the Blue Serpent Clan, a tense meeting was underway.

The chamber resembled the lair of a colossal serpent.

Massive pillars carved from black obsidian supported the vaulted ceiling. Azure crystals embedded throughout the walls emitted a cold, ghostly glow that painted every face in pale blue light. Countless serpent statues lined both sides of the hall, their gemstone eyes seemingly following every movement.

The air itself felt unnaturally cold.

At the center of the chamber rested an enormous throne carved from a single block of sapphire crystal.

Upon it sat a woman whose mere presence caused even veteran warriors to unconsciously hold their breath.

She was known not throughout the academy but by people in power inside the academic, as the woman with the coldest gaze.

There were unpopular whispers that anyone unfortunate enough to meet her eyes would feel as though their blood had frozen inside their veins. Whether the sensation came from fear or the overwhelming magical energy constantly radiating from her body, no one could say.

That alone earned her the title…

The Serpent Lady.

Her true name was Seccaria Serphie.

Leader of the Blue Serpent Clan.

Heir to House Serphie, one of the top great families.

A prodigy whose talent in magic had surpassed nearly every student in the academy's recorded history.

Kneeling before her were the clan's three deputies.

Despite each possessing enough strength to lead an ordinary clan, none dared raise their heads. Their dark blue robes touched the polished floor, while elaborate tattoos of silver serpent scales ran through their skin.

Silence filled the chamber.

No one wished to be the first to speak.

Finally, Seccaria rested one arm against the throne and broke the silence.

"What is the current status of the war?"

Her calm voice echoed throughout the hall.

There was neither anger nor impatience.

That made it all the more terrifying.

One of the deputies slowly lowered his head even further before replying.

"Please do not concern yourself, Your Lady. Our supply routes remain secure, while the Red Tyrant Clan, I'm sure by now they are experiencing shortages. Their healing potions, mana crystals, and combat provisions are probably continuing to diminish. At this rate, they will collapse sooner or later."

Another deputy immediately added, "Our sponsors have already secured most of the available resources within and outside the academy. Even if they possess the funds, there is little left for them to purchase."

"We have also already spread the rumors, so most of their allies have begun showing signs of hesitation," the deputy elder said. "Several smaller clans have secretly contacted us. They are prepared to ally with us. Sooner or later, the Red Tyrants will be left with nothing."

A faint smile appeared on Seccaria's lips.

"I look forward to seeing that day."

Although she acknowledged the strength of the Red Tyrant Clan, Seccaria had never believed that power alone determined the outcome of war.

History has proven otherwise countless times.

If strength alone decided victory, humanity would have been exterminated long ago in the hands of the demons. The demons possessed strength capable of destroying cities with a single breath.

Yet humanity still endured.

Not because humans were stronger. But because they possessed discipline, intelligence, strategy, and the ability to unite under any circumstances.

Wars were won long before swords ever crossed.

An army without food could not fight.

A commander without information was already blind.

And soldiers who lost hope had already been defeated, even while still breathing.

Seccaria intended to destroy the Red Tyrant Clan through all three.

She would starve them. She would isolate them.

And when their morale finally shattered…

She would deliver the final blow with her own hands.

…

Around seven in the morning, Eman and Hemina rode a fancy carriage, heading toward the Imperial Palace.

The academy was wrapped in a tense atmosphere these days, so leaving its walls for a while felt like a welcome breath of fresh air.

The moment the carriage rolled past the academy's towering iron gates, Mina let out a long sigh of relief.

"Finally…"

She leaned back against her seat before turning to Eman with a bright smile.

"Thank you for bringing me along."

Eman blinked for a second.

Every time she smiled like that, he couldn't help remembering the girl who used to greet him with nothing but icy stares and curt replies.

The difference was so great that it almost felt like two completely different people.

A faint floral fragrance drifted through the carriage, mixing with the cool morning breeze entering through the slightly open window.

She looked especially radiant and feminine today.

Her milky white academy uniform, embroidered with elegant golden patterns, perfectly complemented her fair complexion. The soft morning sunlight filtering through the carriage windows made her silky black hair shimmer gently.

Eman was dressed in the same uniform.

Their academy changed uniforms every season, so each new season brought a fresh design and color. The current white and gold attire symbolized the beginning of spring.

He smiled back and gave a small nod.

"I'm the one who should be thanking you."

"Hm?"

"If you weren't coming, this ride would've been painfully boring."

Mina tilted her head.

"…Is that your way of saying I'm entertaining?"

"I was trying to be polite."

"Oh?"

"But now that you've mentioned it…"

She narrowed her eyes.

"So I'm just entertainment?"

"Premium entertainment."

She folded her arms.

"How generous."

"The kind that doesn't require an entrance fee."

Mina covered her mouth as a quiet laugh escaped her. She glanced outside through the window.

"It's been a while since I've left the academy."

"I thought noble ladies weren't allowed to wander around."

She shot him an amused glance.

"Who told you that?"

"I don't know. It just sounds right."

She giggled.

"You've read too many story books, aren't you?"

"Can you blame me? Noble daughters are always trapped inside mansions with strict fathers and ten maids following behind."

"Ten?"

"Maybe twelve," Eman responded innocently.

Mina laughed even harder.

"I'll make sure to tell Father he forgot to hire the other two."

Eman scratched his cheek and thought, Casual and lighthearted conversation truly makes the trip less boring.

"So there aren't twelve?"

"There aren't even five."

"Oh."

"Disappointed?"

"A little."

"Why?"

"I wanted to see what twelve maids lining up behind someone looked like."

Mina covered her mouth as another laugh escaped her.

"You really think about strange things."

"That's my imagination."

"That's nonsense."

"See? We almost agreed."

She shook her head helplessly, though the smile on her lips only grew brighter. Without realizing it, she found herself stealing another glance at him.

He looked completely relaxed, casually leaning against the carriage seat while watching the city pass by.

There wasn't the slightest trace of nervousness despite the fact that they were heading to the Imperial Palace.

He's always like this…

No matter how unbelievable the situation became, he somehow managed to stay calm.

That confidence… or perhaps carefree attitude… was strangely reassuring.

A small smile unconsciously appeared on her face.

Why does he always make everything feel so easy?

She quickly looked away before he noticed.

Their light conversation continued effortlessly.

Mina noticed something she had never realized before.

Talking with Eman was… comfortable. There was no need to carefully choose every word. No need to maintain the perfect image expected of a noble daughter.

She could simply laugh.

This is nice…

The thought slipped into her mind before she could stop it. When she realized what she had just admitted to herself, her cheeks warmed ever so slightly.

She immediately turned toward the window, pretending to admire the passing streets.

Deep inside, she wanted this moment to last forever.

Wait, what's with me? Mina asked herself.

Neither of them noticed that the elderly coachman sitting at the front had quietly curled his lips into a knowing smile.

Young people, he thought.

They're getting along much better than they realize.