REAS was sitting among with his fellow freshmen of the Imperial Military Academy, listening to the speech of the academy’s chancellor.  It was very formal-like, full of congratulations and positive encouragement.  Reas didn’t really care much for it.  Frankly speaking, if he was not sitting at the very front seat of this auditorium, he would have already dosed off.

The students who were sitting in this auditorium and listening to this speech were the ones who successfully passed the week-long training.  Their numbers barely even reached a thousand.  One could say that the ones here were indeed the best of the best. 

They were seated based on their department and the ranks they got during training.  That’s why Reas was at the very front and beside him was Cyrus Lancaster.  Ash was sitting beside the other.  Ash had been talking to him despite Cyrus sitting in between them.

It’s actually quite a huge feat that the chancellor who had been speaking on the stage hadn’t yet scolded the other.  Or maybe he just chose to ignore it.  But the one who probably couldn’t ignore it any longer was Cyrus.

“Hey, hey, Reas—”

“Can you stop with your yammering?” Cyrus cut off whatever Ash was about to say.  “Talk to Townsend once we’re outside and not with me stuck sitting between the two of you.  I don’t want to hear any of what you’re saying.  It’s not only unnecessary, it’s downright annoying!”

“Hey, relax, dude.  Who told you to rank second?” Ash retorted as if it was Cyrus’ fault that he was feeling annoyed right now.

Cyrus seemed about to explode and shout at Ash but stopped because of the next thing that the chancellor said. 

“And now, let’s all welcome the youngest General of our Empire.  The White Wolf of Alluna – His Highness, Wulfric de Lunaris!”

The whole auditorium visibly quietened down.  It’s like one could even hear their own breathing.  If a pin dropped right at this moment, it would definitely echo in this silence.

Then, from behind the stage walked out a tall man in white military uniform.  His white hair was neatly combed and his golden eyes were subtly filled with irritation.  He walked to the center of the stage and pulled the neckline of his uniform.  As if he was uncomfortable that he was properly wearing his military uniform.

“I was invited here today to give you lot a pep talk because apparently this school year is a special year for this academy.  And thus, making you who managed to qualify to be a student here very special,” he started.  “But guess what?  You’re not.  You’re just like any other kid out there standing at the starting point of your life.  Whatever choices you make from here on out will define whether you’ll be someone great or just… someone.

“The Imperial Military Academy will provide you with the guidance, the tools, and the learning materials for you to reach whatever aspiration you might have when you decided to enter this place.  If by the end of your studies and you still haven’t learned a damn bit, then, that’s on you.

“So, my only advice, and this one works in any situation, whether you’re a student wanting to be a soldier or a poor man wanting to have a good life, work your ass off.  Don’t be fucking lazy.  Because the moment you stop trying, then your life will also stop moving at that moment.  You will forever stay at that point, wondering where everything had gone wrong.

“That’s probably everything I wanted to say.  Whether you put it into heart or not is up to you.  Oh, and congratulations on passing the week-long training and managing to be a student of this academy.”

The chancellor didn’t know how to react after hearing that speech.  Although the speech itself had some lessons in it, the way the prince had said it was, well, very much like the prince.  Blunt and full of hidden barbs.  At the end, he simply chose not to react.  It’s not as if the other had said something inappropriate anyway. 

After finishing the speech that Leland had gave him – well, at his version of it – Wulfric walked to the back of the stage.

The students on the audience area remained silent.  No one knew who clapped first but after that one clap, everyone followed and the auditorium was filled with thunderous applause. 

“Who would have thought the general would actually put an effort to make a speech that makes sense?” Ash commented.

“I think he only made that up on the spot,” Reas said.

But nevertheless, that speech was still not that bad.  It’s actually quite good.  Straightforward and didn’t stray from the important points.

The chancellor then said a few more things before the opening ceremony ended.

Reas walked out of the auditorium along with the others.  He hadn’t yet walked a few steps when he felt an arm over his shoulder.  He knew it was Ash so he simply gave the other a sideway glance, asking with his eyes what he wanted.

“I’m off to meet my brother, you too as well, right?”

Reas nodded.

“Then, see you tomorrow.  Next time, be sure to introduce me to your twin, okay?” 

Before he could answer, Ash had already run off.  Reas could only shook his head.  Well, because of what Hildred said before about Ash having a childhood sweetheart, he was now not so averse in introducing his new roommate to Astrid.

He continued to walk towards the entrance of the academy, thinking of quickly getting a taxi to take him to Astrid’s school.  Then, the two of them could eat out before going back to his brother’s apartment.

Just as he was about to reach the gate, he suddenly received a message.  When he opened the message, his brows immediately furrowed when he read it.

[Is the prince still there?]

Instead of replying as fast as he could, he found a quite place where few students passed and video called Astrid.  The other quickly accepted the call and his brother’s beautiful face appeared on the screen.

“What’s with that question?” Reas asked straight.

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