"Let's go."
Ashen nodded. "Yes, Father. But I'm no longer Lior Ashen… I'm Ashenwald Gravemire, son of Duke Atherion Gravemire."
---
Denmark, Copenhagen International Airport – 4:00 PM
"We've finally arrived, Ashen," Duke Atherion Gravemire said with a gentle smile. "I've already informed my old friends that you were sent abroad to study—for your safety."
"Thank you, Father," Ashen replied.
"You've grown so much. You're taller now, more mature… and quite handsome too. I'm sure you had a girlfriend back in Japan, didn't you?" he teased with a smirk.
"Dad… it's not the time for jokes."
"Hah, so you haven't changed a bit either. I'm glad."
---
5:00 PM – Gravemire Estate, One of the Three Duke Families
"It's been ten years since I last stood here…" Ashen thought, looking around the garden. "The fountain, the butlers… everything's the same. Even the portrait of Mother—Virella Gravemire. Crimson hair, elegant beauty, and those piercing red eyes... It's been so long."
"Come," Atherion said. "Let's have some tea. We have a guest."
"A guest?"
"Yes. An old friend—one of the three Dukes and also the head of Atherwyn Royal Academy."
The door opened.
"It's been a long time, Ashenwald Gravemire."
"Uncle Rhydion…" Ashen smiled warmly. "I'm truly glad to see you safe and well."
"I'm glad you remember me," Duke Rhydion Vaelcrest replied. "It's good to see you grown up."
"My friend," Atherion said, "I didn't invite you just to meet my son. I've called you here for a favor."
"Oh?" Rhydion raised an eyebrow. "What kind of favor?"
"I'd like my son to join your Atherwyn Royal Academy."
"What?" Rhydion laughed in surprise. "This is the best news I've heard in years! Here—this is the student manual. It contains all the details. He can take the entrance exam tomorrow. If he passes, I'll place him directly into Class 3—the class of elite students. Only 30 students are admitted."
"Stay for dinner, Uncle Rhydion," Ashen offered.
"I appreciate the offer, my child, but I must prepare. You're entering my academy now. I'll see you there."
---
After Rhydion left...
"That man hasn't changed a bit," Ashen said with a chuckle.
"He always pretended to love you more than me," Atherion sighed. "But the one person who truly loved you the most… you know who that was."
"Yes, my mother. Virella Gravemire."
"I was thinking of holding a banquet since you've returned after a decade."
"There's no need for that right now."
"I know you don't like them. So… we'll hold it after a week."
Atherion hesitated. "Ashenwald... I wasn't a good father. I couldn't protect your mother."
"Don't blame yourself, Father. You did everything you could."
---
(Flashback)
"Run, Atherion… take care of Ashen. Thank you for everything. It was a short life, but I was happy by your side."
---
Atherion clenched his fist. "You're right, my son. I'll do my best to fulfill her final wish."
---
The Next Morning – 8:00 AM
"So this is Atherwyn Royal Academy," Ashen murmured, flipping through the manual Rhydion had given him.
> _"Atherwyn Royal Academy – the most prestigious school in Europe. Only royals and nobles are admitted. The acceptance rate for commoners is just 10%… but surprisingly, it's even lower for nobles and royals—just 5%.
Why? Because the academy believes that the highborn must have high-class intellect as well.
The school has ten classes. Class 10 is the lowest; Class 1 is for geniuses. Classes 1 through 3 are considered elite.
There's a special entrance exam for Class 1—the acceptance rate is less than 1%. In the academy's entire history, only two students ever passed it, and even they scored just 99%.
Those two students?
Celestia Vaelcrest, daughter of Duke Rhydion Vaelcrest.
And Darian Stormhelm, the pride of another Duke family."_
Ashen chuckled.
"Uncle Rhydion once said…" (Flashback)
"Ashenwald, please do me a favor."
"What is it, Uncle?"
"Destroy my daughter's and that bastard Stormhelm's arrogance."
Ashen's eyes glinted.
"I will, Uncle. I'll crush their egos personally."
---
Celestia Vaelcrest
Daughter of Duke Rhydion Vaelcrest.
Top student of Atherwyn Royal Academy.
Darian Stormhelm
Heir to the Stormhelm Duke Family.
Top student. Celestia's rival.
---
Ashen clenched his fist with conviction.
"From today onward, Ashenwald Gravemire will rise… and become the top student of Atherwyn Royal Academy."
---
T0 be continued_