Laughter shattered the tense silence. To everyone's surprise, it was Priscilla, the former first princess, who erupted in a fit of giggles, clutching her stomach. Finally regaining her composure, she declared with amusement, "That was a good one!"
Katherina, her younger sister and Priscilla's polar opposite, shot her a withering glare, hatred flashing in her eyes. "I'll kill him," she spat.
Priscilla's smile vanished, replaced by a steely gaze. "I warned you not to do anything rash. Trust me, you don't want to face my anger. Not even Father can protect you here. This temple and the surrounding forest are under my protection. Remember, as he said, never underestimate anyone. Consider this your final warning." The weight of her power pressed down on Katherina and her guards, sending shivers down their spines.
Leonardo and the others watched in stunned silence. They never imagined the seemingly cheerful priestess possessed such formidable strength.
After a few more minutes of conversation, Maria politely excused herself, followed by Luna and Sakuya, each returning to their quarters.
After leaving the others in the big hall, Alex stormed into his room, locking the door behind him and collapsing onto the bed.
Fury simmered within him, a volatile mix of anger and a strange, twisted sense of satisfaction after his verbal jab at the Princess. How dare she look down on him, a nobody from a backwater village, just because of her fancy title and empire? He might be weak, powerless, but that wouldn't stop him from speaking his mind. He wouldn't cower in silence, even if it meant losing his head. He was Alex, and he wouldn't be trampled upon.
But it was precisely this weakness that gnawed at him. Katherina wouldn't let this insult stand. He had to get stronger, fast. Before she retaliated, before he became another victim of her power. He wouldn't just be stronger; he would be built, a physical manifestation of his defiance, a warning to anyone who dared to underestimate him again.
A sharp rap on the door jolted him from his thoughts.
"Who is it?" he barked, irritation lacing his voice.
"It's Maria. May I come in?"
His anger deflated. "Oh, Maria. Of course, come in."
He rose, the anger replaced by a flicker of hope. She entered, her simple black robe contrasting sharply with the opulent room. Even in this austere attire, she was breathtaking. He offered her a seat, then settled on the edge of his bed, curiosity piqued.
"So, My Lady, to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?" he asked, a playful lilt in his voice.
Maria chuckled. "Nothing too serious, just wanted to see you before I leave with Princess Katherina tomorrow."
His smile faltered. "Ah, I see. Well, then, I wish you both safe travels."
His response was clipped, a stark contrast to his earlier joviality.
Maria's smile vanished, her expression turning serious. "Alex, I came here to warn you..."
Maria's voice cut through the silence, firm but laced with concern.
"Alex, listen carefully. What you did today was reckless. This isn't Earth anymore, and reckless words can cost you your head. Don't misunderstand, you shouldn't cower in silence against insults, but your responses need tact. You're smart, so I know you get it."
Alex smiled, touched by her genuine concern.
"Thank you, Maria. I won't forget your advice."
"Glad to hear it," she replied, her expression softening slightly.
"Now, unlike the rest of us, your Gift seems... sealed at the moment. As for why, that's your riddle to solve."
Alex frowned, interrupting. "How do you know my Gift is sealed?"
"Goddess Mea explained it," Maria answered simply. "No magical connection usually means either a sealed or useless Gift. Yours can't be useless when ours are so powerful, so sealed it is. And let me tell you, my instincts scream your Gift is far more extraordinary than any of ours. I trust my gut, remember? Saved my father's business countless times back on Earth."
As she mentioned her father, a flicker of longing crossed her face before vanishing as quickly as it came.
Shaking her head, she continued, "Anyway, I'll be waiting for you in the Imperial City. Magical Academy classes start in three months, and I snagged you an invitation."
She held out an envelope embossed with a golden seal.
Alex stared at it, bewildered. "But what good are academy classes if I can't use magic?"
"Now," Maria spoke, her voice firm yet laced with a playful lilt, "I know magic isn't exactly in your repertoire yet, but hear me out. What if you joined our adventurer course with the girls and me? Graduate from there, and you'll have access to exploring High-Level Dungeons under imperial supervision. Not your thing? You could always wait until you're an A-class Adventurer for solo permits. Of course, there are plenty of free-for-all smaller dungeons if none of that strikes your fancy. Truth is, we'd all love to have you aboard – Sakuya, Luna, especially Luna – maybe even form a dungeon-diving dream team! But hey, no pressure. It's your call, Alexander."
Her eyes locked with his, awaiting his answer.
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Luna, huh? Why would she be especially… pleased?" It felt strangely specific, almost teasing.
Maria merely chuckled. "Nothing you need to worry about. Just consider my offer, alright?" she winked, leaving his question hanging. Alex sighed, filing it away for later.
The truth was, he was tempted. His original plan was to visit the Imperial City after unsealing his Gift, and joining the Academy had always been part of his long-term adventurer dreams. This just fast-tracked things… maybe a little too much.
"Alright, Maria," he conceded, tucking the invitation into his item box. "I'll join you… after I take care of a few things here."
A smile bloomed on her face. "Perfect! We'll be waiting."
Their conversation continued for a few minutes before Maria excused herself, leaving Alex alone with his thoughts. He wasn't blind to her interest, and frankly, the feeling was mutual. A mischievous grin tugged at his lips. This unexpected turn of events might just be the key to unlocking more than just his Gift.
°°°°°
Dawn broke, casting its golden light upon the temple grounds. Alex stood amidst a small crowd, gathered to bid farewell to Maria and her companions. He wasn't alone. Priestess Priscilla and other temple attendants observed the scene, while Leonardo and his crew cast mocking glances in his direction. Princess Katherina, her eyes blazing with fury, locked eyes with him before turning away and disappearing into the white carriage with a final venomous glare.
Soon, it was Maria's turn. She offered a farewell wave before joining the others inside. Luna lingered for a moment, her gaze meeting Alex's. Something seemed unspoken, a message she couldn't quite voice. But a hint of a smile played on her lips before she too entered the carriage.
Suddenly, Alex felt a shift in the air. Sakuya materialized before him at such speed it was astonishing, her agility surpassing his senses. Before he could blink, she leaned in and whispered, "Work hard, Alex. Even without a Gift, you can become the strongest. That's what I believe."
Before he could respond, she was gone, vanished into the carriage as swiftly as she arrived.
The carriages rolled away, soon disappearing from sight. The silence pressed down on Alex, broken only by the chirping of birds. Sakuya's words echoed in his mind, a challenge and a source of determination. His training hadn't been enough. He needed to push harder, refine his skills.
"Ah," Alex murmured, "The road to the top is indeed arduous."
With newfound resolve, Alex turned towards Priscilla, exchanging a few brief words before setting off on his morning jog. The sun-dappled forest path stretched before him, a silent testament to his dedication. He knew the journey ahead would be long and grueling, but the fire in his heart burned brighter than ever. His destination: Eria's City. His mission: to forge himself into the strongest, one step, one stride at a time.