Date: September 22, 2214 (17 Years Before the Fall)
POV: Saki Yamada
The sun had barely risen above the trees of the Forest of Withered Stars when Saki Yamada stood at the academy courtyard, her heart thudding louder than the morning bell.
Everything felt... heavier today.
Yesterday's revelation still echoed in her mind: the moment her twin brother, Haru Yamada—the Crown Prince of Luminara—stepped foot into their school. His chilling presence, the way everyone bowed instinctively, and how Kai, Touya, and Akito looked at her, their eyes full of questions she couldn't yet answer.
She wasn't just Saki to them anymore. She was the princess.
And she hated it.
Saki clenched her fists as she walked across the training ground. Her classmates whispered behind her, eyes filled with awe or jealousy. Even the instructors seemed unsure how to treat her now. It was suffocating.
A sharp voice cut through her thoughts. "You're late, Princess."
Saki turned. Haru stood with perfect posture, arms crossed, his silver-blonde hair catching the morning light. He wore his official Luminara uniform today—pristine white with golden trim—and a long navy cape bearing the royal crest.
"Haru," she muttered, keeping her voice low.
"You should address me as 'Your Highness' in public."
Her brow furrowed. "Don't start with me."
He stepped forward, gaze scanning her like a commander inspecting a soldier. "You can't run from who you are anymore."
"I'm not running," she replied coldly. "I'm living."
They stood there, royalty versus rebellion, neither blinking. But their moment was broken by the sound of three familiar voices.
"Hey, Saki!"
Kai, Touya, and Akito jogged over, panting slightly from their morning training. The boys had grown stronger over the weeks—Touya's strikes were sharper, Akito's footwork quicker, and even Kai's endurance had noticeably improved. But today, it wasn't training they were curious about.
Touya spoke first. "So... it's true?"
"That you're royalty?" Akito added, his brows raised.
Kai just looked at her silently, the same way he always did. No judgment. Just... waiting.
Saki's lips pressed into a thin line. "Yeah. I didn't tell anyone because I didn't want to be treated differently."
Touya scratched his head. "Well, too late for that. You're a literal princess."
Akito chuckled. "I mean, I did always think you were a bit bossy."
Saki narrowed her eyes. "You wanna spar with me right now, Kusanagi?"
Kai stepped forward, his voice quiet. "I don't care if you're a princess. You're still Saki. That's enough."
Her heart skipped. Just for a moment.
Then Haru spoke again, stepping in front of the boys. "You three are her friends?"
Akito raised a brow. "Yeah, got a problem with that?"
"I don't have problems," Haru said flatly. "I have expectations. And I expect anyone near my sister to be worthy of her time."
Kai, unflinching, met Haru's icy gaze. "Then I'll become someone even royalty can't ignore."
Haru studied him for a long moment... then smirked faintly.
"Good answer."
---
That afternoon, the academy held a surprise sparring event. With Haru in attendance, the professors decided it was the perfect opportunity to showcase the students' potential.
One by one, pairs were called to duel. Blades clashed. Magic roared. Dust rose in the arena as young talents pushed their limits.
But the final match was the one no one expected:
Kai Mizushino vs Haru Yamada.
The crowd went silent. Even the wind seemed to pause.
Kai stepped into the arena with a wooden sword gripped tightly. No magic. Just him, standing before royalty.
Haru entered with a regal calm, his own blade resting lazily at his side.
"You don't have mana," he said quietly.
"I don't need it," Kai answered.
Saki's heart pounded from the sidelines. What was he doing?
The signal rang.
Kai dashed forward, eyes focused, legs pushing past his limits. Haru deflected easily, almost lazily, but his gaze sharpened. This wasn't just a formality. Kai was serious.
Strike after strike, Kai kept moving, refusing to give in. Bruised, sweating, but never falling.
Until Haru stopped him mid-swing, wooden blade pressed against Kai's throat.
"Enough," Haru said. "You've proven yourself."
Kai stumbled back, panting. Haru offered a hand.
Kai stared at it... then took it.
The crowd erupted in cheers. Not because the prince had won—but because the weakest boy had stood his ground.
That night, under the stars, Saki looked up at the sky beside her friends.
"I'm still me," she said.
"And we're still us," Touya added.
Kai nodded, smiling faintly.
And for the first time in a while, everything felt right.
To be continued...
[End of Chapter 16: Royal Ripples]