The narrow alley by the docks reeked of salt and rotting wood, the late afternoon sun casting long, jagged shadows across the stacked crates. Wads crouched behind a pile of barrels, his mind racing, the locket at his chest pulsing faintly as if urging him to focus. Liora moved beside him like a shadow, her lightweight sword strapped to her side, eyes scanning every movement of the smugglers.
"They're splitting up," Wads whispered, pointing toward two men lifting crates onto a small boat. "If we want to intercept, we need to divide their attention. I'll create a distraction—make them think there's more of us than there actually is. You focus on neutralizing the ones guarding the crates."
Liora tilted her head, a small smirk appearing. "Sounds fun. Let's see if your plan is as smart as you think it is, Waxzi."
Wads gave her a brief nod and crouched lower, picking up a loose rope and a metal hook from the ground. With precise movements, he swung it toward a stack of crates on the opposite side, sending them crashing down with a loud clatter. The sound echoed through the docks, causing the men to whip their heads around in alarm.
"Now!" he called under his breath.
Liora dashed forward, a blur of motion. Her sword moved in fluid arcs, slashing ropes and tripping up the smugglers without causing serious injury. Each step she took was deliberate, calculated for maximum speed and control, allowing her to incapacitate two of the men before they even fully understood what was happening.
Wads stayed behind the barrels, whispering instructions as he pulled crates to block pathways, making it impossible for the remaining smugglers to regroup. "Left side! Trap near the crates!" he shouted, his voice low but commanding. The men stumbled over his carefully arranged obstacles, losing precious seconds.
One of the smugglers tried to strike Liora from behind, but Wads had predicted the move. He grabbed a discarded net and threw it precisely over the man's shoulders, tangling him and sending him crashing to the ground. Liora, moving faster than the eye could track, disarmed another and kicked the weapon away into the water.
Minutes felt like hours as they executed the plan. Wads' strategic mind orchestrated the chaos, while Liora's swiftness and sword mastery neutralized the threats with remarkable efficiency. The smugglers were skilled, but they were no match for the coordinated precision of the two students.
Suddenly, the distant sound of trumpets and shouts rang across the docks. A group of uniformed guards appeared, alerted by an anonymous townsfolk who had witnessed the commotion. Wads froze, calculating the risk of being caught—but before panic could set in, a tall figure stepped forward, flanked by two more guards. His presence radiated authority, commanding immediate respect.
Razkar Gyalt Wrey Ravenscroft—the Crown Prince and Student President of the Zheno Academy Order—surveyed the scene with calm, piercing eyes. His black hair shone subtly in the fading light, and his posture exuded unshakable confidence. Even in this chaotic moment, there was an elegance, a power in the way he moved, a presence that demanded attention. Wads' mind momentarily blanked at the sight.
"Is everyone unharmed?" Razkar's voice carried clearly across the dock, authoritative yet not unkind. He surveyed the defeated smugglers, then his gaze fell on Liora and Wads. "You two orchestrated this?"
Wads swallowed, then nodded. "Yes, Your Highness… I mean—sir. We noticed something suspicious and tried to stop it before it escalated."
Liora stepped beside him, sword still in hand but relaxed. "We didn't want anyone hurt. Just wanted to make sure these crates didn't get away."
Razkar studied them for a long moment, his indicolite eyes—striking and sharp, like his sister Reiyell's—scanning every detail. Then a faint smile appeared. "Impressive. You acted with intelligence, courage, and precision, despite being students. I should be thanking you both."
Wads glanced at Liora, who shot him a small, teasing grin. Even in the presence of royalty, she seemed calm, unfazed. Razkar's smile widened, but it carried the weight of command, a recognition that both admired and intimidated.
"You handled yourselves well," Razkar continued, gesturing for the guards to secure the smugglers. "It's rare to see such competence in first-year students. The Academy will hear of this." His gaze softened slightly as he looked at Wads. "And you, young man, I see the mind behind the plan. Take care not to underestimate the dangers around you. But well done."
Wads felt his heart race, part pride, part awe. To hear such words from the Crown Prince himself—it was almost unreal. Liora leaned closer, whispering under her breath, "See? I told you it'd be fun."
Wads allowed himself a small smile, though his mind already churned with the implications. If the Crown Prince himself recognized their abilities, then the stakes at the Academy were higher than ever. Somewhere deep in his chest, the locket pulsed again, reminding him that this was only the beginning of a larger game.
As the guards led the subdued smugglers away, Wads and Liora exchanged a look of quiet satisfaction, knowing they had handled the situation perfectly—together. And somewhere in the distance, the shadow of the docks hinted that this was far from the end.