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Gates

Mr. Reinhardt is indeed a man who is knowledgeable in all kind of criteria's. Form history, to science, anatomy, and philosophy; I have no doubt to why father had chosen him to be the royal tutor. In the study room in which he teaches me, I gave him a request.

"You wish to focus on the mythical beasts?" He asks unperturbed. Mr. Reinhardt crosses his legs and tilts his head in thought before saying, "There are a variety of different topics to learn about them, however, those are only taught to those who attend Alistair Academy."

I furrow my brows in confusion, "Am I not going to join the academy myself? Isn't it good to have some foreknowledge before then?"

Mr. Reinhardt shows no outward reaction to my words, but his second of pause was enough to tell me he was further considering something. He finally closes his eyes with a short sigh escaping his lips, "I will have a word with His Majesty. Before then, let's focus on why it is necessary to have a certain class system. What have I said previously?" With that, the request was put to the side.

Suggesting to learn about the mythical beast wasn't an implication that Mr. Reinhardt's other lessons were boring. As a matter of fact, they were all intriguing. However, the mythical beasts took my primary interest when coming to learn about this world.

Back at Izzy's coming of age ceremony, when I had seen Louise jump all the way to the second-floor balcony, I started wondering if humans were part of the supernatural - which then prompted me to begin reading on all the mythical beasts books to which Louise brings to me from the palace's library. My mind drowned in the fascination overwhelming me, enough to steer my mind away from Daniel, the attack, and my existential crisis. 

"Say," I speak up while reading over a worksheet handed to me from Mr. Reinhardt. "Louise can jump from the landing all the way to the balcony. How is that possible?"

Mr. Reinhardt smiles knowing my mind was still geared towards the topic I had requested to learn about, amused enough to indulge me a little on it. "We humans, like mythical beasts, evolve through time." He starts. I blink in surprise and look up to him, having not expected a sudden lecture. "From the moment we are born, we are evolving, becoming something new every day. The change is unnoticeable, we never know what evolves within us until we come of age."

"Come of age?"

"There is a reason why we have two coming of ages Prince Eli. When a person turns five, their 'Gates' open up. What do you suppose those Gates are?" He asks. I give him a shrug, captivated by the flow of details. "Gates, as you will, is a reference to how our bodies start regulating the mythical beasts aura permeating the air. The aura builds up in the coming years until the second coming of age, where the aura in the body will start to take form in any way that it will. No one has a say as to how it will work, the person will have to adapt to whatever the aura becomes." I was left wide-eyed by this intriguing news.

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Amusement still flickered at my reaction in Mr. Reinhardt eyes. "This aura makes a person powerful, strong, or wise, and so is regarded as a cause for celebration. Of course, ages five and fifteen are merely the common ages when it happens. In rare times, someone may open their 'Gates' before then or after. Like you."

I stared at Mr. Reinhardt, his last words taking its time in catching up in my head. "Me?" I question.

"Yes you, Prince Eli. You are the rarest of the rare." I hunch my shoulders up in a sudden fit of nerves, the glint of curiosity directed at me from Mr. Reinhardt leaving me with goosebumps. His teasing smile turns into a smirk, about to continue when the door to the large study is knocked three times before it opens.

Louise comes in with a bow towards us. "I apologize for the interruption my prince, Sir Reinhardt."

"What is it?"

"His Majesty wishes to speak to you immediately Sir Reinhardt."

Mr. Reinhardt chuckles, sweeping some of his bangs out the way of his amber colored eyes. "It would take some pressure off of His Majesty's shoulders if he just told the boy." He says lowly.

"Please, Sir Reinhardt." Louise pressed as if to shut the other man up. This is what annoys me the most: The obvious hiding of something to which everyone else but me knows. I sighed the moment I was left alone with Louise.

"What are you all hiding?" I ask.

Louise smiles at me apologetically, "I'm sorry my Prince. There are things only His Majesty can explain to you." His smile becomes a bit more solemn, "Not as a King, but as a father."

With another sigh, I gaze out a window and stared at the sun glowing high above. Seasons in this world were each a year long, and we are in the midst of spring now, leaving the surroundings of the palace a grave of aesthetically pleasing leaves. 

I pondered over Mr. Reinhardt's words for a bit until I spoke, "Have you looked for the boy I asked for?"

Louise purses his lips. "May I ask why you are looking for him?" As it was now that he was asking, I was sure Louise was already aware of the answer.

"Duke Garter's son, Daniel Garter, asked me if I knew anyone of this name. He had said he worked as a kitchen staff here."

"I see," He says. "Felix Carter worked here a year ago as a trainee chef before he was arrested on account of poisoning Prince Avery's food."

"What?" I exclaim as I rise from my seat.

"He is confined in the Kingdom's holding cells for treason for another year until his due execution. This matter had been hidden from the public, so the Duke's son does not know."

I fall back onto my seat with a heavy breath, "Why would he...."

"I'm afraid we haven't found out his reason. He has gone mute after his arrest."

I can now claim, this worlds human were the bigger oddity than me when all else counts.