From what I've been told so far…this was definitely an assassination attempt.
The snakes used were brought from the far north. Apparently, their venom is specially adapted—it interferes directly with mana. Instead of simply poisoning the body, it causes a person's own mana to turn against them, disrupting their internal circulation.
Since all living beings require mana to flow constantly, this kind of paralysis is usually fatal. And if it somehow isn't, the biological toxin in the venom finishes the job soon after.
Yeah. Not pleasant.
As for the attacker—he was the "maid."Or rather, a man disguised as one.
And honestly… the dedication is terrifying.
He had been pretending to be a maid for over a year. Waiting. Watching. Planning.
I almost respect it. Almost.
They waited until I was weak and isolated. They knocked out the guards instead of killing them—apparently, killing would have left behind mana residue. The sudden disappearance of the soldiers' mana signatures would have alerted the barrier unit stationed beneath the palace.
In my panic, I fired a raw mana beam. It struck the walls and ceiling, causing part of the chamber to collapse. Ironically, my already unstable mana shielded me enough to keep me alive until help arrived.
So yeah.That happened.
"So," Rajkumar Hamsa asked, breaking the silence,"Has the man been interrogated yet?"
"He has," Mahadevi Bhadra replied. "For now, force has not been used. Given his level of dedication, it is assumed he is prepared for pain."
She paused, her eyes darkening.
"I would prefer to question him myself. However, your father has forbidden me from approaching the prisoner."
"That is because you would kill him before we learn anything," Raj Valangar said flatly.
"Well," the Mahadevi replied, her voice edged with exhaustion,"It is almost certainly the conservative faction. The nobles would have provided access, while the merchants likely supplied the funds—and the snakes."
"Even if that assumption is correct," Hamsa said, resting his chin on his hand,"It is not enough to rely on it alone."
"See?" the Raja said sharply. "Even the child understands. So stop demanding that we wipe them out without proof."
…Wait.
Did he just say wipe them out?
What in the hell kind of woman did I call Mother?
Well, setting that aside—let me ask this first.I can't miss the chance to get a guinea pig.
"Father. Mother."
Hamsa spoke carefully, his tone serious.
"Please allow me to try questioning him."
As he spoke, a small sphere of mana formed in his palm.
"I've been practicing what Grandma Durga taught me. I can control my mana—to an extent."He hesitated, then continued."And I think I can see mana channels in others now—"
He stopped.
Both his parents were staring at him.
"You can see mana channels?" the Raja asked slowly, as if unsure he had heard correctly.
"I… think so," Hamsa replied, suddenly unsure."I'm not completely certain that what I'm seeing are mana channels. But based on what Grandma Durga explained, that's the closest match. I can't hold it for long—it starts to hurt if I try too much."
He sounded genuinely confused.
The Raja and the Mahadevi looked at each other. Then back at him. Then at each other again.
Finally, Mahadevi Bhadra spoke.
"Hamsa," she said carefully,"All beings possess the ability to sense mana—within themselves and around them. However, the degree of sensitivity varies greatly."
She paused, drawing a slow breath.
"But seeing mana, as you describe, is not something most living beings can do. Some animals possess such perception, but among humans, such cases are extremely rare. Even then, they sense it. They do not see it."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Among recorded cases… your biological mother was one of the few who could sense mana to such an extent."
She looked at him steadily.
"But even she could not see—"
Mahadevi Bhadra stopped mid-sentence.
For a brief moment, her gaze unfocused as a memory surfaced—Acharya Ram's words from that private conversation.
She said nothing, but the pause did not go unnoticed.
"Well," Raj Valangar said after a moment, his tone sharp and decisive,"We will have to speak with Acharya Ram about this."
His eyes settled on Hamsa.
"Until then, you will not speak of this to anyone. This matter remains between the three of us—for now."
Hamsa nodded.
"Regardless," the Raja continued,"The answer is no. It is far too dangerous to leave you alone with that man."
"I do not wish to be alone with him," Hamsa replied quickly."I want it done in an open space. The training grounds behind the guard house will suffice."
He paused, choosing his words carefully.
"There are a few things I wish to test. And I assure you—I will not kill him."
Both his parents were taken aback.
They exchanged a look, a silent conversation passing between them. After a moment, the Raja spoke again.
"For now, we will consider it," he said."Once we have discussed the matter further, we will decide whether you may proceed."
"Thank you, Father. Mother," Hamsa said.
With that, they left the Rajkumar's chambers and made their way toward the central palace. The afternoon was already slipping away, and a mountain of work still awaited them.
As they walked, the Raja broke the silence.
"Bhadra," he said, "Do you not think Hamsa is… strange for his age?"
Mahadevi Bhadra considered her answer.
"He is certainly not normal," she said slowly."I have heard stories of Mahadevi Savithri's childhood—she too was different. But Hamsa is more than that."
She hesitated, just slightly.
"He behaves less like a child… and more like an adult."
The Raja noticed the hesitation.
"Is there something you are not telling me?" he asked."Something I should be aware of?"
"No, Your Majesty," she replied at once, her tone steady."I have no reason to hide anything from you."
They reached the palace and entered the Raja's private office. Once seated, he spoke again.
"Very well. That aside—do you think we should indulge Hamsa's request?""This would be the first time he has asked us for anything."
Mahadevi Bhadra pondered this carefully.
"I believe we should," she said at last."Even if the request is… no, entirely strange for a child of his age."
She met his gaze.
"It is precisely because of that strangeness that we should allow it. This is an opportunity to observe him—for future reference."
The Raja exhaled slowly.
"Very well," he said. "If that is your judgment."
He turned toward the doorway.
"Ragu," he called, "Prepare the prisoner for questioning in the training field. To maintain secrecy, announce a drill. Move all non-essential personnel to the utility sections and the temple district."
He paused.
"And send word to the temple. Ensure they remain occupied."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
Said the attendant before bowing and leaving to fulfill his Majesty's orders.
----------------------
Two days later — Morning
The training grounds were silent.
At the center of the field, a man sat bound to a wooden chair, thick ropes securing his arms and legs. Guards stood around him in a wide circle, hands resting on their weapons, eyes never leaving the prisoner.
At the front stood Rajkumar Hamsa, flanked by his parents. Behind them were a small number of trusted servants, select palace staff, and the Mahamantri.
"Remember this, Hamsa," Raj Valangar said, his voice hard and sharp."If at any point you sense danger, you will retreat at once. This is not a request—it is an order. Should you fail to do so, I will end this immediately."
"Yes, Father," Hamsa replied, nodding."I will withdraw behind the guards if I sense anything amiss."
The Raja studied him for a moment, then gave a short nod.
"Very well. You may proceed."
With a signal from the Raja, the guards shifted slightly, tightening their formation as Rajkumar Hamsa stepped forward toward the bound man.
The Mahamantri leaned closer, his voice low.
"Your Majesty," he said, "is this truly wise? He is still a child."
"You need not worry, Mahamantri Vasu," Mahadevi Bhadra replied calmly."All necessary precautions have been taken. We understand this is not normal—but bear with it."
The Mahamantri had no further words. He clasped his hands together, eyes fixed on the Rajkumar, silently offering a prayer as Hamsa continued forward.
-------------------
Why are they sending that brat over?
That should be good news. It should be.But these bastards will probably slit my throat the moment I try anything.
Whatever. They must be out of their minds—standing there all calm and polite, like kindness will work on me.
Idiots.
The man kept a smug expression on his face.
That smugness vanished the moment he truly looked at the Rajkumar—the boy he had been sent to assassinate.
Those eyes.
They didn't look at him with fear.
They looked at him like he was a rat.
Something to be crushed.
Then he felt it.
…What the hell?
That brat's mana—
A week ago he was dying. Barely holding on.Now this… this is more than double what I remember.
The Rajkumar stepped closer and gestured for the guards to give him more space.
"Hello," the boy said calmly. "You're disappointed to see me alive, right? I bet you'd love to stand up and slit my throa-"
Spit hit his face.
The guards moved instantly—but the Rajkumar raised a hand, stopping them.
He wiped his face slowly with a cloth.
"Come on," he said mildly. "I was just trying to talk."Then, quieter, colder:"I'm already a bit of a sadist at heart. This just makes me want to torment you more."
The man stiffened.
"But," the Rajkumar continued, "I am a Rajkumar first and foremost. So I'll ask nicely."
He leaned in, voice low enough that only the two of them could hear.
"You can tell me everything you know.""Or I use you as a… genny pig."
He paused, then tilted his head.
"Ah. Right. You wouldn't know what that means. Wrong world."He smiled faintly."Let's just say—I can use my mana properly now. And I want to try things."
"Either way," he finished, "You're useful to me."
The man laughed, forcing bravado into his voice.
"Do your worst, you entitled brat."
The Rajkumar smiled.
The moment he did, a chill ran down the man's spine.
Something about that smile was wrong.It wasn't childish. It wasn't reckless.
It was calm.
A thought slipped into his mind, uninvited.
…Maybe I should have talked.
This brat wasn't like a normal child at all. Standing there, looking at him like that, he didn't feel like a boy.
He felt like a predator—not hungry, not angry,just curious about how much blood could be spilled.