Ezra’s eyes slowly opened.

For a brief moment, his black eyes remained fixed on the familiar ceiling above his bed, completely devoid of emotion. The room was still dim, with only the faint glow of the street lamps outside slipping through the curtains and casting long shadows across the walls.

He quietly listened.

The residence was no longer silent.

His sharp senses immediately picked up the soft sounds coming from elsewhere in the house.

The gentle scrape of a chair.

The faint clink of porcelain.

The quiet footsteps moving from one room to another.

Without needing to think twice, Ezra already knew who was awake.

Lucy.

He turned his head toward the clock resting on the bedside table.

Four o’clock in the morning.

Exactly as expected.

Lucy had already begun carrying out her morning duties.

Her footsteps moved steadily through the residence as she cleaned each room with practiced efficiency, making sure everything was in order before beginning the rest of her work.

Fortunately...

She didn’t have much to clean today.

The living room had already been rearranged the previous night after Ezra had finished their dance practice.

Although she had been slightly upset that her master had done part of her work without telling her, it had undoubtedly reduced the amount of work waiting for her this morning.

Soon...

The sounds of cleaning gradually faded.

The gentle aroma of breakfast slowly drifted through the residence.

Lucy carefully arranged the prepared dishes on the dining table before quietly sitting down herself.

Since she had to report to the Welcome Party venue much earlier than the other students, she couldn’t afford to waste any time this morning.

Back inside his bedroom...

Ezra slowly sat up.

He stretched both arms above his head before rotating his shoulders, allowing the stiffness from sleep to disappear.

Afterward, he calmly climbed out of bed.

Without any hesitation, he walked straight toward the bathroom.

The sound of running hot-water soon echoed through the quiet room.

He brushed his teeth in silence, washed his face, then stared at his reflection for a brief moment before turning away.

Once he had finished...

Ezra returned to his bedroom.

Instead of preparing for the day...

He reached toward the bedside lamp and switched it off.

The room immediately became dark once again.

He calmly lay back down on the bed and pulled the blanket over himself.

It still wasn’t time for his actual morning routine.

So, there was no point staying awake simply because he had briefly opened his eyes.

Within moments...

The room returned to complete silence.

The next time Ezra opened his eyes...

The clock read exactly six o’clock.

There wasn’t even a second’s difference.

He immediately threw the blanket aside and rose from the bed.

His movements remained as orderly as ever.

After changing into his exercise clothes, he adjusted the sleeves around his wrists before walking toward the front door.

As he stepped into the living room...

His attention was immediately drawn toward the dining table.

Lucy had already prepared breakfast before leaving.

The meal remained neatly covered to preserve its warmth.

Beside one of the food containers rested a neatly folded note.

Ezra walked over and picked it up.

The handwriting was tidy and easy to recognize.

He unfolded the paper.

***

Good morning, Master...

Thank you for arranging the living room, and I’m sorry you had to do that instead of me.

But I really didn’t like the fact that you did it behind my back.

I’m your maid, Master.

Please leave things like this for me to handle next time.

I’ve prepared your breakfast.

Also, I re-ironed your Welcome Party attire and placed it neatly in the laundry room.

I’ll be leaving now.

Stay safe.

And I can’t wait to see you in your handsome clothes.

Your friendly neighborhood maid,

Lucy.

At the very bottom of the page...

She had drawn a small heart.

***

Ezra quietly finished reading the note, remaining quite the whole time.

He folded the paper once.

Then again.

Without saying a word, he left the residence.

Outside...

The cool morning air greeted him.

A light breeze drifted through the First-Year Residence District, carrying the fresh scent of dew-covered grass across the neatly maintained walkways.

The academy grounds had only just begun waking up.

Some residences still had their lights turned off.

Others had already become lively as students prepared for the day ahead.

Ezra walked toward the waste bin positioned beside the stone pathway.

Without hesitation...

He squeezed the note into a small ball before casually dropping it inside.

The paper disappeared into the bin.

As though it had completed its purpose.

Not far away...

Cyrus was already outside.

He stood on the side of the jogging path, stretching his arms above his head before rotating his shoulders.

He occasionally bent his knees and shifted his weight from one leg to the other, preparing his body before beginning his morning run.

Judging from how often he glanced toward Ezra’s residence...

It almost seemed as though he had been waiting.

The moment he noticed Ezra approaching...

A relaxed smile appeared on his face.

"Good morning."

He casually raised a hand in greeting.

Ezra gave a small nod.

"Good morning, Cyrus."

He answered in his usual calm tone.

The two gradually walked toward one another.

The peaceful morning remained undisturbed around them.

Birds chirped softly from the trees lining the academy roads.

The early sunlight slowly climbed over the distant buildings, bathing the residence district in a warm golden glow.

Cyrus continued stretching his arms as he smiled.

"So...Today’s finally the day, huh?"

His tone carried a hint of anticipation.

Ezra began stretching his own shoulders before rotating each arm one after the other.

"Yeah."

He answered simply.

Nothing more.

Cyrus chuckled.

Then, after a brief pause, he glanced sideways at Ezra.

"So... Did you accept Vera’s request to become her dance partner?"

His expression became slightly more curious.

Ezra didn’t even stop stretching.

"I did."

His reply remained short and direct.

"...Ehn."

Cyrus blinked before letting out a helpless laugh.

"Lucky you."

He smiled to himself as he finished warming up his body.

His feet began lightly hopping from side to side, preparing to start jogging.

By now...

More students had started leaving their residences.

Groups of first-years slowly filled the walkways of the East Wing.

Some wore exercise clothes and headed toward the training grounds.

Others simply stepped outside to enjoy the cool morning before the busy afternoon.

Several students gathered outside their friends’ residences, already chatting excitedly about the Welcome Party scheduled to begin at two o’clock that afternoon.

Beyond the East Wing...

The other residence districts gradually came to life as well.

The academy was quietly waking up.

"If you say so."

Ezra replied in his usual flat tone before gradually picking up his pace.

His feet struck the stone jogging path with a steady rhythm as he settled into his morning run.

Cyrus watched Ezra’s back for a brief moment before letting out a helpless but amused smile.

He shook his head lightly before pushing himself forward to catch up.

Within seconds, the two boys were jogging side by side.

The cool morning breeze brushed past them, gently rustling the trees that lined the academy roads.

"I mean..."

Cyrus let out a long sigh.

"Just look at me."

He spread both hands dramatically before pointing toward himself.

"I can’t even get a dance partner...And I’m the son of a Duke."

He shook his head as though lamenting the greatest injustice in the world.

"And I know I’m not bad-looking either."

Turning slightly toward Ezra, he pointed confidently at his own face.

The expression on his face was so serious that anyone hearing him for the first time might actually believe he had been rejected by every girl in the academy.

As they continued jogging...

More students gradually joined the academy roads.

Some ran past them in groups while laughing among themselves.

Others maintained a slower pace, chatting about the Welcome Party that would begin later that afternoon.

Further ahead, several students waved toward Steam Buses arriving one after another near the transportation station.

The deep mechanical rumble of Steam Carriages echoed across the roads as they carried students toward the academy center.

The once quiet morning was steadily becoming lively.

Cyrus, however, continued his dramatic complaint.

"But why is it...that girls never come over to my side?"

He slightly slumped his shoulders while jogging, wearing the expression of someone who had suffered a great injustice.

Ezra slowly turned his head toward him.

His eyes narrowed just a little.

He wasn’t buying a single word Cyrus was saying.

If someone who didn’t know Cyrus happened to overhear this conversation...

They would probably believe every word.

They might even sympathize with him.

After all, he certainly sounded convincing.

Unfortunately for Cyrus...

Ezra had personally witnessed the exact opposite.

During their first day in the main classroom, Cyrus had been surrounded by girls once he made his entrance.

Not only that...

Ezra had also seen him casually throwing away several letters from girls asking him to become their dance partner.

The memory remained perfectly clear.

Yet now...

The same person was acting as though not a single girl had ever shown interest in him.

Ezra stared at him for another moment before calmly speaking.

"You’re not fooling anyone, Cyrus."

His voice remained completely emotionless.

Cyrus’s jogging slowed for the briefest moment.

"..."

He quickly recovered and continued running as though nothing had happened.

"What do you mean by that?"

He looked toward Ezra with an innocent expression, acting as if he had absolutely no idea what he was talking about.

Ezra didn’t even hesitate.

"I saw the letters you threw away."

His narrowed gaze never left Cyrus.

"...Ah."

Cyrus opened his mouth.

Closed it again.

"...Hmm."

An awkward laugh escaped him.

"So...You saw that."

He scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile.

There was no point pretending anymore.

For several moments...

Neither of them spoke.

The only sounds between them were the steady rhythm of their footsteps and the distant whistles of Steam Buses departing from nearby stations.

They continued jogging toward the gymnasium at an even pace.

Not too fast.

Not too slow.

Comfortable enough to continue talking without becoming breathless.

Eventually...

Cyrus broke the silence.

"So...You’re really not going to ask why I rejected those letters...while I’m still complaining about not getting any ladies?"

He looked sideways at Ezra, clearly expecting at least a little curiosity.

Ezra kept his eyes forward.

"I’m not that curious."

He answered honestly.

His expression didn’t change in the slightest.

It wasn’t that he disliked listening to other people’s stories.

He simply wasn’t the type to pry into someone’s personal affairs unless they chose to tell him themselves.

"Tsk... tsk..."

Cyrus clicked his tongue twice before shaking his head dramatically.

"You and my stepbrother really are alike."

He glanced toward Ezra with a helpless smile.

"The way both of you act completely unbothered...It almost feels like nothing can surprise either of you."

As he spoke...

He suddenly placed one hand beneath his chin.

His brows furrowed as though he had stumbled upon an important discovery.

"Maybe...That’s exactly why you two attract more girls than the rest of us."

His eyes lowered toward the jogging path beneath his feet.

For once...

His voice actually sounded thoughtful.

As though he genuinely believed what he had just said.

Ezra glanced at him for only a second.

"You say that...But you don’t actually mean it."

His reply remained as straightforward as ever.

There wasn’t any sarcasm behind it.

Only simple honesty.

Cyrus looked at him before suddenly laughing.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips.

"I guess you’re right."

He admitted without much resistance.

For a little while...

The two continued jogging in comfortable silence.

The academy grounds slowly passed by them as more students filled the roads, preparing for another busy day.

After thinking quietly to himself...

Cyrus spoke again.

"You know...I don’t hate my stepbrother or my stepsisters. I never have. And honestly...I’ve never even wanted to hate them."

His voice became calmer than before.

"In fact...We’re actually quite close."

He paused for a moment.

His eyes drifted ahead as though sorting through old memories before continuing.

"Nah...We’re actually pretty very close."

A small calm smirk rested on Cyrus’ face as he spoke.

There wasn’t even the slightest hint of bitterness when he mentioned his family.

Instead...

His smirk carried quiet warmth.

"But as you’ve already seen...They’re much more popular than I am. People really admire them."

He gave a small shrug before letting out a soft chuckle.

"And they deserve it."

His words were sincere.

There wasn’t any jealousy hidden beneath them.

Only genuine admiration.

His thoughts naturally drifted toward his stepbrother and stepsisters.

Whenever their names were mentioned throughout Britannia, people always spoke with respect.

Their achievements.

Their talent.

Their future.

Everything about them drew attention.

As their brother...

Cyrus couldn’t help feeling proud.

"And honestly... I’m proud of them."

He turned his head toward Ezra with a relaxed smile.

"I really am."

For a brief moment...

The morning breeze passed quietly between them.

Their footsteps continued striking the jogging path at the same steady rhythm.

Neither of them slowed down.

Neither of them hurried.

After a short silence...

The smile on Cyrus’ face became a little more complicated.

"But...It’s not like I haven’t taken a beating because of all that."

He laughed softly.

The laugh sounded casual.

Yet...

His eyes no longer carried the same carefree look as before.

Old memories quietly surfaced inside his mind.

He remembered the day he finally decided to stop caring so much about what people thought of him.

Or at least...

That was what he had convinced himself.

Cyrus Burnwick.

The son, born to the third wife of the Duke of Burnwick.

Among the younger generation of House Burnwick...

His name was rarely mentioned together with praise.

Not because he lacked noble manners.

Nor because he was troublesome.

He simply wasn’t as gifted as the others.

His stepsister, Sasha...

Was one of Britannia’s Flowers.

Beautiful.

Strong.

And gifted.

At the same time, she was also recognized as one of the kingdom’s most promising young Alchemists.

Then there was Ravenor.

The pride of House Burnwick.

The child whom countless nobles believed would one day lead the family to even greater heights.

Much like Vera...

Ravenor had awakened his Cognis at an unusually young age.

From that moment onward...

The Burnwick Family spared no effort nurturing his talent.

The finest teachers.

The best resources.

Every opportunity.

Everything was invested into his future.

By the age of eleven...

Ravenor had already become one of the brightest young talents in Britannia.

His reputation spread far beyond House Burnwick.

Compared to those two...

Cyrus appeared painfully ordinary.

Even among the other Mainline children...

He wasn’t someone people eagerly talked about.

He wasn’t known as a genius.

He wasn’t known as a prodigy.

He was simply...

Cyrus.

Or rather...

The average Burnwick child.

What made things even worse...

Was the timing of his birth.

He had been born during the same generation as the family’s greatest young talents.

As children...

Many members of House Burnwick often compared the three of them.

One was called exceptional.

Another was praised endlessly.

And the last...

Was called average.

At first...

It was only harmless teasing among children.

But teasing had a habit of growing.

The jokes spread throughout the family.

Then beyond the family.

Soon enough...

Many young nobles across Britannia had begun referring to Cyrus as the average son of House Burnwick.

A nickname repeated often enough eventually became reality in the eyes of others.

That label quietly followed him wherever he went.

Even so...

As Cyrus had already said before...

He never truly hated his siblings.

Not even once.

They had never looked down on him.

They had never treated him differently.

If anything...

They cared about him far more than outsiders realized.

That alone had always meant more to him than the opinions of strangers.

So, he chose not to dwell on the insults.

He laughed them off.

Ignored them.

Moved on.

At least...

That was what everyone believed.

The morning breeze brushed across his face as his smile slowly weakened.

The truth was...

No matter how many times he told himself he didn’t care...

There was still a small part of him...

A quiet part hidden deep inside his heart...

That wished someone would look at him the same way they looked at Ravenor.

Or Sasha.

Just once.

His own mother...

Was rarely home.

Even when she returned to the estate...

The opportunities for them to spend time together were few.

Sometimes...

Days passed without them exchanging more than a few words.

Sometimes...

They barely even looked each other in the eye.

Cyrus never knew why.

Perhaps...

She truly believed he was a disappointment.

Or perhaps...

There was another reason entirely.

He couldn’t say.

He never found the courage...

Nor the opportunity...

To ask her.

His gaze quietly lowered toward the jogging path.

Then...

A faint smile appeared once more.

Only this time...

It carried traces of old sadness.

"And then...The thing that finally broke me..."

His voice became quieter.

"...was my maid."

For a brief moment...

He simply continued jogging.

His breathing remained steady.

But his thoughts had already wandered far into the past.

"She was the only person... who always stayed by my side. The only one who looked at me...and saw Cyrus Burnwick. Not the average son of the Duke. Not the boy standing in Ravenor’s shadow. Not someone people compared with my siblings. Just...Me."

A gentle smile slowly formed on his face.

It was warm.

Filled with nostalgia.

As though he had remembered one of the happiest moments of his childhood.

After remaining silent for several steps...

He finally spoke again.

"...She was my first love."