Castle Light was still reeling from the chaos of Alen Drakkengard's arrival, Subaru's string of accidental wipes, and the near destruction of the entire base. Tension and awe hung thick in the air like smoke. Reinhart sat on the castle stairs sharpening his blade, while Julius happily munched on a double-tier Megurger. Subaru, finally given a breather, lay sprawled on the ground, groaning.
"Bro, I wiped two more freshies by accident," Subaru muttered.
"Four total," Julius corrected with a mouthful. "You're a hazard."
Alen, sitting silently in the far corner of the courtyard with his spear across his lap, radiated an aura so dense the nearby air shimmered.
And then it happened.
The front gates of Castle Light creaked open, and in walked a Felinor.
She wasn't just any Felinor. Her name was Emilia Moonwhisker, her ears twitching with curiosity, eyes glowing with a faint lavender shimmer. A pristine level 1 aura barely clung to her like morning mist. Her tail swayed behind her rhythmically as she stepped lightly into the courtyard.
Every male diver in Castle Light simultaneously went still.
"Did the Depths just bless us?" a freshie muttered in awe.
"She's a level 1, right?" another whispered.
"I can save her," said a third, straightening his back.
"Back off," said a fourth, puffing his chest out.
Even Subaru sat up, despite his bruises. "Yo… is this heaven?"
Reinhart blinked, confused. "Why are they all acting like she's an artifact?"
"She's cute and new," Julius explained. "That's the most dangerous combo in Castle Light."
Emilia tilted her head. "Um… hi? I'm looking for a team to survive with. I'm not that good yet, but I'm eager to learn!"
That was all it took.
Instantly, Castle Light erupted into a chaotic courting frenzy.
The Tournament of Simping Begins
Freshies began sparring in the courtyard.
A Flamecharmer with no shirt tried to impress her by shooting a fireball into the sky.
A Galebreather tried to levitate rocks into the shape of a heart.
One guy even tried to perform a whole Ironsing solo using a stick and a rock.
"Pick me, Emilia!" one yelled.
"No, pick me! I've been level 2 for weeks! I'm basically a veteran!"
Even Subaru tried to look cool by leaning on a wall, but he accidentally tripped and knocked over a crate of fish.
Julius watched with a Megurger in hand. "This is embarrassing."
Reinhart leaned in. "Should we… participate?"
Julius narrowed his eyes. "Do you even like her?"
Reinhart blinked. "I… I mean… she seems nice…"
Alen stood up. Silence washed over the courtyard.
Every diver froze.
The aura intensified like a tidal wave rolling through the castle. The fireball guy fainted. The guy doing the Ironsing solo screamed and ran. Even Emilia's ears flattened from the pressure.
Alen didn't say a word. He walked right past all of them… and stopped in front of Emilia.
Everyone held their breath.
"…You remind me of someone," Alen said calmly.
Emilia blinked. "I… I do?"
He turned away. "Never mind." And just like that, he vanished with a single teleport, his red cloak flapping behind him.
"Did she… just get flirted with by Alen Drakkengard?" someone gasped.
"I think I saw my life flash before my eyes," another muttered.
The Final Showdown
Despite the madness, only a few contenders remained.
A stylish Flamecharmer named Dario Blaze
A buff Silentheart with scars and no patience
Reinhart
Julius (who joined because she gave him a Megurger coupon)
Subaru was disqualified after tripping over his own sword again and almost wiping her.
Dario struck a pose. "I'll protect you with my life, milady."
The Silentheart flexed. "Words are wind. I'll show you strength."
Reinhart just awkwardly rubbed the back of his head. "I guess we could spar sometime if you want…"
Julius offered her half of his Megurger.
Emilia looked around, overwhelmed. Her tail twitched as she pondered, then finally… she smiled.
She walked up to Julius.
"Are you… the King of Calories?" she asked innocently.
Julius blinked, mouth full. "That's me."
"I read about you in a bounty board story. They said you once ate a Voidwalker's sword and made him cry."
Julius blushed. "Heh. Yeah… it was kinda good."
She giggled. "I think I'll team with you."
The courtyard fell into dead silence.
Dario dropped his fire sword.
The Silentheart turned around and screamed into the void.
Reinhart nodded respectfully, accepting defeat.
Subaru clapped from the ground. "Goat behavior, bro."
Later That Night
Julius and Emilia sat on the rooftop of Castle Light sharing Megurgers and talking about nothing in particular. Reinhart sat nearby, sword in hand, watching the stars.
Subaru peeked over the wall, hiding from more bounty hunters. "I swear if I get wiped for one more accident…"
Inside, a fresh bounty was being posted.
WANTED: Subaru Olof – For 5 freshie wipes, public clumsiness, and endangering Castle Light. 17,000 note reward.
Meanwhile, Julius had a new title.
"King of Calories – Slayer of Diets, Friend of Felinors"
And just like that, Castle Light gained a new duo: Julius and Emilia.
Peace reigned… for now.