Melsia stood on her podium, her palms resting on the edges of the platform, as the audience's eyes fixed on her, as if the entire hall were holding its breath, waiting for a few words.
Before she could speak, the main doors of the palace suddenly swung open, as though time itself had paused. Four shadows stretched across the marble floor, each exuding an aura of majesty and authority.
All eyes turned to the newcomers. Even Rin and Eugene, previously engrossed in their conversation, found themselves involuntarily looking up.
---
"Who are they?" Eugene murmured under his breath. Why did the air suddenly feel heavier in the hall? It was as if gravity itself had intensified, and the space around him was shrinking.
---
Four people entered.
The first had hair as black as midnight, eyes glowing red like embers of anger, wearing a large, flowing coat blending black and brown, topped with soft fur that hung like gentle clouds. Beneath it, slightly loose-fitting clothes matched the coat's palette. He was tall, broad-shouldered, exuding unshakable pride and confidence.
He was Thaur, head of the Border Guardians, the sentinel of the frontiers, a man of authority and renown.
Beside him was a slightly shorter man, yet one whose reputation needed no introduction across the empire. He wore a long brown coat over a pristine white shirt and a sharp black tie, holding a golden fan engraved with a writhing dragon.
This was Musa, one of the Four Guardians, founder of the Sun Academy, where the sharpest minds were forged.
In the center was a woman with long red hair cascading like fire, eyes as blue as the ocean, freckles gracing her cheeks, enhancing her charm and allure. She wore a long, flowing gown of snowy white, adorned with rare blue-gold bracelets, treasures fit only for royalty.
Musa, Thaur, and Camilla—the head of the Justice Organization—the unyielding woman whose decisions were final.
And the last… one of the four prodigies of Monian, with thick black hair and a deep scar across his forehead telling tales of fierce battles, thick brows shading eyes untouched by fear. Tall and imposing, dressed in the same simple attire as Eugene, as though wearing the garb of the common folk.
He was known as "the Beast," Jaber, a man whose name alone struck terror into the hearts of enemies before they even saw him.
The audience's eyes widened with each of the four, astonishment spreading across their faces like waves upon waves.
---
"Why is that giant wearing such heavy winter clothes in this weather?" Eugene muttered sarcastically, his eyes gleaming with a mix of surprise and mockery.
---
As for Melsia, seeing Jaber, Camilla, Musa, and Thaur, a clear sense of unease and tension crept through her. She was about to speak, and these were the most important figures in the Monian Empire, standing there to watch, listen, and judge.
She took a deep breath, swallowing her fear as one would prepare to dive into water.
---
Opening her eyes, her voice filled with confidence and gratitude, she spoke:
"First, I would like to thank everyone who attended this gathering, even though it may not be considered an important occasion. Secondly, I wish to extend my special thanks to these great individuals, who, despite their busy lives, have taken the effort to be here. That alone means a great deal to me."
---
"Strange people," Eugene thought, bouncing his foot impatiently under the table. Why must I wait for her to finish? I want to eat. This moment is for food, not speeches. His attention was fully on the stacked dishes before him, their aromas igniting his hunger.
---
Rin, meanwhile, kept his eyes on Musa, observing him intently.
"Strange," he thought. Though Musa had been absent from the academy for months, his changed features and different demeanor when he saw the emblem… now he comes to a simple gathering, smiling as though he were here to celebrate, not to observe.
---
Melsia continued:
"Finally, I would like to take advantage of this moment, since everyone is present and attentive, to announce that during my recent travels around Lake of Affection, and after final approval, the Valkyrie Clan has agreed to complete the continuation of the Bullet Project. My father will…"
She gestured toward her father, standing on the second-floor balcony overlooking the gathering.
"Starting today, this project will commence."
Her words were a spark that ignited a lake of astonishment. Faces lit with disbelief, joy, and amazement, as if the audience were witnessing a miracle.
Within moments, applause and cheers rose, echoing against the ceiling, even Thaur, known for his stern demeanor, could not contain a smile.
---
"I didn't understand a single word she said!" Eugene muttered, mouth full of meat, holding a glass of juice in one hand and more meat in the other.
"Eugene, what is this?" Rin whispered, his voice low, full of shock and tension.
Eugene raised an eyebrow at Rin in surprise.
Rin reached over with a napkin, trying to wipe Eugene's face like a small child.
"Ugh… wait, Rin, stop! I can clean myself!"
"Haha, what's going on here?" Melsia approached them, carrying a slender glass of ruby-red grape juice.
"This nuisance won't let me eat in peace!" Eugene gestured angrily at Rin.
Rin tossed the napkin in the bin. "How many times have I, my mother, and Professor Alex told you? Don't overeat, don't make a mess, especially at formal gatherings."
Eugene waved him off, both eyebrows raised. "Formal or not, I'm hungry and I want to eat. Got it?"
Melsia sat at the table, Rin and Eugene's eyes fixed on him, who cared about nothing but his stomach at that moment.
Minutes passed… ten, twenty, thirty.
---
Could this go on any longer? Melsia wondered.
---
"Can I understand something? Do you never get full?" she asked, hands clasped on the table.
"No. Why?" Eugene replied, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.
Melsia stood, turning to him. "Come on, friend, leave the food for later."
"Do I have to?"
"Yes."
"Fine… wait five mi—"
Before he could finish, Melsia pulled him by the hand.
---
They headed toward the stairs. Climbing the steps, she eventually turned left toward an old wooden door, ash-colored. She opened it, and they entered a long, dimly lit corridor, at its end a red door, like a ruby in the dark.
They moved down the passage.
---
"Where are we going?" Eugene asked, curious.
"You'll see."
At the red door, she opened it. Eugene's eyes widened, then furrowed with confusion.
"What is this? You brought me into a huge, empty gray room?"
Melsia ignored him, stepping onto a specific spot on the floor, then turned to him.
"Listen, you promised you wouldn't tell anyone, and that you'd take this no matter what, right?"
Eugene raised an eyebrow, skepticism and curiosity mingling in his gaze. "Yes, but what is it?"
Melsia pressed her foot on a particular spot. The floor glowed with a faint blue light, revealing a spiral staircase descending below.
She went down, Eugene following silently, despite a thousand questions racing through his mind. At the bottom, they reached a relatively small red door. When she opened it…
Cold air, crisp as dawn, filled the space. Silver moonlight illuminated the dark stairs.
---
"This… this is unbelievable!" Eugene nearly shouted.
---
"This is a magical transition door!"
They emerged atop a towering structure rising from endless waters, clouds clinging to its peak, seagulls filling the sky with their wild songs, the cold air tinged with the scent of damp earth.
"What… what is this place? Why did you bring me here?"
Melsia stepped forward carefully—the tower's platform was relatively small—toward an old chest at the edge. She lifted it; the wood groaned under the weight of time.
Eugene's eyes glowed. What's in the chest?
She opened it, revealing an oval egg, etched in a blend of red and blue.
"What? What is this?"
Melsia held it up. "A real dragon egg."
Silence fell, broken only by the waves crashing against the tower.
---
A dragon egg?! Eugene laughed inwardly. She must be joking.
---
"Hahaha, a dragon egg? Stop joking! What is this thing really?"
Melsia's face hardened, cheeks flushed. "I'm not joking. This is a real dragon egg. Truly."
Silence returned. Eugene stared at Melsia's face, her tone, the egg…
---
Oh my God! She's serious! Eugene was stunned.
---
"Wh… what? You're keeping a dragon egg? Are you out of your mind?!" Eugene shouted.
Then continued, "Where did you even get it? Dragon eggs are rarer than legends!"
Melsia calmed down. "I got it when my father attacked a group of oddly shaped people. After we defeated them, they were taking some crates to the Return Center. I took one crate and found the dragon egg inside. I hid it."
"What?!" Eugene cried again. "So it's not just a dragon egg, it's a stolen dragon egg? Have you lost your mind?"
"I know it's risky, but it's related to criminals, and it's extremely rare. It's better I take it, so it benefits my family and doesn't fall into the wrong hands."
Eugene rubbed his eyes in deep thought.
---
Oh God… she's putting me in a real bind. Eugene sighed inwardly.
---
"Ah… so you want me to take this egg?"
"Yes."
"Why? Since it's hidden here, why not keep it?"
"I can't."
"Why?"
"First, the palace is full of guards. Sooner or later, they'd find it. Second, they clean this place every week. I've kept them busy for two weeks; I can't continue like this."
Eugene stared in disbelief. "So, what difference does it make if I take it?"
Melsia looked at the egg. "Simply put, they won't find it because you live at the academy—it's safe. Second, you're a future farmer. If the egg hatches and grows, you can tell them you found it by chance."
Eugene raised an eyebrow. "And you're a farmer too. Why don't you do this?"
Melsia's voice rose. "I don't want to continue as a farmer."
Eugene was puzzled. "Why? Why even join the academy? Are your parents forcing you?"
---
How do I explain what I'm going through? Melsia thought painfully.
---
"No, no, my parents are very kind. The thing is, the environment I live in is full of narcissists, liars, and petty people, the biggest example being Ralph. I want to be a farmer to distance myself from this world and to earn respect for being Melsia, not Michael's sister or Kanfi's daughter."
Eugene rubbed his neck. "Ah… I see." He extended his hand. "I'll keep it for you until you turn twenty, then I'll give it to you."
Melsia carefully handed him the egg. Eugene placed it in the chest gently, covering it with his cloak.
They climbed back up the stairs in silence. After reaching the top, Melsia closed the secret door, then the room door, and returned to the first floor where the party was still bustling.
Eugene looked toward Rin, Reem, and Farid, sitting at the table, eating and chatting merrily.
Melsia headed toward her father.
---
Eugene moved toward Rin's table. On the way, a server passed carrying a plate of golden chocolate cakes. Eugene followed unconsciously.
The server placed the cakes on the table. Eugene set his cloak beside it—but the cloak slipped, revealing the strange chest. As Eugene reached for a piece of cake…
Someone shot forward like an arrow, snatched the chest, and ran.
"Hey?! Wait… stop!"
Eugene dashed after him like a bolt, weaving through the stunned crowd, until they reached the back garden door.
The man opened it, Eugene following.
"I told you to stop!"
After a few seconds, the man stopped among trees and flowers under the moonlight.
Eugene stopped behind him, panting. The man turned around.
"Oh, you annoying rich brat, what do you want? Give me the chest back!"
Ralph sneered, approaching slowly, eyes on the chest.
"And if I don't? Hit me?"
---
This arrogant brat again! Eugene's anger flared.
---
Eugene glanced sharply to the side, then raised an eyebrow, speaking with biting sarcasm:
"Hit you? You're just a spoiled coward, no need for this hassle."
His words pierced Ralph's pride, but Eugene didn't stop, adding even more sarcasm:
"Tell me—how's life at the academy? Awful, right? Of course! So how can a pampered son not get any attention? Honestly, you're not even worth being the center of anyone's focus."
Ralph's blood boiled, veins bulging, teeth grinding. "You vile peasant, if—"
"No, no, shut up. I don't listen to trash like you!"
In a flash, Ralph threw a strong punch at Eugene, sending him back more than ten steps.
"Pampered son? Seems your foolish mother didn't know how to raise you, so I'll raise you myself!"
"Haha, raise me?!" Eugene planted his feet firmly, leaning back, then thrust his hand forward.
"Come at me, peasant!"
---
To be continued…