Moonlight slipped through the curtains of Dong's room, casting pale streaks across the floor.
Sung sat in a chair beside the bed.
Dong lay flat on the mattress, staring at the ceiling.
After a long silence, Sung finally spoke:
"So… what now? Are we really going for admission to Valdyne?"
Dong turned his head slightly.
"Yeah. It's a good choice."
He paused.
"But we also need to think about the reactions… especially from the princess and the princes."
Sung exhaled softly.
"I know it's important."
He leaned back.
"But the king will handle most of it."
Dong closed his eyes for a moment.
"Maybe… but we still have to face the criticism ourselves."
Sung nodded slowly.
"Yeah."
A sudden knock echoed through the quiet room.
Sung straightened in his chair.
"Who's there?"
A soft voice replied from behind the door.
"Young masters… may I enter? It's the maid."
Dong sat up slightly.
"Yeah, come in."
The door opened, and the maid stepped inside, bowing respectfully.
Sung frowned.
"What happened?"
Her voice was steady, but urgent.
"His Majesty has summoned both of you… not just you, but all higher-ups and elites."
Dong exchanged a glance with Sung.
"You go first. We'll follow shortly."
"Understood."
The maid bowed again and hurried away.
The door closed.
Sung let out a slow breath.
"I think… it's time."
Dong stood up, adjusting his clothes.
"Yeah. He's going to announce it."
He pulled the door open.
Sung followed with a determined nod.
"Let's go."
Together, they stepped into the hallway
walking toward whatever awaited them ahead.
Footsteps echoed lightly through the long corridor as Dong and Sung made their way toward the royal hall.
Before they could go far, a familiar figure stepped in from the intersecting hallway.
Azur.
He waved casually.
"Oh, hello."
Sung grinned.
"Yo, Azur."
Azur approached them with an excited look in his eyes.
"What's happening, boys? Why did the king call everyone?"
Dong shrugged.
"We don't know yet."
Azur chuckled, unable to hide his excitement.
"Well, I'm just happy. This year, I'm finally going to break through to EX Rank."
He tapped his chest proudly.
"And it's all thanks to that elixir and you two."
Dong raised a hand casually.
"Ohhh, no need to thank us."
Sung smirked.
"Actually, you should worship us. Thanks to us, you'll be EX Rank soon."
Azur rolled his eyes but smiled.
"Maybe… but I'm still traumatized by what we did to those World Alliance people."
Sung waved it off.
"Forget it."
Dong nodded as they continued walking.
"We're almost there. Whatever it is… we'll know soon."
Azur smiled lightly.
"Yeah."
The three continued forward together footsteps steady, expressions sharp as the grand doors of the royal hall slowly came into view.
Dong, Sung, and Azur finally reached the grand royal hall.
Inside, the atmosphere was heavy, filled with elites, higher-ups, and powerful executives.
Near the front, they spotted Kira, calmly leaning against a seat.
Kira looked at them.
"Let's sit there."
Azur nodded instantly.
"Yes, young master."
Dong agreed.
"Let's sit."
Sung followed.
"Okay."
They took their seats.
---
The King Arrives
A few minutes later, the large doors opened.
The King stepped inside, his presence instantly silencing the hall.
All higher-ups, elites, and executives bowed at once.
"Your Majesty."
The King raised his hand.
"Ohh, all of you, sit."
Everyone obeyed.
Suddenly, Lord Archon stood up nervously.
"Majesty… may I ask something?"
The King smiled.
"Yes, go ahead."
Lord Archon swallowed.
"Why are we gathered here?"
The King laughed loudly.
"Kids these days… no patience at all."
Lord Archon sat down, embarrassed, sweat running down his forehead.
---
Announcement Begins
The King looked around the hall.
"Before I explain why we are here… Sung, the head butler of the kingdom, and the Fourth Prince, Dong come to the stage."
Both Sung and Dong stood up.
The hall watched them silently as they walked toward the front.
They stood on the stage side by side.
---
Reactions in the Hall
Alorine looked at them with visible irritation.
In another corner, Mira and the First Prince whispered sharply.
Mira clicked her tongue.
"Why are those two scumbags on stage?"
First Prince narrowed his eyes.
"Maybe they broke a rule."
Mira smirked.
"Then the King must be planning to punish them."
First Prince grinned.
"Yeah… this might be entertaining."
---
A Twist
The King raised his voice again.
"Oh yes Third Prince Kira, please come to the stage as well."
The hall murmured instantly.
Kira stood up calmly and walked forward.
People whispered everywhere.
Mira frowned.
"Dong and Sung doing something stupid? I can believe that. But Kira?"
First Prince shook his head.
"Yeah… something feels off."
The Announcement
The King lifted his hand, silencing every whisper in the royal hall.
His voice echoed with authority.
"And now… the moment you all have been waiting for."
Everyone leaned forward.
"Sung, Dong, and Kira will be receiving admission into—
Valdyne Supreme Academy."
The words struck the hall like thunder.
---
Shock Across the Hall
Faces froze.
Eyes widened.
Mouths opened in disbelief.
A wave of shock spread through every elite, executive, and noble in the room.
Even the arrogant ones who were expecting punishment…
completely lost their composure.
---
Sung's Inner Realization
Sung's thoughts raced rapidly.
Why Kira? Why include him? Let me think… let me think…
Then it clicked.
Ohh… now I get it.
If the king only promoted Sung and Dong, the entire kingdom would protest.
People would rage.
They would question the decision.
But Kira the 3rd Prince
A hero of the empire.
A respected, powerful figure with massive reputation.
If Kira was included, protests would be silenced.
Only a few foolish ones would dare speak.
Sung subtly turned his head toward Dong.
---
The Silent Exchange
Dong met his gaze instantly.
Their eyes spoke without words.
Dong gave a simple, calm signal
a slight nod.
A sign that said:
"I understand too."
Sung exhaled softly.
"Yeah… okay."
The three stood on stage, united, while the entire hall struggled to process the shocking announcement.
After the Announcement
A heavy silence lingered in the hall, broken only by the faint echo of the King's words.
Then, Kira turned his head slightly, a confident smile forming on his lips.
"That's good… we three are going to Valdyne the place where emperors are born."
His voice carried pride, but also excitement.
Dong smiled back, his tone calm yet determined.
"Yeah… we're going. Maybe we'll even make some new friends there."
Sung crossed his arms, letting out a short breath.
"Huh, yeah… but first, we'll have to control them."
His eyes sharpened, already thinking about the rival geniuses that awaited them.
The King's announcement still echoed in the air:
"Dong, Sung, and Kira will be admitted into Valdyne Supreme Academy."
For a moment, the entire hall went silent.
Then
Everyone's expressions changed.
Not just shock.
Fear.
Real fear.
---
Elite & High-Rank Reactions
Whispers broke out, trembling and shaky.
"These three… in Valdyne?"
"If they go there, who will stop them?"
"Dong and Sung already caused massive waves this year…"
"And Kira… that monster prince…"
They weren't doubting anymore.
They were afraid.
The recent rumors, the things the trio had done behind the scenes, the powerful changes in the kingdom
it all connected in their minds.
If those three go to Valdyne… it will shake the continent.
---
Alorine – 1st Queen
Alorine's breath hitched.
Her eyes widened in a way she hadn't allowed in years.
"All three of them… together…?"
She suddenly understood the danger.
Dong unpredictable.
Sung sharp, cunning.
Kira born strong, feared by nobles.
If these three stayed united…
Even the palace's political balance could collapse.
Alorine clenched her fan tightly.
Fear flickered behind her composed expression.
---
Mira & 1st Prince
Mira felt her stomach drop.
Her mocking smile vanished instantly.
"No way…
These three… in ONE academy…?"
Her voice shook without her realizing it.
"Dong and Sung are maniacs…
And Kira? Even the generals avoid him…"
She swallowed nervously.
For the first time
she wasn't excited.
She was scared.
The 1st Prince's reaction was even stronger.
His hands trembled as he gripped his seat.
"Father… what are you doing…?"
His voice was low, almost whispering.
"These three together…
No one will be able to handle them in Valdyne."
He stared at Dong and Sung with fear hidden behind anger.
"If they grow stronger…
they'll overshadow every prince."
Mira nodded slowly, fear in her eyes.
"This isn't just an admission…
It's a warning to the entire royal family…"
---
The Hall Looks at the Trio
Everyone's eyes turned toward the stage.
Dong standing calmly.
Sung smirking faintly.
Kira smiling confidently.
Power.
Mystery.
Unpredictability.
The hall finally understood something:
These three are not normal students.
They are a threat.
And the fear spread like wildfire.
The Departure Announcement
The King raised his hand once more, quieting the hall instantly.
"Tomorrow… Dong, Sung, and Kira will depart for Valdyne Supreme Academy."
Gasps spread like a wave.
"The journey will take twenty days."
The hall tensed even more.
Dong nodded calmly from the stage.
"Yeah… we know."
Sung stood beside him, unfazed.
Kira simply smiled.
---
Test Revelation
The King continued:
"Even though I spent two hundred and ten million gold coins…"
His voice grew heavier,
"…all three of you must still take the admission test."
A new shock hit the hall.
Sung let out a short chuckle.
"That's exactly what I expected. Even with all that money… we still gotta take the test."
Dong didn't flinch.
Kira put a hand on his waist and smirked.
---
Kira's Bold Declaration
"Good."
Kira's eyes sparkled.
"If Valdyne isn't scared of the World Alliance… then I want to fight them too."
A dangerous confidence radiated from him.
"If I get accepted, I can protect our kingdom from any World Alliance threat."
His words sent another cold shock through the crowd.
People whispered:
"He's serious…"
"He really wants to fight the World Alliance…"
---
Sung's Strategic Thoughts
Sung looked at the hall with a sly smile.
"Valdyne is filled with powerful princes and princesses…
We'll get a chance to make friends with them."
He leaned back slightly, smirking.
"And maybe… make a few enemies too."
The hall stiffened.