The clatter of hooves on cobblestone echoed through the streets as the Velclair carriage made its way toward the capital. Ryuto sat inside, staring out the window at the passing scenery, his thoughts a whirlwind. The summons from the King had come faster than he expected.
This was it. No more hiding. No more pretending to be just another young adventurer. He was on his way to meet the most powerful man in the kingdom, and he had no idea what would happen once he got there.
Across from him sat his father, Duke Alphonse Velclair, his posture as rigid as ever. The Duke hadn't said much since the letter from the royal capital had arrived, but Ryuto could feel the tension between them. Alphonse had always been strict, expecting nothing less than excellence from his children. For years, Ryuto had flown under the radar, content to let his siblings take the spotlight. Now, that was all changing.
Beside Alphonse sat Edwin, Ryuto's older brother, his sword resting against his leg as he gazed out the opposite window. Edwin had always been the golden child, the one destined for greatness. He was strong, capable, and the heir to the Velclair family estate. Ryuto had always felt overshadowed by him, but now, for the first time, it felt like the attention was shifting.
"Don't let your nerves show, Ryuto," Edwin said, breaking the silence. His tone was calm, but there was a sharpness to it. "The King values strength. Show him you're capable, and you'll earn his respect."
Ryuto nodded, though his stomach was in knots. "I know… It's just a lot to take in."
Edwin gave him a small, almost patronizing smile. "You'll be fine. Just don't get overwhelmed by all the attention."
Alphonse, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke, his voice firm. "This is no simple visit. The King has summoned you for a reason. Do not embarrass our family, Ryuto. You've already caused enough trouble with that display of magic. Now, you must prove that you can control it."
Ryuto swallowed hard and nodded again, his father's words weighing heavily on him. He understood the stakes, if he failed to impress the King, it wouldn't just reflect poorly on him. It would affect his entire family.
The journey to the capital felt longer than it actually was. Every bump in the road seemed to jolt Ryuto's thoughts, reminding him of what awaited him at the end. By the time the towering walls of the royal castle came into view, his heart was racing.
The gates of the castle loomed high above them, the stone walls stretching far into the sky. Banners bearing the royal crest fluttered in the breeze, and armored guards stood at attention as the carriage rolled through the entrance. Ryuto couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as he stepped out, his boots hitting the cobblestones of the castle courtyard.
"This is it," he thought, looking up at the grand structure before him. The royal capital was everything he had imagined, opulent, intimidating, and filled with a power that seemed to radiate from the very stone.
"Stay close," Alphonse ordered, leading the way toward the grand entrance. Edwin followed behind, and Ryuto trailed after them, his hands clenched into fists to steady his nerves.
As they entered the castle, Ryuto was struck by the sheer scale of everything. The halls were massive, the ceilings high and adorned with intricate chandeliers. Nobles and courtiers passed by, their conversations hushed as they eyed the Velclair family. Ryuto could feel their gazes on him, and it made his skin crawl. He wasn't used to this kind of attention.
Finally, they reached the throne room, a vast chamber lined with towering columns and draped in rich tapestries. At the far end of the room sat the King himself, a tall, imposing figure with sharp eyes and an air of authority that made everyone in the room feel small.
Ryuto's heart pounded in his chest as they approached the throne. He kept his gaze forward, trying to avoid making eye contact with the courtiers and officials who watched them with interest. This was it. His moment.
"Presenting the Velclair family," a herald announced, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Duke Alphonse Velclair, Sir Edwin Velclair, and the young master, Ryuto Velclair."
The King's gaze settled on them as they bowed in unison. His expression was unreadable, but there was a sharpness in his eyes that made it clear he was evaluating them, particularly Ryuto.
"Rise," the King commanded, his voice deep and authoritative.
The three of them stood, and the King's attention immediately focused on Ryuto. "So, you are the young mage I've heard so much about," he said, his tone calm but carrying the weight of his position. "The boy whose power shattered the seeing sphere."
Ryuto's throat felt dry, but he managed a respectful nod. "Yes, Your Majesty."
The King studied him for a moment, his gaze piercing. "I have summoned you here because reports of your magical abilities have reached my ears. It is not every day that a child displays such power, especially one so young. I must see this power for myself."
Ryuto's pulse quickened. This was it. The moment he had been dreading. The King was asking him to demonstrate his magic, right here, in front of everyone.
"Do not hold back," the King continued, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Show me the full extent of your abilities."
Ryuto took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He could feel the weight of everyone's eyes on him, the King, the courtiers, his father and brother. They were all waiting to see what he would do.
The King gestured to the royal court mage, an elderly man dressed in elaborate robes, with long white hair and a calm, authoritative presence. The mage stepped forward and raised his hands, casting a powerful ward around the throne room. The magical barrier shimmered in the air, designed to protect the onlookers from whatever Ryuto was about to unleash.
"Do not worry about the ward," the King said. "It is strong enough to withstand any magic you can conjure."
Ryuto wasn't so sure about that, but he had no choice. He nodded and stepped forward, closing his eyes for a moment to focus. He could feel the magic within him, like a fire waiting to be released. His control had improved since the Behemoth incident, but now, under the watchful eyes of the King and his court, the pressure felt almost unbearable.
With a deep breath, Ryuto raised his hands, channeling his magic. Flames began to flicker at his fingertips, growing brighter and hotter with each passing second. He could feel the power building, the air around him crackling with energy.
The flames swirled around him, and he focused, pushing them out into the room. A massive fireball shot forward, slamming into the ward with a thunderous impact. The barrier held, but only just. Ryuto could see it shimmer and strain under the force of his magic.
He wasn't done yet.
Next, he summoned a powerful gust of wind, combining it with the flames to create a whirlwind of fire that roared through the throne room. The flames danced wildly, their heat intense enough to make the courtiers step back in alarm. The ward flickered, the strain on it increasing.
Finally, with a burst of focus, Ryuto unleashed everything he had in a single, concentrated blast of energy. The flames surged forward, slamming into the ward with such force that the entire room shook. The ward buckled under the pressure, and with a deafening crack, it shattered, sending a shockwave through the throne room.
The throne room fell into stunned silence, the only sound the faint crackle of dissipating flames as the shattered ward's fragments sparkled in the air. The sheer force of Ryuto's final spell had left a lasting impression, one that none present would soon forget. The courtiers, nobles, and guards, who had been standing tall and composed only moments ago, now shifted uneasily, their faces pale with awe and fear.
Ryuto stood frozen, his breath coming in short gasps. He had done it, perhaps too well. The raw power he had unleashed coursed through him, leaving behind a residual warmth that tingled along his skin. His heart pounded in his chest as he glanced toward the King, waiting for his reaction.
The King remained seated, his expression unreadable as he stared at Ryuto. His sharp eyes glinted with curiosity, though there was a flicker of something else, something Ryuto couldn't quite place. He had expected anger or maybe even fear, but instead, the King appeared... intrigued.
The silence stretched for what felt like an eternity until the King slowly rose from his throne, his gaze never leaving Ryuto.
"Impressive," the King finally said, his deep voice resonating through the room. "I've not seen magic of this caliber in many years."
Ryuto exhaled in relief, though the tension in the room remained thick. The courtiers exchanged nervous glances, their whispers barely audible as they tried to make sense of what they had just witnessed.
The royal court mage, the one who had cast the protective ward, stepped forward, his face a mix of astonishment and concern. "Your Majesty, this boy's magic is... extraordinary. The ward should have been strong enough to withstand anything below SS-class magic, and yet..."
The King raised a hand, silencing the mage. "It seems we have greatly underestimated young Ryuto's potential." He turned his gaze back to Ryuto, his expression softening slightly. "You possess a gift, one that could shape the future of this kingdom."
Ryuto shifted uncomfortably under the King's scrutiny. He had never wanted this level of attention, never asked to be thrust into the spotlight like this. But now, it seemed, there was no turning back.
The King descended the steps of his dais, walking toward Ryuto with deliberate steps. The entire room watched, holding its collective breath as the King approached. He stopped just before Ryuto, studying him carefully.
"You will serve this kingdom well," the King declared, his voice filled with certainty. "With power like yours, there is no doubt that you are destined for greatness. From this day forward, you will protect the realm from any threats that seek to undermine its peace."
Ryuto blinked, unsure how to respond. Protect the realm? He had always imagined himself becoming an adventurer, yes, but this was far more than he had bargained for.
"I..." Ryuto began, his voice faltering slightly. "I'm honored, Your Majesty, but I, "
The King raised his hand, silencing him once more. "There is no need for hesitation. You have already proven yourself, and I have no doubt you will rise to the occasion. As of now, you are not just a young boy. You are an adventurer, one whose power will help keep our enemies at bay."
Ryuto's heart pounded in his chest. This was real. This was happening. His life was changing before his eyes, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
The King turned to the assembled nobles, his voice ringing with authority. "Let it be known throughout the kingdom that Ryuto Velclair has shown exceptional magic and will serve as an adventurer under the crown. His strength shall be our shield against those who threaten our peace."
As the proclamation settled over the room, Duke Alphonse Velclair stepped forward. His face was carefully composed, but Ryuto could see the tension in his father's posture, the same tension that had been there since the moment the summons had arrived.
Alphonse bowed deeply to the King. "Your Majesty, my son's power has exceeded even my expectations. If it is your will that he serve the kingdom, then I will ensure that he is prepared."
The King nodded approvingly. "See to it that he receives proper guidance, Duke Velclair. His strength will be a valuable asset to us all."
Alphonse straightened, his expression unreadable as he turned to Ryuto. For a long moment, he said nothing, his eyes searching his son's face as if trying to make sense of everything. Then, finally, he spoke, his voice low and filled with a mix of pride and resignation.
"You will officially join the guild, Ryuto," Alphonse said, though his tone lacked the usual strictness. "I will send word to the guildmaster myself, granting you permission to enroll, even if you are younger than the required age."
Ryuto stared at his father, surprised. He had expected more resistance, more reluctance. But it seemed that even Duke Alphonse, with all his pride and expectations, couldn't deny what had just happened. His son was powerful, far more powerful than he had ever anticipated.
"Thank you, Father," Ryuto said, bowing his head respectfully. He knew the weight of his father's words, and though they carried a sense of inevitability, they also came with a strange sense of freedom.
Later that evening, back at the Velclair estate, Ryuto found himself in a rare moment of peace. The day had been overwhelming, to say the least. Between the demonstration of his magic, the King's proclamation, and his father's acceptance, his mind felt like it was spinning.
He sat in his room, gazing out the window as the moonlight filtered through the curtains. He was officially an adventurer now. The King had ordered it, and his father had accepted it. And yet, there was still a knot of unease in his chest.
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door.
"Ryuto?" Celeste's voice came from the other side, quiet but concerned.
"Come in," Ryuto said, turning to face her as she entered the room.
Celeste stepped inside, her usual calm demeanor replaced by something more serious. She closed the door behind her and walked over to where Ryuto sat, her arms crossed as she studied him.
"So... you're an adventurer now," she said, her voice laced with worry.
Ryuto nodded. "Yeah. The King's orders."
Celeste frowned, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I don't like it. This is all happening too fast."
"I didn't exactly have a choice," Ryuto replied, leaning back in his chair. "The King wants me to protect the realm or something. I guess that's my life now."
Celeste sighed, sitting down on the edge of his bed. "It's not the adventuring part that bothers me, Ryuto. It's the attention. You're too young for this kind of spotlight, and you're too powerful for your own good. People are going to notice you, and that puts you in danger."
Ryuto stared at her, surprised by the intensity of her concern. "You think it's dangerous just because people know what I can do?"
Celeste nodded, her expression serious. "The more attention you draw, the more enemies you'll make. People don't like those who upset the balance of power. And with your strength, you've already done that."
Ryuto didn't know how to respond. He had never thought of it that way before, but Celeste's words made sense. The King might have accepted him, but what about others? What about those who saw his power as a threat?
"I'll be careful," Ryuto promised, though the weight of her words lingered in his mind.
Celeste looked at him for a long moment before finally nodding. "You better be. I'm not going to let you get yourself killed just because some King thinks you're a weapon."
The room fell into a contemplative silence after Celeste's words. Ryuto looked away, feeling the weight of her concern. It wasn't like him to think so far ahead, he had always focused on the moment, dealing with challenges as they came. But Celeste's warning planted a seed of doubt in his mind.
"I'll be careful," Ryuto repeated, quieter this time, his thoughts swirling. "I promise."
Celeste gave him a long, searching look, her worry evident despite the slight nod of acknowledgment. "Just remember, Ryuto," she said softly, "you're not invincible, no matter how powerful your magic is. Stay grounded."
With that, she stood up, hesitating for a moment before placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Goodnight, little brother. Rest up. You've got a long road ahead."
Ryuto watched her leave the room, the door clicking softly shut behind her. He sighed, leaning back in his chair and running a hand through his hair. The day had been overwhelming, filled with responsibilities he hadn't asked for and expectations that felt impossibly high. The King's declaration, his father's reluctant acceptance, Celeste's worry, it was all piling up, and he wasn't sure how to deal with it.
He glanced over at his bed, thinking about turning in for the night. But before he could get up, the familiar buzz of his smartphone interrupted his thoughts.
Ryuto pulled the phone out of his pocket, staring at the screen as it lit up. A new notification had appeared, the bright text standing out against the dark background.
New Quest Available: Strength in Body, Strength in Magic.
Objective: Begin physical training each morning to build strength and stamina. Magical power alone is not enough, you must train your body to match your magic.
Rewards: Increased strength and endurance, new physical abilities.
Time limit: None. Progress will be tracked daily.
Ryuto read the quest details twice, a faint smirk forming on his lips. Of course, the system had noticed what he'd been ignoring for a long time, his physical abilities were still lacking compared to his magic. He had been relying on his spells to solve everything, but now, it seemed the system was pushing him to become more well-rounded.
"Guess I can't just coast on magic anymore," Ryuto muttered to himself. He tapped Accept, feeling the usual pulse of magic as the quest was locked into his system. A small notification popped up in the corner of the screen, showing his Daily Progress bar, which was currently at zero.
Ryuto lay back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling as the weight of the day finally began to settle over him. Despite everything, a small part of him was excited about the quest. He had never been one to back down from a challenge, and now, with the King's eyes on him and the system pushing him forward, there was no room for hesitation.
"Alright, system," he said with a determined grin. "Let's do this."
The next morning came sooner than Ryuto expected. The sky was still tinged with pink from the rising sun as he slipped out of the Velclair estate, dressed in simple training clothes. He had been awake for hours, his mind racing with thoughts about the King, the guild, and what lay ahead. If nothing else, the system's quest gave him something concrete to focus on, something he could control.
Ryuto made his way to the edge of the estate grounds, where the forest began. It was a peaceful place, a small clearing surrounded by towering trees and bathed in the soft light of dawn. The perfect spot for his training.
He opened the system on his phone, pulling up the quest details. The training regimen was laid out in precise detail, running, bodyweight exercises, and even some basic combat drills to improve his physical endurance. It felt strange, relying on something so mundane compared to the power he had just demonstrated in the King's throne room, but Ryuto knew it was necessary.
"Okay," Ryuto muttered to himself, setting his phone down on a nearby rock. "Let's see what this quest is all about."
The system dinged with a new update as he started his morning run, the Progress Bar inching forward as his feet pounded against the soft forest floor. His legs burned after just a few minutes, and sweat began to trickle down his back. It was a reminder of how much he had neglected his physical training.
After running several laps around the clearing, he moved on to push-ups, sit-ups, and a series of combat drills designed to improve his agility. Each movement was tracked by the system, the Progress Bar filling up slowly but steadily.
By the time the sun had fully risen, Ryuto was exhausted. His muscles ached, and his lungs burned from the exertion, but there was a sense of satisfaction in the back of his mind. He had completed the first stage of the quest, and the system rewarded him with a small increase in his Strength and Endurance stats.
"Not bad," Ryuto said between gasps of breath, wiping the sweat from his brow. "If I keep this up, I might actually be able to hold my own in a real fight."
He retrieved his phone, glancing at the screen to check his progress. The bar had filled about a quarter of the way, and a notification popped up, congratulating him on completing the day's objective.
Congratulations! Progress: 25%. Keep training daily to increase your physical abilities!
Ryuto chuckled. "Looks like this quest is going to take a while."
Later that afternoon, Ryuto returned to the guild to make his official enrollment. The guildhall was bustling with activity as usual, and Ryuto couldn't help but feel the weight of his new status as he approached the counter. The adventurers around him cast curious glances his way, some whispering to each other, no doubt having heard about the King's declaration.
As he approached, Elena, the guild quest giver, greeted him with a smile. "Well, well, Ryuto Velclair. Looks like you've become quite the celebrity around here."
Ryuto scratched the back of his head, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Yeah... I guess you could say that."
Elena winked. "Don't worry. The guild's already heard about your exceptional talents. We've made an exception for you to join early. But just because you're powerful doesn't mean we'll go easy on you. You'll start as an F-rank adventurer, like everyone else."
Ryuto nodded. "That's fine. I wouldn't want it any other way."
As Elena handed him his official guild badge, Ryuto felt a sense of accomplishment wash over him. He was now an official adventurer, a part of something bigger. But he also knew that this was only the beginning. There were challenges ahead, and the world would soon learn just how powerful he really was.
As Ryuto walked out of the guildhall, badge in hand, he glanced down at his smartphone. The system was always with him, guiding his every move. And now, it seemed, it was pushing him toward a destiny he could no longer ignore.
That night, Ryuto lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling once more. His muscles still ached from the morning's training, but it was a good kind of pain, the kind that reminded him he was getting stronger. He had no idea what the future held, but one thing was certain: his life as a simple boy from the Velclair estate was over.
Now, he was an adventurer. And soon, the world would know his name.