“In the past, there was discord between the Ryuu and the people of Verum, the cause of some of the conflicts can be attributed to the difference in culture, where the Ryuus were prideful and stubborn in nature. However as prideful as they were, they balanced it out with their absolute loyalty to anyone they determined worthy of their respect.”

-Historian as Royal Academy

~Royal Academy~

~Luno~

It’s has been a couple days since the incident at lunch. I took the opportunity to place myself beside Ryo shielding him from any further harassment. Despite helping him he has yet to talk after the incident. I guess he’ll talk when he is ready. Whispers and rumours started to float around, of course, I didn’t listen to any of them. However, Ryo was clearly getting irritated the longer it went on. The peak of that irritation happened at lunch where we were in the classroom still. With the usual expensive lunches from the Cafeteria.

“Why are you doing this?” He quietly whispered under his breath

“Hmmm? What you say?”

“Why are you helping me? You should have reasons, right? Oh, I get it you just want to use me like all the other nobles. Well, I got another thing coming to you bud I ain’t going to be your servant!”

“.....”

“Well!”

“I did say that you owe me a favour, but I never said that I wanted a servant.”

“I know you nobles, you think that you own the whole world till you meet someone with a higher status you bow head like dogs. I fucking hate those kinds of people! You probably aren’t better.”

“.... I won’t say that I understand you.”

“Then stay away from me.”

“But I can say that I understand why you think like this because I think the same way.”

“Huh?”

“The world is filled with those kinds of people. I have had more exposure to those kinds of people than you did so I know what kind of people you are talking about, and I want you to know that I am different.”

“Why should I believe you?”

“Judging by your response you won’t believe me even if I kept saying it. Fine, we should have Physical education next. I will show you why you should believe me.”

~Royal Academy~

~Ryo~

What can he do? I thought he was different from the others. When he stood up for me I was happy, but I realized that like all the other nobles I met, he used his family’s power to control those with a lower position than him. Who’s to say that he won’t use that power to threaten me to comply with his whims. Though when we became class representative, a part of me doesn’t think that he would do that though. Let's just wait and see.

~Royal Academy~

~Luno~

“Alright guys let’s get started, everyone today's is the preliminary physical exam. Where the school determines where everyone fitness is at and how to proceed with each class. We start with….”

Zoning out of what the teacher was saying, I began thinking about how to prove myself to Ryo. Though it’s kind of hard when the person in question shooting lasers into the back of, just focus. All the nobles he has met have been the rare kind that you don’t see every day. I just need to prove that I don’t care about who has more power than who. By showing that I'm superior to all the other kids regardless of status. Ryo is far more interesting than the other kids and I rather not be on the bad side of the person who I’m going to be seeing a lot more of.

“... and we will finish off with a 1 km run.”

That’s how I will do it.

--------------------------

“Now that everyone is rested and ready to go. We start with the first lineup with Silas, Ryo, Lucas, and Luno.”

This is perfect who better to show up than the future emperor himself. How am I going to approach this? Beating him should be the main goal, and if that isn’t enough to convince him next is shit talking, and if that isn’t enough, taunting is another way. I Ready up at the starting line give a brief glance at Ryo, and he still staring at me. Damn dude at least be subtle about it. I'm pretty sure the whole class has noticed you staring at me.

“Ready.”

Should I just trip him, no that would be a dick move.

“Set”

Sticking with plan A would be best.

“Go!”

Off we go. I know I said that I would beat him, but… The prince is fast as fuck. He is already 10 meters in front of me. Holy shit Ryo is right behind him…. And his still looking at me. Dude turn around. There goes my pacing. Well, my only choice is now sprinting to keep up. Now Plan B shit talking.

“Well, how's a going there?*huff* Your majesty.” I do the best courteous bow I could do while running. It probably looked like it nothing like I imagined.

“Know your place! Get away from Lord Silas!” What’s his name.. Ah Lucas came running from behind me.”You lowly merchant. Your nothing but a pebble beneath the great Silas feet!”

Wait I'm getting shit talked to. No its supposed to be the other way around.

“Well if it isn’t dickless follower number one. What brings you here.”

“How vulgar. Is that how you speak in the presence of royalty.”

“No this is how I talk to everyone, but if his majesty is looking for a special type of speech. I'd be honoured to do so.” I clear my throat for effect. “Would you excuse me for my fucking language. This cunt for a face so rudely interrupted my greeting and I became slightly irritated.”

“You Cretin, you will pay for rude behaviour.”

We exchanged insults back and forth almost to the end of the run, till we were both barely breathing. During this entire exchange, Silas and Ryo were trying their best not to burst out laughing. Only 200 meters left. Thanks to dick I’m out of breath, well it’s partly my fault for provoking him, but to be fair those were aimed at the prince.

~Royal Academy~

~Ryo~

Is he an idiot? What is he thinking? While at the same time, Luno’s comebacks are brilliant as hell. I can see that the prince is trying to keep himself from laughing as well. I can see now that he isn’t the same as all the other nobles and sure isn’t better though. He proved his point, I better apologized to him after this.

~Royal Academy~

~Third Person~

As all the four them ran to the end of the 1 km. Luno still trying to prove the Ryo that he was different was far behind Ryo and Silas just 100 meters from the finish line. Lucas who was exhausted was still berating Luno for his behaviour. Luno looked like he was about to collapse, struggling to run with each step being heavier than the last. When suddenly a faint glow could be seen covering the entirety of his body. Lucas who was right beside exclaimed.”What?” Nobody saw what happened next all that everyone saw was a flash and Luno was a the finish line.