Yuasa was determined to train with all his might to pursue his dream. Entering the academy was one way to prove that he wasn't a weak prince. He wanted to silence everyone who constantly insulted him as a frail half-human child. A yellow crystal could fight too, and he wanted to change everyone's view that yellow crystals were nothing more than weak crystals.
The King and Queen Academy was a special school for future kings and queens. A series of rigorous entrance tests examined physical ability and knowledge. Only those who were selected could enter the academy. And Yuasa had to get in.
“Don't give up,” Yuasa said as he continued walking around the field, encouraging himself.
His weak body was already demanding rest. However, his determination wouldn't allow it, so he forced his legs to keep moving. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and he wiped it away with the back of his hand.
Adrian watched Yuasa circle the field. He had only completed two of the ten laps he'd been ordered to run, yet he already looked exhausted.
“That's enough. It seems the prince can't go on,” Rosaline suggested.
Adrian raised his hand to signal his disagreement. “No, Rosaline. He's still trying. Don't crush his spirit.”
Rosaline couldn't bear to watch her prince struggle. During the third lap, she saw Prince Yuasa fall.
“Prince!” Rosaline cried. She was about to run toward him when Adrian stopped her.
“Wait, Rosaline. Let's watch for now,” Adrian said, holding back the red-haired girl who wanted to help Prince Yuasa.
Prince Yuasa got back up and continued his training. Little by little, he forced his legs to keep moving until he reached Adrian.
“Sorry. I don't think I can go on,” he said before collapsing, his feet covered in scrapes and his breathing ragged.
“See, Rosaline? He can endure it. Don't coddle him with kindness. You're only keeping him from moving forward,” Adrian whispered in Rosaline's ear.
The girl fell silent. Adrian was right. Everyone had always considered the prince weak and protected him. After seeing him train today, she had to support him too—let him grow and keep moving toward what he wanted. If Adrian said Prince Yuasa could do it, then she had to believe he could too.
“Prince, get some rest. I'll apply medicine to your feet,” Rosaline said gently.
“No, Rosaline. Have you forgotten who I am? I'm a healer,” Yuasa replied, refusing the medicine. He placed his hand over the scraped wounds on his feet, and they closed quickly, as if they'd never been there. Unfortunately, his exhaustion didn't heal along with them.
Prince Yuasa lay at the edge of the field. He no longer had the strength to stand or move. From where he was, he glanced at the girl sitting beside him, who continued to keep him company.
“Rosaline is beautiful, but I'm still not worthy of her. Why were we born with such a vast difference between us?” Prince Yuasa thought.
Rosaline was a powerful fighter, and Prince Yuasa knew that very well. Although he had feelings for his beautiful guard, he could only keep them buried.
“Prince, do you want to continue training?” Rosaline asked kindly.
“Yes, I can still do it,” Prince Yuasa replied. He rose to his feet and resumed running around the field.
Just like before, he could no longer run after only three laps. His body collapsed, and he rested for a while before continuing until he had completed all ten laps. He panted heavily, struggling to contain all the exhaustion in his body.
“How is it?” Adrian asked, now holding two swords in his hands.
“I can still do it,” Prince Yuasa replied. He accepted one sword, which felt extremely heavy. Not wanting to be underestimated, Prince Yuasa tried to support the sword's weight with one hand.
Adrian smiled. He knew that Prince Yuasa's body was utterly exhausted. He was forcing himself.
Adrian demonstrated how to hold the sword properly and then swung it. Prince Yuasa's task for now was simply to swing the sword one hundred times.
“Isn't that a bit much?” Rosaline protested, earning a sharp look from Adrian.
“Rosaline, I can do it. Don't worry,” Prince Yuasa replied, telling his guard to stay calm and simply watch.
Rosaline felt that Adrian was going too far. He already knew Prince Yuasa was exhausted, yet he was still burdening him with strenuous work. The sword was light for him, but in Prince Yuasa's hands, it had to feel incredibly heavy.