Alexander Arias Asura. 8 Years Old
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Splash!
Swoosh!
Bang!
My spells hit the targets accurately every time as I performed my usual training drill. This has been my morning routine for the last three years. Although my progress in magic has stagnated without a teacher, I've never stopped sharpening and maintaining my skills.
I am just over eight years old now, and my daily routine consists of magic training and some light exercises in the morning. Afternoons are spent in the library, studying various things like history and language. And evenings are left empty to relax or spend time with family.
Life has been peaceful and good so far...
"Hey, wanna go swimming in the river today?"
"But I wanna play adventurer like yesterday."
I overheard some chatter in the distance, and footsteps getting ever closer. I turned around and spotted a group of three young boys, all looking around my age, conversing amongst themselves. They seemed to be just passing by, and so I paid them no mind and got ready to continue my training drills.
"Hey, Alexander!" I heard one of them calling my name and I turned around to see that the group was approaching me. "You're Alexander, right? Wanna come play with us?"
It seems that they are inviting me to go with them.
"We're about to go play at the river just nearby."
I smiled. "Sorry, but I'm busy."
"Oh." The kid lowered his head from my rejection. "Okay then. Maybe next time." They then turned around and walked away, leaving me to my own.
Despite my appearance, I'm still a man in his mid-twenties. It'll be uncomfortable and awkward for me to play with a bunch of little kids.
***
One night, I was lying down on the couch in the upstairs lounge, reading a storybook. Mother and father are also with me, doing their own thing.
It was quiet as we were all relaxing when suddenly, a female servant entered with urgent steps.
"Sir, it's a letter for you." She said as she handed father a letter. "It's sealed with the royal stamp. It's from the king."
"From the king?" Father repeated, sounding surprised as he took the envelope off her hands.
"From your brother?" Mother sounded surprised as well.
The servant hands father a letter opener and he uses it to slice open the envelope before handing it back to her. He pulls out the letter inside and carefully unfolds it to read its contents. Both mother and I waited in anticipation as he read the letter.
"It seems like the king wants to see me." He spoke out as he seemed to have finished reading. "And he formally invites our family to the capital."
Mother clasped her hands. "Well, isn't it good news? You'll be seeing your brother again after so long."
"No, something's fishy here... He never wanted to see me, so why now?" Father pondered, placing the letter down on the coffee table.
Apparently our family, despite being directly related to the esteemed Asura lineage, sits closer to the bottom of the hierarchy. Because of that, we've largely been ignored by the rest of the family and were left to our own, governing a small town on the outskirts of the King's Region.
In my eight years of living in this world, I've never heard from any of my relatives, which was why I was surprised at the sudden invitation.
"This has got to be an elaborate scheme to off us." He somehow came to that conclusion. "This reeks of a trap, I just know it."
"Dear, he's your brother."
"Half brother." He slotted in, and mother only sighed.
"Besides, he's already the king and you have close to no claim to the throne anyway, why would he want to assassinate you?"
"Hell if I know what's going on in their power-hungry heads." He leans back on the sofa, placing a palm on his head.
Meanwhile, I chose to keep quiet throughout this exchange. I don't really care whether or not we go, though I can't deny that I am curious about what the palace and the capital are like. I do have the urge to go out and explore what it's like outside of this town.
A minute of silence later, father released a defeated sigh. "Fine, we'll go."
Mother perked up. "Really?"
He nodded. "I do miss my brother a little. And I want to show Alex around the capital too." He said. "I'll have the servants to prepare our carriage."
Mother smiled. "Should we recruit some adventurers to escort us? I heard that monsters have been running rampant lately."
"I don't think that's necessary. Our guards will be more than enough. Besides..." Father turns to look at me. "We have our own Saint-level Fire mage."
"You can't possibly expect our son to ward off monsters."
"Just kidding." Father laughed.
With that, it is agreed that we will be heading towards the capital of the Asura Kingdom, Ars, for a small family reunion.
I don't know what to expect, but I'm kinda excited to be leaving the house and get a chance to explore the castle to see what it's like. I might even learn more about my family's heritage and what they are like.
But, based on what I heard from Mistress Frieren, most of the people in the Asuran lineage are, unpleasant to say the least...
"The royal family reeks of corruption and greed." She answered during one of our nightly lessons. She was giving me a brief history of the kingdom and how it came to be, and I just asked her what the Asura family is like out of curiosity.
"Your father is the most decent person of Asuran nobility I've encountered so far." She continued. "I was shocked to see how humble he is."
"You've met many Asuran nobles before?" I asked.
"I've met the king, but not the current one. Other than that, numerous high-ranked nobles." She answered, "They're deceptive, manipulative, not to mention extremely perverted. They have no moral standards whatsoever, absolute scum."
"It doesn't sound like you're too fond of them..." I noticed the venom laced in the tone of her voice when she talked about the monarchy.
"It's because I'm not. They're the worst kind of people." She answered without hesitation. "Everyone has their own agendas and motives and they're willing to do anything to get what they want. They did horrible things to other people, and even to each other. There are no limits to their greed and hunger for power.
She then looked me straight in the eyes. "It's best that you avoid them at any cost. Don't get caught up in their business, understand?"
"Y-Yes, Mistress Frieren..." I blurted out. I've never seen Mistress Frieren exude so much spite before.
Since then, my perception of my family and relatives has changed. I understand now why father chooses to avoid getting involved with them. But I guess that is all about to change soon...
***
A week later, after a three-hour-long journey, we arrived at the capital. Ars. The journey was without complications, save for a small monster attack around halfway through the trip, but our escorts dealt with it swiftly.
Our carriage rolls through the gates of the capital city of Ars, I can't help but feel a surge of excitement and wonder coursing through me. Peering out of the window, I took in the sights and sounds of the bustling city unfolding before me, my heart pounding with anticipation.
I can't say that I'm not a little excited about this trip. I finally have the chance to see more of this world after being stuck in my hometown for all my life.
The city is alive with activity, its streets teeming with merchants peddling their wares, beggars pleading for alms, and nobles adorned in opulent finery. It was certainly a different vibe and atmosphere compared to the rural town where I am from. I can see parts of the royal palace, situated high up on the top of a hill.
As I stepped out of our carriage, I gazed upon the spectacular sight of the Silver Palace, where the king and the royal family reside and govern the kingdom, and also the place my father used to live.
The palace makes my home look like a small shed in comparison. It is a huge and grand white-walled castle, said to be the world's largest and most beautiful. It towers above us, its sturdy stone walls reaching towards the sky. Colorful flags wave proudly in the breeze, adding a touch of elegance to the majestic structure. The palace commands respect and admiration, its presence dominating the landscape with its regal presence.
It's times like these I am reminded that I'm truly in another world.
After I got out, mother and father followed suit.
"Alex." My mother called my name as she knelt down to my level and started to tidy up my clothes and hair.
We all are dressed in our best outfits, mother wanted us to look as good as possible. It is the king we are about to meet after all, so I guess it's understandable, but this means that I'm forced to wear is so itchy and uncomfortable.
I fixed my collar and adjusted my belt, and I also looked to the right side of my waist to check where my wand was, placed in a custom-made holster for easy access.
There were guards already waiting to escort us into the palace. They gave a crisp salute to my father as we were then taken up towards the entrance.
The pair of guards guided us through the vast ornate hallways of the palace until we reached a large chamber, where the king was waiting. He is a man seemingly being just above middle-aged, wearing a fancy-looking garment and a crown atop his head, exuding an air of authority.
His expression softens, although just a little, as he gazes at my father.
Father smiled. "Brother. It's good to see you again."
The king laughed. "Likewise. Come, we have much to catch up on." He turns, and we started to follow him, but he then stops and turns to face us again with a smile. "Oh, and your son can go explore the castle if he wishes. I don't suppose he's too excited to hear boring grown-up talk. Or better yet, he can join my daughter Ariel for teatime."
Mother clasps her hands. "That sounds great, right Alex? You get to meet your cousin."
I only nodded.
"I'll have someone bring you to her." The king said as he called over a servant and I was promptly taken away.
His daughter, or in other words, the princess. And she's my cousin. I wonder what she's really like. Based on everything I know about Asuran nobles, I imagine her as a spoiled brat of a princess, someone who thinks she's better than everyone else, ignorant and arrogant through and through.
The Asura family has complete authority and rule over the kingdom for hundreds if not thousands of years. With such power and wealth, it's not surprising someone born in this prestigious lineage would have a less-than-pleasant attitude. I just hope I have the patience to tolerate it.
The servant guided me through the ornate halls until we emerged into a sprawling backyard garden. An expanse of beautiful white lilies greeted us with neatly trimmed shrubbery lining the pathways. Shallow pools of water added a serene touch, their reflective surfaces mirroring the vibrant greenery, and the sunlight cast a soft, ethereal glow over the scene. There was also a sweet fragrance permeating in the air.
At the heart of the garden stood a pristine white gazebo. Within it, I spotted a girl, sat gracefully at a table, sipping from a delicate teacup.
As I lay my eyes on her, my breath was taken away. She is a girl of my age, her long blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, framing a face of captivating beauty with piercing blue eyes and a pale complexion. The gentle sunlight shining upon her made for a mesmerizing sight.
It was only after I snapped myself out of my trance that I noticed that there was someone else standing beside her. A slightly older guy, a teenager distinguished by his dark brown hair and the spectacles perched upon his nose. He is clad in a cloak, his watchful gaze surveying the surroundings with a keen eye.
My guide ushered me along and we approached the gazebo. "Your Highness, you have a visitor." He spoke out as we stood just outside.
The princess places her teacup down on the table and shifts her gaze towards us. "Oh?" Her lips curled into a smile. "And who might you be?"
"I'm Alexander Arias Asura," I replied.
"Arias?" She repeated my middle name with a hint of surprise.
"The king wishes he could join you in your afternoon tea." The guide said, to which the princess then nodded before sending him away.
"My name is Ariel Anemoi Asura." The princess introduced herself, with a rehearsed smile. "It's nice to finally meet you, dear cousin. Come sit down." She invited me, motioning to the empty seat at the other side of the table.
I stepped inside the gazebo, walked past her guard, and sat on the empty seat, trying to get myself comfortable. The table in front of me has a selection of cakes and light snacks, which all look very appealing, but nothing I'm unfamiliar with.
Her guard went and placed an empty teacup on the table in front of me before going to pick up the teapot, but Ariel suddenly held up a hand before reaching out to pick up the teapot instead, and she started to pour me the tea.
There's a graceful aura about her, evident in the way she carries herself, fitting for a princess. As she delicately raises the teapot and pours the steaming tea into my cup, her soft smile never faltering, it's clear she's well-versed in proper etiquette.
Despite her pleasant demeanor, I can't shake the feeling that it's just a facade. Being all too familiar with fake smiles and insincere kindness before, I remain cautious.
After she is done pouring the tea, she places the teapot on the table and leaned back on her seat, still with a smile on her face. "Please, enjoy." She says.
Following her lead, I lift the teacup with the same refined mannerisms my mother taught me. Keeping in mind that she technically is above me, being directly related to the king, I decide it's best to show respect and tread carefully. Bringing the cup to my lips, I take a sip of the warm, fragrant liquid.
"How is it?" She asked.
"It's really good." I replied, which wasn't a lie. I've never been a big fan of tea, but I can't deny that this one is good.
"I'm glad to hear that. Feel free to have some snacks as well." She said as she went back to enjoying her tea.
I helped myself with one of the cakes and we then fell into silence. The atmosphere is tense, and as we are doing our own things, I can sense that she is trying to read me, stealing brief glances at me whenever I'm not looking. I noticed that her guardian is also weary of me, I can feel his intense gaze.
The silence continues. It seems like we both are being very careful of what we say and do.
"I see that you carry a wand," Ariel remarked, breaking the silence that lingered between us. "Are you studying magic?"
I nodded in affirmation. "Yes."
"You aim to become a mage?" She inquired with a slightly tilted head, to which I responded with another nod.
"That's the plan," I replied, taking a sip of my tea.
"Have you ever considered a position within the palace?" Ariel leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table and cradling her head in her hands. Her intense gaze bore into me as she continued, "I can arrange that."
I met her gaze, surprised. "You can do that?"
A smug grin crossed her face as she scoffed. "Of course. A word from me to my father, and you could be living in the palace by tomorrow. So, what do you say? A minister? An advisor, perhaps? Or maybe you want to be an Asuran Royal Magician, like Derrick here." She motions to the guy standing next to her.
I shook my head. "No, thank you."
"Huh?" Her reaction betrayed her surprise. "Oh, so you want a higher position?"
"No, I mean that I'm not interested at all." As soon as the words came out of my mouth, she fell silent. It's like she almost cannot believe it, which is understandable since most people would jump on the opportunity, but I honestly couldn't care less.
Not only that, but just like father, I feel like it would only invite trouble to get involved with the royalty. And so it was not a hard decision to refuse her offer.
"I'm perfectly fine the way I am." I added.
"Are you sure?" She pressed, her tone insistent. "A position in the palace could benefit both you and your parents, you know?"
It's clear that for some reason, she really wants me to take this offer. What's her game?
"Maybe you're not aware of how big of a deal my offer is..." She continued. "Having connections is important to climb up the ranks. And who knows...?" She narrowed her eyes. "I think you can have a strong claim to the throne."
"We're satisfied with our current situation," I reaffirmed, standing by my decision. "But thank you for the offer."
After my polite refusal, Ariel's expression shifted subtly, her features settling into a skeptical mask, and her smile faltered. I can see cracks starting to form in her facade as she stares at me silently. There was a flicker of doubt in her eyes, a silent question lingering between us.
I wait for her next move.
"You're different, aren't you?" she remarked, her tone laced with uncertainty. "Most would jump at the chance for such an opportunity."
I offered a nonchalant shrug. "As I said, I'm fine with our situation."
Ariel regarded me with a scrutinizing gaze, her blue eyes narrowing slightly.
There was a tense pause as our eyes locked, neither of us willing to fully trust the other's words. It was as if we were both searching for hidden motives beneath the surface.
"Very well, Alexander," Ariel finally conceded. "But remember, should you ever change your mind, the offer still stands."
I offered a curt nod in acknowledgment, though I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Ariel's offer than met the eye. "Thank you, princess. I'll keep that in mind."
She chuckled, this time she seemed more relaxed. "Just call me Ariel."
Just then, the sound of footsteps drew our attention, and we turned to see a boy, roughly our age, making his way towards us. His short brown hair was neatly combed back, and his bright blue eyes sparkled with energy. What really caught my eye, though, was the sword strapped to his waist.
"Sorry I'm late!" he exclaimed, slightly out of breath. "My lesson ran longer than usual."
"Oh, hey Luke," Ariel greeted warmly, and he smiled at her.
His gaze then shifted to me, and his expression shifted to one of confusion. "And who is this?" He asked, his tone curious.
"He is my cousin, Alexander." Ariel replied, gesturing towards me.
Luke quickly straightened his posture and offered me the usual noble greeting. "Forgive my rudeness, your Highness. It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Luke Notos Greyrat, a knight in training."
"It's okay. Nice to meet you too, Luke," I replied, offering him a smile and a nod. He then moved to stand next to Derrick. It seems like he was also a guard for Ariel.
"So, shall we continue our conversation, Alexander?" Ariel prompted.
"Please, just Alex would be fine," I interjected. "What do you want to talk about?"
"I want to know more about you. You're my cousin after all, so I'm curious." She answered. "In exchange, you're also free to ask anything about me."
With that, we started to talk with each other, conversing about all sorts of stuff while having tea and snacks. Somewhere along the line, our facade started to fade, I saw Ariel starting to open up and talk more freely and I found myself doing the same. Ariel seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me, and her curiosity sparked my own. We shared stories, exchanged interests, and even discovered some unexpected common ground.
I learned that she is the fourth child of the king, with two older brothers and an older sister, which places her as the second princess in line. Also, I pieced together that we are of the same age, with her born only a few months after me.
Other than that, she explained that we were in the Lily Garden, one of the palace's cherished gardens, and that it is particularly her favorite. She mentioned that she often enjoys tea here every three days, in the company of her guardians, Derrick Redbat, a Royal Magician who was just recently appointed as her guardian mage, and Luke Notos Greyrat, a knight in training.
Before I knew it, a few hours had already passed. As we were sharing a laugh, we were abruptly interrupted by the arrival of the same servant who had guided me here earlier
It seems like my time here is up.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Ariel's features as I rose from my seat. "Is it time for you to leave already?"
"It seems that way, unfortunately," I admitted, mirroring her disappointment.
"I hoped we could've talked more, but I understand..." Her voice trailed off, a hint of sadness in her eyes.
I smiled at her. "It was nice talking with you, Ariel. And thank you for the tea."
"You're most welcome." Her smile brightened the moment. "I enjoyed our chat as well. Maybe we'll have the chance to meet again."
With a final wave, I departed, leaving Ariel behind with a wistful smile.
It was unexpected, but I was bummed out as well, and just when we were starting to get more comfortable with each other too. I never thought I would feel this way, but I really hope I get to see her again.
***
When I returned to the great hall, father was already waiting for me alone, which was odd. I would expect mother to be here also since we are preparing to leave.
"Oh, Alex, there you are." He said as he noticed me approaching him. "How was your time with Princess Ariel?"
"It was nice." I replied. "Where is mother? We're about to leave, no?"
"Oh, she's already gone ahead to our room." He explained.
"Huh?" I exclaimed, puzzled. Initially, I assumed that she had departed to return home, but that seemed unlikely.
Noticing my confusion, my father clarified, "We'll be extending our stay for another day." He smiled as he saw the look of shock on my face. "We'll leave the day after tomorrow."
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