Walking into the dorm, Hanz instantly threw himself on his bed.
"Already tired, huh?" I asked. "It's only the first day."
"A little bit," he replied. "I'm glad I didn't receive any homework."
"Well, go ahead and get your rest while you can. We have plans tonight."
He lifted his head up from his pillow and turned in my direction. "What plans? I didn't agree to any plans."
"Your sister invited us to a small party. It's around seven."
"Do I have to go?" His head plopped back down into his pillow.
"Yes. I have already said I'd go, and I am not going alone."
"Fine, but there better be food," he said, giving in.
"I'm sure there will be."
I took off my school uniform and changed into some well-fitting black dress pants and one of my many black tunics. Black was the only color I really liked when it came to clothing. "By the way, I learned that your situation isn't as bad as you're making it out to be."
"What do you mean?" he asked, his face still buried in his pillow.
"I assume you've heard of the school's tournaments and things of that nature, correct?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Only the top fifteen of each class can participate. So, maybe if you maintain your status, you will be able to change it at the tournament. From what I hear, it's not too far from now."
He sat up. "This is amazing news! Why didn't you tell me right away?"
I turned from the mirror to face him. "You looked tired."
Hanz clapped his fist with his palm. "That will be my chance to destroy that kid Renz. I had a class with him today, and he wouldn't stop talking about the rankings. It was annoying as hell."
I laughed. "Well, I'm glad you're glad." He headed to the door and opened it. "I have to go pick up something. I'll be back soon. While I'm gone, you should freshen up."
Hanz's uniform was dirty, as if he had gotten into some kind of fight.
"It's from last period," he said, getting up and heading to the bathroom. "I'll be ready by the time you get back."
***
It was a little after seven, and we were standing outside the student council dormitories, searching for the right room.
"What's the room number again?" Hanz asked, already appearing tired of looking.
When Hanz told me he would be ready by the time I got back, he wasn't lying. I would go as far as saying he was a little too prepared. He was wearing a suit, and a very fancy one at that.
"I did mention that it wasn't a fancy affair, right? You didn't have to go all out," I said, glancing back at his outfit once more.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
"This isn't 'going all out.' I'm a prince, and presentation is everything."
"Whatever you say, great Prince of Vintess," I replied.
"Actually, you're the one 'going all out' by bringing gifts," he retorted.
I looked down at the apple cider I had picked up earlier. "It's common courtesy to bring gifts to events like this. You should know this; you're literally a prince," I said.
"Yeah, yeah."
Eventually, we found Room 203, and I knocked firmly on the door. I heard the doorknob turn, and to my pleasant surprise, it was my sister, Myla, the school superstar, who opened the door.
"Fal," Myla gave me a gentle hug. "How have you been? It feels like forever since I've seen you, little brother."
"I know, right? It seems you're always busy these days, so we never get the chance."
"True. Says the training-obsessed freak," she laughed. "I assume Princess Selina invited you?"
"Yeah, she did." I nodded and handed Myla the apple cider. "This is a gift from Prince Hanz."
Myla glanced behind me and looked at the prince. "Wow, he really dressed to impress. Thank you, Hanz."
Hanz's face turned beet red. "H-Hey, he's lying."
Myla laughed and held the door open. "Well, you guys, come on in."
We stepped inside, and I was immediately greeted by Lina. "Fal, you actually came."
I laughed. "Did you think I was lying?"
"You can never tell with you." Lina turned her attention to Hanz and gave him a confused look. "Brother, why are you wearing a suit?"
"I am a prince, Selina. This is my normal attire when not in uniform," he explained.
"Pfft," Selina laughed.
"Don't laugh at me," he said, his frown deepening.
"You're right, I shouldn't laugh. I'm sorry." Lina did her best to hold back her snicker.
As Lina and Hanz continued their banter, I looked around the room. There were quite a few people here, engrossed in their own conversations. There was food laid out on a table, along with punch. The council dormitories were much bigger than the normal ones; they looked more like a house or an apartment.
There was ample space, a kitchen, a living room, and a dining room. I could hear chatter throughout the entire dorm, indicating that there were obviously people in the other rooms as well.
"Myla, do you have this dorm all to yourself?" I asked.
"No, I share it with my friend Irene. We've been roommates since my first year." Myla beckoned a girl from across the room, gesturing for her to come over.
The girl, Irene, approached with a smile. "Is this your brother? The one Selina can't stop talking about."
"Yep, he's the one," Myla replied.
To my surprise, Irene grabbed my face. "He even has these deep green eyes I'm fond of. How cute." When she let go, she finally introduced herself. "I'm Irene, kid. It's nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you as well, Irene."
Irene turned to Myla. "Has Sara arrived yet? I need to speak with her."
"No, she's on her way here with a few others. It shouldn't be too long." Myla turned back to me. "You kids go enjoy the party. I'll meet back up with you guys soon."
Hanz, Lina, and I walked around the party. We ran into a few people who knew our names from the rankings.
They mostly asked us questions about how we got so strong at such a young age and similar topics. It wasn't long before Lina wandered off on her own, and I found myself standing in a corner with Hanz.
"You know, I'm not really that much of a social guy either, despite my lineage," Hanz said.
I took a sip of my punch. "I kind of picked up on that."
He took a bite of a croissant. "The croissants are good." He offered me a piece of his already bitten one.
"They are good, but I think I'm fine," I said, laughing.
More people trickled into the party, and then I saw a face I didn't expect to see there.
The secretary from the exams walked in alongside Kent.
Hanz nudged my shoulder. "Hey, isn't he that jerk from earlier today?"
"Yeah, that's him," I said.
Kent's eyes scanned the room, and he looked at me with a grin.
I watched Myla greet them from afar, and she brought the two over to me.
"Guys, this is my brother, Fal. Fal, this is Sara and Kent."
The red-haired secretary spoke up. "Yes, I remember him. I supervised his exams. Your brother is quite impressive."
"Oh? Well, that makes things easier."
"I've met him as well," Kent said. "We share a class. Thank you, Sara. I really appreciate your compliment."
"I've heard you were capable and have seen you use ice magic in class. Sara is right; you are truly impressive," Kent put his hand on my shoulder. "What do you say to a friendly spar outside? I really want to see how much Mist magic fares against your ice. Additionally, you don't seem like much of a party guy anyway, and neither am I."
Kent's eyes looked calculating. He wasn't dumb, and it was obvious he was putting on a facade.
I didn't understand why he was targeting me.
Looking back, I didn't remember truly wronging him during the time we met at the assessment way back. His intentions were unknown, and I had no way of figuring them out. It was an odd situation to be in, to have someone dislike you for no particular reason.
Do I have my own personal school bully? How cliché.
I put on a genuine smile. "Fine, let's do it."