The Crown Prince In Hiding

Nora Ophilis rarely appeared in public spaces like the central dormitory hallway, but when she did, it was guaranteed to be at an ungodly hour when no one was around.

Winter had fully arrived this week. This morning, the temperature was 12°C. Dan wore a thick black jacket and scarf, while Nora had only black leather gloves, a testament to her Cryomancer blood’s resistance to cold.

“This works out great, doesn’t it, Mr. Fury? You’ll have time for other things and won’t stress about grades.”

Dan let out a short hum, his breath visible in the chill.

“True, but it comes at a cost.”

“A cost? What cost?”

P.E. Class, Academy Sports Field

The morning class started, and Nora quickly learned what Dan’s “cost” meant.

The atmosphere around Nora and Dan grew noticeably tense. She felt immense pressure from classmates, the training staff under Coach Soros, and most intensely from Rafinya, who was warming up and stretching on the field.

Nora and Dan sat side by side in gym clothes, legs spread, stretching.

“I get it now, Mr. Fury.”

“Yup.”

The news had spread like wildfire across the academy: Casca Saint-Maximin was sponsoring Dan Burn.

Beyond shocking those who heard, it thrust the prince into an inescapable spotlight. He was the talk of the school again, on the verge of becoming a superstar. His peaceful academy life was shattered, but did he care? Dealing with his wife was enough.

“Why didn’t you stop her, Mr. Fury?”

“How could I?”

For the hundredth time: to Luminus, “face” was everything. Casca’s ego wouldn’t let Fury remain an underdog side character for another day. When she wanted something, she got it—Fury knew that well from the past decade.

Nora glanced at her classmates. Anyone who met her eyes looked away, no doubt gossiping about Dan.

Then she looked at Rafinya.

“!”

Nora froze. Rafinya’s stare was predatory, her eyes burning with a massive ego, screaming: What’s so special about him? What does he have that I don’t? What secrets is he hiding?

“…”

The princess leaned forward, touching her slender toes, feeling the pressure on Dan’s behalf.

But part of her believed Fury was unfazed—not because he was numb, but because he’d faced far greater, life-or-death pressures that made this trivial.

I wish I could be like that…

Nora thought.

Dan stood, every move watched.

“Good thing I scouted Anfield’s routes. If you visit my place, watch out for tails.”

“True…”

If Nora had been followed, others surely would try.

“But I trust you won’t let anyone track you.”

“Guess I’ll have to pause my grilled fish visits to your place, Mr. Fury?”

“Up to you. You can figure it out.”

He said,

“Human instincts are like this. They saw me as air, didn’t care. But when you came to me, when Casca came… they started paying attention.”

Even Nora had done it.

“But let them stare. I don’t care about their nonsense.”

“You sound like you’re sulking, Mr. Fury.”

“I’m not. Just don’t let them cross my personal boundaries, or I might get mad.”

Nora got chills from his words, but they kept running.

After warming up enough to feel awake—

Tweet!

The coach’s whistle gathered the section’s students.

The instructor held a round ball.

“Today, we’re playing a game.”

Dodgeball.

“Throw balls and dodge, right?”

Dan and Nora each held a ball.

“Don’t cross the line they drew,” Nora said.

“Got it.”

“Do they have this in Diablo?”

“When Casca came, she brought a bunch of games.”

Dan tossed the ball in his hand.

“There’s stuff with balls, but you wouldn’t want to play, Nora.”

“Now I’m curious what game.”

>

Nora and Dan were Group 7, but both froze—Group 12 was…

Rafinya and another student.

“!”

Dan stiffened, eyes wide, glancing at Nora.

“Princess.”

Rafinya bowed politely, as did her teammate, who said,

“Let’s treat this class as a fun game, shall we?”

“Come on, I’m not holding grudges,” Nora replied, eyes locked on Rafinya.

Both sides faced off. When the whistle blew—

Tweet!

A ball rocketed straight at Dan before he could react.

Thud!

“Huh…?”

Out already?

But Dan hadn’t even thrown.

He glanced across…

Rafinya stood with one ball left, staring him down.

While other pairs threw and dodged with glee, Rafinya—who usually skipped P.E. as pointless—stayed today, especially with Dan and Nora opposite.

Thud!

Nora got hit, forcing her out, too.

0-1.

“…”

Dan and Nora exchanged looks. Rafinya’s teammate laughed, while she stood aloof, chin high, ignoring them.

She glanced at Nora from the corner of her eye.

“A bit slow, princess?”

‘!’

Nora glared at the taunt.

“What was that, Rafinya?”

Rafinya tossed her ball lightly.

“You probably think this game’s nonsense, don’t you? No blame—I do, too. But…”

Her Red Velvet eyes glared.

“It’s rare to play a fun game with the princess. I had high hopes for the agility of Iskaryx’s slayer. Guess I could’ve killed it myself.”

“What did you say?”

“Stay calm, Nora.”

Dan put a hand on her shoulder.

“Can’t you see she’s baiting you?”

“I don’t appreciate her talking about Iskaryx after you defeated it, Mr. Fury.”

“Doesn’t change that she’s deliberately provoking you.”

“That’s not like her.”

“That’s exactly her point.”

“What kind of strategy is this?”

“Like you in Week 1.”

Dan handed Nora a ball.

“What’s happening is a replay of your own moves, Nora.”

“…”

Nora gripped the ball with both hands, looking at Dan.

“Mr. Fury… what if I want to play Rafinya’s game?”

“Why would you? This class doesn’t matter. Throw it and lose.”

“I could, but… it’s a good chance to gauge Rafinya’s skills before we face off at the Garden.”

“Oh~”

Dan grinned, surprised.

“Gathering intel?”

“Like how you scouted Anfield, right, Mr. Fury? Even if I lose, there’s no real cost.”

Dan smirked.

“You’re starting to get it, huh?”