After Hifung stepped into the room, he walked forward—two steps.
Hifung: You wanted to see me, Your Majesty?
King: Yes, please have a seat first.
Hifung: Alright. (Nervously)
Hifung moved forward and sat on the sofa in front of King Milty.
King: How's the injury on your left hand?
Hifung: My left hand suffered mild paralysis. It can recover if I take care of it properly for about three years.
King: Oh, must be tough living with just your right hand.
Hifung: I think I'm starting to get used to it. (Chuckles softly)
King: By the way...
The king stood up and walked to the cabinet in the corner of the room, where numerous papers were stored.
He took out several sheets, placed them on the table in front of Hifung, and sat back down.
Hifung looked confused.
Hifung (in his thoughts): "Papers? Or maybe documents... files? Eh, what's the difference? Whatever, they're all paper anyway."
King: Do you know what these are?
Hifung looked closely at the papers.
Hifung: Paper?
Feds lightly tapped his own forehead.
King: Smart. Now go ahead—pick one and read what it says.
Hifung: O-okay. (Nervously)
Hifung picked up a sheet and read the title quietly.
Hifung: Profile Data… Stephanus Hery!?!? (Shocked)
King: Just as I suspected.
Feds was surprised.
Hifung was stunned—confused and panicking at the same time.
Suddenly, the room's door opened. Micyl, Ray, Vlyn, and the Defense General entered.
Defense General: Instead of waiting outside and trying to eavesdrop, you might as well listen from inside.
Ray, Micyl, and Vlyn: Hehe.
The four entered. The Defense General sat beside the king, while Ray, Micyl, and Vlyn took seats on the sofa in the corner.
Darius: Name's Darius. I'm the general in charge of the kingdom's defense.
Darius introduced himself to Hifung and extended his hand.
Hifung shook it politely.
Hifung: I'm Hifung. Just an ordinary student from Refolt Academy.
Darius: Ordinary student? (Smiles)
Hifung: Hm? (Confused)
King: Stephanus Hery—that's the name of a man who once reached the sixteenth realm.
King: That name was kept secret for decades. If anyone knew it, people would hunt down his descendants to force them into revealing the path to the upper realms.
King: According to this kingdom's records, a long time ago, Stephanus Hery was born here in Milty. During his life, he trained in magic and aura. One day, he killed someone who tried to rob his home.
King: That led to him awakening a power in his eyes. But it turned out to be a cursed eye—one that causes emotional instability in its wielder.
King: Over time, Stephanus became uncontrollable. Back then, he was the strongest person in the kingdom, thanks to that eye power.
King: He eventually went on a rampage and killed Milty's second king.
King: He destroyed half the kingdom, then ascended to a higher world. His whereabouts have been unknown ever since.
King: Then, around six decades ago, Stephanus Hery reappeared in Milty. He told many people about the higher worlds.
King: At that time, those realms were just legends—almost considered myths.
King: After that, Stephanus vanished again and hasn't been seen since.
Hifung (in his thoughts): "I've read his book. Telling the king might be safe, but with Mr. Feds and Mr. Darius here, it could cause trouble. Better to keep quiet."
Hifung: So... what do I have to do with Stephanus Hery?
King: You clearly know his name.
Hifung (in his thoughts): "Crap."
Ray, Vlyn, and Micyl looked worried.
Hifung: I just saw the name once… in a gardening tips book. (Nervously)
King (in his thoughts): "He's hiding something."
King: I see.
Hifung: Is there something wrong, Your Majesty?
The king stood up.
King: I heard from Feds and your teacher Elric. They said you can use orange flame magic, and that your aura is red.
Hifung: Y-yes?
King: According to the kingdom's records, Stephanus Hery had a red aura. And throughout our history, no one else ever had a red aura—until now.
Hifung was shocked.
Vlyn, Ray, and Micyl were equally surprised.
King: And that orange fire magic—Stephanus Hery created it. He invented the spell before awakening his eye powers.
King: Feds said you cast orange fire by combining flame magic with aura, and then amplifying it with chi—five times more than normal fire spells.
Hifung: I-I did.
King: But the original orange fire spell requires you to channel aura into fire magic and amplify it with chi twenty times greater than usual.
Hifung: Eh—
(Shocked and confused)
King: The reason I called you here is because I realized something. Every aura has a unique color—and I've just recently learned that each color has its own traits, strengths, and weaknesses.
King: So I want to study yours. Why is your aura red? What are its properties? What are its strengths and flaws?
Hifung: Oh... (Relieved)
King: Also, your parents are royal soldiers, correct?
Hifung: Yes?
King: None of the soldiers are allowed to return home yet, due to rising tensions with the Kingdom of Hakao. Since Hakao could attack at any moment, all troops must remain on high alert at the borders for about one more month. I'll be attending a kings' summit to discuss it.
Hifung: So... my parents won't be home for another month?
King: That's right.
Hifung: Okay.
King: One more thing—Feds sees potential in your magic. I'd like you to receive special lessons to keep honing your abilities. What do you think?
Hifung: I… prefer to train only at Refolt Academy.
King: Oh, alright. Well, if you ever want to train further, you're welcome to come here anytime. Just see Feds. Alright, you may go now.
Hifung: Okay. Thank you, sir.
Hifung saluted.
King: Yes.
Hifung left the room, followed by Ray, Micyl, and Vlyn.
Ray: Hifung, how's your left hand?
Hifung: It doesn't hurt anymore. But I'm not supposed to move it too much if I want it to heal quickly.
Vlyn: It's already night. How about I treat you all to dinner?
Hifung, Ray, Micyl: Yay! Thanks, Mom!
Vlyn: Where do you guys want to
eat?
Ray: I know a good noodle place!
Hifung: Noodles? Sounds good.
Micyl: Noodles it is, then!
Vlyn: Alright, let's go.
And so, they headed off to that noodle shop.