I woke up to a loud crash, making me jump out of bed. "What the hell was that?!" Rain poured outside as I ran out of the room and went downstairs, where I found Laurence and Servus standing in front of the doorway. "What happened here?"
They seemed exhausted and injured. I went and stood next to them, and I saw a woman in purple. She had long black hair and a pink veil that covered her face. Her outfit was a long black dress with purple accents in various designs.
"Oh, there he is~" The two men turned to me. "Balere, you need to get back," Laurence warned me. "I think he should come closer. He's the only reason I came, anyway." Her voice sounded familiar, but I couldn't tell how.
"What do you want with me?" I questioned. Mana was running through my body fast, and my heart was beating quickly because of the danger of the situation. "She's not here with good intentions, that's for sure."
She flipped her hair with her long, slender fingers. "I can assure you I am not. I'm not allowed to reveal my identity, but I promise this will be in your favor. If you would please put down your weapons." Servus shook his head. "Not until we have proof that you aren't a danger."
"Put them down."
We turned to see Vito walking into the room with a robe and pink slippers on. "Vito! Attractive as always..." I swallowed a laugh at his sight. "How do you know her, Ebenezer?" I joked. He ignored the name I called him and began, "She's an old friend from Cuvaria. Now, Airlia, what are you doing here?" She walked past the men and looked down at me. "The news of the Laupor prince caught my interest, so I thought I'd come and visit him. I hope that isn't a problem?"
"On the contrary, this works out well!" She got behind me without me noticing and placed her hand on my bare back. She poked and prodded my mana before humming. "He sure does have a large amount of mana for someone so young."
"He's gifted," Laurence said, putting his hand on my shoulder. "So it seems. So, who's the beastman?" Servus walked up, too. "This is Laurence. He's known Balere since he was a boy."
"Since he was two," He corrected. "That's so nice. Anyway, I should tell you what's been happening recently in The Tower. I'll see you boys later~" She walked off with Vito, whispering so we couldn't hear them.
"So, what was that loud bang I heard?" I queried. "That would be that lady smashing in the doors..." I looked past them and saw that the doors had indeed been smashed inward. "You two can go back to bed, I'll deal with this," Servus told us. "No, let me help. Balere, you go back to bed."
"I don't see how I can help, so alright," I said goodnight to both of them before walking away. Damn, my arms hurt. It must have been from when I lifted that huge rock off of that person. I sighed and walked back to my room.
"...that seems like too much, don't you think?" I overheard the woman ask Vito as I reached the doorway to my room. "I don't think it's enough. He needs to be stronger, or else he won't be safe." Are they talking about me? I shook my head before walking into my room. It must be someone affiliated with The Tower, whatever it is.
I got under the covers and sprawled outward like a spider. "Let's hope I can sleep until morning this time..." I closed my eyes and dozed off to sleep.
I woke up to the sound of birds chirping. "Finally, a morning where an outside force does not rudely awake me!" I laughed slightly. "That's because I decided against it. Should I have?" I shot up to see the woman from last night sitting in a chair in front of my bed. "You... Your name was..." She sighed. "I'm so sad you don't remember it~. The name's Airlia."
"Alright Airlia, what're you doing in my room this early in the morning?" She stood up. I couldn't tell exactly what she was wearing last night, but now I could tell that she was wearing a suit of leather armor, and I could only make out a white shirt and tights under the leather armor. I could see a wand attached to her side, but I couldn't make out any details. "Your father asked me to accompany you to school today. I was going to go to Salwar anyway, so he saw fit for me to join you."
"Alright, fine. I have to take a bath first, so wait for me at the entrance." She nodded before standing up and exiting my room.
I sat on my bed and took a deep breath. "Please don't let Celesse come to school today..."
After my bath, I went to the entrance of the castle to find Rexana and Airlia glaring at each other. "...Did I miss something?"
They both turned to me. "Balere, tell me, who do you think is stronger, her or me?" Rexana aggressively asked me. "I wouldn't know. There are too many factors to decide on this. I would have to see mana travel speed, swordsmanship, mana affinity, and skills. I wouldn't be able to tell after all of that, anyway, since I have no scale to judge you both on other than myself."
I walked past them and left the castle. "You're pretty smart for a kid your age, y'know? Smart and impartial, something every woman loves to see in a man," Airlia complimented me as we got into the carriage. Maybe it's because this is my second life? I mentally rolled my eyes. "I've always been this way, Miss. I don't deserve such praise."
"Humble, too? Man, I wish you were my age, I'd sweep you off of your feet in a heartbeat." I laughed. "Shouldn't it be the other way around?" I asked, laughing. "I suppose you're right," She laughed with me.
"Has your father had you meet any suitors yet?" She queried. "No, have I supposed to have been meeting them at the age of twelve?" She smiled and shook her head. "No, I don't think so. My father was looking for my suitor by the time I was of the age of eight. That's just a thing in my family, I suppose."
"Oh, you're married?" She looked out the window with a grin. "Just because I met with them doesn't mean I had to behave with them. They were a bunch of wimps intimidated by me, so I haven't gotten one yet. Funnily enough, my old man is still looking for one for me." I laughed under my breath.
We mainly were quiet for most of the rest of the trip, only making comments every so often. We arrived, and Airlia helped me out of the carriage. "It feels wrong having someone stronger than I help me out of a carriage." She waves it off. "Please, you're already level 6 at the age of 12, which is an incredible feat of its own. You truly are a prodigy."
"I appreciate the compliment, but I wouldn't consider myself a prodigy." She bowed before getting back in the carriage, leaving hastily.
"Balere!" I turned to see Lucille and Adrian walking toward me. "Good morning, you two. Were either of you hurt in the attacks yesterday?" They shook their head. "No, we were safe in our house. Although, Adrian and I saw you helping people last night."
"I was doing what should have been done... How's Celesse doing, do you know?" They shook their heads. "No. Our parents went and checked on her yesterday at the hospital, but they didn't say anything about what happened."
That's... surprising. "We must get to class, so we'll see you later!" They ran off to their class, leaving me alone in front of the school. I guess I have to go to class now...
I sat down at the empty table before the bell rang. "Good morning class, today we're going to have a free day, due to recent incidents about the attacks last night. Talk with each other, study, do whatever you'd like."
I leaned back in my chair and stretched. It's just going to be another dull day, it seems.
Everyone around me was talking as I was meditating, letting the mana flow within me. Suddenly, there were two loud knocks on the door. Magister opened the door, and Acuzio stood with a solemn look on his face. "Can I please steal the prince?" My teacher nodded and turned to me. I grabbed my bag and walked out of the classroom, following Acuzio.
"So, why did you suddenly pull me out of class?" He sighed. "There are two royal guards here to speak with you. Would you happen to know why?" I shook my head. "No, sir, I wouldn't."
He opened the door to his office, and two men, one very buff-looking, turned to me. "Prince Balere, it's an honor." They knelt on their knees. "At ease. What is it you need to ask me?"
"Do you know anyone who might want you framed to be arrested?" I raised a brow curiously. "Not that I know of, no. May I ask why?" They sighed. "That's bad news for you, then. Can you please stand and hold your hands behind your back?"
"Am I being arrested?" The buff one got behind me and put a pair of stone handcuffs on my hands. I felt my mana being cut off by the magical handcuffs. "Balere Angelo, you are under arrest for plotting to overthrow the government, third-degree murder, and desecration of federal land. All artifacts on your person will be taken." They must have thought the artifact that changes my hair and eye color was just an accessory, as they didn't take it, but they did take the artifact that speaks for me.
Vito better get me out of this fucking mess. "Men, are you sure this is the only option?' Acuzio asked worriedly. "Alas, it is." I was pushed from behind, causing me to grunt and stumble out of the office. I can't even talk to defend myself.
People flooded the hallways immediately as if there was an announcement that I was going to be arrested. Murmurs came from each student and teacher, not that I cared. This wasn't the first time I had been paraded as a convict. No, there were only three people in this school whose opinions I cared about. I looked to my left and saw my brother and sister staring at me, wide-eyed. I flashed them a grim smirk before I was pushed out of the door.
The first person I saw when I got outside was Ailuros. "Please step away from the convict," The larger guard told him. "I'm not sure what's happening, but I'll help however I can, alright?" I smiled softly at him before he was pushed away. I was forced to sit on a bench in a creaky, old cart, sitting opposite the two guards. "So, why did you do it?" I grunted before thrashing my arms. "Don't wanna talk? That's fine with us. It makes us easier to convict you."
This is going to be a long ride... I sat back with my wrists pressed against the wagon. If only that lady had advice for me now. I felt the cart jolt gently as we took off. My eyes fluttered as I slowly fell asleep.