The grand gates of the royal castle loomed ahead, gilded in gold and silver carvings that shimmered like liquid light beneath the sun. The walls, veined with white marble and lined with crimson banners bearing the sigil of Valtoria, reflected the power and pride of the royal bloodline.
But Ragnar Wryd didn't even glance up.
Neither did Light nor Yuuki.
Their faces were calm masks — not of awe, but of restrained irritation. Each step through the corridor echoed softly, the weight of their boots pressing against polished marble floors that probably cost more than their homes combined.
Guards lined both sides of the hallway, standing stiff as statues. None dared speak, but every eye followed the trio. It was impossible not to — three infamous students from Saint High, each powerful in their own right, walking side by side with Vincent Wryd, the King's loyal knight.
Ragnar walked at the front, his hands shoved in his pockets, his eyes half-lidded but sharp. His every movement screamed defiance. Light trailed beside him, humming softly, his usual grin nowhere to be found. Yuuki walked silently behind them, head slightly bowed, calculating everything as always.
Then…
From the other end of the corridor, she appeared.
A girl in a flowing white gown trimmed with sapphire lace. Her hair was golden not the dull gold of common nobles, but a radiant hue that shimmered like threads of sunlight. Her emerald eyes glowed with an almost unnatural sharpness, her posture flawless, her expression elegant and controlled.
Even without a crown, it was clear who she was.
Aurora Victoria — Princess of Valtoria.
She moved with calculated grace, every step measured, her chin held high. The air seemed to shift around her, heavy with the scent of expensive perfume and pride.
As she approached, the guards bowed. Vincent stopped and saluted. Light gave a polite nod. Yuuki straightened and whispered softly to Ragnar,
"That's… the princess."
Ragnar didn't respond. He just kept walking until she stopped right in front of them, her emerald eyes glinting like blades.
She bowed — but not to them. To Vincent.
Then her gaze flicked over to Ragnar, Yuuki, and Light.
Disdain. Pure and unfiltered. The look of someone inspecting dirt on her shoe.
When she finally spoke, her voice was silk wrapped around steel.
"My name is Aurora Victoria. And what are your lowly names?"
Her words dripped arrogance, her eyes narrowing as if their existence insulted her presence.
Yuuki exhaled quietly. He wasn't fond of royalty, but he understood the situation — this was politics. So, keeping his tone respectful, he bowed slightly.
"My name is Yuuki Sato, your highness."
She nodded slightly, as if he merely met minimum expectations.
Light, on the other hand, smiled — his usual lazy grin, though his eyes carried faint irritation.
"Light Excalibur. Nice to meet you, Princess."
Her expression softened a little, her lips curving upward. She liked that answer.
But then her gaze fell on Ragnar.
He didn't bow. He didn't even blink.
Their eyes locked — and something inside her wavered. His stare wasn't just defiant. It was cold. Lifeless. The kind of eyes that didn't see royalty, didn't see status… only judgment.
"And you? she asked, her tone firm. "Do you not have a name?"
Ragnar tilted his head slightly. For a moment, silence filled the corridor. Then, in a voice that was calm but edged with venom, he replied,
"My name… is none of your business. Now get out of my way."
The air froze.
Aurora's face twisted in outrage. No one — no one — had ever spoken to her like that. Her hand shot up, trembling, ready to slap him.
But then she saw his eyes.
Those black, hollow eyes. The faint pulse of mana that rippled behind them — quiet, yet suffocating. His expression was blank, but there was something behind it. Something dark.
For the first time in years, she hesitated.
That moment of fear made her hand fall slowly back to her side.
Ragnar brushed past her shoulder without another word, his coat sweeping the edge of her gown as if she were invisible.
Aurora's lips parted — she wanted to scream, to curse, to command — but nothing came out. The tension in her throat was too tight.
Vincent was speechless. Even the guards exchanged nervous glances.
Yuuki sighed quietly.
"Ragnar…"
"What?" Ragnar muttered. "She asked. I answered."
Light chuckled under his breath.
"Well… that went better than expected."
Vincent pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Just… try not to get executed before the meeting, please."
They continued walking until they reached a massive crimson door — engraved with dragons, angels, and swords woven together in a spiral of war and peace. The royal council chamber.
Inside, chaos reigned
Dozens of nobles argued in loud voices, their jeweled fingers stabbing at each other, their words echoing off the high ceilings. Gold chandeliers sparkled above them, reflecting the firelight that danced on crimson carpets.
The smell of perfume, parchment, and politics filled the air.
But when Ragnar and his friends entered, everything stopped.
Whispers rippled through the room.
"Those are the Saint High students?"
"They look… ordinary."
"No… that one. The reddish-haired boy… there's something about his eyes."
The nobles words were sharp, but Ragnar ignored them. His gaze locked on the man seated on the golden throne — King Alaric Valtoria.
The king looked tired. His crown tilted slightly, his expression strained beneath the weight of sleepless nights. His eyes — once sharp and commanding — now carried a quiet guilt.
Vincent bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty, I've brought the Saint High students as requested."
The king nodded faintly.
"Thank you, Vincent. Please… have them sit."
Chairs were prepared at the far end of the table — smaller, simpler ones. Clearly not meant for nobles.
Ragnar stared at them, then looked at the empty noble chairs closer to the king — large, ornate, cushioned in velvet.
He didn't hesitate. He walked straight past the assigned seats and sat in one of the noble chairs, leaning back casually.
Light smirked and followed suit.
"Comfier this way."
Yuuki sighed, whispering,
"You're gonna get us all killed…" but he sat beside them anyway.
The room exploded in protests.
"How dare they sit there!"
"That's reserved for the Duke!"
"Such disrespect!"
But before anyone could move, the king raised his hand.
"Enough."
Silence fell.
The king looked at the three students — no, the three sacrifices — and felt his chest tighten.
There were a lot of thoughts in king Alaric's mind
'Children. They're just children. But if I don't do this… the kingdom will burn. The monsters demanded three humans of power — and they chose Saint High's prodigies. What choice do I have? My people need peace… I have to protect them. Even if it means damning my own soul.'
He forced a smile.
"Thank you all for coming. I know this was sudden. We… have matters of grave importance to discuss."
Ragnar's hands clenched under the table. He could hear the cowardice in the king's tone. The hesitation. The guilt.
Ragnar thought to himself
'So that's how it is… You're going to pretend this is diplomacy, when in truth it's just an excuse to hand us over like livestock. You think I don't see through it? You disgust me.'
Light leaned toward Yuuki and whispered,
"You can feel it too, right?"
Yuuki nodded slightly.
"Yeah. He's hiding something."
"He's not hiding," Ragnar muttered. "He's surrendering."
Vincent glanced at him, his expression uneasy.
"Ragnar, don't—"
"Don't what?" Ragnar cut in quietly. His tone was calm, but every word dripped with venom. "Don't speak the truth?"
The room fell silent again.
The king's hands trembled slightly on the armrest of his throne. He met Ragnar's gaze and for a split second, he saw not a student… but something far more dangerous.
Something terrifying.