Still tense from the unpleasant encounter in the dining hall, Ethan stepped into the large classroom. The room was indeed spacious with high ceilings; heavy, long curtains hung beside the tall windows, and the morning light streaming through illuminated the heirs gathered in the center. On the walls, twenty coats of arms from different kingdoms were displayed, each symbol reflecting the identity and pride of its realm. These emblems reminded Ethan once again of the seriousness of his surroundings.
He knew he wasn't just an ordinary student here—he was an heir. Yet, instead of comforting him, this awareness only added to his unease.
Glancing around, Ethan noticed that most of the other heirs seemed slightly nervous, just like him. Some fidgeted in their seats, while others whispered quietly to the person next to them.
Amid all this movement, Ethan couldn't shake off the lingering tension from earlier events. Especially when he felt the gazes of Harry and Lydia on him, a weight pressed down on his chest. As he pondered what he should explain to them and what excuse he could possibly give, his eyes involuntarily drifted toward the classroom door.
At that exact moment, the door burst open with a loud thud, and ten adults stepped inside. They must have been the teachers. Entering as a group, each carried an air of wisdom and authority.
A tall man with short, graying hair and striking sky-blue eyes stepped forward. There was a weight in his posture and gaze that spoke of years of experience. The classroom instantly fell silent; every student watched with anticipation, curious about what he would say.
In a deep, commanding voice, he began: "My name is Chris Gale, your Teacher of Arts and Culture. Welcome to the Heirs' Academy." Each word resonated through the room, heavy with significance, as if suspended in the air.
Ethan realized that this man was more than a teacher—he exuded the authority of a true leader.
Chris Gale surveyed the class quietly for a moment, meeting each heir's eyes individually to ensure they grasped the importance of his words. Then he continued:
"You are here to learn how to lead your kingdoms. This school is not only about knowledge—it is a place that will shape your character. Each of you has the potential to shape the future of your realm. How you use that potential, however, is entirely up to you."
Ethan listened intently to every word, feeling the burden on his shoulders grow heavier. The future of Ravenna rested in his hands—but that future was still uncertain.
Chris Gale's voice echoed once more, pulling Ethan back to the present: "Now, we will divide you into groups of six. Since there are thirty-seven of you, one group will have seven members."
A wave of panic swept through Ethan. If he ended up in the same group as Harry and Lydia, he would have to face them. After the incident in the dining hall, he still hadn't explained himself. And he had no idea what explanation to give—or how. His mind became a storm of possibilities.
Please, let me not end up in their group, Ethan thought desperately.
As Chris Gale began calling names, his heart raced. With each name read aloud, his breath caught, wondering if the next one would be his. Each moment seemed to stretch into hours.
Finally, Ethan drew a deep breath. Fortune had smiled upon him—he was not in the same group as Harry and Lydia. Yet rather than relief, he felt the weight of their gazes even more keenly, a lingering sense of isolation pressing down on him. He had avoided confronting them—for now—but he didn't know how long he could avoid it.
As Chris Gale continued speaking, Ethan's thoughts turned to finding ways to navigate this new environment. In upcoming lessons and group activities, he had to move past the events in the dining hall. How he would do that, however, remained a source of worry. Nevertheless, he continued to listen, hoping that somehow, everything would fall into place.
For the first lesson, Tactical Engineering, Ethan followed the teacher like the other five heirs. Observing his instructor along the way, he noticed the teacher's dark yellow-brown hair brushing his ears and eyes that sparkled like twin black stars.
"I am also your advisor," the teacher said. "If any of you have a problem, come to me."
They soon reached their classroom. Opening the light purple door, they entered a room smaller than the previous one but still quite spacious. Rows of desks were arranged in pairs. Noticing that no one had chosen to sit next to anyone else, the teacher decided to break the ice:
"My name is Cedric Connell. Now, let's go around and introduce ourselves—your name and the kingdom you come from."
A red-haired, blue-eyed boy spoke first: "I'm Hugo, from the Kingdom of Valoria."
A girl with hazel eyes and long blonde braids said wearily, "I'm Eris, from Zephyros." Clearly, she would have preferred to be anywhere else.
A boy with dark brown hair reaching his neck and black eyes said, "I'm Leon, prince of Arcanis."
Ethan's eyes widened in shock. He realized instantly—Leon was Lydia's brother. The resemblance was unmistakable.
Next came a girl with dark chestnut hair, light green eyes, and a delicate frame. "I'm Ruth, from Nimara," she said softly.
This girl is Harry's sister! Ethan thought. Truly, he was unlucky. Being in the same class as Harry and Lydia would have been preferable! Why he felt uneasy about being in class with Ruth and Leon, he didn't know.
Ethan's thoughts were interrupted by Princess Pamela Aurelia introducing herself. Her hair, lashes, and eyebrows were a pale blonde, and her eyes were violet.
When it was his turn, Ethan quickly said, "I'm Ethan, heir of Ravenna."
With all introductions complete, Mr. Connell distributed the textbooks and began the lesson, though the friendly atmosphere he had hoped for was still elusive.
Ethan listened intently, absorbing every detail. At the end of class, Mr. Connell handed out the course schedules. Ethan counted ten subjects on his list. The one that made him most anxious was Martial Arts. He felt like a coward even thinking about fighting.
The bell rang for break. His next class was History, and he didn't even know where it was. Hastily, he gathered his belongings and navigated the school halls, doing his best to avoid running into Harry and Lydia, until he finally found his classroom.
Entering, he chose a seat in the middle row and waited for the lesson to begin. Princess Pamela Aurelia approached him.
"May I sit next to you, Ethan?" she asked politely.
Slightly surprised, Ethan didn't show it and allowed her to sit.
Pamela, with a nervous smile, said, "Hello! Will you be my friend?"
Ethan, puzzled, watched her. She added, "I'm sorry—I don't know how to make friends. People have always excluded me because of how I look."
Ethan's mind raced. "You're a princess. Why would anyone exclude you?"
Pamela explained, "Because everyone thinks I cannot ascend to the throne with my brother here. Some people think sending me to this school is pointless. And my appearance… is a little different."
Feeling sympathetic, Ethan decided to befriend her. "I will be your friend, Pamela," he said with a smile.