Prologue: The Solar Fire Knight and the Lunar Ice Knight
REGENBOGEN Kingdom.
A sword dance to celebrate the new year and the start of the social season was being held in a coliseum near the royal palace.
The performers—two of the kingdom’s most recognizable knights, military academy students both. Though still officer trainees, they were referred to as knights in accordance with tradition.
The one with short, fiery red hair was Felzen von Vulkan, better known as the Solar Fire Knight. Glistening bronze skin; exotic, finely chiseled facial features; eyes that blazed red like the sun; a muscular physique fitted over a roughly six-foot-two body… It was little wonder why he was considered a model warrior.
The one with long, blue hair in a ponytail, on the other hand, was Bernstein von Eisberk—the Lunar Ice Knight. Skin pale like the moon, a face like that of a beautiful ice sculpture, deep sea blue eyes that shimmered softly. His build was slim but not so slim as to cast doubt on his martial prowess. Androgynous though he was, his impeccable mannerisms and overall demeanor made him a knight more than worthy of the title.
In the heart of the coliseum, clad in ceremonial dress, the two put on a most elegant sword dance.
Their swords gave off a bright glow. Felzen’s was wreathed in flame while Bernstein’s was sheathed in ice.
The sharp whistle of steel slicing through the air, glimpses of limbs flashing underneath fluttering cloaks. Their gazes locked, breaths in sync, the two’s swords met.
The fire blade struck the ice blade. Dislodged chunks of ice turned to dust as they crumbled to the ground. The ice blade swung right back. Steam rose from the fire blade then quickly dispersed.
The stunning bladework, the excellent exchange of magic utterly captivated the audience.
“Frohes Neues Jahr!”
The two wished all assembled a joyful new year in an ancient ritual prayer. The audience responded in kind, their cheers echoing throughout the stadium.
The opponents spun their swords, facing one another, before simultaneously sheathing them. Interestingly enough, both the flames and the ice gradually vanished from the point down as the blades plunged into their respective scabbards.
The stands erupted, many spectators waving red and blue folding fans. Daughters of nobility had brought them to signal support for their knight of choice. There were also those who sported purple fans, conveying an equal preference for both.
“Virile as ever, my beloved Solar Fire Knight!”
“My, what a most elegant performance from the Lunar Ice Knight.”
“It’s when you put the two together that they really shine.”
“I suppose so…”
“The Fire Knight’s vigor brings out the Ice Knight’s grace.”
“While the Ice Knight’s more ethereal nature highlights the Fire Knight’s ferociousness!”
Their sighs filled the coliseum.
What none of them knew, however, was that Bernstein von Eisberk, otherwise known as the Lunar Ice Knight, was actually the daughter of a marquess—actually a woman.