"Well, screw him. He won't even step inside if he sees the true strength of my father. That's why my father couldn't step inside the forbidden forest for a reason. If he gets lured in, those monsters will attack our land. Except for my father, who is the strongest, our land will fall if he doesn't stay here. But one thing is for sure…"
Kairo's thoughts raced as he ran toward the grand hall.
He is gonna kidnap me like last time. I have to inform my father.
He noticed Leonhart training in the courtyard beside the castle. Leonhart looked unusually nervous, sweat dripping from his brow as he swung his wooden sword with extra force.
"Uhh, no time. Gotta inform my dad,"
Kairo muttered, rushing past.
Inside the hall, King Ariston was already buried in work despite the early morning hour. Scrolls and documents covered his desk.
Kairo burst into the room without knocking.
Renji's father, who was standing nearby, raised an eyebrow.
"Hey there, Kairo. But respect your parents. Don't enter like that."
"I am sorry, but it is urgent. I am very worried about the academy. I am very nervous, dad," Kairo said quickly.
Why didn't I inform him about the dream? he thought, guilt twisting in his chest.
Renji's father smiled gently and patted Kairo's shoulder.
"Well, take care, buddy. My son woke up at midnight and it seems like he can't sleep well. I gotta make sure he stays calm and doesn't overwork himself."
Kairo greeted him politely as the man left.
Kairo adjusted his plain academy uniform, frowning.
"Father, why is my uniform so plain? I wanted to know that."
King Ariston looked up from his papers, amused.
"So that's why you entered like that??"
"Why don't I have to wear a fancy robe? And dad, you are a king too. Why don't you wear good clothes? Even our poorest man in this land wears better clothes, even though it looks fine, but still…"
King Ariston laughed heartily, then patted the seat beside him, motioning for Kairo to sit on his lap like he did when he was younger.
"Kairo, the academy must be equal for all. And yeah, I wear these clothes for a reason. It's because I just don't want to be arrogant. Beware of arrogance — arrogance in strength, arrogance due to power. Those who are arrogant one day will lose it all. If they don't lose it, they will have a special seat in hell. So Kairo, that uniform of yours will help you to be humble."
Kairo shifted uncomfortably.
"Father, you know I didn't want to tell you that…"
The King's expression grew serious.
"Yeah, I know. Because you saw that man who kidnapped you. I was powerless last time because I didn't believe in God. I didn't believe in any kind of god. But after that messenger, I started believing in God. So Kairo, I know you are from a different world. You don't follow our god, but Kairo, don't worry. My blessing will always be with you. I will always pray for you to be safe. And I know I can't help you in that journey, but that pain will make you stronger. I don't know if you will survive, but remember — don't die like a coward. Die like a warrior. You understand, my son? Go on. Don't worry or fear that monster. Just believe in God. Will you? I hope you will get faith in your heart."
Kairo scratched his head awkwardly.
"Uhh, I am not religious, dad. I am a modern man, but… ok. If you say so, I will believe in your religion. But I can't pray one hundred prayers like that."
King Ariston waved him off with a warm smile.
"Go on."
Kairo left the room, walking through the corridor. He spotted his mother, Queen Ayame. Her eyes were red from crying. He wanted to comfort her, but she ignored his presence and entered the room where King Ariston was. Soon, raised voices echoed — she was fighting with the King.
Kairo sensed her sharp awareness and quickly ran away.
"She sensed me. Her sense level is way too strong…"
Further ahead, he saw Leonhart talking with a girl.
"Ohh, he is talking with her again. What a simp. At the age of studying, he is wasting his time around girls. Uhh, what a lame guy. Well, anyway, he is my friend. Gotta be respectful."
Then he noticed Renji, full of energy despite dark circles under his eyes. Daichi was sleeping on his horse. Akio waved enthusiastically at Kairo.
Kairo waved back and joined them.
"So, are you ready for the academy?"
Renji and Akio screamed together.
"We are ready!"
Daichi didn't even bother opening his eyes, still half-asleep on his horse.
Akio looked around.
"Where is Leonhart?"
"Well, flirting with a girl," Kairo replied dryly.
Akio sighed.
"Uhh, doesn't he have other things to do? Like, Mita is acceptable. I understand he is flirting with her, but I am kinda sad. Who will even flirt with Mika?"
Mika suddenly appeared and smacked Akio on the head.
"Well, don't say bad things behind my back. If you do, look here and there before making me bad."
Akio winced.
"Uhh… No, Mika. You look beautiful. But truth is always bitter. I was lying."
Mika punched him again.
Hina stepped in calmly.
"Akio, don't make fun of other people's appearances. You have to respect others."
"Uhh, ok. I am sorry. I won't degrade you," Akio muttered.
Mika smiled sweetly at Hina.
"Thank you, Hina. You are the sweetest friend I ever got. Only you can fix the great Akio."
Kairo seemed a bit gloomy as they continued walking.
Daichi, still half-asleep on his horse, mumbled,
"What's wrong? Are ya nervous? If you are, just chill. You are the prince. Just execute the teacher if he messes with you."
Kairo gave a weak laugh.
"Yeah… great words, Daichi. Great words."
Renji stretched.
"Uhh, let's get going already."
Akio suddenly shouted toward the distance.
"Leonhart! If you are done with flirting, come now, will ya?"
Leonhart jogged over and jumped smoothly onto his horse.
"Hey, I wasn't flirting!"
Akio grinned.
"Ok, let's race with our horses. Let's see who gets there first!"
Everyone screamed excitedly.
"Yess!"
They started riding their horses at full speed toward the academy.
Akio pulled up beside Kairo.
"Don't worry. Just remember — don't fear anyone or any future things. Just be in the present and give your best."
Kairo smiled gratefully.
"Yeah, I will."
"You guys can go. I need to buy something and don't follow me. It is a secret."
They all nodded.
"Ok, hurry up, Kai!"
Great nickname. It's my favorite character, but I don't have time for that. I have to meet Liana. She told me to meet her because she just can't handle the nervousness. Only she can count on me.
Kairo met Liana near the path to the academy. Ayaka was with her.
"Liana, are you okay?"
Kairo asked gently.
Ayaka looked worried.
"Kairo, she is way too nervous."
Liana fidgeted, cheeks flushed.
"Yeah… I am very nervous. I don't wanna attend. I wanna skip. I just don't wanna stand between all those people. I am just too shy."
Kairo offered a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry. Just hide behind me. I will handle it. Later."
Liana hesitated.
"But people always look at you…"
"Don't worry. They will look at me, so all the attention will be toward me. Don't worry. I can be a distraction. You can be safe if you are with me."
Liana nodded, relieved.
"Ok, I will."
Ayaka clapped her hands.
"Kairo, give Wind to me. I will make sure your horse will be taken good care of by my brother. It is nearby the academy you built. So let's go, Kairo. Aren't you excited? And yeah, let's walk down there."
Kairo nodded.
"Ok, I understand."
After handing Wind over to Ayaka's brother, the three of them walked together toward the academy, chatting lightly.
The academy rose before them like a majestic beacon of knowledge and strength.
Its architecture was breathtaking — grand white marble towers intertwined with elegant ivy-covered arches, wide courtyards filled with blooming cherry trees, and soaring stained-glass windows depicting ancient heroes and magical beasts. The main building resembled a grand castle merged with great numerous statues and designs which where fitting to the each room or objects and it was very much suiting to the atmosphere, with multiple tiers of balconies overlooking training fields where students practiced sword forms. Golden banners fluttered in the breeze, and the entire structure radiated a light, fantastical aura that made it feel both welcoming and awe-inspiring — the perfect blend of academy and fantasy wonder.
Kairo, Liana, and Ayaka stood still for a moment, admiring its beauty.
"Isn't it beautiful?"
Kairo murmured.
Liana blushed slightly.
"Just like you…"
Suddenly, Kairo noticed a flashing light in the distance.
"Do you see that?"
he asked, pointing.
But before they could react, the world around him blurred.
King Ariston and Queen Ayame were already standing there, along with all their parents and even ten generations of grandfathers. The air grew heavy with an otherworldly presence.
Liana's eyes widened.
"Great-great-great grandfather… Is that for me?"
Kairo squinted.
"Doesn't he look like my dad's age?"
His vision suddenly went blurry. Ayaka moved closer to her mother in confusion.
"Uhh… my head…"
Kairo groaned.
The flashing light turned into complete darkness.
Then Kairo simply faded away like smoke.
Everyone reacted in panic.
King Ariston stared at the empty space where his son had been, his face pale but resolute. "Kairo… I hope you survive your journey."
Kairo stood at the edge of the forbidden forest, the air thick and heavy with an unnatural silence.
Uhh… here we go again. I knew it wasn't my teacher. It was someone who is a pain in the ass.
The forest before him was no ordinary woodland. Towering black trees twisted like broken bones, their bark slick with an oily darkness that seemed to drink in the light. Thick roots crawled across the ground like veins, pulsing faintly as if alive. A cold, damp mist clung to everything, carrying the faint metallic scent of blood and decay. Shadows moved on their own, slithering between the trunks, whispering in voices too low to understand but impossible to ignore. Red eyes glowed in the distance — countless pairs, watching, waiting.
Kairo exhaled slowly, his breath visible in the chill. He scanned the darkness without flinching.
Uhh… wasn't I supposed to fear them?
From the void between the trees, a creature emerged. It had pale, corpse-white skin stretched too tightly over elongated limbs. Its face was a nightmare — a wide, frozen smile with too many teeth, eyes like empty black pits that seemed to swallow light. The thing moved with a jerky, unnatural gait, its joints cracking loudly in the silence.
Yet Kairo's expression remained calm, almost bored. He didn't back away. He didn't even tense up.
The mysterious figure materialized beside him, clapping slowly with exaggerated delight. His laughter echoed like shattering glass, high and manic.
"So you are seeing them? Is this their beautiful form? If you had seen their real face, you would have died!"
He threw his head back and laughed like a maniac, the sound bouncing off the twisted trees.
Kairo kept his poker face, completely unfazed. He tilted his head slightly, voice flat. "So… what kind of torture are you gonna give me this time? What kind of torment? I just don't know what will happen to me. I have no faith."
The mysterious figure's grin widened unnaturally, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement as the forest seemed to close in tighter around them, the red eyes multiplying in the darkness.
The moment Kairo vanished, silence fell like a curse. Then chaos erupted.
The King's face turned deathly pale as he roared, voice cracking with raw panic.
"Seal the borders! Search every corner of the kingdom! Find my son!!"
Leonhart's fists trembled violently, his eyes wide with fury and fear.
"Not again… First we were taken, and now he's alone?!" He punched the ground hard enough to crack the stone, knuckles bleeding.
Liana clutched Ayaka's arm, tears streaming down her cheeks as she refused to believe what she had just seen.
"Kairo… no… he can't be gone again…"
Ayaka's face was ashen, her usual calm completely shattered. She covered her mouth, sobbing quietly.
"Not the cursed forest… Please, not that place…"
Duke Lionhart fell to his knees, whispering in horror.
"Not the cursed forest… He is just a kid. Even my great-great-grandfather couldn't survive there…"
Renji's face twisted with rage. He slammed his fist into a nearby pillar, cracking it.
"Damn it! We just got him back… and now this?! I'll tear that forest apart myself if I have to!"
Daichi, usually lazy and calm, stood frozen, his sharp eyes filled with rare panic.
"This isn't normal… Kairo's the only one who can handle that place, but alone? That's suicide…"
Akio's usual bold energy vanished. His hands shook as he stared at the empty space where Kairo had been.
"Kairo… you idiot… don't you dare die in there! We still have to race horses and eat cake together!"
Mika bit her lip hard, tears welling up.
"He always protects everyone… Who's going to protect him now?"
Hina clutched a small flower chain she had been making, her gentle face pale with worry. "Kairo… please come back safe. We need you…"
Within hours, the entire Land of Harmony was in motion. Armies marched through villages, citizens lit torches, banners were raised. Search parties spread across mountains, rivers, and hidden caves. Every soldier, every noble, every commoner shouted the same desperate name:
"Kairo!!"
But the truth was bitter—none could step beyond the barrier of harmony. The cursed forest lay outside their reach, a forbidden realm that swallowed anyone who dared to enter.
At midnight, the King stood alone in the palace courtyard, watching his people search in vain. His hands trembled as he whispered brokenly to the empty sky:
"My son… my Kairo… please hold on. If you cannot return, then may God Himself guard you until I find a way."