The Crown Prince Thinks I'm a Guy

Childlike Games

The Winged Mercenary Guild was definitely huge, and could possibly house up to hundreds of trainees and members. The whole design was neat and simple, much like their white armor and sword. And based on the atmosphere during the matches earlier, I could also sense the deep camaraderie and friendship the members have. So, it was quite regretful to be leaving such a place almost at once. But what were we to do? We weren't really here to apply for a position. In fact, we blatantly used the recruitment process just to spend some of our time. Now that I think about it, I sort of feel bad about it all...

"So, where we off to now?" The brown haired boy strutted beside me with easy, light steps. At least one of us wasn't weighed down by guilt.

"Well, we already said our goodbyes, and we don't have much to do," I muttered. "So I guess we'll just wander around after we leave the guild."

He nodded excitedly, as though wandering around aimlessly was his favorite hobby. We were just at the gates when we heard voices calling after us.

"Wait! Recruits," the fairy boy, Jorkin, shouted after our figures. He panted slightly with his thin hands on his knees. "Y-You haven't told us your names!"

"I agree," the other boy, Wells, said. Noticeably, he now had a pair of black glasses on his face. The new addition to his outfit somehow completed his overall look. He said calmly, "I would be soiling the name of my family if I do not even hear of the names of the great ones who had beat us in a fair fight."

Sneak and I looked at each other. I shrugged in agreement.

"I'm Charles," the boy said simply, and said nothing more.

Sensing the awkwardness in the air brought by that short introduction, I managed an elegant bow, and said, "I am Eleftherion, apprentice of the wine merchant Farseer of the Aerim Continent."

"A wine merchant!" Jorkin shouted in a cutesy manner. "I knew you weren't trained for battle! You were simply too clumsy that I had thought you were messing with me!"

I blushed in embarrassment. "Well, I'm sorry for not being up to your level, then. I am only of lowly birth."

"Oh, no! On the contrary," the pretty boy replied. "You were an opponent to behold! I barely managed to win against you, and to think you haven't even been trained for this... I'm quite embarrassed myself actually."

That got me both flustered and flattered. "B-But I think you think too much of me... I simply have a talent for controlling notes."

"As I've observed as well," said Wells, pushing up his glasses with a finger. "Your magical control is simply far too advanced for a mere merchant's apprentice."

I laughed emptily. "I suppose I just lucked out after being born with such a gift."

Wells still looked at me with suspicion and interest. "If you say so."

Well, if that isn't the clue that it was mighty time for us to leave, I don't know what is. We hastily bowed our farewells and halfheartedly made empty promises to come visit and duel them again. It troubled me deeply how both of the boys seemed more interested in me when I wasn't even the one who won against them...

I looked at Sneak who was whistling away, and then at the bustling world around me. We were now a few streets away from the guild, but the high, white walls were still pretty much visible from where we were. I found it strange how I hadn't tried to search these walls in the past month of exploring. It was probably one of the most noticeable landmarks from all angles.

"Hey, hey," Sneak clamped a hand on the back of my shirt, promptly bringing me into a halt. "Aren't we getting too close?"

I stared at him in incomprehension, but when he sighed and tilted his head towards a direction, I found how we were amazingly close to the Dome now.