“Look forward to your class the day after tomorrow,”
Elira spoke, her mouth twitching nonstop as she stared at the man in front of her.
It was a threat.
An open threat.
Yes, once again, Kael had teased the Court Mage to the point where she had reached her breaking point, which arguably wasn’t the first time this had happened.
Kael chuckled at that response.
He had already gotten used to the Mage’s threats. He, however, noticed something strange.
“The day after tomorrow? What about tomorrow?”
“Ah, right, you didn’t know.”
Elira realized it.
“They are throwing a party tomorrow.
For the Hero’s safe return and how he bravely protected a town and its people.”
The Court Mage then snorted.
“If only they saw the Hero’s real face,
Who would want to throw a party for someone like you?”
“What real face? This is my real face. I am as handsome as I look.”
“Handsome? Who gave you that confidence?”
“Quite a few, actually. I am actually surprised you don’t have a crush on me yet,
Or…”
Kael then looked right into Elira’s eyes and,
“Are you just good at hiding it?”
“…”
Elira turned silent.
Kael patiently waited for her response, and then,
Seven big circles appeared around the Court Mage.
“That’s it.
I am burning you.”
“Hahaha!”
Kael laughed out loud again.
Spit
“Crush on you, my foot.
I wish to crush you into a mint paste instead.”
Elira acted like she had eaten some rotten food.
“Come on, I am not that bad, am I?”
Kael spoke as he glanced at the mirror.
“I am positive that I am one of the more decent-looking guys.”
“But your heart is rotten.”
Elira snorted.
“What did I even do for you to think that?”
“Your existence itself disgusts me.”
“Now you are just acting like a tsundere.”
“Hah!? Have you lost your mind? A tsundere!? How can you compare me to something so annoying!?”
Elira seemed offended.
“I am surprised you know that term.”
Kael muttered.
“I read it in a book.”
“Ah, that one with a weird title?”
“I don’t expect someone like you to understand.
It’s a masterpiece.”
“Sure…”
Kael nodded, his tone full of sarcasm.
“Tsk.”
Elira snorted again.
Not wanting to stay with this man any longer, she stood up, ready to leave.
“Are you not going to stayyy?”
Kael questioned playfully.
“Unlike you, I have a life.”
The woman, however, just snorted and,
Bam
After slamming the door, she walked away.
Kael smiled as he saw the mage out. Once she left, his room turned silent again, and his expression turned serious again.
“Prince Edric huh…”
He muttered the name out loud.
All this while, Kael had too many questions in his head.
Why didn’t the Kingdom help Estwyn Town?
Who were the people who approached Tobias?
What is that dark power they used to strengthen Laughter?
How did they get hold of all the documents Tobias showed him?
Enjoy new adventures from My Virtual Library Empire
And…
Elira’s words answered a few of his questions.
That dark power Tobias mentioned, it was the Power of Corruption. As for who those people who approached Tobias were, Kael believed that he would get the answer to that question in the ‘future lectures’ Elira had mentioned.
For now, Kael simply referred to them as the ‘Enemies.’
These, however, weren’t the only questions Elira gave him answers to. Her words answered another one of his questions.
The Princess was highly favored. Even for the Crown Prince, it wouldn’t be easy to plan and execute her fall, especially when the King cherished her so much.
The Crown Prince would need help.
And what better help would he get than the world’s enemies themselves?
Would the Crown Prince sell out his own Kingdom for the sake of power?
Well, Kael wouldn’t be surprised. Power often made people show their worst side, falling to lows one couldn’t even think of.
Not to mention the Prince reeked of insecurities.
Even someone like Kael, who had heard his story just one time, could sense his insecurities. It wouldn’t be surprising if the enemies were the ones who approached him first.
He was a perfect target.
An insecure older brother who wanted to get rid of his little sister to get the throne.
And Kael could also see how the talented princess would be a thorn in the enemies’ eyes.
Someone like her coming to power would make things difficult for them.
They had to get rid of her one way or another.
Honestly, the Crown Prince and the Enemies had the same target for different reasons. Since their goals aligned, it wouldn’t be shocking if they worked together.
And…
The Crown Prince would also have enough power to get hold of those ‘secret documents’ Tobias showed him before.
If he was working together with Enemies…
It would explain how they got them.
“Her suspicions might be correct…”
Kael muttered.
He could sense that the Mage still had her doubts, and he also knew that if he shared what he knew with her, her doubts would turn to certainty.
Then why didn’t he do it…?
Well…
“I can’t fully trust her either…”
Kael was extremely paranoid. Even if he trusted Elira more than others, he still wasn’t 100% certain.
After all, her telling her this story to him right after he revealed his strength in Estwyn was quite suspicious as well.
“Haaaahh…”
Kael sighed. All these questions in his head affected his mood, so…
“Igni, Cirri.”
He called out his stress relievers.
In an instant, two adorable dragons jumped into his arms.
“Nyuu!!”
Cirri seemed overly excited as she hugged Kael with her soft body. Igni, like a mature big brother, let her hoard father’s love until Kael himself grabbed the little fire dragon and pulled him close to him.
“You are just a child.”
Kael snorted.
“I am a big brother.”
Igni retorted.
He was a proud big brother.
“You are just a few days older, when you two grow up, the difference won’t even remain that big.”
“That statement is flawed.
The difference will always remain the same.”
“I am talking about the relative difference.”
“You didn’t mention that.”
“…”
Kael turned silent.
“Heh.”
Igni on the other hand, grinned as he proudly patted Cirri’s head.
“Tsk.”
Kael snorted again as he tightened his hug around the Fire Dragon.
His son was just too cute.
“We should sleep, Cirri must be tired.”
Igni spoke.
And he was correct, he had been playing with little Cirri inside the Sanctuary.
Just like Igni, Cirri had almost endless stamina when it came to playing, so the two Dragons played together for as long as their heart desired while Kael could only look at them with a jealous look on his face.
He wanted to join them as well…
“Thank you.”
Kael smiled at Igni as he patted his head. The Fire Dragon made sure Cirri wasn’t alone, and Kael was glad about it.
Igni nodded, his eyes gleaming.
“Cirri, shall we sleep?”
Kael questioned.
“Nyu!!”
The Cloud Dragon nodded.
Kael quickly placed her on the bed, Igni crawled beside her, Kael slept on the other side and the three of them quickly drifted into sleep.
…
The next morning,
Kael stood in a familiar place as he stared at the screen in front of him with a solemn look on his face.
[The Infernal Crucible]
[Mission: Reignite the Heart of Crucible]
Yes, he was back where he had failed.