Chapter 29: The Whisper of the Cursed Forest
The morning was crisp, the kind that carried a buzz of excitement and dread. All the senior students—twenty-four of them, plus one Theodore—gathered near the school's stables. The stable was massive, stretching farther than Theodore's eyes could trace, with nearly a hundred magnificent horses snorting, neighing, and stomping in impatience. It was the kind of sight that should inspire awe, but Theodore, a boy of ten, was entirely focused on his growing nerves.
"Alright, everyone!" called Mr. June, their instructor. He was young and sharp-looking, with unusual brown-and-yellow eyes that seemed to miss nothing. Despite his stern suit, his soft, mage-like hands gave away his magic heritage. Beside him stood Miss Lidia, a vision of elegance and deadly charm, with her flowing black hair, coal-dark eyes, and the massive sword strapped to her back. Theodore felt her aura radiate strength—definitely an Aura User. The way her giant smile contrasted with her intimidating presence made his nerves worse.
"Choose your horse," Mr. June ordered.
The seniors immediately moved to the stables, selecting their mounts like seasoned riders. Theodore, however, hesitated. It was his first time riding a horse, and the towering creatures made him feel smaller than usual. Before he could fumble his way through, a strong grip lifted him effortlessly onto a horse. Startled, he turned to find his cousin, Vincent, grinning at him.
"Let's share a horse, little brother," Vincent teased, plopping Theodore in front of him as if he were a sack of potatoes.
Theodore's face turned red—not from embarrassment, but from sheer rage. "I'm not a child!" he hissed.
Miss Lidia, overhearing the exchange, gave Theodore an encouraging smile. "It's a good idea, Your Highness. You've never ridden before, and as a prince, you do need protection."
Theodore's internal monologue could've shattered glass. Protection? From what? Embarrassment?
"I'll agree," Theodore said aloud, glaring at Vincent, "but don't treat me like a child again, or I swear—"
Vincent interrupted with a laugh and patted Theodore on the head. "You're ten years old. Let me spoil you, my adorable cousin."
That was it. Theodore couldn't hold back. "If you really cared about me," he yelled, shoving Vincent's hand away, "you wouldn't have abandoned me when I was sick and starving! You left me alone , that monster of a queen!"
The group of students froze. Silence descended like a heavy curtain, and all eyes turned to the prince and his trembling cousin.
Vincent's confidence shattered in an instant. His hands shook, and his mouth barely managed to whisper, "I'm sorry…"
Theodore, feeling a strange relief, turned away. He didn't want pity—not from Vincent, not from anyone. As their group began its journey through the dense forest toward Daunt Village, the atmosphere remained awkward, with Theodore refusing to look at his cousin.
By the time they reached Daunt Village, perched on a lonely mountain slope, the awkwardness had faded, replaced by curiosity about their new surroundings. The village was small, its stone-and-wood houses clustered together like sheep huddling for warmth. The village chief, an elderly man with eyebrows so bushy they could've been mistaken for furry caterpillars, greeted them with a bow.
"We're grateful for your help," he said, his voice quivering with age. "My name is Mr. Smith, the village chief."
Mr. June dismounted gracefully and gestured to the group. "We're honored to assist you. And this year, we've brought someone special—Prince Theodore."
At the mention of his name, Theodore felt his stomach drop. The villagers immediately fell to their knees in reverence.
"Please, don't—" he began, waving his hand awkwardly. He hated attention, and his glare at Mr. June could've melted iron. The instructor smiled back obliviously.
As the villagers took their horses to the stable, Theodore sensed something sinister. It was faint at first, like a low hum, but the closer he got to the forest's edge, the stronger it became. A massive, malevolent force pulsed within the trees. It wasn't just any magic—it was cursed.
Theodore's body buzzed with a strange desire, a hunger almost. He wanted to absorb it, to let it pull him into its dark embrace.
"Let's go, Theo," Vincent said, lifting him off the horse.
Theodore yanked himself free. "Didn't I tell you not to touch me?"
"I just want to talk—" Vincent started.
Theodore cut him off, his voice sharp. "If you wanted to talk, you would've done it years ago. You abandoned me. Don't pretend now."
Vincent flinched but pressed on. "There's a reason I didn't come. It's because of Queen Bianca."
Theodore froze. His stepmother's name brought a bitter taste to his mouth. "I see," he said with a humorless laugh. "That explains it. But that doesn't mean I forgive you. Caden bullied me for years, and you let it happen."
Vincent's face fell. "Theo, I—"
"Enough," Theodore snapped, turning and storming into the dormitory.
The room was spacious but infuriatingly shared, with two extra beds. Theodore immediately hated it. Privacy was a luxury he'd been clinging to lately, and now even that was taken from him.
A knock at the door interrupted his brooding. Opening it, he found two senior students.
The first, with curly hair and a confident grin, introduced himself. "I'm Marvin. Fire Magic, six circles."
The second, with short black hair and an air of arrogance, crossed his arms. "Cai. Earth Magic. Also six circles."
Theodore greeted them with a polite smile. Inwardly, his mind raced. These seniors were no joke—sixth-circle mages were rare, even among adults. He'd heard the principal himself selected this class for their mission to cleanse the Mother Cry Forest.
"So," Marvin said, his tone far too casual, "how'd a ten-year-old prince end up here?"
Cai scoffed. "I don't babysit kids. And honestly, if something happens to you, I doubt the king would care."
Theodore's smile didn't falter. "My father does care about me," he said calmly. "The rumors are lies spread by my brother and the nobles."
Marvin blinked, surprised by Theodore's composure. Cai laughed outright. "Kid, you expect me to believe that? Come on. Don't be ashamed of being neglected."
Theodore's eyes narrowed. I'll tame you soon enough.
"Things have changed," Theodore said coolly. "But I don't need to explain myself to you. Let's sleep—we have a long day tomorrow."
Cai snorted, amused by the prince's arrogance. Marvin, on the other hand, looked at Theodore with a glimmer of pity.
Theodore didn't care. He'd already decided: Marvin would be easy to manipulate, and Cai would need a show of strength. Either way, they'd both learn soon enough that Theodore wasn't a child to be underestimated.