Ray skipped through the palace garden, his heart light. Niatina sat among the flowers, her eyes focused on a ladybug. “Nino!” Ray called out, rushing toward her.

But as he drew closer, Niatina’s expression shifted. Her eyes turned cold, and she crossed her arms. She said, her voice sharp, “Don’t think too highly of yourself just because they call you a prince.”

Ray’s smile faded. “What...?”

“Titles don’t make you special,” Niatina replied. “You’re just lucky.”

Ray’s chest tightened. “Nin—”

“Don't call me by my nickname,” Niatina interrupted, standing up. "Only those who are close to me call me that. You should call me as 'princess'," She brushed dirt off her dress and walked away, leaving Ray. But she stopped, as she said one more thing.

"You are just a fake prince..." She commented, leaving Ray both bewildered and hurt. Ray immediately started to recall what happened in the academy. The kids mocking, no friends to support, the loneliness he felt back then started to come back.

Ray’s gaze lingered on the empty garden, the petals of crushed flowers beneath his boots. Niatina’s words echoed in his mind, a painful refrain. He felt adrift, lost in the vastness of his own emotions. The memory started to fade, pulling Ray back.

In the present:

Ray stood in Kai's room, putting his hands in his pocket. "Her words pressed upon me, suffocating. I tried to reach out to her, but she kept ignoring me."

Ray pulled out a small bracelet, his voice trembled. “She wasn’t there, Kai. When I needed her most, she vanished like mist.” His vulnerability spilled forth, the ache of loneliness consuming him. “I don’t know how to mend this rift. Maybe I’m just a ‘fake prince’ after all. I am just a failu-” He turned around to look at Kai, who was massaging his forehead. "Kai? What's wrong?" Ray asked, as Kai shook his head. His projection appeared again, as words formed in it. "It's nothing. Just a small headache."

But in his mind, Kai was working out his thoughts. "So, in the end, it was all a big misunderstanding and mis-communication, huh..." he wonders, looking at the screen in front, where he was Niatina from her childhood walking by, as she ignored Ray, murmuring something to herself.

Ray's footsteps echoed in Kai's room as he approached, a glass of water in hand. Kai nodded gratefully.

Kai's thoughts swirled like autumn leaves caught in a breeze. He had unraveled one part of the mystery—Ray's story from his side—but the other half remained elusive, Niatina's side of words.

"It's incomplete..." he sighs. "Right now, I can't ask Niatina, after what happened. What if I ask Mom and Dad?" he mused. "I doubt they will know anything... Uncle and Aunt? Maybe not..."

Kai's gaze shifted to the window, where memories danced. "Someone who was alongside her all the time..." His mind raced, connecting dots.

And then, a smile tugged at Kai's lips. "How can I forget about her," he thought. As Ray set down, Kai's projection flickered to life. The words materialized: "Give me 10 days, and all the problem shall be solved." It read. Ray's brow furrowed. "What do you mean, Kai?" he asked, curiosity tugging at him.

Looking at him, Kai smiled. “You will know soon.” His projection read. Ray hesitated, but he trusted Kai. Agreeing to him, Ray soon left the room, saying he had something to show to Hiro. But as Ray stepped out, Kai’s thoughts diverged from the sentimental moment. His mind started unfolding the hidden truths unknown to Ray.

"Now that I think about it, Ray’s dad was one of the four heroes… From Eva's findings, Ray's dad, Ryeon Leonhart, was not just any ordinary hero. He was a skilled wind mage who could face calamity-class monsters alone. And I think he had a special skill, but Eva didn’t find what it was. And for his mom, she remained a mystery. They lived away from the kingdom, near the ocean. But why had they chosen such a secluded life?” Kai sat in his room, wondering about it.

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He glanced at the window, where sunlight filtered through the leaves of the tree. "Maybe I should do something else... Music—yes, that always helped." He was about to ask Eva, ready to lose himself in melodies.

But just as he was about to call out, the door burst open. Ray stood there, eyes wide, breathless. “Kai,” he gasped, “it’s here!”

Kai frowned. “What’s here?” he wondered.

Ray didn’t explain what he meant. Instead, he took control of Kai’s wheelchair, propelling him down the hallway. Kai wondered to himself, "We were just talking a few minutes ago, and now what could be so urgent that he is not even explaining what's going on?"

In the hall, Hiro and Sakura stood by the table. And there it was—a bird. But not an ordinary one. Its feathers shimmered with magic, yet it behaved like any other bird, pecking at crumbs.

"Kai..." Sakura called out, meeting his gaze. “A magical bird,” Kai wondered. “A message perhaps?”

Ray wheeled Kai closer. And just then, the bird began to fade, replaced by a glowing projection. Justin, the principal of the magic academy, appeared. “Hello, Kai! How are you doing? Well, not like I will get an answer, since this is a message.” His voice echoed in the room. To this, Kai wondered. “So, it’s about the entrance exam, huh…”

“Well, during your magic evaluation, you showed really great skills! Congratulations on your performance during the magic evaluation. And for your written exams," Everyone in the room held their breath, except for Kai.

"Exceptional!" Justin said, "You even corrected my mistakes. I feel kind of ashamed, but still... great job!” Justin showed a thumps-up.

Everyone in the room was surprised, but Ray was shocked. Kai just smiled to himself, as the projection continued.

“You’re accepted,” Justin continued. “So, let me say this. Welcome to the magic academy! You will get you classes information after the message ends. Well, I will see you in the academy soon!” The projection vanished, as a letter was left on the table.

Sakura’s joy erupted in a scream, and she hugged Kai tightly. “You did it!”

“Thanks, Mom,” Kai replied, his words projected to her.

Hiro clapped him on the shoulder. “This calls for celebration!”

Kai smiled to this, but his eyes were on Ray. His friend, who’d always believed in him, now mumbled, “…How…? …You didn’t even study…”

Kai chuckled, seeing Ray stunned and in disbelief. “Guess he's too surprised.” Just as the congratulation was in the way, the message materialized again. Kai, Hiro and Sakura looked over it, seeing Justin appeared. “Ah… it almost slipped my mind,” he stated, as Ray too looked over it.

“I forgot to say what rant you got, Kai.” As he said so, everyone in the room just stared at the message, anticipation in the air. But Kai just smiled to himself, musing. “I think I already know that.” As Justin mentioned Kai’s rank, the room fell silent, leaving everyone speechless, except for Kai.

Five Days Later:

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the grand gates of the Magic Academy. Ray’s heart pounded with anticipation as he stood his ground, flanked by Kai, who sat in his wheelchair. This time with his wig on, yawning.

The academy, nestled to the east of the empire, was a sprawling castle of ancient stone, its spires reaching for the heavens. As the clock tower chimed, the gates swung open, revealing a lush courtyard beyond. Students filed in, their footsteps echoing against the walls.

Ray adjusted the collar of his crisp white shirt, the blue silk lining brushing against his skin. Beside him, Kai sighed, his holographic projection flickering.

“You’ve adjusted your collar five times today,” Kai said, his projection in front of Ray. “Nervous?”

“Well,” Ray replied, “I want to make a good impression. It’s my first day as a 3rd year student. And also, I am the crown prince of the empire.”

Kai smiled, his projection shimmering. “Best form, huh? You’ll do great.”

Ray took control of Kai’s wheelchair. “Let’s go. Uncle and Aunt should be inside already!”

They wheeled through the bustling courtyard. Noble students exchanged curious glances, while commoners watched in awe, as they passed through them.

The auditorium buzzed with anticipation as Justin, welcomed the new students to their magical journey. Ray and Kai sat in the second row, surrounded by curious faces. Across the hall, Sakura and Hiro occupied seats reserved for nobles. Maximus and Celestina, royalty in their own right, sat apart, their presence commanding respect.

In the sixth row, Niatina’s gaze lingered on Ray. Her eyes held a mix of guilt and longing. She had rejected him harshly, and now, seeing him here, she wished to apologise to him.

Justin’s speech ended, and the hall hushed. He stepped forward, his voice echoing through the hall. “And now,” he announced, “for the student who aced the entrance exam. Please come to the stage!”

Whispers rippled through the crowd. “Who could it be?” The question whispered around. Ray hesitated, then stood. The room held its breath. Nobles exchanged puzzled glances—"Ray hadn’t taken the exam. Why was he standing?” The question confused them.

Ray moved purposefully, taking control of Kai’s wheelchair. Together, they ascended the stage. Gasps echoed as Justin revealed the name: “Kai Hamada, who topped the entrance exam!”

-To be continued