"So, you really are a mage prodigy, huh?"
I raised an eyebrow as we sat on his couch. His mom was cooking, while housemaids swept, mopped, and dusted. Even though the house was bustling with people, it didn't feel crowded.
Aside from me, no one spoke a word. Edward's mother hummed softly, her lips curving upward at both corners.
The living room felt strange; it was both brand new and somehow old. For some reason, my heart felt heavy. I looked around, observing the room. Everything was modern, yet I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me. Good and bad memories lingered here.
The stairs loomed dark and empty, evoking a sense of sadness at first glance. I frowned. This place felt sorrowful; I didn't like it.
"I told you on the ship, didn't I?" Edward replied, crossing his arms and leaning back on the couch.
"True. But I still can't believe it! People were surrounding you, and you had bodyguards escorting you out—like a celebrity!" I exclaimed, raising my eyebrows in disbelief.
"Keep your voice down! You're not the only person here!" His face flushed red, and his brows knitted together.
"Okay, but what am I going to do now?" I leaned back, lowering my voice.
"We're going to test your skills. You're going to Kaiser Academy to train and study—"
"Wait, isn't that a bit much? Just to remind you, I'm only eight years old and was a slave until recently! I can't handle this! I don't even know how to be normal!"
I looked at him, raising my eyebrows and wrinkling my lips. I grabbed his shoulders and shook him lightly. "Why are you trusting an eight-year-old boy as your sidekick? This is ridiculous! At least ask for my consent first!"
His face turned red again, eyebrows furrowing. He grabbed my wrists and pushed my hands away. "Let me finish my sentence!"
He shouted, veins popping on his forehead.
I raised my brows in surprise but softened my gaze and put my hands up. "My fault, go ahead."
I leaned back again, giving him room to speak.
"As I was saying, we need to test your skills. This country is doomed at its core. The people here are powerless; they're called the 'Less Fortunate.' Other nations have stolen their resources, leaving our country behind in terms of technology. It was once called 'The Land of Trash.'"
He explained while glancing at his mother, who was cooking peacefully. His expression softened, and his body relaxed.
I raised my hand, curious. "Just get to the point. Listening to you talk like this makes me cringe. Tell me what you need so you can stop talking."
There was an uncomfortable silence. He looked at me with tightly pressed lips, then offered a bitter smile followed by a heavy sigh.
"We need your power to improve this continent and climb up the rankings. We require the financial support that comes with those rankings."
With his head bowed, he laid back on the couch.
"Good, straightforward! So when is this test you speak of?" I asked.
"After lunch."
After lunch? A bitter smile crept onto my face as I laughed sarcastically, my lips curving to one side and my cheeks wrinkling.
"What do you mean, after lunch? I haven't even wrapped my head around this event yet! I don't even know if I'm dreaming!"
I pinched myself, my lips curling down to my chin, veins surging on my neck, and my face turning red.
"It's final; there's nothing you can do about it!"
I inhaled deeply, held my breath, and then let out a long "Fuck!"
****
Spoon clattering, forks hitting plates, and the sweet aroma of curry filled my nose. I couldn't complain; it smelled lovely. I looked down at my plate, spoon, and fork in hand.
I didn't want to break the silence, but I was also uncomfortable with the stillness. Fine, I'd break the awkwardness.
"The curry you made is very delicious, Ms. Edward's mother!" I said, smiling.
"Why, thank you, Maic! Edward talked a lot about you and even complimented your fighting capabilities. It was a first for Edward to talk about someone," she replied with a bright smile that made me squint.
"Really? I'm glad to hear that! It's also my first time having a friend, so we're in the same boat!" I responded.
I could feel Edward glaring at me from across the table, and heat rushed to my face. "Ow!" I yelped, pulling my leg back. It was obvious someone had kicked me, but I had to cover it up for his mother's sake.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Uh… It's nothing! I was just about to say, 'Aw man! We have to go very soon! I can't have another bite of this delicious curry!' but I didn't want to create any misunderstandings. I was telling Edward that we should stay for…"
Sweat dripped down my cheeks, and a forced smile crept upon my face.
"Is that the case? Then, after your test, you'll definitely go back to curry!"
She continued to beam, and it was my first time seeing someone like that. All my life, I had been a slave. The moment I became aware of my surroundings, I was given my name and my duty to serve.
My thoughts were always filled with negativity; I had never experienced true happiness. Joy was foreign to me, overwhelmed as I was by my work and my duty as a slave.
It's not like I could think about it—I had to clean the mess from the ground, sweep every house, cook for all the knights, chop down trees, and provide clothing and necessary items for the knights.
We were sacrificial lambs; my heart was burdened every single day. There was no positivity on that island until I met him—
"Good luck with your test, Maic! I hope you continue to help us regain this country's true ranking, and I hope… you will be Edward's friend and stay by his side."
My heart wavered. Her smile… it wasn't superficial; it was heartfelt. I felt something hug my spirit, and my soul found reassurance. I felt like I was floating in pleasure, with peace in every corner of my mind.
"Your smile is nice, Maic. You should start smiling more and get that burden off your shoulders!"
…Huh? Me? Smiling? I… I'm smiling? If that's the case then…
"Thank you. I'll continue being his friend, I promise."
A soft smile tugged at my cheeks, and my eyes softened. My heart felt free, and my worries… vanished in an instant.
"That'll be good. Now go on, or you'll be late!"
I stood up from my chair, and somehow, I could still feel my lips curling. As I walked toward the door, I noticed that the closer I got to it, the more colorful everything became. I raised an eyebrow and glanced back. The house looked livelier now, and the heavy burden of bad nostalgia faded away. It felt like something inside me had burst, my heart being replaced by a newer, brighter one.
I smiled. This day was strange; I felt things I hadn't felt since the day I was born. Though… it wasn't too bad.
"Hurry up, Edward! You're going to make me late!"
"Coming."
He faded in front of me, his face stern and casual.
"... Never disappear and reappear in front of me like that again."
I sighed and frowned.
"Move already."
He crossed his arms.
I opened the door, and the sun was shining so brightly. I raised my hand above my eyes, squinting as I looked in front of me and saw a—
"Sir Edward. We have prepared everything for your friend. We should hurry; we only have one hour left until the exams start."
Is that a limousine? It was my first time seeing one so close! I had only seen the king riding in one three years ago!
I felt my cheeks burn as I turned to see Edward staring at me.
"Shut your mouth; we have to go."
"Oh."
I quickly closed my mouth and hopped into the black car. I couldn't help but drop my jaw as I took in the interior—it was spacious and cozy! I jumped into the seat and lay back, staring at the ceiling. I raised my hand, trying to touch the roof of the car, but my hand fell to my stomach as my eyes grew heavier.
"Make sure to drive safely but quickly, alright?" Edward reminded the driver with a smile. He got in the limousine and looked to the left, but Maic wasn't there. He glanced to the right, and aha! There he was, peacefully sleeping. Edward looked at him sternly but sighed and took his seat in front of him.
"Must be tiring to be a slave your whole life, huh?" he said, regarding Maic with an unreadable expression.
"Little did you know…"
****
Ugh… My body feels sluggish. Where am I? I'm so sleepy… I groaned and decided to see where I was. I opened my eyes. The place was somewhat dark, but memories started flooding in.
"Edward, where the hell are you?!"
"Here."
He appeared in front of me. "Ah!" My heart clenched, and my face wrinkled.
"I told you to never do that again, didn't I?!"
"We have arrived. Also, we're giving you a haircut to make you look proper, and we're going to force you to take a bath because you stink."
"How rude!"
"It's the truth, though. Either way, we have forty minutes left before it starts. We have enough time for you to do all those things. Come outside; we need to go."
He turned his back and walked away. I rubbed my eyes and gathered all my energy to get up. I held my breath, exhaled, inhaled again, and finally stood up. I stretched my arms, calves, and back, placing both hands on my hips as I took a deep breath.
"Poof... Here goes nothing."
I took a step out of the vehicle, and the pressure hit me. I looked up to see what Edward called Kaiser Academy.
I turned to Edward, jaws dropped and brows furrowed.
"Hey… Is this really the academy you were talking about?"
I pointed and locked eyes with him.
"Yeah, why?" he replied, his body relaxed, brows still, and his face unbothered.
I fell silent, still staring at him. I looked at the academy again, then back at him.
"Why? Well, this place looks massive!"