The scene shifted to the next day, sunlight gently filtering through the grand windows of the royal mansion. Arthur, instead of donning his usual imposing knight's armor, was dressed in a simple yet elegant royal outfit. Despite his relaxed appearance, he was sitting cross-legged in his room, quietly cultivating his body refining techniques — even though he had long since reached the peak, Tier 5 of body refinement.
Sensing a familiar presence, Arthur opened his eyes. His gaze softened as he saw Kazuki standing at the doorway.
"What happened, Kazuki?" Arthur asked, setting aside his focus.
Kazuki, keeping up his adorable eight-year-old act, smiled and stepped closer. "Brother… I wanted to ask you something."
Arthur raised an eyebrow, curious. "Hmm? What is it, Kazuki?"
Kazuki clasped his hands behind his back and spoke in an innocent voice, "Brother, I want to see what happens in wars… and maybe even fight in one."
Arthur's expression stiffened for a moment, caught off guard by the bold request. His face grew serious. "Kazuki, you're too young for that now. Once you're older, you'll be sent to the battlefield like the rest of us. But for now, you need to be patient. War isn't a game."
Kazuki pouted, still acting the part of a naive child. "But brother… I'm already strong enough to go, and I'm mature too!"
Arthur's lips twitched, trying to suppress a laugh. "Mature?" he repeated with an amused smirk.
Kazuki nodded eagerly, his eyes wide and innocent. "Yes, brother. Mature."
But deep down, Kazuki was grinning in his soul. The act was going exactly as he planned. In the depths of his spirit realm, Elsa — his Celestial Spirit — burst into laughter, speaking directly to him through their connection.
"So let me get this straight," Elsa chuckled. "You're trying to convince your brother you're mature… by acting immature… while actually being mature enough to pretend to be immature? Honestly, you could start an entire comedy section with this routine."
Kazuki responded in his mind, "Trust me, it'll work."
Arthur, seeing the determined glimmer in Kazuki's eyes and sensing the spirit's amusement lingering around him, finally relented. But not without setting a condition.
"Alright," Arthur said with a small sigh, "I'll consider it… but only if you can prove yourself tonight. We'll have a duel, you and I. If you manage to impress me, we'll talk about it."
Kazuki grinned, his innocent facade firmly in place. "Ohh! Alright, I'll try my best, brother!"
Arthur chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're something else, little brother."
The scene then shifted as Kazuki made his way out of Arthur's room and headed toward his school, a playful spring in his step and a growing excitement in his heart for the duel that awaited him that evening.