The Fallen Prince: Carsel Stellaris

 The Hidden Gateway to Freedom

Two years later – Day of Departure

That morning was different from all the mornings before. For the first time in eight years, Carsel woke up with a genuine smile on his face. Today was the day he had been waiting for – his departure for the Academy of Magic.

"Finally," he whispered, gazing at the small mirror on the hut wall. His nine-year-old face already showed signs of handsome features to come, with growing dark hair and dark eyes sparkling with anticipation. "At last, I'll be free from this prison."

For the past eight years, resentment and vexation had accumulated in his heart like a poison slowly corrupting the innocent soul of a child. Every forced lesson, every prohibition against play, every time he had to swallow his frustration with a fake smile – all of it had transformed Carsel into a child vastly different from the innocent baby once rescued.

"Carsel, breakfast is ready!" Elena called from the main room.

"Coming!" Carsel replied, putting on the travel clothes that had been prepared. In his heart, he murmured, This is the last time I'll have to take orders from you lot.

When he came out of his room, he saw his three guardians sitting around the table with mixed expressions of pride and sadness. On the table, a special breakfast, far more lavish than usual, was laid out.

"Big day, eh?" Gareth said, gently patting Carsel's shoulder. "You must be thrilled."

Thrilled? This is the happiest day of my life, Carsel thought, nodding with an enthusiasm that, for the first time, was truly genuine. "Yes, Uncle Gareth! I can't wait!"

Elena looked at the child she had cared for over eight years, her eyes welling up. "Remember everything we've taught you, Carsel. Especially about being kind to others and not being arrogant."

Kind? After you made me suffer for eight years? Carsel gave a sweet smile. "Of course, Auntie Elena. I'll be a good boy."

Sage, sitting at the far end, looked at Carsel intensely. As an Oracle, he sensed something amiss but couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. "Carsel, there's one last thing I want to tell you."

"What is it, Grandpa Sage?"

"The Academy is different from here. You'll meet children from various backgrounds, various kingdoms, even various races. Don't think yourself better or worse than them. Learn with humility."

Humility? After I've been forced to study for eight years while they were probably playing around? I'll show everyone how brilliant I am. "Right, Grandpa. I'll remember."

After breakfast, they began their journey towards the nearest town where the portal to the Academy of Magic was located. This journey would take three days of walking through forests and hills.

Throughout the journey, Carsel couldn't hide his excitement. He ran back and forth, observing the sights he was seeing for the first time, and asking about everything – not because he wanted to learn as usual, but out of pure curiosity and the joy of a child about to be free.

"Look, Carsel," Elena said, pointing towards a wide valley. "That's Millbrook Town. From there, we'll use the portal to the island where the Academy of Magic is located."

Carsel's eyes sparkled at the sight of the first town in his life. The neatly lined houses, the people bustling about, the lively market – all of it seemed like a world full of limitless possibilities.

This is the real world, he thought, excited. A world where I can do whatever I want without anyone telling me what to do.

On the second night of the journey, as they camped near a small river, Sage approached Carsel, who was staring at the campfire with a dreamy gaze.

"Carsel, I want you to know that whatever happens at the academy, the three of us will always love you. We did all of this because we care about your future."

Carsel turned to Sage with an unreadable expression. For a moment, the good boy mask he had worn for years cracked slightly, and Sage caught a glimpse of the darkness that had grown in the child's soul.

"Thank you, Grandpa," Carsel said in a voice that sounded sincere, but his eyes didn't show the same warmth. "I understand."

No, you don't understand, he thought, turning back to the fire. You'll never understand how much I resent all the years you've stolen from me.

On the third day, they finally arrived in Millbrook Town. Carsel was captivated by the hustle and bustle of city life – merchants shouting their wares, children playing in the streets, music from open taverns.

This is it! This is the life I should have been living all along!

In the town centre stood a magnificent structure made of large blue crystals – the portal to the Academy of Magic. Around it, dozens of families were seeing off their children who were entering the academy. Carsel observed them keenly – most of these families appeared wealthy and noble, with luxurious clothing and sparkling jewellery.

"Wow," Carsel whispered, looking at a boy his age wearing a golden silk robe with intricate embroidery. "They're all so rich."

"The Academy accepts students from all backgrounds," Gareth said. "What matters is ability and character, not wealth."

Ability? After eight years of hellish training, I must be better than these spoilt brats, Carsel thought arrogantly.

When it was their turn to register, an academy official – a middle-aged woman in neat attire – checked the documents Sage had prepared.

"Carsel Nightshade," she read. "An orphan from Pinewood Village, destroyed by a monster attack. Hmm, no prior academic record?"

"He was educated privately," Sage replied calmly. "But his abilities meet the standards for academy entry."

The official glanced at Carsel from head to toe, noting his simple clothes and worn leather shoes. Her expression was slightly disdainful. "Alright then. Please enter the portal. Orientation will begin tomorrow morning."

When the moment of farewell arrived, Elena hugged Carsel tightly, holding back tears. "Take good care of yourself, dear. Don't forget to write to us."

Write? I'll never send you lot a letter, Carsel thought, feigning emotion as he returned the hug. "I'll miss you all."

Gareth patted Carsel's head gently. "Be a good lad. Remember all the training we've done."

I'll forget all that bloody training, Carsel thought, nodding obediently. "Of course, Uncle."

Sage looked at Carsel with a meaningful gaze. "Remember, Carsel. True power isn't from combat ability or magic, but from the ability to understand and care for others."

More philosophical nonsense, Carsel grumbled inwardly. "I'll remember it, Grandpa."

With light steps – too light for a child parting with his family – Carsel walked towards the portal. The crystal blue light enveloped him, and in an instant, he vanished from the sight of his three guardians.

Elena, Gareth, and Sage stood in long silence, each steeped in worries they dared not voice. They had done their best, but was it enough?

Carsel emerged on the other side of the portal with an overwhelming sense of euphoria. Before him stood the magnificent Grand Academy of Magic – a colossal castle made of white stone with tall spires reaching into the sky. The island where the academy was located was surrounded by a shimmering blue ocean, and in the sky, several smaller islands floated, held aloft by magic.

This is it, he thought, inhaling deeply the air of freedom. My new home. The place where I'll become anyone I want to be.

Hundreds of other new students milled about the academy grounds, most looking nervous and excited. Carsel observed them with cold, calculating eyes.

Most were indeed noble children with lavish clothes and expensive jewellery. There were a few elf children with pointed ears and graceful postures, young dwarves with sturdy bodies despite their small size, and even some children with mixed features indicating mixed blood.

They'll all either be my friends or my targets, Carsel thought with a thin smile inappropriate for his age. And after eight years of training, I'm sure I can beat anyone.

An academy senior – appearing to be about sixteen with a gold-striped robe – stood on a platform and began giving instructions to the new students.

"Welcome to the Grand Academy of Magic!" he shouted, his voice magically amplified. "You will all be divided into dormitories based on a basic ability evaluation that will take place next week. For now, you'll be staying in the new student dormitories."

Carsel followed the crowd of new students to the dormitories. When he entered the room he would share with three other boys, he saw his three roommates were already there.

The first was a blond boy in expensive silk clothes with a royal crest ring on his finger – clearly high nobility. The second was an elf child with silver hair and arrogant green eyes. The third was a dwarf child with a thin beard and quality leather armour.

"Oh," the noble boy said, glancing at Carsel's simple clothes. "It seems there's been a mistake. This isn't the dormitory for... people like you."

Carsel felt the familiar anger he had suppressed for years begin to boil in his chest. But this time, he didn't have to hold it back.

"People like me?" he asked in a deceptively calm voice.

"I mean, poor people," the noble boy said lightly. "Usually scholarship students are placed in separate dormitories."

The elf boy chuckled. "Look at his shoes. They look like they're made from forest animal hide."

"And his clothes," the dwarf boy added. "Must be made by his mother or grandmother."

For the first time in his life, Carsel felt true humiliation. All this time, even though he resented his guardians, they at least treated him with respect. But here, in the place he considered a haven of freedom, he was being demeaned for things he couldn't control.

They... they look down on me?

"My name is Carsel Nightshade," he said, trying to maintain his dignity. "And I'm not a scholarship student."

"Nightshade?" The noble boy laughed. "A fitting name for someone who looks like a wild weed."

The three children laughed together, and Carsel felt something dark and dangerous begin to stir within his chest. Eight years of suppressed anger, eight years of feeling constrained and forced, now found new targets for release.

You'll regret this, he thought, clenching his fists until his knuckles turned white. You'll all regret underestimating me.

But he didn't yet know that this was just the beginning. The Academy of Magic, the place he considered a paradise of freedom, would become a hell far crueller than the hut in Oblivion Forest. And the most important lesson of his life was only just beginning – a lesson about how the real world treated those who were weak and unprotected.

That night, Carsel lay in his dormitory bed, listening to the laughter and chatter of his roommates, who had already become fast friends. He was ignored, cast aside, and treated as if he didn't exist.

For the first time in eight years, he longed for the warmth of the bamboo hut by Silver Lake. But his pride was too great to admit that perhaps, just perhaps, Elena, Gareth, and Sage were right about the world not being as beautiful as he imagined.

No, he thought stubbornly. I just need to show them who I really am. Tomorrow, when the ability evaluations begin, they'll see the results of those eight years of hellish training.

But what he didn't realise was that the eight years of buried resentment and anger had changed something within him. Something that might lead him to choose the wrong path when the time came to decide the fate of the world.

In Oblivion Forest, Sage awoke from his sleep in a cold sweat. He had dreamt of two branching paths, and on one of them, he saw the dark shadow of a familiar child walking towards destruction with steps full of hatred.