The night’s gone, the moon reign ended, now she's replaced by a symbol of beginning that shone peacefully and quietly to all.

Robin opened his eyes; the sun had already invaded his room, dazzling him, who had a little difficulty getting used to it. He awakens from the same dream, a dream he first saw a decade ago.

Robin took a moment to stare at the ceiling of the room and consider what the dream meant for the millionth time before finally getting up from his bed.

He started the morning excitedly, stripping himself naked and showering with clean water that Robin can use any time, an advantage of being the great general's son.

After being satisfied with scrubbing his body clean, Robin started dressing, wearing uniform per the university's rules while combing his waist-length blonde hair.

Now confident with his appearance, Robin prepared what he needed today. He then stepped into the kitchen of their house. There, he found it empty as he hoped.

His mother’s asleep still and his father's busy personally supervising the training of the most excellent soldiers of the capital for the annual competition.

All of that allows Robin to practice what he learned at the university yesterday, letting him cook two simple recipes that don't require a lot of spices or time.

After he finished making vegetable soup and meatballs, Robin arranged everything on the table for his mother to find. He then snatched an apple from a sack in the kitchen corner because now he had much more important things ahead.

Robin trotted cautiously through the streets of the still dozy capital. Along the way, she was greeted by people accustomed to seeing him enthusiastically starting the day so early in the morning with a pile of books in hand and an apple in his pocket.

Exiting the exciting part of town deliver Robin to the place where he stopped the most during his trip: the slums where he will always give a silver or two to the poor he finds.

That and the fact that Robin took the circled route was the main reason Robin woke up so early, not to mention he enjoy greeting people and the occasional cooking.

All that morning activities were enough for many people to call Robin productive, without counting the lessons he would soon receive at the university that he had reached.

"Morning, Sir," said Robin, accompanied by a smile to the university gatekeeper who replied, "Red." With a smile that is just as warm.

Has exchanged greetings with the gatekeeper, Robin stepped inside to find a sight he was all too familiar with.

The students walked back and forth with their respective companies. They were all graceful and beautiful in their ignorance of Robin, who also had his own goals there.

Robin continued walking, treading the usual road to his class before the bell rang and forced him to stay put until the next course comes, a boring experience for Robin.

On his way to class, Robin’s met and was greeted by several of his peers who replied in kind.

When he got to the classroom, Robin put the apple he had brought with him on the teacher's desk before sitting in the front, being the first to arrive at the class.

It only took a moment for the other friends to catch up and once again greeted Robin, who still looked full of energy in his seat.

Robin already has paper and stationery in front of him, ready to write down all kinds of explanations from the teacher, who finally comes in to receive the usual formal greetings.

Robin's day continues by listening to explanation after explanation. His first class today is ethics, and listening to and watching the teacher's demonstration, it’s clear that Robin still has a lot to learn about ethics.

Maybe mom too, Robin thought with a smile as he recalled his mother's much more masculine behaviour than all the women Robin had ever met.

Such thought evolves into more delusions that were ended by the bell, concluding their class while giving all the students a little rest before they move again.

The girls inside started gossiping and telling stories while Robin was busy tidying up his books and stationery to make it easier to carry them to the next class.

After doing that, Robin stared silently around for a moment with a hint of envy in his heart. Robin indeed knows them all, but none of them really know Robin.

After all, Robin's already been advised by his mother to keep his identity secret at the university. At least until he graduated and had the diploma and education to become a politician.

Here, Robin is known only as Red Hood, not using his family's name, which is more valuable and known to all.

Of course, some people are already suspicious of the similarities between Red's appearance at the university and Robin, the son of Arion Andemo, the great merciless general.

Starting from the face, hair color, tone of voice to the route Robin takes. The similarity between the two was irresistible, and Robin had to agree because it was true.

However, not many people can prove the resemblance, especially after Robin slowly disappeared from the public eye with his mother's help. Add to the fact that Arion is too harsh to be persuaded by gossip, Robin has not been and probably never will be caught.

Because of that, without a doubt, he continued to the next class after hearing another bell.

His steps slowed somewhat, allowing the other students to pass but not so far ahead to cause concern.

Remembering the ten years of his life he spent here, Robin also remembered that soon he would graduate and have a certificate in his own name.

When that time comes, Robin must tell everyone his true identity and hoped his mother's influence is strong enough to get him the diploma.

And if his mother's influence is not enough, it means that Robin must admit everything to his father, who wants Robin to be a real man.

Robin’s afraid to do that. Thinking about that possibility alone was enough to make Robin stop on his way to class, only to be awakened by the teacher who will teach Robin in the next lesson.

Robin's day then continues as usual, going on without so much trouble with Robin jotting down all the things he feels are essential in his journals.

Ethics, dance, politics, history, and logic are all the lessons today. A schedule that is very unattractive for Robin, who really likes cooking.

Although Robin must admit, the reason he never really enjoyed dancing was because of the dance partner. Robin always thought she was not necessarily that attractive.

"No, no, no." Robin shook his head, "I'm sorry, Eri. Sorry, sorry, sorry." Erasing the thought from his head before standing and exiting the class that had been finished for a while now.

Robin watched the other students come home in pairs, lifting their uniforms so they wouldn't get dirtied with dust while holding their books in hand.

Robin's jealousy returned for a moment, bringing a melancholy that Robin didn't really want.

He had to go home before night comes and his father was home to see him looking like this because if that happened, Robin would die. Hence, in the worst case: Robin should not just go home until his father is not there.

Filled with such thought, Robin forced his feet to move and sped up his pace.

"Evening, sir!" Robin waved goodbye to the gatekeeper, too hasty to stop his jog for a proper goodbye.

"Evening, Hood!" He replied, "Be careful on the road!" And warned.

Robin nodded and continued.

Unlike the route he went, Robin's return route was relatively straight and lacked any turns or reasons to stop.

Even so, that doesn't mean Robin will arrive home fast enough to race his father, who should be on his way home too.

And sure enough, at home, Robin's mother was already busy arguing with her husband, who had just arrived.

"Can we at least wait for Robin? I'm sure he will be home soon."

"I'm hungry, Ether. And your child should be able to find food on his own now. All he did is disappearing since morning and coming home at dusk to sleep until the said morning arrives again." Arion rebuts his wife's plea, still busy removing the robes and armor he used to make him more authoritative.

"Our son is fighting his own battle." Demeter emphasized, full of anger, "What part of that can’t you understand?" She tugged at her husband's shoulder, so their eyes meet, "He just wants to make you proud."

In the last sentence, "Makes me proud?" The dam that held up all kinds of feelings for Arion every time his son was discussed, "If he really wants to make me proud ..." Broke, " ... he'll stay in the academy!"

Arion pulled his shoulder away, “He's running! After failing on his first day, he ran!" Arion's eyes accused angrily, "And you helped him!" Putting half of the blame on his wife.

"That’s my fault?" Demeter asked, raising an eyebrow. She challenges her husband, who answered: "Of course! You're his mother!"

"And you? Who are you if not the father?"

"I have no children." Arion answered with hatred, "Not anymore." Alongside a pang sadness.

His wife was silent in disbelief listening to the words that had just come out of Arion's mouth. The great general was aware of his words' implications but too proud to back down from the position he had taken so boldly.

Silence fell on the two, with Demeter tearily holding back her urge to beat the man in front of her with all the strength she had.

Robin still needs Demeter's good reputation among the people of the capital; if only his beloved son no longer needs her, then she will definitely ....

"... Forget it." Demeter calmed down, "Let me tell you what you don't have, dear Arion." Taking a deep breath that was exhaled with disappointment, “You have no heart. That's what you don't have. " Demeter finished her sentence, "Bastard." Letting her body wearily wilt into their living room chair.

Her eyes stared at the ceiling in shocked still, wanting to ask justice from the gods who had matched her with an immoral man like Arion.

Or maybe, Demeter should blame her father. That stupid old man only accepted Arion's proposal because he wanted the best for his daughter and future descendants.

But clearly, Demeter's father's judgment was wrong

Because outside, Robin was listening.