The Shadow Prince's Intervention
There were no fixed rules for Ability Awakening. Some abilities passed down through generations, while others appeared in just one person after several generations. Even among the handful of noble families deemed highborn, there were those who could never attain such power, and conversely, it could suddenly manifest in commoners mired in poverty.
Some called it a gift or blessing from the gods. Others saw it as a burdensome curse too heavy to bear.
"Congratulations, Your Highness. This is undoubtedly an extraordinary ability."
The Empire's third prince, Kalligo Evdors Rune, was yet another victim of such an unforeseen awakening. He had prayed it would prove too weak to warrant academy enrollment, but the gods ignored his plea.
Congratulations? They have no idea what I'm going through.
Kalligo could only muster a wry smile at the examiners' words. Admission to the Continental Academy was indeed cause for celebration among ability users—a confirmation of their value as national assets. It marked them not as half-baked failures but as promising talents brimming with potential. They gained social prestige, attracted patrons, and exceptional performers might even rise in status.
The problem was that Kalligo wasn't some noble's son. He was the Empire's prince. His elder brother had already been named crown prince. The other princes had to stay low to avoid being seen as rivals. That was the only way for those who wouldn't inherit the throne to keep their heads.
And now, he'd become the academy's newest freshman, drawing all eyes to himself.
Think positively. This might be for the best.
He'd been validated as a talent useful to the Empire—a card too valuable to discard. He'd face more scrutiny than when he was just "the third prince," but that also meant more opposition to any moves against him.
"The third prince is to prepare at once and enroll in the academy."
When his father—the Emperor—said those words, Kalligo felt relief. It meant things were settled with the crown prince too. By going public, they were signaling intent to make use of him properly. No more using him as a sacrificial pawn to solidify the heir's faction.
It was a relief. No more turning up as a corpse at the academy someday. No need to fear poison in his food or betrayal by his closest friend.
All he had to do was give his all. Elevate the Empire and the imperial family's name. Of course, failure might lead to the same fate, but Kalligo had confidence.
He was the prince of the Rune Empire. He had duties befitting his station.
Who had started the societal norm that all ability users must attend the Continental Academy? The Empire. They led the public opinion and sentiment.
Officially, it was for continental peace, but that wasn't the whole story. It tied foreign ability users to the academy, allowing observation, evaluation, and assessment of recruitment potential. Sure, imperial users' info leaked too, but it bred fear of the Empire—a profitable trade.
In such an atmosphere, a prince made the perfect wedge. The Emperor and crown prince knew it, dragging him straight to the examiners before sending him off.
"Uphold the imperial dignity and authority, but mind your words and deeds—avoid excess."
Those were the Empress's words as he departed for the academy. They might seem cold for a mother to her own son, but Kalligo knew better. It was heartfelt advice from a worried parent.
That was his plan. The academy was both sanctuary and prison for him. He had to prove his worth and demonstrate he was no threat. An extreme challenge, but one he must overcome.
To survive. To be recorded not just as the crown prince's brother, but as the Emperor's.
"Greetings, seniors. I'm Kalligo. Please ignore my background and status—call me by name and treat me casually."
He entered the academy gates neither too early nor too late. He greeted professors and upperclassmen, showing he was just another ability user. Before classes began, he read quietly in the library or strolled the grounds alone, enjoying the leisure.
That's when he learned of the annual hazing ritual. Second-years paired up in twos or threes to test freshmen at the gates, putting promising ones in their place if possible. Rude, yet somewhat understandable.
He wondered why he'd been spared, then realized his status as imperial prince made him too risky.
The academy downplayed status, but an imperial prince was another matter.
That guy's handling it well. The next one... hmm, too cowed. Overly timid for an ability user. From which kingdom? Disappointing.
Observing the rituals, he noticed they mirrored national dynamics. Empire freshmen faced Empire second-years, ending mildly with laughs. Others depended on neighboring kingdoms' relations—amicable ones blurred over gently, hostile ones turned rough and dangerous.
He worried about accidents, but these hazers were carefully selected second-years. Even if tolerated, crossing lines could turn a tradition into a declaration of war. Impressed by their restraint, Kalligo watched another carriage approach.
Let's see. That carriage is from the Ascal Kingdom, right?
A strong eastern kingdom, steadily sending ability users, infamous rivals with neighboring Ragem Kingdom.
Oh, right—the hazers this time are from Ragem.
These freshmen would have it rough. Clicking his tongue, Kalligo spectated once more.
"Hm?"
But he realized these freshmen were different. Seeing a male student gripping his sword and chasing the two seniors, Kalligo stood.
He understood the freshman's motive, but that was it. Excessive rudeness from juniors harmed everyone. For Kalligo, who needed quiet, it was unwelcome.
He summoned tangible darkness, shaping it into a suitable form, and successfully blocked the man's swing.
"How about we stop the disrespect toward our seniors? Fellow freshman."
Sorry as a peer, but he needed peace. Hoping they'd back off, he prepared to persuade again.
"Abel!"
A woman's voice. Kalligo instinctively turned.
He'd regret and cherish that moment forever, unaware.
Ah.
His heart thudded. In an instant, Kalligo lost everything to her.
"Seniors, even so, such aggression toward a beautiful lady is unbecoming, don't you think?"
It was his first love.
* * *
Retrieving his sword, he watched the man earnestly persuading the seniors from afar. In that fleeting moment, he'd clearly seen the rippling shadow halting his blade.
He hadn't expected to encounter a darkness ability user—rare even among elementals—right away. And not just movement, but materialization? Considerable talent.
"Abel, that man is..."
"The Empire's prince."
"What? Really?!"
"Probably, high likelihood."
One could infer much from demeanor and speech: upbringing, company, treatment received. It all blended into something unmistakable.
"At minimum, foreign royalty. Calling me 'fellow freshman,' and with the Empire's third prince on the roster... he's the prime suspect."
"No way. The Empire's prince... for real?"
Seria's eyes shook anxiously. Everything was new to her—a rural barony girl who'd never seen her own kingdom's royals. Meeting an imperial prince? Unnerving.
Only after Abel assured her there was no worry did she calm slightly.
"Um, Abel. Thank you so much for earlier."
"No injuries, right?"
"Yes, thanks to you."
"Good."
Had Seria been hurt, he might've ignored interventions. But she wasn't, and with the prince passionately advocating, escalating was awkward.
"Ahem. You two alright?"
The seniors stepped back as Kalligo approached Abel and Seria. He started to speak, glanced at Seria's face, and hastily added,
"Ah, if my speech sounds odd, bear with me. I'll improve gradually, but this is habit."
"Of course, Your Highness."
"...You knew my identity?"
"We knew the Empire's prince was among the freshmen."
"I see," Kalligo said, glancing at Seria again. "Allow formal introductions. Kalligo Evdors Rune."
"Abel Rothschild of the Ascal Kingdom."
"S-Seria Frijian of the Ascal Kingdom too!"
"Seria. What a truly beautiful name."
"Pardon?"
"Ahem! Nothing. Anyway, delighted. Let's get along."
Kalligo's blatantly odd reaction. Seria seemed oblivious, but Abel wasn't.
Having seen such archetypes pre-possession in countless stories, he knew.
Even power fantasies need daily life segments. He's the guy who falls for Seria.
He considered warning her but decided against it. Watching was half the fun.
As Kalligo offered to guide them around the academy, Abel resolved: later, leverage Seria's rapport for combat experience against a darkness user.