The Wise Man knew that Hakuryuu was unique ever since the boy was born. There was always something strange about him. So when he devised the lesson plan the Wise Man took Hakuryuu's past into account.
During the boy's youth people thought it would be nice to understand the reason for the meaning of his name being White Dragon, when nothing about him suits it.
Everyone in these kingdoms are given a name that suits them in some way by the Wise Man who has the ability to see the name each child is called by in Heaven. However, Hakuryuu means White Dragon. It doesn't suit his personality, appearance, or hobbies. It's just odd to anyone who hears it.
Unfortunately, everyone in the kingdom knew who Hakuryuu was, but not because he was the prince. They discussed rumors and whispered their context whenever Hakuryuu was in sight. So from the age of 5, he told his parents that he never wanted any of his lessons outside the castle. Aware of the whispering rumors, the king and queen agreed. They scheduled everything academic to be taught in his oversized bedroom, everything athletic to be taught in the courtyard (Located in the middle of the castle), and other lessons were also taught in the ballroom. These lessons included piano, violin, and dance.
Consisting of this schedule, he may have seemed overworked at first glance, however, he was some kind of genius to those who knew him. His teachers taught him a single lesson a day, expecting it to be weeks, or months before the young prince to master the technique alone, although, Hakuryuu would master the technique in sometimes a fourth of the expected schedule.
The teachers hadn't even noticed the boy's routine. He would entertain the teachers during the lessons and afterwards, Hakuryuu would read a book based on the lesson. Once he finished reading, it was as if he had mastered the lesson. This habit assisted him in every lesson but music and sword fighting. He spent most of his freetime reading, practicing piano, violin, dance, and sword fighting. Other than these activities, Hakuryuu didn't do much else especially with people outside his family. Not even his younger brother, Kazuki, except for their sword fighting lessons. They cannot practice with each other yet because Kazuki is 3 years younger than Hakuryuu, therefore, their skill levels are nowhere near equilibrium.
This cycle continued to repeat itself for years. Never contacting or greeting anyone outside the castle. Everyone thought that he was happy because he never argued, always spoke politely, and recieved anything he ever asked for which were usually books.
Then until one day when Hakuryuu was 12 years old, his parents entered his room with a stranger. The man looked young, about 18 years old. He seemed strong and agile, yet he looked slim. He carried a sword on the left side of his belt.
Beforehand, Hakuryuu was laying on his bed reading another book. When they entered the room, he then sat up straight and nudged his body off the edge of the bed. He stood up and waited for the introduction.
It was Hakuryuu's father who led the introduction. He said, "This here, is the man I have appointed to be your attendant or Aide for short."
The Aide announced unasked, "My name is Shirube Tohichi. Prince Hakuryuu, do you know what an attendant is?"
Hakuryuu quickly realized that his aide was treating him like a child. Even though that is what Hakuryuu is. Since Hakuryuu understood it would be easy to mistake him for a young, stuck-up, unintelligible prince, he answered the man politely. He said, "Kind of you to ask and yes, I do understand the position you now hold by my side." Short and sweet. Those were the only words to come out of his mouth that month.
But the young prince felt uncomfortable with an odd man watching his every move. The man leaned against a wall next to Hakuryuu's bedroom window-wall, reading a book. The level of discomfort got him to think about things such as his Aide's appearance. Shirube was about 6-feet tall, short, navy blue hair with sky blue highlights, and light, golden brown eyes. Unable to unnotice Shirube's presence, thoughts overflowed Hakuryuu's mind. He pondered "Judging by the way he's been acting, I think he may be like me. Could this man be like me? No, surely it is impossible, otherwise he wouldn't be such a high ranking soldier at such a young age." Still in all this, not a word has been spoken between either of them. This continued for months. Neither spoke, instead they began to appreciate the other's company. A few more months passed and Hakuryuu no longer felt uncomfortable with Shirube's presence. Then once he prepared what he was going to say to Shirube in his head, Hakuryuu spoke up.
Hakuryuu stood up tall, locked in on those light brown eyes and asked him a question. "Shirube, where are you from?"
It was a bit shocking to hear words spoken to him but Shirube stood firm. Shirube, while acknowledging his astonishment, grinned proudly. "You wanna know?" He asked as if Hakuryuu's answer would change that fact that he'd have to listen to the entire story.
At this Hakuryuu seemed excited when he answered "Yes". At least that was the feeling Shirube was getting but the boy's expression remained unchanged, which Shirube seemed to catch on to. This was an intriguing reaction that Shirube grew very much curious. But he held back his questions for another time. Maybe he'll ask on a day they would know each other well enough.
But at the moment, Shirube focused on Hakuryuu's question. He said, "I lived in a village called Keito at the peak of the Yamachi mountains." Shirube's grinned fiercely. If he was going to talk about his past then he was going to enjoy it.
"What was it like to live on a mountain?" He stammered the question.
"Hmm" Shirube really caught the young prince's attention. But the prince isn't completely comfortable speaking to him yet. "It's okay. Life was more difficult to just get by, then it is here. Everyday I would run buckets of spring water down to the village, as my job and to help the village stay healthy."
At this Hakuryuu stared at his bedroom window in awe. Eyes-widen, he wondered why Shirube would leave a village that desperately needed him. They must have cared about him. Did they throw him out for somethings did? Or did he leave them for a better and easier life? Hakuryuu wondered. But he decided to wait til later to ask such a personal question. "Why did you leave?"
Shirube's lips curled. He noticed it was the first time Hakuryuu showed any concern for something other than his studies, since Shirube arrived. That thought in mind, Shirube decided to leave his answer broad. He hoped his answer would cause more curiosity in the young prince. He said, "I had a dream that I had no choice but to follow. Now I think that's enough today. You wanna sword fight so I can test your skills?"
"Maybe he'll be my friend." Hakuryuu's eyes seemed to sparkle at the thought. However nothing changed in his facial expression. The young prince nodded, strutting over to his wardrobe, where he hung up his sword and belt. Then for the rest of the afternoon Shirube tested Hakuryuu's sword fighting abilities.
Shirube soon assisted Hakuryuu in every subject except musical instruments. He incorporated new lessons into Hakuryuu's daily life. Lessons on strengthening his technique in every athletic category. Education in current issues, government information, foriegn business, economic state, politics, and etc.
Day after day, Hakuryuu learned more than he could by reading his books. The knowledge Shirube collected weren't even written in the textbooks yet. Such as the war between Hakuryuu's kingdom and the Black Cult). But the more he learned, the more sympathetic and disappointed Hakuryuu became.
One day, a month before the prince turned fourteen, he did nothing. Shirube watched quizzically as Hakuryuu lay on flat on his bed. On his back he stared at the ceiling. There was no images or designs above him, just the color white on a sphere-shaped ceiling. In this time, the young prince wondered. His mind circled about the information In his head. People are cruel now but inhuman in the past.
Shirube grew concerned for Hakuryuu as he watched him throughout the day. So Shirube confronted Hakuryuu. "Prince Hakuryuu. Is there a reason for your sudden discord?"
"Yes" he exclaimed with a loud sigh.
"Are you in love young master?" Shirube couldn't tell but he thought it would make Hakuryuu laugh. Even if he's never seen the boy laugh for the past two years.
A surge spread through Hakuryuu til every nerve was tingling. He sat up and spoke irretrievably to the light brown eyes standing by the door: "Are, are you cra-azy".
Shirube notice the redness of Hakuryuu's face and decided not to tease him further. Even the boy's forest eyes seemed to glow blush. "If not love then what ponders the mind?" Shirube thought he could convince the prince to confess his worries if this was mentioned.
Hakuryuu glared at him as if he said, "after that you don't deserve to know my mind!"
Even with this reaction Shirube continued passionately stating, "it's only polite to explain young master."
Hakuryuu told Shirube about all the books he read on war, strategies, and tactics. The thought of people committing those heinous actions, struck a chord deep within his soul. Then with his faces buried in his knees Hakuryuu asked the question that's been bothering him. "Why do we continue this war? It seems pointless!" Then a soft sound came from his curled body until it was unstoppable. Sobbing with no expected end as the boy sunk deep within his thoughts. He thought about the staff, the story following its creation, the reason people want it, then he asked himself, "Do I want it?" Although he knew the answer while ignoring it, Hakuryuu continued conversing with himself in his mind.
Then after a week of accompanying Hakuryuu to all his regular lessons, shirube heard a conversation from the kitchen maids.
He clarified whether the information he heard from them was correct. With this chance, Shirube thought this could bring up Hakuryuu's spirit. With his birthday being only three months away, Shirube must hurry. On the day of his birthday will be a Masquerade Ball held in honor of him being the first in line to take the throne. But there is a reason the ball is masquerade themed, however, Shirube hadn't realized it was the case.