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Chapter Three: In the Morning of Friendship, Souls Are Forged
The morning was unexpectedly warm, and the sunlight slipping in through the luxurious room's curtains reflected on the white marble floor as if it were gently calling out to its occupant—not to disturb him, but to plead softly, like a mother's touch on her child's forehead.
Alphonse—better known in his past life as Lloyd—awoke feeling a strange energy. He couldn't tell whether it came from excitement or from a hidden sense that today would be anything but ordinary.
He stood before the mirror, dressing carefully in the Royal Academy's formal uniform: a pristine white shirt, crisply ironed, a black jacket adorned with golden embroidery hinting at nobility, his family crest etched onto the front button, and a silky violet scarf draped neatly around his neck. His hair was impeccably styled, every strand seemingly the result of a secret council meeting deciding its direction.
He opened the door and stepped out with steady footsteps. On his way, he bid farewell to Lisa and Yazan.
Without turning to him, Lisa said, "Don't be late... and don't cause trouble."
Yazan, chewing a piece of bread, chimed in, "Tell them you're the son of the legendary Yazan! They'll be terrified immediately!"
Lloyd shot him a side glance and replied sarcastically, "They'll run from your breath, not your name."
The three laughed, and Lloyd headed out into his new day.
In the Classroom, Where the Story Begins to Take Shape
Alphonse entered the classroom with confident strides. The royal twins greeted him warmly.
—"Welcome back, Lloyd!"
—"Today, we begin for real!"
As he returned their greetings, two new girls approached with shy smiles. The first, with fiery red hair and dazzling blue eyes, introduced herself as Clara Flamin. The second, with soft lavender hair and calm features, was Selene Aurora. Both hailed from well-known noble families.
—Clara said brightly, "We've heard a lot about you, Lloyd. We hope studying with you will be fun."
—Selene added in a quiet voice, "You're different... I think I'll be watching you closely."
Lloyd smiled politely, but before he could respond, the classroom door opened and three boys entered.
The first wore round glasses, with dark brown hair and gentle features. His steps were hesitant, and his eyes avoided contact. His name was Elliot Vern, from a modest background, admitted on a scholarship. His intelligence shone like a candle in the dark, but he was painfully shy.
The second had a wild hairstyle as if a storm had struck his head. He chewed gum lazily and glanced around like everything bored him. This was Danny Toro, son of the capital's richest merchant. Muscular and sharp-tongued.
The third was an elegant and poised young man. Every movement calculated, with silver hair that sparkled like snow. He wore his uniform like a prince straight out of a picture book. This was Lionel Orchard, son of one of the empire's leading generals, known as "The White Sword's Heir," sharp and charming.
They stood before the class.
Lionel introduced himself in a composed, resonant voice:
"I am Lionel Orchard. I look forward to learning from everyone and hope we'll be friends."
Then Danny raised his hand lazily:
"Name's Danny. Don't care who you are... but if anyone gets hungry, I've got dried meat snacks."
Laughter rippled across the room.
Elliot stood silently for a moment, then whispered in a barely audible voice:
"E-Elliot... Vern... nice to meet you."
Danny burst out laughing:
"What was that? You talking from the bottom of a well?"
Suddenly, the teacher's voice boomed from the back as he entered the class:
"Enough nonsense! Sit down now! I'm Professor Grimaldi. If I don't hear silence in three seconds, I'll turn someone into a piece of chalk!"
The students froze and scrambled to their seats. Grimaldi's face was stern, but his speech carried unintentional comedy:
"If you sleep in my class, you'll wake up in the morgue. Understood?!"
The lesson began—and ended—in a mix of awe and terror. Then came the lunch break.
The First Scene of Friendship
Lloyd sat with his brother Edward in the academy courtyard, enjoying their lunch at a long table. In minutes, girls began to gather around them, whispering and glancing in admiration.
One girl said, "They're just like princes from fairy tales!"
Another murmured, "Look at his eyes... they're mesmerizing!"
Edward chuckled and whispered, "Tell me, are you a magician or just a dangerously handsome man?"
Lloyd smirked, "Maybe both."
In Another Corner of the Academy
Elliot sat alone beneath a lonely tree. He pulled out a modest meal—dry bread and some beans—and began eating silently. Beside him lay a worn, old book, placed beside the food like a sacred treasure.
A group of wealthy boys approached. One sneered,
"Oh? What's this? Dog food?"
Another grabbed the book:
"Let's see what the poor boy is reading."
He read the title mockingly:
"Memoirs of General Eric Vern?! Hahaha! Isn't that the traitor who was executed? Is he your grandpa, you little trash?"
Elliot froze... and suddenly remembered...
A Distant Memory
He was a small boy in a crowd, crying as he held his grandfather's shackled hand while the guards pushed him toward execution. The old man turned back with a sad smile:
"Elliot... don't forget my name, or yours... Stay pure, my boy. Don't let them corrupt you... even if they call me a traitor."
Then the old man's head fell... and the boy's tears fell with it.
Back to Reality
Elliot screamed in a choked voice and punched one of the bullies. The others began kicking and hitting him, and his book rolled away across the ground.
At That Moment
Danny was wandering nearby aimlessly, while Lionel was searching for a book from the faculty library. They saw the scene from afar—and without a second thought, they intervened.
Danny grabbed one bully and shouted,
"You! So proud of your daddy's money? Did it buy you extra legs or golden ears?!"
The bullies scattered in fear. Lionel approached Elliot gently:
"Are you alright?"
Elliot, voice trembling, told them what had happened. Danny patted his shoulder and said,
"Don't cry like a girl, Four-Eyes."
Elliot smiled through his tears:
"My name... is Elliot Vern. Grandson of General Eric... I won't forget who I am."
Danny laughed, "I'm Danny Toro, son of the richest man—but I hate arrogant rich kids."
Lionel reached out a hand:
"Lionel Orchard. Pleased to meet you. From today... you're one of us."
Under a Golden Sunset
The three walked together, arms around each other, laughter echoing into the horizon.
Lionel asked, "By the way, where do you live?"
Elliot answered, "Section C... Room 71."
Lionel blinked, "No way! I'm in 72."
Danny shouted, "I'm in 73! Damn, it's like destiny formed a gang."
They burst into laughter, passing Room 70... when its door opened, and Alphonse stepped out in full grace.
He looked at them with a deep smile:
"So... you've gathered. What a team."
And thus... this was the beginning of the four who would one day reshape the fate of the empire.