As the carriage passed through the towering entrance gates of the royal castle, an awe-inspiring courtyard stretched out before us. Lush gardens sprawled on either side of the stone path, bursting with vibrant flowers in shades of crimson, violet, and gold. The air was thick with the sweet fragrance of blossoms, mixing with the faint scent of polished marble and damp earth. Majestic fountains stood at regular intervals, their crystalline waters shimmering under the sun, casting fleeting rainbows as they cascaded into intricately carved basins.
Despite the magnificence of the view, the main castle building still lay ahead, at least a hundred meters away. Its towering spires pierced the sky, their gilded tips gleaming under the midday light. The stone walls were an architectural marvel, its beauty unmatched by anything I had seen before—certainly far superior to the castle from my past life.
The carriage rolled to a gradual stop before an ornate gate leading to the castle's inner halls. The massive iron gate was adorned with intricate patterns and embedded with precious stones, each sparkling with an ethereal glow. Symbols of power and history were carved into the metal, whispering tales of a lineage that had endured the passage of time. The moment I stepped out of the carriage, I inhaled deeply, savoring the refreshing air. It was invigorating, carrying with it the delicate aroma of the surrounding flora.
Aurora, my familiar, perched on my shoulder, her small, warm presence a constant comfort. As we moved forward, two castle guards stood at attention, their polished armor glinting as they offered a curt nod. The grand hall beyond them was vast, almost intimidating in its splendor. High, arched ceilings loomed above, adorned with elegant chandeliers dripping with crystals that refracted light into a mesmerizing display. The walls bore exquisite moments of glory frozen in time. Several corridors extended outward from the main hall, leading to different wings of the castle.
I couldn't help but compare it to the castle from my past life. The sheer size and beauty of this place dwarfed anything.
'It's way larger and grander than my past-life castle,' I thought, momentarily lost in nostalgia.
Aurora, ever perceptive, picked up on my thoughts and tilted her head. 'Past life?' she murmured in my thoughts filled in curiously.
I blinked, realizing my slip, 'Hm? It's nothing. Just forget it.'
She narrowed her eyes, 'You're keeping secrets, aren't you?'
I chuckled, evading her prying gaze, "You'll know in the future."
She huffed, "You better tell me someday."
Before the conversation could continue, Liam, who had accompanied us, turned toward Calvin and spoke, "Go and enjoy yourselves, both of you. I have matters to attend to, but I'll find you later." Then he glanced at Calvin, "Show Rayon around the castle while you're at it."
With that, Liam headed down the left corridor while we moved toward the right. Calvin turned to me with an eager grin, "Hey, can you give me your familiar? I want to see her up close."
I raised an eyebrow, feigning shock, "Oh? So you like beasts? And here I thought you were the tough guy type."
His face turned a little red, "Hah! I'm not like that!"
I smirked, "Oh, is that so?"
He irritately said, "Whatever! Just let me hold her for a while."
With a chuckle, I handed Aurora over to him. He cradled her carefully, his previous bravado melting away as he stroked her soft fur. It was amusing to see someone like Calvin—who always tried to act mature—get so easily absorbed in playing with a small creature. 'In the end, he is still an eight-year-old kid'.
Aurora, enjoying the attention, chimed in through our mental link, 'Hm, hm, me too!'
I chuckled, 'Yeah, yeah, you too.'
As Calvin led me through the castle, he eagerly pointed out every little detail, from the grand staircases to the artfully arranged suits of armor that lined the halls. It felt less like a tour of a noble estate and more like wandering through an ancient museum brimming with history. All the while, he played with Aurora, occasionally making exaggerated expressions just to hear her squeak in amusement.
'I wish my life could stay like this forever, surrounded by those loved,' I thought, a fleeting moment of peace settling over me.
Eventually, we arrived at an open training ground, surrounded by a balcony that formed a rectangular perimeter around the space. It was a well-maintained area, clearly designated for combat practice, with various training dummies and weapon racks arranged neatly. As we strolled along the balcony toward another building, a well-dressed child, around my age, appeared in our path. He was flanked by two guards, his posture oozing arrogance. His deep blue tunic bore a family crest I didn't recognize, but the way he carried himself made it clear—he was nobility.
Calvin and I were laughing and joking with Aurora when the noble boy suddenly turned his head and sneered, "Hey, Don't you have any manners? What's your name?"
I halted and turned toward him, offering a casual grin, "Oh, sorry. I didn't see you there. My name's Rayon Krater. I'm a commoner."
His face twisted in disgust, "What is a lowly commoner doing in the royal castle? Laughing and roaming as if it belongs to you? Even your parents didn't teach you how to behave before nobility?"
The moment he mocked my parents, something in me snapped. A deep, simmering anger welled up inside me, and before I could stop myself, my aura flared—an unrestrained pressure rolling off me in waves.
Aurora's voice echoed urgently in my mind, 'Papa, conceal your pressure. We are in the castle.'
Realizing my mistake, I took a deep breath and withdrew my power. By the time I regained control, the noble boy had already fallen to the ground, his guards trembling as fear flickered in their eyes.
Yet, rather than displaying fear, the noble child smirked, "Hah! My strongest guard is coming. You'll see."
I turned just in time to see a tall, black-haired man approaching from behind. His sharp gaze immediately locked onto the noble child, and his tone was respectful yet firm: "Young Master, what happened? Why were you sitting on the ground? And why do your guards look terrified?"
The noble boy pointed an accusatory finger at me, "It's all because of this commoner."
The guard's eyes darkened as he turned toward me, "It's time for your punishment, lowly human. I challenge you to a duel—with me."
Calvin stepped forward, prepared to argue, but I raised a hand to stop him. My expression was calm as I met the guard's gaze, "Let me handle this."
Calvin hesitated before nodding and stepping back.
The duel had been set, and I was more than ready.
The air grew thick with tension. A slow smirk crept onto the guard's face as he stepped forward, rolling his shoulders. The way he moved—controlled, deliberate—spoke of someone accustomed to battle. His presence alone exuded confidence as if the outcome had already been decided.
"You'll regret stepping into this castle, commoner," the guard murmured, his voice laced with amusement.
I remained silent, my gaze unwavering.
I said with a smirk looking in his eyes, "Hah, first ask him what happened."
He said with a tight voice, "I believe in Young Master."
I said, "Oh, Yeah, You will regret this."
He said with a laugh, "Oh, a small kid frightening me now."
Then we glared at each other's eyes and moved toward the ground.