As dawn breaks, Zet, following his usual routine, awakens. Typically, two maids are already present in his room, engaged in quiet conversation near the window. On this particular morning, Violet and Eleanor, the maids, notice Zet stirring and promptly greet him. 'Good morning, Prince. Did you have a restful sleep?' they inquire. Zet responds affirmatively, 'Yes, I slept well.'

Without delay, Violet exits Zet's room, leaving Eleanor to assist Zet. In her hands, she holds a fresh towel. Zet proceeds to freshen up, washing his face before wrapping it gently with the towel Eleanor provided. Expressing his gratitude, Zet says, 'Thank you.' Eleanor, in return, responds with a courteous, 'You're welcome.'

image [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335267181_9f26941935_w.jpg]Meanwhile, Violet returns, bearing clothes befitting Zet's royal status. The garments are meticulously chosen, reflecting the dignity and stature of a prince. donning a majestic ensemble befitting his royal stature. Rich velvet fabrics draped in deep sapphire hues, adorned with intricate golden embroidery, bestowed an air of grandeur. the clothes were perfect for him. In a contemporary tone, with a hint of curiosity etched on his face, Zet inquired about my appearance. Eleanor responded with a reassuring, 'You looked good, prince.' Violet chimed in, 'Yes, you looked different than usual, very much like the prince you already are.' Zet, puzzled, asked, 'What do you mean? Do I not usually look like a prince?' Violet clarified, 'I didn't mean it that way. To our surprise, we've never encountered someone like you. You're like a child learning how to grow, I suppose. Of course, I meant that as a compliment.' Zet, intrigued, asked, 'And what about the negative aspects?' Violet candidly replied, 'You are innocent, easy to manipulate, and easygoing.' Eleanor interjected, 'That's quite harsh, Violet. Aren't you being a bit extreme?' Zet reflected, 'I see, so I need to delve deeper into my self-perception.' Violet and Eleanor looked surprised. Violet asked, 'Aren't you upset? Don't you feel anything?' Zet queried, 'In what sense?' Eleanor elaborated, 'Something embarrassing or sad to hear some drawbacks about yourself, or perhaps anger?' Eleanor then shifted her tone and began to speak in a different manner, 'As a low-born that dares to speak ill of me, a prince, bow down, you insect, and end your existence.' Zet and Violet applauded, exclaiming, 'Wow, your acting is next level.' Violet added, 'Beats me, you have such an incredible talent.' Eleanor, flustered, responded, 'No, I didn't mean to.' She covered her face with her hand and turned around, her face flushed with embarrassment. Zet expressed, 'I should be on my way now.' Violet responded with a friendly, 'See you after school then.' Eleanor chimed in with a simple, 'Bye-bye.'

After a brief pause, Eleanor turned to Violet and suggested, 'Let's get going. It's payday today. We should make haste.' Violet, reflecting on the passage of time, remarked, 'It's hard to believe it's already been a week since our last payday.' Eleanor agreed, 'It never ceases to amaze me.'

Violet then inquired, 'Is there anything special you're planning to buy this week?' Eleanor shook her head, 'No, not really. I don't have any particular purchases in mind. How about you?' Violet confessed, 'I'm sending my earnings back home.' Eleanor nodded, 'I see, that makes us quite alike.'

Violet, curious, asked, 'Are you also sending your wages home?' Eleanor replied, 'Yes, to the place where I grew up. Truth be told, I don't know who my biological parents are.' Violet, misunderstanding, retorted, 'You shouldn't need to know your scumbag parents.' Eleanor quickly clarified, 'No, I didn't mean it that way. They passed away when I was young. I was referring to the sister who raised me.'

Violet, regretful of her assumption, apologized, 'I'm sorry to hear that. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions.' Eleanor reassured her, 'No, I don't feel bad about it. It just hurts to think I was the only one who survived. I owe everything to my sister, and I'll do everything I can to support her.'

In the contemporary setting of the academy, Zet found himself meandering towards his designated classroom, his pace steady yet filled with a sense of anticipation. The individuals around him wore expressions of surprise, their eyes wide and mouths agape, yet none dared to utter a word. The silence was deafening, only punctuated by the occasional gasp as he passed by. Zet couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping up his spine. Why were they all staring at me? Was there some gossip circulating about me? Or was it related to a recent event that he was unaware of?

image [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53356426327_0172944da5_w.jpg]Upon reaching his classroom, Zet was greeted by the sight of an expansive room, its grandeur accentuated by the tall windows that allowed the morning sunlight to pour in, casting a warm glow over the entire space. Rows of polished wooden desks, meticulously arranged, faced a chalkboard that was adorned with detailed lesson notes. The walls, decorated with educational charts and vibrant artwork, also bore mystical circles that pulsed with unseen energy, serving as a testament to the ancient knowledge that the academy held.

Zet's gaze was drawn to these circles. They were a new addition, not present during his last visit. Could they be magical in nature? His curiosity piqued, Zet found himself staring upwards, his eyes tracing the intricate patterns of the circles. As he turned around, he was met with the sight of a classroom filled with students, their eyes all focused on him. The silence persisted, none daring to break it with even a single word. It was an odd sensation, but amidst the sea of faces, one stood out - Elias, his friend, who was waving at him.

With a sense of relief washing over him, Zet quickly made his way towards Elias, taking the seat right next to him. In a moment of forgetfulness, Zet asked, 'What was your name again? I seem to have forgotten.' Elias, taken aback, responded with a puzzled expression, 'I'm Elias. How could you forget so soon? At least I didn't forget your name, Zet.'

Zet, seemingly apologetic, admitted, 'I'm terribly sorry, I have a hard time remembering names.' Despite the situation, you remained unfazed, and notably, refrained from using any royal titles. Elias clarified, 'We don't use titles upon entering the academy. That's the established rule.' However, he also noted that many individuals disregard this rule, seeking to curry favor with those who hold higher titles, such as Duke's Son.

Zet then inferred, 'So, these are the unspoken rules of the academy?' Elias confirmed, 'Yes, something along those lines.' Zet likened this to a fox feigning death to ensnare its prey, even though deception is not inherent to a fox's nature. Elias, puzzled, asked, 'What are you even thinking about?' Zet, with a mischievous grin, replied, 'Oh, nothing.'

Just then, the teacher entered the classroom, his gaze immediately drawn to Zet before he turned his attention to the blackboard. With a mere glance, he erased everything written on the board. As he turned back to face the class, he introduced himself, 'My name is Professor Alistair.' His words materialized on the board as if by magic, without any visible writing instrument. This was a world where magic held profound meaning and depth, where spirits aided in the use of magic.

Professor Alistair continued, 'As you may already know, there are three stages of magical mastery. The first stage is where you can sense everything around you. The more you master this stage, the more you can perceive components such as the ability to sense others' power levels, and the ability to see through illusions, among other things. Soon, you will be taught how to see through illusions. Now, may I ask who hasn't reached the first stage? Please raise your hand so we can assist you in achieving this.' Only a handful of students raised their hands.

Professor Alistair, a thought It's intriguing to consider that everyone has been learning since they were children, yet only a handful, precisely four individuals, are unable to harness the first stage of magic. If they fail to master it within a three-year span, they will be relegated to the role of scholars, a position where they can study magic but remain incapable of wielding it.

Two individuals, who had been lingering outside the room, politely requested permission to enter. 'May we come in, sir?' they asked. The professor granted them entry, adding a gentle reminder not to be tardy next time. the boy responded with a dismissive, 'Yeah, yeah, I get it. No need to keep reminding us.'

Zet, who had been observing the exchange, turned his gaze towards the newcomers. His eyes widened in surprise before he quickly looked down, his breath heavy and his heartbeat racing. Elias, who had been silent until now, noticed Zet's discomfort. In a hushed tone, he asked, 'Are you feeling okay? Are you still in pain?' Zet dismissed his concern, stating, 'No, it's nothing. I just have something on my mind.'

that boy grumbled under his breath, expressing his disdain for the morning's announcement. 'Who gives a damn about the Royals anyway?' he muttered. A girl standing next to him quickly reprimanded him, warning, 'Don't talk like that. You could get into trouble.' The boy retorted defiantly, 'Who do you think you're talking to? Shut the hell up or I WILL KILL YOU.'

image [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53356417977_39914af8fd_w.jpg]That boy, dressed in lavish attire, exuded an aura of aristocratic pride. His features were sharply chiseled, reflecting his noble lineage. In contrast, a girl with long, flowing dark blue hairimage [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53357520368_9886b1be12_w.jpg] that framed her face was seen in a school uniform. Her attire consisted of a pristine white shirt, a complementing blue jacket, and a noticeable bow tie that adorned her neckline, adding a touch of elegance. Her striking blue eyes held an air of mystery, and a subtle smile graced her silken features.

Professor Alistair, noticing a disturbance, addressed him, 'Well, well, look at that, Mr. Jean. I would advise you to mind your manners. Should I need to remove you to maintain peace in my classroom?' The girl, feeling responsible, bowed her head and apologized, 'Please, Professor, I am sorry for the disturbance. Allow me to apologize for his behavior.' Professor Alistair responded, 'I will overlook this incident this time. Be more cautious in the future.' The girl expressed her gratitude, 'Thank you, professor,' and bowed deeply to show her appreciation.

Jean, however, was unimpressed. He muttered under his breath, 'Who does he think he is? Just a professor. I am a noble. He should know his place. This really irks me.' The girl, now seated next to Jean, admonished him, 'How many times have I told you to be quiet? Must you be so rude on your first day?' Jean retorted, 'I am soon going to dominate this class anyway. Then, I will have my payback. I might as well teach him how he should behave before me.'

Zet, observed Jean and the girl, wondering about their relationship. Elias, noticing Zet's curiosity, warned him, 'Hey, Zet, don't look at them.' Zet turned around and asked, 'Yes, I shouldn't. But Elias, who is she?' Elias sighed and replied, 'Her name is Lillian. She is an only child, wealthy, and her parents are ranked nobles, just like Jean.' Zet asked, 'You know them?' Elias responded, 'I used to know them when I was little. After all, my family was famous at that time too.'

Meanwhile on the eastern side of Celestis, a location infamous as the Deadlands. This area is notorious for its high crime rate, serving as a refuge for the most dangerous criminals seeking to evade the law. The law enforcement's reach is limited here, and reports of death are commonplace. The Deadlands are so perilous that entry is forbidden to innocent civilians, and even soldiers hesitate to venture into this territory. This is the reason behind its ominous name, the Deadlands.

In this grim setting, a conversation unfolds between two men. One boasts about his heinous acts, claiming to have violated ten women in a week, describing it as a 'great weekend'. His companion expresses envy, questioning why he wasn't invited to partake. When asked about the fate of the victims, the first man casually admits to their murder, stating he didn't want anyone else to 'touch his prey'.

An unidentified figure emerges from the shadows, breaking the silence with a question, 'Are you satisfied?'

Caught off guard, a man instinctively adopts a defensive stance, his voice laced with suspicion and fear as he demands, 'Who are you? What do you want?' His hand instinctively reaches for his sword, only to find an empty sheath. The mysterious figure, with an air of amusement, inquires, 'Gentlemen, are you perhaps looking for this?' He casually tosses the missing sword to the side.

The man, now disarmed, turns to his companion, his voice a desperate whisper, 'What are you waiting for? Attack him!' The mysterious figure, however, interrupts with a tinge of disappointment, 'How rude. I merely wanted to engage in a civil conversation. But alas...' His expression hardens as he delivers the chilling news, 'Your friend has already met his end.'

The man's mind races, refusing to accept the reality. He thinks, 'This can't be true. My friend can't be dead, and my sword... it's in his possession. But how? I didn't even see him move. No, I need to focus on survival. He must want something, that's why he hasn't killed me. Could it be the girls we've captured?'

With a newfound sense of caution, he finally speaks, choosing his words carefully to avoid any potential missteps. 'Listen, let's negotiate. Tell me what you want, and perhaps we can reach an agreement that spares my life.'

A figure shrouded in mystery spoke, 'Hmm, aren't you a clever one. I can't believe this place is called Deadlands. I had high expectations, but alas, this place is nothing more than a heap of trash. I should have known better than to get my hopes up.'

The man then reached behind him and pressed a hidden lever. A sense of relief washed over him as he thought, 'Thank God I was near the lever. Our people must be rushing here now.'

With a smirk on his face, he taunted, 'You should have run when...' His words were abruptly cut off as the mysterious figure slashed his face, revealing his brain before he collapsed.

The figure, unphased, retorted, 'Why should I run when my goal was to gather you all, rather than chasing each one of you individually? Now, shall I commence my plan?'

The mysterious figure was none other than Lord Reginald. He contemplated his next move, 'I should throw Noble here and make my escape.'

Lord Reginald then commanded, 'Dimension gate, open!' A portal materialized, and a multitude of Nobles began to emerge.

Lord Reginald announced, '110 Nobles attacked the Deadland criminals but were ultimately defeated. The reason for their presence remains a mystery to this day. That will be the rumor from today.'

One Noble questioned, 'Why us? What did we do to deserve this?'

Lord Reginald responded, 'You shouldn't have harbored thoughts of revenge against the principal. It's your own fault for believing you would be safe after attempting to harm her.'

Another Noble asked, 'Is that the reason? Why?'

Lord Reginald, creating a small portal, replied, 'Thousands of criminals are heading your way. Good luck surviving that.' With a final 'Bye Bye,' he disappeared into the portal, leaving the Nobles to their fate as the gate closed behind him.