Lucian was sitting face to face with his father, there was a tense atmosphere between them. He prayed it wasn't what he was thinking of. He believed that the time spent from where his battle took place to the central city was delayed purposely by the scouts 'they definitely didn't heed my command ', they only answered to the king and not the prince.
"The scouts said they felt a trace of ether when they came to rescue you " Ray spoke to break the awkward atmosphere.
"Father..." he wanted to say 'they don't rescue me' but seeing his father's expression that was screaming seriousness, he had to concede.
"You don't need to explain. Lucian the war is ongoing, and anything that would cause the people unrest should be avoided. If the people were to find out that their prince could weild ether—what do you think would happen next?" Ray asked.
"They would ask for my expulsion from the royal line and banishment, just like they did to the furies" he answered while looking down in anger 'they are still scared of what could save them '.
"It's good you know that. I told the scout already that Declan gave you a weapon that could store ether. You are to return this in the presence of the scout to remove their doubt" Ray threw an orb to Lucian . Inside the orb was Xanadu coloured energy swirling around.
"Thanks father "Lucian caught the orb then bowed politely "father, I would like to participate in the upcoming war " Lucian voiced his intentions while waiting for his father's approval.
"You can't " Ray briefly answered .
"Why...?" Lucian asked not understanding his father's response.
" Son... " he stood up, walked up to Lucian, then croatched to his level "you are too young to participate in this war, you and Nari with the other children will be taken to portum as well as the old, weak and all those who won't participate in the war " Ray explained.
"But father, I am a god . I also awakened my Ortanian bloodline " he refuted his father's word while letting his eye shine azure blue .
Ray was surprised at Lucian awakening because he wasn't aware of it, but that was all: "you are too weak to participate in it" Ray broke the cold ice on him.
"B-but I defeated a strong person on my own today" he tried to change his father's believe that he was weak.
"You used ether, you made him believe you were strong while you weren't . Do you think those things will work during war ? Every single person who is planning to fight has lost all will to live ! That ,is the reality of war ,it isn't a game." He said angrily .defeating the barbarian made Lucian think he was strong but he wasn't . It was luck ,luck helped him win the fight .
Lucian refused to believe he was weak . Sure his power helped in the fight but that doesn't mean he was weak," I demand a duel with your specially trained knight" Lucian said with his sword out .
Ray grinned at Lucian conviction and unwavering spirit ,he wanted to shout 'thats my son . Di you see him ' but now was not the time 'i wonder who he got that stubborn spirit from ' he wasn't stubborn. He forgot he fought Kiffy (Declan in her real appearance) even when he was warned not to and got sent to samsara
"I will bring the weakest for you to battle " Ray said "summon the bronze knight !" Ray called out and immediately there was a flash and a knight clad in Bronze armour appeared with a spear by his side .
"Your majesty " she genuflected to Ray the moment he appeared.
"She was just accepted into the royal knights a few months back . You will have to face her in a duel and defeat her to be allowed to fight " Ray said .
"Your majesty I can't possibly face off against the young prince " she said while panicking 'what if I injure him by mistake ' she panicked inwardly.
"Don't worry . Go all out against him ,he is more durable than you think." Ray said grinning from ear to ear at his son's defeat that will happen soon.