"Oh, so that's why you're a First-Year," says Malik with an understanding look.

The prince and I have been catching up as we made our way to the main building. For a while, the entire conversation felt unreal for me. I kept thinking that it was all a ruse and the prince was just waiting for the right moment to destroy my social life in Liken Academy.

However, he's surprisingly sincere.

"Look, Ritz, I'm going to be completely honest. I do not remember you that well, but with you around, I can finally breathe a little."

He ends up rambling on about how he doesn't like how the students crowd around him the second he enters the school. He doesn't mind the attention, but he wants to earn it as a student of Liken Academy and not as the prince of Raekoft. However, judging by the cacophony of whispers and the sea of scowls, it will not be easy for him.

I know the scowls are directed to me, but it just proves my point. Malik and I are not two friends catching up. Malik is the prince, talking to someone below him.

"What's the matter, Ritz?"

"Hm?"

"You haven't said a word since we started walking."

Despite him trusting me enough to explain his troubles with the other students, I'm also guilty for the same reasons. Little Malik may not have changed much in looks, but I'm still talking to Prince Malik. It's incredibly unsettling. I keep thinking every small action might get me arrested so my responses become short and my expressions are kept brief.

"I'm...sorry, my prince. It's just that...we haven't met for seven years....the gap between the two of us is too big and—"

"Don't tell me you're like this too! Fine, I didn't remember you completely at first, but I know I'll never forget you. You're the one who got me my first scolding, and it wasn't even my fault!" he says while flailing his arms wildly in anger. The crowd around us goes silent. Malik didn't do anything wrong here. I need to alleviate the mood.

So, I burst out laughing.

"Yeah, and it's still hilarious! Kayla had to hug and console for before you even looked at me again!"

"You're so lucky Kayla was there. I would have had you whipped."

His words were threatening and fierce, but his tone was playful, and his face was red with embarrassment with the corners of his lips curved up in an awkward smile. He seemed struggled with the name Kayla for a moment, practising it now after our little scene.

"I greatly apologise for my heinous past actions, my prince."

"Just call me Malik, like you used to."

"Actually, we used to call you Li'l Malik—"

"Please call me just, Malik."

"Whatever you say, Malik," I say with an exaggerated bow. Malik looks at me and scoffs loudly.

I do not know how much danger I'm realistically in, but I seem to be in the clear for now. It's a bit frightening how easily Malik can steer a conversation or shift the mood in a room with so little effort. We were barely in the same vicinity for over seven years, and he's talking to me like we were the best of friends as children. I hear Malik release a sigh from beside me.

"It's nice to have you as my first friend here," he says with a smirk.

"And...why is that?"

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Malik walks ahead of me and looks at me with one of his trademark disarming smiles.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

I really would. Malik takes my confused silence as acceptance and releases another hearty laugh.

"Let's start making our way to the orientation. We wouldn't want to miss it," he announces as he takes his place at my side, continuing forward into a vast unknown.

~……………~

I use the remaining time walking with Malik to find out more about Liken Academy. The catch of Liken Academy accepts anyone with the potential of battle magic regardless of actual skill. However, the steep entry price with no guarantee of actual results or economic stability usually drives the common folk away. People born with battle magic and a lack of a silver spoon often become hunters, security guards or police.

This year, the number of First-Years are at an all-time high, with a total of eighty-two students separated into four classes. Before I got the chance to ask Malik how we were going to get separated, I end up getting distracted by the main hall.

The main hall is what one first sees when entering the main building, and it is massive. Several doors look entirely different, with each door probably leading to different areas of the Academy. There is an enormous crystal chandelier hanging from the domed roof—the Academy's achievements dressing the roof itself. Coloured walls with familiar shades of red, silver, blue and gold high swirl form the silhouettes of the Academy's current leaders.

I try to take in the unfamiliar grandeur of the main hall before an overwhelming presence strolls into the room. The chittering of First-Years immediately halts as Arduan Liken walks out of his office.

Arduan Liken is a descendant of The Great Hero Liken Rae. The Liken Family bloodline has given Raekoft some of the best mages in the world, and Arduan Liken is no exception. Tales of his immense power in Mind magic are told all across Raekoft. Stories of Arduan Liken killing an entire army with a mere flick of his fingers, the corpses bleeding from every outlet as if their very souls were ripped out of their bodies.

Needless to say, when he speaks, everyone listens. Whether they want to or not.

"Greetings students. I would like to give you all a warm welcome to the Academy! Now, since we have a lot of students here, we don't have the time to introduce each one of you individually. So, I'll do it myself." he says with a sly smile. The students start looking at each other nervously, and I turn to Malik with a confused look on my face. Malik returns my gaze and simply shrugs. I turn back around and see Arduan Liken simply inhale deeply and then, exhale.

"Prince Malik Yauler of Raekoft"

"Poland Garrick of the Garrick Political Family"

"Rel Ishkar of Ishkar Industries"

He's introducing us to each other. Names and titles of every First-Year student are projected into our heads with a mental picture of the student mentioned that is currently in the crowd.

"Leon Domer of Domer Institution"

"Leyna Relqis, Daughter of Telen Relqis"

"Ritz Dravus of Carder"

Wait.

Ritz Dravus of Carder? Carder is not my father's name. Carder is my town's name. The small, shabby village near the edge of Halsana. The same small, shabby town that doesn't house a single noble.

Maybe nobody will notice? I hesitantly glance at my surroundings and am met with glares and looks of sheer disgust. I turn back to look at Malik. He's still on my side. Right?

I must have failed to hide the horror I currently feel because Malik immediately gives me a pat on the shoulder and his most reassuring smile.

It's not enough.

I suddenly feel a tingle of familiar magic that sends shivers down my spine: the piss hair wolf, Leon Domer. I don't dare look at him, but I know he's glaring at me. I know he just can't wait to find me all alone in the capital at night and beat the shit out of me.

"Now that introductions are out of the way, here comes the fun part," Arduan Liken says with a mischievous grin.

"We do not have the time to evaluate each of you individually when it comes to magical ability since we have so many of you now. So we will be judging your abilities based on duels!" he continues with so much glee behind his voice that it's almost palpable.

The students immediately start nervously murmuring amongst themselves.

"Why didn't you warn me about this Malik?" I say in a furious whisper.

"I didn't know! My parents never told me!"

"Yes, student over there!"

Malik and I freeze. We turn to look at the headmaster, but he was pointing at someone else.

"Sir, I would like to challenge a specific student for my duel."

Of course, it was Leon.

"Shit, Malik. He's going to pick me."

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure the headmaster won't—"

"Oh, really? Who?" the headmaster says with a smirk.

"Ritz Dravus" replies Leon.

The smile on the headmaster's face immediately vanishes. Am I safe? Then again, the headmaster didn't outright deny it either. My eyes are locked on Arduan Liken as he thoughtfully taps his chin.

"I'll allow it."

Fuck.

"You two will be the first to fight then."

Fuck.

The headmaster then directs his gaze to me. There seems to be a hint of...curiosity in his eyes which I notice as they burn holes into my own. Metaphorically, of course.

"I hope you're ready, Ritz," he says with a wide smile.

I smile back because it's the only thing I can do.