**Kyle POV**
"Does this mean there's a high chance of me dying in there?" I said out loud, mistakenly.
My dad turned and stared at me. "What do you mean by that, and what have you been staring at so intently?" he asked, his expression questioning.
He stared at me for a few moments before walking ahead, urging me to come along. Stepping inside The Palace took my breath away for a moment.
The interior was far grander than I had imagined, with maids bustling around and no guards in sight except for the one outside. We walked on, and everyone who saw us immediately greeted and bowed to my dad with a certain fear.
Suddenly, we arrived at a door made of gold, adorned with runes similar to those I had seen on the chain. But I pushed those thoughts aside; pressing matters were at hand, like the room I was about to enter. Based on the quest, if things didn't go well, I could end up dead.
My dad pushed the door open slightly, but then he suddenly stopped. In that moment, I felt as though I couldn't breathe. I collapsed onto the floor, gasping for breath, overwhelmed by the monstrosity that lay behind that door. It felt akin to my father, who always concealed his true nature, just like they had concealed it during the ceremony. Right now, however, it was allowed to radiate outwards, an aura that was just as terrifying or even more so than what I had felt from the mystical creature. But I knew it was sealed, for a being of destruction like that would have killed me just by breathing.
Suddenly, I was okay again and able to breathe properly. Raising my head, I noticed a shadow cast above me, shielding me from the monstrous and unforgiving aura.
"Make sure to stay behind me, son. Don't worry— you will be okay," he said, standing protectively in front of me.
Following his words, I felt reassured as I stood up and walked behind him, trying to regain control of my breathing. The moment we stepped inside, the door slammed shut behind us.
---
**Blake POV**
"What happened to Kyle back at the ceremony? It was like he became someone entirely different, and his power was four times stronger," I said, looking at my sister, who wore an unbothered expression.
"Hmmm, I think I should go talk to Father. Maybe he knows what's going on."
When I reached his office, it was empty, and even his room was vacant. Returning to my sister, she glanced at me before sighing.
"Father is at the summoning," she said as she walked away. It seemed that what happened at the ceremony was more complicated than I had thought.
"I hope everything went well," I thought to myself, staring into thin air.
---
**BACK AT THE ROYAL PALACE**
"Greetings, King Aamon. House Draco, second of the royal empire's thirteen pillars, has answered the summon with my son alongside me, as requested," Draco proclaimed as he presented himself before taking his seat, leaving Kyle to stand alone in front of the individual on the high throne, who offered a smile.
"Most of the pillars doubted you would honor the summon, but I knew you were a man of your word, even when it involves your son," the individual said, directing his gaze at Draco. They engaged in a staring contest for three minutes until Draco finally looked down, sweat trickling down his face.
"Draco, as stubborn as ever," the first elder commented, shaking his head while smiling.
The individual seated on the throne returned to the main topic in the room. "So, you must be the son of Draco," he noted.
"You know, the stir you caused during the ceremony was remarkable; there hasn't been anyone capable of that sort of display in eons. Now, for my question: what is your familiar, and what is its name?" he asked with authority.
"I don't know its name," Kyle responded. The individual stared at him for a while before smiling.
"It seems you are telling the truth," he said, before continuing, "but that's not the whole truth, is it? What sort of creature is your familiar?"
This time, Kyle felt he had no choice but to tell the truth. If he lied, the being seated on the throne would know, and he would have no way to avoid being compelled.
Here goes nothing. "My familiar refers to itself as a dragon."
The moment Kyle finished speaking, the entire room fell silent. The eyes of everyone, including his father, were filled with disbelief and then sudden realization as they understood why he couldn't control himself.