Zack tensed. Silence hung between them before he finally tried to laugh awkwardly.
"Uh—I'm… Zack, right? Who else would I be—"
"Be honest." Kaito cut him off sharply, his gaze piercing.
"I have a lot of questions, and from now on, don't hide anything."
Zack let out a long sigh, as if the weight of his entire life pressed down on him.
"So… you saw me in the future, didn't you?"
Kaito nodded slowly.
"That's right. And that's why I want to know why you've been hiding your identity."
Unable to evade anymore, Zack lowered his head.
"I… am the crown prince of this kingdom."
Kaito showed no visible reaction, only a flat stare that made Zack increasingly anxious.
"And?" Kaito crossed his arms. "There's more, isn't there?"
"What else do you want to ask, Kai—"
"Celestine." Kaito's voice cut like a blade.
"She's really your sister, isn't she?"
Zack went silent. His jaw tightened, lips trembling.
"…Yes. That's true."
Kaito stepped closer.
"If that's the case, does she have anything to do with Lyria's disappearance?"
Zack reacted instantly—his pupils widened, his body jolted forward.
"What?! Lyria is… gone?!"
Kaito let out a small chuckle, but his tone was dark.
"Yes. Three days from now. During the practical exam. She will be kidnapped, and I… can't do anything to stop it."
Zack froze, his face a blur of panic and belated realization.
"Oh, one more thing."
Kaito stared sharply.
"This is the first time today you called Lyria by her name. Usually you call her 'your fiancée,' even though it isn't official yet. What exactly is your purpose, Zack?"
Zack's knees gave out. He fell to his knees, clutching his head.
"…I guess there's nothing left for me to hide from you, Kai."
Finally, Zack took a long breath, looking Kaito straight in the eyes.
"Alright… I'll be honest. All this time, I've been watching over you not without reason," he said softly.
"You… mean?" Kaito asked, suspicious.
"I am a Watcher, destined to oversee your journey, Kaito. Every step you take, every choice you make… it has been recorded," Zack explained.
Kaito looked at him skeptically.
"You must be joking. No matter how much you try to convince me, I don't believe it."
Zack lowered his gaze.
"Then… perhaps I should tell you something else. Celestine… my sister… she carries the blessing of a Determiner. That night, when she met you, it wasn't a coincidence. It was her fate. I… I have seen many changes in the world's Threads of Destiny. And our blessings… are connected to the 'Absolute, The Wise.' Our relationship is like that of a Determiner and a Watcher."
Kaito was silent for a moment. Slowly, his voice turned serious.
"Then… maybe you're not lying. But… why do you have to bear all this?"
Zack closed his eyes, exhaling heavily.
"Because I've seen everything… and I must ensure destiny unfolds as it should."
Kaito leaned forward, his tone softening.
"Then… tell me the real history of Lyria's family, Zack."
Zack stared blankly out the window, his voice barely a whisper.
"She… is the last of the family to inherit the power of Lux, Kaito. She can heal broken Cores. She is the only one capable of doing so."
Kaito remained silent, processing the information without showing surprise.
"I see… Alright, Zack. I won't ask any more. You're my friend, and I don't want to hurt you… 'Your Highness, Prince.'"
Without waiting for a reply, Kaito left, closing the door quietly behind him.
Zack sat on the edge of his bed, head lowered. His breathing echoed in the empty room. He thought of his plans ahead, every possible way to save Lyria.
Suddenly, a voice came from outside the room, calm but firm.
"Oh, no matter how far you think, Zack… you won't find a way to save Lyria. Only I can do it."
Zack tensed, swallowing his frustration and helplessness. But one thing he knew: he could only trust his friend, Kaito. He closed his eyes briefly, then straightened.
"Then… it's all up to you, Kaito," he murmured, his voice full of resolve.
Night passed.
Morning came, soft light spilling through the window. Kaito stepped out, wearing his uniform for Combat Mage and Spell Casting classes. Yet his face still bore frustration and regret.
Zack, who had just left his own room, saw Kaito and greeted him. This time, Kaito didn't react at all.
Zack froze. It was the first time he'd seen his friend like this.
Refusing to stay silent, Zack chased after him, trying to joke. But Kaito ignored him, walking steadily with a gloomy expression.
Zack sighed, panic rising in his chest. Maybe he's seen an even darker future…
"Hey… Kai… have you found a way to save Lyria?"
Kaito paused, looking at the floor, his eyes glistening.
"I… no matter what… I haven't found a way to save her," Kaito said quietly, tears streaking his face.
Zack stepped closer, patting his shoulder.
"Kai… you need to train, become stronger. It's the only way."
Kaito wiped his tears, determination returning.
"You're right, Zack… No matter what, I have to save Lyria. She's… my girlfriend."
Zack gave a faint smile, holding back emotion, silently praying that everything would be okay.
In the Spell Casting training hall, Lyria practiced alone, focused and serious.
Kaito approached, his soft voice breaking the silence.
"Why are you alone here, Lyria?"
Her face was pale, eyes wet.
"I… saw you in the future…" she said softly, tears flowing.
Kaito panicked.
"What do you mean? What will happen during the practical exam?"
Lyria held her breath, her voice trembling.
"Kai… you… I… saw you… killed…"
Kaito felt her fear and anxiety. He reached out, gently patting her cheek.
"I will grow stronger, Lyria. Be patient… I will protect you, no matter what."
Lyria looked at him, still hesitant.
"B-but, Kai…"
Kaito pressed a finger to her lips, smiling confidently.
"It's alright… because destiny can be changed, right?"
Lyria could only nod, still trembling.
"Even so… be careful, Kai."
Kaito held her hands, looking into her eyes.
"No matter what… I'll be fine… and I'll protect you."
Professor Helix entered the hall. All the students gathered, ready to showcase their formations and abilities for the practical exam.
Kaito and Lyria were called to demonstrate their formation.
They moved in perfect sync, every instruction from Kaito executed flawlessly by Lyria. Their formation was perfect, defense strong, coordination unmatched.
Professor Helix observed closely, then smiled.
"Well done… you've earned 10 points. Excellent."
Kaito and Lyria exchanged a relieved smile. They had succeeded today—but they knew tougher challenges still lay ahead.
In Combat Mage class, the battles were intense.
Kaito and Zack sparred tirelessly, sweat soaking their bodies, breaths heavy—but their determination burned bright.
Suddenly, Professor Yauna appeared in the training arena.
"Kaito," his voice firm, "attack me with all your strength. Use all your magic—I want to see your true potential."
Kaito looked at him seriously. He raised his hands, gathering energy, launching an attack combining two elements: Ignis and Ventus.
No matter how strong his attack, the Professor remained calm, evading with ease. Not a single strike touched him.
Frustrated, Kaito continued training, trying every strategy and variation of attack, until the midterm practical exam finally arrived.
He knew one thing: to protect Lyria and face his destiny, he had to become stronger—faster than he had ever imagined.
One day passed.
Two days passed.
The long-awaited day—the practical exam—finally began.
To be continued~