The day had finally arrived for Aiden to test the new ODM gear in the field. He stood in the courtyard, the cool morning breeze brushing against his skin, his heart racing with anticipation.
The prototype gleamed in the sunlight, a sleek and modern version of the old model. It was lighter, faster, and more efficient—a perfect fusion of ancient design and futuristic technology.
Dr Brown and Alaric stood nearby, watching with interest as Aiden geared up. Alaric was especially curious, knowing how much the young prince had put into the project.
"You ready, Aiden?" Alaric asked, his arms crossed, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Aiden nodded, tightening the straps around his waist and shoulders. "More than ready. Let's see if this thing lives up to the hype."
Dr Brown handed Aiden a control pad that allowed for adjustments mid-flight. "Remember, Your Highness, this is still a prototype. Don't push it too hard just yet. We need to gather data from this test before we make any tweaks."
"Got it, Doc," Aiden replied, strapping the control pad to his wrist. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the gear settle comfortably on his back. "Here goes nothing."
With a sharp click, Aiden activated the gear. The soft hum of the energy source powering up filled the air, and within seconds, he was airborne. The grappling hooks shot out, embedding themselves into the stone walls of the courtyard with pinpoint precision.
Aiden felt a surge of exhilaration as the gear effortlessly pulled him forward, propelling him across the yard with incredible speed.
The ease of movement was astonishing. Unlike the older, gas-powered ODM gear, the new version was nearly silent, with no hissing canisters or clunky mechanics slowing him down. It was as if he was flying, gliding through the air like a bird. Aiden grinned, the wind whipping through his dreadlocks as he manoeuvred around the training grounds.
"Whoa!" Aiden exclaimed, weaving between trees and walls with remarkable agility. "This is amazing!"
Dr Brown and Alaric watched in awe as the prince zipped around the courtyard, his movements fluid and controlled. Alaric, in particular, was impressed with Aiden's natural talent for mastering the gear so quickly.
"He's a fast learner," Alaric muttered, watching as Aiden performed a sharp turn, retracting one of the grappling hooks and shooting another in a seamless transition. "The kid's got skills."
Aiden continued testing the gear, pushing it a little further with each pass. He adjusted the speed, played with the grappling angles, and even tested the emergency brake function. Every move felt smooth, responsive, and more refined than anything he'd ever seen in the history books.
After a while, Aiden landed back on the ground with a satisfied smile. He unclipped the gear and handed it back to Dr Brown, who was scribbling down notes on a clipboard.
"How did it feel, Your Highness?" Dr Brown asked, clearly eager for feedback.
"Incredible," Aiden said, his heart still racing from the thrill. "It's like nothing I've ever felt before. It's so much faster and smoother than I imagined. This could change everything."
Dr Brown nodded. "That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. We'll need to make a few more adjustments, but I think we're on the right track. With more testing, we'll have this perfected in no time."
Alaric approached Aiden, clapping him on the shoulder. "You've got a good head on your shoulders, Aiden. If you keep working like this, you're going to leave a lasting legacy."
Aiden smiled up at the captain. "Thanks, Alaric. I'm not done yet, though. There's still so much more we can improve. This is only the beginning."
The prince's mind buzzed with ideas for the future. He could already see the new ODM gear becoming an integral part of Paradis' military, allowing soldiers to navigate difficult terrain and reach heights that were previously impossible.
And it wasn't just for combat—there were other uses, too, like rescue missions and rapid deployments. The possibilities were endless.
As he walked back toward the palace with Dr Brown and Alaric, Aiden couldn't help but feel proud of what they had accomplished. He knew that his passion for invention and innovation would only grow stronger with time, and there were no limits to what he could achieve.
-
-
Next morning~
[Aiden POV]
The door to my bedroom slammed open, and I didn't even flinch. I was already wide awake—there was no sleeping through my father's thunderous energy, especially when he had good news.
I just stayed in bed, staring at the ceiling, waiting for him to drop whatever bombshell he was excited about this time.
"Morning, son!" Dad boomed, striding into the room like he owned the place. Well, technically, he did, but you know what I mean. "Guess what?"
I sat up, rubbing my eyes. "What, Dad?"
His grin was so wide I thought his face might split in half. "You've been invited to represent Paradis at this year's tech convention on I-Island!"
I blinked, trying to process what he just said. I-Island? The floating island with all the latest tech from around the world? My pulse quickened. I'd read about it, seen videos of the crazy inventions and cutting-edge science that came from there.
And now, I was going to represent Paradis? It felt surreal.
"Wait, really?" I asked, sitting up straighter.
"Really!" Dad laughed, walking over to ruffle my hair. "This is a huge opportunity for you, Aiden. Not just to showcase what we've been working on here but to see the rest of the world for yourself. You've been cooped up in the palace long enough."
I nodded, my mind racing with the possibilities. I-Island wasn't just some fancy tech convention. It was where the brightest minds on the planet gathered to share ideas, collaborate, and push the boundaries of what was possible.
And I was going to be right there, representing Paradis. It felt unreal.
"When do we leave?" I asked, already thinking about what to pack.
"Soon," Dad said, sitting down on the edge of my bed. "We've got a couple of weeks to prepare, but I wanted to tell you now so you can start thinking about what you want to bring. Dr Brown's already on it, getting the new ODM gear and some other inventions prepped."
I leaned back against my pillows, grinning. "This is insane. I can't believe I'm going."
"You've earned it," Dad said, his tone softening. "You've worked hard, Aiden. I'm proud of you. And this trip will be good for you. See the world beyond Paradis. Meet new people, make connections. It's time."
I smiled up at him, feeling a weird mix of excitement and nerves. Going to I-Island was a dream, but it was also a huge responsibility. I wasn't just going as Aiden—I was going as the future king of Paradis. There'd be expectations, people watching my every move. I just hoped I didn't mess it up.
"I'll make Paradis proud," I said, more to myself than to him.
"I know you will, son," Dad said, standing up with a smile. "Now, get up. There's a lot to do before we head off. And don't worry—your mum's already planning your wardrobe."
I groaned at that but couldn't help laughing. Mum always had a way of making sure I looked "proper," even when I just wanted to wear my usual stuff.
As Dad left the room, I sat there for a moment, letting it sink in. I was really going to I-Island. This was it—my chance to show what I was capable of, to put everything I'd learned to the test. And maybe, just maybe, this trip would be the start of something even bigger.
I grinned to myself, already thinking about what inventions I wanted to show off and how to make the most of this opportunity. I-Island, here I come.
-
-
3 months later~
Three months later, I stood at the edge of the royal fleet, the wind whipping through my hair as we sailed towards I-Island.
The ships were massive, sleek, and armed with the latest tech from Paradis. It was no ordinary trip, and the sense of importance was palpable.
Mum and Dad were nearby, deep in conversation with some of the royal advisors, while the royal guard kept watch. Sera had stayed behind, something about wanting to "run things properly" in Dad's absence.
Typical Sera.
I could see the excitement on everyone's faces, especially Dad's. He kept glancing at me with a proud smile, probably thinking about all the things I'd get to experience.
I, on the other hand, was just trying to keep calm. This was going to be huge.
The journey was surprisingly smooth. The sea stretched out as far as the eye could see, and for a while, I just enjoyed the peace.
The guards stayed alert, but there wasn't much to worry about. We were the most powerful nation in the world, after all.
As we neared I-Island, I saw it—a floating technological marvel, surrounded by shimmering waters and dotted with towers that glowed in the sunlight. It was like something out of a sci-fi dream, and it took my breath away.
"Almost there, Aiden," Mum said softly, noticing my awe.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=