DAYS SLIPPED by in silence, heavy and unspoken. Not a single student dared to bring up what Professor Clint had shared. The truth he unveiled weighed on everyone's minds, yet not one of them found the courage to ask the questions burning in their hearts. They wanted to—desperately—but each time the thought crossed their minds, their voices faltered before reaching their lips. Fear kept them chained.
Even the Elites—the strongest, the most respected among them—were no different. They too wanted answers, their thoughts filled with doubts and unsettling possibilities. But the fear of hearing a truth far worse than they imagined held them back. What if their suspicions were correct? What if the truth was more painful than they were ready to accept?
Meanwhile, Aurelia was consumed by confusion. Her heart was restless, her mind constantly circling the fragments of what she had heard. Of all the Elites, the only one she truly felt close to was Pierro—her school friend, her constant anchor in uncertain situations. She tried to approach him, even just to speak, to ask what he thought about everything… but Pierro avoided her, as if putting distance between them would protect them both from something they didn't yet understand.
His silence hurt her more than she expected. The more he kept his distance, the more Aurelia's worry grew. She couldn't explain it, but something inside her screamed that there was more to what had happened to the Ninth Elites—something deeper, something buried. It haunted her, clawing at her thoughts like a shadow she couldn't escape. And from the depths of her soul, a quiet but insistent voice whispered.
Don't stop here. Find the truth.
A sudden sound jolted her from her swirling thoughts—the soft but deliberate thud of a book hitting the table.
It was Professor Clint.
"I suppose… this will be our final class," he announced casually, though his words struck the room like lightning.
Aurelia's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Final class? What did he mean?
Yet, when her gaze met the professor's face, she was startled to find him smiling. "I'm genuinely glad I was able to share with you the story of what happened to the Ninth Elites," he said warmly. "But I didn't tell you that story so you'd all drift off in thought or fill the Celestial Library like it's your second dormitory!"
A few chuckles followed his light-hearted remark, but it did little to ease the tension in the room.
He wasn't wrong. Ever since the day he revealed that secret, every student who had heard it had grown increasingly curious—obsessed even—with the Cursed Forest. Day after day, more of them filled the Celestial Library, searching for answers, hoping to find even the smallest clue about that forbidden place.
Then, a hesitant hand rose from the crowd.
"Professor Clint," the student asked softly, "what do you mean this is our last class? Are… are you leaving again?"
Professor Clint paused for a moment, placing a hand on his chin as if thinking deeply. Then he flashed a grin. "That's right," he said simply.
Confusion swept across the room like wildfire.
"I said that's right—I'm leaving," he added, more firmly this time.
Gasps echoed in the room. Whispers burst out like a wave—quiet murmurs, nervous glances, and uncertain thoughts spreading from student to student. The room buzzed with questions none of them dared to speak aloud.
The Elites, however, were visibly stunned. Their usually composed faces drained of color. Eyes widened. Mouths opened slightly in disbelief.
"He's being punished… for telling us that?" Hierra whispered in disbelief, her thoughts racing. She couldn't fathom it—that sharing a truth could be a crime.
"Is it Father again?" Pierro clenched his fists, grinding his teeth. His heart burned with frustration. The image of his father's cold, calculating expression flashed in his mind and a familiar anger rose within him.
"No! He can't!" Raon suddenly protested, his voice loud and sharp in the heavy silence. There was desperation in his tone—he wasn't ready for Professor Clint to leave, not when he still needed answers about the Cursed Forest. "He can't go!"
Theara and Theo sat in tense silence. They didn't say a word, but they had their own worries. Earlier that morning, a messenger pigeon had arrived with a letter from their parents. In it, they were informed that the royal family would be visiting the Celestial Academy—and today was the exact day of their arrival. The timing was strange. Too strange.
Despite the murmurs and the growing storm of questions around him, Professor Clint continued the class as if nothing had happened. His voice carried on, calm and steady—but not a single student was listening anymore.
All eyes were on him.
All thoughts weighed on one truth.
The man standing before them was leaving.
And in their hearts, each of them knew…
It was because of them.
****
TENSION of all kinds crackled through the air of Celestial Castle as various grand carriages began to arrive one after another—each one representing a kingdom, each one more majestic than the last.
First to arrive was a carriage painted in deep, blazing red—the unmistakable royal carriage of the Pyro Kingdom. The carriage glowed like fire under the sun, its golden trims shaped into curling flames that danced along its edges. The Pyro crest — a phoenix engulfed in fire—was emblazoned across its doors, and even the horses pulling it were draped in crimson armor.
From it stepped King Luther, a tall and imposing figure wrapped in red and black robes lined with gold. His sharp, strict features and piercing gaze silenced even the whispers of the onlookers. Every movement exuded authority—the type that made one instinctively bow without being told. Behind him followed Luki, the crown prince and Pierro's older brother. Luki's face bore a polished smile, warm and princely as he waved and nodded at those present—a perfect mask of royalty.
Standing not far from the carriage was Pierro, who bowed respectfully before his father and brother. His face was unreadable—dignified, calm—but his clenched fists told a different story.
Soon after, a carriage of serene sky-blue rolled gracefully through the grand gates. It shimmered softly under the light, like a flowing river caught in the morning sun. Silvery wave-like engravings lined its sides, and the crest of the Wearo Kingdom—a mermaid cradling a radiant sea lily—was etched upon its doors. The horses were equally elegant, coated in silken blue armor and flowing white manes.
Emerging from it was King Rydon. Unlike the fiery presence of the Pyro King, his aura was calming—almost healing. His gentle steps and warm smile carried a silent dignity that seemed to slow time itself. The kind of presence that made people instinctively relax, as if exhaling a breath they didn't know they were holding.
Beside him walked Dyton, the Crown Prince. His eyes scanned the surroundings with intent, searching—and then they softened. Walking toward him were his younger siblings, Theara and Theo and the moment his gaze fell on them, his lips curved into a wide, genuine smile.
A few moments later, a rich brown carriage rolled in next. Heavy and angular in design, it was decorated with rigid geometric patterns and etched symbols of earth and endurance—unmistakably the Eara Kingdom's craftsmanship. The royal crest—a tree rooted deep into a mountain—was carved proudly into the wood. The horses that pulled it were massive, built like war beasts, draped in dark bronze armor.
From within stepped King Kero, a man who radiated both dominance and cold formality. His presence demanded silence—a wall of strict energy that allowed no warmth. Behind him came Leria, one of the Eara princesses, walking gracefully in silence.
Then came Hierra, descending with composed elegance—her face blank, unreadable, and cold as stone. Yet in her eyes flickered the faintest storm of disbelief. She hadn't expected to see him. Her father. Not here. Not now.
As the crowd adjusted to the previous arrivals, a new sensation made them tilt their heads upward. A gray carriage, unlike any of the others, floated gently from the sky. Forged with steel-like plating and glowing symbols of wind and cloud, it descended slowly—regal and untouchable. It bore the royal sigil of the Aero Kingdom—a soaring eagle with wings outstretched toward the stars.
As it touched the ground with a silent gust of wind, the door opened, and King Artu stepped out, his face grim. There was no trace of mischief or charm, only cold ambition and frustration. His brows were furrowed, his eyes dark with thought—clearly displeased.
Beside him stood Crown Prince Aris, as serious as his father, his expression unreadable. His gaze passed over the crowd like a cold breeze. Not a flicker of emotion, not even recognition.
From the side, Raon approached them with a composed expression. He gave a respectful bow, but there was no joy in his face. No warmth at the sight of his father. And when his eyes met his brother's, there was a moment of stillness—a silent conversation only the two of them could understand. So much left unsaid, yet fully exchanged in a single glance.
All the students, who had been buzzing with whispers and wild speculations just moments earlier, suddenly fell quiet. Silence blanketed the academy's courtyard as the realization sank in.
All four kings were here.
It was a rare sight—one that had never happened in recent memory. The kings of the four great kingdoms almost never visited Celestial Academy at the same time. Their presence could only mean one thing. Something serious was unfolding.
Their attention was then drawn to the grand staircase as a commanding figure made her appearance.
High Enchantress Ramieya, draped in ethereal robes that shimmered like stardust, descended slowly, her silver staff in hand. Her very presence demanded reverence, as though the world bent ever so slightly to make way for her.
Behind her, walking in silence, was Aurelia. Her expression was unreadable, eyes carefully observing the scene before her. She stood a step behind the Enchantress, as if watching history unfold.
Ramieya gave a soft smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Your Majesties," she greeted, her voice calm and laced with deep power, "welcome to Celestial Academy. You honor us with your presence."
The kings responded with nods and carefully chosen words, and one by one, they were ushered through the gates and into the academy's sacred halls—vanishing behind the enchanted doors that only opened for royalty and chosen ones.
High above, away from the crowd and the tension, Professor Clint stood silently by the tall arched window of his office. He watched the arrival of the kings and their children, unmoving, eyes narrowed in thought.
The words of the old Ninth Elites leader echoed again in his memory—words spoken long ago on the journey to the Cursed Forest.
"There's more to this mission. They're not telling us everything."
And now, watching the very leaders of the world walk through the castle doors, Clint finally understood.
There was more.
There had always been something deeper behind that mission.
Something darker.
Something hidden.
The journey to the Cursed Forest had not been a test, nor a mission of honor.
It had been a move in a greater game.
To be continued...