The scene shifted as Kazuki returned to the royal mansion after the long, exhausting exam day. The soft glow of evening lanterns filled the grand halls, casting long, delicate shadows against the stone walls. Kazuki trudged through the corridor, his mind replaying the strange, calm confidence he had felt during the exam amidst everyone's panic.
Without much thought, he entered his bedroom and collapsed onto his bed. For a moment, sleep overtook him without resistance.
A few hours later, Kazuki's eyes fluttered open to the dim light of evening. He sat up, rubbed his face, and stretched. A quiet hush filled the mansion, a rare and peaceful calm.
Feeling a bit more refreshed, he left his room and walked down the polished hallway to the main hall. As he approached, lively voices echoed ahead.
There, he saw his second sister, Shristi, standing proudly in her knight uniform — the deep blue and silver insignia of South Ryehem gleaming on her chest. She had just returned from completing the official test to become a knight, and a few kingdom officials stood nearby, offering her respectful nods.
Shristi noticed Kazuki and smiled, waving to him as the officials took their leave.
Kazuki, immediately slipping into the act of a regular 8-year-old brother, grinned and called out, "Ohh, Sister! How are you!"
Shristi chuckled, stepping toward him and ruffling his hair."Well, I'm fine. But how are you? You look a little tired."
Kazuki put on an innocent grin. "I'm fine too!"
Then, with a curious tilt of his head, he asked, "How was your test? Did you win like always?"
Shristi placed her hands proudly on her hips, her chest puffing up slightly as she declared,"Extraordinary — just like big brother Arthur and Sazuki. You know, our whole family's extraordinary. We always score extraordinary in every test and exam we face, especially graduating exams — whether it's the knight's final trial or your 3rd-grade exam."
She tapped his forehead playfully."And you're a prodigy, little brother. You'll score extraordinary in every test too. That's what being part of the Rythem bloodline means."
Kazuki smiled warmly at her words, though deep down, his thoughts wandered elsewhere.
"Yeah… extraordinary," he echoed softly.
The scene shifted again to the dining table later that evening. The clatter of utensils and faint hum of conversation filled the room as Kazuki and Shristi shared dinner together. The golden candlelight flickered softly, creating a tranquil, familial warmth.
"By the way," Shristi said, between bites of roasted venison, "did you get your exam results yet?"
Kazuki shook his head with a grin. "Not yet. But I'm not too worried about it."
Shristi laughed. "That's the spirit."
The two ate in companionable silence after that, each lost in their own thoughts.
Later that night, Kazuki lay in his bed once more. The night sky outside was clear, scattered with countless stars, their silver glow bathing the royal city of South Ryehem.
From his bed, Kazuki gazed out the window at the streets below. The kingdom slept peacefully, unaware of the schemes being spun against them.
His eyes narrowed slightly, a glint of quiet determination within them.
"Is that all you've got, North Ryehem?" he thought to himself."And you think these tricks will work on South Ryehem…"
He clenched his fist under the blanket."The answer is no."
The soft howl of the night wind drifted through the open window, but Kazuki remained still, a silent, smiling warrior beneath the stars.