Magic Academy's
27. Zen changed

After Evia's death, the shadow of Kalia disappears. Kalia, the masked man and Ales leave the palace.

The news of Evia's death spread rapidly throughout the palace. Hearing the news, there were people who were sad, some were happy, and some did not care.

"How's this? Since yesterday, His Majesty the Emperor locked himself in a room. Today is the funeral of the first concubine." Whisper waiter.

"Your Majesty must have loved the first concubine very much." Whisper another waiter.

"of course. Even only the first concubine did not live in the concubine's palace, but rather had her own palace." Whisper another waiter.

***

Selia cried next to the tomb of the first concubine, 'This is my fault! At the time of the attack yesterday, I was too scared to get out of the room! Whereas if I was next to the first concubine's mother, I could cure her using my healing magic.' Selia blamed herself.

During the attack yesterday, Selia woke up when she heard the commotion. But, he was too afraid to get out of his room.

Zen looked at his mother's grave with a blank look. He blamed himself for his mother's death, 'I should have come sooner then.'

The second concubine and the eighth concubine were suspicious of the fifth concubine. Was he the one who made that commotion and killed the first concubine? They knew, the fifth concubine loved His Majesty the Emperor, so it made sense that the fifth concubine who got rid of the first concubine out of jealousy.

Zen did not find Ales anywhere, was Ales dead? But if it's really like that, why isn't the body there?

***

A few months passed, since Evia's death, Zen changed a lot. Zen who usually always went out of the palace secretly never again came out of the palace. Zen also became more reserved than usual.

The residents of the capital worried about Zen, they sent letters to the palace every day to inquire about the state of Zen. Zen replied to his letter with a short letter that read 'I'm fine', it made the residents even more worried about the state of their first prince.

While Selia who is usually often in the palace, often out of the palace. When he heard about someone who had a severe illness or injury, he went to heal him.

Despite months, Zen stops trying to figure out who paid the masked man and Kalia to kill his mother. He also found out their whereabouts, even if they were all in vain.

***

Today is Zen's 12th birthday. On his 12th birthday, a prince and princess will leave his mother's palace and live in his own palace.

"See you soon, and may you be healthy always, second prince." Selia.

Since Evia's death, Zen asks Selia not to call him 'brother' again. Their relationship is getting worse. Although they want to improve their relationship, but they do not know how.

Zen nodded "Thank you." He said and left from there.

Selia looked at Zen's back which was getting further away, she felt a feeling of sadness, at the moment only Zen could be considered a brother.

***

Zen was currently drinking tea in the garden. There were no servants or guards in the garden, only he was alone. Zen did tell the waiter to leave him alone in the garden.

An arrow almost hit Zen without realizing it. Zen took out his sword and was alert "Who is there?!"

No one answered, Zen saw the arrow that was stuck in the tree, there was a paper tied to the arrow.

Zen approached, he whipped out the arrow and took out the paper. Zen read the writing on the paper.

You want to know who's behind your mother's death?

Once again, an arrow shot towards Zen. Zen cut the arrow in half using his sword before it hit him.

Zen picked up the paper tied to the arrow and read it.

Come to the forest south of the capital.

***

As instructed in the letter, Zen came to the forest south of the capital.

He left secretly without being noticed by anyone.

Before long, a girl came. That girl is Kalia.

Zen looked at Kalia with a hateful look, the girl in front of him was one of the people who made his mother die.

Kalia ignored Zen's gaze, giving Zen a recording stone. Zen hesitated, but he still picked up the recording stone.

"That was the recording evidence when the fifth concubine spoke to my master. Along with some other footage." Kalia.

Zen was not surprised, he had guessed that the fifth concubine was the mastermind behind his mother's death. But, he has no proof.

Zen looked suspiciously at "Why did you give it to me?"

"Master told me to give it to you." Kalia.

Kalia turned around and wanted to leave, but Zen attacked Kalia using his magic.

Zen stared intently at Kalia "After all that, do you think I'll let you go?"

Kalia's body slowly disappeared, "I've thought of all that, because that which is in front of you now is a shadow." Kalia disappeared completely.

Zen turned around, he returned to the palace.

***

Zen played the tape. On the recording stone, there was a conversation between the masked man and the fifth concubine. Also the conversation of the fifth concubine, the second concubine and the eighth concubine.

Zen clenched his hand, he was unable to contain his anger. He came to the palace of the concubines and killed the people involved.

The third prince who protected his mother was severely injured. No one dared to stop Zen. The other servants and concubines just kept quiet and let Zen.

Rumors about Zen killing the second concubine, fifth concubine and eighth concubine quickly spread to the palace. The rumors also reached other kingdoms, and were certainly exaggerated.

Zen didn't kill any of his brothers, but rumors were circulating that he killed his brother.

Zen himself, did not try to straighten out that misunderstanding. He let himself be stamped as a cold-hearted man who could kill his own brother.

Zen was captured, but after showing the recording stone to the Emperor, the Emperor ordered Zen to be released.

All of that truth was known only to the people inside the palace.

Seriate...