Leon stretched his arms as he stepped out of his room, backpack slung lazily over one shoulder. Morning sunlight spilled through the curtains, warm and soft, painting the small apartment in gold. Kai sat cross‑legged on the couch, staring intensely at Leon's phone as if it were a sacred relic.
Leon smiled. "Alright, Kai. I need to head out. First day back at uni."
Kai blinked. "Uni…?" He tilted his head, silver hair falling over his eyes. "Is that a type of guild? A warrior sect? A… union of scholars?"
Leon froze. "A… what?"
Kai nodded seriously. "You said you were on a break. I assumed you were recovering from a mission. Or training. Or—"
"It's school, Kai. School. For adults." Leon rubbed his temples. "Not a guild. Not a sect. Just… school."
Kai stared at him with the expression of someone trying to decipher an ancient prophecy. "So you willingly return to this… 'school'?"
"Yes."
"And they do not force you?"
"No."
Kai's eyes widened. "Leon… are you being blackmailed?"
Leon nearly choked. "No! I'm getting an education!"
Kai leaned closer, whispering, "If they demand tribute, I can negotiate."
Leon grabbed his backpack tighter. "Please don't negotiate with my professors."
A beat of silence passed before Kai finally sighed, shoulders relaxing. "Very well. If this 'uni' is important to you, then go. I shall guard the house in your absence."
Leon grinned. "That's all I ask. Don't burn anything. Don't summon anything. Don't explode anything."
Kai looked offended. "I would never—"
"You exploded the kettle yesterday."
"It hissed at me."
"It was boiling."
Kai crossed his arms. "Still suspicious."
Leon laughed, ruffled his hair, and headed for the door. "I'll be back this afternoon. Try not to get into trouble."
Kai nodded solemnly. "I shall attempt the impossible."
The door closed behind him.
The apartment fell into a peaceful silence. Kai exhaled slowly, letting the stillness settle around him. He lifted the phone again, tapping the screen with cautious reverence.
"Truly… a powerful artifact," he murmured.
After some time, a video popped up — a cooking tutorial. A sizzling pan, chopped vegetables, a warm voice explaining each step. Kai's eyes sparkled.
"A feast… I can prepare this for Leon," he whispered. "A token of gratitude."
He stood, determined, and began gathering ingredients from the fridge. The colors, the textures — everything fascinated him. He hummed softly, mimicking the motions from the video.
For a moment, life felt simple.
Warm.
Safe.
The lights flickered.
Kai froze.
A cold breeze swept through the kitchen, though no window was open. The shadows stretched unnaturally, pooling together like ink.
A voice slithered through the air.
"Hello… Crown Prince."
Kai's blood turned to ice.
From the corner of the room, a figure emerged — tall, twisted, its form shifting like smoke. A corrupted. Its eyes glowed with a sickly, unnatural light.
"Enjoying life here?" it purred.
Kai stumbled back, heart hammering. He had no weapon. No spell prepared. And even the simplest incantation would tear the apartment apart.
"You…" Kai whispered. "How did you find me?"
The corrupted chuckled, a sound like cracking bones. "Did you think the False Ruler would not notice your little escape? Or your… pest friends?"
Kai's breath hitched. "Stay away."
"Oh, I'm not here," the corrupted said, stepping forward without touching the ground. "Just a projection. A whisper. A reminder."
Kai's knees weakened. "You can't cross worlds. You don't know how."
The corrupted's smile twisted. "Perhaps. Perhaps not."
But inside its mind — a flicker of truth:
Only the Queen knew the path. Only she could tear the veil. Her secrets died with her.
The corrupted leaned close, its voice a venomous whisper. "Soon, little prince. Soon we will reach you. And this fragile world will crumble."
Kai's breath shattered. His vision blurred. Panic clawed at his chest.
The corrupted laughed — a vile, echoing sound — and dissolved into smoke.
Silence returned.
But Kai couldn't breathe.
He sank onto the sofa, trembling violently. His thoughts spiraled — guilt, fear, helplessness. His chest tightened until it hurt to inhale.
I should have done something. I should have fought. I should have—
His mind blanked.
His emotions dulled.
He stared at nothing, pale and hollow.
The door clicked open.
"Kai! I got your favorite—"
Leon stopped mid‑sentence.
Kai sat curled on the sofa, shaking, eyes unfocused. The untouched ingredients lay scattered on the counter.
Leon dropped the food and rushed to him. "Kai? Hey—hey, look at me."
Kai didn't respond.
Leon gently cupped his face. "It's okay. You're safe. I'm here."
Kai blinked, barely.
Leon pulled him into a careful embrace, heart pounding with worry. "Whatever happened… you're not alone."
Kai's fingers clutched weakly at Leon's shirt.
Elsewhere
Aika sat at her desk, the journal open in front of her. Her fingers rested lightly on the edge of the page, eyes scanning the same empty lines for what felt like the hundredth time.
"When the time comes, the truth will reveal itself."
She exhaled softly.
"Yeah… but when is that?" she murmured.
After a moment, she closed the journal with a quiet sigh and stood up. "I need a break…"
She left the room, her footsteps fading down the hallway.
Silence settled.
Then—
A faint glow seeped from beneath the journal's cover.
The book trembled ever so slightly.
Slowly, the first page opened on its own.
Light spread across the paper, soft at first, then brighter—thin lines of glowing runes etching themselves into the once-empty page. Symbols twisted and formed, ancient and unfamiliar, pulsing with quiet energy.
The air around the desk shifted.
The light flickered once.
Twice.
Then—
The journal snapped shut.
The glow vanished.
The room fell still again.
Aika didn't notice.