The Crown Prince Thinks I'm a Guy

A Friend

"Can't believe I'm here..." a voice mumbled beside me.

I kept lookin forward, enjoying the view. The Lunar Academy definitely looked huge and complicated from the outside, but I wasn't prepared to see its... almost boring interior. Much like an ancient castle, the walls were built of strong rock with a gray color. Some parts even reeked of the moisture that seeped in from the dampness of the humidity around the forest.

I tried to get a good feel of the prestigious Academy, but I found it hard to appreciate it since all I've seen so far were its corridors.

"I'm really here," Albert murmured yet again.

"You've never been in a corridor before?" I asked while hiding my smile.

He turned to glare at me. "I meant that it's my first time... Oh, of course you knew what I meant."

"Right," I said, finally releasing my laughter. "I see I'm not the only one who had dreamed of going to school here."

"Well," he grumbled. "You don't look all that happy to me."

"Oh, I'm happy," I reassured him. "It's just that... we've been walking for a long time now, haven't we?"

Albert tilted his head in thought. "I suppose it would be sensible to have the professors' offices deep into the building?"

I nodded mindlessly, and then whispered, "I'm tired though..."

"Did you boys say something?" The examiner turned towards us, slowing down his pace.

"Nothing, professor," Albert replied. "We were only wondering when we would arrive."

The examiner looked at us with a stern gaze. "I would imagine both of you are tired from all the traveling, but if you had managed to get out of the forest, then I suppose you can afford a few more minutes of walking."

I sighed inwardly and instead smiled at him. "Of course, professor."

The man looked at me for a moment that was longer than normal before finally resuming his swift walk.

I was lost in thought when a man in matching robes with the other mages suddenly appeared. He intercepted us with a genial smile. "What's happening here, Professor Whitaker? And who are these boys?"

"New students, Professor Storm. A peculiar pair, I should say," the gray-eyed examiner said.

The new arrival stared at us with electrifying, blue eyes. He had windswept, golden hair and a rugged complexion. He looked quite young to be a professor, but I suppose the world can be a big enough place for such phenomenon.

"I'm Professor Storm," the young man said, and held down a hand to me. "I was apprehensive after hearing about you two, but now I know it's for real."

I took his hand with a smile, but then felt a growing tingle rushing through my veins. The man had electrified me. "I'm Eleftherion," I said as though everything was normal.

A twinkle shone through his eyes and I felt the shock grow stronger. The electricity had now gone to a point where I could feel my brain shake, but I refused to yield. When I didn't make a move to let go first, he finally removed his hand with a small chuckle. I heard him mutter under his breath, "Cheeky."

He did the same thing with Albert, but the boy replied with a loud, "I am Prince A-AAHHH!"

The young professor laughed as he let the boy go. "Sorry, sorry. I do that to all my students. I hope you forgive me. The effects usually stop by now. Ah, right. I didn't get your name."

I stared as Albert slowly began to recover. He seemed like he might've wanted to glare at the teacher, but instead, he glared at the floor. "... Albert. I go by Albert."