In the morning, golden sunlight shone over the boys' dorms at Obsidian Academy.
Darius walked down the hallway, his uniform neat, the crest on his chest catching the light. He stopped in front of a door and knocked firmly. The sharp sound echoed in the quiet hallway. There was no response.
Frowning, he knocked again, this time harder. The door creaked open, revealing Prince Cassian in a messy state. His golden hair stuck out in all directions, and his half-closed eyes blinked against the light as he yawned.
"What's with the knocking, Darius?" Cassian muttered, leaning lazily against the doorframe. "It's too early for this."
Darius stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. "There's an assembly this morning," he said, his tone clipped. "You need to be there."
Cassian sighed and flopped onto a couch, his smirk lazy. "An assembly for what? Don't tell me it's about Leonhardt."
"It is," Darius replied, his tone sharp. "You should be there."
Cassian scoffed, rubbing his forehead. "Why bother? He's gone. Let them have their little event without me."
Darius's jaw tightened as he turned to leave. "Suit yourself," he said coldly. "But don't ask me what happened later."
—
The courtyard of Obsidian Academy was alive with chatter as students gathered for the morning assembly. Golden sunlight lit up the stone pathways, and the air buzzed with voices. Everywhere, groups of students talked about one thing—Leonhardt's death.
"Finally," a boy said, crossing his arms. "That guy was awful. Good riddance."
"He was a mess. Everyone was scared to upset him."
"I heard he once punished a baron's daughter just for dashing."
"The Academy's better off without him."
"He got what he deserved,"
The group laughed.
Before the laughter could grow, a soft but clear voice spoke up from behind. "We shouldn't celebrate this."
The students turned, surprised, as Elara Valcourt stepped forward. She looked calm and graceful, her Gold Class badge shining in the sunlight.
"No matter what someone has done, wishing for their death isn't something to be proud of," she said, her voice gentle but firm.
The crowd quieted, some students mumbling apologies. "Sorry, Elara," one of them said, looking down.
But as the courtyard grew silent, whispers started again.
"Isn't she Elara Valcourt?"
"The one Leonhardt wouldn't leave alone?"
"Yeah," another replied.
"He was obsessed with her. Always following her, always trying to get her attention."
"I heard she was so tired of him, but she never lost her temper. Can you imagine? I'd have snapped long ago."
Elara's calm expression didn't change, though it was clear she heard the whispers. She kept her gaze steady, looking toward the assembly podium. Her silence only made the students admire her more.
At the far end of the courtyard, Princess Thalina stood quietly.
She watched the crowd with cool, calculating eyes, showing no emotion. Though she hadn't been close to Leonhardt, his loss was a problem for her. He had been useful—a piece in her plans—and now he was gone.
Behind her, Selene adjusted her glasses and whispered, "Don't worry, Princess. We'll find another way. There's always a solution."
Thalina's lips tightened, but before she could reply, Adrian, standing beside her, spoke up. "It's too late now," he said bluntly, crossing his arms. "No one else had his connections."
Thalina sighed softly, her face unreadable. "We'll manage," she said, though there was a hint of frustration in her voice.
From a distance, Darius leaned against a stone pillar, his arms crossed. He watches Thalina and her group, noticing the tension. A small smirk appeared on his lips. It wasn't often he saw the unshakable Princess Thalina look uneasy, and he found it amusing.
Suddenly, the atmosphere changed as footsteps echoed through the courtyard. Everyone turned to see Principal Tavik Veymar walking in, his tall figure commanding attention. His dark coat moved with him.
The murmurs stopped instantly, his presence silencing everyone.
Behind him were three of the Academy's most respected teachers.
Professor Vaelim walked with calm face, his icy-blue eyes sharp as ever.
Beside him, Professor Gidon's large frame seemed to cast a shadow, his stern face showing no patience for nonsense.
Finally, Mrs. Isolode followed, her steady presence balancing the group.
The students quickly lined up in front of the podium, sensing the seriousness of the moment. The lively energy from earlier faded, replaced by quiet focus.
Principal Tavik Veymar stepped forward, his hands behind his back, and stopped. His sharp gaze swept over the crowd, and no one dared to move under his watch.
He finally spoke, his deep voice echoing across the courtyard. "Today, we gather to acknowledge a loss. Leonhardt Caulem, one of our students, is no longer with us."
The crowd shifted uncomfortably as his words sank in. Tavik paused before continuing. "On his way back to the Academy after the holidays, Leonhardt's carriage was attacked by bandits in the western forest. Despite efforts to fight them off, he lost his life."
Quiet whispers broke out at the back.
"Fighting bandits?"
"Doesn't sound like him."
"They're just making him look better than he was. We all know the truth."
Tavik's sharp glare silenced the murmurs instantly, his expression firm as he continued. "Leonhardt had his flaws, as we all do, but he was one of us. His life had value, and his loss is something we should all reflect on." His voice carried a weight that left no room for argument.
"Let us honor him with two minutes of silence. Bow your heads."
The courtyard was silent. Heads were bowed, eyes closed, and the only sound was the soft rustle of the wind.
Falkner of the Bronze Class stood at the edge, his head lowered like the rest. But his mind wandered, and the stillness around him felt heavy, almost suffocating.
Something about the moment made him restless.
Then, a sound broke the silence—footsteps, slow and casual, followed by a loud yawn.
A voice spoke, low and amused. "What's this? A silent assembly? Doesn't look very exciting."
Falkner's jaw tightened in irritation. Without lifting his head, he muttered sharply, "They're praying for the dead. Show some respect."
The voice chuckled, mocking. "Dead, huh? Must've been important to get all this attention."
Another voice, softer and calm, joined in. "Young master Leo, we should go to the dorms."
Falkner frowned, his patience wearing thin. "It's that idiot, Leonh—" he started, but the words froze in his throat as his instincts made him look up.
His eyes locked on the figure nearby, and his annoyance turned to shock. He stiffened, his breath catching as he stumbled back.
"Leonhardt?" His voice cracked, disbelief spilling into the quiet.
His outburst shattered the silence like thunder. Heads turned, and whispers spread quickly.
"Did he just say Leonhardt?"
"How is that possible?"
"He's supposed to be dead…"
Principal Tavik immediately straightened, his sharp gaze snapping to the source of the commotion. His frown deepened as he glanced at Professor Gidon, who stepped forward instinctively, while Mrs. Isolode's usual calm faltered for the first time.
Leonhardt's presence had disrupted everything.
All eyes turned to the boy standing in the golden light. Leonhardt Caulem, the boy who was supposed to be dead, stood alive and whole, and he was grinning.
He looked different—his hair, once longer, was now cleanly cut, and his posture carried an easy confidence that was unfamiliar. His crimson eyes glinted, catching the light.
There was something unsettling in his gaze—a mixture of amusement and cold detachment. His lips curled into a smirk that sent chills through the gathering.
"Well," he drawled, his voice smooth and dripping with mockery. "It seems I've been buried already. That's dramatic—even for me."
Reo handed his bag to Liana without a word. Her grip tightened as she stared after him, confusion and unease flickering across her face.
Without glancing at her—or anyone else—Reo walked toward the podium, his footsteps echoing sharply.
The crowd fell silent as students moved aside instinctively, clearing his path. Fear, shock, and disbelief painted their faces. Whispers trailed behind him.
"No, I thought he's dead"
"It can't be…"
"What's happening?"
Even the most composed students faltered. Princess
Thalina's sharp eyes narrowed slightly, and Darius straightened, his calm demeanor slipping. Reo's presence was heavy, unsettling.
His red eyes scanned the crowd, briefly brushing over Elara Valcourt. Her wide green eyes met his, but he didn't stop or acknowledge her, causing another wave of murmurs.
Reaching the podium, Reo paused briefly, letting the silence deepen. Then, without hesitation, he climbed the steps, the wood creaking softly. The morning light illuminated him as he faced the professors.
"Good morning, Professors," Reo said, his voice calm and clear.
The professors froze. Professor Gidon shifted uneasily, Vaelim's piercing blue eyes narrowed, and even Mrs. Isolode blinked in uncertainty. Principal Tavik Veymar straightened, his sharp gaze locked on Reo. "Morning," he finally replied, though his voice betrayed his disbelief.
Reo turned to the crowd, ignoring the professors' stunned expressions. The Caulem crest on his chest gleamed in the sunlight as the students stared, silent and waiting.
Reo turned back to the crowd, ignoring the stunned professors behind him. The ring on his chest shone in the sunlight as the students stared at him, their eyes wide and full of questions. The courtyard was silent.
Reo's lips curved into a faint, confident smile. "Good morning, my friends," he began, his voice smooth and clear.
It carried easily across the quiet courtyard. "Let me reintroduce myself. I am Leonhardt Caulem, son of Duke Alric Caulem."
Murmurs spread through the crowd, but Reo raised a hand, and the whispers died down. His confidence was never seen by anyone, and the students quickly fell silent.
"There was a… small incident on my way back to the Academy," he said casually, his tone light, almost as if he were joking. "A little delay, nothing too serious."
He paused for effect, his crimson eyes scanning the crowd before delivering his final words with a sharp edge. "But, as you can see…" His smirk widened, sending a chill through the students. "I'm alive and well."