Aslan and Eiren went off for lunch.
As soon as they left, the three grumbled among themselves.
"He showed up and snatched our friend from us… but we'll bring him down somehow."
At lunch
"Oh Aslan, I missed you," Eiren said.
The three clenched their fists.
"Eiren! How did you meet Aslan? How?!"
"Well… at Aslan's house."
Aslan, who was sipping his soup, spit it out immediately. "Home?" the three asked in unison.
In a hurry, Aslan said, "My father and his father are friends."
Technically, I didn't lie... My father and the Duke are friends.
While everyone was eating, Eiren casually reached over and took an egg from Aslan's tray.
"Eiren, eat from your own lunch," Aslan said, clearly irritated. "Seriously… you still haven't dropped that habit."
"What? Aslan let him eat from his tray?" "And we've never even touched his tray…" The three exchanged confused looks.
Eiren, sipping his soup, said, "You guys can take some too, if you want."
The three of them grew even more annoyed.
"Eiren, why don't you go ahead and eat Aslan's beef too? He's not eating it anyway," Cael said with a sly grin. Poor guy… go ahead and eat Aslan's beef and see what he does to you…
"I won't eat that," Eiren replied. "Beef's Aslan's favorite. He always saves his favorite thing for last."
George whispered, "He... even knows that?"
Cael narrowed his eyes. "How do you know that?"
"Well," Eiren replied with the brightest smile, "I'm Aslan's best friend. Right, Aslan?"
The three smiled darkly. Let's see how Aslan roasts him now…
"Yep," Aslan said, not even blinking.
Their smiles disappeared. Disappointment washed over their faces as they silently went back to eating.
Aslan blinked. "...What's wrong with them?"
The next day
Cael tried to put Eiren down at every opportunity — but every time… he ended up looking foolish himself.
In archery class, Cael raised his bow with exaggerated flair, smirking as he took aim. "Watch and learn," he said loudly, clearly aiming the comment at Eiren.
Thwip! The arrow flew straight and true — but before anyone could react, a second arrow sliced through it mid-air. Cael stood frozen, stunned, and defeated.
In potion class, Eiren had created a strange-looking pit of bubbling liquid on his table. Thin wisps of smoke curled up from it. As expected, Cael — ever the curious show-off — leaned in, raising a brow. "What… is this?"
A second later — "PAAFFF!!" A small explosion went off, and Cael's entire face was blackened.
"H-Hey! What even was this damn thing for?" Cael snapped, glaring at him.
Eiren just laughed, brushing back his hair with a smug grin. "An explosion, obviously. I knew you wouldn't resist poking your nose into it."
Cael grew even more annoyed seeing that smug smile.
Aslan, who sat just behind him, let out a quiet chuckle.
Cael turned around. He was pleasantly surprised to see Aslan laughing. Even George and Alice looked touched — and surprised.
Alice said, "This… is the first time I've seen him genuinely laugh."
George nodded. "Yep. Normally, it's just that weird, creepy smirk."
Aslan quickly stopped laughing, blushed slightly, and barked, "YOU! What did you say?!"
Later in the library…
Cael was full of frustration. With dramatic flair, he rolled up his sleeves.
"Enough is enough. I didn't want to do this, but… That's it! We have to use… our ultimate move."
George blinked. "Ultimate… move?"
"Well… as nobles, it's a bit embarrassing to say this, but… we have to do it," Alice replied, flustered.
Cael and Alice stood confidently, arms crossed, looking down at Eiren.
"You, commoner. Come here," Cael said in a disdainful, commanding tone.
Eiren blinked, confused, but walked over.
Cael smirked in a demeaning manner. "Do you even know which house we belong to?"
"I'm Cael Vireon, of the Duke Vireon family. You've heard my name, haven't you? A famous war hero across the empire."
"And he's Alice Elgren," Cael added, gesturing beside him. "From the renowned mage family, House Elgren."
"You understand our status now?" Alice said condescendingly. "And you… have you even looked at yourself? Where are you from, exactly?" His voice was laced with disdain.
Behind them, George stood nervously, afraid. So this was their plan all along…
But Eiren just smiled brightly and replied cheerfully,
"House of Valehart."
Cael scoffed, lips curling.
"Valehart? Sounds like some backwater—"
He Stopped.
Mid-sentence.
Like his brain finally caught up to his mouth.
.
"Wait—House of Valehart?" Alice suddenly said, eyes wide, his voice cracking slightly.
Silence.
Recognition hit them like lightning.
Their faces turned pale in an instant — completely blank, as if death had knocked right on their doorstep. It was like their souls had left their bodies.
Valehart… oh no.We just invited death with our own hands.We're so screwed.