This was my second time in a buggy, except this one was more exquisitely decorated. Compared to the wooden buggy that we had taken to Trane, the silver details on this carriage embellished that of the royal family.

Serlon rode beside Prince Edwin, who fought his royal advisors to let two “peasant-looking” boys catch the rest of the way to the Prince’s Estate. It was revealed much to both Jamie's and I’s shock that Edwin lived on an estate owned by Trane royalty instead of the main castle.

I was shocked, but not surprised. Hellion functioned the same way with the Morningstar children operating separate territories from the main castle where Father resided. Even the crown prince, my first brother, lived in the territory that was valued the most by Hellion.

That was how demons did it. I assumed that humans, being weaker, would tend to stick together. But I suppose that father issues were common among all species, no matter how violent they were.

Or my interpretation of the situation was biased.

It could be both.

Supposedly, it wasn’t a long trip. I watched through the tinted window of the carriage, as we passed a variety of different shops and multi-floor housing apartments. Jamie sat next to me, admiring the sheer grandeur of the inside of the carriage.

Although he never revealed his background, it was clear that Jamie didn’t come from any family with tremendous amounts of money. Even for the littlest things, he was cautious about how much he spent and what was the best deal. Surely, he didn’t seem to be from low status, despite his incapability of both magical and physical aspects. So, the middle class seemed like the best gamble.

On the other hand, I batted no eye at the sliver-decorated carriage that picked us up. Nor did I find it awkward to deal with the stares of the bystanders that marveled at the sight of it. It’s not like I was “royal” here; their attention was not on us, but the grandeur of it.

Demons may be cruel, but humans were vain creatures.

“So, Jamie. You took the license for potion making?” Crown Prince Edwin asked, trying to make conversation.

This caught the attention of Sir Serlon, who also looked to my guiding human for his answer. It made sense for him to be interested. The knight would need to know his skillset to place him in the proper position. Admittedly, I was also intrigued - but I’d never say that aloud.

Jamie nodded, “That’s correct, your highness.”

Edwin made a face, “Please. Just address me in a casual manner, as you both have. I’d prefer it that way.”

Normally, I would agree with Jamie, but I saw what Edwin was pushing for. He yearned for it, even in the presence of two people that he barely knew. It was a sense of normalcy that royalty never got and a privilege granted to little.

I was the same way with Dagon and Adbeel, who were more like parents than underlings to me. I learned most of what I knew from them. The only lesson my biological father engrained was warfare. Still, my existence was created to serve the higher purpose of the Hellion kingdom. I was aware of that much. My existence was a weapon itself; a dragon was fiercely loyal.

My loyalty would forever be to the King of Hellion, my father. Abandoned or not.

So, there was no way I’d address the human prince formally unless I had to. Considering that I undertook the offer, I would have no choice. This gave me all the more reason to insult him when my position wasn’t on the line.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

I could put up with that much to achieve my goal.

“Oh, I shouldn’t.” Jamie shook his head. It hadn’t been a problem at the arena but that was because the carriage let reality sink in. The golden-haired, whiny adult was, in fact, the crown prince and his new boss.

I nudged Jamie with my elbow, “If Goldie-locks says you can then run with it.”

The knight failed to keep a straight face; a muffled snicker escaped through his covered mouth.

“You…” Glaring at me, Jamie sighed, “If that’s what you wish for…. Edwin.”

Edwin smiled brightly, seeming to like the casual address, “Please continue explaining your potions and how the exam went.”

I rested my head against the side of the carriage, my eyes observing our passing surroundings while listening to their conversation.

“I got top scores on the potion exams. But since few agencies recruit from the potion exam, my original plan was to go into the main army as a medic. Although, it seemed like I don’t have to worry about that now.” Jamie explained, alluding to my agreement with Serlon.

If anything, I did him a favor. A fool like him would die in actual combat if he even survived basic training for it. Even that thought itself was pushing it.

“How were exams run? I’ve only ever seen the magic ones and combat exams.” Edwin explained, motioning to me at the mention of the combat ones.

“We were actually moved to a small potion lab within the arena. There were only about fifteen other people. We were evaluated by receiving random ingredients and having to figure out how to induce certain effects with them. Then those that passed were allowed to make a potion of their choice that was judged by a panel of masters.” He explained to Edwin and Serlon, who listened intently.

“And you mentioned that you received the top scores?” Sir Serlon questioned, looking more impressed after hearing how the testing was performed.

Jamie nodded. He quickly pulled out the papers from his bag and passed them to Serlon. Serlon flipped through the papers with Edwin peering over his shoulder.

“These scores are impressive. We should have no problem introducing you right into the staff that oversees the potions,” Serlon remarked, passing them back with an approving expression.

“Thank you, Sir Serlon.” Jamie slightly bowed, receiving the comment humbly.

The carriage pulled up to the Crown Prince’s estate, the guards scurrying to unlock the gates.

Edwin peered out, “We’re here. When the carriage stops, I’ll need to attend business. Sir Serlon will show you both around. Of course, you both will stay in the workers’ quarters and lodging for the guards stationed here. I’m afraid that we may not see each other often, even if you’ll be on the property.”

We both nodded. It went unsaid that it was to be expected. Jamie was unaware, but what was happening now was strange by royal standards. As conceded as it sounded, it was frowned upon for royalty to befriend anyone below noble status. I was relieved that the Crown prince understood that much.

Even though technically I was a prince too. They couldn’t know that.

Pulling in front of a large, pillared mansion, the carriage stopped. Resident knights dressed in more formal attire opened the door of the carriage, the row of them bowing as Edwin walked out. Several of them eyed Jamie and me, as we followed in our “peasant” clothing. Serlon came out last, closing the carriage door on his way out.

Edwin spun around to face us, another bright smile on his face, as two knights took his side.

“I have a meeting to deal with. Best wishes to you two. Please remember to speak casually to me next time we see each other.” He reminded us, before being escorted inside the large mansion by a trail of knights.

Serlon placed his hand on my shoulder, looking over to Jamie. Another knight met Jamie's side, where Serlon was at mine.

“I’ll take Asta to the barracks to show him around. Take Jamie to the potions lab and introduce him to the team. He’ll be staying in the workers’ quarters, so make sure he is shown around there too.” Sir Serlon informed the knight in charge of Jamie, who promptly guided him without a proper goodbye.

He waited till Jamie and the knight disappeared into the mansion, before walking along a pathway, motioning me to follow him.

I jog to meet his side, my eyes peering around at the grand estate. I’m sure that I’ll be able to fully tour it later, but for now, we headed to the barracks.

“You’ll have your actual testing for the imperial guards tomorrow morning. But seeing as it’s later in the afternoon, I’ll introduce you to the squadron that you’ll be assigned to and where you can sleep.” Serlon stopped to tell me, before swinging open a door on the side of the mansion.

“The barracks are on the side of the estate that is closest to the gate if you ever get confused about where the door is.” He noted.

It was quite clever. The design of the layout offered the best access from the guards in terms of protection of the estate.

We walked down a long hall to a wooden door at the end. Serlon paused, sighing.

“Now, I’ll warn you here, but this group can get a little rowdy. Mind them, they’re some of the best that the kingdom possesses-”

The warning was received too late, as the wooden door burst into pieces. A shirtless, scarred male soared across, breaking the stone wall.

He got up, swinging his arm in the air angrily, his middle fingers blaring, as he charged back in.

“Lawrence, you fatass! You ate my sourdough! Die!” The shirtless man seemed to shout, as clanging from inside the barracks grew louder.

Another voice, deep and agitated, “I told you that I didn’t! I swear that you already ate it yesterday before training!”

I dared not to make a peep. My eyes followed the now-clenched fists of Serlon, who looked like he would pop a vein.

Well, this should be fun.

Serlon disappeared quickly into a neighboring room, coming back out with a long, wooden Bo staff. He bounded into the room with an expression that differed from the ones I’d seen before.

He was pissed.

The clattering of the room peaked, followed by screams and banging. An eerie silence erupted after the commotion.

Stepping back out, Serlon returned the now-cracked Bo staff to the room and joined my side once more.

He cleared his throat, exhaling loudly.

“So, if you follow me, these are the barracks. I’ll show you around.”