John crashed hard into the stone wall, books scattering around him. Dust floated in the air.
"Ow..." he groaned, wincing.
Aurora walked over and casually wrapped her arms around the girl. "Sis! Celeste, how have you been? You're okay, right? Father didn't bother you, did he? Or that shitty brother Von?"
Celeste smiled warmly. "What about you? Did your master torture you during training again?"
The two hugged and laughed, completely absorbed in their reunion.
Meanwhile, John lay unconscious on the floor, twitching slightly.
Celeste turned and gasped. "Wait—what have you done?! You kicked him into the wall!"
Aurora blinked. "No, no. He's just unconscious. Nothing serious."
Celeste looked worried. "Still… you don't just kick people like that!"
Aurora hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. Let's get him to the nurse's room."
They both carried him to the nurse's room.
John groaned awake, yelling, "AHHHH!"
Aurora and Celeste burst into laughter. John flushed red with embarrassment and immediately turned to the wall, pretending to sleep.
Celeste tried to apologize. "Sorry about the kick. She's a bit... impulsive."
John grunted while sleeping on bed.
Celeste smiled and introduced herself. "I'm Celeste Alex—Aurora's older twin sister. And you are?"
Still facing away, John muttered, "John Vale. High-Rank Knight. Winner of Ritterfest. Mastered swordsmanship in a year. Nothing impressive."
Celeste blinked. "Wait... what?! You—you became a High-Rank Knight? You're like... what, D+ or C- at best?"
Her words pierced his pride like a blade. "Ask your father," he snapped.
She turned to Aurora. "Is he serious?"
Aurora shrugged. "How would I know?"
Then Aurora leaned closer. "Hey... what did Father say to you in the throne room?"
John stood up, brushing off the sheets. "He gave me a mission. What kind? No clue." He turned and walked out.
A maid passed by and silently pointed him toward his new quarters.
As John stumbled through the halls, trying to forget the laughter behind him, elsewhere in the palace, a darker scheme was unfolding...
In the Royal Chambers
Prince Von paced in his chamber, biting his nails. His eyes were bloodshot, wild.
"Damn you, Father. You never let me shine. Always mocking, always comparing me to others. You just wait—one day I'll take that throne."
He stopped, clenched his fists.
"You always favored my sisters. You hated Mother, and so you hated me too. But you underestimated me…"
Suddenly, a soft knock at the door.
Von straightened, masked his expression. "Yes?"
A servant entered. "Prince Von, Lord Shri has invited you to his son's 20th birthday banquet. Tomorrow."
Von nodded. "Fine. You may go."
As the servant left, Von turned—only to freeze.
A figure slipped in through the open window. Cloaked in black, face hidden behind a white mask.
Von's eyes lit up. "Master... You've returned!"
The man's voice was cold and commanding. "What rank are you now? Still stuck at D?"
Von knelt instantly. "No, Master! I did what you told me—drank the maiden's blood. My power rises every time I do it."
The masked figure stepped closer. "Then tell me… What rank?"
"B+," Von said proudly.
Silence.
Then the master snarled, "B+? That's it?"
Von collapsed, sweating. "I-I tried!, my servant, he failed to bring me more maidens—guards are everywhere. Please, have mercy!"
The master chuckled beneath his mask. "This fool. He begs like a dog and wants to be king?"
He said aloud, "Fine. I'll forgive you… for now. Tell me—what happened while I was gone?"
Von, still on his knees, explained everything: the Ritterfest, John, the Soul Reaper.
The master rubbed his chin. "The Soul Reaper… interesting. A wrinkle, but not a problem."
"And John?" Von asked. "What about him?"
"Don't worry," the masked figure said, voice filled with amusement. "The king hands out titles like toys. But giving him that title instead of you? Oh yes, your father truly despises you."
Von's eyes darkened.
The master leaned in. "By the way… why does he hate your mother so much?"
Von's face turned pale. His voice dropped to a whisper. "I don't know… but when I take the throne—I'll ask him myself."
Training Grounds – Dawn
John stood alone, dressed in gleaming golden armor. A red lion crest burned bright on his chestplate. He looked out at the sunrise.
"Today… my first dream came true."
General Ren approached, a long-wrapped object in his hands.
"This sword," Ren said, handing it to him, "is forged from Nulmet — the rarest, strongest metal in the world. Fire-attributed. Light. And deadly."
John's eyes widened. "Wait… Nulmet? You're serious?"
"The blade felt too light for what it represented. He wasn't ready for this—but when was anyone ready to face death?"
Ren gave a sharp nod. "I don't have time to repeat myself. Listen carefully." He leaned in. "It's about the Soul Reaper."
As Ren spoke, John's face grew pale. When he finished, John burst out—
"Wait… you don't mean to say you want me to kill him?!"