Kaiho sat on his bed, looking around his new room. "So, I finally got my own room," he murmured to himself. He glanced at a small mirror on the wall, his reflection staring back. "I wonder… what was the real Kaiho like?"
Before he could dwell on the thought, Mikoto's voice echoed through the hallway. "Kaiho, get ready!"
"Coming!" he called back, shaking off his thoughts.
As he walked into the kitchen, Mikoto was setting the table. She glanced up at him with a soft smile. "Enjoying your new room?"
Kaiho nodded. "Yeah, it's nice."
Koshiro walked in, sitting down with a casual air. "So, what's been going on at school?"
Kaiho shrugged, sitting across from him. "Not much. I've been hanging out with Lucky, Nat, and Saito. Saito seemed fishy at first, but he's actually a good guy."
Koshiro raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile on his face. "Anyone else you've made friends with?"
Kaiho hesitated. "Well… some of my classmates are pretty odd. I don't think we'll get along."
Koshiro leaned forward. "Why do you say that?"
Kaiho sighed, folding his arms. "Some of them are kings or come from high-class families. They're arrogant and unsocial. It's hard to talk to them."
Mikoto chimed in as she sat down beside them. "You know, people need time to change and grow. That's what Orchids is all about."
Kaiho tilted his head. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Mikoto smiled warmly, her voice thoughtful. "From the moment they were born, those students were given a purpose—to rule over their people. Because of their status, they've never known poverty, hardship, or even basic struggles. They've been surrounded by comfort and privilege. Books and words can only teach so much. Morals, empathy, understanding right from wrong… these things don't come naturally. They develop through experience. Orchids is a place to give them that chance."
Kaiho stared at her, processing her words. "So… ?"
Mikoto nodded. " it's about building character. Helping those students see the world from a different perspective, so they can lead with wisdom, not just power."
Koshiro added, "And maybe, in the process, you'll find you're not so different from them after all."
Three hours later…
Merlin clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention. "Students, you'll be having combat training for your next class."
Before anyone could react, the classroom door opened, and a cool breeze seemed to follow the figure that entered.
"Hey there, Merlin," came a confident voice, laced with playful sarcasm.
Merlin sighed, as though he had expected this interruption. "To think they would send you."
The students collectively turned their heads and froze. Standing at the door was a striking girl with white hair and piercing blue eyes. Her presence was magnetic, and the entire room went silent, mesmerized by her beauty.
"That's not how you greet a friend," she teased, smirking at Merlin.
Merlin cleared his throat and gestured toward her. "Let me introduce you to your combat teacher, Alanna."
Lucky leaned toward Kaiho, whispering loudly, "Dude, what's up?"
Nat shook his head. "It's practically common for him to space out at this moment."
Kaiho blinked, confused. "What?"
Nat shrugged with a sly grin. "Nothing."
Alanna stepped forward, her voice sharp and commanding. "Everyone, get ready to run."
The students stared in disbelief.
"Huh?" the entire class chorused, some visibly panicked.
Kaiho's legs burned, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. "We've been running for hours!" he groaned, barely able to keep his pace.
Lucky jogged alongside him, a bead of sweat rolling down his face. "I think I could run a little while longer."
Nat didn't even look fazed, grinning as he kept up effortlessly. "Same, but it's still eating a lot of my stamina."
Kaiho glanced at him incredulously. He's got the stamina of a dragon for real.
Behind them, Saito looked like he was on the verge of collapse. I think I'm going to burst. I can't breathe! I think I'll pass out any second now.
Kaiho gritted his teeth. Thank the gods Mom trained me. If she hadn't, I'd have passed out a long time ago.
Finally, Alanna's voice rang out, sharp and merciful. "That's enough. Take a 15-minute break, and then I want 1,000 push-ups, sit-ups, and squats. Got it?"
Kaiho felt his spirit leave his body. "I think I'm going to lose my hair…"
He collapsed to the ground. "Damn, I can't take much more of this."
Lucky clutched his stomach. "I think my stomach's going to eat itself."
Nat slumped beside him. "I feel the same, man."
Saito gasped for air, leaning against a wall. No way am I going to survive this.
Kaiho glanced at Lucky and Nat. "I guess they're strong… as long as they're full."
Without warning, Lucky and Nat crumpled to the ground.
Kaiho's eyes widened. Did they just pass out from hunger?!
Alanna walked over, hands on her hips. "What seems to be the problem?"
Kaiho gestured to the two unconscious forms. "It seems they passed out."
Alanna sighed and motioned to two other students. "You two, take them to the infirmary."
Saito watched as they carried Lucky and Nat away. He exhaled in relief. Saved…
After class…
Lucky groaned, clutching his stomach. "I'm hungry…"
Kaiho sighed. "We ate all the food, remember?"
Nat leaned against a tree dramatically, his face pale. "I guess… this is it. I'm going to the afterlife."
As if to prove his point, Nat's soul visibly floated out of his body, heading skyward toward the glowing gates of the afterlife.
Kaiho reached out, panic on his face. "Nooo…"
Lucky sank to his knees beside him. "My friend… I guess my time has come too."
Kaiho turned, horrified. "Lucky, not you too!"
Saito, leaning casually against a wall, spoke up for the first time. "According to what I've heard, there must be a cafeteria in here."
The mention of food snapped both Lucky and Nat back to life. Their souls instantly returned to their bodies, and they stood up, as energetic as ever.
Lucky grinned. "Let's find it!"
Nat dusted himself off. "Yeah, let's go. No time to waste!"
Kaiho stared at them in disbelief. "These guys are ridiculous…"