The sky is already dark and the moon and stars are the only things I can see. There is an overwhelming silence covered by the sounds of the vast ocean and the huge sound of the flapping of a dragon’s wings. The wind is so strong that the hood I wore exposed my long hair and let it flow gently. It was also strong enough to make me hold the dragon tightly.

The sight of various light gave me hope- that the land we’re aiming for is finally near. Knowing that fact, we arrived at the ring-shaped mountain in an hour.

“Quickly Oswald, we’re almost there.” The same voice from before ordered the dragon.

“It’s Reinier, let me remind you.” The grouchy voice from the dragon said.

We had crossed the mountain and successfully entered Esterwell. We almost arrived at the crystal’s cave but then, I noticed the magic barrier right above the mountain.

“We’re trapped, Oswald. Transform back, we have to run inside” the voice ordered again and so the dragon turned into a dark-brown haired man. We tried to run inside but it was sealed.

“Wrong move for you today. All these years and one mistake today.” Oswald commented with a playful smirk on his face.

“Shut it. Transform already and let’s get out of here.” The voice commanded and we tried to leave this place but lightning suddenly appeared and people started coming out of nowhere. Oswald flew faster before those people reach us. With the magic from the red crystal, I made a hole out of the barrier and we finally went out of Esterwell.

***

I woke up from a heavy dream. My heart was racing but then I realized, I am also sweating. I sat up wiping my face with my dress. I caught a glimpse of someone sitting on my chair next to my desk. It was Blaize reading a book from my shelf.

"You're here..." I muttered, not caring that he's in a girl's room.

"Yes." he replied, still reading. I went down my bed and saw him look at my portrait I hid on the same book.

"You shouldn't touch my belongings.It's invading my privacy." I told him as I walk towards the bathroom. It was locked. Laika's probably using it.

"Why are you here anyway?" I asked Blaize.

"Waiting for you to wake up. I was worried and desperate. I still hoped for you to wake up. You're dead-like again earlier. Nevermind that, you're already awake. I'm just wondering, I didn't know you're related to the Headmaster." Blaize explained and state his doubt.

"I wasn't. At least that's what I hope for."

"I'm sorry to be so nosy. I... actually want to know more about you." Blaize only looked at the picture.

"It's not like I'm sensitive over this topic. I just hate to admit that the headmaster himself is arrogant and conceited. Even though he's titled as the Legendary Hero back in the days, he's still an arsehole. I was left with them 9 years ago and became a parlour boarder. I have no objections whatsoever yet they mistreated me for having odd-coloured eyes. Having me as a disgrace to their family, they demoted me to scholar- the least they could do to remove me with their so-called pity. That's when I started working hard to prove something. And up until now, people would still look at me so differently because of my eyes and it still leave me to ask myself whether you guys accept me as I really am or not." I told him. Laika came out of the bathroom.

"Of course we accept you. You're pretty awesome, don't you think?" she said.

"Then, what if I lost my abilities and myself, would you still accept me?" I asked. My vision kinda blurried and I can feel my heart sink.

"Your appearance doesn’t define what sort of person you are. Your hard work to reach the current you lead us to know about you more and it's not a bad thing. You are you, that's what I think and I accept you for it." Blaize stated and it made me want to cry. I don't even know myself well. I'm only living each day to finish it. I never really thought of my future and how the world will change as I live on. It also lead me to thinking, how long can my life last?

"You are our friend, Idris. You may not consider us as one but we're always looking out for you. Not just me and Blaize, you can also rely on Alfonse, Seiya and Xenos. You're young, you'll meet good people as you grow older. Just because some people may treat you badly doesn't mean there won't be some who will accept you and love you. You just have to see and feel it for yourself." Laika lift the burden inside my heart. I'm glad I opened up my insecurities to them. I hid my face as tears started to flow down my face. I'm also glad to be a friend to them. Laika hugged me from behind while Blaize started patting my head.

"I'm not a pet, Blaize." I tried to crack a joke while still crying.

"Well, better make sure to stop crying," Blaize snickered.

"I'm sorry that I'm quite busy to hang out with you. I'm still all-ears to your thoughts so you can open up to me whenever you feel like it." Laika said.

"By the way, what happened to the case about yesterday?" I asked them.

"I said I'll try to save your arse but Seiya beat me into it. She already reported about what happened and it looks like they're just gonna let it go. You should go and thank her later." Blaize answered.

"I will but the sun’s already up. Isn’t it the time for the morning drills? Why are you two still here?” I asked them as I freed myself from the hug.

“About that..” Laika started and looked at Blaize instead, signaling him to explain it to me.

“Since you’re dead earlier, you didn’t know what happened. There was an invasion around 2 am; it was a woman and a dragon. Some of us were awaken by the sudden summoning of the Headmaster. You were also there… as a corpse. We tried waking you up but Headmaster stopped us and sent us to capture them. Too bad they still managed to escape. When we came back, the higher ups are considering you dead so we tried to stop them from getting you buried. We brought you here and do what I did yesterday. I know you’ll wake up on your own so I didn’t mind wasting my energy that much.”

“Lies. You still have the same expression you had yesterday.” Laika commented at Blaize’s last sentence.

“No, I don’t. Just forget it! Headmaster also noted that he’ll announce something at the auditorium so prepare your heart for it.” Blaize slightly pat my shoulder and left through the door.

“I hate how he spurns his own feelings…” I heard Laika muttered. I didn’t understand what she meant so I went to take a bath. After doing so, she walked by my side until we reached the academy’s auditorium. I thought she’ll sit next to me but she said she have to sit with the Council members.

It took fifteen minutes for the students fill in the room. I don’t need Blaize’s last words earlier since I can face the bastard head on. Thinking of it alone makes my blood boil. Maybe I still have my resentment against him but it’s nine years already, I should move on and think about my own fortune.

Without further ado, the Headmaster- along with the Council and the Administrative Committee- walked towards the stage. The two higher-up group sat separately on the stage dignified, making the aura of the place more formal. The Headmaster stood by the podium to start his speech.

“Students- future heroes of Griffinham- I am here in front of you to deliver what will happen to our country from now onward. Let me retell the history of ten years ago.”

He started and the older students who can remember what happened are frozen in their seats. I don’t have any recollection of it or of my memories from ten years ago.

“It was the day of Eriwald’s Princess Aelisia’s coronation- the bloodiest moment of history and the day our bonded country turned into ruins. All of its citizens gathered at the capital’s plaza when Wolfbourne’s Magitek Army started attacking from the borders- completely setting the country on fire. Everyone was celebrating the princess’ day but one noticed the ash-filled sky and the smoke suddenly surrounding the city. The citizens panicked and felt scared. The King who was standing next to his family quickly ordered the soldiers to protect the people and let them inside the castle. He himself pleaded all of the magicians to cast a spell to put out the fire. It was late when they realized a Magitek unit heading towards them and was trying to attack them. The magicians of the country He pleaded for the fire, all killed with exhaustion- making him realize two things: the fire is already wide-spread and that their crystal is under attack of the enemy’s new technology. Despite knowing the risk, the King served its people protection and the end of his life. His last wish was to keep her daughter Aelisia safe, for she is the destined one; the one who holds the key of the prophecy.”

The prophecy, huh? It must be about Valford’s end. Guess I have no time to think about my own future. I bet the reason he’s telling all of this is because there’s going to be an all-out war against Wolfbourne. He actually don’t have to remind us of the history, we’ve been doing this crazy training since who-knows-when.

“Upon reaching his death, the royal family head inwards with their trusted Minister of the Court… but to their disappointment, this trusted person killed them one by one. The princess somehow managed to escape her death with the help of her injured aunt. While the fight against the royal blood and the minister happened, the citizens got massacred. Everyone died that day- including Princess Aelisia.”

He narrated and was about to continue when Xenos, who was sitting a few rows in front of me, raised his hand and uttered with politeness, “How can you narrate it so detailed, Headmaster?”

The Headmaster gestured a slight nod and looked at our direction. He answered, “I was there.”

Everyone of us was surprised. Analyzing the story, I figured out that the Headmaster is not only arrogant and conceited…  he is also a coward.