The kingdom of Camelot buzzed under the afternoon sun, banners flapping lazily over stone walls and cobblestone streets. Down a narrow alley, twelve-year-old Sieg Pendragon sprinted like his life depended on it, black hair tousled by the wind, emerald-green eyes sparkling with mischief. A green leather jacket was tied around his waist, black cargo pants swished with every stride, and black boots slapped the cobblestones.
He'd just "redecorated" the central fountain with bright graffiti—right in broad daylight. Behind him, some civillians and food vendors puffed and huffed, carrying canes and big metal spoons as they chased him.
Civilian "Stop right there, you little vandal!" one yelled.
Sieg laughed over his shoulder. "Catch me if you can, slowpokes! Mehn you all can't just take a harmless little prank can't you?! And tell your captain his cooking tastes like boiled socks!"
The mob stumbled over each other as Sieg slid under a carriage, vaulted a low wall and disappeared into the crowded marketplace. To him, he was just an ordinary troublemaking academy student, nothing more.
Panting in a quiet courtyard, he froze when a shadow fell over him.
Auntie Lily—twenty-four, long black hair cascading down her back, dressed in a sleek black-and-blue outfit—stood arms crossed.
Lily was a Rank 2 Magic Knight who currently worked in the kingdom's administrative division, handling mission assignments, reports, and other official documents. Despite no longer taking regular field missions, she remained an active Magic Knight.
Her eyes narrowed "Sieg Pendragon. Again?"
Sieg jolted in shock as he thought "How the hell did she catch me"
Auntie Lily "So what were you up to this time?"
Sieg rubbed his neck nervously. "Hey… Auntie Lily! I was just, huh… expressing myself artistically?"
THWACK! Her knuckle tapped him on the forehead.
Sieg "Ow! That hurt!"
Auntie Lily "Sieg, you're old enough to know better. You can't keep pulling pranks on everyone and expect me to clean up the mess."
Sieg's stomach growled loudly.
Lily sighed, her expression softening instantly. "Fine, Lunch is on me."
Sieg smiled "Thank you Auntie."
They ended up at a bustling food stall. As they were served meat with salad on the side. Sieg attacked the mesty like a starving wolf while Lily ate gracefully, eyes soft but watchful.
His gaze drifted to the dragon-head silver badge on her belt.
Auntie Lily "So how was your day at school today? i heard the magic knight's graduation is coming up tomorrow, are you feeling excited.
Sieg "Of course I'm very excited because when I grow up, I'll be a knight just like you, I'll get my own badge and probably one day I'll be the king of knights and I'll show all those people who look down on me." He said with a quirky expression on his face.
Lily ruffled his hair. "Start by not getting expelled first you little rascal."
Sieg suddenly pointed behind her.
Sieg "Hey, what's that over there?"
Auntie Lily turned her head.
Lily "What's what?"
In an instant, Sieg poured the vegetables from his own plate to hers.
Sieg "Oh, nothing. It just passed."
He calmly picked up his fork, pretending nothing had happened.
Lily turned back and looked at his plate surprised.
Lily "You ate your vegetables rather quickly. I'm glad you finally realized they're good for you."
Sieg paused for a moment.
Sieg "Yeah... I guess I did."
He continued eating his meat, carefully hiding his grin.
Lily happily returned to her meal, completely unaware of what had just happened.
The next day, the Magic Knight Academy courtyard hummed with excitement as students gathered for graduation.
Sieg "Wow i can't believe it today is the day i finally get my badge and become a magic knight." He said gleefully
Student A "It's about damn time i became a Magic knight."
Student B "Hey who's that kid? They shouldn't be allowed to just give out a badge to some street commoner" He said as they looked at Sieg from afar.
Student A "Yeah, it makes me sick to my stomach."
Student B "I heard he doesn't have a magic affinity at all, unlike the gifted people such as us.
He raised his hand, creating a tiny ball of water on his palm.
Headmaster "Welcome, students, to the Magic Knight Induction Ceremony. From this day forward, you'll take your first step down a new path."
He paused briefly, looking over the gathered students.
Headmaster "Now, without wasting any more time, let's hand out the badges."
The badges floated across the room, each one landing in front of its recipient.
Sieg's own badge landed in his hands—a shiny bronze badge with a dragon-head insignia engraved on it.
Sieg smiled.
Sieg "I finally did it."
Student B Scoffed
Student A "So they actually gave him a badge? Pathetic this school is really lowering its standards."
Aturia "Hey, can you two shut the hell up?"
She said it calmly, her voice carrying a cold tone.
Student A looked beside him "And who the hell do you think you are?"
Student B's expression changed.
Student B "You haven't heard of her? She's a prodigy among the students in the academy."
Student A's attitude immediately changed.
Student A "Oh... I'm sorry. Forgive my tone, ma'am."
Soon, every graduate had received their Rank 3 badge. Cheers filled the courtyard as the students proudly clipped their bronze badges onto their clothes.
Sieg put his badge safely in his pocket as he walked down the quiet streets heading home.
Sieg "I can't wait till Auntie hears the news she's going to be so proud.
Then suddenly he heard someone whispered through the dark alley.
Seig "Who's that, is anyone there?"
Teacher "So my troublesome student is finally a Rank 3 Magic Knight congrats."
Sieg "Oh hey teacher, how come i didn't see you at the graduation today".
Teacher "oh something urgent came up that's why i couldn't attend. "
Sieg "Alright."
Teacher "Anyways speaking of urgent matters... i have a favour to ask of you Sieg.
Sieg "Sure what is it".
The teacher let out an eerie smile.