At dawn, as the first rays of sunlight break through the horizon, dew trickles down the leaves of the trees. Nearby, men load carts in a calm, almost leisurely atmosphere. Among them stands a boy with long black hair tied into a ponytail. He wears a simple peasant's polo shirt and loose, wide trousers held up by a belt resembling wrapped bandages.
The boy is quite handsome. He gazes at the sky with his azure-blue eyes, breathing slowly, lost in thought.
Alex:
(This world is filled with absurd situations. What amazes me most, however, is people. We humans are driven by fear and desire. The desire to shine, to be wealthy, surrounded, loved—even to have friends. I don't seek any of that. The only thing I pursue is freedom. That is my vision.
Fear, on the other hand, is the opposite of all desire. The fears I speak of are demons that haunt us, reminding us of our own powerlessness. I believe I'm living such a situation myself. But if someone who has never been taught how to be strong were consumed by those demons… what would become of them?)
Alex then turns his gaze toward the gate of the castle's inner grounds. That's when he notices Ella approaching. She is dressed in gray trousers and a violet shirt, her white hair flowing freely down to her chest, her expression distant and thoughtful.
She walks straight past Alex, completely lost in her thoughts, not even noticing him. As she passes behind him, Alex turns to follow her with his eyes before calling out:
— Good morning, Ella!
She stops, turns around, and smiles when she sees him.
— Good morning, Alex. Did you sleep well?
Alex studies her for a moment before answering:
— Me? Yeah, I slept fine. But you didn't. You barely slept last night.
Ella smiles gently, her voice soft and almost trembling.
— So it really shows that much…
Then, regaining a more natural tone, she adds:
— Please don't worry about it. Just act like everything's normal.
Still standing near the gate, Alex suddenly hears footsteps rapidly approaching. They grow louder with each second. Ella waits for Alex's reply, but he only notices what's happening at the last moment. As usual, he slips his hands into his pockets, steps slightly aside, then murmurs—loud enough for Ella to hear:
— Don't worry. I'll stop bothering you.
Ella:
— Huh?????
That's when she sees her.
A pink silk dress lifted in hurried hands. Slippers slapping against the ground. Looking up, Ella spots a beautiful princess running toward her at full speed.
— Ella!!!!!!
Ella freezes.
(Wait, wait, wait… What?!)
Before she can react, Tanya—the kingdom's princess—leaps forward and wraps her arms tightly around her.
— Don't leave, Ella! I'll miss you so much!
Ella struggles to pull her away.
— Tanya, please, be reasonable. You're a princess—you can't do this.
Tanya (clinging even tighter):
— I don't care! Without you, nothing here means anything!
Someone taps Tanya on the shoulder from behind.
— You know, we'd like to say goodbye too.
It's Iris. Tanya pouts like a sulking child but eventually lets go. Already dressed in her priestess robes, Iris steps forward, hugs Ella, and speaks gently:
— Be brave, little mage. I know this won't be easy. But look—everyone's here to see you off. Even Furious, fresh back from a difficult mission.
Ella looks past Iris and sees all the group members gathered in their usual attire. A short distance away, Alex watches them silently.
(Hmm… Human relationships fascinate me. Humans are among the most troublesome creatures in existence, yet they possess an incredible ability to form bonds. I've never managed to do that.)
Without him realizing it, Iris grabs his arm and starts pulling him along.
— Come on! You too. You're one of us.
Alex looks down at her, thinking:
(This really gets annoying after a while.)
But then he remembers Eva dragging him around in the same way.
(Still… you do get used to it.)
Soon, only overlapping voices remain.
— Is that Alex?
— Alex… you've grown…
And the rest is nothing but a long chain of goodbyes.
Moments later, a carriage exits the inner grounds and comes to a halt before the group. Inside sit Melty—dressed much like Ella—and Karden, wearing simple clothes, his scythe wrapped tightly in bandages.
Melty:
— No time to waste. Get in!
Iris nods.
— This is it. Go on, you two.
Tanya hugs Ella one last time.
— Be strong. I know how much you hate that place.
Ella smiles softly.
— I should be saying that to you.
— But you're the one leaving! Tanya protests.
— Yes. And I also know my beloved princess will struggle without me.
Melty, clearly irritated, snaps:
— Hurry up! The Academy is two and a half weeks away!
Tanya suddenly jumps onto her.
— Little sister, even if you act tough, I know you'll miss me too!
Melty pushes her away, flustered.
— Stop that! You're not allowed!
— Alright… go on. I won't stop you anymore, Tanya finally says.
Alex and Ella climb into the carriage—Alex sitting opposite Melty, Ella opposite Karden.
Iris closes the door.
— Take care of yourselves. See you soon.
The carriage begins to move.
Iris turns to Tanya.
— Will you be all right, Your Majesty?
Tanya throws herself into her arms.
— No! Not at all! I'm crying!
Inside the carriage, Ella watches the scenery slowly drift by, thinking of those she has left behind. Alex studies Melty for a brief moment before leaning back.
(I don't even know where I'm going… or what I should prepare for. I'll just sleep.)
He slowly closes his eyes.
Thus begins Spirit of Hero: Royal Academy.
Scenario by Ben Écriture.
NEXT CHAPTER:
Royal Academy – Act 1: The Royal Academy