Ric, Ren, Yota, and Jim approached the towering gates of the capital, their steps slowing as they neared the guards stationed at the entrance. The guards’ eyes narrowed at the sight of the group, their gazes lingering on the battle-torn clothes and weary faces of the travellers.

  “State your business,” one of the guards demanded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The tone was curt, tinged with suspicion.

  Ric stepped forward, his expression calm despite the tension in the air. “We’re here to access the Kyrus Academy’s portal,” he said, reaching into his satchel bag. From within, he carefully retrieved the book given by Chiron, following Ric all of them took out the books, the insignia of the Academy embossed on their covers. They held them out for the guards to inspect.

  The guards exchanged glances, their stern expressions softening slightly as they examined the books. After a moment, the lead guard gave a nod. “Follow me. I’ll escort you to the portal,” he said, motioning for them to proceed.

  With the guard leading the way, Ric and his companions wove through the bustling streets of the capital. The city was alive with activity—vendors shouted to advertise their wares, children darted between crowds, and the aroma of freshly baked bread mixed with the sharper scents of a nearby smithy. Yet, despite the lively surroundings, the group remained focused, their destination clear in their minds.

  At last, they arrived at the portal site within the a grand courtyard. The shimmering portal stood tall, its swirling light casting an otherworldly glow on the cobblestones below. A clerk nearby greeted them and quickly explained the fees required to use the portal.

  After settling the payment, Ric’s party stepped into the portal, a rush of energy enveloping them. In the blink of an eye, they found themselves standing at the entrance of Kyrus Academy.

  "Wow! So this is Kyrus Academy," Yota exclaimed, his excitement evident as he took in the sight of the massive structure.

  The academy stood like a fortress, its grand design and towering spires giving it the appearance of a castle. Near the entrance gates, ten small reception booths buzzed with activity. Long lines of children stretched toward them, each waiting to receive a token for their dorms. Nobles in polished carriages rested inside while their servants stood in the lines on their behalf. Due to the chaos, it took about ten minutes for Ric and his group to get their tokens.

  Ren glanced at his token and nodded at Jim. "We’ll head to our dorms. Catch you later," he said before they disappeared into the crowd.

  As Ric and Yota made their way to their own dorms, Yota turned to Ric with a grin. "Hey, what dorm number did you get?"

  Ric glanced at his token. "Number nine."

  Yota’s eyes lit up. "No way, same here! Guess we’re dorm mates."

  "Yeah," Ric replied, his tone even.

  Yota walked silently for a moment, his brows furrowed in thought. Finally, he broke the silence. "Ric… you knew the way to the academy all along and led us here while we were fighting, didn’t you?"

  Ric scratched the back of his head, "Well… yeah. I was guiding us toward the academy the whole time."

  Yota stopped in his tracks, staring at Ric in disbelief. "Wait, so you were focusing on the route while we were fighting? That explains why you weren’t going all out. Did Ren and Jimmy know? Is that why they seemed upset?"

  Ric shrugged. "I’m not sure about Ren, but Jim figured it out."

  Yota’s expression shifted to concern. "Do you think they’ll be okay? The exam’s today, Ric. What if they’re thrown off because of all this?"

  Ric let out a heavy sigh, his tone steady and firm. "Leave them be, Yota. This world’s cruel. They need to learn to face their weaknesses and grow stronger from it."

  "Oh! Come on! You talk as if you experienced that cruelty yourself!" Yota said, his voice light and carefree as he laughed and moved ahead, leaving Ric standing frozen, stunned by the unexpected shift. The laughter still ringing in his ears felt jarring, out of place, as though it belonged to someone else, someone who wasn’t trapped in this unrelenting storm of doubt.

  Ric’s mind reeled, his thoughts fraying at the edges, each one bleeding into the next. "Wait. How do I even know this world is cruel?" The question hit him like a stone, cold and sharp. He hadn't left the orphanage—not once, not in his memory. A tightness coiled in his chest as a fresh wave of unease rolled through him. "Did something happen before I lost my memory? Was there a life before this one?". A thought echoed, simple but deadly

  "Who am I?"

  A heavy silence pressed against his ears, the surroundings grew dark as the noise of the world around him dulled to a distant hum. "Who are my parents? What happened to them? Are they... are they dead?" Panic gnawed at his insides, turning his limbs numb, like the blood in his veins had been replaced by ice. Questions, a flood of questions, unmoored and relentless, surged forward, drowning him in their weight. "Is Ric even my real name?" He tried to breathe, but couldn't "What should I do?" He held his head, pain stinging like needles.

  The ground beneath him seemed to tilt, reality blurring at the edges. He reached out, fingers trembling, as if to steady himself, but there was no one to hold on to. No answer to the desperate questions crowding his mind. Just the empty echo of his voice, asking, whispering, screaming for truth.

  Ric’s thoughts spiralled into a tangled web, threads tightening with every passing second. The noise around him dulled, fading as though he were slipping into an abyss. His heartbeat thudded in his ears, loud and consuming. Then, cutting through the haze like a crack of thunder, the rising voices of students pulled him back.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  The chatter swelled, and the crowd ahead surged forward, a ripple of motion. Before Ric could react, someone shoved past him, their shoulder slamming into his. He stumbled, knees hitting the ground with a dull thud.

  The shock of the impact brought him back, air rushing from his lungs. "Huff!" He gasped sharply, catching his breath as he steadied himself on trembling hands. The edges of his vision pulsed and blurred briefly before snapping into focus. His chest heaved as he tried to push back the sense of suffocation clawing at him.

  His thoughts felt raw and scattered, like an open wound. For a moment, he couldn’t tell if he was still in his mind or the real world. Panic bubbled up, but he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. His hands came up to his face, and he slapped his cheeks—once, twice—sharp enough to sting but not enough to hurt.

  “Not now,” he muttered under his breath, his voice uneven. “I have to keep it together.” He forced his breathing to slow, gripping the words like a lifeline. “There’s an exam. Focus on that.”

  He blinked and glanced around to process the scene. Students were rushing toward something up ahead, their voices blending into a chaotic buzz. He straightened, brushing his hands against his knees, searching for Yota in the crowd.

  “Yota?” Ric’s voice cracked slightly as he stood, turning his head to scan the crowd. “Where did he go?”

  “What’s happening over there? Wait... don’t tell me!” Ric muttered to himself, his unease growing as he watched the crowd swell.

  Without hesitation, he ran toward the group, pushing his way through the mass of students. “Move!” he said under his breath as frustration bubbled with every step. “Come on, Yota! It’s the day of the exam, and you’re causing a scene?! Really?” Ric’s voice rose with irritation as he pressed forward.

  Finally, he broke through to the front, and his fears were confirmed. There was Yota, gripping another student by the collar, his expression furious and filled with anger.

  “Hey! Isn’t that the third young master of the Trevor family?” someone in the crowd whispered, their voice tinged with a mix of awe and fear.

  “The third young master of the Trevor family?” Ric’s thoughts snagged on the name. His brows furrowed as he pieced it together. “Wait… does that mean he’s Halberd? The infamous problem child?”

  Halberd’s voice rang out, sharp and dripping with arrogance. “Who do you think you are grabbing the collar of, peasant?!” he sneered, his chin tilted upward. “Do you even know who I am?”

  Yota was unfazed as he tightened his grip. “I don’t care who you are,” he shot back in a resolute tone. “Bullying someone is wrong, no matter who you think you are!”

  Ric stood back, watching the scene with a sinking feeling. “Dang it, Yota! This might be—” he muttered, but his thoughts shifted mid-sentence. “Wait… if I stop Yota now and we back down, life at the academy will just get worse. Guys like Halberd don’t stop unless someone puts them in their place. But his family… ugh, I can’t just beat him up either.”

  Then, an idea formed, sharp and clear. Ric’s eyes widened slightly, and a mischievous smile tugged at his lips. “—actually, this might work,” he murmured.

  “You vermin—” Halberd growled, his voice rising.

  “Yota!” Ric called, cutting him off as he stepped forward.

  Yota turned to see him, his face lighting up. “Ric! Finally, you’re here! Look at this guy—he was bullying—”

  “Shut up!” Ric snapped, his tone sharp enough to make Yota pause. “Do you even know who you’re messing with?!”

  Ric grabbed Yota’s wrist and pulled his hand off Halberd’s collar with enough force to make it clear he wasn’t asking.

  “Ric, what are you doing?!” Yota asked, his confusion plain.

  “What am I doing? Saving your skin,” Ric replied, his tone shifting as he glanced around at the crowd. He turned to Yota, speaking louder now, his words deliberate. “This isn’t just anyone. This is Trevor Halberd, the third young master of the Trevor family!.”

  Halberd straightened slightly, his scowl softening into something closer to smug satisfaction at Ric’s words.

  Pleased by the attention, Halberd smirked and puffed out his chest. “Hmph! So you know your stuff!” he declared proudly.

  Ric didn’t miss a beat. “Of course! Young Master Halberd is the rising star of the Trevor family!” he announced, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd. “The future legend destined to become the greatest tank in history!”

  The crowd stirred, whispers spreading as Ric’s words drew their attention. Yota, however, looked baffled, his eyebrows knitting together as he stared at Ric. "What is he doing?" Yota wondered. "Why is Ric acting like this? Does he want to gain favour with this noble? But… that’s not him. Ric isn’t the type to lick anyone’s boots."

  Still, Ric’s dramatic praise continued, his enthusiasm growing with every word. Yota’s confusion deepened until Ric suddenly glanced his way, his expression unreadable.

  “No matter who—” Yota started, but Ric cut him off with a subtle wink, signalling him to stay quiet.

  Yota hesitated, then swallowed his words. "Wait… does Ric have something up his sleeve?" he thought, deciding to let him take the lead.

  Ric turned back to the crowd with a gasp, throwing his arms up in a deliberately exaggerated gesture. “What?! No matter who he is, he isn’t tough, you say?!” His voice rose with mock disbelief, his dramatic tone pulling everyone’s attention straight to him.

  Halberd stepped forward as his eyes narrowed at Yota. “Huh?! Who does this pest think he is?” he growled, his voice low and menacing.

  Before Halberd could get any closer, Ric quickly raised his hand, stepping between them. Halberd paused, glaring at Ric. “What is the meaning of this?” he demanded, his tone sharp and authoritative.

  Ric lowered his hand slowly and leaned in, speaking in a hushed, respectful tone. “Young Master, please consider this carefully. This guy is trying to provoke you. If you beat him up, people might start whispering that the young master of the Trevor family is hot-headed, losing his temper over a simple insult. That wouldn’t reflect well on your prestige.”

  Halberd’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn’t interrupt. Ric continued, his voice smooth. “But… if you demonstrate your power in a controlled, dignified way, everyone will see the true strength and composure of the Trevor family’s rising star. Wouldn’t that leave a stronger impression?”

  Halberd hesitated for a moment, then straightened, a self-satisfied smirk spreading across his face. “Hmph. Fine. That does sound better,” he said, nodding in agreement.

  Ric turned back to the crowd, his voice booming as he pointed at Yota. “Everyone! Listen up! This guy here doubts the strength of Young Master Halberd! But now, the young master will prove his might through a simple test!”

  The crowd buzzed with interest as Ric gestured toward Halberd. “I will unleash a magic attack on the young master,” he declared, his voice filled with mock reverence, “and without using any magic of his own, the young master will defend himself with just his body!”

  Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd, all eyes now on Halberd.

  Hearing Ric’s proclamation, Halberd’s expression faltered for a moment. His confidence wavered, but then an arrogant thought crept into his mind. "Heh! What kind of magic could a peasant like him possibly use?" The thought reassured him, and he straightened his posture, smirking once more.

  “Fine. Let’s get this over with,” Halberd said, his tone dripping with disdain.

  As soon as the words left his mouth, Ric’s lips curled into a mischievous grin, his eyes glinting with the satisfaction of knowing exactly how this was going to play out.

  What will happen next?