Thirteenth Prince's Odyssey-Chapter 34: Master of The Azure Spire - I

They walked in silence, footsteps echoing softly against the cobbled stone. The night was quiet, lit only by lanterns that glowed with gentle magic, casting long shadows behind them.

Serena finally spoke when they neared the steps to the girl's dormitory.

"Prince Liam."

He turned to her, hands folded behind his back, his expression calm but expectant. "Yes?"

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She hesitated, the words catching on her tongue before she forced them out.

"Do you... wish this engagement?"

Liam blinked once as if the question had startled something out of him. Then, after a moment's pause, he replied gently, "No. I don't."

His voice held no edge, only certainty. "And I won't do to you what our parents are trying to do to us."

Serena looked up at him, clearly startled. "You... you won't?"

"I won't treat you like a pawn, Miss Serena. Not now. Not ever." He met her eyes. "I'm sorry you were dragged into this."

She stood there for a second, absorbing the words. Then, almost thoughtfully, she asked, "You're an initiate, aren't you?"

Liam's breath hitched, if only for a second. He didn't answer right away.

"...How did you know that?"

"I have ears," she said simply. "And a father who forced me into this. I needed to know who I was being given to."

Relieved, Liam gave a small nod, lips pressing together in a line. "Makes sense."

She tilted her head slightly. "You're not denying it."

He chuckled faintly. "I suppose it's pointless to lie when you already know."

"I haven't told anyone," Serena added, voice quiet.

"I assumed you hadn't," Liam said. "Everyone assumes I am either an Adept or a Peak Apprentice."

She blinked at that. "So... what now?"

Liam looked around briefly to ensure no one was nearby. "We can pretend," he said. "Pretend we're talking... getting to know each other. It'll keep both our families satisfied, for now."

"You want to fake this?"

"I want to give you peace, Miss Serena. And space. If acting like we're... fine... makes things easier for you, then yes."

She didn't answer immediately. But then she nodded. "Alright."

For the first time in that walk, Liam smiled. "Then we'll keep walking like this for a while. Quietly. Privately. And only on our terms."

Serena nodded again. "On our terms."

Serena broke the silence again, her voice softer this time.

"Prince Liam... may I ask you something? I'll hold nothing against you if you choose not to answer."

Liam nodded gently. "Go ahead."

She took a breath. "I know you're an Initiate. I also know how difficult potion brewing is. Especially the flame tempering... it's nearly impossible to control the brewing flame at that stage. Especially..."

She hesitated, then pushed through. "Especially for an Initiate."

"Go on," Liam said, expression unreadable.

"I'm not saying you cheated," she added quickly, flustered. "You can't fool Professor Emberlain — he's easygoing, yes, but he's not a fool — "

"Wow," Liam said, blinking.

"I — I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked that."

"Not that," Liam interrupted, half-smiling. "'Wow' as in... how are you so talkative right now? I'm pretty sure I had to force you to speak just yesterday."

Serena's face turned red instantly. She looked away, flustered. "That was... different."

Liam chuckled. "Will you believe me if I tell you the truth?"

She looked up, curiosity plain on her face.

"I did tell the truth in class," he said. "I saw what Professor Emberlain did and I just... did it. I followed what I saw. When he asked us to begin, I simply did what he showed. It wasn't just a fluke potion brewing of an Initiate."

Serena's expression faltered, clearly unconvinced — but she didn't speak the doubt aloud.

"I know you don't believe me," Liam added with a shrug. "But for me, it's more confusing that the others can't do it. That brew? It was honestly... easy."

That made Serena snap.

"What nonsense!" she burst out. "You clearly had tutors! No one can just look at a potion being made and get it right the first time! It took me years for the basics to clear, even before the institute, don't tell me if you don't want to but — "

Seeing her worked up, Liam couldn't help it — he laughed.

"The fact that I know it was my first time, and seeing you so riled up over it..." he shook his head, grinning. "I can't."

Serena huffed, arms crossed and lips pressed tight.

And inside, Liam sighed to himself.

I don't know why I lost sleep last night over this silly lass.

"If it's so easy," Serena said sharply, "then teach me. I'll see for myself."

Liam blinked, the smile fading from his face. He looked at her for a moment, then sighed. "I'm sorry," he said, and for once, he meant it without sarcasm. "I'd like to — but I can't."

Her expression shifted. "Why not?"

"I have a lot on my plate," Liam said, running a hand through his hair. "I have four months to clear the entire first-year syllabus."

Serena frowned. "You can request an extension, you know. If you skip the finals, you'll get eight months total before you have to take the exams. Sure, you'll need to cover both the first and second year during the early second-year period, but at least it'll buy you time."

Liam shook his head.

"You won't?"

"I can't," he replied, firmly. "I have to take the exams on time."

She narrowed her eyes. "Why?"

"Because," Liam said, his tone quieter now, more serious, "if I don't... then this will be my final year."

Serena's eyes widened slightly, surprised not by the words — but by the quiet certainty in them.

He wasn't exaggerating. He wasn't being dramatic. He meant it.

Serena narrowed her eyes. "How can that even be possible? You're a prince."

Liam gave a tired half-smile. "My word, you have too many questions."

She didn't respond — just waited.

He exhaled softly. "Unfortunately... this one, I can't answer."

Serena studied him as if trying to decide whether that meant he wouldn't or couldn't. Either way, she didn't push further.

Liam looked at Serena and thought she does have a lot of questions, then, almost unconsciously, picked up his pace. The looming silhouette of the girl's dormitory appeared ahead, its arched windows dimly lit under the moonlight. They stopped just short of the steps.

"Good night, Prince Liam," Serena said softly, her tone no longer guarded.

"Good night, Serena," he replied, offering a brief nod.

Then they parted.

Back to his dorm, Liam was intercepted by one of the stationed dormitory guards. "Pr — Student Liam," the guard said, a bit awkwardly, "you've received a letter through the Magic Mail Service — it's waiting for you in your room."

Liam blinked, the weight of fatigue suddenly settling harder on his shoulders. "Thanks," he muttered, dragging himself upstairs.

When he finally reached his quarters, he spotted the letter on the desk — marked with a golden seal he didn't recognize in the half-light. He barely spared it a glance.

I'll read it in the morning. His thoughts barely formed before exhaustion claimed him.

*

Liam woke early. Still lying in bed, he waved a hand, and the curtains slid open with a quiet rustle of Telekinesis, the light of dawn flooding the room. He sat up, running a hand through his hair before forcing himself to get ready.

Freshened and now sitting by the desk with the untouched letter beside him, Liam finally turned to the real challenge: planning.

A week has nearly gone by of the month, he thought grimly, and I've barely started.

He pulled out the student handbook. His finals were less than four months away — and he needed to choose carefully which subjects he would attempt to pass this year.

He stared at the list.

Twenty-two subjects.

Four months.

What kind of madman tries this? he thought. Then smiled faintly. Apparently me.

He uncapped his pen and began to jot notes, murmuring aloud, "Alright... what's truly essential... what can I afford to scrape by in... and which ones do I even stand a chance at mastering?"

His day of planning began.

Hours passed, and the light of morning grew bolder through the tall windows. The bell tower in the distance chimed faintly—first once, then twice. Morning classes were close, and Liam still had ink smudged across his fingers.

He sat back with a sigh, rubbing the stiffness from his neck as he stared down at the chaotic mess of scribbles, arrows, and narrowed boxes. But amidst it all, his final selection began to take shape:

Core Magical Studies:

Elemental Studies

Mana Theory

Alchemy and Potion Brewing

Barrier and Warding Magic

Combat and Physical Training:

Magical Combat Tactics

Weapons Mastery

Stealth and Assassination

He stared a moment longer at the last entry in that category — Stealth and Assassination.

Really? he thought.

He had initially leaned toward Martial Arts and Body Refinement, something more physical, grounded, and maybe even easier to blend with his mana practices. But something about stealth, the unseen strike, the art of vanishing — called to him. There was something methodical in it. Controlled. Silent.

Like Heart Frailty.

Shrugging off the thought, he moved to the next section.

Academic and History:

Laws of Ironhelm, Magical Laws, and Governance

There was no way around this one. King Elijah's request made it non-negotiable.

History of Magic and Civilisation

Professor Cornelius's overly flattering praise had made Liam suspicious — but it could work to his advantage. Especially if the professor kept referring to him.

Practical Studies:

Ethereal Music

A surprising choice — but Liam had his reasons. Mana rhythm, resonance, emotional triggers — he'd read enough to know music wasn't just art; it was influence. If played right, it could become power. And with his unique control over internal mana, it might serve as a secret weapon in time.

That made ten subjects. He tapped his pen, the eleventh slot glaring back at him.

He wanted Summoning and Conjuration. He truly did. Free marks in the final — it had to be considered.

But...

Heath Carter.

The man set the final paper himself, which was not the norm as only associate professors set the paper. That alone made Liam's gut twist. He remembered the way Carter had looked at him in the hallway. It wasn't fear or interest — it was assessment. A dissection without words. Liam felt like a test subject more than a student.

No, Liam thought, scratching the subject off entirely.

"I'll stick with ten, for now" he murmured, leaning back with a final sigh. "Barely sane. But doable."

He gathered his notes, placed the schedule beside the sealed letter on the desk, and stood. Time for class. Time to keep playing the humble initiate no one believed he truly was.

Liam was just about to step out for class when something tugged at his mind — like a string being gently pulled.

His eyes drifted back to the letter on the desk.

With a breath, he picked it up, broke the seal, and unfolded the parchment.

The handwriting was fluid, sharp, and unmistakably elegant.

Prince Liam Orlean,

I trust the Institute hasn't bored you yet. I'll be arriving this morning to speak with you briefly. No need to prepare — though I expect you to have at least opened this before I arrive.

— Caelus Francis Verhiem

Master of the Azure Spire

That was all. No flowery greetings, no riddles. Just a straight line of intent.

Liam read it twice. Then once more.

This morning.

As soon as he finished reading, it felt like a glass shell inside him cracked.

Heart Frailty — the subtle stillness of his flame, the calm detachment, the pressureless breath — it shattered in an instant.

He wasn't alone. Not anymore.

He was now within the presence of an individual whose mana was not just potent— but layered, towering, ancient in feeling. A pressure that did not press, a force that did not force, yet its presence engulfed the air like the sky itself had tilted toward him.

Above Master Realm. Without a doubt.

Liam slowly looked up, eyes narrowing.

He's here.

Who else could it be, if not the man who signed the letter?