The group was driven back without explanation.

  "GET OUT. This is not a place for students.”

  Instantly—

  The students scattered. Some laughed as they ran, trying to shake off the tension while they ran. They then stopped near a fallen stone building, bent forward to catch their breath.

  A boy laughed it off, calling it fun. Others also nodded.

  But right then—John looked around.

  “Mmm.” His brows drew together. “ Where is Calum?”

  Back at the dungeon.

  Calum was already inside a dark cell. The walls were blackish-grey as if they stood there for decades, and rusted chains hung from them, though they held no creature or beast.

  While the guards had been busy forcing the students away, he had used one of his skills: DASH. And in a blink of an eye he slipped inside the dungeon without anyone noticing him.

  And now like the professor in the story, Curiosity sat quietly in his chest too. He moved through the first chamber without haste, footsteps silent on the stones.

  And when he got got close to another cell, voices came from it as if people were there.

  He moved closer and peeked from a little distance. Three guards sat around a rough wooden table, armor loosened, weapons resting nearby, talking with eachother.

  "Haah... this place is so boring now." One of them yawned. "Aaaah…”

  “Boring?” Another scoffed. “seeing new creatures every day and you are still saying this place is boring.”

  “Yes, I said this is boring now because we won't be seeing them any more.”

  The other two guards grew confused.

  “ What do you mean?”

  The first guard chuckled. “Didn’t you hear? The dungeon’s going to be closed.”

  “Closed? Why?” one frowned.

  “Aah, yes i heard it from the professor too, It's the new king's order isn't it.” second guard said.

  “Its because his children are coming to learn in the academy….."

  “Prince and Princess are comming here, in the academy.” Third guards eyes widened and he stood up from his seat.

  “Yeah, yeah. Prince and Princess, what a load of bullshit.” The first guard spat on the ground. “I don't like them. While they enjoy their lives we clean shit here.”"Humph.”

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  "Hahaha, true, true.”

  Calum listened to them from the shadows.

  For a moment, he did not move.“Tch.”

  Then he turned away already leaving the dungeon as quietly as he had entered.

  Outside.

  Rejoining with the group as if he had never been gone. “Calum, did you get caught by the soldiers?” John asked worriedly.

  “No.” He replied with a heavy tone and walked past John. “ Let's leave.”

  The group then wandered through the academy ground until they reached one of the grand cafeterias.

  The hall was vast—high vaulted ceilings, long wooden tables arranged neatly, decorations hanging from stone pillars. Large windows overlooked the landscape beyond the academy walls: the Dark Forest in the distance, huge mountains rising behind it.

  When they walked in, they saw their classmates were already there, so they just grabbed a seat on the same table and joined the group.

  Calum and John took their seats as well, sitting together, both ordering the usual—herbal tea for Calum, sweet milk for John.

  Conversation started immediately. Some students talked about their trip to the dungeon, laughing about being chased out by guards, like this was some kind of play.

  Jena stared at them. “What?” Her eyes widened. “Are you all insane?”

  “Nothing happened,” someone said. “We were just wandering.”

  “You shouldn’t take this lightly,” she replied. “What if you were—”

  “Don’t worry,” Nolan cut in, standing up slightly. His chest puffed out. “I was with them.”

  Jena rolled her eyes and turned away.

  But cutting through the chatter, Calum spoke.

  “I heard we have a prince and princess.”

  The table went quite. Everyone turned to look at him. As if he were some kind of fool.

  Nolan laughed loudly. " What? You don't even know about the princess and prince?”

  Others laughed along.

  A boy with glasses leaned forward, "Calum, what world are you even living in?”

  However, Calum's expression didn't change. Completely unaffected by their laughter and teasing. Which eventually died down on its own.

  SILENCE.

  Right then—Jena cleared her throat.

  "Ahem. Don't listen to them. Um, are you actually asking this, I mean.”

  Calum nodded.

  “Well,” she said slowly, “King Roman the Second has two children.The eldest is Prince Ramond. And the youngest is Princess Lily."

  Her expression softened. "Haah, I've seen her before. She's so cute. Oh, forgive me—" She blushed slightly and continued. "Both of them are the same age as us.”

  Calum listened to her quietly until she finished. And at the end he bowed his head slightly in a noble manner. "Thank you, Jena. I appreciate it."

  Jena's cheeks warmed. "No, no, Calum, it's okay. If you ever need to know anything, i mean anything, just... tell me.” The last words came out softer.

  Watching the reaction of Jena, the girls sitting beside her exchanged knowing looks and giggled quietly.

  But in this small group, one face darkened.

  Nolan had seen it too like others—the brief exchange, the way Jena’s cheeks flushed after calum thanked her, his smile tightened on his hard face.

  …………

  The conversation shifted soon after they began talking about other things—classes, upcoming winter, rumors about the Dark Forest. John also participated actively, talking, laughing, making friends with an odd kind of charm of his.

  (But who knows which girl's heart he might've caught today.)

  By the end of the day, they returned to their tower together.And the holidays passed like this—wandering, talking, resting.

  Until one day, they were all called back to the classroom.

  .

  .

  .

  Professor Gilbert stood in front of them all.

  Silence filled the whole room.

  Some students had their eyes closed. Others wore serious expressions because today professor Gilbert was going to announce their results.

  "Ahem." Professor Gilbert cleared his throat. "When I call your name, come forward and collect your mark sheet."

  Everyone nodded.

  "Bard."

  "Lyla."

  "Keeth."

  "Damon."

  One by one, students walked forward nervously and professor Gilbert handed them their marksheet.

  And when they saw their marks, they all sighed in relief. Some even jumped with happiness while returning to their seats.

  The professor continued calling until only three students remained.

  "Jena. Come forward."

  "Yes."Jena stood up from her seat and walked nervously to the front.

  Professor Gilbert handed her the marksheet. When she saw her marks, the nervousness disappeared instantly.

  Addressing the class, he looked toward Jena and announced, “Good work, Jena. You’re third in the class.”

  At this, everyone erupted into cheers. Jena turned, a proud smile hung on her face as she returned to her seat

  John, come forward.

  He blinked. "Huh?" Walking nervously to the front. Professor handed him his mark sheet, he stared at it, eyes widening.

  Professor Gilbert announced, "Good work. You got second position in the class." And patted on his shoulder.

  John's eyes shone. And he unconsciously rubbed the back of his head, grinning sheepishly, and sat down.

  Finally, the professor called the last name.

  "Calum." Calum stood, and walked forward with a straight face. He took his mark sheet from professor.

  (Full marks.)

  Professor Gilbert paused. "Your answers were perfect, Calum. I was genuinely surprised when reading them. With full marks, you hold first position. Everyone, please give a big hand to Calum."

  Applause filled the room.

  Professor Gilbert patted him on the back and also told that he should to come to his office if he needed something. Calum thanked him and returned to his seat.

  Immediately, everyone leaned toward him, congratulating.

  "Calum, that's amazing!"

  "First place!"

  "How did you—"

  The once-silent classroom was now filled with life again. Calum sat quietly, accepting the praise with a faint nod.