I am Asher. Reincarnated in to another world and received God's blessing and infinite money(?). That's pretty much it.
" Asher! Your parents are here! " a redhead elf said.
This is Rina Krathus, the princess of Krathus kingdom. My fiancée.
" I'm excited to meet your mom. I'm sure she's as charming as you. " she clings onto my arm. " Let's go. "
We went downstairs and there I saw Dad sitting on the couch in front of the King and Queen and my mom on a wheelchair beside my Dad.
" Dad, Mom. You came. "
" We invited them again to talk more about the engagement. " the King said. " Also to ask if they're fine moving here in castle with you. " he added.
I approached my mother. " Mom, how are you feeling? "
" I am doing better, your father insisted that we should come here to see how you're doing. "
" Hello, Mrs. Makarios. I am Rina. " she said.
" Oh Princess Rina, I heard that you and Asher slept in the same room last night, did my daughter do anything weird? "
" Mom?! "
" Yes, Asher. Last time we go to the market, you can't stop looking on a cute girl at your age. " Dad said. " I didn't expect you to go for the princess though. " he added.
" I-It's not that I wanted to-- "
" You don't want me? I thought you saved me because you like me " Rina said.
" Wait, no! That's not what I meant! "
They all laughed and chuckled. Really great, they're teaming up on me now.
" I think we'll get along really well. " the King said.
After few moments of chatting, one of the guards came in.
" King Albert, the Forsbergs are here to visit. "
" Hm. They didn't say anything about their visit. But nevermind that, let them in. "
Forsberg, sounds familiar.
' Asher, be careful. I can feel something bad is coming. '
" PRINCESS RINA! " the huge door bursts open and comes a light blue-haired kid with wolf ears.
A half-beast?
" Prince Vale, you're very lively today. That's good. " the King chuckled and pat the boy's head.
" Don't touch me, old man! " the boy said.
" Ahaha.. " the king laughed awkwardly. " Roy, Liza, I need to go and meet with a friend of mine. The maids will escort you around the castle. "
They all left and it's just me, Rina and Vale. I feel out of place.
Prince Vale walks toward me and Rina.
" Princess, it's been a while. " he said as he reached out for Rina's hand and kiss the back of it.
" Yes, it's been a while. " she said then pulled her hand back.
Maybe they don't like each other?
" Father and I went here to ask about this silly rumor going around saying you're getting engaged to someone. " he said. " Though, I'm sure it's not true. Right? "
" Actually. "
Should I go hide now? Alright, let's escape while we still can.
I took a few steps back but then Rina pulled my arm.
" I want you to meet Asher. "
Prince Vale looked at me from head to toe.
" You're kidding, you're saying this guy, a commoner, will be your lover? " he said with a hint of disgust.
" H-Hi, I'm Asher Makarios. It's nice to meet you. " I offered a handshake which of course got ignored.
" Rina, how did you end up with a commoner even though you know you can be with me? "
" Asher saved my life. "
Not really since it's just a play.
" Asher defeated a powerful giant with just one strike! "
It's not a giant, it's your bodyguard! " Princess Rina, it's not-- "
" Is that so? Then I challenge you to a duel! "
Can someone just please listen to me?!
[ Meanwhile, King Albert and Lord Douglas are in the throne room ]
King Albert is sitting on his throne while Lord Douglas is in front of him.
" So what brought you here, Douglas? " King Albert asked smiling at him.
" King Albert, I'm sorry for the sudden visit but I'm here to ask about Princess Rina's engagement? "
" Oh yes, we were just discussing about it earlier. I'm really looking forward to it. "
" You know that I respect your decisions, your highness but I thought my son would be the princess' partner? "
" You see, Asher is the best option. "
" The best option? Is he from a wealthier family? "
" No, Asher is a commoner. " the King said acting like an innocent kind dog.
" What-- " Douglas got cut off when a guard came in.
" King Albert! Prince Vale and Asher are planning to start a duel at the training ground! "
" Oho, a duel you say? Douglas, come with me to the training ground."
[ Back to Asher ]
" First, we will have a sword battle! But don't worry, we will not use real sword because as much as I want you gone I don't want to murder anyone. " Prince Vale said.
Why do I need to fight this kid again? " Prince Vale, can we not do this? "
" No! This duel will prove that I should be the one to marry Rina in the future! " he said proudly.
Barrel is here as a referee. He gave each one of us a wooden sword.
" First one to let go of their sword or get knocked down is the loser! Ready and go! "
Prince Vale gets in fighting stance so I did the same.
" Asher! Do your best! " Rina cheered.
Do I really have to do this?
I looked at my opponent who's looking back at me. He hold his sword in front of him and quickly dashed forward. When he's inches away from me, I lowered my sword to my side and quickly dodged to my left. I striked his hand from below making his sword fly away.
" What..But how?! " Prince Vale shouted.
' You're learning fast. '
More like you keep on giving skills that I didn't even asked for.
[ Flashback from last night ]
I'm on the same bed as Rina. What should I do? Should I go closer?
' You're really weird. '
Ack- I'm sorry.
' I'm kidding. Jokes aside, I gave you some basic useful skills. '
Skills? Like what?
' Fast reflexes, pain tolerance and some of this and that. '
[ End of Flashback ]
From my perspective, I can see his every move in a slight slower way. So it was really easy to dodge before his attack hit me.
" Asher! That was so cool! " Rina said.
" You just got lucky! I'll beat you on the second round for sure! " Prince Vale declared.
" I wonder how many rounds are there.. ahaha " I said to myself.
@@@@@
" In this round we will be measuring your magic level through the use of metamorphosis. " Barrel said.
" What's a metamorphosis? " I asked Rina.
" It's a magic spell where the user can transform an object or a living being in to something different from it's original form. The greater the transformation is, the higher level of magic needed. " Rina explained.
" I can't expect you to know about it because you're a commoner. This round will be a piece of cake. " Prince Vale said smugly.
" You will be using these two frogs right here. " Barrel said as he placed two frogs on the ground in front of us. " Prince Vale will go first. "
" Watch me closely, commoner. " he said.
He reached out his hand in front of him and prepare to cast the spell. " Metamorphosis! " with a blink of an eye the frog starts glowing and take the form of a pure white winged wolf.
" A Pterolycus, it's the Forsberg family's guardian beast. " Lord Douglas said from behind us. Beside him is King Albert smiling at us.
" This creature is very special, magic level 50. " Barrel stated. " Asher will go next. "
Ah, I don't know how to use magic, do I even have magic?
' Relax, just do the same thing and shout Metamorphosis as loud as you can. '
" Alright. " I faced the frog and reached out my hand. I closed my eyes and shouted. "METAMORPHOSIS! "
With my eyes still closed, all I can hear is silence. Did I fail?
Slowly opening my eyes, I looked in front of me with the frog nowhere to be found.
" Asher! Look! " Rina pointed up excitedly.
I looked up and saw a strange winged beast with body of a lion, tail of a scorpion and the face of a man.
" It's a Manticore! But how?! Such legendary beast is impossible to create let alone morph from a frog! " Lord Douglas exclaimed.
I looked at Prince Vale who's face is filled with surprise, anger and confusion.
" As expected, you once again surprised us with your incredible power. " the king said then.
" A legendary beast. Magic level.. " Barrel stopped, looking troubled he said " I can't measure your level so technically Prince Vale win this round. "
" But Barrel, if you can't measure it then Asher's level must be very high right?! " Rina asked Barrel.
" I'm sorry, Princess. " Barrel apologized. " Let's move to the final round. For this round, each player will have a battle with me. " Barrel explained. "
" I have a suggestion. " King Albert stepped forward.
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[ To Be Continued ]