Everyone was silent, even gasping at my sheer audacity, as I risked it all, ready to lose it all with my absurd request.
Rayleigh just had a confused expression, but the inquisitors were shocked themselves.
The king's eyes were locked on me, "You wish to become an Ascendant?" he sounded confused.
"Yes... Your Highness."
"You were going to become one the moment we accepted you," the king said. "There was no reason for you to request that."
..."Oh."
I cleared my throat, "I meant..."
"Your Highness, he's just a little tired. Please excuse him." Rayleigh stepped in, saving me from further embarrassment.
The king sat and leaned back into his throne. The three inquisitors standing nearby eased slightly in their posture, they were less hostile now that I seemed to be in the clear.
» [Notice]: Pay attention to the king's words.
I will.
"Rayleigh, what year are you in now?" the king asked. He must've meant her university year.
"Your Highness, I'm in my fourth year, attending the Phoenix Branch. I'm scheduled to undergo my Ascendant Trial in a week," she replied.
The Ascendant Trial is a week from now, I'm guessing there's gonna be requirements I need to fulfill to enroll unless the king gives me an exception.
I really wish he would give me an exception, I don't have any intention of redoing high school, the way the youth operates just baffles the mind.
I sound like an old man, what age am I anyway?
The system... Didn't respond...
"How are we supposed to handle this? That banshee has no educational history with the Phoenix Branch," the king muttered. He sounded genuinely concerned about whether I was eligible to take the trial at all.
"Your Highness, he's a banshee. It's reasonable to assume he doesn't need the full eleven years of formal education to qualify. He already demonstrates impressive natural talent in arts," Rayleigh said confidently.
My abnormally high AP... I guess compared to a human, it's extraordinary. But honestly, I don't even think their education system would suit a banshee.
Being in a classroom with classmates who despise me sounds like a nightmare, one that will hunt me through in my future...
Still, I appreciate Rayleigh stepping in for me.
She's... reliable.
"Are you suggesting that we make an exception? Let the banshee take the Ascendant Trial, despite having no academic background?" the king asked. I couldn't tell if he was challenging the idea or genuinely considering it.
"Precisely, Your Highness," Rayleigh replied.
"And what if he fails, Rayleigh?" the king pressed further.
"He won't. But if he does, I'll take full responsibility and educate him myself," she said without hesitation.
The commitment, it's impressive.
The king chuckled but not mockingly, more out of amusement.
"Rayleigh, I'm still amazed at how far you're willing to go for this banshee. I understand he saved your life, but be careful as you're treading dangerously close to blind loyalty, or worse, outright foolishness."
"There's no need for worry, Your Highness. I understand the risks, and I'm confident that I won't regret the decisions I've made." Her voice did not falter once.
"So be it. I hereby assign you responsibility for the banshee. The two of you shall undertake the Ascendant Trial together next week. A letter bearing my royal seal will be prepared, see to it that it is delivered to the principal. It shall serve as his exemption," the king proclaimed.
Rayleigh lit up. She finally got what she wanted.
She turned to me, eyes full of joy.
"Did you hear that? We did it, Luden!"
I couldn't help but smile back. A happy girl like her was always a sight to see.
"But be warned, Rayleigh," the king continued, "Numerous students won't take kindly to this decision. Many have dedicated their entire lives to reaching the Ascendant Trials. They'll resent a banshee skipping the line. Are you prepared for that kind of burden?"
"I am, your highness." Rayleigh declared, "I hope that one day, they'll see Luden as an ally and not an enemy, in time he'll prove it." She answered at the bottom of her heart.
"Hmm. Interesting. Then it's settled." The king's gaze switched to me.
"Rayleigh, it is now your duty to educate this banshee. Whether it be social or religious etiquette, make sure he learns the important laws."
"As you wish, Your Highness," she said, then gave me a nudge, urging me to kneel.
I obeyed.
"You two are now dismissed."
I have yet to receive the seal the king promised. I do hope it won't be too much of a hindrance.
---
Before we exited the throne room, the king warned me not to carelessly show my face to the public. I also double-checked if the inquisitors followed. It seemed they stayed behind.
But I know for a fact they're keeping watch, somewhere in the shadows, just like royalty always does.
It doesn't help that there are multiple nobles within the throne room's walls, listening within the unseen. Some of them might already have been plotting.
Ray stretched like a cat, so I looked away, then glanced at the wand in my hand, the way Luden used his blood to feed it, to empower it.
I'll have to attempt it if I get the chance
"Luden, I'm hungry!" Rayleigh said, and I silently agreed, though I didn't have the money to buy her food.
Well, I do… but… I'm not rich.
"We should be celebrating right now, Luden!" she said while nudging my shoulder.
"Rayleigh, celebrate how?" I asked.
"I know a good place. Let's head home and I'll place the order. Don't worry, I've got it covered," she offered.
I mean, it's free food. No reason to say no.
"It would be my pleasure, Rayleigh."
"That's the spirit," she said. I realized she was much more enthusiastic now that the ordeal with the king had ended.
We strolled through the castle interiors. There were so many paintings and lion statues. The color palette was an opulent red and gold.
Tch, Gold...
"What's with that face? You don't like this place?" Rayleigh asked.
"It's not that I dislike the place. The color gold just angers me, and I don't quite know how to explain it," I replied.
"Hmmmmm… could it be some tragic memory from your childhood?" Her tone was considerate.
"I'm not… sure…" I replied.
Though I ask myself.
Was there a memory hidden deep inside Luden's cognition that made him hate the color gold?
» [System]: Negative, Luden's brainwaves upon seeing the color gold hold no relevance to whether he likes or dislikes the color.
I see, then maybe I just don't like it in general.
"Hey, Luden, I'd like to apologize for something." Rayleigh said, which got me curious.
"What are you apologizing for?"
"Sorry, the meeting with the king brought back memories about your parents, didn't it?"
Ah, she's talking about the cannibalism... Which, to be fair, was disturbing.
"It's fine. I basically did the same to you, remember? So I'm in no position to judge," I said.
"Hmmm, what do you mean?" Rayleigh tilted her head, she wanted clarity.
"Well… I made you recall a painful memory, about your father's death. I don't think I ever apologized for that," I admitted.
But she suddenly fell silent, just staring at me.
"…Hello? Rayleigh?!"
"Ah, yeah. Right. We're… even, I suppose." She wouldn't meet my eyes.
"What's wrong?" I asked...
She forced a smile. "Nothing, Luden. Shall we head out of the castle? And go home?" she said, and I felt too suspicious, something was off.
We took sharp turns through stone corridors, one after another. We walked down more steps and more steps. I believe we ran past the grand library and the dining hall of the castle.
This place was huge. Every corner had guards, but they weren't wearing knight armor. They looked more... decorated, holding bolt-action rifles and dressed in bright gold and yellow military uniforms.
Hmm, it looks fine…
But me and Rayleigh still hadn't spoken. There was a sudden awkwardness between us that I couldn't quite figure out how to dispel.
I also realized... my thoughts and speech were becoming more and more formal. Perhaps Luden's habits are merging with me.
Soon, we reached the massive castle entrance, with two tall guard towers. We still hadn't spoken, which was becoming concerning.
As we reached the gates, Rayleigh suddenly stopped in her tracks, she side-eyed me and said, "You're here!"
Who's here? Who's she greeting?
I turned to see the person she was talking about. It was a tall and masculine figure, a noble, evident by his bright uniform and the many medals hanging from it.
And for some reason, he looked so similar to Rayleigh. Does she have a brother? But the man looked old…
"Ahh, Luden. It's good to see you," he approached me, and I immediately responded.
"May I ask… who are you?" The man looked shocked.
So did Rayleigh.
"Luden… you shouldn't be joking like that." she said.
And I was confused beyond belief.
"What do you mean, Rayleigh?" I asked cautiously.
"…Luden, that's my father."
"...What?"
But… I thought her father was dead.
Chapter End...