King Alfred raise his voice to announce the verdict. "He is hereby expelled from Arcadia Academy and permanently banned from entering the Kingdom of Araulia."
The courtroom erupted into chaos the moment the verdict was announced. Some cheered in approval, their voices ringing with self-righteous satisfaction, while others shouted in outrage, decrying the decision as unfair. The air was thick with tension, a storm of conflicting emotions clashing in the grand chamber.
Yuuya barely had time to process it all before two guards seized him by the arms. Their grip was firm… too firm… but he didn't resist. He couldn't. His body refused to move as he willed it to, a numbing sensation spreading through his limbs like lead.
He wasn't surprised.
Ever since he had stepped into the trial, he had felt something was wrong. His movements had been sluggish, his strength drained and his mind is blurry, yet he hadn't questioned it.
Even now, his legs felt weak, and without the guards holding him up, he doubted he could stand on his own.
Whispers rippled through the crowd as he was dragged across the courtroom floor, their hushed voices filled with speculation and contempt.
"He shouldn't be expelled from the Academy."
"Yeah, He a great student."
"He's lucky it's only that as the punishment."
"He is the disgrace to the academy…"
Yuuya didn't react. He simply let himself be led away, his face unreadable.
As the heavy doors slammed shut behind him, the echoes of the courtroom's uproar faded into the distance.
Thrown unceremoniously into a cold, damp cell, Yuuya lay motionless on the stone floor. Moments later, a bucket of cold water was thrown over him, shocking his senses back to reality. He took a deep breath, the chill seeping into his bones.
"At least they allowed me to live," he murmured to himself, a bitter smile forming on his lips.
The sound of keys rattling against metal echoed in the dimly lit cell. The door creaked open, and a guard stepped inside. "Someone wishes to see you. Follow me."
Yuuya hesitated but stood up. His body felt weak from hunger and exhaustion, but he already has some energy to stand up. He followed the guard through the corridors until they reached a private chamber. The door swung open, revealing Eltharion waiting inside.
"Are you alright?" Eltharion asked, concern evident in his gaze.
"I'm fine. No need to worry," Yuuya replied, forcing a small smile. But Eltharion could see the exhaustion in his eyes, the quiet resignation in his posture.
Eltharion sighed, feeling a pang of guilt for being unable to prevent this. "I prepared some food for you. Eat." He pushed a plate toward Yuuya.
The smell of warm bread and roasted meat filled the air. Yuuya didn't hesitate, hunger overriding his pride. He ate with desperation, his mind too exhausted to care about anything else. Eltharion placed a set of fresh clothes beside him.
"I shouldn't be doing this, but as an instructor at Arcadia Academy, I still have some authority over certain rules," Eltharion said with a small smirk.
Yuuya looked up and nodded. "Thank you."
Eltharion studied Yuuya carefully before asking, "What will you do now?"
"I plan to leave… and meet with my sister."
Before Eltharion could respond, the door burst open. Cain von Paldia, the king of Paldia, entered with his daughter, Christina. Without warning, Christina rushed forward and threw herself at Yuuya, wrapping her arms around him tightly.
"You idiot! How could you let them do this to you?" she sobbed, her strong demeanor crumbling.
Yuuya stood frozen, stunned by her reaction. Seeing the ever-strong Christina cry into his chest shook him more than he expected. Gently, he placed his hand on her back, offering silent reassurance.
"I don't know what to do now… Who will I spar with every morning?... Who will I eat lunch with?... Everything will be different now!" Christina complained between sobs.
Yuuya's gaze drifted to Cain, who was smiling, but something about his expression felt ominous. Yuuya gently pulled away from Christina, wiping her tears.
Yuuya gently pulled away from Christina, wiping the tears from her cheeks. Cain stepped forward, resting a hand on his daughter's head. "If you wish, you can still join Paldia's knight order," he offered.
Yuuya shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I need to take care of something first. I'll be on a journey for a while."
Cain sighed. "What a shame. I thought after this incident, I could finally tie you to the Paldia Kingdom."
Yuuya let out an awkward laugh. Christina, still teary-eyed, grabbed his arm. "Promise me we'll meet again."
He nodded. "We will, when fate allows it."
Before anything else could be said, the door slammed open once again.
"Would everyone stop bursting through the damn door?!" Eltharion snapped, his patience running thin.
The girl standing at the entrance flinched before hesitantly stepping forward.
Yuuya's sharp eyes studied her, she had grown in the past few years. Her once youthful features had matured, her once timid demeanor now replaced with a quiet confidence. Yet, despite the changes, he recognized her instantly.
"…Lena?"
The girl's eyes widened before she rushed toward him, wrapping her arms around him tightly.
"I was so worried!" she cried.
Yuuya blinked in surprise. "You've grown."
Lena pulled away slightly, her cheeks flushed. "It's been years, Yuuya. Of course I've changed," she said, trying to sound indignant but failing to hide the warmth in her voice.
Yuuya chuckled softly. "Even so, I still recognize you."
Lena's breath hitched, and she lowered her gaze. "I never forgot you, either," she admitted in a quiet voice.
Yuuya blinked. "What are you doing here?"
"I came with His Majesty," Lena explained, glancing back at the entrance. "He wishes to see you."
Eltharion, Cain, and Christina took their leave, offering Yuuya their well wishes. Just as Yuuya turned to follow Lena, Christina suddenly hugged him from behind.
"I will become stronger," she whispered. "And when we meet again, I will defeat you and make you mine."
Yuuya chuckled, unaware of the deeper meaning behind her words. Behind her, Cain's face twisted with anger as Eltharion held him back.
Without looking back, Yuuya walked into the chamber where Alfred was waiting. As soon as the door closed, Alfred dropped to his knees and bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry for not being able to protect you… for being useless."
Yuuya sighed. "It's okay. I don't blame you." He had expected betrayal. He had expected disappointment. This was nothing new to him.
Alfred clenched his fists. "Regis-sama will punish me when he hears of this…"
"He won't," Yuuya said calmly.
Alfred hesitated before presenting Yuuya with supplies for his journey… food, potions, a sword, and a pouch of gold.
"You prepared all this beforehand?" Yuuya teased. "You must've known how this would end."
Alfred let out a bitter chuckle. "It was the only way to silence the nobles… for now."
Before Yuuya left, Alfred hesitated. "Please… don't hate the royal family. Especially Flora."
"I never hated any of you," Yuuya replied softly. "I only regret not spending more time with you all."
Tears welled in Alfred's eyes. Lena, holding back her own tears, gently pushed Yuuya out. "Go, before the king floods the room with his crying."
Yuuya chuckled. "Thank you for everything, Alfred. And please, send my regards to the queen and Flora."
Lena nodded. "I will."
Before he stepped away, he turned to Lena with a rare, genuine expression of gratitude.
"And thank you, Lena. For everything. Back in Araulia, you were always kind to me. Even now, you're still looking out for me. I'll never forget it."
Lena's breath hitched as tears welled in her eyes. She bit her lip and nodded.
As Yuuya walked toward the academy gates, the crisp evening air felt heavier than before. The stares of students and instructors bore into his back, a mixture of pity, suspicion, and indifference. He ignored them, keeping his gaze forward.
Then, a familiar voice called out, soft and hesitant.
"Yuuya."
He barely had time to react before Flora rushed to him, wrapping her arms around him tightly. The sudden warmth of her embrace caught him off guard. For a brief moment, he stood frozen, feeling the faint tremble in her body.
"What will you do now?" she whispered against his shoulder.
Yuuya slowly raised his hands, placing them on her back as if to return the embrace. "…I need to find my sister."
Flora hesitated before pulling back just enough to meet his gaze. Her blue eyes, usually bright and full of life, were clouded with uncertainty.
"…Tell me the truth, Yuuya." Her voice wavered. "Did you really commit that crime? I can help you."
Yuuya felt his throat tighten. He didn't answer.
His silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating.
Flora's lips quivered as her fingers clenched into fists.
Then, without warning…
SMACK!
Flora small and soft hand slap Yuuya's cheek.
A sharp sting burned across Yuuya's cheek. He barely flinched, but the impact echoed louder than any words she could have spoken.
Flora's shoulders trembled, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "You didn't deny it…" she murmured, her voice laced with hurt. "That means it's true."
Yuuya opened his mouth… perhaps to explain, perhaps to deny it, but nothing came out. He saw it in her eyes. She had already made up her mind.
She took a shaky step back. "I hate you now," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Don't ever show yourself in front of me again."
Before he could respond, she turned and ran.
He watched her retreating figure, the echoes of her hurried footsteps fading into the distance. His cheek still burned from her touch.
Yuuya touched his cheek, still feeling the warmth of her hand. A bitter sadness filled his heart.
Yuuya exhaled slowly, he could feel something wet on his cheeks.
(Even if I told her the truth, would she believe me? No... she's already made her decision.)
He turned toward the gates, eyes fixed on the endless path before him.
As he stepped beyond them, he whispered to himself,
"It will get better from now on… right?"
But the emptiness in his voice betrayed the words.
Meanwhile...
Elsewhere, in a luxurious room, Isaac Verne lounged comfortably on an ornate chair, swirling a glass of deep crimson wine. The dim candlelight cast flickering shadows across the lavish furnishings, reflecting the satisfaction gleaming in his sharp eyes.
A smug grin spread across his lips as he took a slow sip. "All according to plan…" he murmured, savouring the moment. He set the glass down with a soft clink. "Framing him, bribing the Eldor family, and cast that magic on him before the trial…" His voice dripped with amusement. "It was almost too easy."
Leaning back, he let out a low chuckle that grew into a full-bodied laugh, the sound bouncing off the marble walls. He traced a finger along the rim of his glass, his expression turning contemplative.
"But this… this was just the beginning," he whispered, his eyes gleaming with dark intent.
"Now that the boy has been getting rid from the royal family," he mused, tapping his fingers on the parchment. "Let's move on to the next phase of the plan."
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Without turning, he smirked. "Come in."
The heavy doors creaked open, and a shadowy figure stepped inside, their face obscured by the dim light.
Isaac's smirk deepened. "I trust you have the next pieces in place?"
The figure gave a slight bow. "Everything is proceeding as expected, Lord Verne."
"Good," Isaac said, lifting his glass once more. He gazed into the rich, swirling liquid as if seeing his own triumph reflected in it. "By the time I'm finished, Arcadia will be exactly where I want it to be."
And with that, he took another sip, his laughter echoing through the lavish chamber like a whisper of doom.