CHAPTER 12: SHADOWS ON THE ROAD TO THE THRONE
After finishing breakfast, Lunin was taken to school in a royal vehicle by his father's bodyguard. As he gazed out the car window, everything looked too neat, too ordinary. But inside, his feelings were anything but.
He remembered what he felt when he woke up the night before: luxury, security—and a suffocating sense of artificiality. Everyone seemed to love him, yet no one truly knew him. Even Lunin didn't know who he was anymore. The face he saw in the mirror was his, and yet... it wasn't. How much longer could he keep living with a stranger's face?
It was his second day at school. As he passed through the security gates, a strange unease crept through him. His eyes scanned every detail on the walls as if memorizing them, evaluating everything as a potential threat. Then suddenly, Donald appeared in front of him.
"Yo, bro! How you doin' today, huh?" Donald said with an overly friendly tone.
Lunin raised an eyebrow slightly. "Hey... don't you think we're a bit too close?"
Donald laughed and patted his shoulder. "C'mon! That's just how we roll. Joking around, y'know?"
Lunin gave a faint smile, but swallowed the rest of his words. Being this friendly with a stranger… odd. But what if he's a stranger like me?
They walked toward class together. At that moment, a group of students from Class C passed by. Their eyes full of scorn, their voices dripping with mockery.
"Haha, aren't you two from the lowest-ranked class?"
Donald frowned and asked, "How do you know we're in Class E?"
One of the Class C students looked down at them with a smug grin. "Your crappy uniforms gave it away, losers."
They laughed and walked off.
Lunin said nothing, but a storm swirled silently within him. Donald remained quiet as well, but gave Lunin's hand a brief squeeze. Lunin was surprised at how comforting that simple gesture felt.
When they entered the classroom, the atmosphere hadn't changed. The quiet black-haired girl was there, and the same standard uniforms filled the room.
But someone was missing: Sora Valenhard.
Lunin walked up to one of the students in the back row. "Hey, do you know why Sora isn't here today?"
The student shrugged. "Oh, Lunin, you didn't hear? Sora Valenhard is engaged to the Crown Prince. She's busy with wedding preparations."
Lunin and Donald were stunned. After a moment, Donald leaned closer.
"Dude, you usually don't care about stuff like this. Why are you suddenly asking about the king? Don't tell me you've got a thing for So—"
Lunin cut him off sharply. "Don't be ridiculous."
Donald laughed, but Lunin's eyes stayed serious. They both forced a chuckle, trying to brush it off.
Inside, Lunin was spinning. So... she's engaged. Sora. Then... what were those looks she gave me that night? Did she see me as a threat?
Just then, the bell rang—and someone entered the room.
Lunin's breath caught.
For a moment, the world went silent. The man who stepped in carried the weight of Lunin's deepest secret.
He recognized that face.
The man was someone known to his father—the man who had performed Lunin's face transplant.
Lunin froze. His eyes locked onto him. Thoughts invaded his mind like a flood:
Why is he here? Who was the original owner of this face? Who am I, really? Why did the one who gave me this face become my teacher now?
Donald noticed Lunin's strange behavior but said nothing.
The man walked to the front of the class and began to speak.
"Greetings, students of the Magic Academy. I am your homeroom teacher, and also the academy's representative—Renar Wilscate."
Silence fell. Then the introductions began. Everyone stated their names.
Devin Kurogane raised his hand.
"Sir, may I ask a question?"
"Go ahead," Renar replied.
"Well, you seem like a really high-ranking mage... Why are you teaching us?"
Renar burst into laughter. The entire class shuddered slightly.
"Good question. But don't worry, no one will sit idle in my lessons. It's time to clear your minds."
[Scene Transition – Royal Palace]
Wedding preparations were in full swing at the palace. Sora Valenhard and her family had been formally invited, and now they were on their way.
But the look on Sora's face wasn't excitement—it was resistance, and a deep sense of resignation. This marriage wasn't one of love; it was a political arrangement.
On the road, soldiers and guards were stationed at every corner. The security was beyond extreme. Some wore elite uniforms, others were cloaked in enchanted robes. Sora couldn't take her eyes off the window.
This... isn't just a wedding. It's a power move.
It was her first time seeing the palace. A magical barrier surrounded the castle, and inside it stretched like a small city. The air buzzed with magical energy—like invisible hands brushing against her skin.
When they finally reached the gates, her father spoke.
"This is your first visit, so it's normal to be surprised. But once you step inside, my daughter... you'll be even more amazed."
Sora's expression turned from awe to caution. Because now, she was about to step through the highest gates of the kingdom.
END OF CHAPTER