In order to gain enough power to overcome Dracula, he was forced to use an old, forbidden Zet technique, which forcefully boosted a person's Zet multiple times.
However, using the technique came at a great cost, which was the sacrifice of the user's Zet core, leading to the permanent loss of their psychic abilities.
After the war, one would expect the person who single-handedly took down the vampire king to be treated as a hero, just the way he was supposed to.
But what happened after was anything but that.
For the first few months, everyone praised him as a hero, as the wounds from the war was still very fresh in their minds.
However, things changed after a few years. With the kingdom returning back to its glory, they started feeling that the king wasn't fit to rule them, since he had now lost all his powers.
The world of Zenon had always discriminated greatly against 'duds'—those who didn't awaken any psychic abilities, and having such a person as a king didn't sit down well with most of them.
Although the kingdom of Norath was more of a matriarchal, with the queen being the one in charge of ruling the country, they still hated the fact that someone without Zet was holding such a high position.
The king's duty was mainly to uphold the rules, and lead the country's army, however, it didn't make it any less of an important position.
After all, it was still the second-highest rank after the queen, and that didn't sit well with most of Norath citizens.
Alex was still very young when he heard the story from his mother, and ever since then, the image of his father in his mind grew even bigger.
He aspired to grow up into a powerful psychic just like his father, and fight bravely to save to world.
So hearing the people of the kingdom say stupid things about him greatly angered him.
It felt like he was the only one who could see how amazing his father really was, while the rest of the country just decided to be ungrateful.
It was also why he was greatly afraid of what would happen if he didn't awaken his Zet…
He wasn't just afraid of having to give up his dreams of becoming a powerful psychic, he was mostly scared of bringing more shame upon his family.
"Alex…" The man muttered when he heard his words, letting out a deep sigh. "So that's how it is…"
"You shouldn't bother yourself too much with what people think, they'll always 'think' something you know, worrying too much about that is pointless."
"Except they're making a mockery… of your sacrifice." Alex said, clenching his fist in annoyance. "That's not just anything…"
"Yeah, my sacrifice… my choice." The man said, gently resting his hand on the boy's head. "I made that choice, I can't blame anyone else about the outcome."
"B-but… but…" Alex muttered, however, how words were stuck in his throat.
The king slowly knelt down to his level, slowly rubbing his head in pride.
"The most important thing in this life is to have a good heart, to be kind, no matter what others say or think about you." He said, with a proud smile on his face. "That's the duty of a king… to serve his people."
"But they are ungrateful, the people of this world don't deserve any kindness."
"That's where you're wrong Alex, kindness isn't just something you show to people just 'cause they deserve it, it's something you show 'cause you're kind."
Alex became quiet after that, pondering over his father's words.
"I-I just want… you and mom to be proud of me." He muttered, turning his head to the side in embarrassment.
Although his voice was low, the man still heard his words clearly, and a warm smile appeared on his face.
"I'm already proud of you Alex." He muttered, gently patting his head before rising back in his feet.
"Now you'll have to excuse me, I have something to attend to." The man said, before walking away, leaving Alex alone with his thoughts.
'Something you show because you're kind.' Alex thought, a strange glint flickering through his eyes.
"Alex!!!" A soft tiny voice suddenly called out his name, causing his brows to furrow into a frown.
"Wha—" He turned his head around, however, his eyes immediately widened in shock at the sight of his little sister flying towards him.
"H-hey… wait… d-don't—" His words were swiftly cut short as the girl abruptly closed in on him, clinging unto his body, with her hands wrapped around his neck and her legs on his torso.
Bam!
"O-ohh… argh!" Alex slowly stumbled backwards from the force, before finally falling to the ground, landing on his butt.
"You…" He muttered, staring at black and blonde haired girl with a deep frown on his face.
'My daily struggles of having a psychic as my little sister…' Alex thought, his brows twitching uncontrollably.
"Hehe." Quira giggled in joy, enjoying the annoyed expression on his face.
She swiftly stood up, dashing to the side while sticking her tongue out at him, causing Alex's expression to contort in anger.
"Y-you… get back here!!" He shouted, chasing after her.
However, the girl simply floated in the air, staying out of his reach.
Meanwhile, Alex watched as his younger self chased the little sister relentlessly, eager to teach her a lesson for her actions.
'T-this…' He thought, feeling a strong wave of nostalgia wash over him.
Despite all the years that had passed, he could still vividly remember everything that had happened during his childhood.
However, that was what made re-watching him so hard for him to bear… as he knew what would come next, changing his life forever.
Although so many years had passed, he still wished he could go back to those time, the times when things were simpler… when he was happy.
Suddenly, the scene in front of him changed once more.
The first thing that appeared in his sight was a colourless crystal ball, on which his palm gently rested on.
A few seconds passed, then minutes, however, nothing happened.
Seeing the scene in front of him, the hands of Alexander's younger self slowly started to tremble in shock.
"No Zet… detected." A tall man standing beside him said, he himself surprised at his own words.
Nothing like this had ever happened before, for a dud to come out of the esteemed royal bloodline!
Those words were like the final nail on the young Alex's mind, and he slowly staggered backwards, his eyes widening in shock.
"That means he's… a dud."
"We had a dud as our prince… this whole time?!!"
"Such a disgrace…"
"As expected, nothing good could ever come out of that royal family."
"What else were we expecting, when the king himself is also a dud."
"First a dud king, now the prince is a dud, that's a disgrace to our history!"
Different murmur echoed in the hall, as the people who gathered there started hurtling insults at not just Alex, but also the royal family.
The more those words drifted into his ears, the more Alex felt his heart found with sadness and anger.
Although a part of him had already expected this, watching it actually happen still hurt him deeply.
Countless eyes were on him, not just the nobles or the citizens of the kingdom, but even those from other kingdom.
Norath was the biggest kingdom on the planet of Zenon, so even those from the other nations were quite excited to see what kind of talent the prince will awaken.
However, in front of such a large crowd, he had brought nothing more than shame and disgrace to the royal family name…
He felt ashamed, and wished for nothing more than the ground to open up and swallow him whole.
Suddenly, he felt a pair of warm hands gently grab unto his shoulders, steadying his feet against the ground.
It was a beautiful woman with long black and blonde hair and light brown eyes.
"M-mom?" He muttered, tears slowly pooling at the corners of his eyes.
"It's okay Alex." She said, flashing a warm smile at him.
Her gaze suddenly turned serious as she turned back to the crowd, and the whole hall immediately became quiet, the people shrinking back in fear.
However, despite her later resolving the chaos about to erupt in the hall, she couldn't change the reality.
That was the same day Alex's life changed forever, and it wasn't for the better.