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 slowly stepped downstairs, her thoughts heavy and 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 only her studies...
but the weight of everything 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.
Several 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 stepped 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 on something.
"Happy New Year," he whispered.
Elara flinched, startled, and quickly turned 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 inside.
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 had taken 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."
She looked around the classroom.
*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.*
A faint smile formed on her face.
"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?*
When 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 were 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 Seven.
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 filled his mind, but there were no answers.
---
On the way back from school, Alaric said nothing.
Even when they reached their residence, he remained silent.
He went straight to his room and lay on his bed.
He kept thinking about why Caelin had changed his class and residence.
*Did something happen at home?*
The thought lingered until exhaustion finally overtook him.
He passed out.
---
Caelin reached his new residence, where he would be staying with Simon, Silvia, and Katy.
"Welcome," Katy said.
Caelin nodded and smiled.
"Hope we get along this year."
Katy smiled and stepped closer.
"Wow, I've never seen you this close before. You're really handsome... and tall."
Her eyes lit up with excitement.
Silvia quickly pulled her back.
"Come on, you're going to give him a hard time on his first day. I'm sorry about that, Caelin," she said with a small smile.
"Ah, it's okay. Anyway, is my room upstairs?" Caelin asked.
"Ah, yes. It's on the right side, next to Simon's. Me and Katy are staying downstairs," Silvia replied, showing him the way.
Caelin began cleaning and placing his belongings where they belonged.
Then he found something.
A badge.
Gold.
In the middle, it read:
**The Chosen Class.**
He stared at it.
His thoughts drifted back to a few days earlier.
---
"Sir, you called me?" a maid asked as she entered.
"Yes. Go and call Caelin."
A few minutes later, a guard opened the door.
Caelin entered and saw his father, King Conrad.
As he approached, Conrad turned toward him and cleared his throat.
"Ehem... Caelin, you remember asking me for permission to join the knights?"
He held his drink in one hand.
Caelin looked at him.
"Yes, Father."
Conrad slowly swirled his glass before looking directly into Caelin's eyes.
"I changed my mind."
Caelin froze.
"You already gave me permission. Why did you change your mind? Is it because I have friends?"
His voice rose with anger.
Conrad placed his glass down.
"No need to shout. I said what I said, and I'll do what's right for you."
He paused and took a deep breath.
"Listen. I'm going to give you options."
Caelin, frustrated, asked,
"What is it?"
King Conrad walked 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 slammed his hand against the table.
"What is this? You're making me choose between my friends and what I love doing."
Conrad's expression hardened.
"Friendship and connection are nothing but burdens for someone who is about to take care of a kingdom," he said 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 sat down in disbelief, staring at the floor.
King Conrad looked at him.
"What? You think he's not capable of that?"
He paused.
"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 clenched his fists.
"No. He will become a knight, no matter what."
He took a breath.
"But this isn't just about the throne or becoming a knight."
"It's about the connection we have... and I don't want to ruin it because of my selfish dreams."
Conrad smirked.
"So you choose to stay... and never pursue your dream?"
He picked up his glass.
Caelin sat 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 lowered his head, still silent.
After a while, King Conrad spoke.
"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 looked at his father.
"I'll leave my class... and my residence."
His father smiled and clapped.
"That's good for your future. And don't worry, you can be friends again in the future."
He laughed lightly.
Caelin looked down, frustrated.
*Even my own choice... hurts me.*
He exhaled, thinking back to Alaric's reaction.
Guilt and frustration tightened in his chest.
---
After a while, the sound of a knock pulled him back.
Knock, knock.
"It's Katy. We're having dinner soon. Mind coming down?"
Caelin approached the door.
"Ah, sure," he said.
Then he headed downstairs.
---
On the other side, Elara and Lalanat were having dinner together.
Lalanat spoke in a low, slightly nervous voice.
"Do you think Alaric is alright? He didn't even come down to eat."
Elara exhaled softly as she ate.
"Who knows. Maybe it's better if we give him some space for now. Though... at least eating a little would be good," she said, a hint of annoyance in her tone.
Lalanat looked at the empty seat.
"This is the first time I've seen him refuse to eat."
She kept staring at the spot where Alaric usually sat.
"By the way... what do you think is happening to Caelin? Why does he suddenly have to change his class and residence?"
She leaned slightly closer.
Elara thought 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."
She shrugged.
"But who knows."
She finished her food while Lalanat remained lost in thought.
---
After a while, Lalanat and Elara slowly approached Alaric's room, careful with their steps.
As they reached the door, they leaned in, trying to listen.
Suddenly, the door opened.
Alaric looked at them, both crouched awkwardly near the door.
"What are you two doing?" he asked, confused.
They quickly straightened up.
Elara forced a smile.
"Ah... haha, we were just trying to wake you up. It's time for dinner, you know."
Lalanat nodded quickly.
"Y-yeah, you've been quiet, so we thought we should check on you."
Alaric still looked slightly dazed.
"Haa... I... see. I'm coming."
They both nodded.
"Ah, yeah—sure."
Then they rushed downstairs.
Alaric sat in his chair, staring at the meal in front of him, while Elara and Lalanat washed the dishes.
As she washed, Lalanat kept 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?*
A voice suddenly followed.
"What is this feeling?"
Lalanat flinched and looked toward the source.
For a moment, it felt as though someone had spoken her thoughts aloud.
It was Alaric.
"I didn't lose a battle or get hurt... but part of me feels so empty. Frustrated," he said quietly.
"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 walked over and took a seat beside him.
"Listen, Alaric... that's what it feels like to lose someone you care about," she said gently.
"Sometimes, strength alone isn't enough to protect everything. Especially something like this."
Alaric looked confused.
"Lose...?"
"Why does it hurt this much?"
Elara exhaled 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 looked down.
"Best friend...?"
"But do friends hurt each other like this?"
Elara paused, 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 leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
Silence filled the room.
Lalanat watched them quietly.
No one said a word.
Suddenly, Alaric sat 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 appeared on his face.
Elara looked at him and nodded.
"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 paused, then added,
"And... he's still at our school. You can meet him anytime."
Her voice softened slightly.
"But whether he still wants to stay friends... that's a different story."
Alaric paused, doubt settling in for a moment.
But only for a moment.
He shook his head lightly, as if pushing the thought away.
"...Yeah. Maybe something just happened at his home."
The heavy mood began to lift.
Elara exhaled in relief and stood up.
"Now stop acting like you just went through a breakup and eat."
She paused, then added,
"And wash your own dishes."
Alaric started eating.
"Is that really how people feel when they break up?" he asked, food still in his mouth.
Elara stopped for a moment at the doorway.
"It's worse than that."
Then she left.
Alaric focused on his food.
Lalanat watched quietly before slowly returning to her room.
---
That night, Alaric promised himself he would become a knight...
and meet Caelin again.
In her room, Elara brushed her hair in front of the mirror.
She paused, gently touching the amulet around her neck.
"It's already time for you to figure it out," she muttered softly.
"...Idiot."
Then she went to sleep.
That night, after returning from their holiday, the three of them began living together again.
Not the same as before...
but it was a start.