Standing before the domain, Crown Prince Alaric didn't spare Yuna even a glance. His indifference was absolute, as though she didn't exist.
Yuna, who had approached him with an attempt at polite conversation—hoping to at least ask if they could search for the exit together—was forced to swallow her words. This aloof brat didn't even give her a chance!
Not that she wanted to talk to him either! Geez.
"Tch…" She pursed her lips, suppressing her irritation, and followed him silently into the domain.
If she had known these "domain" things existed—and worse, that they'd be used as part of the academy exams—Yuna would never have enrolled in such a prestigious school in the first place! But it was too late now. She had signed her name upon entry, agreeing to the rigorous examination format. It felt like she had boarded a pirate ship with no way off.
Luckily, when they entered this time, the ground was solid. Yuna landed firmly, unlike last time where the ground beneath her feet crumbled at a mere touch.
But—
The air! It was so thin she could barely breathe. It felt like she was standing at the peak of a high mountain, lungs burning, chest tightening, desperate for air.
Panicking slightly, Yuna drew what little oxygen she could gather with her wind element ability and formed a breathable bubble of air around herself—and included Alaric in it out of consideration for the people beside her. She noticed, however, that Alaric didn't seem the least bit affected. A magic circle already shimmered around him, maintaining his own oxygen supply.
Yuna stared at him, half-staggering in frustration. Shouldn't he have at least spared a single thought to include her? Couldn't he have helped even a little?
As she steadied her breath, Alaric finally broke his silence—though the words were far from kind.
"Don't expect me to coddle you like the others do," he said coldly, eyes sweeping over her with contempt. "Don't think you can rely on me the way you cling to them."
Disdain twisted his features, his upper lip curling with visible disgust.
"Don't walk near me. I don't want people like you beside me."
Without giving her a chance to respond, he turned and walked away briskly, deliberately widening the distance between them—as if proximity to her was physically repulsive.
Yuna stood frozen in place, dumbfounded by his hostility. Did she kill his parents or what?
Then her eyes narrowed.
She quickly chased after him.
What was she supposed to do? Stay here and wait to die? She didn't know how to navigate domains!
It occurred to her then why the class representatives had been sent in first. They were supposed to serve as guides for students who had never entered a domain before. But among them, she was also new to all this!
Those damn irresponsible teachers!
Yuna grit her teeth, frustration swelling in her chest.
And that Alaric—how dare he speak to her like that?
Did he think she was some soft, easy target? Someone he could trample over just because she didn't fight back? He can dislike him all he want. She didn't give a flying fuck. But to talk down on her and give her such a disgusted look right on her face....
That brat.
Was she a kind and mild-tempered person? Absolutely not.
With her short temper and petty as heck nature, Yuna absolutely will not let this slide!
She may have let people gossip behind her back without retaliation, but that didn't mean she was meek. She didn't care about idle whispers—humans loved to gossip, after all. And yes, she relied on Austin for meals and for entrance into the academy. So what? Finding someone to protect her was her own ability. If they were jealous, let them be.
After all, they only dare to tattle behind her back. Coward.
But Alaric?
He dared to insult her directly to her face. And with that look?
Her innate pettiness flared up—though maybe it wasn't just that. Perhaps all the frustration she'd bottled up since the start of the class representative exam was finally reaching its breaking point.
Anyway, If he wanted to play nasty, then fine. She'd play along.
Putting on a bright, sugary smile—a rare sight—Yuna quickened her steps and chirped sweetly, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, it's truly amazing how well you adapt to domains."
Ahead of her, Alaric's shoulders stiffened slightly. A faint flicker of irritation crossed his face, but he didn't turn around or acknowledge her.
He was used to this—girls trying to flatter him, gain favor, cling to him with honeyed words. Yuna's tone grated on him. He found such tactics boring and beneath contempt.
Yet Yuna, undeterred, continued with her sugary tone. "As expected of the Crown Prince—you're amazing."
She smiled as though she hadn't noticed his clear disinterest. "It must be tough, being someone so strong and burdened with responsibility. You must be used to caring for the weak, right?"
That earned a mocking curl of Alaric's lips—though he still didn't turn. Was she trying to manipulate him into protecting her? How shameless. How laughable.
But her next words made his smirk falter. Completely.
"After all," she continued sweetly, "....a crown prince can't ignore his duties and only look after the strong, right? There are so many commoners and powerless people… If he neglects them, what's the point of the title?"
Alaric's steps slowed.
"People put the crown prince on a pedestal, praise him, obey him. But if he can't even fulfill the responsibility that comes with that praise, isn't that kind of crown prince… trash?"
She added, all smiles, "Ah! Of course I'm not talking about you, Your Highness! I would never! I'm talking about some other prince I heard about from another country. One who tramples on those beneath him and enjoys all the benefits of being adored, without giving anything back. It's just sad, isn't it?"
Alaric stopped walking.
Slowly, he turned to look at her. His eyes were like frost—cold, unreadable.
Yuna smiled at him innocently, undeterred. "If such a crown prince ignores the weak, won't he turn into a tyrant when he becomes king? The strong will trample the weak. Chaos will follow. After all, if the ruler doesn't respect his people, why would anyone else?"
Alaric's voice was ice. "Are you suggesting how I should rule my people?"
Yuna widened her eyes as if scandalized. "What?! Of course not! We were talking about that other trash prince—how could you possibly be the same as him? You're so humble and benevolent."
Then, her tone turning sheepish, she chuckled. "Ah, I guess I've been talking too much. I just wanted to distract myself a little… This place is so scary, and I've never been in a domain before. I hope I didn't offend Your Highness—of course, someone like me could never offend someone like you."
Her words sounded respectful, but they carried the subtle, stinging edge of mockery. Her tone was sincere—but her eyes sparkled with defiance.
If Alaric insisted on his previous statements now, he'd essentially be admitting he was the exact kind of prince she just tore apart.
He didn't speak. His expression remained unreadable.
With a bright smile and a voice bordering on sing-song, Yuna "gently" jabbed—well, spoke kindly, "That kind of crown prince I heard about… I really hope he never ascends the throne. Terrifying, truly." She even gave a slight shiver for dramatic effect. "But of course, I don't believe someone like that wouldn't have a better brother—one who's loved by the people, someone charismatic, fair, and strong. Just like Your Highness! You embody all the good traits, after all!"
The Crown Prince's eyes narrowed dangerously, but he said nothing—his gaze sharp and unwavering as it pinned her in place.
Even under the weight of his dagger-like stare, Yuna didn't flinch. She had started this little provocation, and she was prepared to take all his scorn head-on. If he didn't want to help her find the exit? Fine. She'd find it herself. It's not like this domain was endless—how hard could it be?
Besides, she never claimed to be the most rational person. If she ended up offending him completely, well… so be it. She didn't care. Not one bit.
The silence continue to linger so, Yuna took advantage of the pause. Since he was no longer looking at her like she was dirt beneath his feet—just giving her a blank, intense stare instead—she decided it was time to push her luck.
"Your Highness," she said calmly, "I'm too weak to survive here on my own. Please just point me toward the exit. I don't want to be a burden to you."
Silence.
"Your Highness?" she pressed again, not the least bit intimidated by the atmosphere. He could stare all he wanted. She wasn't scared.
Finally, Alaric spoke, voice devoid of expression.
"If you traverse domains long enough, you can feel the pull of the exit. Our world naturally rejects the interference—our original dimension will call us back."
He was speaking to her in a normal tone now, but his gaze still bored into her. Unreadable. Heavy.
"This domain is more stable than others," he continued. "The air is thinner, but the terrain is steady. The exit seems to be near the catalyst. That also means the guardian beasts will likely be stronger"
His voice remained even, but his eyes never left her. Watching. Assessing. Measuring something she couldn't understand.
Yuna shrugged it off. She wasn't good at reading emotions through eye contact.
Yuna will never understand how those MC can read so many things just from eyes alone.
Since he was speaking civilly now, Yuna heaving a secret sigh of relief of not needing to tread alone like a headless fly, she asked, "Will you be retrieving the catalyst?"
"Yes."
"Oh… Sorry. I can't fight, so I won't be of any help."
He only gave a faint hum in acknowledgment.
Without another word, he turned and continued forward. Yuna followed silently behind him.
And for the first time, neither of them spoke again.