The soft hum of the wind outside mixed with the light, rhythmic snoring of a wyvern hatchling curled up in the corner of the elegant office.
Arthur took in his surroundings. The walls boasted an intricate pomegranate motif against a deep red background, casting a warm luxury over the room. Near the heavy, mahogany-paneled door sat a blue porcelain vase bursting with trailing adansonii stems. A polished desk dominated the center of the space, backed by a towering bookshelf packed to the brim with ancient spell books. In front of the desk, two plush Chesterfield couches faced each other, practically begging him to sit down after the chaos of the arena.
Alice walked over and plopped down on one of the Chesterfield couches. "Don’t be shy, you two. Close the door and take a seat."
Elaine followed Arthur’s lead, and the two sat together on the opposite couch.
"So… Aunt Alice?" Arthur muttered, testing the name out loud.
Alice offered him a warm smile. "I know you have a lot of questions, and I’m here to answer them all. I’m not going anywhere, so take your time. No need to rush."
Arthur nodded, studying her face. "I assume you are my mother’s sister? It’s the only thing that explains why you look so much like her… the same long silver hair and soft blue eyes."
Alice chuckled. "I am. You really are Alicia’s child—you clearly inherited her sharp mind." Her eyes softened as she scanned his features. "You have your mother’s eyes, Arthur, but you definitely got your father’s crimson hair. This is the first time I’ve seen you in person, but thankfully, George kept me updated with his letters. I at least had an idea of what to expect."
"About this school…" Arthur began.
"Ah, yes… I saw how the others treated you out there," Alice interrupted, her shoulders dropping as she sighed. "I apologize for their behavior. They are royalty from the most powerful and wealthy kingdoms in the world. Their family connections are... dangerous to trifle with. Even as Headmistress, my hands are tied when it comes to their attitude."
Arthur smirked, a low chuckle escaping his lips. "Sounds to me like they just run to mommy and daddy the second things get tough. Honestly, I don’t care where they came from. Respect is an unspoken rule, and everyone deserves it—whether they're swimming in gold or poorer than dirt."
Alice’s jaw dropped at his sharp comeback, but she quickly burst into a soft laugh. "You definitely have your father’s courage. There’s no doubt you are George and Alicia’s child."
Beside him, Elaine bit her lip, looking down at the floor as she tried to stifle a giggle.
"So, am I in trouble for making that prince kiss the dirt earlier?" Arthur asked, leaning back.
Alice shook her head. "Don’t worry about James. I’ll just erase his memories of you... especially that duel. It’s safer that way."
Arthur's expression turned serious, and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "About this high-society nonsense... Is it true? Are women really just treated like commodities to them?"
Alice’s eyes fell, a grim shadow crossing her face. "Yes. It’s an unfortunate reality, and one I can't easily change... Thank you for standing up for Elaine."
Arthur’s brow furrowed. "Why are you thanking me?"
"Because James has treated Elaine poorly from the moment they met," Alice explained, her voice tight with quiet frustration. "He is possessive, viewing her as an object to be won rather than a person to be loved and protected. It is deeply ironic that he flaunts her as his betrothed, yet refuses to treat her as an equal."
She looked directly into Arthur's eyes. "I’ve wanted to shield her for a long time, but I can't fight entire royal armies by myself. Even as a high-ranking mage, I can't risk starting a continental war just to protect one student... no matter how much I want to."
"I see." Arthur scoffed softly. I can’t afford to cause any more trouble for her, he thought, a familiar wave of exhaustion washing over him. I’ve already disrupted enough for one day… but some things just can't be helped. What a pain.
"Aunt Alice?" he called out.
"Yes, Arthur?"
"Do you know anything about the Omniscient Codex or the Golden Phoenix flames?"
Alice froze, her heart skipping a beat. George… why didn’t you tell me about this sooner? panic flared in her mind. Could Arthur really be…? Is this the real reason you begged me to hide him?
She quickly cleared her throat, forcing her voice to remain steady. "The Omniscient Codex is a primordial artifact—an ancient book containing everything there is to know about this world. The heavens, hell, existence itself… it's all written inside. Legends say it was once possessed by humanity, serving as the very catalyst that taught us how to harness mana and manifest magic."
She paused, taking a slow breath before continuing. "As for the Golden Phoenix flames, they are the literal essence of the divine beast. The grand fountain outside this academy was actually built in its image. According to the oldest texts, the Golden Phoenix was the eternal guardian of the Codex."
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Alice leaned back, studying his unreadable expression. "But why do you ask, Arthur? Those two are ancient myths, long forgotten by modern society. Only a handful of the oldest noble families still retain those records."
"No reason. I was just curious," Arthur said smoothly, keeping his face entirely blank. I definitely can't let her know I was fighting alongside my father against a literal demonic vanguard two years ago.
Alice squinted, her sharp gaze cutting through his casual front as she leaned forward. "Arthur…"
The room grew suffocatingly quiet.
"You wouldn’t happen to know anything about the Great War from two years ago, would you?" Alice asked, her voice dropping to a serious whisper. "Your father's last letter mentioned being saved on the battlefield by a rogue warrior. A man wielding blinding golden flames that vaporized an entire army of demons and permanently crippled a Demon Lord."
At the mention of the golden flames, Elaine’s breath hitched. Her eyes widened in absolute shock as she stared at the boy sitting right next to her. Golden flames? But Arthur's magic in the maze...
Alice caught Elaine’s sudden, telling reaction immediately. She looked back at her nephew, her expression turning dead serious.
"Arthur?"
Arthur let out a soft, defeated chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess I really can’t lie my way through this, huh?"
"Not a chance," Alice replied, her gaze tracking his every micro-expression.
"Fine. It was me two years ago," Arthur confessed, his voice dropping into that calm, flat tone he used on the battlefield. "My father and I fought the demonic vanguard... and Ba’al himself."
"BA’AL?!"
Alice's composure completely shattered. She gasped, instantly slapping both hands over her mouth as the name echoed through the elegant office. Her eyes went wide with pure terror. She took a ragged, deep breath, trying to force the trembling out of her hands before she could even speak. "Arthur… you’re… this is absolutely insane..."
She shook her head, the pieces finally falling into place. "Everything makes sense now. Your father wasn't just hiding you from the world... George was trying to protect you. He wanted to give you a chance to experience a normal life after surviving that nightmare."
She looked overwhelmed, the sheer weight of the revelation visibly crushing her. "But this is just too much to take in all at once..." Her eyes suddenly snapped toward the terrified girl sitting beside him. "I’m truly sorry about this, Elaine. But what you just heard must remain an absolute secret."
Alice stood up, her hand glowing with a faint, iridescent magical aura as she reached out slowly toward the princess's forehead.
"What exactly are you doing, Aunt Alice?" Arthur asked. His voice didn't rise, but a dangerous, icy edge sliced through the room.
"I need to erase her memories of you, Arthur," Alice replied, her expression tight with forced clinical detachment. "She doesn’t need to carry a burden this heavy. It will only bring her endless danger, and it is infinitely safer for her to forget everything that happened today."
Sensing the oncoming spell, Elaine’s instincts kicked in. She scrambled backward on the plush Chesterfield couch, her heart hammering against her ribs as she squished herself firmly against Arthur's side, seeking refuge behind his broad frame.
"Please, Headmistress, don’t!" Elaine pleaded, her fingers tightly clutching the fabric of Arthur's sleeve. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. "I don’t want to forget him… please. Let me remember Arthur—"
Before Alice's glowing hand could get any closer, Arthur shifted. With a single, fluid motion, he pulled Elaine behind his shoulder, effectively shielding her body with his arm. He looked up at the Headmistress, his crimson hair catching the light as his gaze locked onto hers with absolute finality.
"That won't be necessary, Aunt Alice," Arthur said quietly.
The air in the room grew heavy, a subtle, oppressive pressure radiating off him that made the sleeping wyvern in the corner whimper in its sleep. Alice froze, staring into the eyes of a boy who had looked down the maw of a Demon Lord and didn't blink. Slowly, the magical glow faded from her palm. She took a step back, nodding quietly as she sank back onto her couch.
Alice sighed, a defeated but fond smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Very well. I suppose I can trust her to keep a secret."
Arthur gave a firm, respectful nod. "Thank you, Aunt Alice."
"We will continue this conversation another time, Arthur," Alice added, leaning back slightly against the Chesterfield couch. "There is still a mountain of things we need to discuss regarding your past—and your future. But for now, you two should head to class. You are already hopelessly late for the opening orientation."
"Of course," Arthur replied, finally relaxing his stance.
As Elaine and Arthur stood up, adjusting their clothes to head toward the heavy wood panel door, they were abruptly frozen in their tracks by the Headmistress’s voice.
"Hang on, you two," Alice called out, an amused glint flashing in her soft blue eyes.
The two turned back to face her, Arthur’s brow raising slightly in silent question.
"Do you two want to be classmates?" Alice asked casually. "I can easily pull a few administrative strings and change your section, Arthur. If you want, I can transfer you directly into Class 1-A alongside Elaine."
The moment the words left Alice's mouth, Elaine's brain completely short-circuited. She whirled around to look at the Headmistress, her voice squeaking in absolute confusion. "E-Eh?"
"I don’t mind," Arthur replied instantly. He didn't see any issue with the arrangement. She probably wants me to act as a bodyguard for Elaine to keep that obnoxious prince away, he thought, mentally praising his aunt’s tactical foresight. Very considerate of her.
"Ehh…?!" Elaine muttered under her breath, her cheeks instantly flushing a deep crimson.
Classmates with Arthur?! her mind screamed in pure, unadulterated panic. But… I mean, I don’t mind either, but… Kyah! Why is my mind going completely blank? This is so frustrating! She desperately looked down at the floor, praying the polished wood would swallow her whole before Arthur noticed the heat radiating from her face.
Alice smiled gently, looking down at her desk. "Great! That settles it then. Welcome to Class 1-A, Arthur."
With a casual snap of Alice's fingers, the air beside her desk fractured. Spatial ripples rippled outward as a glowing, swirling portal materialized, humming with stable magical energy.
"Just step through here," Alice said, gesturing toward the brilliant light. "This portal leads directly into the back of Class 1-A."
Both Arthur and Elaine looked genuinely impressed by the seamless spell.
"You have to teach me how to do that sometime, Aunt Alice," Arthur said. The dangerous, icy soldier from moments ago was completely gone, replaced by a boy whose eyes were sparkling with pure, unbridled curiosity.
Elaine giggled softly beside him, her previous embarrassment melting away into a warm smile. He’s so cute right now, she thought, watching his captivated expression. He looks exactly like a little kid staring at a window full of candy.
Alice chuckled warmly at his enthusiasm. "Of course, Arthur. When we have more time."
Giving the Headmistress one final nod, Elaine and Arthur stepped forward together, plunging through the glowing threshold and into the portal.
To Be Continued…