Ezra looked at Cyrus with slight surprise.

His expression, however, remained as plain and unreadable as ever.

The two continued jogging side by side, their footsteps landing in an even rhythm against the stone walkway stretching through the lively streets of the East Wing.

For a while, neither of them spoke again.

The silence between them wasn’t awkward.

It was simply peaceful.

Around them, the academy steadily continued to come to life.

More Noble Steam Carriages joined the roads, their polished metal bodies reflecting the early morning sunlight as they rolled past. Ordinary Steam Carriages followed behind them, transporting students from different residence districts toward the academy center.

Students filled the walkways.

Some jogged together while chatting happily.

Others exercised alone, completely focused on their own routines.

The cool morning breeze carried laughter, conversations, and the occasional whistle from passing Steam Buses, creating the familiar atmosphere of another day at the Royal Academy.

After several moments...

Cyrus suddenly chuckled.

"Unfortunately..."

The thoughtful expression that had lingered on his face disappeared, replaced by his usual playful smile.

"She turned out to be just like the other girls who admired Sir Ravenor."

He shrugged his shoulders as though he were talking about something insignificant.

"Sasha found out through one of her maids."

He glanced toward Ezra before continuing.

"My personal maid had been comparing me with Ravenor whenever she talked with the other young maids."

He let out another laugh.

"Sasha became furious. After seeing how much I liked that maid and hearing how often I talked about her, she couldn’t stand the fact that my maid was being such a two-faced bitch."

Cyrus laughed again.

Although his tone sounded playful...

Ezra could tell he wasn’t exaggerating.

Those were Sasha’s exact words.

"I was stupid enough not to believe her."

Cyrus scratched the side of his cheek with an embarrassed smile.

"So...She and Ravenor came up with a little plan to show me my maid’s true colors."

He looked ahead as memories quietly resurfaced.

"...It was pretty heartbreaking."

He smiled awkwardly before pretending to wipe away an imaginary tear from the corner of his eye.

"I almost cried."

Ezra glanced at him for a brief moment.

"You don’t look like someone who would be heartbroken."

His reply came as calmly as ever.

Cyrus laughed.

"That’s because I’ve become immune to things like that."

He placed a hand over his chest dramatically before grinning.

"Hehehe...I can’t keep letting girls walk all over me just because I want a little attention."

He lowered his hand again.

"So...I think it’s safer if I simply stay away from them."

His smile relaxed.

This time...

It felt much more genuine.

"I see."

Ezra nodded lightly.

He didn’t offer any advice.

Nor did he question Cyrus any further.

Everyone dealt with disappointment differently.

If that was the conclusion Cyrus had reached...

Then Ezra had no reason to interfere.

By then...

The academy gymnasium had already come into full view.

Its massive structure stood proudly at the center of the training district, while streams of students continued making their way toward its entrance.

Neither of them spoke again.

They quietly entered the gymnasium together.

At the entrance...

Both boys scanned their student identification cards.

The doors unlocked with a soft mechanical click before sliding open.

Inside...

Quite a number of students had already begun their morning training.

Some occupied the weight-training section.

Others practiced combat drills in the open training areas.

A few students who lived nearby had arrived on foot, while others had come much earlier aboard Steam Carriages.

The atmosphere inside the gym was already filled with energy.

Just as they stepped onto the main training floor...

Ezra suddenly spoke.

"So..."

His voice broke the silence between them.

"You’ve basically become insecure about girls breaking your heart."

He looked sideways at Cyrus.

"And yet you claim you’ve become immune."

A faint trace of sarcasm slipped into his otherwise calm tone.

"Funny."

Cyrus nearly stumbled.

He immediately turned toward Ezra with narrowed eyes.

"Seriously?"

He stared at him in disbelief.

"You’re making fun of me now?"

His expression looked almost betrayed.

Seeing Ezra deliver such a dry remark caught him completely off guard.

Ezra simply looked forward again.

His face remained exactly the same.

Completely blank.

Whether he had intentionally made a joke or not...

Only he knew.

Cyrus stared at him for another second before letting out a helpless laugh.

Like that...

The two boys immersed themselves in their personal training.

Hours passed quietly inside the gymnasium.

Since the Welcome Party wouldn’t begin until two o’clock in the afternoon...

Neither of them had any reason to rush.

They spent the rest of the morning exercising, refining their bodies, and completing their usual training routines before finally returning to prepare for the celebration.

Time quietly passed.

By the time the academy clock struck two in the afternoon...

The East Wing and the other Wings in the students residence district had become unusually quiet.

Almost every first-year student had already gathered at the Royal Academy’s magnificent Grand Ballroom.

The once busy residence district now stood nearly empty.

Instead...

All of the excitement had gathered inside one place.

The Grand Ballroom.

Brilliant crystal lights illuminated the enormous hall, bathing every corner in a warm white glow.

Elegant chandeliers hung high above the polished floor, their reflections dancing across the smooth marble beneath countless footsteps.

A soft orchestra had already begun performing.

Violins, cellos, and pianos blended together into a calm melody that drifted throughout the ballroom.

The music wasn’t loud.

It simply settled naturally into the atmosphere, becoming the perfect background for the countless conversations filling the hall.

Attendants dressed in perfectly tailored waiter uniforms moved gracefully through the crowd, each carrying polished silver trays filled with expensive fruit wines and refreshments.

Students laughed.

Friends reunited.

Dance partners admired one another’s outfits.

The excitement of finally reaching their first official academy celebration could be seen on nearly every face.

Near the entrance...

Two first-year students wearing elegant party attire stood before a recording camera.

Pinned proudly to their chests was the emblem of the News Club.

Both wore bright smiles.

"Welcome!"

The young man greeted, energetically.

"...to the Royal Grand Ballroom!"

His female partner smoothly continued.

"Of the greatest academy in the kingdom..."

She smiled brightly toward the camera.

"The Royal Academy!"

Both of them declared together.

Their cheerful voices echoed through the entrance.

Passing students responded with laughter and applause as they entered the ballroom.

Many of the attendees came from Non-Noble families and Low Noble Houses.

Every young man wore carefully tailored suits.

Every young lady arrived in elegant ballroom gowns.

The wealth and status of their families were quietly displayed through every carefully chosen design and every finely crafted accessory.

Some couples walked into the ballroom hand in hand, smiling happily at one another.

Others entered in lively groups of friends, chatting excitedly while taking pictures together.

The joyful atmosphere spread both inside and outside the hall.

The News Club continued broadcasting the event live throughout the academy, allowing students from the higher years to watch the celebration in real time.

Afterward...

The recording would be uploaded onto the academy’s official Linsta page.

"Without further ado..."

The female host gracefully extended her arm toward the ballroom.

"Let’s introduce the stars of this year’s Welcome Party!"

The camera slowly followed her as the two presenters walked farther into the hall.

The elegant orchestra continued performing.

Soft conversations drifted through the crowd.

Laughter mixed with the music.

Everywhere one looked...

Students were enjoying themselves.

"We would first like to welcome..."

The male host smiled brightly.

"Britannia’s distinguished Count Houses!"

He swept his arm toward one side of the ballroom.

"Count House Evermont!"

The camera immediately turned.

Attention throughout the nearby crowd shifted toward Basil Evermont and the other members of his family.

Basil stood confidently among them, engaged in conversation.

The moment he noticed the camera...

A smug smile naturally appeared across his face.

"Next..."

The female host paused dramatically.

"Count House Evergrey!"

The camera smoothly shifted once again.

The Evergrey family entered the frame.

Standing at the center were the two students who naturally drew the most attention.

Grace Evergrey.

Elegant in a refined grey ballroom gown.

Beside her stood her stepbrother, dressed in a tailored grey-and-black suit that perfectly matched the family’s colors.

Both offered composed smiles toward the camera.

Several nearby students quietly admired them.

The introductions continued one Count House after another.

As more first-years steadily arrived...

The excitement inside the ballroom continued to grow.

Nearly an hour later...

The News Club finally reached the last Count House.

"And finally..."

The two hosts spoke together.

"The last Count House represented among our first-years!"

Their voices immediately attracted everyone’s attention.

"Count House Casper!"

The cameras turned once more.

Applause rose from different parts of the ballroom.

Kane Casper stood behind several members of his family, calmly conversing with them.

Then suddenly...

"Lady Phiora!"

Several excited girls shouted from the crowd.

Phiora Casper gracefully turned toward the voices.

She wore a sparkling jade-green and white ballroom gown that beautifully complemented her jade-colored eyes.

A refined smile appeared across her face as she gave the cheering students a gentle wave.

"Lady Phiora Casper is truly beautiful."

The female News Club host sighed in admiration.

"But she’s not even one of Britannia’s Flowers."

The male host smoothly continued with a smile.

"Which only proves how extraordinary the young ladies of our generation truly are."

He placed one hand over his chest.

"Let’s not forget...Many of Britannia’s finest noble daughters belong to our very own year."

The female host nodded enthusiastically.

"Ah...I’m so proud to be part of this year’s students at the Royal Academy!"

More applause echoed throughout the ballroom.

Smiles spread across countless faces as students wholeheartedly agreed with her words.

"Now..."

The male host continued speaking as he slowly walked across the center of the Grand Ballroom with a confident smile.

"Before this Welcome Party officially began... Our wonderful seniors from the News Club carefully instructed us on how today’s introductions should be carried out."

He stopped near the center of the hall, allowing the recording camera to capture him from the front.

At the same time...

His partner remained stationed farther away near the opposite side of the ballroom, almost beside the second entrance, allowing the two of them to cover the entire hall from different angles.

She smiled warmly before smoothly continuing where he had left off.

"We were instructed to begin by introducing each of the Count Houses one by one. So, to all the distinguished students from the Viscount Houses and the High-Ember Houses..."

She bowed politely toward the crowd.

"We sincerely apologize that we couldn’t introduce every family individually. But please know that we’re giving all of you a huge shout-out today!"

Her cheerful voice earned a wave of laughter from the audience.

The cameras immediately swept across the ballroom, capturing the students belonging to the various Viscount Houses and High-Ember Houses.

Some waved enthusiastically toward the cameras.

Some offered polite smiles.

Others laughed awkwardly after realizing they would only receive a collective introduction instead of having their own family announced individually.

A few students jokingly pretended to look disappointed, causing the friends around them to laugh.

The atmosphere remained relaxed and lively.

"As my beautiful co-host has already explained..."

The male presenter smoothly took over once again.

"I’m sure many of you have already noticed something."

He looked around the ballroom with an amused smile.

"The Duke Houses... still haven’t made their appearance."

He deliberately paused.

The students throughout the hall instinctively turned their attention toward him.

With a playful smile...

He slowly raised one finger into the air.

"The reason... is actually very simple."

He allowed the anticipation to build for another second before grinning.

"Because we’d like to welcome them... all in one grand sweep!"

The moment those words left his mouth...

Both hosts raised their voices together.

Their bright announcement echoed throughout the magnificent ballroom.

Immediately...

The atmosphere changed.

Excited whispers spread rapidly across the crowd.

Many students instinctively turned toward the grand entrance.

"I wonder what kind of gowns the Flowers of Britannia are wearing today."

One male student whispered excitedly to his friends.

Another immediately shook his head.

"Lady Selena is definitely going to be the most elegant."

"No way."

His friend quickly argued back.

"Lady Vera will steal the spotlight as always."

"Don’t forget the young lords!"

Someone else excitedly joined the conversation.

"Sir Ravenor!"

"Sir Desmond!"

"Sir Veda!"

The names of Britannia’s most famous young nobles quietly spread throughout the ballroom as more and more students eagerly anticipated their arrival.

The two News Club hosts smiled at each other before lifting their microphones once more.

"Please join us... in welcoming the Duke Houses!"

Both of them announced, together.

Their voices rang proudly across the Grand Ballroom.

The instant the announcement ended...

Every camera stationed inside the hall turned toward the magnificent entrance.

At almost the same moment...

Students throughout the ballroom hurriedly took out their Paras, Starlixs, and Zphones of various models.

Some prepared to record videos.

Others eagerly opened their cameras to capture photographs.

The excitement filling the hall reached an entirely different level.

Then...

The grand entrance doors slowly opened.

The first-year members of Britannia’s Duke Houses calmly stepped into the ballroom.

Every family entered together.

Not as scattered individuals...

But as unified groups representing the dignity and prestige of their noble houses.

A wave of applause naturally spread throughout the hall.

The sound grew louder with every passing second.

The Burnwick Family entered first.

Every young lord and young lady wore formal attire combining deep black with rich scarlet red, creating a bold yet refined appearance that perfectly reflected the Burnwick family’s noble prestige.

Not far behind them...

The Galehart Family entered as one.

Most of their members wore elegant emerald-green and black formal wear, while a few incorporated shades of grey into their outfits, giving the family a graceful yet distinguished appearance.

Following them came the Derlis Family.

Their noble attire centered around luxurious wine-red paired with black, making every member appear dignified as they walked through the entrance with calm confidence.

The Drake Family followed next.

Their clothing combined dark brown with black, creating a firm and commanding presence that suited the image of their house.

The Bergwyn Family entered the ballroom next.

Most of their members wore refined combinations of light blue and black, while others chose navy blue accented with black, giving the entire family a calm and elegant appearance that naturally attracted the attention of everyone watching.

Finally...

The Ashenlocke Family made their entrance.

Unlike the other Duke Houses, whose family colors stood out with bold combinations of vibrant shades, the Ashenlocke’s carried themselves with a quieter kind of prestige.

Most of the young lords and ladies were dressed in refined black formal attire, their clothing tailored with sharp, elegant lines that reflected the family’s disciplined image.

Some members wore silver accents woven into their suits and gowns, while others incorporated pure white into their outfits, creating a striking contrast against the dominant black.

The three colors blended together naturally.

Black represented the dignity and solemn reputation of House Ashenlocke.

Silver added a refined brilliance that caught the light whenever they moved.

White softened the overall appearance without diminishing the noble presence carried by every member of the family.

The Ashenlockes didn’t make a loud entrance.

Just like all the children from the other Duke Houses.

They all simply walked forward together with calm, measured steps.

Yet...

That quiet confidence alone was enough to draw countless eyes toward all of them.

Students throughout the ballroom instinctively raised their Paras, Starlix devices, and Zphones higher, eager to capture the arrival of another of Britannia’s great Duke Houses.

The flashes from recording devices reflected across the polished marble floor as applause spread through the Grand Ballroom once again.

One Duke House after another...

The future pillars of Britannia had finally gathered beneath the same roof.