Before Izik could fall to the ground, Xanthe was quick to catch him. All eyes darted toward them while all the noise died down. Xanthe hated that every time it happens. When it comes to him, it always happens but it still managed to piss him off.
"Allow me, your highness," a Hunter offered to take Izik away but before he could even move, Xanthe released a dominating aura that made it impossible for everyone to move. Even Theo who rushed to the scene and watched the son of Soleil close the dungeon felt the suffocating intimidation that rolled off Xanthe in huge waves. The son of the Ravignac clenched his jaw tight. This wasn't his first encounter with Xanthe. He had also watched the guy at Bizevau during training but he never released such an aura before no matter how much he was provoked.
Xanthe lifted Izik up with not much of a problem. His eyes watched the dirty and exhausted face of the new Guide. His black hair fell so delicately over his face. Some strands were clumped from all the sweat, sticking against his fair skin. His eyelashes were also long and thick and his lips were a perfect size. Some parts were bruised and cut but it still maintained its pinkish color.
Wasn't he a little too pretty for a guy?
The more he stared at him, the more he understood Izik's charm and saw his beauty.
Slowly the aura retreated and everyone around them managed to breathe at ease even when the wary feeling didn't disappear.
"Are you okay, your highness?" Theo moved closer to Xanthe. He eyed the other Prince with curiosity. The son of Duke Soleil doesn't look like he has serious injury however he did look a little worn out. If he was in that state going out of the dungeon then Theo could only imagine how tenacious the battle had been.
His eyes then landed on the man in Xanthe's arm. He looked unfamiliar and most likely one of the civilians that got unfortunately sucked into the dungeon. His eyebrows furrowed the moment he felt an immense amount of mana flowing through his body. It was a bit too much that Theo wondered how in the world has the guy not yet exploded. The guy was not by any means small however he wasn't even close his nor Xanthe's height.
"Is he a Hunter?" Theo asked Xanthe who didn't respond and just simply kept his stare at the man in his arms. "I think it's best to let the Acolytes check him." From the looks of it, the guy needed it. Izik looked banged up after all. Way much worse than Xanthe.
His next words died in his mouth at the announcement of the arrival of Duke Soleil. He almost forgot how Forvi was at the border of the Ravignac and the Soleil dukedom. It made sense that Duke Evan Soleil paid a visit to Forvi. He was sure the words have traveled all throughout the Empire about the appearance of a Mythical Dungeon and how Xanthe Soleil went to close it himself. Theo was quick on his feet to greet the duke.
Duke Evans offered a small kind smile, raising his hand a bit and ordering people to be at ease. "I heard what happened. I came here as the representative of the Imperial Palace and as the head of the Soleil." The guy continued to thank Theo for his fast response as he acknowledged the awkward situation of the town of Forvi being in the middle of two dukedoms.
"Prince," Duke Evan walked toward his son. "The Imperial Palace would like to thank you for closing a mythical dungeon." Xanthe lifted his gaze, meeting the eyes of his father. Wordlessly, he bowed down to greet him. Duke Evan smiled at his son. "The Empire recognizes the history you made by closing such a dangerous dungeon in a span of nearly three hours."
The murmurs began. It was after all a feat that was perhaps only possible for Xanthe Soleil.
Not giving his father more chance to say whatever the palace asked him to say, Xanthe spoke meeting his father's eyes. "Thank you, your highness. I would have to leave and get immediate medical attention for this man. I would also like some time to rest."
The duke eyed the unconscious Izik in his arms. "I brought with me the greatest Restorers and Acolytes of the Soleil dukedom..." Xanthe briefly met eyes with Alexander who was quick to turn away and began surveying the area.
"Thank you for your generosity however I would have to decline," Xanthe replied as pillars of fire burst behind him. Fire embers danced in the wind. Suddenly, a loud roar filled the sky as a huge shadow cast over the entire place.
Everyone's jaw dropped at the sight of a huge dragon before them. Its red scales reflected the sun. Its wings' span was enough to cover nearly the entire town. The moment it landed, the ground trembled. Its huge golden eyes shone like the most expensive gems. The being looked majestic and terrifying at the same time.
Dragons were ancient creatures known for their destructive prowess and the glory they can bring. Red dragons were known for being auspicious beings. There had been numerous stories about how they brought kingdoms upon kingdoms into glory. Opposite to them were black dragons that were known for the catastrophe they bring. Everywhere they go, destruction and famine followed.
To think that Xanthe Soleil's summoned being was a red dragon told everyone of the glory he was destined to have. It almost felt like a confirmation that they were looking at Serene's next emperor.
"I'd have to leave now," Xanthe announced as he walked towards the ancient creature. The dragon seemingly bowed down to him before he rode it. As soon as Xanthe was settled with Izik still with him, the dragon flew, bringing strong wings in every flap of its wings.
The people let out exclaim, fighting not to let the winds knock them down. Some succeeded while others found themselves rolling because of the winds.
"Since when did he was able to summon a dragon?" Alexander asked his father in disbelief. Like him and everyone else, Duke Soleil just watched the ancient creature fly away. "I thought he was an elemental?" Xanthe's magic was always a topic of debate for people who never saw them. "Our family had always been elemental."
As a Hunter, their magic could be either of the three: elemental, summoning, and enhancement. All of them had an innate ability to close a dungeon. However, you can only close a dungeon when the boss was defeated or it was completely wiped off. Usually, whenever Restorers gauge the dungeons, they were also able to see what was needed for the dungeons to be closed.
Elemental Hunters were the hunters who could use elements (fire, water, air, earth) for combative magic while Summoning Hunters were the ones who could summon creatures or weapons from different dimensions that allowed them to carry out their duties. Hunters who have enhancement magic made up at least 40% of the Hunter population. They were the ones who either have enhanced strength, speed, and any other attributes that made them more like superhumans. Usually, this kind of Hunter uses artifacts that allowed them to wield elemental magic.
Duke Evan kept his eyes on the dragon that got smaller the farther it go. "Even I never knew the full scope of his power." If he was being honest, this was the first time he saw Xanthe use his magic like that. Embarrassing as it was, Duke Evan was aware that Waylen knew more about his own son than him.
Even then, during that night, Xanthe never used his magic and only fought Calix with a sword he picked up from the other assassins that entered the mansion before his oldest son.
Theo tried his best to keep his cool about the entire thing. The only thing that was not making him lose his sanity was the fact that Xanthe never hid his disinterest in the throne. His fists clench tightly, he was shaking. Theo had to take a deep breath before he really lose his composure. The murmurings of the people around them were not helping him as well.
"I can't believe I just saw a red dragon..."
"Red dragons are auspicious beings, does that mean he's the next emperor?"
"As if the other Crown Prince candidates could compete with him."
"At this point, it's really obvious who will be the next Crown Prince."
"Sssh, Prince Ravignac is here, idiot."
He wasn't by any means weak. Theo Ravignac was a Class S Hunter and he was strong on his own. When he found his designation and the moment he first used his magic people around him spoke nothing but his greatness. They would always butter him up about how he would be the Crown Prince. How he would make an excellent emperor for Serene.
All their words, Theo took them to his heart and worked hard to prove his worth but all of those works, every effort shattered in the presence of Xanthe Soleil. Theo couldn't forget the first time he saw him. The disinterest on the Soleil Prince's face was something etched on his memories. He acted as if this entire world bore him to the core.
/And maybe if you were on a complete level than everyone else... maybe you'll also be bored too./
Theo forced the memory down. Ignoring it as he turned around and began barking orders to wrap up the whole thing. In his words, people began moving. Taking a deep breath, he walked to Duke Soleil with a practiced smile. The two of them began talking about what happened and what needed to be done to rebuild Forvi.