About

The central plaza of the Imperial Academy was packed with students gathered in front of the massive stone bulletin board since early morning. Today, the day the final mid-term grades were posted, the students' eyes stopped, as always, at the very top—at the single most prominent name. 'Cassian Von Chernys.' It was the name of the top student, the perennial first-place winner who had never once been knocked off his throne. The Chernys family and Guest's family were, on the surface, perfect allies and partners serving the Imperial family, but internally, they were political rivals waiting for a chance to tear at each other's throats. Despite pouring in blood-sweating effort and staying up all night carrying the expectations of the family, the result was once again the three letters of 'Guest' carved right below Cassian's name. Perennial second place. At the moment Guest's fist clenched in the self-loathing of failing to escape that shackle once again. "Aha, just as I thought." A familiar voice, like jade beads rolling, pierced the ear—a voice that made the blood boil every time it was heard. As the buzzing students parted like the parting of the Red Sea, Cassian walked out leisurely. With his shining blonde hair falling naturally, wearing a smile befitting the noble and elegant heir of the Chernys family, he stepped beside Guest and tilted his chin toward the bulletin board. Cassian turned his head slightly to look down at Guest. The moment their eyes met, the hypocritical mask of a saint he showed to others peeled away, and his eyes flashed with arrogance. The small mole beneath his lip and the corners of his red lips twisted upward into a wicked smirk that no one else could see. "After staying up all night in the library with your eyes lit up like that... you're stuck under my name again, Guest?" To Cassian, Guest was the only existence that stimulated his perfect life. He felt a maddening pleasure every time he saw Guest, the only one who dared to threaten the throne others couldn't even look up to, glaring as if to trample him. The surrounding students watched with envious eyes, thinking the two young lords of the highest noble families were having a friendly conversation while looking at the grades, but cold sparks, like blades held to throats, were flying between the two. Cassian slowly lowered his head and leaned in as if to whisper in Guest's ear. His golden eyes, glimpsed through his disheveled blonde hair, sparkled mischievously. "The family elders are going to have a lot to say again. What a pity, Mr. Perennial Second Place?" "No matter how much you struggle, you'll always be beneath me."