A few days passed, and a grande ceremony was held at the Pennsylvania Royal Academy, broadcast to civilians across the continent. Many students who had participated in the Forest Crown Hunt event, were given compensation for the recent varmint incident.
However, Princess Misaki and her entire team, including Jason's squad, were awarded not only compensation but also a noble commendation for their bravery in standing their ground and fighting against the varmints.
As every student received their award, Xavier's name was called by one of the High Councils of the Nobles of the Kingdom. He walked towards the beautiful and immense stage to be awarded, cheered on by his joyful family and friends.
Upon reaching the stage, Xavier was greeted by a middle-aged man with grey hair and a beard, who still looked remarkably handsome for his age. This man was none other than Cedric Ravenshadow, the Head Principal of the Pennsylvania Royal Academy.
Cedric shook Xavier's hand and asked with a smirk, "How are you feeling, Xavier?"
"I'm feeling great and have fully recovered," Xavier replied.
"That's great to hear," Cedric responded.
Miss Faelwen then informed Xavier that he would need to give a speech to everyone watching, as they were eager to see the little hero who slew the mighty varmint.
Xavier nodded nervously, contemplating what he would say. Cedric then took a beautiful medal with the school's emblem—a roaring lion surrounded by laurel leaves—and awarded it to Xavier, recognizing him with the Heroic Student Medal of Valor for his unyielding bravery and protection of his fellow students.
One of the High Councils of the Nobles of the Kingdom then awarded Xavier the kingdom's Order of the Guardian's Star, a star-shaped medallion encrusted with jewels, featuring the kingdom's crest and an image of the varmint being vanquished. In honor of his unparalleled valor and guardianship.
It was now time for Xavier to give his speech.
"Hello everyone, I'm really happy and a bit nervous to be here today. I want to thank Head Principal Cedric and the High Councils of the Nobles for this amazing award."
"It's a big honor, and I still can't believe it happened. When the monster attacked, I was really scared. But I knew I had to slay it to protect everyone".
"I didn't feel like a hero; I just did what I thought was right. And I'm grateful that everyone was safe from danger".
"I want to thank my teachers and family for supporting me and helping me get stronger. I also want to thank my friends for having my back during the entire Forest Crown Hunt event."
"This medal reminds me that we can all be brave, even when things seem really tough. We just need to look out for each other and do our best. Thank you again for this honor. I promise to keep doing my best and to always try to help others. Thank you."
As the audience applauded Xavier, Aleksander turned to his father, Jonathan, and asked with a smile, "You must be proud of him, huh, Father?"
Jonathan replied with a proud look on his face, "Yes, I am."
Just a day after the ceremony, Xavier was brought to a secret meeting held by the King himself in a grande palace, along with many High Council Nobles and political figures, to discuss the matter of the varmints' appearance.
Walking through the immense and royal hallway, Xavier was accompanied by Miss Faelwen and Head Principal Cedric.
Miss Faelwen informed Xavier that he would be interrogated about the incident with the varmints and that they would likely also ask about his prolonged disappearance and survival in the Gateway of Despair.
She explained that the higher-ups were very on edge because the varmints had not been seen for over 10,000 years.
Xavier began to sweat nervously, but Miss Faelwen reassured him that she and Head Principal Cedric would step in if anything got out of hand. Feeling reassured and less nervous, Xavier thanked Miss Faelwen for her support. Miss Faelwen giggled in response, telling Xavier that it was a teacher's duty to guide and help their students when needed.
Head Principal Cedric, watching this, smiled with joy and then told Xavier that his team members and Jason's team had informed them that Prince Magnus had attempted to kill Elowen Mistglen, his teammate, during the Forest Crown Hunt event.
Remembering that attempted murder of a student was strictly prohibited, Xavier questioned Head Principal Cedric on what the school was going to do about Prince Magnus breaking the most important rule.
Head Principal Cedric replied in a disheartened tone, telling Xavier that since Prince Magnus was a royal member of a kingdom allied with the Great King of the United States, they couldn't punish Prince Magnus because of his royal status.
However, Cedric reassured Xavier that Prince Magnus would be punished by his family and the head of their royal family, King Thorfine Flashstride, Prince Magnus's grandfather.
Jokingly, Cedric said, "Knowing Thorfine, he would probably break both of his grandson's legs as punishment."
Xavier asked Cedric how he could be sure that Prince Magnus would be punished by his family. Cedric answered, "Well, that's because Thorfine and I are old friends.
"Thorfine, your grandfather Saint Graviil, and I were very close childhood friends."
Speechless, Xavier stood in shock, realizing that Cedric knew he was the grandson of King Graviil. Seeing Xavier's jaw drop, Cedric burst out laughing, saying, "What's wrong, Prince Xavier? Did you really think I wouldn't know you were the grandson of the Tsar of all Russia, King Graviil Ivanovich?"
Xavier, completely baffled, thought he had kept his royal status a secret very well. He slowly turned his head to Miss Faelwen, who calmly told him that she also knew about his royal status since her Eyes of Revelation had already informed her about it.
Still laughing, Cedric told Xavier that he always knew who he was, as he would never let someone enroll in his school without thoroughly researching their background.
As Xavier stood in awe, Cedric reassured him that only he and Miss Faelwen knew about his royal status, so he didn't need to worry or panic about it.
Regaining his composure, Cedric continued, explaining to Xavier that King Thorfine Flashstride was a very cold and serious man. When it came to punishing those who stained his family's image, he was merciless, even toward his family members.
So it was highly likely that King Thorfine would severely punish Prince Magnus for attempting to commit a severe crime and tarnishing their family name.
As they reached the front door of the meeting room, which was heavily guarded by imperial knights, Cedric shook hands with the Grandmaster of the Order, Thalion Stormforge, the leader of the prestigious order of knights reporting directly to the king.
"How have you been, Grandmaster Thalion?" Cedric asked with a joyful expression.
"I have been doing great, old friend," Thalion replied with a smile. "And how about you? How have you been these past months, Head Principal Cedric?"
"I've been doing fine," Cedric replied. "But I didn't expect you to attend this meeting as well, Grandmaster Thalion."
Grandmaster Thalion responded, "Well, I didn't expect myself to attend either".
"His Majesty asked me to attend the meeting since he wanted my opinion regarding the sudden appearance of varmints after thousands of years."
"Well, that's reasonable," Cedric replied.
Grandmaster Thalion then shook Miss Faelwen's hand and greeted Xavier. "You must be the little hero who risked his life to fight and kill a varmint?" Grandmaster Thalion asked Xavier.
Embarrassed, Xavier replied, "Yes, I am..."
"Wow, it's an honor to meet a great and brave hero like you," Thalion said as he rubbed Xavier's hair.
Xavier replied excitedly, "It's an honor to meet you too, Grandmaster Thalion".
"I wish to be a knight just like you when I grow up, and a Grandmaster at that."
Thalion smiled in surprise and responded, "Well then, little hero, I hope you achieve your goal of becoming a knight".
"When you get older, I will take you under my wing as my student and successor in becoming the new Grandmaster of the kingdom".
"I hope to see what you will become in the future, my future Knight, Xavier."
Xavier nodded his head excitedly in response like a puppy, which made Thalion chuckle.
As they finished talking, one of Thalion's knights informed them that the meeting was about to begin and that they should enter the meeting room.
The knights then opened the immense door as Xavier, Miss Faelwen, Grandmaster Thalion, and Cedric walked into a grand and lavish room covered with beautiful designs and paintings.
Many nobles and political figures sat in their own royal and lavish seats. In the middle of the room was a large, strange orb that glowed strongly, with energy flowing out of it.
Miss Faelwen immediately bowed Xavier's head as she, Thalion, and Cedric all bowed in the presence of the Great King of the Empire of the United States, King Reginald Flameborn.
The King sat on a very grand and majestic throne, which greatly established his status as the Great and mighty King of his Empire.
King Reginald Flameborn then told Thalion, Cedric, and Miss Faelwen to take their seats, leaving Xavier to stand before many high political figures by himself.
As the meeting was about to commence, King Reginald greeted Xavier, telling him that the reason he was invited to this meeting was to hear his side of the story regarding the varmint invasion.
One of King Reginald's knights then instructed Xavier to approach and place his hand on the Sentien of Truth, the big and glowing orb in the middle of the room.
As Xavier placed his hand on the Sentien of Truth, King Reginald informed him that the sphere he was holding was the Sentien of Truth, an ethereal instrument that would examine everything told to it and determine whether it was true or not. Allowing it to discern lies or truth in the words of those who touch it.
With the meeting beginning, Xavier was bombarded with questions from the nobles and political figures, asking about the varmint's appearance, its power, and other details. Xavier tried his best to answer, feeling overwhelmed by the barrage of questions.
King Reginald then asked Xavier about his experience in the gateway of despair. Xavier described it as a gloomy, chaotic place with a dark red sky. When asked if he knew where the varmint was taking him, Xavier explained that a mysterious large gate appeared behind them, and pulled them into an unknown forest where he had been trapped for over a year.
The nobles paused, shocked by his account. They asked if he encountered any abnormal beasts in the forest, but Xavier tried to avoid revealing his encounter with the Dragon King, Alcmena. Instead, he mentioned encountering various creatures from books and tales.
One political figure questioned how Xavier could have defeated the varmint at such a young age. Xavier honestly replied that he didn't know, as he had fallen unconscious from his wounds and found only the varmint's blood when he woke up.
"It must have fled," one of the nobles remarked.
"Surely not; it may have died from the boy's attacks and been eaten by a wild beast," another aristocrat suggested.
"That could be likely more plausible," a different nobleman said.
"Than a beast of chaos, solely born to destroy and kill, running away for its life", he reasoned.
The nobles debated various theories about what happened to the varmint, while Xavier grew increasingly nervous under their scrutiny. Sensing his distress, Miss Faelwen intervened, apologizing for interrupting but explaining that Xavier was just a child and that too many questions could be detrimental to him.
King Reginald, understanding, apologized to Xavier and ordered his knights to escort him home, accompanied by Miss Faelwen. As they left, Miss Faelwen asked Xavier if he was feeling alright, and he replied more relaxed.
Miss Faelwen then asked Xavier about a seed growing within his very being, which she saw, thanks to her Eyes of Revelation.
Panicking as he realized that she was talking about the Dragon Seed King Alcmena had placed within him, Xavier lied, saying he didn't know what it was. He quickly ran towards the exit, apologizing and explaining he had something important to do.
Miss Faelwen, smiling, watched him go, thinking about his forgetful nature and how he reminded her of someone from her past.
Back home, Xavier searched for Excalibur, panicking until he remembered where it was. Xavier slapped his palms together and said, "Come Forth, Blade of Sovereignier, Calibourne".
In a second, a rift in space appeared, and Excalibur gradually descended out of it, with its godliness encompassing the entire room.
"I totally forgot that I had put it into its portal dimension, during the time I was exiting Master Alcmena's realm".
Holding Excalibur, Xavier felt an abundance of energy pour through his entire being. He also retrieved the Dragon egg given to him by King Alcmena, from the rift, wondering when it would hatch.
As Xavier examined the Dragon egg, Jonathan quietly stood behind him, arms crossed, and asked in a calm tone, "What are you doing, Xavier?"
A startled Xavier responded, "Huh?"
"Nothing," Xavier added, concealing Excalibur and the Dragon egg behind him.
"What are you hiding behind you?" Jonathan inquired, raising one eyebrow.
Xavier tried to come up with a reason, but he couldn't bring himself to lie to his father. Jonathan, noticing how hard Xavier fought not to answer the question, smiled and chuckled, assuring Xavier that he didn't need to worry because he didn't really care about what he was doing.
Xavier sighed with relief and asked Jonatahn why he was home alone.
Jonathan said that he didn't need to worry about it. Reminding Xavier that there was a festival going on today in the big cities.
Remembering that today was the Day of the Heroes, a day on which every nation commemorates the defeat of the Dreadful King, Julius, by hands of the 7 Legendary Heroes, and the joint troops of the Four Great Races.
Xavier swiftly reopened a miniature version of Excalibur's dimensional rift from behind himself, placing Excalibur and the Dragon egg back inside before closing it again.
Xavier then asked Jonathan whether he would be joining them in the Metropolis of New York to celebrate the Day of Heroes.
Jonathan responded, telling Xavier that he wouldn't be celebrating this year because his uncle Percival was coming over later that day.
He then urged Xavier to join his siblings and friends in the celebration, and Xavier left happily, promising to see his father later.
A few hours later, Percival arrived, and Jonathan greeted him warmly. As they sat down to talk, Jonathan then asked, "So, brother, what did you want to talk about?" Jonathan asked.
Percival leaned back, a sly smile on his lips. "Oh, just here to reminisce on some old memories we've had as kids."
Jonathan smiled in delight, saying, "Well, I wouldn't mind talking about our past lives."
Percival laughed, saying, "That's the spirit."