Black smoke had engulfed the whole area. After a while, when the smoke had settled, a voice announced,
"CONGRATULATIONS!! YOU HAVE PASSED THE TEST"
Erin, after controlling herself from coughing, was startled by the sudden announcement.
"We passed…?"
"YEA"
A hoarse voice rang out behind her. When she looked in that direction, a figure adjusting his golden hair came forward. Adjusting himself, he continued, "Hopefully, we were among the last 80 remaining students."
Just after that instant, his face changed into a dark one, and he clenched his knuckles, muttering,
'I'm gonna kill that bastard.'
After that, he went to beat up a brunette. Erin was dazed and happy at the same time. After all her struggles, she had passed the test and could now learn from the country's highest teachers. She sighed in relief.
Suddenly, she remembered that now that she had passed, she might have to part ways with them. They had only agreed to help her until the match was over.
"Fireball…."
A soft voice brushed against her neck; she tried to look back but was stopped by an overwhelming force. A small hand of a teen boy was wavering over her neck, and soon it changed its movements, trying to tie something around her neck.
"?"
"It's my parting gift for you."
She felt the weight, sliding something against her neck; it was the black pendant Cian had won during the test. She turned her head to get a glimpse of him, but he had disappeared.
"A…"
***
All students had gathered in the earlier hall, waiting for the next assessment. Erin was finding them, but her eyes were still lifeless, and she didn't want to let go of her first friend, who was nowhere to be found. Suddenly, another announcement rang out,
"All of you can go back to your dorms. Keys will be given at the counter. After two days, your regular classes will commence."
With that, all students started to rush towards the counter, leaving her alone in that big hall. She paused for a moment and then began to complete her task.
"You're Lady Alfredo, right?"
She saw a figure coming from the forward direction; that person was from earlier… but she didn't remember him… forget it. She nodded, refusing to use words.
"Ah.. I saw you talking with Prince."
She suddenly fixed her gaze after hearing that. This guy had yellow hair, and if she could press her head properly, she might remember him…
"Cathal sir?"
"What's with that 'I remember' expression? We just met today."
"I apologize for not remembering people who aren't important."
"Ha…."
'Is this girl kidding me?"
A sudden urge rushed through him to stab her, but he maintained himself and grinned.
"That's quite unkind of you."
"Thanks."
"You were with His Highness, right?"
he questioned her, demanding an absolute answer.
"I don't remember." She shrugged.
It wasn't wise to just give any random person information about her life.
".."
Cathal didn't lose his smile, but his nerves were clenching. Suddenly, his gaze shifted to the pendant sticking to her body, and his expression changed to one of surprise.
"That pendant…" he continued with slight stuttering, "How… did you… manage to… get it…?"
"This?" She looked towards the obsidian pendant. "I found it lying on the ground. What is it?"
"STOP JOKING, PRINCESS!" His face furrowed with anger. He clearly forgot his status, his lips pursing. "GIVE THAT THING TO ME; IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU SHOULD PLAY WITH. ALSO, YOU HARMED A TREE, DIDN'T YOU?"
"Keep your voice down, sir. With all due respect, why should I give it to you?"
"PRINCESS," he touched his forehead in exhaustion, "THAT'S VIRYA." He stopped.
"?"
"I don't think it's important for you to know. But it will be better if you hand it over to me."
"But sir, if it's that important, why did you keep it hidden in a tree? That too, where accidents were bound to happen?"
"..That.."
He fell silent, not knowing what to reply.
"Virya it is.."
"Princess, it's for your safety; if your stubbornness won't let it go, then please don't let this pendant come into contact with divine power."
"…"
This thing had already been exposed…
"Princess?"
She snapped out. "If you need anything, I'll always be there. It's really exciting to see our troublemaker prince having conversations with others."
"I suppose it's a great feat." She sighed.
Cathal furrowed his brows because of that attitude. "I think your mother will be proud of that attitude."
"I don't care about a dead person." Erin expressed her views without changing her cold expression.
**
"Are you really sure about it?" Cian reluctantly asked Darcy.
"Yes, His Majesty won't object, and mine doesn't care."
Darcy said while removing his coat.
"Removing our names from the list wasn't the best choice."
"Sigh, I was looking forward to joining."
Cian said while throwing a tantrum.
They were in an inn's room. After withdrawing as applicants for the Royal Academy, they decided to stay there for a night and then move to the Imperial Palace tomorrow.
"BUT DARCY, don't you think we should have at least talked to the Principal?"
"Unless you want to become a test experiment for witches, no."
He said firmly. For now, he was looking at some documents while Cian was lying on the bed.
"It will be better to throw all the work on big brother." Cian replied while looking at the ceiling.
"That suits you more…. And.." Darcy gazed at him with a cold expression and continued, "Your Highness, you should retire to your room."
"What's yours is mine, Darcy"
Cian continued to gaze at the ceiling, thinking about Erin. At least, he should have sent a proper goodbye. Because of Darcy rushing everything, he wasn't able to say anything to her. It would have been better if he could just talk and bid farewell. Right?
"Wait, I can!!" He suddenly stood up.
**
Erin looked at the board of winners, and to her surprise, she wasn't able to find Cian and Darcy's names. Another thing was that she didn't know those two people who accompanied them. She was sad.
"Looks like we parted." She thought. It seemed Cian and Darcy had withdrawn themselves. It was a strange thing to do, even if they were princes, but it was impossible to know their movements. Not to mention the involvement of witches in this academy. Can't say anything.
But His Highness was really a remarkable person. She thought while remembering his grin, his humorous tone, his friendly behavior with everyone. Cian was like the complete opposite of her, still, she wouldn't forget a person like him. And then Darcy….
What he was talking about was strange…
Not long after that, she reached her room. She didn't have any belongings to begin with, so it was convenient for her to travel. Because of her status, she was appointed a high-class dorm, which was a little smaller in size but was as grand as Irena's private chamber.
When she went in, the first thing she saw was the balcony. It was nighttime, and the stars were shining like jewels; she went out to take in the cool breeze.
I wish I could see him again…
Just as she thought that, a figure jumped onto the railings of the balcony. His silver hair was fluttering in the moonlight. His golden eyes, and his facial features were just enchanting for anyone. That figure grinned at her.
"Your Highness…?"