KAIRO'S POV...
By the time Garron finally said the words I'd been dreaming of — "That's enough for today" — I almost cried.
My limbs felt like jelly, my shirt was sticking to my skin, and every breath came out like a dying animal. But none of that mattered, because it was finally time to eat.
The moment we entered the dining hall, my eyes sparkled. Rows of food lined the tables: roasted meat, fresh bread, steaming soup… and most importantly, a glorious selection of sweets at the end.
Cupcakes. Cream-filled pastries. Sugary delights calling my name.
I rushed forward like a man possessed, already reaching for the biggest cupcake I could find.
But just as my fingers were about to claim victory—
SLAP!
A wooden spoon smacked the back of my hand.
"OW!" I jerked back and turned to see Garron towering over me like a disappointed father. "What was that for?! I nearly lost a finger!"
"No sweets," he said firmly, crossing his arms.
"But—" I pointed dramatically at the cupcake. "It's beautiful. It's calling to me."
Garron's glare didn't budge. He grabbed a plate, scooped up a horrifying amount of boiled vegetables, and shoved it into my hands. "Eat this first."
I stared down at the pile of green doom. "…This feels personal."
"You want to get stronger?" he said flatly.
"Yes…" I muttered.
"Then eat."
I sighed like it was the end of the world, stabbing a carrot with my fork. "You know, where I come from, forcing someone to eat this is a crime."
Garron raised a brow. "Where you are now, it's discipline."
I pouted, chewing slowly. Every bite felt like betrayal. Across the room, a few students tried to hide their laughter as they watched me suffer through broccoli like it was a life-or-death battle.
When I finished half the plate, Garron finally gave me a nod. "Good. Now you can have sweets."
Before he even finished the sentence, I was already sprinting toward the dessert table like lightning.
Garron shook his head with a faint smirk. "Troublemaker…" he muttered.
After devouring my well-earned sweets like a victorious hero, I stretched my sore arms and flopped onto one of the benches near the training grounds. My whole body ached, but there was this weird flutter in my chest — something between exhaustion and excitement.
"Not bad for a beginner," I muttered to myself, smiling faintly.
I didn't notice Garron standing a few steps away until his shadow fell over me. I jumped a little. "Don't sneak up on me like that! I almost thought dessert came to life."
He crossed his arms, giving me his usual stern look, but this time there was something different in his eyes — a glint of approval.
"I've trained dozens of students," he said slowly. "Most can't even keep up with the basics on their first day. You… picked things up quicker than I expected."
I blinked. "Wait, was that—did you just give me a compliment?"
Garron raised an eyebrow. "Don't get used to it."
I grinned. "Too late."
He sighed, but there was a tiny smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You're rough. Undisciplined. But you learn fast. If you keep this up, I might actually turn you into a decent fighter."
I leaned back on the bench, hands behind my head. "Guess I'm just naturally talented."
Garron rolled his eyes. "Or naturally annoying."
"Both can be true," I shot back, laughing.
As he walked away, I caught a glimpse of something in his expression — the kind of look teachers give when they've found a student worth their time.
For the first time in a long while, I felt a strange warmth in my chest. Not from food. Not from fire magic.
It was pride.
And maybe… the beginning of something new.
The sun was dipping lower, painting the sky with streaks of orange when Garron walked back toward me, wiping his hands with a towel after checking the arena. He stopped in front of me, giving me that look again — half teacher, half interrogator.
"So," he said, arms crossed. "Which club did you end up joining?"
I tilted my head. "Huh?"
"Don't 'huh' me," Garron said. "All students are required to be part of at least one club. It helps with focus, teamwork, and discipline. So which one?"
I scratched my cheek awkwardly. "Ah… yeah… about that."
His eyebrow arched. "Kairo."
I sighed dramatically, slumping back. "Let's just say… I didn't exactly join voluntarily."
Garron narrowed his eyes. "Explain."
"Well," I began, waving my hands as I spoke. "There was this meeting with the council, right? Everyone was being all serious, and then I accidentally gave a suggestion, people laughed, but it turned out to be useful. Then Eryndor agreed with me, which apparently shocked everyone like he'd grown a second head."
Garron looked unimpressed. "Get to the point."
"They needed one more member for their club, or else it would be shut down," I said quickly. "And before I could protest, Eryndor looked at me, smiled like some princely schemer, and bam—I'm the newest member."
Garron stared at me for a moment… and then rubbed his forehead like he suddenly had a headache. "So the prince forced you into a club."
"Exactly!" I said, pointing at him like he finally understood my pain. "I didn't even get to choose. And then he said he'd pay for my fees, like I'm some charity case."
Garron snorted. "Sounds like something he'd do."
"Hey, don't 'snort' like it's normal!" I said, pouting.
He shook his head, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Well, troublemaker, you'd better take it seriously. If Eryndor pulled strings to put you in, there's a reason. And knowing him, it's probably not something simple."
I blinked. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Garron started walking away. "You'll find out soon enough."
I watched him leave, a chill running down my spine despite the warm evening air.
Great, I thought. What did the ice prince get me into this time?
———
Garron stopped mid-stride and turned back to me with a raised eyebrow.
"So? Which club did he shove you into?"
I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly. "Uh… it's called… The Arca—uh… Arcani? Arceno? Arc… something Exploration Club."
Garron blinked. "…The what?"
I tried again, slower this time. "The Ar-cain… Ar-cawn? Exploration… thing."
For a man who usually kept a straight face, Garron actually looked like he was fighting the urge to laugh. "The Arcane Exploration Club?"
I snapped my fingers. "Yes! That one! That super fancy mouthful name!"
He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Of all the clubs… he picked that one for you."
I tilted my head. "Is that supposed to mean something? What's wrong with it? Sounds like they explore… arcanes. Whatever that means."
Garron crossed his arms. "It's not exactly a normal club. They deal with magical relics, unknown ruins, dangerous research, and sometimes even forbidden zones outside the academy."
I blinked. "…You mean like treasure hunters?"
"More like people who poke dangerous things with a stick to see what happens," he replied dryly.
My jaw dropped. "And he threw me in there?! I'm not some magical archaeologist!"
Garron smirked faintly. "You'll fit right in, troublemaker. Just try not to blow anything up on your first day."
I groaned, dragging my hands down my face. "This is going to end so badly."
He patted my shoulder like he was already mourning my future. "Better get some rest. You'll need it."
As Garron and I were still talking, a voice suddenly called out behind us.
"Excuse me, Garron. I'll be borrowing him for a bit."
We both turned to see a tall guy with perfectly styled blond hair and bright blue eyes. He wore the academy uniform, but his blazer was casually unbuttoned, giving him a confident, almost princely vibe.
Garron sighed. "Lauro, already?"
The blond guy—Lauro—nodded with a polite but firm smile. "The Arcane Exploration Club doesn't waste time, you know that."
Before I could even react, he stepped closer and extended his hand to me. "You must be Kairo. I'm Lauro, the president of the Arcane Exploration Club. Welcome."
I blinked, a little caught off guard by his sudden friendliness. "Uh… yeah. Hi. Nice hair."
Lauro chuckled lightly, shaking my hand. "Thanks. I'll take that as a compliment. Come on, I'll show you around the clubroom."
Garron gave me a look that clearly said good luck surviving before walking away.
As Lauro led me down the hallway, his aura felt both calm and powerful. There was something about him—like he was the type who smiled kindly but could crush you in a magic duel without breaking a sweat.
I gulped. "So… what exactly do you guys do in this club?"
He glanced at me with a sly grin. "Oh, you'll find out soon enough."
Inside the Arcane Exploration Club's room, I was surrounded by shelves stacked with ancient books, floating crystals that served as lamps, and a large map of the continent pinned to the wall. A few members glanced my way, curious but not unfriendly.
Lauro leaned casually against a table, studying me with interest.
"So, Kairo," he began, "what's your magic?"
I froze. "Uh… Magic?"
He raised an eyebrow. "You don't know?"
I shook my head nervously. "No one really told me anything about it."
Lauro crossed his arms, intrigued. "Alright then… may I see your seal?"
I hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. Extending my hand, I let the faint mark on my skin glow.
The moment the seal appeared, Lauro's playful expression vanished. His brows furrowed, and he leaned in closer.
"…This is… unusual," he muttered.
The other club members gathered around, whispering among themselves.
"What kind of seal is that?"
"I've never seen one like it…"
I looked at Lauro, confused. "Is there… something wrong?"
He straightened up slowly, still examining the seal like it was a puzzle. "It's different from all of ours. It doesn't match any elemental category… not fire, water, wind, or even rare ones like sound or illusion."
The room fell silent, all eyes on me. I awkwardly scratched my cheek. "Uh… surprise?"
Lauro finally smiled, but there was a hint of seriousness in his eyes. "Interesting. Very interesting, Kairo."
Lauro motioned for me to sit. The chatter in the room faded as he leaned forward, his usual playful demeanor softening into something more serious.
"Kairo," he began, "before we officially welcome you, you should know what our club actually does."
I tilted my head. "Arcane Exploration Club… I figured you guys, uh… explore?"
A few members chuckled quietly, but Lauro didn't. His blue eyes locked on mine. "Yes, but not ordinary places. We venture into forgotten ruins, ancient battlefields, places where magic still lingers in the air like smoke. Dangerous places."
My smile faltered. "Dangerous…?"
He nodded. "About a year ago, our club had six members. One of them was our best scout. During one of our expeditions, we entered a forest on the northern border… a place not on any official map. The deeper we went, the stranger it became—thick fog, twisted trees, whispers that weren't ours."
I felt a chill run down my spine.
"We encountered something… none of us were prepared for," Lauro continued, his voice low. "We tried to save him, but… we failed. He didn't make it out."
The room grew heavy, the earlier curiosity replaced with quiet grief.
"That forest has been marked as Restricted ever since," Lauro finished. "No student or faculty is allowed to go near it anymore. Not even us."
I swallowed hard. "And you still… keep the club going?"
Lauro gave a small, determined smile. "Because exploration is what we're meant to do. But this time, we'll be stronger. Smarter. No more reckless mistakes."
I leaned back, the weight of his words settling in. This wasn't just some fun club… it had a past carved in danger and loss.
I sat there, staring at Lauro and the other club members as they discussed plans and schedules like it was second nature. My hands fidgeted under the table, fingers tapping against each other.
Clubs… meetings… rules.
These were all new to me.
I'd spent most of my life wandering from one place to another, surviving alone, stealing apples when I had to. I didn't even know clubs existed until a few days ago, let alone joined one that dealt with dangerous explorations.
Lauro noticed my silence. "You okay, Kairo?"
I forced a grin. "Y-Yeah, just… trying to figure out how not to mess up."
Some members chuckled, but not in a mocking way. One of them patted my shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry, newbie. Everyone starts somewhere."
I nodded, though my stomach still twisted with nervousness.
This is different… I thought. I've never been part of anything before. Not like this.
For the first time in a long while, the uncertainty wasn't about surviving the streets or soldiers.
It was about belonging.
The sound of the bell echoed through the halls, sharp and clear. Students began to rise from their seats and rush toward their next class. Lauro stretched his arms lazily before glancing at me.
"Come on, Kairo. Magic class," he said, motioning me to follow.
I trailed behind him through the bustling corridors, the air filled with chatter and excitement. When we entered the classroom, the noise suddenly shifted. Dozens of eyes turned to me, their gazes curious, judging… and some, outright skeptical.
"Who's that?" I heard a whisper.
"Is he even enrolled here?" another muttered.
I stiffened a little, forcing a careless smirk to hide the awkwardness.
And then, I saw him—
Eryndor.
He sat gracefully at his seat, surrounded by a group of girls who looked like they were about to faint from excitement. They tried to talk to him, to make him laugh, but Eryndor remained calm and distant, his expression cold as ever. Not even a hint of a smile.
I couldn't help but snicker. Still the same icy prince.
Lauro elbowed me lightly. "Don't mind them. Let's grab our seats before the instructor comes."
As I followed him, I could still feel everyone's eyes on me. But for some reason, I didn't shrink away. I just lifted my chin, walking through their stares like I belonged there… even if I wasn't so sure yet.
I was just about to sit beside Lauro when, out of nowhere, Eryndor stood up from his seat. The girls surrounding him blinked in confusion as he calmly walked past them and took the empty chair right next to me.
The room seemed to collectively gasp.
"W–Wait… he's sitting with him?" one of the girls whispered, sounding utterly betrayed.
Eryndor didn't seem to care about their reactions. He sat down beside me, posture straight, face composed like always.
"How was training with Garron?" he asked, his voice steady as if the stares didn't exist.
I grinned and gave his shoulder a light punch. "Tiring! That old man nearly broke me in half!"
The moment my hand touched him, one of the girls shot up from her seat, her face red with anger. "H–Hey! You can't just hit His Highness like that!" she scolded, glaring at me as if I'd committed some unforgivable sin.
Eryndor turned his head slightly toward her. "It's fine," he said firmly.
Her expression faltered, frustration written all over her face before she huffed and stormed away, leaving a trail of angry whispers behind.
I raised an eyebrow and leaned closer to Eryndor. "Why me?" I asked quietly. "Why are you so comfortable around me? You barely react to anyone else."
For a moment, his icy blue eyes softened, just a little.
"Because," he said calmly, "you're the only one who treats me like a person… not a prince. Everyone else bows, flatters, and fears me. You don't."
I stared at him, surprised. I didn't expect him to be that honest. A slow grin crept onto my face.
"Well, Your Highness," I teased, "get used to it. I don't plan on bowing anytime soon."
Eryndor's lips twitched—not quite a smile, but close enough to make my chest warm.
The instructor entered the classroom with a stack of scrolls tucked under his arm, his stern gaze scanning the students like a hawk eyeing prey.
"Take your seats," he commanded.
Everyone straightened up. Quills were prepared, notes were opened, and I… well, I slouched on my chair, resting my chin on my palm.
Lauro was scribbling down every single word the instructor said like his life depended on it. Eryndor listened quietly, his notes neat and precise. Meanwhile, my parchment was still blank.
"...And that concludes the fundamentals of Mana Circulation," the instructor said. "Now, let's see how much you've understood. A short quiz."
My heart dropped. Quiz? Already?
Sheets were passed out, and we were told to sit one seat apart. Great. Not only did I not listen, but now I couldn't even peek. I glanced to my left—empty. To my right—Lauro, but too far.
I tried leaning just a bit, pretending to stretch my neck.
Nope. Couldn't see a thing.
I tapped my quill against the paper. Maybe if I stared long enough, the answers would magically appear. Spoiler: they didn't.
By the time the instructor called, "Time's up," my sheet looked like it had been filled by someone who had never even heard of magic theory before.
The papers were collected and quickly checked. Moments later, the instructor called out, "Kairo—zero out of thirty."
The whole class burst into laughter.
"Zero?!"
"Did he even try?"
"I guess someone skipped brain day."
I shrugged dramatically and raised my hands. "What can I say? I'm consistent."
Even Eryndor let out a quiet breath through his nose—it wasn't exactly a laugh, but I'll take it. Lauro sighed, shaking his head with a grin.
I couldn't deny it… I really had no clue what was going on. But at least, I made them laugh.
The instructor stood at the front of the room, a serious expression plastered on his face as he held up the stack of graded quizzes.
"Listen up," he announced. "I'll be calling out the scores from highest to lowest. Pay attention. Some of you should be proud… and some of you should reconsider your life choices."
The class straightened nervously. I, on the other hand, just leaned back, fully aware where I stood on that list.
"The highest score," the instructor continued, "goes to… Eryndor. A perfect thirty out of thirty."
The room erupted into applause. Girls squealed, some guys whistled, and everyone looked at him like he was some academic deity.
Eryndor, as always, just sat there—calm, collected, not even blinking at the praise.
"And the lowest…" the instructor paused, squinting at the sheet as if it was hard to believe, "…Kairo. Zero. Out. Of. Thirty."
The room exploded with laughter.
"Knew it!"
"I can't—zero?!"
"He's a disaster!"
I stood up dramatically and bowed like a stage performer. "Thank you, thank you. I'd like to thank my lack of attention and my incredible ability to write absolutely nothing on paper."
Even Lauro snorted into his hand, and I caught Eryndor's lips twitching again—almost a smile.
The instructor sighed, rubbing his temple. "Kairo, I hope you take this seriously next time. Magic theory isn't something you can joke around with."
"Yes, sir!" I replied with exaggerated enthusiasm, earning more snickers from my classmates.
So there it was: Eryndor, the genius prince, admired by everyone.
And me? The clown of the class.
Oddly enough… I didn't mind.
The afternoon sun hung high as we marched to the academy's wide training yard. Rows of practice dummies lined the field, their wooden frames already scarred from countless training sessions.
"This class," the instructor announced, hands clasped behind his back, "will test your control and power. Show me what you've got."
One by one, students stepped forward. Fireballs exploded, water surged like whips, and winds howled, slicing through the air. Each display earned claps and impressed murmurs.
Then came Eryndor.
He approached his dummy with his usual calm, lifted a hand, and in an instant—a wave of icy mana swept through the yard. The dummy froze solid in less than a heartbeat. Then, with the lightest tap of his finger, it shattered into glittering shards.
The class erupted into cheers.
"Did you see that?!"
"He didn't even try!"
"He's a monster…"
I whistled low. "Show-off," I muttered under my breath, though I couldn't help grinning.
Then the instructor called, "Kairo. You're next."
Every head turned toward me. The whispers started immediately.
"He's probably super strong. He got zero in the quiz, so he must be a combat type."
"Yeah, like one of those hidden prodigies."
I stepped forward, feeling way too many eyes on me. Alright, Kairo… time to look cool.
I raised my hand, focused my mana… and—
Bzzt!
A tiny spark of electricity popped from my fingertips like a broken lightbulb.
Silence.
The dummy didn't even flinch. A bird chirped in the distance.
Then—
"Pffft—!" Someone burst out laughing.
The laughter spread like wildfire. Even Lauro was covering his mouth, shoulders shaking. The instructor just stared at me, utterly expressionless.
I scratched the back of my head and gave an awkward grin. "Heh… it's just a warm-up spark."
"Sure it was," someone snorted.
It was awkward… but honestly? Even I couldn't help laughing at myself.
The yard was still filled with laughter when the professor pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply, the kind of sigh that said "why do I even bother."
"Kairo," he said firmly, "that wasn't even half of your magic. You're not channeling your mana properly. Watch closely."
He stepped toward me, placing a hand near my shoulder—not to cast, but to sense. "You have a strong flow inside you. But you're locking it up. Close your eyes. Feel the mana run through your veins. Don't force it. Guide it."
I gulped, suddenly aware that everyone's eyes were still glued to me. Alright… don't mess this up again.
I closed my eyes. Slowly, I drew in a deep breath. This time, instead of rushing it, I focused. I could feel it—like currents of energy swirling inside my chest, flowing down my arms, pulsing at my fingertips.
The air around me shifted.
"Whoa…" someone whispered.
Crackles of electricity began to dance faintly around my hands. I opened my eyes, raised my arm toward the dummy again, and released it.
BZZZZZZZZTTTTTTTTTT!
A surge of lightning exploded from my palm, striking the dummy dead center. The impact was instant—the dummy was electrified, burned black, then launched backward like a cannonball, crashing into the ground meters away. Smoke rose from the charred wood.
The entire class went silent.
Then I jumped up, pumping my fist in the air. "YES! Did you see that?! I actually did it!"
A few students clapped hesitantly, clearly surprised. Others gawked, mouths hanging open.
I turned to Eryndor, who was watching with his usual composed face. I crossed my arms, lifted my chin, and gave him my best smug look. "Not bad, huh? Looks like someone has competition~" I teased.
His eyebrow twitched, and for a split second, I swear he almost smiled.
The professor nodded, impressed despite himself. "Finally. That's what I expected from you, Kairo."
And just like that, the class clown had finally lit up the field—literally.
The training session ended with students buzzing like bees. For the first time, the whispers weren't about how clueless I was—they were about the lightning that sent a dummy flying halfway across the yard.
"I didn't know he had that kind of power…"
"Wasn't he the one who got zero earlier?"
"He totally roasted that dummy!"
I walked through the crowd with my hands tucked behind my head, a cocky grin plastered on my face. "Well, well… guess I'm kind of amazing, huh?" I said loud enough for a few to hear.
A couple of students rolled their eyes. "Show-off."
I winked. "Guilty."
But even while strutting around like I owned the yard, I made sure to nod to those who performed well, patting one guy on the back and complimenting another girl's fire spell. I wasn't about to turn into some arrogant jerk who looked down on others—I just wanted to enjoy the moment.
As I finished my little victory lap, I noticed Eryndor standing a few feet away, arms crossed, watching me with that same composed look.
I smirked and approached him. "Well? Not bad for the class clown, right?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Not bad. Though that dummy wasn't exactly fighting back."
"Ouch," I clutched my chest dramatically. "Was that… a joke? From the icy prince himself?"
He exhaled, but there was a subtle softness in his eyes—a warmth I didn't expect. "You're ridiculous," he said simply.
I grinned wider. "And yet you're still hanging around me."
For a moment, the air between us wasn't filled with teasing or laughter—just a quiet, mutual understanding. The gap between the arrogant troublemaker and the stoic prince was getting smaller.
And honestly… I didn't mind that one bit.
The garden was quiet that afternoon, a rare pocket of peace inside the bustling academy. Sunlight filtered through the tall hedges, casting soft shadows on the marble paths. I stretched out lazily on a stone bench, hands tucked behind my head, breathing in the scent of blooming flowers.
Man… who knew fancy places like this could be this relaxing?
I closed my eyes for a moment—until a sharp voice snapped me out of it.
"What do you think you're doing here?"
I opened one eye to see a student standing nearby, arms crossed and glaring down at me like I'd just trampled sacred ground.
"This garden is reserved for His Highness. No commoner is allowed to enter here. You're shameless," he spat.
I sat up slowly, raising an eyebrow. "Shameless? I'm just sitting here. Didn't see any 'Prince Only' sign at the door."
A few more students gathered around, whispering, their expressions a mix of annoyance and disbelief.
"Who does he think he is?"
"He's too comfortable with His Highness lately…"
"He's just some random kid, not even a proper student!"
Before I could fire back with a snarky remark, a calm voice cut through the tension.
"He's allowed to be here."
The crowd turned. Eryndor was standing at the garden entrance, his presence instantly silencing everyone.
He walked over to me, his gaze steady. "I told him he can come here anytime," he said simply.
The group shifted awkwardly, clearly not expecting that. Their glares turned sharper—not toward him, but at me.
I shrugged, flashing them a smug grin. "You heard the prince."
They dispersed slowly, some muttering under their breath. The jealousy in their eyes was almost funny.
I leaned back again, glancing at Eryndor. "You know, you saying stuff like that's just making them hate me more."
He sat on the bench beside me, unbothered. "If they're jealous, that's their problem."
I couldn't help but grin. "Guess I'm special, huh?"
He rolled his eyes, but I swore I saw the tiniest hint of amusement.
The breeze in the garden had calmed, and for a moment it felt like the world had slowed down. Eryndor leaned back on the bench, arms crossed, his usual composed aura never wavering.
"Kairo," he said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence. "Lauro's going to assign us a new activity for the Arcane Exploration Club tomorrow."
I tilted my head. "Activity? What kind of activity?"
He glanced at me with that knowing look of his. "Exploration. We're heading out of the campus for a short mission. It's supposed to be simple, but you should be ready."
I blinked, unsure whether to feel excited or anxious. "Exploration… already? I just joined."
He chuckled softly, reaching into his pocket. "That's why you'll need this."
He held out a silver bracelet embedded with a faintly glowing blue gem. "If this lights up, it means you need my help. Just press it, and I'll come to you immediately."
I stared at it, then at him. "Seriously? I don't need that. I can handle myself."
He smirked—annoyingly confident. "You say that now, but I know you'll need it eventually."
I crossed my arms, refusing to take it. "Nope. I'm not some kid who needs a babysitter."
Instead of arguing, he leaned forward, slipped the bracelet onto my wrist before I could stop him. "Too late. It suits you."
I looked at the bracelet, then at him, annoyed but… strangely reassured.
"You're insufferable," I muttered.
He smirked again, eyes glinting. "And you're stubborn. But don't say I didn't warn you."
As he stood up and walked away, I stared at the bracelet. I didn't want to admit it—but a small part of me wondered if I would end up using it.
———
The next morning, I stood in front of the mirror, tightening my cloak nervously. My bracelet—the one Eryndor had forced on me—gleamed faintly in the morning light.
"Alright, Kairo," I told my reflection, puffing out my chest. "It's just some exploration. Easy. Totally not dangerous. Totally."
…But my hands were trembling a little.
When I arrived at the meeting point near the west gate, all the members of the Arcane Exploration Club were already gathered. Lauro, the blond-haired president, stood confidently at the front, holding a map that looked like it came straight out of a dusty library.
"There you are," Lauro greeted with a grin. "You're just in time."
The other members checked their equipment—satchels, enchanted lanterns, ropes, and weapons. Meanwhile, I only had my basic uniform and my questionable courage.
"So…" I started, glancing around. "Where exactly are we heading?"
Lauro spread out the map, his finger pointing to a darkly shaded area near the border of the academy's grounds. "We're heading to an old, dangerous dungeon that's been sealed off for years. Our mission is to collect ancient artifacts and magical remnants as evidence for the club's research."
I blinked. "Wait. Dangerous dungeon?"
He nodded casually as if he'd just said "local bakery."
My face drained of color. "I thought we were going to, I don't know, explore some ruins or a cave with harmless bugs—not a death trap!"
Some of the members chuckled at my reaction, but Lauro just patted my shoulder. "Don't worry. We're not going in too deep, and you'll be fine as long as you stick with us. Besides," he added with a teasing grin, "Eryndor wouldn't forgive me if anything happened to his 'friend.'"
I frowned. "Great. So I'm the fragile one now."
But despite my pale face and shaky steps, I followed them as the group began their journey toward the dungeon. The further we walked, the darker and heavier the air became, as if the forest itself was warning us to turn back.
I gulped. "Why did I sign up for this again…?"
The group moved deeper into the forest, their boots crunching against fallen leaves and twigs. Magical lanterns floated above them, casting soft lights along the narrow path. Everyone seemed alert and focused… except for me.
I trailed lazily behind the group, yawning loud enough for the birds to fly away. "Haaah~ How far are we walking? My legs are already filing for a complaint."
A few members turned to glare at me, but I only shrugged and stretched my arms. It wasn't like I asked for this trip.
Walking beside Lauro, I tilted my head toward him. "Hey, Lauro. What's the name of this so-called dangerous dungeon again?"
Lauro glanced back at me with a small smile, as if amused by my lack of seriousness. "It's called The Abyssal Veins. It's one of the oldest dungeon sites near the academy. It used to be open to advanced explorers, but after the incident a few years ago, it was completely restricted."
I froze mid-step. The Abyssal Veins…
For some reason, that name struck a chord inside my head. It felt oddly familiar, like a distant echo tugging at the edge of my memory. My brows furrowed as I stared ahead.
"…The Abyssal Veins," I repeated softly under my breath. "Why does it sound like I've heard that somewhere before?"
A chill ran down my spine, and for the first time since we left, I wasn't yawning anymore.
Lauro noticed my sudden change in expression. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
I shook my head quickly. "Nothing. Just… sounds familiar, that's all."
But deep down, I knew it wasn't just familiarity. It was something more—like a buried memory trying to claw its way out.
After what felt like hours of endless walking, my feet were ready to declare war against me. I kicked a small rock in frustration and groaned loudly.
"Seriously, why don't we just get a ride or something? It would be so much easier than walking like migrating ducks!" I complained, dragging my feet dramatically.
Before Lauro could even respond, a sharp voice cut through the air like a whip.
"Do you think this is some kind of field trip?!"
I flinched and turned to see a girl with dark brown hair tied neatly into a high ponytail, her uniform perfectly pressed and spotless despite the rough terrain. Her sharp, calculating eyes glared at me like daggers.
I blinked. "…Uh, yes?"
Her glare intensified. "We don't ride because the dungeon area has an unstable mana field. Any magical vehicles or mounts could go berserk and throw us straight into a mana storm. Walking is the safest way."
I slowly raised my hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. No need to attack me with a lecture spell."
She crossed her arms, clearly not amused by my humor.
Lauro stepped between us, chuckling softly to ease the tension. "Kairo, this is Serena, our vice president. She's in charge of maintaining discipline in the club and making sure nobody does anything reckless."
"Too late," Serena muttered, eyeing me like I was already on her trouble list.
I forced a smile and waved lazily. "Nice to meet you, Miss No-Fun."
Lauro sighed. "And Serena, this is Kairo—the new member."
Her brows furrowed deeper. "…He's the one President Eryndor personally vouched for?"
"Yup," Lauro answered cheerfully.
Serena pinched the bridge of her nose like she was already tired of my existence. "This is going to be a long trip."
I grinned. "Oh, you have no idea."
By the time we finally arrived at the edge of the dungeon, my legs were begging for mercy. The air was thick with mana, swirling faintly around the massive stone structure like invisible waves. Even from here, I could sense the danger lurking beyond those dark archways.
"Alright, we rest here before heading in," Lauro announced, dropping his pack onto the grass. Everyone scattered into their little groups, pulling out snacks and water.
I plopped down under a tree and reached into my pocket, pulling out a neatly wrapped piece of bread. My face brightened immediately.
"Thanks, Eryndor," I muttered to myself with a grin, remembering how he'd shoved this bread into my hands earlier that morning. 'You'll need it,' he said. Turns out, he was right—I was starving.
The moment I took the first bite, my eyes widened.
"Wha—this… this is amazing!" I whispered through a mouthful of soft, buttery bread. It practically melted on my tongue, warm and fluffy with a hint of sweetness. This wasn't normal bread… this was heavenly.
Serena, who was sitting nearby cleaning her sword, glanced at me suspiciously. "What are you eating?"
"Bread," I answered casually, waving the half-eaten piece.
Her brows furrowed. "That smell… don't tell me—that's royal bread."
I blinked. "Royal what?"
She stood up and marched toward me. "That's the bread only served to nobles and members of the royal family during festivals! How did you—"
I pointed at the bread. "Eryndor gave it to me."
Her jaw dropped. "…Prince Eryndor… gave you royal bread?"
I nodded innocently and took another big bite.
She stared in disbelief, then leaned closer. "Can I have a piece?"
I looked down at my hand. There was nothing left but a few crumbs. I licked my fingers sheepishly.
"…I already ate it all."
Serena's eye twitched.
Around us, some of the other members who overheard started murmuring. "Did you hear that? He ate royal bread…" "Lucky bastard…" "I've never even seen one up close!"
I leaned back against the tree, patting my stomach with a satisfied grin. "Ahh… that was the best bread of my life."
Serena crossed her arms, glaring down at me. "You really are something else, Kairo."
I flashed her my most innocent smile. "It's not my fault I have good connections."
The moment everyone finished their short break, Serena suddenly spun toward me like a hawk locking onto its prey. Her eyes were burning with righteous fury.
"You… YOU ATE ALL OF IT!" she shouted, pointing accusingly at me.
I tilted my head innocently. "You mean the bread?"
"Yes, the bread! You didn't even save me a crumb!"
I shrugged. "It's just bread."
Her jaw dropped. "Just bread?! That was ROYAL bread, Kairo!"
I grinned, leaning back slightly. "Oh come on, are you seriously this mad over food? Don't tell me you're jealous."
Serena's face turned red with anger. "Jealous?! Of YOU?! Keep dreaming!"
I chuckled under my breath. Perfect.
She stomped forward, her fists clenched. "Give me one reason not to freeze you right now!"
"Because," I said with a playful smirk, "you can't beat me in an eating contest."
Her eye twitched so hard I thought she'd explode. And then—she snapped. "Get back here!!"
"Uh oh."
I bolted down the path, laughing as Serena chased me through the group, shouting all sorts of threats. "Come here, you infuriating idiot!!"
"Make me!" I called back, dodging her attempted grab like a mischievous child.
Before the chaos could get any worse, Lauro stepped between us, his voice booming. "ENOUGH!"
Both Serena and I froze mid-step. Lauro pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly regretting every decision that led him to this point.
"You two are wasting your energy," he sighed. "Save your strength. This isn't a playground."
Serena huffed and crossed her arms, glaring at me like she wanted to stab me with her eyes. I just gave her a cheeky grin, which only made her more irritated.
Lauro turned to the rest of the group. "Everyone, prepare your magic. Once we step inside, stay alert. The Abyss Veil Dungeon isn't forgiving. If anything sneaks up on us, I want you ready to fight."
The atmosphere shifted. Everyone grew quiet and focused, mana swirling faintly around their hands as they prepared their spells.
Meanwhile, I… yawned. Loudly.
As the group started entering the dark maw of the dungeon, I lingered at the entrance for a moment, looking at the ominous archway.
The air was cold and heavy, like the dungeon itself was watching us. I sighed dramatically.
"I'll die young…" I muttered under my breath, then followed the others inside.
T.B.C