The scene shifted to the next day at the Royal Academy of South Ryehem. The morning sun streamed through the tall, arched windows of the classroom, casting golden patterns across the desks and stone floor. The air buzzed with idle chatter as students settled in for the day's lessons.
Kazuki, however, was in his usual spot — head resting on his arms at his desk, eyes closed, half-asleep. His unruly dark hair fell over his forehead, and though it looked like he was sleeping, his mind was anything but calm. The remnants of the chaotic dream still lingered at the edges of his consciousness.
The door creaked open, and the teacher strode in, his presence immediately quieting the room. He cleared his throat and, without waiting for anyone to settle further, made an announcement.
"Attention, everyone. In three days' time, you will be sitting for an examination."
A collective gasp rippled through the classroom. Some students straightened in their seats while others exchanged wide-eyed glances. Kazuki lazily opened one eye, barely reacting.
The teacher continued."This is no ordinary exam. It will determine your eligibility to sit for the final examinations of this year. If you do not pass this test, you will be ineligible for the finals."
The teacher's words hung heavy in the air like a storm cloud.
Then, as quickly as he came, the teacher launched into the day's lesson, but no one truly listened. Even after he eventually left the classroom, the room erupted in hushed murmurs.
"There were four more months before the finals!" one student exclaimed, a note of panic in his voice. "Why now? This rule was supposed to start from the fourth grade, not us!"
As the boy finished his sentence, his eyes darted toward Kazuki, suddenly realizing the emperor's son was in the same room. His words caught in his throat, and an awkward silence fell.
But Kazuki, unfazed, lazily lifted his head and looked around.
"I think," Kazuki began, his voice calm and even, "this is because when the passing exam for the finals happened in the fourth grade last year, the students panicked. Most had never faced something so abrupt before. To avoid that happening again, an easier version of the test is being introduced in the third grade, so students will already be prepared by the time they reach fourth grade."
His explanation was simple, logical — and it made perfect sense.
The classroom fell quiet for a moment, then a wave of nods followed."Yeah… that does make sense.""That's probably it.""Leave it to Kazuki to figure it out."
Even the boy who'd spoken earlier sighed in relief, grateful Kazuki hadn't taken offense. The room's tense mood gradually lifted as students returned to discussing strategies for preparing.
Kazuki, meanwhile, turned his gaze toward his desk. He picked up his pen and rolled it between his fingers, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Still," he thought, "even the smallest changes in this kingdom can ripple into something greater. I wonder if this too… is part of the larger scheme."
He stared at the pen for a moment longer, then set it down and leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes once more as the chatter of his classmates filled the room.
Somewhere deep down, Kazuki knew — this wasn't just about an exam. Every decision, every sudden change carried weight in a kingdom like South Ryehem. And soon enough, those ripples would reach him too.