✦❘༻ Chapter Two ༺❘✦
Inside the kingdom, on a palace corridor, stood a boy no older than fifteen. His gaze was fixed on a duel between the kingdom's knights. But he was no mere spectator. Something stirred within him, deep and strange.
Idian watched every move with sharp focus. It was no ordinary observation. For a brief moment, he saw the knights' next moves before they happened. Every strike and maneuver unfolded in his mind as if already done.
His eyes widened in shock. Before he could think further, a familiar voice called from behind:
— "Young master, so you are here."
He turned to see Viseris, smirking.
— "Viseris, what's this?"
— "A duel, my lord. Just a simple duel between knights."
Idian shook his head, confused.
— "No, something else... For a moment, I felt I saw their moves before they happened."
Viseris laughed loudly and patted his shoulder.
— "Young master, that's your blessing! Everyone knows you inherited it. How did you not realize sooner, fool?"
Other knights glanced their way, amused. But Idian's anger flared.
— "Sir, isn't it time for training?"
Viseris studied him, then smiled.
— "What if we skip magic training today and try something different?"
Idian raised an eyebrow.
— "Different? What do you mean?"
— "You'll duel one of the knights. Maybe then you'll understand your blessing."
Idian straightened up, pride rising.
— "Me? Duel a knight?"
Viseris chuckled.
— "A true duelist never bows to pride. Pride leads to ruin."
Idian's blood boiled with determination.
"I'll crush this soldier. I see his every move. I know what he will do."
He stood firm.
— "Knight, come forward. Remember, sword only. No magic."
The knight advanced silently, expression unreadable. The duel began—and in an instant, Idian was thrown to the ground by a single strike—not from the blade, but the scabbard.
Viseris stood over him, laughing until tears came to his eyes.
— "Now you see the truth, spoiled boy. You'll learn what it means to be a knight, to know power's true scale."
He leaned in, voice sharp.
— "What's wrong? Didn't you see the future? Didn't you claim a blessing? And yet you lie here, weak and foolish."
His laughter echoed. Then a calm but firm voice cut through.
— "Viseris… don't you think you're too harsh on my son?"
Viseris froze and turned. There stood Lady Rosaria, Queen of Westiria.
He bowed.
— "My lady, the kingdom has missed you."
She looked at her son struggling to rise, then spoke:
— "Tell me, what progress has he made?"
Viseris smiled lightly.
— "My lady, he is talented and senses the blessing. But reckless. I'm working on it."
Idian broke the silence, voice tight with anger.
— "Mother, father left. Said he'd be gone half a month but forbade me from going. This is the fourth lie. I won't speak to him again."
Rosaria sighed.
— "Idian, the world outside is dangerous. Understand your power first. Then you will be free."
Idian met her gaze.
— "Is that a promise?"
She smiled softly.
— "A promise."
He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them with resolve.
— "I will be the strongest in this kingdom in two months—no, one."
Rosaria's smile held concern. She placed her hand on his head and left, leaving him to his thoughts.
Idian sat, staring at his hands, recalling how he saw the knight's moves before they happened. It wasn't luck or skill alone. It was something deeper.
He rose and focused, trying to summon that feeling again. For a moment, the air around him seemed to pulse. Then it vanished.
He frowned, but excitement burned inside.
"If this is only the beginning, what heights await if I master this power?"