Gaius walked into the castle and immediately entered his father's room without a prior notice. When he saw the state of his father, he approached and grabbed the King's old hands.
"Father..." he called.
Augustus Cabrera slowly looked at his son and smiled stiffly.
"Gaius… you're back..."
"What… happened to you?"
"I feel sluggish..."
"Father..."
Suddenly, Gaius could hear another voice apart from them.
"He was poisoned and cursed."
"Is that the truth?" Gaius asked Chang Xiuying as she observed Augustus' condition from the inner perspective.
"Yes. His mana is all jumbled up, leaking out of his body, and his life force is slowly being sucked dry. I can cut the connection between the caster and your father. But if you want to know who put the spell on his body, you would need to let your father be in this state for a little bit longer as I track the life force."
Gaius looked at his suffering father who was almost at the brink of death. He clutched his hand and looked at Chang Xiuying.
"Please find whoever it is."
"Alright. Please hold on until I get back here," then Chang Xiuying disappeared in the shadows.
Gaius became fidgety as he watched Augustus' shallow breathing. After a few moments, when he thought that he almost lost his father, Chang Xiuying suddenly appeared beside him and pressed her hand on Augustus' chest. Then she raised her hands and blobs of purple liquid came out of his father's body.
"Ying!"
Instead of answering, Chang Xiuying pressed her index finger on her lips. Augustus' breathing slowed then quickened. This time, she pressed both of her hands on the King's chest to forcefully put his mana in order. When all of the poisoned mana were out of Augustus' body, she broke the spell that was slowly killing him.
Chang Xiuying whispered, "I can't supply lost mana. Do you have any mana recovery potions?"
"I'll take some from my room."
"It's dangerous if you leave. I'll get it. Where did you put the potions?"
"You will find a bag near my bed."
Chang Xiuying disappeared and appeared in the next moment. Moreover, she was empty handed.
"What's wrong?"
"I forgot to ask you which room."
"... just below this room."
Then she disappeared again and appeared after a few moments. She retrieved a glass filled with blue liquid and immediately handed it over to Gaius. The prince helped his father up to drink the potion down his throat.
Chang Xiuying watched Augustus' mana closely as it regained its vitality. However, his life force couldn't be resupplied. Ah right… the Qi!
"Gaius, I'm going to put some Qi in your father's body. Is that okay?"
"Will it turn him back?"
"Yes. But I don't know if his body will reject or accept it."
"Please try..."
"Alright."
Chang Xiuying concentrated to move her oceanic energy into Augustus' feeble body. However, she could only restore his body's vitality. The white strands of hair remained.
Well, at least they saved him from death. Gaius sighed in relief once he saw his father's countenance.
"So, Ying… where did the spell come from?"
"In an elemental shop."
"... why would they curse father?"
"In actuality, they wouldn't do anything unless they are paid. Since this is concerning the King, you might be the next target if this is about the throne. The perpetrator must be in the castle. So, you have to take care and always watch your back. Understood?"
"How about you? What will you do?"
"Since I already got involved, I will help you. I will find out the reason behind this conspiracy. Is that all okay?"
"Of course!"
However, suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Then, a sweet voice called out, "Gaius?"
Chang Xiuying immediately hid in the shadows and watched as a woman in her royal garb entered the vicinity. She was beautiful and elegant.
Audrey Cabrera, the Queen of Lasirion Kingdom.
"Gaius, is His Majesty all right?"
"Father is in good condition now, Mother. Is everything alright at your side?"
"Everything is a mess… the ministers are frantic and worried about His Majesty's health. They are also worrying about you going to the throne."
"Mother, I'm only 19..."
"Old enough to rule the kingdom."
"I'm not wise… and I don't have what it takes to be the King," he looked at Augustus' peaceful sleeping face then said, "Besides, Father will be the King for a lot of years."
Audrey's brows furrowed as he looked at Augustus' restored skin. Her eyes went wide from surprise. "What… what?"
"Yes, Mother? Is something the matter?"
"No… no, everything is fine, son. Dinner will start in a few minutes. Be sure to get there early. I am just going to stay here to watch His Majesty."
Chang Xiuying appeared in her blindspot and gestured to get Gaius' attention. When she successfully got it, she shook her head and formed a cross with her arms.
Gaius glanced then nodded. "Mother, please join me."
"No… I will stay. I still want to watch your father."
"Then I shall also stay. I am also worried about Father."
Audrey sighed then, "I believe it is time for dinner. We shall depart."
Gaius followed his mother into the dining hall while Chang Xiuying remained in the King's room. She inspected every nook and cranny of the room with her enhanced eyes that could detect even a small amount of leftover mana.
She found the same kind of mana from the earlier encounter. That person could be the culprit, but she didn't have enough evidence. She would have to wait and see how everything plays out.
***
Tomorrow came and Gaius came to the guild to report their mission as a success. He passed over the high quality ores to the reception then went to the school with Akira, Leovanni and Caine. He looked around to look for Chang Xiuying, but he couldn't find her. She must still be accompanying the King.
When they entered the academy, a lot of students congregated at one point. There was too much commotion from that group.
"Sir Jude!" They cheered.
"Why are they so excited about this Jude guy?" Gaius asked.
"The Blanche is here to demonstrate some combat skills and elemental skills, they say," Akira answered as she played with fire in her hand.
"Where's Xiuying, by the way?" Leovanni looked around.
"She's uh---"
"Late," Chang Xiuying suddenly appeared out of nowhere. They flinched from the sudden response as they looked at her with incredulous eyes.
"Ying, where have you been?" Gaius whispered beside her.
"The King is in danger four times just this day," she sighed as she whispered back. "I can't believe that they wanted to kill him that much. I left a tiny amount of Qi in his body to protect him from poisons and curses. I don't know if they'll resort to violence later. By the way, what's the commotion about?"
"Just some Blanche guys that came to give lectures."
Chang Xiuying nodded but stopped halfway.
Blanche?
The Blanche?! Those people that existed to execute justice? Why are they here?! She was found out?
Suddenly, the crowd split into two and a handsome man walked at the center. Moreover, he was looking at Chang Xiuying.
"What would your name be?" Jude asked when he was in front of Chang Xiuying. She raised one of her brows then walked out.
Gaius sighed in relief as he followed Chang Xiuying with a smile.
Jude touched his chin, looking at the girl he took notice of. She was attractive and her aura portrayed how strong she was. Even the fluid motions of her body was magnificent. Indeed, he was attracted. He didn't have any idea that she was the enemy he was looking all over for. At all. Since their only means of recognition was her surging power that could be felt miles away.
Despite the cold shoulder she gave him, he still followed them and left Akira's group behind.
The time came where Jude was in Chang Xiuying's knight class. He was excited to see Chang Xiuying in action. However, it disappointed him when nobody even tried fighting her. Though some male came to get pointers from her, the females were swarming around him.
When the class was close to an end, Jude suddenly raised a challenge.
He wanted to take on Chang Xiuying and see for himself how strong she was. His opponent sighed as she took on a stance not far from where he was.
"Belittle me all you want, Xiuying. I will remain victorious and look at my cool side!"
Jude attacked and Chang Xiuying parried then used his weight to throw him on the ground. It was clean and precise.
"Huh?"
"You're weak," she taunted.
Jude chuckled then attacked Chang Xiuying once again with his sword. However, it ended with his loss. He groaned in frustration. How could he be defeated by a mere girl?! He was one of the top swordsmen in Blanche! Well… kind of at the top.
Chang Xiuying leaned on her sword as a cane and looked playfully at Jude. She smirked as she thought, 'This is one of my opponents? How weak. If you came to kill me, what height would your strength reach?'
The class ended with Chang Xiuying being praised.
However, she suddenly felt that something attacked the King. She ran to a shadowed area but she was stopped by a hand. She looked back with irritation and saw Jude smiling at her.