The palace study was quiet that morning. Books lined the high shelves, sunlight spilling through tall windows, dust particles floating lazily in the air. Adrian sat at a wide oak desk, legs dangling, a wooden quill tapping against his chin as he stared at the blank page before him.
He wasn't bored—he was restless. He wanted to learn. He wanted to know more than what little bits Celestia had taught him or what he could overhear from the knights and servants. His debut as crown prince had stirred something inside him. A need to prove himself.
"Adrian," Leon's voice broke the silence. He stood in the doorway, his posture firm but his tone calm. "Today, you will meet your advisor."
Adrian perked up. "Advisor?"
"Yes." Leon stepped inside, his black and gold cloak flowing. "Howard Rufer. One of the top teachers of the Royal Academy. He is strict, but I trust him. He will guide you where I cannot."
Adrian blinked, a little nervous. "Strict…? Does that mean he'll scold me a lot?"
Celestia's soft laugh floated in as she entered behind Leon. "Only if you deserve it, my dear." She bent to fix his collar, brushing his hair gently with her fingers. "But he will also care for you. Listen well to him."
Adrian's lips pursed. He didn't want to be treated like a child forever, not when he held another lifetime's worth of memories. Still, the thought of someone guiding him properly—it lit a spark inside.
The heavy doors opened. A man stepped inside.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp brown eyes and neatly combed silver-streaked hair. His clothes were simple but dignified—black robes trimmed with silver. He carried a cane, though from his posture, it seemed more for presence than support.
Howard Rufer.
His gaze swept over the room, then fixed on Adrian. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"So this is the crown prince," Howard said in a deep, even tone. "The boy everyone speaks of."
Adrian swallowed and stood quickly, bowing just as he'd practiced. "Yes, sir. My name is Adrian Leonhart. It's an honor to meet you."
Howard's brow rose. "Hmm. Polite. Good. But words are easy. We'll see if your actions match them."
Adrian stiffened at the bluntness. Leon's lips twitched, amused. Celestia, though, gave Howard a pointed look as if to remind him not to be too harsh.
Howard cleared his throat. "I have been tasked with your education. I do not flatter children, Your Highness. If you are lazy, I will scold you. If you are careless, I will correct you. But if you are sincere, I will guide you. Do you understand?"
Adrian nodded quickly. "I understand."
"Good." Howard set a heavy stack of books on the desk with a thud. Adrian's eyes widened—there were at least six of them, their covers thick with gold-lettered titles.
Howard tapped the first book. "Biology. You will learn about the body—human, beast, and spirit alike. Without understanding life, you cannot understand power."
He tapped the second. "Magic Theory. You will learn the foundation of mana, how it flows, and why it obeys no one without respect."
The third. "Spirit Beasts. This will be difficult. Few ever study it. But your mother's lineage makes you a likely candidate for resonance. It must be nurtured, not neglected."
And finally, the fourth. "History of Arathia. This kingdom is yours to inherit. Before you can lead, you must know who we are, who we were, and why we are still standing."
Adrian's eyes flicked from book to book. His little hands twitched, wanting to open them immediately. His reincarnated mind whispered that he already understood some of this from his old life, but… this world was different. It had mana, spirits, beasts. Things he had never truly touched before.
Howard's gaze sharpened. "Do you think you can handle this, Your Highness?"
Adrian lifted his chin, forcing confidence into his voice. "Yes. I want to learn everything."
Howard studied him for a moment, then smirked faintly. "We'll see."
⸻
The first lesson began with biology.
Howard set down a parchment with diagrams of the human body—organs, bones, muscles, drawn in careful ink.
"Tell me," Howard said, tapping the parchment with his cane, "where does strength come from?"
Adrian thought for a moment. "From the muscles?"
"Partially. Muscles move the body, yes. But without bones, there is no frame. Without blood, there is no life. Without a mind, there is no control. Strength is the harmony of all parts."
Adrian nodded slowly. It was simple, but profound.
Howard leaned closer, voice lowering. "Remember this, boy. Many warriors train only their arms. Many mages train only their mana. But a true leader understands the whole. Body, mind, mana, and will."
Adrian's eyes gleamed. He scribbled it down eagerly with his quill.
⸻
Later, Howard shifted to magic theory. He lit a small flame at his fingertip, controlled and steady.
"Mana is like breath," Howard said. "It flows everywhere, unseen, until you guide it. But guide it poorly, and it will burn you instead of obeying."
Adrian reached out instinctively. A spark flickered in his palm, tiny and unstable. He flinched.
Howard's sharp eyes caught it immediately. "You already sense it."
Adrian hesitated. "Sometimes… it comes out when I don't mean to."
"Then you will learn control." Howard's voice was firm but not unkind. "Better to stumble here, in safety, than on the battlefield."
Adrian's chest warmed at the words. Strict, yes—but there was care beneath it.
⸻
By afternoon, they moved to spirit beasts.
Howard set down a crystal orb, faintly glowing. "Close your eyes. Feel it."
Adrian obeyed. His small hands hovered near the orb. At first, nothing. Then… a gentle hum. A warmth, like a heartbeat. His eyes snapped open.
"I felt it," he whispered.
Howard's stern expression softened slightly. "Good. You have your mother's sensitivity. We will nurture it slowly."
Celestia, who had been quietly observing, smiled proudly. Leon gave the faintest nod, his red eyes unreadable but approving.
⸻
Finally, history.
Howard unrolled a map of Arathia, tracing the borders with his cane. "This is your kingdom. Mountains to the north, seas to the south, forests to the east, and plains to the west. Each land has shaped who we are. Each carries burdens and blessings."
Adrian leaned forward, fascinated. "And I'll need to protect all of it…"
"Yes," Howard said firmly. "Not because of your title, but because the people will look to you. A king who does not know his land is no king at all."
Adrian's chest swelled. He wasn't just reading words—he was beginning to see the weight of it.
⸻
When the lesson ended, Adrian was slumped over the desk, exhausted but glowing with excitement. His notes were messy, his letters uneven, but his eyes shone.
Howard gathered the books, glancing at Leon and Celestia. "He learns quickly. Too quickly for his age. You'll need to watch him closely. Ambition can be dangerous if left unchecked."
Leon's voice was calm, steady. "That is why we have you."
Celestia brushed Adrian's hair gently, whispering, "Well done, my love."
Adrian flushed, hiding his face. "M-Mother… it's not that much…"
Howard caught the reaction, one brow lifting. "Easily flustered, is he?"
Leon chuckled softly. "Only when praised."
Adrian groaned, burying his face in his arms. "Don't tell him that…"
For the first time, Howard's stern mouth curved into the faintest smile. "Good. It means he still has the heart of a child. Let's keep it that way."
————
The next morning, Adrian was back in the study. His arms were folded over the desk, his cheeks squished into the wood. The books Howard left yesterday were stacked neatly, but they felt heavy just sitting there.
"You look like someone already defeated," Howard's voice came sharply from the doorway.
Adrian jerked up, embarrassed. "I-I wasn't sleeping! I was… thinking!"
Howard walked in, cane tapping the floor. "Thinking is good. Slouching like a sack of flour is not."
Adrian pouted. "I wasn't slouching that bad…"
Howard gave him a flat look. "Princes don't pout."
"I wasn't—!" Adrian's cheeks puffed, but then he noticed Leon leaning casually against the doorframe, watching. His father's lips curved faintly upward, amused. Adrian quickly straightened. "Fine. I'll sit properly."
Howard smirked. "Good. Improvement already."
Celestia entered behind Leon, placing a tray of tea on the side table. "Don't break him too quickly, Howard."
Howard dipped his head respectfully. "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I'll break his laziness, not his spirit."
Adrian groaned. "I'm right here, you know."
Leon chuckled. "Then listen well. He's teaching already."
⸻
Howard clapped his hands once, making Adrian jump. "We'll begin with review. Tell me what you remember from yesterday."
Adrian sat straighter, determined. "Strength comes from harmony—body, mind, blood, and will. Magic is like breath, it flows, but if I force it, it'll burn me. Spirit beasts… um… they're alive in ways we don't see, and I felt the orb. And Arathia—north has mountains, south the sea, east the forests, west the plains."
Howard's brow lifted. "Not bad."
Celestia smiled proudly. Leon gave a short nod.
Adrian blinked, surprised. "Wait… that's it? Just 'not bad'?"
Howard's lips twitched. "Would you rather I called it 'magnificent, flawless, worthy of statues'?"
Adrian flustered instantly, face turning pink. "N-no! I just… I thought you'd say more…"
Leon chuckled again. "Howard knows how to push."
Howard leaned on his cane. "Remember this, boy. Praise is sweet, but too much rots the teeth. You did well, but there is always more to learn."
Adrian sighed, muttering, "You could've just said 'good job'…"
Howard heard it and smirked. "Good job, then. Now let's move on."
Adrian froze, cheeks glowing red. "D-don't say it like that!"
Celestia covered her mouth to hide her laugh. Even Leon's shoulders shook faintly.
⸻
Howard unrolled a parchment showing a large wolf with glowing eyes.
"Spirit beasts," he began, tapping the page. "Some bond with humans. Some don't. Some devour foolish mages who think themselves stronger. You must respect them. Never treat them as tools."
Adrian's eyes widened. "Can… I meet one? A real spirit beast?"
"Someday," Howard said firmly. "Not now. You are too young. You can barely steady your mana without trembling."
Adrian huffed. "I don't tremble that much…"
Howard raised a brow. "Then show me." He placed the crystal orb on the desk. "Focus. Feel it again."
Adrian put his hands near the orb. He breathed slowly, remembering yesterday. The hum returned, soft and warm. His palms tingled.
The orb pulsed faintly.
Celestia leaned closer, eyes shining. Leon's red gaze sharpened.
But Adrian's focus wavered. His hands shook slightly, the glow flickering out. He slumped back, panting. "I… almost had it…"
Howard's voice was calm, not mocking. "Almost means nothing in the wild. Control, boy. Not excitement. Try again tomorrow."
Adrian frowned but nodded. "Okay…"
Then Howard surprised him by adding, softer, "But for your age, that was impressive."
Adrian's ears turned red instantly. "Y-you don't have to say that…"
Howard smirked. "Flustered again. Interesting."
⸻
By midday, they shifted to biology. Howard held up a small clay model of a heart.
"This pumps blood. Without it, nothing lives. Do you know why the heart matters more than muscle?"
Adrian tapped his chin. "Because… even if you're strong, if your heart stops, you can't fight?"
Howard nodded. "Exactly. Remember that when you grow older. You can have all the power in the world, but if you forget the basics of life, you'll fall."
Adrian's eyes shone. He scribbled the words down, though his letters leaned crookedly across the page.
Howard leaned over to look. "Your penmanship is terrible."
Adrian flinched. "I'm trying!"
"Try harder."
Celestia frowned slightly. "Howard—"
But Adrian interrupted, shaking his head. "No, it's okay, Mother. He's right. If I want people to take me seriously, I have to write properly too."
Howard's stern expression softened for a moment. He glanced at Leon. "He listens. That's rare."
Leon nodded. "He's my son."
Adrian flushed, ducking his head. "S-stop saying things like that…"
Celestia smiled gently. "He just wants to make us proud."
Howard's sharp eyes lingered on Adrian. "Then let's make sure he has reason to be proud of himself first."
⸻
Afternoon brought history. Howard spread the map again, pointing at the forests to the east.
"These woods hold clans that don't bow easily to the crown. You'll need to understand them, not just order them. Do you know why?"
Adrian thought hard. "Because… if I just give orders, they won't follow. But if I show I understand them, maybe they'll respect me?"
Howard's lips curved faintly. "Correct. Ruling is not about shouting the loudest. It's about listening the most."
Adrian's chest swelled. He scribbled again, tongue poking out as he tried to keep the letters neat.
Leon spoke from the corner. "Howard."
The advisor looked up.
Leon's red eyes glimmered faintly. "Do you believe he will manage?"
Howard studied Adrian, who was still scribbling with fierce determination. Then he gave a short nod. "Yes. If he keeps this fire, he will. But it will take discipline."
Leon's lips curved faintly. "Good. Then break his laziness, as you said."
Adrian groaned loudly. "Stop saying that! I'm not lazy!"
Howard smirked. "We'll see about that tomorrow morning, when I arrive at dawn."
Adrian froze. "D-dawn?!"
Howard leaned closer, voice low but amused. "Yes. Before the sun rises. If you want to be acknowledged by the people, you start earlier than the rest."
Adrian's eyes widened. Then slowly, a grin tugged at his lips. "Fine. I'll be ready."
Celestia sighed but smiled softly. Leon chuckled under his breath.
Howard straightened, cane tapping against the floor. "Then let us begin building a prince worthy of Arathia."