The Royal Archives was slowly growing distant as our carriage rolled on. Night had consumed the skies, and even though I was still on the way back home, I was already acting on my next move as Feyt.

I had gone to the archives searching for answers, and fortunately, I didn’t have to follow the cliché of leaving with more questions than I arrived with, because I actually got a clue to the answer I was looking for.

Who would’ve guessed?

The clue I gathered told me that there was another person who had the same mysterious Talent Symbol as both of me, likely from outside of Setus, and around the twenty-three to twenty-six years old.

On a global scale, that meant basically everyone born outside of Setus was a prime suspect. But one thing I realized after rereading the paper inside my mind… was that this person wasn’t just anyone.

If any nation learned of the existence of someone with only two Talent Symbol existed, research would be conducted almost assuredly. That was the main reason why Mother and Father chose to hide both of our Talents from the kingdom.

Now, Setus knew of this person’s two-symboled situation. Though they were from outside of Setus, there was almost definitely a request from several scholars wanting to learn about it, whether in person or in passing.

However, the research notes lamented not being permitted to conduct research on this person. That could mean several things, mainly two. First, they were already being experimented on by another nation, perhaps one opposed to Setus. Second, this person was of high importance.

If it was the former, then I was screwed. Not only did I not know the name of this person, but I also didn’t know which nation they belonged to.

If it were the latter…

One person came to mind.

Her Highness Munith.

It was with this clue that I began my next course of action.

Reading novels.

Princess Munith’s books, the Quiet Love series, were still sitting in silence on my desk, all three of them. If I were going to arrange a meeting with her soon, I’d best finish them all. I wouldn’t want to disappoint her any further.

And so, with the carriage ride continuing as normal, I began reading in bed as Feyt.

…

The academy’s main building slowly began to emerge beyond the curtained windows of the carriage. We were finally nearing the end of the return trip.

The rhythmic clatter of wheels over the capital road had long since settled as white noise. I had spent most of the ride staring at nothing in particular as Carine tried to focus on reading as Feyt, and so far, the first volume continued to be a very typical romance novel.

I finally reached the part where the princess pointed at to show off the foreign language, but since Carine’s eyes are stuck looking at the dark sky at the moment, I decided to just skip that short section of the book.

It was then that the prince finally spoke.

“Carine,” he said lightly. “Tell me… are you truly satisfied with your visit today?”

“Yes.”

The answer came out automatically. After all, that was my true feeling about the visit.

He scoffed lightly. “I somehow find that doubtful,” he continued after a moment. “Are you saying that simply to avoid further conversation with me?”

Huh, so he is paying attention.

I kept my gaze fixed forward, on the distant rooftops of the academy.

“I am satisfied,” I repeated, a little more pressing about it this time. “I found a clue regarding something I’ve been wondering about. I’m just thinking it through.”

“I see.”

His tone didn’t change; it remained doubtful.

Awkward silence returned to the carriage.

For a few seconds, the only sound was the quiet creaking of wheels and the clattering of hooves.

Then—

“Perhaps, I should… rephrase my earlier curiosity as encouragement.”

I blinked.

“…What?”

He leaned forward slightly in his seat. “Do you know there is an upcoming tournament in the Royal Knights?”

I turned my head just enough to look at him properly.

“I’ve heard of it.”

Courtesy of Lionne and her endless gossip about the academy.

“Good,” the prince said, nodding faintly. “That saves me the trouble of explaining.”

He rested his chin against his knuckles, studying me with an expression that was neither amused nor serious.

“Tell me, then,” he continued, “do you believe you can win?”

Hell nah.

“There will be many strong competitors,” I said instead, keeping my elegant vibe. “I don’t know if victory is possible alone.”

“Mm. True,” he murmured. “You wouldn’t be able to rely on your bodyguard as you did during the entrance examination.”

That too.

But honestly, even if my other self could step in, I wasn’t sure it would help much.

Have you seen Lechter, man?

“But even so, I would still like you to perform admirably,” the prince added.

I sat in silence, holding back a sigh of annoyance.

“…But why?” The question slipped out.

In truth, it had been sitting at the back of my mind for quite some time now.

I had followed his requests so far, and admittedly, I had gained quite a bit from doing so. But that only made the imbalance more noticeable. I was receiving rewards without fully understanding what he himself stood to gain.

“What benefit,” I asked more calmly, “does it bring you to see me placed among the Honors students in the first place?”

He didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he leaned back slightly and shifted his gaze toward the carriage window, as I did before.

“I am sure Karvin has already told you,” he said at last. “You are my proof.”

“Yes,” I admitted. “I have heard as much.”

“Potential,” he said quietly, “is a beautiful thing, is it not?”

Oh God.

He’s going on a monologue, isn’t he?

I reluctantly slowed my reading pace as Feyt.

I might need to hear this fully, in case he decides to quiz me about it.

“Whenever I see someone waste their potential,” the prince said quietly, “it feels as though my heart is being wrung dry.”

I glanced at him. His expression hadn’t changed much. That faint, ever-eternal smirk still lingered at the corner of his lips, but his eyes… were elsewhere.

“Whether it is someone unaware of their own Talent,” he went on, “or someone forbidden from pursuing what they excel at… it is a painful sight. No matter where one travels.”

A short pause followed, then he turned his head slightly toward me.

“Setus is a prime example.”

I didn’t respond immediately.

I already knew from Karvin what the prince’s views on education were. Even I was starting to see what he was troubled by now that I was an actual student in the Royal Knights. But interrupting him now felt like a rude thing to do.

“I am sure you have noticed by now,” he continued, “that everything you are currently being taught amounts to little more than… fundamentals.”

I slowly nodded.

That was one way of putting it. It felt like I attended class just to sit and look pretty.

“Allow me to clarify then,” he said, clasping his hands together above his lap. “Whether you choose the path of Royal Knights or Royal Governance, both share the same flaw. For the entirety of the first year… students are given nothing but the basics.”

I froze.

“For the whole… year?” I asked before I could stop myself.

He nodded once, his smirk widening just a fraction.

Something inside me sank.

That meant—

That meant I was going to spend an entire year being bored to death!!

“Hahaha!” The sudden burst of laughter filled the carriage so abruptly that I almost flinched.

The prince laughed for several seconds before finally lowering his head, the sound tapering off into a lingering grin. “So,” he said, voice still recovering from the laugh, “even you find it irritating. That is reassuring, at least.”

“How could one not be irritated?” I muttered.

He chuckled a little more, perhaps to get it out of his system, as he leaned back slightly.

“Tell me then,” he said after a moment, “would it not be far more efficient if one learned such fundamentals before even setting foot inside the academy?”

I frowned faintly.

“That way,” he continued, “they would be free to devote their time to refinement. To specialization. To discover their path before walking it. Potential would not be delayed… it would be cultivated, and it will grow even brighter once they reach adulthood.”

His gaze returned to me, sharper now.

“It would allow the best in a person to surface. Regardless of their birth. Regardless of their standing.” A beat of silence passed. “Just like you, Carine.”

I didn’t answer.

There wasn’t much to say to that.

Part of me agreed. Another part wondered how much of this speech had been rehearsed beforehand. He’ll be a real damn good motivational speaker, I’ll give him that.

His smirk deepened, though this time no laughter followed.

“I am glad you understand my views,” he said softly.

Then, almost imperceptibly, his hands tightened, enough to turn his knuckles white.

“If only…my father were the same,” he murmured, more to himself than to me,

For a brief moment, the air inside the carriage grew heavier. I wasn’t sure if I should even breathe now. Then he exhaled.

The tension in his hands loosened, and just like that, the third prince everyone was familiar with returned.

“Still, things have been… improving.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Has it really?”

He nodded.

“I have been presenting your results to certain members within the palace. Your performance thus far has proven quite persuasive!”

Once again, I became the kid whose parents won’t shut up about their piano skills.

“However,” he continued, “one arrow is rarely enough to win a war. I require more to shoot, so to speak.”

Ah.

There it was.

So this was the true purpose behind all of this.

I held back a sigh.

That sounds like a massive bother.

Tournaments. Expectations. Political implications I probably wasn’t even aware of yet. I wanted to train for myself and those I hold dear, not be a case study!

On the other hand…

If his goal really was just to use my achievements as proof of his ideals… then there wasn’t actually anything morally questionable about it… I think.

Doing my best wasn’t exactly a crime, and I had intended to do that anyway.

“…Fine,” I said at last. “I will do my best in the upcoming tournament.”

The reaction was immediate. His eyes lit up as he clapped his hands together. “Excellent!” he said brightly. “As thanks for your cooperation, I’ll make sure to compensate you properly once this is all over!”

I felt my eyelid twitch.

Why do I feel like I’ll regret this later on?

He paused, studying me again with a new kind interest.

“Still, your potential truly is remarkable, Carine,” he added after a moment, his tone shifting back toward thoughtful admiration. “You have shone brightly in the academy, both in the exam, and during the dance…”

The dance?

“But I have a feeling that you’ll shine much brighter in the future. So much brighter.”

I remained silent, unsure whether to feel flattered or wary.

“Not just you, in fact,” he went on casually. “Your bodyguard as well… Feyt, was it?”

I blinked.

Why is he bringing my other name out like this?

“Ah~” He closed his eyes in wonder as he let out a dreamy sigh. “The potential the two of you hold together. I can already imagine the way you two—”

“Oh, please no.”

Not you too, man.

Don’t tell me you’re in on those rumors, too??

He opened his eyes, a wicked smirk plastered on his face.

He’s totally doing this on purpose!

Seeing that smirk, I had a feeling reasoning with him would probably lead to a dead end, or it would dig me a deeper hole.

Then, the carriage began to slow at that exact moment. I was saved by the academy gates.

Without waiting for the carriage to come to a complete stop, I leaned forward and reached for the door handle. Prince or not, I wasn’t going to sit back and let someone mock me through the night.

“Ah, leaving so soon? I was just getting started—”

I paused just long enough to look back at him.

“I am grateful for today’s visit, Your Highness. However, I would appreciate it if you refrained from entertaining… unfounded rumors about me. It would hardly suit your position.”

Without saying another word, I descended from the carriage steps and onto the familiar path to the academy grounds.

It was then that I noticed Leila standing by the academy gate, standing silently as she stared at me.

She’s been waiting for me here this whole time?!

For a brief second, I considered simply walking away, not wanting to leave Leila hanging. Then I remembered who I was dealing with. A literal prince was right behind me.

I turned back, facing the prince who remained seated properly. I gave him a proper and low curtsy.

“I bid you good night, Your Highness.”

For a moment, there was only silence, then it was broken by a familiar faint chuckle.

When I straightened, he had already leaned back into his seat, one arm resting lazily against the carriage wall, that familiar satisfied smile returning to his face.

“Good night, Carine. I shall await your good news.”

I gave a small nod in acknowledgment before turning away again.

The carriage door shut behind me with a soft thud, followed shortly by the sound of the carriage rattling to life once more. Left alone at last, I made my way toward Leila. She greeted me with a quiet nod.

“Welcome back, Lady Carine. Would you like me to prepare you a meal? Or perhaps a bath? Or maybe I can—”

“That won’t be necessary,” I interrupted gently. “I would just like to rest for a while.”

“Understood.”

I wanted to ask how long she had been standing there… But somehow, I felt it might be better not to know.

As Leila and I walked in silence, and with Feyt resuming the reading, I began thinking back about the prince’s words.

No, not about the teasing, but about the tournaments.

The tournament, huh? Another thing I have to worry about.

I wondered what he constituted as “performing admirably”? Would my doing my best really be enough? I doubted that.

If what I heard from Lionne was right, then the entire first year would need to participate in the tournament. That meant the chances of me being put up against Lechter were pretty low, but not zero.

I didn’t know why, but I had a really bad feeling about him.

Then, I wondered if I would be facing myself at some point in the tournament.

But…

Nah… That won’t happen.

…Right?