Going back to the present day...
Rou stood in the center of the training arena, confused and a little tense. After classes had ended, Caelum had unexpectedly approached him, his usual smug smile nowhere to be found. The prince had led him to the training hall and then, without warning, challenged him to a duel. Rou, still trying to figure out what was going on, was now standing face-to-face with Caelum.
The prince had his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, looking at Rou with an almost predatory gaze. His eyes glinted, and Rou could sense the challenge in the air.
Caelum:
[Rou, I've been thinking about what happened yesterday.]
Rou, still unsure of where this was heading, tilted his head.
Rou:
[Yesterday? You mean with Amelia?]
Caelum's eyes flashed briefly with irritation, but his smirk remained.
Caelum:
[Yes, that's exactly what I mean. See, I've been wondering—what gives you the right to act so casually around me?]
Rou:
[What do you mean? I don't know what you're talking about.]
Caelum took a step forward, his tone sharp.
Caelum:
[You. Calling me by my name like we're on the same level. No formalities, no respect. Do you realize who you're talking to? I'm the crown prince, Rou. The future king of this kingdom.] (His voice dropped to a more menacing note.) [And you have the audacity to treat me like a friend.]
Rou frowned, trying to piece together what Caelum was saying.
Rou:
[I didn't mean anything by it. I just thought you wouldn't care about that sort of thing.]
Caelum's grin widened, but it didn't reach his eyes.
Caelum:
[You thought wrong. You see, it's not just that. It's the fact that you interfered yesterday, when you should have minded your own business. I was simply trying to get to know Amelia better, and you had to go and ruin it.]
Rou's mind clicked as he realized the true reason behind the prince's anger.
Rou:
(So he's upset about me stopping him from getting too close to Amelia?)
Rou:
[Look, I just didn't think it was right, the way you were acting. I wasn't about to stand by and watch you—]
Caelum cut him off, his voice dangerously calm now.
Caelum:
[I don't need anyone interfering in my affairs, especially not some creature who doesn't even know his place. If you think you can just step in and treat me like one of your little friends, then we'll have to settle this the only way I know how.]
Rou's eyes widened.
Rou:
(A duel? Seriously?)
Caelum's smirk returned, and he raised his sword slightly.
Caelum:
[That's right. A duel. If you want to stand up to me like that, then prove you've got the guts to back it up. Show me what you've got, Rou.]
Rou clenched his fists. This was not how he expected his day to go.
Rou:
[I don't have time for this...] Rou muttered, but his posture shifted into a more defensive stance.
Suddenly, a grin started to take shape on Rou's mouth
Rou:
[Well... if you insist]
Caelum:
[Splendid!]
Rou's grin grew wider as Caelum charged at him with a shout. The prince's sword was swung wildly, full of excitement but completely lacking in control. Rou, with a look of mild amusement, stepped aside and caught Caelum's wrist mid-air, stopping the strike effortlessly.
Rou:
[... Heh, that's it?]
Rou's voice was casual, mocking. He twisted Caelum's wrist slightly, causing the prince to stumble.
Rou:
[You call yourself a knight?]
Caelum quickly righted himself, glaring at Rou with a fiery intensity. Rou could feel the prince's frustration building, but it didn't bother him. In fact, it was only more entertaining.
Rou's mind wandered for a moment as Caelum lunged at him again, sword raised.
Rou:
(This is just like the game) Rou thought, the annoyance he had felt in the past bubbling up. (Every time Caelum would rush in recklessly, charging forward without thinking—getting in the way and messing up everything. So stupid.)
Rou snapped back to the present just in time to dodge the wild strike. With a quick motion, he grabbed Caelum's sword arm, pushed him off, and sent the prince stumbling backward. He couldn't help but smirk.
Rou:
[You really think you're going to win just by charging in like that? You've got no strategy, no real technique. It's just one reckless move after another.] (Well... He's just a kid... But still)
Caelum, despite his frustration, picked himself up and rushed at Rou once more, determined not to show weakness. Rou, however, simply sidestepped him again, catching Caelum's sword arm, again, with ease and flipping him to the ground.
Caelum's face flushed with anger as he pushed himself up, glaring at Rou.
Caelum:
[I won't lose to you!] (he shouted, though there was uncertainty in his voice.)
Rou shook his head in amusement.
Rou:
[Honestly, is this what the future king of this kingdom looks like?] (he mocked, folding his arms as he sat beside Caelum.)
Caelum was struggling to get back on his feet.
Rou:
[Maybe try actually learning something before you go around acting like you're invincible, idiot.]
With a swift motion, Rou grabbed Caelum by the shirt and threw him back to the ground. The prince let out a grunt of pain, his sword knocked out of his hands.
Rou:
[Pathetic] Rou said with a smirk, kneeling beside Caelum and pinning his head to the ground.
Rou:
[You're lucky this is just a spar. If it were for real, you'd be done already.]
Caelum, panting and red-faced, tried to glare up at him, but there was nothing he could do. Rou had completely overwhelmed him.
Rou:
[You're not a prince. You're just a spoiled brat who thinks charging in makes him strong.]
Caelum, utterly exhausted, finally collapsed to the ground, his body limp as he lay unconscious. His face was flushed, and his chest heaved from the effort, but it was clear that he could no longer continue.
Amused, Rou squatted down next to Caelum's unconscious body and poked him lightly in the cheek with one finger. He couldn't help but laugh as he poked again.
Rou:
"You really thought you could keep up with me, huh?"
Rou muttered to himself, his tone mocking and light.
Rou:
"So much for being the future king."
He gave Caelum's cheek one more poke, then stood up, looking around at the gathering students, who were watching with a mix of fear and disgust. They were too scared to speak, but Rou could sense their judgment in the air. The way they looked at him now was different—less like the curious stares they had given him before, and more like they were looking at something dangerous, even repulsive.
The students remained silent, eyes still locked on Rou as they whispered amongst themselves. Rou didn't care. He took one last glance at the unconscious prince, then turned on his heel.
Rou couldn't contain his joy as he menacingly laugh while leaving the area.