Kevin's body radiated nine-colored light, filling the entire chamber with an overwhelming aura. The king's eyes widened in sheer disbelief, and before he could process the situation, his body gave in—he collapsed to the ground.
"Grandfather!" Hinata rushed to his side, kneeling beside him with panic in her voice. "Are you alright? What happened to you all of a sudden?"
Hearing his granddaughter's voice, the king took a deep breath and steadied himself. His gaze was sharp as he looked at her and asked, "Where did you find Kevin?"
Hinata was puzzled by the urgency in his voice but still responded, "I met him while I was out hunting in the forest. Why? Is something wrong, Grandfather?"
The king exhaled deeply before speaking in a grave tone, "No… there's no problem, but listen to me carefully. Do not—under any circumstances—let anyone know about the nine-colored light Kevin possesses."
Hinata was even more confused now. "Why, Grandfather? What is so special about these nine-colored lights?" she asked, her curiosity growing.
The king's expression turned serious as he explained, "Kevin holds the power of the Navagrahas—the celestial forces of the nine planets. Right now, his abilities are weak because his power level is still low, but once he reaches my level—or surpasses it—there won't be a warrior alive who can stand against him. He will become a legendary fighter, blessed by the very stars themselves."
With each word, the weight of the revelation sank deeper into Hinata's mind.
"He will possess the brilliance of the sun, the serenity of the moon, and the unyielding strength of the mountains. He will be adored by those close to him and feared by those who dare harm his loved ones. If enraged, he will paint the land with the blood of his enemies. His insight will surpass time itself. Kevin will become a god of war. His mere presence on the battlefield will make armies tremble. A single glance from him will shatter the spirits of his foes."
Hinata listened in stunned silence. She turned her gaze toward Kevin, who was now seated cross-legged, bathed in the dazzling glow of nine-colored light. At first, she had dismissed it as a simple energy surge, but upon closer inspection, she realized—this was far from normal.
A wave of heat suddenly erupted in the chamber, making Hinata take a step back.
Then, without warning—BOOM!
A surge of pure white energy burst from Kevin's body, shaking the entire palace. The king's expression changed drastically.
Without hesitation, he raised his hand, enveloping Hinata in a protective barrier. His heart pounded as he stared at the white flames surrounding Kevin.
His voice trembled as he muttered in shock, "Divine Fire…?!"
At that moment, Kevin's consciousness drifted within his own power vortex. Inside, nine radiant orbs floated around him, pulsing with raw energy.
"Alright, kid, you're doing well," a familiar voice rang in his mind.
Kevin smirked. "Thanks, bro. But if it wasn't for you—"
"Oh, shut up, dumbass!" Sheshnaag interrupted, his voice brimming with amusement. "Anyway, congrats! You just jumped from the first stage of Rathi level straight to the eighth stage. That's insane!"
Kevin's grin widened. "Seriously?! That fast?!"
"Yeah, yeah, but don't celebrate just yet!" Sheshnaag warned. "Now, control your Divine Fire, or you're gonna attract unnecessary trouble. And from the looks of it… I think the king has already figured it out."
Kevin's eyes narrowed. "So, what do we do?"
Sheshnaag chuckled. "Simple. Keep your power hidden. Otherwise… well, let's just say you won't like the mess you'll get dragged into."
As Kevin absorbed Sheshnaag's words, the glowing orbs around him continued to grow larger, radiating an unfathomable power.
Back in the real world, the king clenched his fists, his mind racing.
"This boy… just what is he?"
The chamber trembled under the immense energy, and in that moment, the king realized—Kevin was far more dangerous than he had ever imagined.
Path to Strength and Destiny
Kevin nodded at Sheshnaag's words and slowly withdrew from his vortex of power. As he opened his eyes, he found both the king and Hinata staring at him intently. The king, in particular, seemed far too excited, making Kevin's heartbeat quicken.
The moment the king saw Kevin regaining consciousness, he rushed forward, his voice filled with both guilt and reverence. "Kevin… forgive me. I— I failed to recognize you."
Midway through speaking, his gaze fell on Kevin's aura. His eyes widened in shock—Kevin had reached the eighth stage! The realization struck him hard, filling him with a mix of awe and respect. Even Hinata was left speechless by Kevin's sudden power surge.
Kevin, however, knew the truth. The king had seen his Divine Fire—that's why he was suddenly treating him with such humility. Otherwise, wasn't this the same king who had nearly had him executed upon their first meeting?
Keeping a composed expression, Kevin responded politely, "There is no need for an apology, Your Majesty." He then stood up, folding his hands in a respectful gesture. "I understand your concerns for your granddaughter. But I assure you, I am merely here to craft a wedding dress. Please, do not doubt my intentions."
Hearing Kevin's calm and precise response, the king felt a wave of guilt. Smiling warmly, he replied, "I misjudged you, but I will make amends." With that, he retrieved a small bottle from his storage ring and handed it to Kevin. "This is a Power Supplement Pill—it has been purified with the water of the Blue Lotus, granting it immense spiritual energy. If you consume it, you can advance by at least one stage instantly."
Kevin's eyes flickered with interest. After such high praise from the king himself, how could he refuse? Accepting the bottle, he said gratefully, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I truly appreciate this gift."
The king waved his hand dismissively. "No need for thanks. Consider it compensation for my earlier misjudgment."
Kevin chuckled at the remark. Then, an idea struck him. "Your Majesty, now that I have reached the eighth stage, I need to test my abilities. May I spar with Princess Hinata to measure my strength?"
Before the king could answer, Hinata stepped forward, her confidence unwavering. "Why ask for permission? Let's do it. But keep in mind—you're still at the Rathi level, whereas I am at the fourth stage of the Maharathi level. Without proper combat techniques, you won't last even a few seconds against me. Do you even know any techniques?"
Her words were not arrogant—they were simply the truth. Strength alone was meaningless without skill. Even the most powerful person could be defeated if they lacked battle techniques.
Kevin understood this well. He shook his head in mild frustration. "I just reached the eighth stage today… so, no, I don't have any techniques."
Seeing his disappointment, the king spoke up. "There's no need to be discouraged. You may visit our Technique Vault and choose any technique that suits you."
Kevin's eyes lit up with excitement. "Your Majesty, I will forever be grateful for your generosity."
The king chuckled. "There's no need to be so formal. Also, if you wish to refine your skills further, you could even enroll in Solemere Academy—there, you will have countless opportunities to learn."
After a brief pause, the king added, "In six months, there will be a grand tournament where warriors from four major kingdoms will compete. The champion will receive the Sun Blade—though not the original, it contains 5% of its true power. The winner will also be granted entry into Nalanda University—a place where one can learn unparalleled knowledge and skills. If you wish to grow stronger, this is your chance."
The king, of course, had his own motives. He knew Kevin possessed the power of the Navagrahas and Divine Fire. If Kevin were to represent Solemere Kingdom in the tournament and emerge victorious, it would bring great prestige to the kingdom. The mere thought of it filled the king with excitement.
However, Kevin's response was swift and firm. "Thank you for the suggestion, Your Majesty… but I have no interest in such things."
The king's enthusiasm faltered for a brief moment, but he quickly masked his disappointment with a smile. "Very well. If that is your choice, then so be it. You may visit the Technique Vault as you wish." Turning to Hinata, he said, "Go with him and help him select a suitable technique."
Hinata nodded in acknowledgment before glancing at Kevin. "Let's go. I'll help you find something useful."
Kevin smiled and followed her. However, just as he reached the doorway, he suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned to face the king once more.
"Your Majesty… do you know of a girl named Karishma? She is incredibly beautiful."
The king's expression shifted into deep thought. Kevin reasoned that if the king governed this entire kingdom, surely, he would have some knowledge about Karishma. But after a long moment, the king shook his head and replied, "No, Kevin… I have never heard of such a girl."
A wave of disappointment washed over Kevin, but he knew the king had no reason to lie. He bowed respectfully and was about to leave when the king suddenly called out to him.
"Wait, Kevin!"
Kevin turned back, a flicker of hope returning to his eyes.
"I may not know her… but there is one place where you might find answers," the king said.
Kevin's heart pounded. "Where?"
The king's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Nalanda University. That institution holds records of every talented individual. If Karishma is gifted, then perhaps her name is recorded there."
Kevin's eyes gleamed. This was the first solid lead he had gotten. If Karishma was truly exceptional, then there was a chance she had been to Nalanda.
"Your Majesty," Kevin asked, his voice firm. "How do I enter Nalanda University?"
The king leaned back in his chair, his smile widening. "Win the upcoming tournament, and you will gain entry. However, even after that, you must prove yourself to be worthy before they accept you as a student."
Kevin clenched his fists. "If Karishma is in Nalanda… then I have no choice but to prove myself."
Taking a deep breath, he declared, "I will participate in this tournament."
Hearing his response, the king smirked in satisfaction. Meanwhile, Hinata felt an unexpected pang in her heart.
"Who is this… Karishma?" she wondered. "Is she really more beautiful than me? No, wait… what am I even thinking? Maybe she's his sister… or just a friend. Ugh, why do I even care? But… I do care."
As a wave of emotions clouded Hinata's mind, Kevin and the king continued their discussion.
Soon after, Kevin and Hinata left for the Technique Vault, while the king leaned back into his chair, lost in deep thought.
---
What is the king thinking? Does he have hidden intentions toward Kevin?
Which technique will Kevin choose?
What mysteries does Nalanda University hold? Will Kevin truly find Karishma there?
To find out, keep reading!