Chapter 1 — The Unmarked Swing
The kingdom of Camelot buzzed under the afternoon sun, banners flapping lazily over stone walls and cobblestone streets. Down a narrow alley, thirteen-year-old Seig Pendragon sprinted like his life depended on it, black hair tousled by the wind, emerald-green eyes sparkling with mischief. A green leather jacket was tied around his waist, black cargo pants swished with every stride, and red open-toed shinobi sandals slapped the cobblestones.
He'd just "redecorated" the central fountain with bright graffiti—right in broad daylight. Behind him, three Rank 3 knights puffed and huffed, their polished armor clanking as they chased him.
"Stop right there, you little vandal!" one yelled.
Seig laughed over his shoulder. "Catch me if you can, slowpokes! Camelot's rules are dumber than your helmets! And tell your captain his cooking tastes like boiled socks!"
The knights stumbled over each other as Seig vaulted a low wall and disappeared into the crowded marketplace. He didn't know it yet, but something ancient stirred deep inside—a dragon sealed away, waiting. To him, he was just an ordinary troublemaking academy student, nothing more.
Panting in a quiet courtyard, he froze when a shadow fell over him.
Mrs. Lily—twenty-four, long black hair cascading down her back, dressed in a sleek black-and-blue outfit—stood arms crossed. A faint dragon-head tattoo peeked out from the back of her hand. Her eyes narrowed.
"Seig Pendragon. Again?"
He rubbed his neck nervously. "Hey… Teacher Lily! Just… artistic expression?"
THWACK—her knuckle tapped his forehead.
"Ow! What—?!"
"Artistic expression doesn't include insulting the kingdom's honor code in public. Or running from knights like a street rat," she said, but the corner of her mouth twitched.
Seig's stomach growled loudly. Lily sighed, softening instantly. "Fine. Lunch is on me."
They ended up at a bustling food stall. Meat loaves and glazed chicken ribs sizzled, stacked high. Seig attacked the plate like a starving wolf while Lily ate gracefully, eyes soft but watchful.
He glanced at the dragon-head badge on her belt. "That's so cool. When I grow up, I'll be a knight like you—get one of those badges and everything."
Lily ruffled his hair. "Start by not getting expelled first, little brother."
The next day, the Knight Training Academy courtyard hummed with energy. Students lined up for Mrs. Lily's transformation magic class.
"Denji!" she called. A cocky boy stepped forward and—poof—transformed perfectly into Mrs. Lily, down to the dragon tattoo. Class clapped.
Next: Athuria Silva. Thirteen, an orphaned princess from the Ice Kingdom, stood tall in a short strapless dress flowing into gradient bell sleeves. Her long white-blue hair gleamed like frozen waterfalls. She focused, poof—flawless transformation.
Then it was Seig's turn. He shuffled forward, sweating. He concentrated with all his might… and poof—he became a vending machine, red and glowing with snacks inside.
The class erupted in laughter.
"Seig… dismissed," Lily said, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Fire magic came next. Students spat small, controlled fireballs with ease. Seig inhaled, clenched his fists, and pushed with everything… only a pathetic glob of saliva dribbled from his lips.
"Saliva Seig strikes again!" someone jeered.
By day's end, Rank 3 badges were handed out. Cheers filled the courtyard. Everyone celebrated—everyone except Seig.
He sat alone on the playground swing, legs dangling, head down. The laughter echoed in his ears. His eyes stung.
"Magic… is stupid," he muttered to the empty air.
The swing creaked in the breeze as the sun dipped behind Camelot's towers.