"Good morning, Lord Marcos."
"Ah, good morning to you as well."
"Here is today's morning edition, sir. Please, enjoy."
"Thank you. That helps."
Within Luminous Academy's student housing—specifically the lavish Noble Dormitory—Marcos Borg was indulging in a moment of morning refinement. Exchanging greetings with the subordinates who had served him for years, he sipped his coffee and spread out the newspaper they had brought. He was the very picture of high-born nobility.
His expression clouded as he read a report about a building on the academy's outskirts that had suddenly vanished. He let out a heavy sigh and murmured to himself.
"Another unexplained disappearance? How many does this make now?"
"The cases where buildings vanish and the land itself is hollowed out, sir? I believe there have been five... no, six similar occurrences already."
"It's quite eerie that we don't even know if it's the result of a Magic Item malfunctioning or the work of a Magic Armor Beast."
"Indeed. I hope they identify the cause soon."
After exchanging a few more words with his subordinates, Marcos folded the paper and set it on the table. After a final moment of solitude, he finished dressing in his school uniform and stepped out of the dormitory.
One crisis ends, and another begins, he thought. Just when I thought the Wind Island incident was settled, a new mystery starts creeping in. There's no time to catch one's breath.
Despite having returned to the academy after defeating the formidable Abyss, he could only offer a weary laugh at how frequently these unexplained cases were popping up. Still, he walked on, silently praying that the Security Force would handle things and that the innocent public could enjoy their peaceful lives. As he walked, the voices of nearby students drifted toward him.
"Hey, look! That's Lord Marcos Borg!"
"He’s Yugo-sama's rival and best friend, right? They say he played a huge part in saving Wind Island!"
"He must be incredibly strong... He carries himself like a true noble. It’s so inspiring!"
It seemed the whispers were coming from students in the Middle School Division. Marcos rounded a corner with an elegant sweep, basking in the envious gazes of his juniors. Once he was certain he was out of sight, he stopped. His shoulders began to quake, and a grin split his face.
"Heh... Hehehe! Fuhahahahahaha! Finally, the academy has recognized my brilliance! Hehe... My pride was perhaps too lofty for them to grasp before, but the world has finally caught up to me!!"
It was important to remember that this was exactly the kind of young man Marcos Borg was. While he could be perfectly serious when the situation demanded it and had mastered the refined etiquette of his station, he was also prone to arrogance. He was easily flattered. This was the fundamental difference between him and the perpetually stoic Ryuga.
"Heh-heh... My evolution won't stop here. I'll keep training until the day I finally surpass Yugo!!"
He resumed his walk with a triumphant smile, clenching his fist in a private declaration of war. He might have been showing a side that was slightly less than admirable, but for a boy his age, such outbursts were perhaps forgivable.
He eventually reached the vicinity of the main school building, only to find a small crowd gathering. He paused.
What's this? A commotion?
As a noble, he felt it was beneath him to join a crowd of gawkers, yet his curiosity was piqued. Attempting to maintain an elegant air, he tried to pass by the fringe of the group. Just then, a voice rang out from the center.
"Hey, I don't recognize you. Are you a transfer student? It’s pretty late in the year for that!"
"Yep, that’s right! A lot of stuff happened, so I’m starting here today!"
"Hmm...?"
Marcos froze. That voice—it was bright, cheerful, and almost aggressively upbeat. It sounded like the sun itself. It was hauntingly familiar. No way, he thought. He strained his ears as the onlookers continued to pester the girl.
"Wow! Well, if you want, I can show you around! It must be scary starting at a place like this when you don't know anyone."
"Hey, back off! I’ll give the tour! Besides, I want to be your first friend!"
"Thanks, but I’ve already got friends here! And my Shiroi's Father told me I shouldn't follow guys around without being careful. So, sorry!"
"Wait... you have friends here at Luminous Academy?"
"Mhm! I figured I’d see them if I waited here!"
"It has to be her...! Excuse me, let me through!"
Panic and excitement surged through Marcos as he began shoving his way through the crowd. Abandoning his noble grace, he scrambled to the front of the circle. He burst through the final layer of students and locked eyes with the girl just as she turned.
"Elena? Is that you?"
"Ah—!!"
Tanned skin, eyes brimming with innocent mischief, and a smile that radiated warmth. It was Elena Soleil, the girl he had bonded with during the chaos of Wind Island. Seeing her standing there in a Luminous Academy uniform left him speechless. Elena’s face lit up with pure joy the moment she spotted him. She took a few quick steps to build momentum and then—!
"Marcos! It’s been so long! I missed you!!"
"Guh-hwark!?"
She launched herself into the air, wrapping her arms around him and tackling him to the ground. She offered her innocent greeting from on top of him.
With that, Marcos Borg's elegant morning came to a crashing halt, and a very loud, very busy day began.