The second day of the trip had arrived, and Rin found himself preparing for yet another diplomatic visit—this time to Crimson Academy.
Takigawa Rei stood beside him, adjusting the sleeves of her formal attire. Unlike yesterday's casual outing, today's visit carried an official purpose. The Black Empress, Hoshimi Minako, had specifically tasked Rin with evaluating how the Crimson Valor Kingdom trained its combat students. Given Minako's expertise in assassination and stealth tactics, it made sense that she wanted a firsthand assessment from someone like Rin.
But Rin's objectives extended beyond just combat training.
Before meeting Saintess Elaine the previous day, he had already observed a troubling disparity in the kingdom. Many highly talented individuals—particularly those who didn't specialize in combat—were overlooked and left in poor conditions. This was a waste. The Hoshimi Empire could benefit from their skills, whether in craftsmanship, alchemy, strategy, or other fields.
To that end, Rin had already dispatched several discreet agents to investigate the marginalized districts, gathering information on promising individuals. The Academy visit was merely one piece of the puzzle.
Rei glanced at him. "You seem deep in thought."
Rin gave a small smile. "Just considering our approach. The Academy is an important institution for the Crimson Valor Kingdom. If we want something from them, we need to make sure we don't give away too much in return."
Rei smirked. "Sounds like you already have a plan."
Rin chuckled. "More like several plans, depending on how today plays out."
As the two walked toward their carriage, escorted by a small contingent of Hoshimi guards, Rin's mind was already at work—analyzing the best way to extract what he needed from the Crimson Academy without tipping his hand too far.
The game of diplomacy was just beginning.
As Rin and Rei stepped onto the prestigious grounds of Crimson Academy, they carried themselves with carefully measured distance. Rei, despite her desire to stay close, maintained her role as Hoshimi Kazuo's fiancée, while Rin adopted the noble yet detached air of the 2nd Imperial Prince, merely accompanying her for the visit.
Their small guard detail remained discreet, stationed at a respectable distance as the academy's staff approached.
A middle-aged man with sharp eyes and neatly combed silver hair greeted them with a polite bow. He wore the signature crimson robes of the academy's faculty, a golden emblem pinned on his chest denoting his status.
"Your Highness, Lady Takigawa, it is an honor to welcome you to Crimson Academy." His tone was formal but carried the confidence of a scholar. "I am Professor Aldric Voss, head instructor of the Combat Arts Division. I will be your guide today."
Rin offered a courteous nod. "We appreciate your time, Professor Voss."
Rei followed suit, keeping her responses short and formal, further reinforcing the illusion that they were nothing more than diplomatic representatives.
As they walked through the grand entrance of the academy, Rin's sharp gaze took in everything—the layout of the training grounds, the students sparring in open courtyards, and the distinct separation between noble and commoner trainees.
The academy, while impressive, still had flaws.
He could already see it.
But for now, he played his part. "Professor Voss, I've heard much about the Crimson Academy's combat training. I look forward to seeing how it compares to our Empire's methods."
Professor Voss smiled, unaware of just how closely Rin would be analyzing everything today.
"Then, Your Highness, let us begin the tour. I believe you'll find our methods… enlightening."
As Professor Voss led Rin and Rei through the academy grounds, he began explaining the structure of Crimson Academy's curriculum.
"The academy is divided into several disciplines, each catering to different combat specializations. We have the Sword Division, Spear Division, Archery Division, and the Magic Combat Division, among others. Every student must also take general classes in strategy, history, and leadership to develop well-rounded warriors."
Rin and Rei observed as groups of students trained in their respective fields. Young swordsmen clashed in sparring rings, their steel ringing sharply in the air. Spearmen drilled in coordinated formations, their footwork precise and disciplined. At the archery range, students fired at moving targets, adjusting for wind and distance.
However, the Magic Combat Division stood out the most. Students wielded elemental spells in duels, some already displaying advanced control over fire, water, and lightning magic.
"As expected of the Crimson Valor Kingdom," Rei murmured, watching a young mage freeze an opponent's fire attack mid-air before shattering it. "They don't fall behind in training."
Professor Voss continued, "Beyond the regular classes, we also have an Elite Class. Only the best among our students are placed there—those who excel in multiple combat disciplines or have reached exceptional levels in their primary field."
At the mention of the Elite Class, Rin narrowed his eyes. "How many students currently qualify?"
"Eight," Voss answered. "Among them, two stand out above the rest—His Highness, Crown Prince Lucian Valor, and Lord Gawad Elias, third son of the prestigious Gawad family. Both are Master-tier mages, an achievement unheard of at their age."
As they turned the corner, they arrived at a spacious courtyard where a small group of students stood waiting. Their uniforms bore golden insignias, marking them as the elite.
At the center of the group stood a tall young man with dark crimson hair and sharp golden eyes—Crown Prince Lucian Valor. He carried himself with confidence, his mana practically radiating authority. Beside him was a refined yet imposing young noble—Lord Gawad Elias, whose piercing gaze sized up Rin and Rei with quiet calculation.
Professor Voss gestured toward them. "Your Highness, Lord Elias, allow me to introduce our esteemed guests—Lady Takigawa Rei of the Vermillion Dragon Palace, and His Highness, Hoshimi Rin, the 2nd Imperial Prince of the Hoshimi Empire."
Lucian's golden eyes locked onto Rin, his expression unreadable.
"I've heard much about you," he said smoothly, offering a polite but firm nod. "It's an honor, Prince Rin."
Rin returned the nod, his polite mask unwavering.
"The honor is mine, Crown Prince Lucian."
A tense silence followed as the two princes studied each other, the weight of unspoken thoughts hanging between them.
As Rin stood before Crown Prince Lucian and Lord Elias, he subtly suppressed his mana. His Mana Furnace, an artifact-like core that granted him limitless mana, naturally exuded an overwhelming presence. However, he had long since learned to control it—drawing too much attention only painted a larger target on his back.
Elias, a prodigious mage himself, observed Rin with a hint of skepticism. To him, the 2nd Imperial Prince appeared unremarkable in combat. He carried himself with grace but lacked the raw presence of a warrior. Instead, it seemed as if Rin relied on the Takigawa family's reputation for martial excellence to secure his position.
Rei, standing beside Rin, remained composed. She was already devoted to the Hoshimi Empire and had fully accepted her place within the Imperial Family. Even if others misunderstood their dynamic, it didn't concern her.
Curious, Elias finally spoke. "How does the Hoshimi Imperial Family command the loyalty of warriors like the Takigawa?"
Rin's expression remained calm as he answered, "The Hoshimi Family does not rule through force alone. Our doctrine is simple—we gather talent, nurture it, and provide access to the vast knowledge within the Imperial Library. Strength comes in many forms, and we cultivate those with the will to grow, regardless of their origins."
Elias scoffed. "Sounds like a weakling's method—relying on knowledge rather than power."
Rin merely smiled. "Perhaps. But that same method has allowed the Hoshimi Empire to thrive for over 2,000 years. A nation ruled solely by might will eventually collapse under its own weight. Our people do not serve out of fear—they remain because they believe in our rule."
Lucian, however, seemed more focused on Rei. His golden eyes lingered on her presence beside Rin. It was unusual for a consort—even an esteemed one—to accompany a 2nd Prince on such a diplomatic visit.
"It's rare to see a consort assigned to a lesser prince," Lucian noted, his voice smooth but edged with curiosity.
Rin remained composed, effortlessly maintaining his mask. "The Crown Prince has many responsibilities that prevent him from leaving the Empire. This trip happens to align with Rei's expertise, so she was the natural choice to attend."
Lucian's gaze flickered between them. "I see… He must be quite fortunate." His tone carried a subtle jealousy.
Rin maintained his polite demeanor, his smile unwavering. "The Hoshimi Imperial Family values closeness above all else. I am fortunate to have built a strong bond with Rei."
Rei, perfectly aware of Rin's hidden meaning, simply nodded.
Lucian chuckled, a hint of amusement in his expression. "Then the Crown Prince must be the luckiest of all."
Unbeknownst to him, the reality was quite different—while the world believed Rei to be Crown Prince Kazuo's fiancée, in truth, she belonged to Rin.
Elias, however, was less interested in personal matters and more intrigued by Rin's ideals. "You say the Empire doesn't rely on combat power alone. Then what does it prioritize?"
Rin's gaze turned sharp yet serene. "Purpose."
Elias raised an eyebrow.
Rin continued, "Whether a person is strong, weak, noble, or common—if they have the talent and conviction to pursue something greater, we ensure they have the means to do so. The Empire exists not just to rule, but to cultivate a future where those under its banner can thrive."
On the surface, Rin's words painted him as a benevolent prince—a man of wisdom and vision.
But in truth, it was a carefully constructed façade.
Lucian and Elias exchanged glances, sensing there was more to Rin than what he allowed them to see.
For now, however, they could only acknowledge his presence.
The introduction was complete.
Rin and Rei had come to observe, to witness firsthand the prowess of the so-called Elite Class of the Crimson Valor Kingdom. Strength defined a nation, and understanding the depth of their talent would provide insight into their future relations.
To that end, a mock battle was arranged—one that would pit Takigawa Rei against Elias Gawad, the third son of the prestigious Gawad family. Both were swordmasters who enhanced their techniques with magic, making them ideal opponents.
For the Crimson Valor Kingdom, this was an opportunity—to test the skill of Takigawa Rei, a warrior raised under the Empire's Ideals.
Before stepping forward, Rei turned to Rin, her golden eyes filled with silent inquiry. "Should I accept?"
Rin remained composed, exuding his usual calm. "That depends. If you get injured, your fiancé will be angry at me." His voice was light, almost playful.
Rei blinked before smirking, easily catching his meaning. "Oh? Then Crown Prince Kazuo must be truly fortunate to have someone so considerate looking out for his fiancée."
She played along with his charade, but they both knew the truth—her real fiancé stood before her, disguised as a mere 2nd Imperial Prince.
Rin sighed, knowing there was no stopping her. "It's up to you."
Rei's smile softened. She had already made her decision.
"Then I'll accept."
With that, she stepped forward, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade.
Rin exhaled, watching her go. "Don't hurt yourself, Rei."
She turned slightly, offering him a playful, confident smile. "Since my real fiancé is watching, I'll have to do my best to look good."
Their exchange remained a secret, unspoken to the world.
And so, the match began.
Elias swung with unrelenting force, each strike carrying the weight of his enhanced strength. Yet, no matter how powerful his blows, Rei stood her ground. She did not meet strength with strength—she did not need to.
Instead, she deflected, redirected, and neutralized his attacks with precise, practiced movements.
Just like how Rin and Hikari do it…
Rei had long learned that pure strength was not everything. Even with magic reinforcing her body, she could not outmatch a physically stronger opponent in raw power. That much was undeniable.
But she had two teachers who had already shown her the answer.
Vermillion Empress Hikari, her mentor and future mother-in-law, was a woman whose blade felt like it controlled the very battlefield. When sparring against Hikari, Rei often felt her own strikes subtly pushed aside, her balance disrupted before she could even realize it. It was not just skill—it was the absolute dominance of technique over brute force.
And then there was Rin.
Whenever she faced him, she felt the same overwhelming sensation. He was not the strongest warrior in pure power—Hikari had him beat when it came to sheer destructive capability with her Forbidden-tier magic.
Yet Rin had adapted.
She had seen them spar before. Rin, knowing he could not overpower Hikari's magic, adjusted his tactics. He flooded her with High-tier spells, forcing her to defend with Forbidden-tier magic. Then, when her focus was split, he closed the gap—dragging her into a duel of blades, where their strengths were more evenly matched.
Against an opponent stronger than yourself… take away their greatest advantage.
Now, facing Elias, Rei applied the same philosophy.
Elias had strength, but he relied too much on it. His attacks were wide and forceful, but predictable. She shifted her stance, letting his own power work against him—every strike deflected just enough to throw him off-balance, just enough to keep him from fully utilizing his overwhelming force.
And so, no matter how much power he put into his strikes—
He could not break her defense.
The battle continued.
Rei knew the fight was nearing its end. But victory was never her goal. She had already decided to lose—just not without making Elias work for it.
With a sudden spin, she twisted her body and weaved her fire blade in a wide arc, creating a wave of flames that roared toward Elias.
Elias narrowed his eyes and cut through the fire with a single, forceful slash. The flames parted, and in the next instant, both of them dashed forward, meeting in a fierce clash of swords. Sparks flew as steel met steel, their weapons locking for only a fraction of a second before they separated and struck again.
Elias attacked with brute force, trying to overwhelm her with his raw strength. Rei, on the other hand, deflected and countered, never meeting him head-on. Every block she made subtly guided his blade toward a certain spot—one she had intentionally weakened earlier.
She kept up the dance for as long as she could, but then, in the final exchange—
CRACK!
Her sword shattered.
The broken pieces of her blade scattered across the floor, and with a breathless exhale, Rei took a step back. She lowered her stance, acknowledging her loss with a smile that was neither bitter nor disappointed—just satisfied.
Elias, on the other hand, stood with a slightly arrogant smirk, his chest rising and falling. He had won, but the truth was obvious—he was exhausted.
It took him too long.
At least he won. That was what mattered to him.
Rei, meanwhile, sighed, brushing a few stray strands of hair from her face. She had made sure that Elias' final strike had landed at just the right point, using his own power against him to break her blade at the perfect moment. A flawless performance of a planned loss.
Rin, watching from the sidelines, gave her a nod of approval.
Julius, who had been observing closely, couldn't help but admire her skill. "That was impressive. Not many can keep up with Elias that long. You're quite something, Lady Takigawa."
Rei gave him a sideways glance, recognizing the playful tone. Playboy…
Meanwhile, Rin let out a sigh as he walked over. "You still have a long way to go, Rei," he said, though his voice carried a trace of amusement. "That said, you did great."
He handed her a towel, which came from their security detail.
Rei accepted it with a knowing smile. "You really are a good younger brother to Kazuo," she teased. "Always making sure even his fiancées are comfortable."
Rin only chuckled. "It's natural. I rely on others too much, so I make sure they work hard while I reap the benefits."
Rei knew he was lying. But she liked this side of Rin—the one that made people let their guard down, the one that acted indifferent even when he truly cared.
Elias, catching their exchange, smirked. "You seem pleased at her loss, Second Prince."
Rin only smiled, unreadable as always. "I just enjoy watching a good performance."
Rin let out a small chuckle as he watched the combat class settle down after the match. With a slight shake of his head, he turned back to Julius and Elias.
"If only I were talented in combat, I'd love to join," he said with a polite smile. "But Rei and I still need to finish our tour. We're also curious about the other classes—those that don't specialize in combat."
Julius and Elias exchanged glances before smirking. There was an unspoken disdain in their expressions, a quiet arrogance toward those who lacked skill in battle.
"Other classes?" Julius scoffed slightly. "You mean the ones filled with scholars and weaklings?"
Elias chuckled under his breath. "I suppose every kingdom needs its share of… support roles."
Rin, unaffected by their attitudes, simply tilted his head and let out an apologetic sigh. "I'm sorry for not being up to standard in combat," he said.
Rei, who had been silent at his side, glanced at him with narrowed eyes. Her stare was sharp, as if she were silently saying, Liar.
Rin, of all people, was far beyond their so-called "standard" in combat. If he wanted, he could crush Elias in moments. But instead, he let them believe what they wanted to believe.
Julius, pleased with the response, merely smirked. "Well, at least you're honest about your weaknesses, Second Prince."
Elias crossed his arms, nodding in agreement. "Not everyone is suited for battle. Some are just better off behind the scenes."
Rei fought the urge to roll her eyes at their arrogance.
With that, the professor leading them cleared his throat, signaling for them to move on. "This way, Your Highness, Lady Takigawa. The other classes are just ahead."
Rin and Rei turned without another word, following their guide deeper into the academy.
As they walked, Rei leaned slightly toward Rin and whispered, "You enjoy playing weak, don't you?"
Rin smiled knowingly but didn't answer.