Emilio stirred in his bed, groaning as sunlight filtered through the dorm window. He opened one eye—and immediately sat up.
Kael was already dressed, standing near the door with his wooden sword slung over his shoulder. He wore the academy uniform: a crisp white long-sleeve tucked into fitted white trousers, a tailored double-breasted military-style jacket—white with black side panels. A red belt crossed his waist. His polished black boots gleamed with gold-accented edges.
But what stood out most were the dark circles under his eyes.
"Oh—amigo! Good morning! Did you even sleep…?" Emilio yawned.
Kael didn't answer right away. He just glanced over with that unreadable stare.
"We have to go. I'll give you five minutes."
"Ow—how wicked. Not even a 'good morning'?"
"I'm leaving."
"Wait! Wait, wait!" Emilio scrambled out of bed. "I'll come! I'll get dressed—maldición, you're really cold, seriously!"
He bolted to the sink to splash water on his face.
Kael glanced around the room.
Since yesterday's tour, he'd learned the dormitory layout was split into tiers—what they called the Sanctum Rings. Three levels: the Outer, Middle, and Inner Rings.
They were currently in the Outer Ring, reserved for commoners and those without noble titles. The buildings here were older, smaller, and simpler.
He didn't care. After surviving the forest alone for years after the massacre, Kael was used to far worse.
What did surprise him was Emilio—despite being royalty, the Solmarian prince had insisted on staying here too. Persistent bastard.
"I'm ready—let's go!" Emilio announced, now fully dressed in uniform and still somehow smiling.
*******
—Flame Wing—
After a long walk, the two finally arrived at the Flame Wing, one of the academy's key buildings connected to the Grand Hall. It was positioned on the eastern side, with tall spires and a long banner fluttering above the arched entryway.
"There they are—Serina and Neira!" Emilio pointed.
Serina stood awkwardly near the entrance, hands folded in front of her, glancing down. When she saw them, she gave a shy little wave.
Neira, arms crossed, said nothing—just stared.
"Oh man, look at those uniforms," Emilio grinned. "They look good on them, don't you think?"
Kael didn't respond.
They walked up and locked eyes with the two girls.
Serina gave a small smile and stepped beside Kael. "H-hello, Kael… how was your night? It looks like you didn't sleep well."
She wasn't wrong. Kael had barely slept two hours.
He'd been up most of the night, swinging his wooden sword until dawn.
"No, I didn't sleep," he admitted. "But don't worry about me." He offered a faint smile.
"I told him a dozen times to get some rest," Emilio said with a shrug. "But it's pointless."
Neira stepped forward without a word. She took Kael's hand and turned it over, inspecting his palm.
"Hmm. Looks like someone's been busy."
She spotted the thin red cuts across his skin.
Kael pulled his hand back. "I said I'm fine. Don't worry about it."
"Kael…" Serina whispered, covering her mouth.
Before anyone could say more, a lazy voice broke the cold silence.
"Oh? You kids really showed up early. Who would've thought you'd actually listen to me?" Salvius strolled toward them, arms in his pockets, his breath fogging in the frosty air.
"You're not cold?" he added, glancing at their uniforms. "Kids these days…"
"You took your time getting here," Neira said, arms crossed. "Is that what a teacher's supposed to do?"
"Come on—I overslept," Salvius said, clapping his hands together. "Apologies! Let's start your first class, Team Five!"
"Team Five?" Emilio echoed.
"Yeah, that's you now. First lesson is about your divine beasts—understanding them, learning to control them. But first…" Salvius rubbed his arms. "Let's head inside. I can't focus in this damn cold."
Seriously? Now he's cold? Kael narrowed his eyes. And he's skipping the actual lesson?
"When are you going to teach us something useful?" Kael asked, stepping forward.
Salvius gave him a sideways glance. "Maybe when I feel like it. But you've gotta learn the basics first."
Kael's jaw tightened.
This so-called instructor didn't want to teach them anything. His body language screamed boredom. The guy barely seemed interested in being here at all.
The Ash Crow had at least taught Kael survival, sword drills, and discipline.This man? Nothing but excuses.
"Okay then," Salvius started. "Let's—"
"No. I'm not going."
[Damn it, brat! What are you doing?!] the Ash Crow snapped in his head.
Salvius stopped and looked back. "Hmm? Why's that, Kael?"
Kael stood firm. "Because I already know everything about divine beasts."
Salvius raised an eyebrow. "Divine beasts, huh? What could you possibly know? Did you see your resonance score yesterday? You're still weak—especially next to the elite house kids."
"Come on, Kael," Emilio said, trying to defuse the tension. "Let's just go in, relax a little."
"No." Kael stepped back.
He couldn't waste time. Not when every second mattered. Not when he still saw the flames—his home burning, his family dying.
He staggered slightly.
Salvius studied him—The dark circles,the pale skin and the bruised, purple hands.This kid had been out all night. In the cold,Training.A complete pain in the ass.
"You're seriously a pain," Salvius muttered. "Listen to your instructor, or you'll end up getting punished."
Kael snapped. "Damn it! You don't take any of this seriously! If you won't teach me, then I'm done—I'll find another way!"
"Kael!" Emilio shouted. "Stop this nonsense! Just calm down!"
"Don't touch me!" Kael growled, spinning around. "Why are you so persistent? Are you mocking me? Does my family's downfall make you feel better about yourself?!"
Emilio stepped back, stunned. "What? No—I told you a hundred times, that's not it!"
"Pfff."
Kael turned. Salvius had made the sound—half-laugh, half-scoff.
"What's funny?" Kael demanded.
Salvius didn't hold back.
"I just hate arrogant little punks like you. So tell me—who exactly is going to choose you as a student? Huh? You think any of these instructors want you in their team?"
His voice dropped lower, sharper.
"You're weak. Your name is stained. You're the son of a 'hero' whose entire house was wiped out like an afterthought. And let's not forget… what your father did to the king."
Kael's eyes widened, rage tightening in his chest.
"Don't say it."
"Oh, I'll say it," Salvius continued coldly. "Your father was a traitor. And that makes you the traitor's son."
"My father was not a traitor!" Kael shouted. "Damn it all—curse you and this kingdom!"
He couldn't take it anymore. The weight of the whispers. The silence. The stares.
He drew his wooden sword and pointed it straight at Salvius.
"Take back what you said. Now."
Salvius raised an eyebrow. "You think that little stick is going to change anything?"
"I don't care!" Kael barked. "If you won't take it back—then fight me! If I win, you take back everything you said about my family!"