Time passed, and an awkward atmosphere remained between Caelin and his father.
Soon, the day came for them to return to the academy.
"Sir Alaric, your carriage has arrived," a maid announced.
Alaric turned back one last time before leaving.
He pulled his parents into a tight embrace, promising he would return as soon as the year was over.
His mother held onto him a little longer, reminding him to be careful… and to write.
His father gently placed a hand on her shoulder, calming her, before looking at Alaric.
"Behave yourself… and enjoy your time there."
Alaric smiled, then took his leave.
On the other side, Caelin was seen off by his mother.
As he stepped forward, his father passed by.
For a brief moment, their eyes met—
…but neither of them spoke.
"I'll be going now, Mom. Take care."
He gave her a small smile before turning away.
"Lalanat, your carriage has arrived."
Her mother's voice called from below.
Lalanat stepped down slowly, her thoughts heavy, her expression uncertain.
"Mom… can't I stay home?"
Her voice was quiet, almost fragile.
Her mother gently brushed her hair.
"Honey… it's only one more year. Once you finish, you won't have to go back again. It would be a waste to stop now."
Lalanat hesitated.
"But… what if I can't ignore my feelings again?"
Her mother paused, seeing the fear she tried to hide.
"If you stay, you're only running away. And that fear will follow you wherever you go. Facing it may hurt… but running from it will hurt longer."
Lalanat lowered her gaze, thinking.
"…okay."
She stepped into the carriage, carrying with her not just her studies—
but the weight of what she had yet to face.
And so, the three of them set out once more, their carriages carrying them back toward the academy—
where Elara was already waiting.
The road felt familiar.
Yet something about it had changed.
Each of them carried a quiet mix of anticipation… and unease—
caught between moving forward into the year ahead,
and the unspoken weight of how it might all end.
Alaric finally arrived at the gate. Some students had arrived at the same time, and the entrance was packed. It took him back to the day he first arrived.
It all started here, he thought, stepping into the academy.
A few butlers took his belongings and carried them toward his residence.
As he walked down the hallway, he spotted Elara standing by the notice board, focused.
"Happy New Year," he whispered.
Elara flinched, startled, quickly turning toward him before letting out a breath.
"Why would you sneak up on me like that? You freaked me out."
Alaric laughed softly. "Sorry, sorry."
He glanced at the board. "Anything interesting?"
Elara looked at him for a moment before turning back.
"Today's the farewell ceremony for the second years. And our classrooms have changed since we're second years now."
Alaric nodded. "Ah, I see. Didn't know that."
Elara gave him a slight look. "You're still the same, huh?"
He smirked. "And you're still serious."
They continued toward their class, arguing lightly along the way.
After a few hours, Lalanat peeked into their new classroom. She saw Alaric and Elara talking and hesitated for a moment. Gathering her courage, she stepped in.
Before she could say anything, Alaric noticed her.
"Oh, Lala. Happy New Year."
Before she could reply, Elara rushed toward her and pulled her into a hug.
"Lalanat, Happy New Year. I missed you so much," she said softly.
"Alaric…" Lalanat greeted quietly.
Alaric smiled. "Ahh, you're still quiet, huh? I guess none of us changed that much."
Then he glanced around.
"But why is Caelin taking so long? I haven't seen him since the hunt."
Elara and Lalanat looked at him, confused.
"Hunting?" they asked at the same time.
Alaric straightened slightly, a hint of pride in his voice as he began telling them about the hunt… and how they took down a bear.
After a while, their teacher walked in.
"Everyone, attention."
She waited as the students took their seats.
"You all know me. I was your class teacher last year as well. Alice."
There's no way I'm letting this class slip away after what they've given me… The Chosen Class badge. My first time. I won't let anyone take that from me, she thought, a faint smile forming.
"Today, we have a farewell ceremony for the second years. It won't take long, so head to the school hall," she said firmly.
As they walked toward the hall, Alaric couldn't help but wonder why Caelin still hadn't arrived.
After a while, they reached the hall. The principal spoke, followed by a few second-year students giving their speeches.
Then Alaric saw him.
Caelin was standing a little distance away.
Alaric's eyes fixed on him, his mind filling with questions.
When did he arrive? Why didn't I notice?
After they were dismissed and told to return to their classes, Alaric quickly made his way toward Caelin.
"Yo, Caelin. When did you get here? Were you late?" he asked with a smile.
Caelin smiled back. "I had a few things to take care of first."
They greeted each other with a handshake.
"Ahh, got it. Just asking. Let's go back," Alaric said, turning to walk.
But Caelin didn't move.
Alaric stopped and looked back.
Elara and Lalanat were watching from the side.
Caelin lowered his gaze slightly, a hint of frustration in his expression.
"I'm no longer in your class… and I've changed my residence as well."
Alaric stared at him, shock and disbelief clear on his face.
"Come on, stop joking. That's not funny."
From behind, a voice called out—
"Caelin, let's go."
Alaric turned. It was Simon, along with his group from Class 7.
Caelin glanced back and smiled lightly. "Yeah, I'm coming."
Alaric grabbed his shoulder, panic creeping into his voice.
"Oi… what do you mean?"
Elara and Lalanat stepped forward, trying to calm him.
Caelin looked at him, still smiling.
"It just turned out this way. I wish you all good luck this year. I need to report to my teacher… so, see you."
He walked away.
Alaric stood there, watching him leave.
Helpless.
Confused.
A thousand questions, with no answers.
They head back from school. Alaric speaks no words, even when they reach their residence.
He goes straight to his room and lies on the bed. He keeps thinking about why Caelin changed his class and residence. Did something happen at home? The thought lingers until he passes out.
Caelin reaches his new residence, where he will stay with Simon, Silvia, and Katy.
"Welcome," Katy says.
Caelin nods and smiles. "Hope we get along this year."
Katy smiles at him and steps closer. "Wow, I've never seen you this close before. You're really handsome… and tall."
She looks excited, her eyes lighting up. Silvia pulls her back.
"Come on, you're going to give him a hard time on his first day. I'm sorry about that, Caelin," she says with a small smile.
"Ah, it's okay. Anyway, is my room upstairs?" Caelin asks.
"Ah, yes. It's on the right side, next to Simon's. Me and Katy are staying downstairs," Silvia replies, showing him the way.
Caelin starts cleaning and placing his things where they belong. Then he finds a badge.
Gold.
In the middle, it reads:
"The Chosen Class."
He keeps staring at it.
A few days ago.
"Sir, you called me?" a maid enters.
"Yes, go and call Caelin."
A few minutes later, a guard opens the door. Caelin enters and sees his father, King Conrad. As he approaches him, Conrad turns toward him and clears his throat.
"Eehem… Caelin, you remember asking me for permission to join the knights?" he asks, holding his drink.
Caelin looks at him. "Yes, Father."
Conrad swirls his glass and looks straight into Caelin's eyes.
"I changed my mind."
Caelin is shocked. "You already gave me permission. Why did you change your mind? Is it because I have friends?" he shouts, angry.
Conrad puts down his glass. "No need to shout. I said what I said, and I'll do what's right for you."
He paused, deep breath.
"Listen, I'm going to give you options."
Caelin, frustrated, asks, "What is it?"
King Conrad walks around the room.
"First, you change your residence and class, and you'll have the freedom to choose whatever path you want to follow. Second, you stay the same, and you don't get the freedom to touch a blade or enter a battle. You will only study and inherit the throne."
Caelin, furious, slams the table. "What is this? You're making me choose between my friends and what I love doing."
Conrad's expression hardens. "Friendship and connection are nothing but burdens for someone who is about to take care of a kingdom," he says firmly.
"Besides, if that friend of yours, Alaric, is truly capable, he might get the chance to become a knight. And you can be friends again once that happens."
Caelin sits down in disbelief, looking at the floor.
King Conrad looks at him. "What? You think he's not capable of that? See, not even you trust him. He'll only hold you back from becoming a great ruler. So stop spending time with him and do as I say."
Caelin clenches his fists. "No. He will become a knight, no matter what. But this isn't just about the throne or being a knight. It's about the connection we have… and I don't want to ruin it because of my selfish dreams."
Conrad smirks. "So you choose to stay… and never pursue your dream?" he says, picking up his glass.
Caelin sits in silence.
If I choose to pursue my dreams, that means betraying our friendship. But if I choose to stay, I'll never be able to touch a sword again. If Alaric becomes a knight, we might meet again in the future… but the future isn't certain. What if everything changes before that?
He lowers his head, still silent.
After a while, King Conrad speaks.
"As your father and the king of this nation, those are the options I can give you. Choose as you wish. But remember, you will inherit the throne. You don't need connections that don't benefit the kingdom."
Caelin looks at his father.
"I'll leave my class… and my residence."
His father smiles and claps. "That's good for your future. And don't worry, you can be friends again in the future," he says with a light laugh.
Caelin looks down, frustrated.
Even his own choice… hurts him.
Caelin exhales, thinking back to Alaric's reaction.
Guilt and frustration tighten in his chest.
After a while, the sound of a knock pulls him back.
Knock, knock.
"It's Katy. We're having dinner soon. Mind coming down?"
Caelin approaches the door. "Ah, sure," he says, then heads downstairs.
On the other side, Elara and Lalanat are having dinner together.
Lalanat speaks in a low, slightly nervous voice.
"Do you think Alaric is alright? He didn't even come down to eat."
Elara exhales softly as she eats.
"Who knows. Maybe it's better if we give him some space for now. Though… at least eating a little would be good," she says, a hint of annoyance in her tone.
Lalanat looks at the empty seat.
"This is the first time I've seen him refuse to eat."
She keeps staring at the spot where Alaric usually sits.
"By the way… what do you think is happening to Caelin? Why does he suddenly have to change his class and residence?"
She leans slightly closer.
Elara thinks for a moment.
"Maybe it's his father. He's pretty strict and cares a lot about the kingdom. Since Caelin is his only child, maybe he doesn't want him involved in battles and things like that. But who knows."
She finishes her food while Lalanat remains lost in thought.
After a while, Lalanat and Elara slowly approach Alaric's room, careful with their steps.
As they reach the door, they lean in, trying to listen.
Suddenly, the door opens.
Alaric looks at them, both crouched awkwardly near the door.
"What are you two doing?" he asks, confused.
They quickly straighten up.
Elara forces a smile.
"Ah… haha, we were just trying to wake you up. It's time for dinner, you know."
Lalanat nods quickly.
"Y-yeah, you've been quiet, so we thought we should check on you."
Alaric still looks slightly dazed.
"Haa… I… see. I'm coming."
They both nod.
"Ah, yeah—sure."
Then they rush downstairs.
Alaric sits in his chair, staring at the meal in front of him, while Elara and Lalanat wash the dishes.
As she washes, Lalanat keeps glancing at him from the corner of her eye.
It hurts to see him happy with others… but seeing him like this, quiet and down, doesn't make me happy either.
What is this feeling? she wonders.
A voice suddenly follows.
"What is this feeling?"
Lalanat flinches, looking toward the source. For a moment, it feels like someone spoke her thoughts aloud.
It's Alaric.
"I didn't lose a battle or get hurt… but part of me feels so empty. Frustrated," he says, his voice quiet. "It's like when I lose to my father during training. I want to win, but I'm not strong enough… and it just builds up like that. Why do I feel like this now?"
Elara walks over and takes a seat beside him.
"Listen, Alaric… that's what it feels like to lose someone you care about," she says gently. "Sometimes, strength alone isn't enough to protect everything. Especially something like this."
Alaric looks confused.
"Lose…? Why does it hurt this much?"
Elara exhales softly.
"Because he matters to you. He's your best friend. And now he's suddenly gone from your life, after all that time together. Of course it hurts."
Alaric looks down.
"Best friend…? But do friends hurt each other like this?"
Elara pauses, searching for words.
"That's… beyond us. We don't know what's going on in his life, and he didn't explain anything. That's why it hurts even more."
Alaric leans back, staring at the ceiling.
Silence fills the room.
Lalanat watches them quietly. No one says a word.
Suddenly, Alaric sits up.
"Wait… we still live in the same nation, right? If I become a knight, we can meet again, right?"
A small spark of hope appears on his face.
Elara looks at him and nods.
"Of course. If you become a knight, whether he's a knight or a prince, you'll see each other again. Just like before."
She pauses, then adds,
"And… he's still at our school. You can meet him anytime."
Her voice softens slightly.
"But whether he still wants to stay friends… that's a different story."
Alaric pauses, the doubt settling in—but only for a moment.
He shakes his head lightly, as if pushing it away.
"…Yeah. Maybe something just happened at his home."
The heavy mood begins to lift.
Elara exhales in relief and stands up.
"Now stop acting like you just went through a breakup and eat."
She pauses, then adds,
"And wash your own dishes."
Alaric starts eating.
"Is that really how people feel when they break up?" he asks, food still in his mouth.
Elara stops for a moment at the doorway.
"It's worse than that."
Then she leaves.
Alaric focuses on his food.
Lalanat watches quietly before slowly returning to her room.
That night, Alaric promises himself he will become a knight… and meet Caelin again.
In her room, Elara brushes her hair in front of the mirror. She pauses, gently touching the amulet around her neck.
"It's already time for you to figure it out," she mutters softly.
"…idiot."
Then she goes to sleep.
That night, after returning from their holiday,
the three of them begin living together.
Not the same as before—but it's a start.
----------------------------------------------------
If you enjoyed this chapter,
I hope you'll stay for the next part of their story.