"Unveiling Potential"

Days passed since Zenny was officially enrolled in the prestigious magic academy of Navenia. Though he was placed in the Peculiar Magic section, he remained excited about his studies. With each lesson, he learned more about magic—its fundamentals, spellcasting, and magical history. But today’s lesson was particularly important: learning how to release and harness one's aura. 

Their professor stood at the front of the class, his deep voice echoing through the lecture hall. 

"The key to unleashing your aura lies in a calm mind. You must first enter a state of tranquility, allowing your energy to flow freely. Once you feel something stirring within you, that is your aura. From there, you will learn to channel it into magic—perhaps even weapons to defend yourself." 

Zenny sat with eager anticipation, watching as the other students effortlessly summoned their auras. Some radiated a dazzling glow of light, while others crackled with raw elemental power. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and focused. 

Nothing happened. 

He tried again. 

Still, nothing. 

Frustration crept in as he watched his classmates master the technique one by one. When the lesson ended, he remained the only student unable to release his aura. 

--- 

That evening, Zenny waited eagerly at the academy gates for Prince Vaelion to arrive. The moment he spotted the prince, looking effortlessly regal in his perfectly tailored academy uniform, Meanwhile, Zenny fidgeted in his own snug, fitted uniform, which only made him look smaller and cuter. 

"Princy! Over here!" he called out, waving excitedly. 

Vaelion raised a brow at the nickname but smirked, taking slow, deliberate steps toward him. "I see you managed to survive another day. So, what’s the verdict? Have you become a grand sorcerer yet, or are you still just a tiny magicless bean?"

Vaelion tilted his head, pretending to examine him. "Hmm… Maybe you just weren’t built for magic. I mean, look at you—so tiny. Maybe there just isn’t enough of you to produce an aura?"

Zenny huffed. "That’s NOT how magic works!"

Zenny pouted. "Hmph! I'll have you know that I'm working on it! It's just… a bit harder than I thought." 

Vaelion tsked, tilting his head as he leaned in slightly. "Harder, hmm? Poor little thing, struggling all on your own. Maybe you just weren’t made for magic." His lips curled into a slow, teasing grin. "But don’t worry, I think ‘decorative royal pet’ suits you much better." 

Zenny’s cheeks burned. "I am not a pet!" 

The prince chuckled, reaching out to pinch Zenny’s cheek. "Oh? Then what are you, little rabbit?" 

Zenny swatted his hand away, huffing. "I’m a sorcerer in the making!"

Vaelion smirked. "We’ll see about that."

They walked back to the castle together, Zenny ranting about his struggles while Vaelion barely held back his amusement. 

---

( At the Castle)

Once inside, Vaelion retreated to his study, but after some time, he realized something strange—Zenny hadn’t come to pester him.

He glanced at the clock. "Strange… He said he was just going to change his clothes. It’s been hours now." 

Curiosity—and perhaps a little concern—got the better of him. He set down his book and went searching for his little troublemaker. 

He checked the kitchen. 

The study hall. 

The courtyard. 

Nowhere. 

Just as he was about to give up, a faint mumbling reached his ears. He followed the voice to a secluded part of the castle garden, behind a large plum tree. Peeking from behind the trunk, Vaelion smirked. 

There, Zenny stood, desperately trying to summon his aura. 

Vaelion leaned against the tree, watching with lazy amusement as Zenny closed his eyes, clenched his fists, and took deep breaths—only for absolutely nothing to happen. He tried again and again, growing more frustrated with each failure. 

Then, for a brief moment, something flickered. A faint, violet glow pulsed around Zenny’s body. 

Vaelion’s eyes glinted with interest. 

But before it could fully manifest, the glow vanished. Zenny groaned in disappointment. 

That was when Vaelion decided to make his presence known. 

"Pfft—seriously? That was pathetic." 

Zenny jumped, spinning around to find Vaelion watching him with a smirk, arms crossed. 

"Pri-Princy?! Wh-what are you doing here?!" 

Vaelion hummed, stepping closer. "Looking for you, obviously. I was starting to think you got lost… or ran away after realizing how hopeless you are at magic." 

Zenny puffed his cheeks. "Hmph! At least I’m trying!" 

Vaelion tilted his head, his voice dropping to a slow, taunting drawl. "Trying and failing." He took another step forward, making Zenny take a nervous step back. "But lucky for you, I know exactly how to fix that." 

Zenny’s eyes lit up. "Really?! You’ll teach me?!" 

Vaelion smirked. "Of course. But on one condition." 

Zenny blinked. "What is it?" 

Vaelion leaned in, his breath warm against Zenny’s ear. "Go fetch me something to eat and drink. I'm feeling rather drained from all this hard work of looking for you." 

Zenny practically scrambled to his feet. "O-Oh! Right away, Princy!" 

Vaelion watched him run off, a slow chuckle escaping his lips. "Too easy." 

---

(The Prince’s Little Prank) 

When Zenny returned, he laid out a picnic with fresh fruit, pastries, and warm tea. 

Vaelion took a bite of a pie, lazily watching Zenny from the corner of his eye. The small boy sat eagerly, hands on his lap, staring at him like a hopeful puppy. 

Vaelion almost choked trying to hold back his laughter. 

"Alright," he said, "I'll tell you how to unlock your aura. Come closer."

Zenny leaned in. 

Vaelion’s smirk widened. "First, close your eyes and count to ten." 

Zenny obeyed. 

"Now, bend your arms and clench your hands over your chest, like wings." 

Zenny did. 

"Now spin around five times." 

Zenny twirled. 

"And finally, march in place for ten seconds."

Zenny opened his eyes—nothing had changed. 

A silence. 

Then, Vaelion burst out laughing, rolling onto the grass.

Zenny’s face burned. "P-Princy! You tricked me?!" 

Vaelion wiped away a tear. "Oh, that was priceless! You looked like a tiny bird trying to fly!"

"I HATE YOU!" Zenny launched himself at the prince. 

They chased each other around the garden until Vaelion finally caught Zenny’s wrist.

Their breaths were uneven.

Zenny froze, realizing how close they were.

Vaelion’s grip softened.

His gaze flickered to Zenny’s lips for just a second.

Then—he smirked. "Relax, little troublemaker. Time for the real lesson."

Zenny stammered, stepping back. "J-Just hurry up!"

Vaelion chuckled. "Fine. Close your eyes again."

"Breathe."

Zenny obeyed.

"Now… think of something that makes you happy."

Slowly, warmth spreads through Zenny’s body.

Finally, Vaelion taught him properly, guiding him through his breathing. 

This time, a familiar tingling spread through Zenny’s body. When he opened his eyes—his violet aura flickered to life. 

His heart soared. "I did it!"

Vaelion smirked. "Took you long enough. Almost made me fall asleep."

Encouraged, Zenny tried shaping his aura into a weapon, but instead, it formed a glowing bunny. 

Vaelion chuckled. "How fitting." 

Before thinking, Zenny hugged him. 

Vaelion froze. "Wha—?!" 

The prince stiffened, caught off guard.

For once, he had nothing to say.

Zenny quickly pulled away, flustered. "S-Sorry!" 

Vaelion tsked, ruffling Zenny’s hair. "Hopeless."

But he didn’t push him away.

That night, as the stars twinkled, Zenny finally felt like he belonged. 

To be continued…

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