The Reborn Magus and His Prince

Chapter 9: Outside the Academy

A gentle breeze passed through them, Yulian gazed was a bit unfocused. Past and current memories overlapped in the reflection of his eyes.

Alex took a stride forward and stopped in front of him. He lowered his head and raised a hand to touch his cheeks. "You're hurt."

A warm sensation crawled on the part where Alex's hand touched. The feeling lingered even after he drew back his hand. Only then, did he realize that Alex healed the cuts he received from those branches earlier.

"Alex... You. How come you're here?"

The man in front of him raised the corner of his lips. "I asked you first. A new student like you should not be here."

Yulian snapped back to his senses at his words and tried to find an excuse."I got bored at the dorm.

"And you ended up here?"

"Uh, yeah. I wanted to do some little exploring and somehow got lost here." He gave a little laugh. "And you?"

Instead of answering, Alex turned his eyes away from him and looked at the three covering both of them. A thoughtful, almost forlorn emotion had passed in his eyes. But those emotions disappeared before glancing back at Yulian.

"This is my little secret getaway but it seems a certain someone had discovered it. Hmmm... What to do? Shall I silence him?"

Yulian rolled his eyes at him. "You can't even touch a strand of my hair, let alone kill me."

Alex showed a sheepish smile and shed the threatening aura. "You'll never let that one go, are you?"

"Nope."

He heaved a sigh. "Okay, I admit. A healer like me better off be a support forever."

He snickered."That's a good idea! I'll hire you as my support."

"And I'll be the first ever in history to go down as the prince who gets order around." 

The two stared at each other and grinned. The gloom brought by his memories faded away.

"Come on, I'll take you back," Alex said to him after a short while. He motioned his head for him to follow.

He headed to another path which had an arch opening decorated by another kind of vines that bloomed tiny white flowers. Julian followed right at his back. They entered the archway. Inside, the path was cleared of any protruding roots and wild branches that can scratch one's face. Squared stepping stones are laid out on the ground for a smooth stroll.

"So you're not returning to the palace?" Yulian expected that some students might stay here for the weekend for the same reason as his. But not Alex. The palace was only a one hour drive from here.

The two kept on walking. Yulian skipping on every stone while Alex effortlessly steps on them.

"No." Was Alex curt answer.

It made Yulian think that his relationship with the king must not be that good for him not to come home. It's rare for the royal blood to have a harmonious relationship, it's always like that.

"But aren't you going to be bored here?"

"It's nothing different from there" It's half true, he rather be here alone in peace than meeting random strangers brought by his brother.

Yulian watched the wide back of the person in front and thought, See? This confirms the unfortunate life of a prince. He heard that the current king was his only full-blooded brother and he had killed some of their half-siblings.  He sighed. Tsk...tsk... Poor soul.

Alex heard the heavy sighed at his back and turned at him to know what's wrong. Eyes full of pity met his.

Now, what's this shorty on about? He was puzzled. "Something's wrong?"

Julian walked to him and put his hand on his shoulder. "I maybe don't have much power right now. But we're buddies now, you can always turn to me when you need help, okay?"

Alex still did not fully grasp his thoughts, he watched as Yulian walked past him while shaking his head and still muttering under his breath. "Tsk...tsk... The madness of royalties."

Alex. "...?"

The two reached their way back in no time. The secret path of the prince had led to the back of the dormitory where Yulian had also taken but eventually got lost.

"Why don't you join me for tea since the both of us had nothing better to do here." Alex proposed upon the spot under the balcony.

"That's... " he thought for a while. Since Ignis seemed to be asleep and not pestering him of his task, it's better to relax for now. So he agreed. "...sounds nice. Let's go."

He sauntered to the side but was fetched back by the collar. "What?"

"Follow me, I'll show you another secret of mine."

Alex started to drag him further below the balcony. His hand grazed the walls and pushed a brick to his right side. Alex stepped back. A small portion of the wall slowly shrinks and slides to reveal a hidden passage.

Alex entered the passage and motioned to follow him. The passage was designed for one person to enter so Alex again took the lead and they climbed a winding staircase that appeared to be going upward somewhere. Torched kindled as one by one and would go out as they passed through them.

Yulian touched the old walls surrounding him and marveled.

"I never knew there was this kind of passage here."

A small chuckle came from Alex. "Of course, you don't."

Oops. Did he say that out loud? But honestly, this secret passage would serve in his favor for his future endeavors.

'Sorry, Prince of Caereus. I have to use your kindness for the greater good.' Then he prayed to those guys above to bless this prince.

Not long after they arrived at the end of the staircase. Alex opened the door and got out. He came after.

A living room filled with books on every side greeted him only the side with the window walls draped with a velvet blue curtain lacked a bookshelf. A sofa set with the same theme that screamed royalty lies in the middle of the room.

"Your room?" He understood that royalties will always have this kind of privilege.

"Yes, sit wherever you like. I'll bring the tea."

The door behind him automatically close and the shelves beside it glided over to cover the hidden door.

Since the owner had given permission, he unabashedly plopped down on one of the chairs. Formulating in his head how to take advantage of the passage. If he guessed right, the room below this was his own room. Befriending Alex was the right choice, now he only needed his full trust and he can also enjoy the prince's privilege.

"I've been wondering about this but you like making silly faces when left alone."

Alex came back with a tray that had the teapot set with an intricate art of a bird. He settled the tray on the table in front of Yulian and began serving him tea.

And Yulian saw nothing was wrong with the picture as he sat there like a king.

"You know, Alex, I think - "

A knock followed by the opening of the door interrupted his plan for deepening his relationship with the prince.

"Alex, is Leo here?"

Luke McAlister entered the room and halted when he saw the strange scene.

" He's not here," Alex calmly set down the teapot and faced his friend. He stood while leaning on the chair where Yulian sat.

"Uh... Okay. Thanks." Luke's about to turn around to the door but Alex stops him.

"But I think I've heard him say he's going to visit a certain Minnie."

The dorm president rubbed his forehead upon hearing that name. "Right... That woman."

"Leo's creating trouble for the duke again, huh," Alex said referring to the twins' father.

"Father is going ballistic and he's been expecting that i***t brother of mine to return home but he didn't."

Alex uncrossed his arms and straightened his back. "I'll help you find him." He then gazed down at the feel-at-home Yulian who's enjoying his tea. "Do you want to come?"

Yulian took a big gulp of his drink before answering. "Sounds fun."

He took his feet from the table and got up ignoring the strange gaze of Luke directed at him.

Luke made no further comments on his additional presence beside the prince. He's getting used to him because, for the past days, he had seen this midget casually talking to Alex. And Albertine was the first person.

Though Alex might seem gentle on the outside Luke knows that he doesn't like mingling with anyone let alone letting someone in his private space.

The trio, just like anyone rode on a carriage owned by McAlister to exit the Academy. The vehicle took the path leading to the inner city.

Yulian gazed out of the window, the familiar street but unfamiliar scenes flashed in his eyes as passed them by.

He took back his gaze and returned it to the people inside. On his side were Alex and Luke sitting in front of them. "So where are we going?"

Alex shrugged his shoulders and also looked at Luke. "Where are we going?"

"Where else, to that i***t's playhouse."

After that statement, the vehicle halted at a strange-looking house. It had was painted in a  frivolous color that Yulian had ever seen, all the rainbow colors can be seen from the roof down to its door.

Luke got down and he trailed behind. But he noticed Alex was not getting up in his seat. He cast him a questioning glance.

"It's better for me to stay here." Alex pointed at his face.

Yulian made an 'oh' face. Though in the academy, they treat Alex as just a normal student but it's different when it comes to outside. "Okay, I'll be right back."