Retnan watched as the queen was taught. He sat composed. Meliah observed how boastful he was. Her lips twitched.
"Great. Good demonstration." The queen finally spoke. "Your affinity is really unique. You'll make a fine knight. From which kingdom are you originally from?"
"I'm not from this world."
"According to him, a goddess summoned him here."
Meliah chipped in.
"Really? Give me your hand."
Reluctantly, he stretched forth his hand. The queen removed her gloves and held his palm. She placed her scepter on top.
"This scepter is a magical item designed to read one's soul and determine the sincerity of their answers. If it blinks red, you're lying. If green, you speak the truth."
"Now look me in the eye."
He looked into her eyes. Identical to Meliah's.
"I'll ask you the question again just say yes or no."
"Are you from this world?"
The room went still. Retnan held eye contact with the queen. Meliah stared at the scepter for the moment of truth.
"No." Retnan said.
The scepter flashed green. The queen gasped. Meliah moved closer to see the scepter flashing green light.
"Can he be…" Meliah started.
"…a summoned hero." The queen completed.
'Eh? Me, a hero? I'm only here so I don't die.' Retnan kept the words in his mind.
Both the queen and her daughter were deep in thought. Realizing what it meant.
'So he wasn't lying back then. At the dungeon.'
'If he's a summoned hero, other lands will flock to have him on their side. I need to secure his loyalty.'
"Apologies if we treated you like a criminal. Welcome to Avalon." The Queen bow slightly.
"No problem. Thanks." Retnan slipped his hand back into his pocket.
"Since you're new to this world, why don't I offer you private accommodation, an allowance, and a maiden? I'll also swear you in as a knight rather than a criminal serving his sentence."
The offer wasn't tempting enough for Retnan. He could wish for a house, or money. Maybe not a maiden but he was focused on finding the artifact.
"That's a bit tempting. But I humbly refuse."
The queen smiled. Expected, from someone whose magic is wishes. She'd have to try harder than that.
For now, she didn't push further.
"I'll respect that." The queen removed a bangle from her wrist and slid it onto Retnan's. "You can leave the room."
"Another magical item let me guess."
Retnan studied the bangle before walking out.
The queen watched the throne, waiting to see if it would disappear. But even with Retnan out of the throne room, it stayed.
---
Back in the hallway once more, Retnan began his search for a library. Random walking around, since asking others had proven futile. They either ignored him or weren't really helpful.
He ended up in the kitchen and finally, someone decided to be helpful.
He followed the directions of a young cook. Down the hall, then left. Then down again. Sigh. How huge is this place.
Finally he arrived, standing before another door that didn't look different from the others. I wonder how they find their way around.
He walked in and was greeted by the smell of old books. And dust. The library was well-lit with the help of huge windows. A librarian was seated at the counter by the door.
"This library is reserved. You're not allowed" Her eyes found the queen's bangle on his wrist. A sign that the queen herself acknowledged this stranger.
She stayed quiet and returned to her book.
Retnan noticed the way she reacted when she saw the bangle. Knowing it had a benefit beyond just being a tracker.
His search began. He walked down the tall shelves, trailing his fingers along the spines. He didn't know which book to start from. Let's just go randomly.
He pulled the first book. The cover read: History of Avalon.
Nope. He slid it back onto the shelf.
A second one Economic History of Avalon. Nope. Back to where it came from. After a couple more pulls he understood the shelf contained only history, so he moved to the next.
Still nothing but at least he found a book about the value of dungeons. He took a seat by the window and flipped it open.
As he read, he got a better picture of the dungeons.
Dungeons appeared after a phenomenal rift. They were the source of various monsters that raided Avalon.
Though recently they rarely broke out, and knights became hunters rather than protectors.
Aside from the dangers they held, he also learned they contained resources. Jewels and rare materials. Used to craft magical items.
High tier dungeons sometimes contained artifacts with god-like powers.
Retnan smirked. The artifact he was looking for was likely in a high tier dungeon. The six artifacts he needed were likely dungeon boss drops.
While he read, he noticed a warning about some dungeons not meant to be cleared. Forbidden ones.
Retnan shut the book and sat still. He remembered his last fight with the beast despite using a wish, he wasn't anything supernatural. If he was going up against dungeons like that, he'd need supernatural strength. But his wishes were limited to the Mundane. Still with enough wish points. It won't be a problem.
He opened his system to check his status. The familiar blue translucent screen appeared in his line of vision.
```
[-Mana Lvl: SSS (Accessible: C)]
[-Nexus: 0] [-Flux: 0] [Wish points: 0/2] [-Affinity: Conceptual]
[-Physique: Athlete]
[-Attributes:
{Strength: 15} {Agility: 14} {Speed: 14} {Comprehension: 20}]
```
The increase was significant but not compared to the threats he was going to face. He remembered Mava's words. Cultivating his Nexus would make him grow stronger. And now also learning from the system Nexus means more wishes!
Retnan left the library, returning the book and marking where he'd found it.
---
Back in the hallway, he found his way out of the castle. This time he noticed the murmurs around him were louder. Because of the bangle on his wrist.
Outside, the large estate opened up before him. A fountain sat in the middle, the ground cobblestone. Carriages were lined up nearby. Close to them, a garden. He walked up to the fountain and waited for someone in particular.
Minutes later.
"Where are you going?" He heard Meliah's voice as she approached. Retnan scanned her. Dressed in her knight's armor, two blades on her hips sheathed, but from the handles, Retnan recognized one as his blade.
"More importantly. How did you know I'd already stepped outside?" Retnan raised the bangle. "It's a tracker, right?"
"Yes it is." Meliah admitted.
Retnan didn't react. Just slipped his hand back into his pocket.
"Anyways. Can you show me a nearby dungeon? Low level. I need to train."