※Illustration of the heroine ^ : art by @ wada_naka on twitter.

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The day of the competition arrived, the classes were suspended so the students can watch and support the Crown Prince wholeheartedly.

The competition was held in one of the Academy's arena. The bleachers are filled with cheering students, all eyes are fixed on the platform in front of them that's currently filled with lab tables and is surrounded by a magical protection field in case an accident occurs.

Anastasius sat comfortably on a V.I.P seat where he can see the platform clearly. Charles made sure to give Anastasius the best seat in the premise of making the younger watch as how he magnificently takes the trophy when he wins this competition. And also to be able to spot him immediately and see his reaction with his experiment.

Some of the ladies who fawn over the Crown Prince couldn't help but just glare at Anastasius for the honor that he received, while most of them just stared at him with envy and fondness as he sat on the fluffy chair with sparkling eyes while munching on some sweet snacks.

Just remembering what happened earlier just leaves them breathless.

It was 8 in the morning, Anastasius was just getting ready to watch the competition when the prince himself showed up to his room and escorted him to his private carriage. When they reached the V.I.P seat, the crown prince even kissed Anastasius' hand and said "Watch me win this competition, my future fiancé." with a sexy smirk.

That was the first time everyone saw the Crown Prince wear that smug expression and it just made them weak at the knees. Adding that last phrase 'my future fiancé' just made everyone go crazy.

"Did His highness just called that- that adorable little guy his fiancé?!"

"I don't know! He must be joking..."

"Right? It isn't really illegal for a Crown Prince to take a male Queen but it haven't been done for centuries! The elders are now more inclined on having a granchild...I wonder how the King would react to this..."

While everyone's attention is on Anastasius, forming their own different theories and opinions about his matter with the Crown Prince, the subject himself doesn't even notice it because he's also in deep thoughts.

"I know something is going to happen here... What is it again?" He pondered.

After a little while, the whole arena was filled with the loud sound of the trumpets. The host introduced the competition and the instructions of it, she also announced the rules that will be set during the competition.

After stating the rules and regulation, the host introduced the competitors. Everyone on the platform looks smart and boring, they all wore the same clothes and the same stoic expression. Because of that, the students started to notice the two oddballs of the competition that stood opposite to each other, the Crown Prince (which is already given) and a mysterious charming girl.

"This is the first time I've seen her... Do you know her?"

"I heard she's a transferee like Mr. Clarimiéres but she went unnoticed because of the commotion Mr. Clarimiéres brought when he first made his appearance."

"Well, having the Crown Prince of this country as your escort is indeed worthy to be a cause of commotion so..."

Anastasius knitted his eyebrows. "Charming, big eyes, pale skin, short silvery hair like mine... Is she.." Anastasius couldn't believe what he was seeing. "She's really the heroine! Oh my god, this is the day where she'll captivate Charlie's heart! If the prince falls in love with her, he might think I'm a nuisance and he might even kill me!" Anastasius bit his lip in anxiousness, a part of him knew that he was probably just thinking too much of it (since he's friends with Charles now) but the vivid memory of that torture scene in the book had already put a shadow in his mind, a visceral fear.

Meanwhile on the platform where the competitors stood, Charles couldn't keep his eyes off the anxious Anastasius. When in the original story, his gaze were fixed on the heroine, it's completely different now.

"Is he feeling unwell, I wonder..." He couldn't help but worry.

"Now that we're done with the basic introductions, ladies and gentlemen, shall we begin our Alchemy Competition?"

The students' cheers became louder as the competitors started introducing their planned elixir. While Anastasius still continued with his overthinking.

"Wait, no, I'm now friends with Charlie! He wouldn't just kill me... right? And besides, it's not like I'm interested with the heroine...Right! Right! He wouldn't just kill me because I wouldn't steal his girl!" Anastasius nodded while smiling to himself, earning him a smile from Charles too.

"I don't know what he's thnking about but I'm glad he seems to be well now." Charles thought.

While the two were starting to be wallowed in their individual little bubble at the moment. The heroine, Cassandra Adalene, finally stepped forward to introduce the elixir that made the prince interested in her.

"To introduce you the elixir that I will be making, It would be the healing elixir!" Everyone was left gaping by what she just said.

"I heard that's so hard to make though."

"Isn't she just biting more than she can chew?"

Regardless of everyone's disbelief, she stood confident and unwavering with her choice, still wearing a sweet innocent smile. If they were in the original story, the prince would be staring at her with raised eyebrows out of interest right now, however, the subject is currently smiling at Anastasius who's making different expressions through his monologue at the moment and he pays literally zero interest to the heroine! What is happening?!

"A-An excellent choice Ms. Adalene. Now, last but definitely not the least, His highness Siax Charles Corielle!" The students quickly recovered from the shock as they all cheered for the prince, Anastasius was snapped from his thoughts too. He smiled as he clapped for his friend. Charles couldn't contain his fond smile which made the students roar louder.

"Thank you everyone. The elixir that I'm about to make may be foreign for all of you since I've only theorized it just three days ago, but I am confident that I can make it a success so I hope you can support me."

"A newly theorized elixir by his highness himself? What could it be?" The host asked

"I will be making a truth elixir. A fluid that can make anyone tell the truth through consumption." He said while staring straight at Anastasius.

Everyone went silent. It was the first time they heard of something like that, while every competitor were just planning to recreate an elixir that was already theorized and made in the past, only the crown prince thought of his own, and a very strange yet important elixir at that!

"Is that even possible?"

"I don't think it is, even if he's our esteemed crown prince, only the gods are able to do that right?"

Everyone couldn't help but question Charles except Anastasius. It's normal to think that such an elixir would be impossible to make, especially in an ancient kingdom like where they live but Anastasius(Yuu) have already encountered something like it in his past life.

Though what he knows is something called 'Truth serum' in layman's term, pharmacologists usually suggest it as a short-term treatment for insomnia, but because of its other effects, psychiatrists also use it as a sedative hypnotic to help their patients regain a memory of something or confess a traumatic experience that would help them be cured of their mental suffering.

However, Truth serums in Anastasius' past life doesn't really make the subject of it tell the truth, it just disables them to think critically and thus makes them incapable of forming lies. It's illegal to be used in intrrrogation though.

But this world is magical so Anastasius is sure that it would work more effectively if it's the Crown prince who will be making it with the help of his magic. And ancient kingdoms isn't really that critical with human rights so it would surely be used in interrogation if the Crown Prince succeeds on making it.

With that in mind, creating an elixir like that is very dangerous for it might be considered a threat for other Kingdoms. Anastasius have thought of this possibility but he trusts that the prince have already thought about it first before making an action; Which is true, the prince already have a set of plans about the consequences of today's competition, but right now he's really focusing first on winning in front of Anastasius.

Charles roamed his gaze around the arena, he doesn't care whether the students and the professors believes he can do it or not, what matters to him is if Anastasius trusts that he can do it.

So after seeing Anastasius' sparkling eyes and supportive grin, he regained his confidence once again, feeling at ease in contrast to everyone's expression.

*** Author's Note:

I thought I can end this event in part 2 but I got ahead of myself and before I knew it, I've written more than 1000 word chapter 😅 I always try to keep every chapter at 1000 words max (still short but for some reason, my braincells can only manage that much, it's always the same with the other chapters so to make it a little consistent I decided I should make it like that with all of them) so yea I should stop now, besides, a good cliffhanger would make the climax more interesting so teehee~

Wait for the part 3! Take care always or else!!